Should I replace a Panasonic L1 with a Four Thirds or Micro Four Thirds camera?
Asked 2/1/2012
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My Panasonic DMC-L1 kit needs replacing after the Leica zoom developed a fault that can’t be repaired. I may be offered a replacement around a £700 budget. I currently have the Leica zoom and an Olympus prime, and I liked the L1’s handling, direct controls, and bounce flash. I’m considering a newer Four Thirds or Micro Four Thirds body, possibly from Panasonic’s G series. Will moving to Micro Four Thirds mean a drop in image quality, especially for low-light/night shooting, or should I stay with Four Thirds?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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The image quality of a 4/3 and Micro Four-Thirds camera is exactly the same since the sensors are the same size. Therefore you can expect better image quality from newer 3/4 or Micro 4/3 cameras due to technological improvements.
It is normal that there will be differences when changing models and even though what you are getting will be some kind of upgrade, there will be some things you will like less.
One improvement over previous generations is that newer cameras focus much faster. So, at this point, without knowing much about your photography style, all I can say is that you choose the right model considering your needs. If you like using direct controls than you should look at advanced models and if you are more comfortable using the camera at eye-level, so you should look at the models with a built EVF. Finally you can always get a 4/3 DSLR from like the Olympus E-5.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Micro Four Thirds does not inherently reduce image quality versus Four Thirds: both formats use the same sensor size. In practice, a newer camera in either system will often give better image quality than your older L1 because sensor and autofocus technology have improved over time.
So the choice is less about image quality and more about handling and features. If you value direct external controls, look at more advanced bodies. If you prefer shooting at eye level, prioritize models with a good built-in viewfinder. Newer models also tend to focus faster than early Four Thirds cameras.
For low-light work, don’t assume Micro Four Thirds will be worse simply because it is smaller physically; body size and sensor size are different issues. Your results will depend more on the specific camera generation, lens, and flash setup than on Four Thirds vs Micro Four Thirds alone.
In short: choosing a newer Micro Four Thirds body is reasonable, and it should not mean a quality compromise purely because of the format.
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