Olympus OM-D E-M1 Review

The Olympus E-M1 is the most recent addition to the line-up of small system cameras (CSC) that Olympus offers. It is designed to meet the needs of both experienced photographers and amateurs.

It is intended to be used in addition to the Olympus OM-D E-M5 rather than in instead of it. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 has been referred to in most contexts as the Olympus OM-D up to this point, but we will have to get used to referring to it as the Olympus E-M5.

In the part of Techradar devoted to camera reviews, we have already discussed these various models. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 was awarded four stars, while the more contemporary OM-D E-M10 was awarded five stars.

The new OM-D E-M1 from Olympus features a dual focusing system optimized for use with both Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds lenses. As a result, the company believes that this camera will be able to meet the requirements of both Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds enthusiast users.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Price

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Features

The 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor included in the OM-D E-M1 does not have a low-pass filter on top of it. This is a first for Olympus. Because of this, it ought to be able to record more detail than the first Olympus OM-D camera, the OM-D E-M5. In addition, we have been informed that the new TruPic VII image processor has been adjusted in such a way as to place a focus on the visibility of finer details at the price of an increased level of noise.

The new processing engine allows for the correction of lateral chromatic aberrations and sharpness optimization by the attached lens. In addition, the aperture is chosen (for Olympus lenses). Users should now be able to get the most out of their camera and lens combo.

Build Quality

According to Olympus, the E-M1 is not designed to be the most miniature camera on the market but is intended to have a size suitable for usage in professional settings. Therefore, it is pretty comparable in size to the OM-D E-M5. However, the front and rear grips have been redesigned to give a different appearance.

The thumb grip on the rear of the E-M1 is not as pronounced as on the E-M5, but the grip on the front of the camera is more significant, providing a better and more comfortable grasp. Moreover, when you hold it, it gives you a sense of complete safety.

It’s easy to assume that because something is significant, it must be robust, yet the E-M1 is surprisingly hardy despite its size. It has a solid, well-built feel and features seals that prevent dust and moisture from getting in. Additionally, functionality is ensured down to a temperature of -10 degrees Celsius. It’s a relief to know that none of Olympus’s latest lenses are susceptible to freezing.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Performance

Even though a sensor with 16 megapixels isn’t something to get excited about in this day and age (unless it’s in a full-frame retro-style Nikon SLR, of course), the E-M1 makes the most out of what it has to offer.

The images feature a high degree of detail, accompanied by vibrant, realistic colors; smooth gradations; and an overall stunning level of detail. However, the results of our resolution testing show that, except for the E-most M1’s sensitive settings, the E-M5 can resolve a greater level of detail than the E-M1. In addition, the noise is effectively controlled over the whole sensitivity range, and the color saturation is maintained adequately, even at the highest sensitivity levels.

The results are awe-inspiring when the maximum sensitivity option is used, which is ISO 25,600. Even when viewed at 100%, the photographs have very little noise, and the softening is kept to a reasonably local level. However, even when the sensitivity is set to a sufficiently low level, some luminance noise is still apparent.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Image Quality

Throughout the test, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 generated photographs of an exceptionally high standard. The Natural image option produces vivid colors without being gaudy or too saturated, and the dynamic range is excellent in this setting.

Noise is exceptionally well controlled from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, and it does not often become an issue until ISO 3200, which is an exceptional performance for a Micro Four Thirds camera. Only the two fastest settings, ISO 12800 and 25600, are suffering from noise. However, ISO 3200 and 6400 may still be used.

Even when the camera is being held manually at slow shutter rates or when a hand-held video is being shot, the image stabilization technology performs exceptionally well. Including Art Filters on a high-end prosumer camera may seem like an unexpected choice. Still, these filters allow you to create extraordinary effects requiring you to spend a significant amount of time in the digital darkroom without them.

The camera is exceptionally well adapted to infrared photography. The Live View Boost option allows you to frame your images via an R72 filter, and the autofocus mechanism continues to function even if the camera is being used in this mode.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Specs

Body type	SLR-style mirrorless
Body material	Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution	4608 x 3456
Image ratio w h	1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	16 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	17 megapixels
Sensor size	Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	TruePic VII
Color space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array	Primary color filter
Image
ISO	100-25600 in 1/3EV or 1EV increments
Boosted ISO (minimum)	100
White balance presets	7
Custom white balance	Yes
Image stabilization	Sensor-shift
Image stabilization notes	‘5-axis’ IS
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Super Fine, Fine, Normal, Basic
File format	JPEG (DCF/Exif)Raw (ORF)MPO
Image parameters	Sharpness, contrast, saturation
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes
Digital zoom	Yes (2X)
Manual focus	Yes (with focus peaking)
Number of focus points	81
Lens mount	Micro Four Thirds
Focal length multiplier	2×
Screen/viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Tilting
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	1,037,000
Touch screen	Yes
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder magnification	0.74× (0.37× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder resolution	2,360,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	60 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/8000 sec
Exposure modes	auto program AEAperture PriorityShutter PriorityManualBulbTimeScene SelectArt Filter
Scene modes	Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye conversion lens, Wide conversion lens, Macro Conv., 3D
Built-in flash	No (compact external flash included)
External flash	Yes (hot-shoe, wireless)
Flash modes	Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Redeye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual
Flash X sync speed	1/320 sec
Drive modes	Single, sequential H, sequential L, self-timer (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Continuous drive	10.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Metering modes	MultiCenter-weighted spot
Exposure compensation	±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	±2 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	Yes (3 frames in 2, 4, and 6 steps selectable in each A-B/G-M axis)
Videography features
Resolutions	1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Format	H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (micro HDMI)
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	802.11b/g/n with smartphone connectivity
Remote control	Yes (optional RM-UC1 wired remote)
Physical
Environmentally sealed	Yes (Dust, splash, freeze resistant)
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	BLN-1 lithium-ion battery pack
Battery Life (CIPA)	350
Weight (inc. batteries)	497 g (1.10 lb / 17.53 oz)
Dimensions	130 x 94 x 63 mm (5.13 x 3.68 x 2.48″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	Yes
GPS	None

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Verdict

Olympus views the OM-D E-M1 as the successor of the E-5, the company’s most recent high-end single-lens reflex camera. It has high hopes that it can convince devoted users of SLR cameras to make the conversion to a camera that is smaller, more lightweight, and easier to carry.

Olympus appears to have a good chance of achieving its goals, given that the E-M1 has an extensive feature set and its handling has been well considered. Additionally, it possesses the appearance and weight of a “proper camera.”

It is weather-sealed, which allows it to be used regardless of the circumstances, it has plenty of straightforward controls that are easy to reach, and it has almost all of the capabilities that a photography enthusiast might desire from a good walk-around camera.

It offers such a vast array of capabilities that it is quite conceivable that some photographers will continue to discover new modes and settings even after they have purchased the product.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Pros & Cons