I was originally a Pentax shooter and still have a couple of camera bodies (K20D and K-5) and quite a few K mount lenses, mostly for APS-C (incl. DA 15 21 40 70 mm Ltd). But for many years I have been shooting mainly with my Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mk I for two reasons: weight and AF.
While Pentax makes DSLR bodies that are light compared to most other brands, there is still a significant weight difference to carry around compared to the MFT system. Second, I have never been quite happy with Pentax AF. Even AF-S has never been very reliable on any of my Pentax bodies (K200D, K20D, K-x, K-5). I am sure users tell me it is much better in more current bodies and I have no doubt. But all the same, it is year 2020 and many users aren't happy with the AF of even the latest models.
For my MFT, I have a small semi-decent lens collection (Olympus 12-40 mm f/2.8 Pro, Panasonic 35-100 f/2.8, PanaLeica 25 mm f/1.4 and Olympus 45 mm f/1.8). As my E-M5 is already a bit older and has seen some action, I have been thinking about upgrading. But now with this JIP sell, I am hesitant to spend any more money in MFT as I see this as the beginning of the end of MFT. And frankly, I think that the time for MFT has gone. MFT used to be a great compromise between IQ and camera weight/size/price. APS-C cameras were bigger, not to mention FF. But this has changed. There are now FF cameras about the same size as my E-M5. Admittedly many lenses are significantly bigger, but not all. In today's situation I would certainly not buy into MFT if I was starting from scratch. I think that over the years Olympus lost its way. In stead of keeping to making great compact cameras they started making huge pro models which are bigger than many FF cameras and cost up to $3000.
Selling my current gear and starting over is not an option (for I would not get much money from them and I really really really hate selling stuff). So now I am thinking of two main possibilities and a third different one:
A) I'll buy one of the last OM-Ds (probably an E-M5 Mk III) and keep shooting with it until it dies. But as camera IQ in general gets better year after year, I wonder how long would I be happy with a new E-M5.
B) I'll return to actively using a Pentax and will finally buy the long awaited FF camera. The problem is that I don't really have a great lens collection for this. While my DA 40 and 70 could apparently be used with some vignetting and I also have an FA 50 f/1.4, a DFA 100 mm WR, a Sigma 24-80 mm f/2.8 HSM and a DA 55-300, this is by no means a great full frame lens collection. And buying a K-1, I would not be willing to spend a lot on new lenses. I am sure some will say why not get a modern APS-C body like a KP (or Knew), but I am not tempted. While I am sure they're in every way better than my K-5, I just don't feel the desire to buy yet another APS-C body with its sensor short comings.
C) My third option is just waiting to see where all this camera business turbulence takes us and meanwhile stick to mainly using my Ricoh GR II. The thing is that as camera sales go down year after year and now there's this pandemic to complicate things further, I am not sure which camera companies will be around in a few years to begin with. Canon and Sony?
So, what do you folks say of these thoughts and ponderings?
Last edited by Raffwal; 10-10-2020 at 04:15 AM.