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Can Cheap Micro Four Thirds Cameras and Lenses Compete?

Chris Baitson

3,719 views

Can you take stunning landscape photos with a budget camera setup? In this video, I take an affordable Micro Four Thirds kit out to the dramatic chalk cliffs and sea stacks of Flamborough Head on the Yorkshire coast to see how it performs in real-world conditions.

We often get caught up thinking we need the newest, most expensive camera bodies and pro lenses to create impactful landscapes. Today, we put that idea to the test by shooting dynamic coastal light, and seascape compositions with accessible gear.

Whether you are looking to get into landscape photography on a budget, curious about compact travel setups, or exploring Micro Four Thirds cameras, I hope this field test inspires you to get outside and shoot with whatever gear you have!

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction & The Challenge
1:15 - The Location: Flamborough Head
2:45 - The Budget Camera Setup
4:20 - First Composition & Exposure Settings
6:30 - Dealing with Coastal Light & Wind
8:15 - Reviewing the Images & Final Thoughts

📷 Gear Used in This Video

Camera & Lens Setup: Lumix GX8, Olympus 9-18mm, Olympus 14-42mm, Olympus 40-150mm

#LandscapePhotography #MicroFourThirds #FlamboroughHead #BudgetPhotography #PhotographyOnABudget #UKLandscape #OMSystem

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20 Comments

@stephentalas1940 6 hours ago (edited)

For those of us who find ourselves living in 'Budget Land' I'm just grateful that there are really competent choices out there, and I've found both Lumix Kit and Olympus Kit to be quite outstanding especially the 'Plastic Fantastic' 40-150s, cute family, great scenery, nice shots!

@markfly480 6 hours ago

I have that Olympus 9-18 lens actually, and love it. Any flaws get removed in PureRaw as well.
You have a lovely family who like like they were having fun too 😊

@DaveBrown-u6w 4 hours ago

Great shots. I would be proud of any of them. Lovely to see you out with your kids, they look like they're having fun with daddy. On the subject of older kit, I've been looking at shots taken 20 years ago on my 8 megapixel Olympus e-500. I can't believe how good those pictures are. Currently using an Olympus OM-D EM10 mkiv and loving it too.

@pauls.8340 1 hour ago

So wonderful to see your kids in this video! They look like they are always up for adventure and bring such great energy along. I think you demonstrated that budget gear can and does produce great results in the hands of a skilled photographer. Whether shooting with an entry level camera, or a top tier flagship body, it's only natural to discover there are things about the camera we like and dislike - hence, there is no "perfect" camera. I love by budget level MFT kit, and the lenses I picked up used. Your images are always remarkable. Thanks Chris!

@adamISO200 7 hours ago

Enjoyed that one Chris. Some pleasing images using a more than capable camera & lenses. Kids looked like they were having fun 🙂

@boxiedog 6 hours ago

Thanks for the great content once again. I started serious photography to document my kids growing up....make the most of it while they enjoy the camera. All I get now is a hand in front of the face & a "Daaaaad". My gx80 has been a great carry around & travel camera & with the 12-32, surprisingly good.

@himwo. 2 hours ago

Especially with Micro Four Thirds, you have a wonderful selection of second hand lenses and bodies available. Unless someone absolutely needs full frame or APS-C, MFT is what I'd recommend for starters now.

@happilyretired23 23 minutes ago

For some of us 600 quid still isn't "cheap" :) Would love to see what you could do with real bottom-end gear, say a clapped-out E-PM1 off eBay and the 14-42 kit lens. My bet is that we'd see once again that it's possible to take interesting photos with most any kit if you put the effort in.

@oldgrumpyjim5003 1 hour ago

We’re very lucky just now with budget gear. I dug out my Fuji X-T1 with the kit lens 18-55 16mp from I think 2011 probably around £500 and with pure raw 6 I was able to get the resultant images through the quality control on the stock sites and I still sell images taken from that period. You don’t need the latest and greatest and with modern editing from Raw images the quality is still amazing. Great video as always 🫡

@kennethmacgregor-Gregorach 11 hours ago (edited)

Absolutely! Cheap doesn't mean "bad" Lighter, more portable setups that can give the same results as other formats, what's not to love. I'm strongly considering buying the OM-5 MK II as a second body to my R7 because of that.

@MrTifoso31 10 hours ago

Great video 👍

@laurentyarp514 10 hours ago

When I started in photography I wan't aware of those cheap older cameras. Would have saved me a lot of money. Today those cameras have turned into older cameras and I am very happy with them. I see no reason to replace them with a newer camera.
Unless Lumix gives us a GX10 of course ;)

@trulsdirio 7 hours ago

Also, shop around and wait for a good deal. For 660€ I got an E-M1 II and an Olympus 12-40 1:2.8 lens. Both in great working condition, with minor aesthetic wear. That is even better gear than in the video, for the same sort of money and gives you all the capabilities you could ever need!

@280bunny 8 hours ago

Shoot with older Lumix G2, G2 full spectrum conversion, GF2 and GF3, all with 12mp sensors, haven't fully used all features they offer, so see no need to upgrade at the moment. Lenses Oreo pancake, great with GF3 as a pocket camera. 25mm f2 TT Atisan, Lumix 14mm f2.5, 14-42mm kit lens and Lumix 45-150mm.
Great video, especially like to see you enjoying time with the children, an adorable bunch!😀

@vin424242 51 minutes ago

Got an Olymus E3, 120 quid on flea bay and it's probably my favourite camera, its a joy to use, when i go for a walk its which am i taking the OM1 or the E3, invariably the E3 wins,

@pikku-iikka 10 hours ago

Hello from Finland. That was a very cheerful video! I like your style. As an OM-3 shooter, my "PEN in black" is arriving today. I have missed my OM-5.1, it was easy to take everywhere. So, PEN will be my every day carry, I'm expecting great photos with my light lenses, like the 14-42mm EZ pancake zoom (touristic setup), the splash proof kit lens 14-42mm and the 12 mm f1.8. All are fine lenses. The OM-3 will do more serious jobs.

@citruesilver 2 hours ago

Now try real low budget like my old olympus pm1 and a kit lense 14-42mm which can be had for around 150 quid. Still a travel setup i use when space is a premium and theft is a likely possibility...

@ahha6304 9 hours ago

This is the first time I saw someone says Lumix is cheap. In Thailand Lumix always more expensive than Olympus

@simonatterbury 9 hours ago

I think the LUMIX has the same sensor as the EM1 MKII with about 1/3 of a stop less dynamic range at base ISO.. I might take my ancient Olympus E-PM1 paired with the LUMIX 12-32 or Oly 17mm F1,8 into London this week. The Oly 40-150 plastic fantastic really punches above its weight, nice pics.