Nikon DSLR Setup Compared to Equivalent OM System MFT Setup
Size, Weight, Price and Capabilities
Over the years, I’ve carefully adjusted my Nikon DSLR setup to fit my needs. Now that I got an OM System Setup in addition, it was only natural to get all the equivalent equipment in MicroFourThirds as well.
In this article I’ll compare the two kits in terms of capabilities, size, weight and price.
Comparison
Each of my basic kits consist of two camera bodies, a fast wide-angle, a fast telephoto prime as well as a mid-range f/2.8 zoom. Depending on the type of job, I add an ultra-wide angle prime (around 20mm FF) and a macro lens (around 60mm FF). For the sake of this comparison, I am only considering the basic kit.
Camera bodies: 2x Nikon D800 // 2x OM System OM-1
Fast Wide-Angle: Nikkor 28mm f/1.4E // DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7
Fast Telephoto: Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E // M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8
Mid-range zoom: Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D // M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO
Outstanding duo - the D800 with the AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.4E
Capabilities
Resolution
In terms of raw, technical one-shot resolution, the D800 kit outperforms the OM-1 kit.
The OM-1 does offer a well-implemented handheld high resolution shot mode, that drastically improves the image detail and is – in good light – also usable for portrait subjects.
Low-Light
In low-light scenarios, the Nikon kit has some advantages: The Nikkors have a slightly larger aperture (f/1.4 vs. f/1.7-1.8) and the predominantly ISO-invariant D800 sensor retains detail better when shooting higher ISO.
However, the OM-1’s imaging pipeline and ability to shoot all lenses wide open while still generating enough depth of field help the MFT-system to come closer than expected. Getting the job done in ISO 12.800 scenarios is doable with the OM-1.
Rendering
An interesting feature of a larger sensor is that you can get lots of different “looks” out of it.
By stopping a fast lens down, the depth of field increases to give you a look similar to what an MFT camera produces, but you still have the option of shooting wide open for a different effect.
On a side note: The F-mount lenses in my bag perform very good when shot wide open, but as a rule of thumb, FF lenses love being stopped down while MFT lenses love being shot wide open. Depending on your needs, this might impact the range of usable apertures.
Again, I would not name the D800 as the clear winner right away, as it comes down to preference and use cases.
I myself prefer the wide-angle wide-open look I get from the Nikon kit compared to the OM-1 wide-angle wide-open look. For telephoto shots, it is the other way round, as actually prefer the MFT look.
Image Files & Subjective Image Quality
The D800 feels much more analog, and the captured files seem to reflect that as they are less of a finished image and more like a negative that can be taken in many different directions. The amount of manipulation the D800 files tolerate is incredible.
Image processing was always one of the strong points of Olympus / OM System. Files out of an OM System camera are most of the times perfect without further editing and can be delivered to the client or posted on social media right away. In order to get this magic look, you have to stick to in-camera editing or the proprietary image editing software, OM Workspace.
It is fair to conclude that the revolutionary combination of sensor, ADC and image processing give the OM-1 some tricks to play catch up and achieve impressive subjective image quality.
Auto-Focus
Both the Nikon and the OM have very reliable AF systems – if you mess up with either of these cameras, it is usually your own fault.
Nonetheless, in terms of convenience and versatility, I’d give the OM-1 AF the edge. It is a very impressive camera in that regard.
Being able to compose outside the boundaries of a fixed AF-area gives me more freedom in regards of composition while also reducing the need for post-production cropping quite a bit.
OM-1 - Subject detection AF
Video and Versatility
The D800 is a classic photographic tool, which is impressive in and of itself. It is also quite good as a classic video camera – meaning focusing manually and filming from a stabilized platform.
The OM-1 is very different. It is the most feature packed camera I’ve ever used, and none of the features it has are gimmicky.
Image stabilization, reliable video AF and overall better video output make it a powerful video tool.
Various computational photography modes – some of them found only in OM System cameras – extend its capabilities and work seamlessly thanks to the powerful processor.
Size And Weight
It will come to no surprise, that the OM System kit is far lighter and more compact than the Nikon DSLR kit. But how much lighter is it?
D800 + 28mm f/1.4E = 1.7kg
All in all, the Nikon kit weighs approximately 5kg while the OM kit is only 2.3kg. That is a significant difference and it can be felt when working with the kit.
In the past, when shooting fashion shows, I always brought my stuff back to the studio before attending the after show parties. Last time with my MFT kit, I just went straight backstage. I did not even bring my studio trolley to haul my equipment to the location. My normal Domke F-2 provided enough capacity.
The Domke F-2 can carry my whole setup - without breaking my back. For the Nikon set, I prefer the Manfrotto TOUGH 55 Trolley.
Price
The Nikon kit can be purchased on the second-hand market and all in all, it would cost around 4.000 € right now.
If purchasing everything on the second hand market as well, the MicroFourThirds kit costs 5.800 € at the moment.
This is no surprise to me, and underlines what I’ve said previously – in terms of bang for the buck nothing comes close to a DSLR-setup, even if you add pricey, high-end lenses like the 105E and 28E.
To be fair, if you would settle for older MFT bodies like the E-M1II, the MFT-kit would be significantly cheaper, but also less capable.
Conclusion
After a few months of alternating between the D800 and OM-1, I can already say one thing – a full MFT kit is convenient to handle, very nimble and flexible.
The D800 kit on the other hand gives me a lot of camera – something I also appreciate. The FX D800 is a no-excuses stills machine capable of producing very detailed and sharp images when paired with one of the three Nikkors I previously mentioned.
Studio photography and jobs where I don’t have to carry the camera around my neck all day long are natural habitats for the D800.
Jobs that require travel by train or plane as well as long reportage-style shoots are more comfortable with the OM-1 kit.
The fascinating realization I had is that both kits are good enough for all photographic applications, making it a matter of personal preference and convenience.
Why a DSLR in 2022
Not Exactly Hyped
Let’s be honest, if you want to be part of the cool kids gang in 2022, you have to get a MILC, not a DSLR.
And this is exactly why you should get a DSLR in 2022, because this makes you the edgy kid on the block.
Value for Money
DSLRs offer incredible value for money, especially when you look at the used market. Many photographers are selling their DSLR kits, and most of them are amateurs who did not really push their cameras towards 100.000 shutter actuations.
User Experience
If you are fed up with looking at a computer screen all day, a DSLR is just the solution to your problems. Apart from a Leica M digital rangefinder, there is no other digital camera type that can provide a user experience as similar to an analog camera.
No Overheating
I know this is a controversial issue and some photographers bashed me in the past for bringing it up, but it is true that MILCs are more prone to overheating than DSLRs. Yes, it only happens in very warm conditions, but it happens – that is undeniable.
Size and Weight
MILCs are smaller and lighter than DSLRs, but not that much, especially if you take bulky mirrorless lenses into consideration.
If you really want to save weight and space, you have to pick a smaller sensor format, like MicroFourThirds. The minimal difference when picking a full frame MILC over a full frame DSLR does not justify the extra cost in my opinion.
Compact done well - a MILC Olympus OM-D M5 classic.
Some Recommended DSLRs
There are many awesome DSLRs, both new and old. The great news is that even the old models have very capable AF and usually more than good enough imaging performance. Be that as it may, the following models are favourites of mine that I can recommend wholeheartedly:
Nikon D7000
A 16.2 MP APS-C DSLR from Nikon with two card slots, very capable autofocus and incredibly low price point – that is the Nikon D7000. I got mine for 150 € with a Sigma zoom lens. Even today, the D7000 can be used in commercial and private scenarios without a second thought.
Nikon D700
The legendary 12 MP DSLR that made full frame accessible for the masses – Click here for my review.
Nikon D800
Only slightly more expensive than the Nikon D700, the Nikon D800 is probably the most underrated beast of a camera currently available on the used market. Get one before more photographers find out how good this new classic actually is.
Pentax 645Z
Another legendary camera that packs a serious punch – the Pentax 645Z gives access to medium format digital photography and the incredible lineup of Pentax 645 lenses dating back to the days of Pentax film bodies.
Final Thoughts
I love analog things, so it is only natural for me to also work with DSLRs. Admittedly, I also really like MILCs, not because they are better or smaller, but because they are different. Both camera types have their strengths and weaknesses, and it is important to pick the tool not based on what the manufacturers want to sell but on what actually suits your photography.