hmmm.. Ophir can be tougher than Kinabalu. There are 6 routes though, depending on which route you'll take. Kinabalu has nice steps and wide trail, Ophir's trail are narrow, steep and typically muddy.. dun forget the leeches *yucks*
For DSLR:
- you're taking the telecom route (road most of the way)
- you're super fit and have done a couple of mountains (load will be 10-15kg if you're camping there, about 5-7kg if not)
- you're the die die must have swee pics type
For Compact:
- you're taking the resort route (tough tough tough!)
- you're not a regular trekker
Ophir pics here - taken with my compact.. GX100
I'm more of a landscape enthusiast (plus usually too tired when climbing!), but you can take weird plants, insects, flowers, people etc if you're into those as well.
All being said, there's no hard and fast rule.. I'll usually bring compact, but I know someone who brings a 40D with 18-55, 10-22 and 70-200.... we're both similarly fit, but he's just more into photography, I'm more into enjoying nature.