Originally posted by garyk Wow, does that mean the sensor in a 4/3 system would have to twice as good as a full frame sensor to give the same detail? Hummmmm
Going to have to give that some more though.
Thanks for the link, and the info.
And a smaller sensor means more noice and hence less good low iso performance. A 4/3rd sensor on the same technology as in the K-5 sensor will not behave the same way. It will yet take some time for 4/3rds to catch up with APS-C.
In addition, depth of focus depends on the format, which is something that no technological development can change. It is pure physics. The bigger sensor, the smaller DOF and vice verse. This can be to your advantage or dissadvantage depending on what you want to achieve.
If you don't want to wait for the 4/3rds, go get a K-5 and a 400mm f5.6, which will give you a crop corresponding to a 600mm on a full frame sensor, but somewhat larger DOF. 400mm f5.6 are basically the longest lenses where there are plenty of modestly priced second hand lenses with MF or AF. Above that, prices go upward exponentially (not counting 500mm mirror lenses).