Small but Mighty | Why I’m Sticking With Micro Four Thirds As a Professional Photographer
As a photographer, I often get asked what camera system I use and why. While full-frame cameras dominate the conversation in professional photography, I’ve found that Micro Four Thirds (MFT or M4/3 or M43) is more than sufficient for capturing beautiful, faith-filled family moments and punches well above its weight. If you’re shopping around for photographers or just love photography and are interested in why I shoot with M43, here are my six reasons:
1 - Lightweight, Portable, and Discreet
Catholic family photography often involves shooting in churches, at home, or during special sacramental celebrations like baptisms, First Communions, and weddings. Lugging around heavy full-frame gear isn’t always practical, especially when you need to move quickly and discreetly. M43 cameras and lenses are significantly smaller and lighter, making them perfect for long hours of shooting without fatigue.
Their compact size also allows for a more subtle and unobtrusive presence, which is especially important in sacred spaces. Whether you’re photographing a child’s quiet moment of prayer or capturing the reverence of a Mass, a smaller camera helps you blend in and avoid drawing attention letting the focus remain on the beauty of the moment rather than the photographer.
2 - Excellent Image Quality
Many people assume that only full-frame cameras can produce professional-quality images. However, modern Micro Four Thirds sensors deliver excellent dynamic range, sharpness, and color depth, which I find is more than enough for family portraits, candid moments, and event photography. Furthermore, the average client doesn’t need the ultra-high megapixel counts that full-frame cameras offer. Most consumer needs — such as printing family albums, making enlargements for home display, or sharing images on social media — are easily met with M43’s resolution. In fact, too many megapixels can be overkill, leading to larger file sizes that are harder to store and share without any noticeable benefit for most real-world uses.
3 - Great Low-Light Performance
Churches often have dim lighting, which can be challenging for photographers. While full-frame cameras are undoubtedly superior in low-light conditions, Micro Four Thirds cameras have come a long way in noise control and high ISO performance. Paired with fast prime lenses (like a 25mm f/1.4 or 42.5mm f/1.2), an M43 system can capture stunning images even in candlelit Masses or low-light indoor settings.
One of my favorite shots from a Rorate Mass. Lit only by candlelight, these are traditional Advent votive Masses that honor the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Additionally, noise reduction in post-processing has greatly improved in recent years. Software like Adobe Lightroom, DxO PureRAW, and Topaz DeNoise AI can effectively reduce noise while preserving detail, making high-ISO images from M43 cameras look even cleaner. This means that even in challenging lighting conditions, you can confidently capture the sacred moments of a baptism, wedding, or Eucharistic celebration without worrying about excessive noise.
4 - Natural and Deeper Depth of Field
There is a tendency among many portrait photographers to shoot “wide open,” meaning with the lens aperture as wide as possible. This results in images that isolate the subject and blur everything else in the background. For full-frame cameras, this effect is very prominent whereas it is less so in Micro Four Thirds cameras. While some people may think they want this effect in their photographs, in reality, I find they often prefer more of the scene to be in focus.
Father’s blessing of the married couple. Notice the deeper depth of field and how the altar linens, candles, flowers, and tabernacle, while out of focus, are still recognizable and add to the overall beauty of the image.
My clients, particularly my wedding clients, spend a great deal of time, money, and effort preparing to be married in a beautiful church. Though no one has ever explicitly said to me, “Hank, make sure you get the altar and stained glass in the background”, there is an unspoken expectation that I capture the details of the church. Can you imagine if the images I delivered blurred these elements until they were unrecognizable? They would be absolutely livid! The deeper depth of field that M43 provides allows me to showcase both the people and the holy spaces that are so meaningful to them.
5 - The 2x Crop Factor
One of the key advantages of M43 is its 2x crop factor, which effectively doubles the focal length of any lens compared to full-frame. This means a 50mm lens on M43 gives the same field of view as a 100mm lens on a full-frame camera without the added size, weight, or cost of larger telephoto lenses.
For Catholic photography, this is especially useful in church settings where I often need to capture intimate moments from a respectful distance. Whether photographing a baptism, a child receiving First Communion, or a bride and groom exchanging vows, the crop factor allows me to frame tighter shots while using smaller, more lightweight lenses. This balance of portability and reach helps me capture important moments without adding bulk to my gear setup.
6 - Affordable — For Both Me and You!
Many Catholic families are mindful of their budgets but still expect professional-quality photography to preserve their most cherished moments. M43 cameras and lenses offer a cost-effective solution without compromising on image quality. Whether it’s for a baptism, wedding, or family portrait session, M43 delivers beautiful, high-quality images that meet the needs of families who want to invest in meaningful photography without overspending.
A small package with excellent image quality at an unbeatable price — this is the Micro Four Thirds philosophy!
At the moment, I shoot exclusively with Micro Four Thirds, and one of the reasons I’ve stuck with it is the excellent balance of price and performance. Because M43 gear tends to be more affordable than full-frame systems, I’m able to keep my costs lower and pass those savings on to my clients making professional Catholic family photography more accessible without sacrificing quality. Now, this is not to say that I’ll stay with M43 forever. Cameras are just tools and the technology gets better year after year. But so far it has worked really well for me and my clients have all been thrilled to tell me that they love their images.
Final Thoughts
Beyond affordability, Micro Four Thirds provides a unique combination of portability, deep depth of field, and extra reach — making it an ideal system for Catholic family photography. It allows me to focus on capturing the love, faith, and beauty of each family without being weighed down by excessive gear or costs.
If you enjoyed these photos or found this article useful and would like to support my work further, you’re welcome to leave a small contribution here — every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated:
If you’re looking for a professional photographer, I’d be honored to help you preserve the moments that matter most. Let’s create timeless, faith-filled memories together. Book your session today!
