Originally Posted by
glennaa11
After lugging APS-C Nikon DSLRs across Asia for several years I changed to m43 last year and could not be happier. Frankly I think most people would never be able to tell the difference between m43 or APS-C or even FF in many cases. I don't feel like m43 has limited me in any way. And the ability to carry my entire kit (body+ 4 or 5 lenses) in a tiny little backpack is a revelation. I printed a few of my OM-D images at large-ish size (12x18") and they look fantastic. I had a book made of my images from last years trip by Blurb which also looks great.
I think the real limitation is the photographer's skill, not the equipment.
My carryon is mostly occupied by laptop and supporting electronics (portable drives, chargers, etc.) IOW, stuff you would not pack in a checked bag.
My photo gear goes into a photo sling bag, which counts as my "personal item" that I take onboard in addition to my roller carryon. I've carried my D7000 and 3 lenses (one on the camera), photo accessories, and my iPad Mini Retina for quick access onto planes.
Now if I went with a Micro 4/3 set up, I would still have to have to have a dedicated photo bag as my personal item, with customized padded compartments. No doubt this bag with 4/3 gear would be much lighter and could be smaller than what I have now.
But I see no point in using a smaller personal item bag than the airlines allow, as I could always use the capacity for other items that I would not rather put in a checked bag.
Weight is fine with me. I've hiked as much as 15-20 miles in a day with this bag and gear on my back and a second shoulder bag carrying food and even a tripod. I walked up to San Miniato del Monte overlooking Florence just before sunset, to take pictures of Florence just before and after sunset a couple of years ago.
I'm not saying lighter gear wouldn't be welcome in this kind of scenario but as I said before, you give up low-light performance and there isn't any native geotagging solution for any mirrorless cameras yet.
Difference in weight between a D750 with 24-120 lens and an OMD-E-M5 with 12-50 lens is about 30 ounces. In percentage terms huge but in absolute terms, two pounds is not going to break my back.
For that I get a bigger and better sensor, more reach in the lens, access to more lenses, geotagging support, etc.