OM-1 vs Canon R7 both w/100-400 (1 Viewer)

[JWalck]

I’ve also made the switch from FF (Nikon) to OM-1 w/ M.Zuiko 100-400. The lens is actually much sharper than people give it credit for. You can see example images on my blog in the article about Finding the Sweet Spot in Photography (also on the Luminous-Landscape.com but it’s paywalled). I’ve attached a photo of Female Red-winged Blackbird with eggshell (Agelaius phoeniceus). It’s a crop from the OM-1 sensor and is still as sharp as a tack.
The ‘crop factor’ advantage is ideal for birding, not unlike the R7. The 100-400 has the identical reach (field of view) as a FF 200-800mm lens. This is huge! And, you still have 20mp of pixels—large enough for a 13x17” fine art print at 300ppi. I realize that’s more than you need for your work, but the fact that vertical crops from sensor still have plenty of pixels for sharp, fine feather details (see my photo of the Cordon-blue).
However, the Canon R7 is the most compelling of options out there, especially when paired with the Canon 200-800mm/6.3 to 9. It would provide 300-1200mm, though it would be a larger, heavier set-up with a poorer EVF (not insignificant when your staring through the viewfinder er for hours!). It’s also a little on the slow side, but at ISO3200 or 6400, paired with any of the denoise apps like Lightroom, DxO, ON1 and Topaz—I’ve tested them all with excellent results from all—you should have no trouble.
Best thing to do is try them both out. Consider renting them for a weekend.

Thanks for the reply. I tried the Canon R7 with the RF 100-500. I didn't enjoy it too much due to its weight and size. The Oly 100-400 weighs less and has a smaller diameter than the RF 100-500 but the length is about the same (at least the unextended length), which has me a little worried. That's why originally I thought about the Panasonic Leica 100-400. However, I have read more mixed reviews on that lens than I have on the oly.

 

[njlarsen]

One example of the PanaLeica on a OM1-ii

Magnificent Frigatebird

One of two juvenile birds skirting land yesterday

www.birdforum.net

Niels

 

[JWalck]

One example of the PanaLeica on a OM1-ii

Magnificent Frigatebird

One of two juvenile birds skirting land yesterday

www.birdforum.net

Niels

That's a nice pic. Is that the PanaLeica 100-400 mark i or mark ii? Just wondering if you had any problems with the zoom being stiff or it not functioning well with the om-1 since it's not an oly lens. Ever think about using a TC on it, if it's the mark ii?

 

[njlarsen]

It is the mark i I have and I have not considered getting a TC.

Yes, the zoom ring is a bit stiff, but honestly, most of the time I use the lens at full zoom and leave it at that. I prefer finding the bird at that zoom relative to zooming in and out. Once you get used to this, it works well.
Niels