€21,500 Full Frame vs €4,800 Micro Four Thirds: Is the Price Difference Worth It?

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Our friends at Amazing Nature Alpha just released a fascinating comparison between two extreme wildlife setups: a Sony full-frame kit with the FE 600mm f/4 mounted on the Sony Alpha 1 II and an OM System OM-1 Mark II paired with the 300mm f/4 PRO IS. The price difference is staggering — but how big is the gap in real image quality?

The Two Systems Compared

• Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS + Sony Alpha 1 II – Cost: ~21,500 € | Weight: ~4.4 kg | Resolution: 50 MP full-frame | Advantages: unmatched detail, shallow depth of field, less noise, superior autofocus | Drawbacks: extremely heavy, extremely expensive
• OM System OM-1 Mark II + M.Zuiko 300mm f/4 PRO IS – Equivalent field of view: 600mm f/4 | Cost: ~4,900 € (bundle) | Weight: ~2.1 kg | Resolution: 20 MP MFT stacked sensor | Advantages: lightweight, compact, excellent IBIS, macro-friendly, great for handheld wildlife | Drawbacks: less resolution, noisier files, AF not as consistent, bokeh less creamy

Real-World Results

In side-by-side tests, the Sony setup files clearly look cleaner, sharper, and smoother in the background. The OM System OM-1 Mark II images are slightly grainier and have more depth of field — sometimes even an advantage (for macro or subjects on different planes). Still, the difference is much smaller than expected, especially for web or social media use.

Price and Practicality

With the OM System you could buy the 150–400mm f/4.5 PRO with built-in teleconverter and still save around 9,000 € compared to the Sony kit. That’s a second lens and a small used car for the same money!

Conclusion

Both systems are excellent and have their place: Sony full frame → for those who want the absolute best image quality, shallowest depth of field, and can handle the cost and weight. OM System Micro Four Thirds → for those who want portability, value, and flexibility while still getting outstanding images. Ultimately, the question is: is the full frame system really worth paying more than 4× the price?

Gear Links

OM System OM-1 Mark II – B&H, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK
OM System M.Zuiko 300mm f/4 PRO IS – B&H, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK
OM System M.Zuiko 150–400mm f/4.5 PRO TC – B&H, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK
Sony Alpha 1 II – B&H, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK
Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS – B&H, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK