Fstoppers: Can OM-1 Replace This $9100 Setup?

In this new Fstoppers video, he compares the OM System 50-200mm f/2.8 lens on the OM-1 Mark II Micro Four Thirds camera against a full-frame setup — the Sigma 300-600mm f/4 paired with the Sony A7 IV.

The video dives deep into whether Micro Four Thirds systems can truly compete with full-frame setups in sharpness, depth of field, and low-light performance. The new OM System 50-200mm f/2.8 offers an equivalent field of view of 100-400mm f/2.8, weighs just 2.4 lb, features IP53 weather sealing, in-lens stabilization, and an integrated Arca-Swiss tripod foot. When paired with the OM-1 body, users can achieve up to seven stops of image stabilization.

Comparing it to the Sony full-frame setup, the reviewer notes that while the full-frame camera still delivers slightly better image quality and creamier bokeh, the Micro Four Thirds system remains far more compact and enjoyable to use, especially for travel and handheld sports or wildlife photography. In field tests covering wildlife, golf, tennis, and even night pickleball, the OM-1 Mark II delivered excellent autofocus, light weight, and remarkable stabilization performance — all while costing about 40 percent less than the Sony and Sigma combination.

Ultimately, the video concludes that full-frame systems still produce marginally superior images, but Micro Four Thirds cameras like the OM-1 Mark II offer a more versatile and enjoyable shooting experience for most photographers, achieving 80–90 percent of the image quality at a fraction of the size, weight, and cost.

Gear Mentioned:
OM System OM-1 Mark II,
OM System 50-200mm f/2.8 Lens,
Sony A7 IV,
Sigma 300-600mm f/4 Lens.