Here is the summary of my preference on all different categories.. The results are so close I don’t even remember what I choose has to go to each page to figure out the reason and the combination.
|
Criteria |
My Preference |
Reason |
| Real world usage of Full Frame and m4/3 – Part One, Images for Very Large Print | m4/3 with Hi-Res mode | Hi-Res mode outperforms the 36MP in terms of color and the raw size |
| Part Two – Handheld Large Prints | m4/3 lens | Lens |
| Part 3 – Harsh Lighting | D810 sensor | Better option to correct the tone |
| Part 4 – Inside Museums | m4/3 | Strangely I needed more DoF |
| Part 5 – Indoor Low Light | m4/3 lens | It’s again the lens |
| Part 6 – Family Photos | Tie | FF has an edge when correcting mistakes, |
| Part 7 – Outdoor City Lights – Handheld | m4/3 combo | Better Image Stabilization |
| Part 8 – Handling and other considerations | D810 | Not final ,as hasn’t used EM-1 Mark iI yet |
One thing I learned and confirmed is that IQ is not about the camera. It’s lens, stupid! So no way I am getting the 24-120mm lens. It just didn’t feel right for that body.
Other interesting thing I learned..
Summary
What I liked in D810 or FF sensor
Handling…, some how it feels better than even D800E and other Nikon bodies I have used.
Strength of sensor to pull back details from shadows, or recover highlights when mistakes are made in exposure.
Very clean image at ISO 64.
Something about capturing red color, like in brick or in dresses, which I felt Nikon did very well and accurately.
What I liked in Pen-F or m4/3 sensor
Comparable or better image quality to FF for all my practical purpose, except with moving subjects.
When exposed correctly can recover enough details form shadows or highlights.
The trick with Hi-Res mode, actually not for the resolution but much better color and contrast details, which I felt always lacked in digital sensor.
What not to like in both
Images above ISO 5000 in D810 ( probably due to the 24-120mm lens at f/4) I wouldn’t print them, probably not include in any albums for sharing. ISO 3200 is the one I am comfortable with the D810, ISO1250 with Pen-F. If I have to choose above this ISO, I would just take picture from iPhone, it would be just to capture that moment, not worth all the trouble of transferring, sorting and adjusting later.
Image stabilization with 24-120, it does give a 2-3 stops at long end.. I got reasonable results only at speeds faster than 1/30th of second. But Pen-F gives sharp results at 1/8th of seconds for same view.
Indoor sports/ action. Disappointed with both. Now I know why people spend $6500 for D5, Mark 1DX and upwards of $10,000 for lenses.
Two camera’s are better than one
Never thought I will come to this conclusion..
Yep! initially it was little bit of pain carrying two cameras and shooting with both. But soon I realized what a great advantage it is having two different bodies with different lens. Since there I don’t like 24-120mm f/4 lens and don’t want to carry the heavy f/2.8 lens from Nikon decided to go with the following combination
-
D810 with 35mm or 28mm prime
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E-M1 Mark II with the f/2.8 or 12-100 f/4 zoom lens
D810 mainly for its handling and E-M1 Mark II mainly for better lens in smaller body with out making compromise on the Image Quality for all my practical purpose. The combination of E-M1 with f/2.8 zooms equals Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 in terms of price and weight.
This way I think I get the best of both the worlds.. light and compact for all travel .. great ISO and other benefits with prime lens for normal shooting.
Update 12/3/16:
Changed the priority of purchase due to this reason…Why Nikon? Why?
Update 12/8/16 :
Added the comparison post of size and weight of both the systems..
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