Wildlife photographer Scott Keys set out to prove that full-frame systems outperform Micro Four Thirds in macro work — but the results surprised him. After testing the OM System OM-1 II with the M.Zuiko 90 mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO against the Nikon Z6 III with a 180 mm macro lens, he found the smaller OM System consistently delivered sharper detail and greater usable depth of field — even at f/22, where diffraction should have ruined sharpness.

Despite theoretical disadvantages from its smaller pixel pitch, the OM System somehow mitigated diffraction better than expected, producing crisp, contrasty macro images with deeper focus. The Nikon setup still offered richer files and better cropping flexibility, but in practical, real-world close-ups the Olympus/OM combo simply performed better.

Keys’s takeaway: for pure macro photography, OM System wins on portability, depth of field, and surprising image quality. For broader wildlife work and heavy cropping, full-frame still holds the edge — but for anyone focused mainly on macro subjects, the OM System may now be the smarter choice.

Kyle writes:

If you’ve been curious about the OM-System OM-3 or are looking to downsize your camera kit for travel and adventure photography, this episode of the “How It Feels” series is for you.

Over the past decade, I’ve carried cameras through places like Antarctica, the Alps, and New Zealand, but these mountains in my backyard are where it all started for me. They’re wild, raw, and endlessly inspiring. This time, I wanted to see what it feels like to film with a smaller, lighter setup – and how the OM-3 changes the experience of being out on the trail.

The OM-System OM-3 uses a Micro Four Thirds sensor, which was somewhat of a mystery to me before filming this vlog. There’s both upsides and downsides to a M43 camera. In this video, I talk about the tradeoffs of Micro Four Thirds for landscape and adventure filmmaking, the importance of weight when hiking with camera gear, and how simplifying your kit can change the way you create.