Why Micro Four Thirds Still Wins as My Everyday Carry

Ramon Trotman
4 days ago
3 min read

Olympus? Nah, It's OM System Now

Yep, here we go again. Another Micro Four Thirds video turned blog post. And yeah, I still have a soft spot for Olympus. I mean, technically it’s OM System now, but the legacy lives on, and I’ve been rocking their cameras for years.

I get this question a lot: “What do you carry around with you every day?” So here it is—my everyday photography kit. What I carry, why I carry it, and how it keeps me creating without stress.

What’s in My Bag

At the heart of my setup is the Olympus EM5 Mark I. It replaced my EM10 Mark II and has been holding it down since. It’s lightweight, compact, and does exactly what I need without making me feel like I’m hauling bricks.

Here’s my everyday combo:

Olympus EM5 Mark I
75–300mm lens (150–600mm full-frame equivalent)
12mm f/2 (24mm full-frame equivalent)
25mm f/1.8 (50mm full-frame equivalent)

All three lenses plus the body still weigh less than my Nikon ZF with a single 50mm lens. That’s the kind of math that makes sense when you’ve got a laptop, notebook, headphones, and who-knows-what-else in your bag.

Why This System Works for Me

The biggest win? Flexibility. I don’t need to overthink it. I grab my gear and go. If someone at work asks for a quick portrait, I’ve got the 25mm ready. Going for a lunchtime photo walk? I’ll throw on the 12mm and hit the streets. Spot something interesting from far away? That 75–300mm covers it.

And it's not just for portraits and street work. That telephoto reach gives me real options. Cityscapes, moon shots, even catching the texture of a building from blocks away—this setup handles it all.

Let’s Talk Size for a Minute

To put things in perspective, let me compare the Olympus to my Nikon ZF paired with a Voigtländer 50mm f/1.2. Don’t get me wrong, that combo is beautiful, but it’s heavy. And bulky. It’s not something I want to carry on a normal day.

But with the Olympus, I’ve got a full system in one small sling. Less strain, more freedom. I can walk for hours, shoot comfortably, and still have energy left at the end of the day.

The Magic of Telephoto

People usually think “wide” when they hear street or landscape. But I’ve always loved the look of telephoto shots. It’s about picking out the details—the way one building cuts into another or how light hits a distant tower just right. That 75–300mm lens helps me capture stuff I’d miss otherwise.

Olympus Glass: Underrated and Sharp

I don’t own their Pro lenses (yet), but honestly, even their regular glass hits hard. Olympus makes optics for scientific instruments and telescopes. Their lenses are sharp, clean, and hold their own.

Yes, the sensor is smaller. And yeah, things get a bit noisy past ISO 1600. But we’ve got tools now—Lightroom, Topaz DeNoise, all that stuff. You just have to know your gear and work with its strengths.

It's Not About Brand Battles

Look, this isn’t about whether Olympus is better than Sony or Fuji or Nikon. I use them all. Some days, I’ll throw the Fuji X-T2 in the bag. Other days, it’s the Sony. But my Olympus system is the one I trust to carry every day.

Because it works. Because it’s light. Because it stays out of my way and lets me stay focused on the art.

My Go-To Video Tool

When it comes to video, I’ve been loving the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. That little thing does some incredible work with its 1-inch sensor. I keep it in my jacket or bag, ready to go.

I’ve been toying with the idea of doing more street video content, maybe something like the Walkie-Talkie channel. You know—interviews, walk-and-talks, photos of the moment. I’d love to build that out someday. For now, the Pocket 3 is a solid sidekick.

Bonus Gear: A Bit of Light

I also carry a small Godox mini flash. It’s not flashy (pun intended), but it gets the job done. If someone wants a portrait or I need to bounce a bit of light in a pinch, it’s there.

Again, it’s not about using all the gear every day. It’s about having tools that are compact, reliable, and ready when I need them.

Wrapping It Up

This is why Micro Four Thirds still works for me. I’ve got a lightweight setup that lets me create freely—whether it’s a quick portrait, a skyline snap, or just experimenting on my lunch break.

We’re living in a time where a full creative kit can fit in a small bag and deliver professional-level results. That’s wild. And I’m here for it.

Thanks for checking this out. Your time means a lot, and I don’t take that lightly.