Originally posted by normhead Unfortunately even on a tripod, just holding my arm up high enough to work the controls is painful after a few minutes. My option of sitting in a chair behind my tripod with my finger on the shutter button waiting for the perfect pose appear to be quite limited.
Just FYI with respect to weight of equipment (weights of camera + battery + lens, if two cameras or lenses are listed, the difference in weight is less than 10g)
1) K3 + 55-300mm (any version) = 1242g
2) K3 + DA*200mm = 1625g
3) KP + DA*200mm = 1520g
4) Olympus EM-10 or EM-5 + Vario-Elmar 100~400mm = 1395g (FF FOV equivalent = 200~800mm)
5) Olympus EM-10 or EM-5 + Panasonic 100~300mm = 930g* (FF FOV equivalent = 100~600mm)
The Olympus 75~300mm is about 100g lighter = total of 830g on an EM-10 or EM-5, which is about the same as a K3 body + battery, no lens attached.
If you struggle with weight, MFT is a blessing. I switched following a trip with a K1 when I left lenses in the car that were too heavy to carry when doing a trail walk, then wished I had them (specifically the 150~450mm). I don't give a second thought to carrying the Vario-Elmar 100~400mm all the time.