OM SYSTEM OM-1 Reviews
The best M43 camera out there
By Hodge,
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-29
I am a long-time Canon user who recently switched to the Olympus/OM System world. So far, I do not regret the switch, which in my case includes
purchase of the new OM-1.
Before buying the OM-1, I considered the Olympus E-M1 Mk ii on the used market-an excellent camera that lacks some of the advances made in the OM-1 but that still has high IQ and (bought used) is a bargain at roughly one-third the price of the OM-1. Two key differences in the OM-1, however, were important to me: (1) the vastly improved clarity of the EVF and rear LCD and (2) the introduction of an AF system that rivals cameras that cost two to three times more. I am primarily a bird photographer, and these two things are keys to my ability to get better shots. The other improvements over earlier Olympus cameras ... faster processing and readout speeds, even better weather sealing, higher e-shutter frame rates, tweaked computational modes ... these are features I'm glad to have, but to me they are incidental to the improved EVF and focusing capabilities.
The video capabilities of the OM-1 are improved as well, but they're not anything that would make owners of recent Panasonic or Fujifilm cameras jealous. In addition, while the OM-1 can save custom settings for taking still photos, it can't currently save settings for taking videos-something that hybrid shooters would not only want but expect. I mainly shoot stills and won't ding OM System for this issue, which is possibly fixable in a firmware update, just as other issues can be addressed on any camera that has just been launched.
All in all, I really like the OM-1 and look forward to
exploring and becoming proficient with its many capabilities. Like many converts to M43, I switched from full frame looking for a lighter-weight kit, longer reach with the 2x crop factor, smaller more hand-holdable lenses, and lower overall costs. I now have these things in the OM-1.
Bird recognition is the only positive
By Mark
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-17
The menu system is so bizarre.
For example: formatting the memory card is in a different place than erasing images. Some of the buttons (subject recognition, face detection, etc) have to be held down while turning the control wheel. This is difficult.
Overall, things that used to be located together are now in different places
However the bird recognition does work.
A significant advance in capability
By Werner
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-16
My prior m4/3 camera was the OM-D E-M1 II. The OM-1 is a significant upgrade in nearly every key function.
1. Autofocus - subject recognition is state of the art. It identifies subjects at long distances and follows them within the frame and maintains focus throughout a sequence of shots.
2. Dynamic range - while the sensor may be slightly better than its predecessor, the real advancement in shadow noise and high ISO noise is the addition of multi-shot composites to the camera's feature set. Both handheld high resolution and in-camera ND filters result in significant reduction in noise of all types. An 8-stop ND filter outputs a raw file with far more dynamic range than any full frame sensor. A HHHR file also show dramatic improvements in shadow noise/dynamic range.
3. Four custom settings banks and a custom menu (myset) allow for 4 completely different sets ups, including button assignments.
4. A special display to help control camera shake during slow shutter speed exposures.
5. Finally, a well thought out menu system.
Minor nits-
1. I don't like in-camera battery charging so I bought an aftermarket battery charger.
2. For my hands the two front buttons next to the lens mount are almost unusable. Just too hard to push.
I like it
By Jerod
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-16
I wait from Feb23 until the end of March to get mine. IT was worth the wait. Love the new abilities, I have had the camera for two months now, and have used it for sports (Volleyball inside) Low light, lightning, and just regular landscape photography. I am happy, tired the BIF, but I a novice at that and it needs work.
Just need DxO and LR to support natively...
Fantastic!
By Eric
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-16
I'm an amateur photog and am into bird and wildlife, nature, macro and general family photos. Coming from Sony apsc, I wasn't happy with the ergonomics and got tired of waiting for Sony to come out with a new apsc body with features found in their higher full frame models and other competitors. Indeed, Sony stopped manufacturing apsc for more than half of 2022 and just seems into vlogging for the format. I loved my Nikon d750 and d7500 but made the switch to mirrorless a few years ago and can't look back. Nikon Z is very expensive, the z6 and z7 series don't have bird AF, and I dont want to wait for the z9 tech to trickle down to a more affordable z camera. So, a few months ago I bought a used em1 mark ii and was very surprised at the ergonomics and increased usability. Picked up some used lenses like the 300 f4 pro and was very happy with the results I was getting. I wanted the Om1 for the improved AF and additional computational modes.
Enter the Om1. After approx 2 weeks with the camera, I have no regrets with my purchase. Pros: Bird AF is spot on amazing. This camera senses birds in dense foliage like a champ. AF locks on and sticks. Had to learn that the AF area determines where subject detection works. Animal AF works really well too. The camera pairs terrifically with the 300 f4 pro. To me, the Om1 is lighter and just as comfortable as my Nikon d750 which to me is high praise. Much more comfortable than the Sony a6400. Also loving the dedicated back button AF.
I'm very happy with the additional computational photo modes like ND and 80mp high res mode. HDR photo stacking has been fairly quick and the results look great. The high noise reduction processing of jpegs has saved me time processing photos that I'd have to do with the em1 mark ii. I can share jpegs sooc and not feel like I need to futz with Lightroom or OM workspace. Need to play around with starry AF some more.
Cons: Menus are different from the em1 mark ii but still not great. The fact that I can't quickly switch tabs in the menu but have to scroll through many pages to get from one end of the menu to the other is annoying. Once I've added all my frequently used items to the customizable my menu, the frustrating menu system will be less of an issue.
Ergonomics for me are a very slight downgrade from the em1 mark ii. Don't really notice an issue with the recessed wheels but also not wearing gloves right now (summer season). Grip is ever so slightly bigger and curved differently and the camera just feels a little more cramped than the em1 mark ii. However, it's still perfectly fine to use for long periods of time and after an initial adjustment period I don't notice any issues with the grip.
I wish the camera came with a dedicated battery charger and was not happy that I had to shell out $220 for a charger and another battery but I don't buy camera bodies often and I plan to get many years out of this camera. I figure the camera is worth at least another $120 ($220 charger/battery combo minus $100 battery) given its feature set rivals the Sony a1 so in the end, not a big deal.
As an aside, I bought the 12-40mm f/2.8 kit because it was surprisingly in stock for a day. Didn't plan on buying the Om1 with the kit lens but this lens has been fantastic as well. There's nothing kit about this lens. I really like the 24-80mm effective focal length and the lens is sharp and well built. Wish it was f/2 to get a little more bokeh but that's what primes are all about I suppose. The lens is not heavy and balances very well on the Om1.
I'm betting OM System will have a big future with all the hype this camera has been getting and the fact that demand far outpaces supply since release.
Not perfect, but pretty close
By Al
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-15
I came to the Om-1 from the E-M1 Mk i. For me, the upgrade is tremendous. The price is a bit steep, so this was something of a splurge for me. But truth be told, this camera has a lot of features of top-end cameras (speed, AI, focusing) for about half the price.
Pros:
- Image quality is significantly improved. You can push underexposed or overexposed files much further in post processing, even without AI software.
- The grip is much better. My right pinkie finger doesn't have to curl up under the camera like it does on the E-M1.
- All the computational features! I haven't had a chance to play with it all, but my goodness, there's some cool features here.
- Focusing is very good, but I rarely had issues with the older camera.
Cons:
- I do find the dials to be harder to use, particularly the rear dial.
- Really miss the lack of a battery charger with the camera. The need to charge the battery in camera means that I'm forced to leave the camera out rather than stored in my dry box. I will probably get some Wasabi batteries and charger.
Significant upgrade over previous Olympus m43 cameras
By Reed
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-19
This review is from the perspective of coming to the OM-1 from the Olympus E-M1 MK II and E-M1X bodies (and prior to that, Nikon film and digital cameras for several decades). My most recent experience was with the E-M1X for the past 1.5 years - a stellar camera and to that point my favorite camera of all time.
The biggest improvements to me are the following:
1. Autofocus in general and AF-C in particular. The bird ID functionality combined with the improved AF-C are allowing me to get a lot more hummingbird photos with the eye(s) in focus. Focusing is improved for general Birds In Flight (BIF) and other types of photography.
2. The OLED EVF is significantly better than the previous EVFs. It's far easier to shoot and review with the improved EVF.
3. I managed to get along with the menu system on the previous cameras and didn't hate it, but the OM-1's menu system is laid out much better and much easier to use. Being able to set up favorites (My Menu) is extremely helpful.
4. Don't know if the IBIS is significantly better relative to earlier cameras, but it works remarkably well.
5. Having a total of 4 custom settings available (C1..C4) is extremely useful. I have all 4 set up for different scenarios.
For wildlife photography, my most used lens are the Panasonic Leica 100-400 and the Olympus 300mm F4 Pro (typically paired with the Olympus MC-14 teleconverter). Both setups are highly recommended.
What improvements would I like to see?
1. Additional resolution
2. Built-in GPS
The OM-1 is a very significant and useful upgrade from the E-M1 MK II and E-M1X. Don't have an E-M1 MK III so I can't comment relative to it, or to any Panasonic micro four thirds cameras.
Would I buy it again? Absolutely. Once they are readily available I'll purchase an additional one for back-up and use by my spouse.
amazing fast focus for moving targets
By Janice
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-18
I have used the omd em1 mark ii for several years. Wasn't sure this would be enough of an upgrade to be worth the $$ but it is! I live in the dark rainy pacific nw and need a higher than ideal iso a lot of the time, to get the shutter speed I need for birds insects etc. When I first saw the raw files I wasn't super impressed with the improvements but as I processed them in lightroom and ran some through topaz denoise I realized that I was getting better cleaner final results. Also, I am getting sharper bird photos due to the bird detection and amazingly fast focus acquisition. Very impressed with the focus. Also loving the clearer evf . All in all, a worthy upgrade. (All pictures with the oly 300mm f4)