Possible Olympus FF dilemma....what will they do?

What is it about m4/3rds that makes some feel it is unworthy or some how sub par?

Steve Huff has a story and comparison of m4/3rds vs APS-C vs 35mmFF. The cameras are Olympus EM-1 vs Fuji XT-1 vs Sony A7s.

COMPARISON HERE

Why do some or many photographers including m4/3rds user feel as if they are missing something by not having a 35mmFF camera set up?

Some complain, less ability to use or create shallow DOF. But is that really so in the real world? If you go into Huff's story linked above scroll to the images of the vase. BUT STOP only putting on screen the TOP image. Do not scroll to see all three. Start by looking at only the first image. DOF and Bokeh look superb on it. If you did not know what camera or sensor was used in its creation , you would not know if it was m4/3rds, APS-C, or FF. BE HONEST! Without the ability in a controlled situation of THREE images by three different cameras, NOBODY could tell if the photos were made either sensor size. Only once you see each image will you have a reference to compare effective DOF and Bokeh. Even at that Olympus, Panasonic and other m4/3rds lens makers now have fast lenses in m4/3rds to give more than suitable shallow DOF and quality Bokeh ifa photographer desires.

This said IMO too much hullabaloo over razor thin DOF. In most shooting one really does not want nor need razor thin DOF. This razor thin DOF is an over used product of the internet and social media hype. Most of the time one rarely needs or wants WIDE OPEN F1.4-1.8 DOF etc. But if that is your thing again there are lenses in wide choice today for m4/3rds.

Dynamic range, really in 2016??? The dynamic range of most modern digital cameras be they m4/3rds, APS- or 35mmFF is too minute to worry much about, especially if you meter well. The range of difference is not even sensor size relatable today. The gap is typically 1-1.5 stops today. 10 years ago the best cameras were easily 2-2.5 stops less than the best today, but we still made and as a pro sold beautiful images

Colour depth, again really? Most modern digital cameras be they m4/3rds, APS-C or 35mmFF are within 1-2bits difference. Too little to worry about and as such NOT ONE viewer or paying client of your work will notice nor complain.

Iso, noise, Steve Huff's article does a nice iso, noise trio too. Unless you actively compare three identical and controlled images you will be hard pressed to really see the higher noise in m4/3rds or APS-C. IMO Olympus does a good job with noise to make it less irritable even at iso 3200-6400-12800 etc. There are numerous web pages by artistic and working pros who shoot m4/3rds and they state NO clients notice nor complain about iso noise.

Resolution, 35mmFF has an edge in max. resolution, 50MP topper for 35mmFF, where as APS-C tops at 24MP and m4/3rds 16-20MP. But does it really matter much? Again there are web pages where photographers have written about making large up to 30"x 40" prints with m4/3rds and remain BLOWN AWAY by these prints. Even comparing them side by side vs 24-36MP FF prints. they say it is hard to see much a difference. Even if one sees a difference, its not objectionable even at HUGE print sizes. Remember folks 10 years ago we were happily printing poster sizes with 6-8-10 MP cameras be the 4/3ds, APS-C, APS-H or 35mmFF.

I'm not saying to NOT buy into 35mmFF, but to see that doing so circa 2016 is NOT a requirement. for TOP NOTCH photography, or pro grade and salable photography. But buy into 35mmFF if YOU want to and budget too. Numerous pros are now shooting and selling with m4/3rds. Many capable artists are shooting for pleasure with m4/3rds.

Think about m4/3rds as the 3rd gen. light weight RX-7 sports car vs APS-C being the last gen. 3.0L Turbo Supra, vs 35mmFF being the V-8 Corvette. All are (were) winners. All are better at what they can do than 99/100 drivers are skill wise and all are top performing all be it differently cars from each other.

If Olympus goes 35mmFF it will be its choice, but it does not nullify that modern and superb capabilities of m4/3rds.