Ian (a landscape pro) has been testing Micro Four Thirds for wildlife, using the OM-1 Mark II alongside his Fujifilm X system and his compact Panasonic GX80/GX85. MFT’s 2× crop gives long-reach equivalents with smaller, lighter lenses; downside is more high-ISO noise versus full frame.

HIs Plan: buy the OM-1 Mark II for wildlife while keeping the Fujifilm X system for landscapes and as a video backup; the GX80/GX85 stays as an everyday carry.

Key info:

• “Is MFT dead?” No—new gear keeps arriving; it serves a focused niche well.
• “Is 20 MP enough?” For his work, yes—good glass matters more; minimal cropping expected.
• Landscapes on MFT: likely fine; needs more time testing, but early lens sharpness is promising.

Chris Baitson tested the OM 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO lens you can get for $1499 at BHphoto and Amazon. His conclusion in shot:

The OM System/Olympus 40–150mm f/2.8 PRO is a sharp, versatile 80–300mm-equivalent zoom with a fast constant aperture—great reach, low-light and subject separation, clearly outperforming the cheaper 40–150mm kit.

OM 50-200mm f/2.8 PRO at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, OM US store, Fotokoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, OM European stores.

This is a short translated summary of his 50-200mm lens review:

During his latest adventure in Namibia, YouTuber Amazing Alpha tested the OM System M.Zuiko 50–200mm f/2.8 PRO in real-world conditions. Mounted on the OM-1 Mark II, this compact setup covered a 100–400 mm full-frame equivalent range. When paired with the 2× teleconverter, it reached 800 mm while maintaining exceptional sharpness and contrast.

In the field, Alpha captured stunning wildlife scenes — from aerial bird fights to a lion hunt at dusk — all handheld. Thanks to the OM-1 Mark II’s stacked 20 MP sensor and remarkable in-body stabilization, he achieved sharp 50 MP handheld high-resolution shots and reliable autofocus performance even in fast action sequences at 50 fps.

The combination proved remarkably flexible: ideal for landscapes, macro, wildlife, and astrophotography. The built-in electronic ND filter simplified long-exposure work, while the 4:3 sensor format provided extra room for both landscape and portrait compositions.

Conclusion: According to Amazing Alpha, the 50–200mm f/2.8 PRO combined with the OM-1 Mark II offers an unmatched mix of portability, reach, and image quality — a lightweight setup capable of delivering professional results across every genre of photography.

Gear mentioned:
– OM System M.Zuiko 50–200mm f/2.8 PRO
– OM-1 Mark II
– OM System 2× Teleconverter