Opinions invited . . .

Nope, I'm coming up with nothing here. If you think there are benefits to trying a smaller form-factor camera system, then go for it!

What Benz3ne says, if there are benefits of a smaller form for you then you should act on it. You've provided a sound rationale for what you're considering. I've written about having two systems elsewhere and that's the only point I would make about remaining with Pentax. I sold two of my non-Pentax cameras recently and have not regretted it. You state you'll be keeping your K-3ii etc., so you'll be having two camera systems. That's the only reason I would have pause.

There again, photography is there to be enjoyed so invest in memories and go for what you feel is right. You can always change, it's what 72 years young people do.

From what I've read/seen, whilst the MFT cameras might be slightly smaller/lighter, the lenses tend not to offer the same savings in size and/or weight, so I'd get the specs of your ideal MFT kit together and see whether it will give you want you want.

Also, again as I understand it you'll need more batteries per shoot as EVFs need more power than OVFs with information overlays.

The only major problem I had with M4/3, is the fact that really wide angle lenses are a tad expensive. Unless you go for the 3rd party offerings. Or the Panasonic 9mm lens-cap lens.

Of course, this only matters if you need wide angle lenses...

Olympus OM-D EM1X body at almost 1 kg (inc batt.) how does that help with your weight problem?

Philip

Because, of course, that's an average sized M4/3 camera.

Just weighed my Lumix G6, with 14-42 lens - 500g.

Sell as much of the Pentax kit as you can bear to part with, buy a small, light weight camera and a couple of lenses then spend the rest of the money travelling with the new camera to places you've always wanted to visit** and never quite got round to doing it. Sooner or later age and infirmity will make travelling too difficult to bother with, but photography in some form or other will always be possible!

Steve

**Assuming, of course, Covid travel restrictions allow it.

I hear folks talk of 65 and 72 etc like it's old... it ain't - or I'm 60 now, must start acting my age... nonsense! utter nonsense!!! People grow old in their heads and their body follows suit. Think young, act young, be young and stay young. Thirty five going on fifteen has always been my mantra. Enjoy life and don't give in.

As for a smaller format camera, why not try a 'Q' for a while. Small, light, portable and with and adapter you can still use all your collection of young lads lenses...lol...

The Q's take excellent pics as well and you're keeping in the family so-to-speak.

Enjoy your weekend.

Spot on! Old is a state of mind. Age is just a thing your body does.

Hadn't thought about the 'Q', good one.

OK, I appreciate your comments. Firstly, I have never considered myself to be 'Old'. Instead, I acknowledge the fact that my body's condition will not allow me to enjoy certain aspects of my lifestyle as I once did. EG, today I stepped up onto my terrace after getting my washing in and my knee gave way sending me sprawling, but unhurt, across the terrace. If I were thirty-five going on fifteen I'd have laughed it off but there comes a time when we must face reality.
Yes, the OM-D E-M1X is heavy, but I mentioned I liked the specs, not that I was considering buying one. The E-M1 Mark I, II, or II would suffice from a spec point of view.

Quite honestly, I don't think Pentax has a future if it refuses to include the technologies that other manufacturers have implemented. EG: The OM-D E-M1 when launched did not have focus bracketing or focus stacking ability. Those functions were added later in firmware updates. None of the Pentax cameras I have ever owned has had new features, other than enabling new lenses to work, added in firmware. Bug fixes, yes, new features, no. Why not?

I love my Pentax gear but the company that produces it has blinkered vision and creates cameras that they like to make, not what their consumers want. The K-3 Mk III is a case in point. Why the hell did the think a camera without even a tilting screen would be popular? No thanks. time to move on I think.

Been there and done it, Peter. I invested in a Panasonic rangefinder style camera and a 12-60mm lens (16-80 APS c equivalent) and it is smaller and about half the weight of my K-5 + 16-85mm lens. I now carry it almost everywhere in a small-ish man bag whereas I had stopped carrying my Pentax kit because of the weight. A real result in my opinion. I have kept my K-5, however, plus a modest outfit of prime lenses which I use for "serious" photo shoots and which are, I have to admit, more pleasurable to use than the MFT camera. I traded my heavy Pentax zoom lenses for lighter kit and have no regrets.

Given that you are keeping your favoured Pentax kit it makes absolute sense to try a different system. I have a basic M4/3 Leica as a walk around and although the files don’t come close to the K1 for resolution and dynamic range it is ok and despite annoying foibles is much easier to use than a camera phone. I have long toyed with the idea of upgrading it to something more serious like a Fuji; not a bigger Leica though because apart from the cost they have the annoying habit of not labelling buttons which, being programmable, I can never remember what they do. Only when you have used a system for some time do you appreciate how photographer-friendly Pentax are.

for size and lightness you'll be hard pressed to beat something like the Panasonic Lumix Tz80 (or Tz 90 or TZ 100)
https://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/reviews/compact-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-tz...

It depends on how much you want to do with your kit.
https://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/buying-advice/buying_guides/what-digital-camer...


Another option is a bridge camera whcih has DSLR/SLR type contol over your photos e.g. Nikon B700, or higher model.
https://cameradecision.com/review/Nikon-Coolpix-B700

I think you should do whatever you want to do, but there are a few things to look out for. I would really check out what you are contemplating moving to. Is the grass greener? Maybe, maybe not. If it ends up a not it could be expensive. Pentax have lots of compact lenses.

Some mirrorless cameras can be very fiddly in terms of controls. Where you are used to the ergonomics of having dials and buttons and a particular menu system some others are very frustrating.

Focusing with Pentax is very precise. One example is a single thin frond of tall grass in front of a background. Pentax will focus on the grass, some mirrorless will not. This can also affect birds within a mass of branches and similar subjects where AF systems can hiccup.

You might also look at which way controls operate. Some marques rotate in the same direction as Pentax and some don't. I'm talking here about the rotation of aperture rings, focusing, zooming....

I would suggest trying your alternative - hire it perhaps? It could save you a lot of frustration.