If you were into mirrorless cameras from the start then you recall that 43 was the only system designed to be digital from the ground up. When cameras first started going digital sensor size was largely the product of manufacturing constraints and DSLR technology. 43 was designed to get away from that and relatively quickly turned into m43 then the mirrorless revolution exploded. Today m43 still holds a huge advantage over APS-C and Full Frame cameras when it comes to size and weight. The 43 sensor was determined to be the ideal compromise between image quality and the benefit of a smaller sensor with a quicker readout, with the extra benefit of being able to build smaller/lighter camera bodies and lenses.
Today they are building the bodies bigger because photographers want bigger bodies, but they are still much lighter and the lenses are much smaller and lighter. The new Panasonic 50-200mm is a perfect example of the size advantage because it delivers 100-400mm performance in a very small package at f/2.8-4, which is impressive. When I shot Falcon Heavy recently I wished one of my cameras was an m43 one, because it would have saved me some back pain at the end of the day.
Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
