Is the OM-1 mk2 better at AF for birds than the OM-1 Mk1? It has taken me a while to decide!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 เม.ย. 2024
- I did not rush to buy the new OM-1 M2 as the spec was not very exciting, but once the price dropped by about £450 I did.
The only hope was that the AF would be better than the previous model. No other feature on the camera interested me.
What I needed to test it was the rain to stop and to be in a place where lots of birds were flying around and I could spend some hours taking thousands of images. That took a while to happen, but finally I had a dry sunny spell during the Lapwings arial display. The Lapwing is a challanging species to photograph displaying. They are fast and eratic. Just what I needed!
Mike Lane wildlife photography www.nature-photography.co.uk/
Thank you for continuing to produce and present such useful and instructive content. I am sure there are lots of existing Olympus / OM users who have been delaying a possible purchase until they have had the opportunity to learn of your experience in using it and who were anxiously awaiting last weeks and this weeks video and I don’t think they will be disappointed by your balanced conclusions.
My pleasure!
Thanks for this, Mike. I won't be rushing to change. The Mk1 is still the best camera I've ever owned, especially with regard to AF.
Good choice!
Thanks Mike. You say it as it is which is much appreciated. If OM System offer you to be an ambassador, please don’t take it.
Not something I have applied for.
Mike, At 8:40 when you bring the bird back into the frame with the Mk2, the image is out of focus for a bit. It doesn't appear to be focusing as fast as the Mk1. Recheck this area in your video and you'll see that when the focus box is over the head there is a slight delay before the head snaps into focus on the Mk2. I didn't see this in the Mk1, so I'm not convinced that the Mk2 is faster at acquiring focus than with the Mk1. While the Mk2 might hold onto the subject while the bird is in flight, I'm not seeing faster focus acquisition from the sample you posted. Nevertheless, I appreciate you making the time to post your findings. You are more thorough than most with your testing methodology.
Thank you Mike! This is a very nice comparison of the Auto Focus capabilities of OM-1 and OM-1 Mark II. Nice to know the subtle details. Will surely help people on the fence
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you, Mike. What you say is my watch word on OM systems.
I very much like your videos. Your knowledge of birds, cameras, and how you achieve wonderful images is always worth watching.
My old eyes are in and out of focus, most of the time, especially in poor light, and my images are mostly for my pleasure, unless the pictures are of the grandchildren at Christmas. For you and professionals, like you, a shot out of focus is probably unacceptable, and kit no matter the cost, to get the job in the bag, then its a must-have. For me, my plan of a trip to Bird World with my challenge to get a silver pheasant in summer sun showing all the detail in the white feathers with nothing blown out and the dark ones visible and detailed on a wing stretch all with my G9 and my 50mm 1.4 is the stuff of dreams.
I'm looking forward to next weeks video. Thanks for reading.
Thanks for your input.
Excellent and honest review Mike.
Thanks 👍
Nice review. I've had the original OM-1 since its introduction and purchased the OM-1 Mark II in late February. Your assessment matches mine. Yesterday I went out to see what I could do with flying Cliff Swallows. Very fast, erratic flyers. I came away with more sharp images that I would have expected. It's hard to even get them in the viewfinder but when I did, the OM-1 Mark II tracked well and gave me great results. With ProCapture I've had a few chances with Cassins Kingbirds coming off a perch toward me. Every sequence was perfectly sharp as the bird lifted and flew down and towards me. With the OM-1 I had good results, but would usually lose a frame or 2 in the sequence that weren't tack sharp. Both are excellent, but a slight nod to the Mark II.
Yes, but only just.
I think a lot of the successes or complaints have to do with a user’s expertise with the camera settings. Sometimes I think, with all the new technology we expect magic out of a camera.
I could not agree more! Learning how to use and how to optimise in given circumstances is key to success.
these are some solid honest reviews with none of the usual OM ambassadors' nonsense .
The fact that you "convinced yourself " it is better however speaks volumes about the state of OM's AF game, or the AF game in general. Mk 1 being pretty good, Mk 2 being only marginally better. We have to keep in mind there's an upcoming update for the AF of mk1 promised for the fall of this year. If it ends up evening up the performance fully,, that would be funny.
I am amid a switch from om-1 to d810 - it focuses just fine. Of course it won't 50fps pro-capture a diving kingfisher. That's were the mirrorless cameras pulled ahead big time. As far as focusing at where the focus point is placed - I m not sure if they do that better nowadays yet.
Thank you Mike and to your followers comments. I’m a novice who travels and I just made the leap from a Bridge camera and am expecting my new M2 and lenses. Cannot wait to get started with it and continue my journey in learning and experiencing.
Sounds great!
Probably the most interesting and best review which convinced me to skip the MKII.
Thanks.
Thanks Mike, I appreciate your time your findings are much that I expected.....I will wait for a MK III.
Fingers crossed!
Very useful, thanks Mike.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject very interesting Mike.
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks Mike. Another great video! Unbiased and informative as always.
My pleasure!
Great Sparrow images and the Hare wasn't shabby.
Thank you Mike appreciate the time you have put into this, top work 👍
Very welcome
This was really good. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks
Thanks Mike once again a no nonsense review MK1 user who wasnt convinced when the MK2 was released been waiting for your take on the MK2
wish it was better.
@MikeLaneFRPS will be interesting when the firmware update due in the autumn for the MK1 what it will bring in AF performance? Hopefully, you will revisit the MK1 vs. Mk2 debate in the autumn
Thanks again for a very informative review. You've helped me make my final decision about whether or not I'll be upgrading to the M2 version.
Glad to have helped.
Thanks my mark 2 will be here tomorrow keep up the amazing work.
Best of luck!
Well done, Mark.
Thank you.
Thanks Mike… looks like I will make the move then. Appreciate your really superb overview in the two films… kind regards Paul
Many thanks!
Absolutely breathtaking snaps of birds in flight...credit to the photographer ,whatever be the camera_Lens Combo!
Thanks.
As expected another interesting video and honest appraisal which is what is needed in order to make a decision on whether to upgrade or not.
Thanks
Thanks for this. I don't do enough bird photography for the improvement to be of benefit so I bought another OM-1 (cheapskate!). The real interest was the graduated filter but I'll just have to remember to take my filters.😂
Not really worth the money.
Live GND is going to be one of those underrated features, like Live Comp. You’ll probably end up using it every time you do any landscape.
Interesting video Mike, detailed testing methodology for real world shooting as usual, video has sparked an interest for me as well recently , either the mark 2 or the Pani G9ii may well supplement my existing OM1/OM5 kit in the near future
thanks.
very interesting , ive had a om1- mk 1 since they first came out before that a mx ..i got a om1- mk2 because i wanted a second camera as i loved my mx but found it now lagged behind my om1-1 ..i really wanted the new filters too , but like yourself i thought... had a feeling the the focus was better, but wasnt sure if i was just kidding myself .. but in the long run i dont care i love OM systems both cameras perform great for me .. keep up the great videos
Thanks.
Thanks for the video Mike. It will be interesting what the Mess Kit 1 firmware 2.0 will do. Just need to be patient and then I think you will have another video to do. Great work. Thanks.
If the difference between the two cameras is so small it will be even harder to see a difference after 2.0 and so difficult to prove.
@@MikeLaneFRPSsorry for the predictive text mess. Obviously Mark 1
Mike, the OM1 mk1 is on sale at £1379 in most dealers the Mk2 is £2195 and with the promised fw update it does not seem good value considering the minor improvements
I would go for the Mk1.
Thanks for doing this! I ordered the Mark 2 a couple of days ago and your opinion lines up nicely with my interpretation of what I have seen from real users online. One thing that I hope is that the additional RAM on the Mark 2 will possibly give it a higher ceiling for future AF updates. It ends up being an expensive upgrade. I do try to shoot lots of birds in flight and that is my focus these days.
I think we need a mk3!
Thanks Mike for putting in so much work, the question that really interested me was to do with shooting through grass and vegetation and your test showed both cameras detected the subject equally well in those conditions.
My om1 mk1 also detects partially obscured subjects very well putting the box round the subject (cant remember if box was round the head) but occasionally when i look at the photos it is the grass or leaf that is in focus even when subject had box round it. I just wondered if you know if the hit rate is the same in this situation on both cameras or is it just the detection rate that is the same? Again thanks again for your informative and entertaining videos.😊❤
I see no difference between them. It is obviously variable depending on how much vegetation is in the way, but less obvious is what is the subject. A black crow with a dark eye and no highlight will make it harder for the camera to focus than a bright contrasty birds head.
Thanks for the informative video.I have both the Om-1 and the OM-1 mark İİ,as you’re telling the OM-1 mark İİ has better AF.It is not a huge a step but still it works better than the former OM-1.
Yes, but not by much.
Great test. Still, from what I read between the lines of OM-System marketing statements, it seems like AF improvement is something firmware-based and that it will be adopted on update scheduled for autumn, so that keep the pull towards the mark II also for those who already own OM-1. What is hardware based (bigger buffer) and cannot be firmware updated is live GND, stronger Live ND, 14-bit processing for High-res mode, and of course larger buffer capacity itself.
Definitely OM-1 II is a smaller improvement comparing to OM-1 than EM-1 III was over E-M1 II
Hi Mike.
Very informative to compare the updated mkii. How about an in-depth comparison between the One mkii and the G9ii AF? I'm thinking of switching to 4/3 for lens choice, portability and superior IBIS. So the obvious choice would be the One mkii or G9ii. Keep up the good work.
trouble is I only use the G9mk2 for video and such testing is very time consuming. I will see.
Thanks Mike. I've arrived at a similar conclusion. However, the RAM increase has been really useful for my ProCap shots and the fact I can shoot at 50fps and not worry about overrunning the buffer.
Thank you.
I find you to be very impartial and feel you have given a fair and accurate description where many other users have just said oh it fantastic best out there by far. I use the R6ii and feel it is quite good but l don't make any claims in comparison to other brands as l have not tried them.
Thanks for sharing!
thanks for taking the time todo it , i'm sure most buyers would automatically say its amazing compared to the mk1 to warrant the cost , incidentaly do you still use the sony a1 and how would that compare to eye tracking etc ( not pro capture ) , i use bempton cliffs as a camera test ground hundreds of seabirds i'm going next week to try the a1 compared to my a7iv
No the Sony A1 went when I got the Om-1
Very good testing there. Thanks. I see you have the Lumix G9 11 but prefer the OM for stills. Have you done this same comparison between the G9 11 and OM 1 mk2? Considering upgrading my G9 to the G9 11 and don't want to change brands unless the OM 1 mk2 is substantially better.
Not extensively. They are in the same ball park, but after limited testing I only use the G9mk2 for video.
This is consistent with my experiences. If "animal autofocus" is better, then not much. But "himan autofocus has improved significantly.
So I have heard.
Good review and you've spent enough time to gain an opinion. Given that we (at least I do) tend to want to justify our choices, I'd wait for lab measurements to verify the autofocus improvements before I part with more money to upgrade. The good news is that more 'like new' OM-1 bodies showed up on MPB since the release of the MKII - so I snagged one. It is a big improvement on the OM5 for birding.
yes the used market should be flooded.
@@MikeLaneFRPS Maybe not a flood of used Mark 1 - but it has ticked up a little. BTW, I appreciated the settings you put out for BIF at the red-kite site. I am using them (with two variants stored on C1 C2) and my hit rate is much improved.
Thanks Mike: I don’t have either, but appreciate the video! Even a marginal increase in AF is a plus, along with other increased specs. I’ve been considering a G9ii, which for me seems a bit too big so have also found a lightly used OM1 at a lower price…feels better to me. That said I have Pan lenses which just seem to work best with a Pan camera. Not really a birder, but enjoy getting wildlife photos and video! No really bad choice here. And what…no names for the model birds? 😊
Sorry I did not introduce Robby and Woody!
Thanks for the review, Mike. My issue with the Mark 1 for birds behind branches is that the camera seems to acquire focus, but the picture often shows the branch in focus, not the bird. What is your experiences with the images from the Mark II vs the Mark 1 in this scenario?
I am not seeing any difference between the two cameras. If I have it focused on the bird when I press the button it is sharp in the final picture with rare exceptions.
Mike, I always appreciate your steady and methodical approach when testing gear but I have a query on this test. Did you actually take pictures of your "pet" bird? It has always been my complaint that although the Subject Detection may draw a nice box around the subject, and even around an eye, that does not mean the resulting shot is perfectly in focus on that subject or its eye. Perhaps you can clarify the findings of your testing... Thanks.
No I didn't actually take pictures. I was illustrating what I find in the real world with birds partially hidden, that the two models are equal in this situation. Yes it is possible for pictures to be not quite sharp when the box is around the birds head, but that is in all situations, even out in the open. It sort of pluses the AF. I don't find it occurs often on static birds.
I wonder what the results will be when the Autumn Firmware update is in the OM1 Mike, not enough improvement to warrant the money for me though.
It will be very hard to see a difference.
Great video and thanks for the presentation and opinion. However, it does mean that I'm not in a hurry to upgrade. I'll wait for the inevitable period when the shine comes off people's purchases of the MkII and I can pick one up at a good price.
Best idea.
Another reaction, I must come back on my first reaction. I downloaded the 1.6 firmware for the OM mark 1 last Saturday, yesterday I went on a 6 hour ride with my bicycle testing it (with the 300F4pro + MC14 and MC20) - autofocus has improved - I did shoot some 3.000 images for testing (a group of 3 Red Kites and 2 Buzzards, lots of Stonehatch-images, Lapwings, and songbirds in the forest). There was a lot of wind so a lot of extra movement from branches, leaves, weeds, grass, etc. The AF-tracking is more persistent. I got lots more images from Red Kites flying behind of in front weeds, bushes, trees etc. I tried a female stonehatch with ProCap2 - all the images are sharp. @Mike maybe you could do a test with the 1.6 firmware for the mark 1 and tell us your experience?
When they tweak the AF in a firmware update they have always said so in the past. As they do not mention improving AF in v1.6 I assume they have not changed it. I find it impossible to measure or see the tiny changes firmware updates make in the past. It was hard enough to convince myself the Mk2 is better than the Mk1.
@@MikeLaneFRPS that is what I thought too, but I do now get the eye-square on the birds eyes next to the body and the head and it is (seems) much stickier, but you are right it's subjective. I would like to hear/see what exactly each new firmware brings, it is always with all the brands that they stay so vague. Not so nice with the update is that the setting for the usage of the SD-card slots was changed (all the other settings were the same as far as I did/could check).
Nice review Mike. Just a point when you take so many pictures (because we can) The difference in getting the real saver is extremely small between the OM1 and the mark 2 so no real incentive to change. I would like to bet that you would almost never miss the shot you want with the OM1 mark 1 as a result of slightly slower "stickiness" too many other issues to worry about.
The Mk2 is not worth the money to upgade.
Super. I "upgraded" to the Mark II but haven't had enough situations to test it. Wouldn't suggest it for someone on a budget.
No the mk1 is the better deal.
I just use your test when you first decided to buy the OM-1 - which one do I choose to take with me? in my case it is always the Mk 2.
Thanks Mike. Did you get a chance to test the OM-1 with firmware v1.6 for BIF in good light, to see if the latest firmware improved the issue where it would loose focus for a few frames in a burst.
No I have not tested it, but in the past when a firmware update has supposedly improved the AF they announce it. For 1.6 there is no mention of AF improvement, just "improve stability of some functions."
@@MikeLaneFRPS thanks Mike. The reason I ask is that a number of people have reported that the AF is stickier with v1.6, including those that own the Mark II
Excellent review as always Mike. I do think another example where the OM1mk2 has a very large advantage is its ability to take photos while zooming especially with the 150-400 while in SH1 or SH2 modes. I currently have the OM1mk1 and indeed it does not write images while zooming. I believe this has been fixed on the new camera version and could add a lot more useable pictures from a burst when following a bird while zooming. Have you noticed this in your testing or aware of this issue? Thanks
Not a problem with my Mk1 Doug. It writes to the SD just as fast whether I zoom or not.
@@MikeLaneFRPS Interesting Mike as myself and many others have the same issue where only in silent shutter will write while zooming the lens and not SH modes. I would be very surprised if your mk1 can write while zooming as I have tried it (even yesterday) without success. Only the start picture is recorded and the last frame after the zoom has been completed will be written to the card. Everything else in between will be not on the card. Easy to test. Go into SH2 for instance say 25 fps. press the shutter button and zoom the lens either in or out. My guess is you wont get files during the zoom on the Mk1 but you will on the mk2.. This is discussed at further length in a few forums but apparently a few people have tested mk2 and it has been fixed whereas in 1.6 firmware for mk1 it is still unable to do it. I hope my example is clear. here is a link to one of the forum discussions: bcgforums.com/threads/new-issue-with-om-1.33760/
Ok I have it now. I was in manual focus. It has to be in C-af for the fault to show. The mk2 does not have the issue. Odd one that. I might mention it in a YT film. Thanks for the info.
@@MikeLaneFRPS Yes it is indeed a strange issue and hopefully a future firmware will address the issue with the Mk1. I have missed quite a few pictures I am sure because of it as I mostly use SH2, but at least they know how to fix it. I appreciate all your videos and look forward to some more of your testing.
Thank you for both this, and your prior video on this topic. In a way I'm not surprised by your conclusions as I think AF performance of the OM-1 Mk I (and several other top cameras) is already amazing. I think we are spoiled in a way because the tech in modern cameras is so good we just expect it was keep getting better at a liner rate, but that's not realistic.
I'm old enough to remember how you had to tack on your own while doing manual focusing and being limited to 36 exposures before reloading - and yet some great pictures were taken. 🙂 I'm not saying that I want even better - and it sounds like the Mk II had improved a key area. I'm sure I'm not alone in anticipating a similar upgrade to the Mk I with the promised firmware upgrade later this year.
Yes the Mk1 is very good, but always we want ot push the boundries.
@@MikeLaneFRPS Agreed. That's how we have gotten where we are.
OM System seem very careful with their statement regarding the firmware upgrade for the OM-1 mark I:
"It will provide some AF performance improvements only and therefore the new AF performance of the OM-1 will not match the OM-1 Mark II."
Seems like they don't anticipate that it will make the mark I match the mark II.
@@david_allen1 Yes, they are choosing their words carefully. However, the same announcement says, "Autofocus: Improvement of some AF performance capabilities, such as S-AF and C-AF in all-target mode to improve capture of main subjects." All-target mode and C-AF sounds a lot like what you'd use for bird tracking to me, so who knows.
I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that the RAM upgrade in the Mk II allows needed working space for better AF performance. A clue to me is Mike's statement that the Mk I's AF would seem to loose tracking for a couple of frames almost every so many shots. As an IT person, that sounds like a computer running our of resources and having to flush something to go again. I don't shoot birds that much so this isn't a big deal to me either way - but I am hoping for improvements for all the Mk I owners who can use them.
@@gregfeeler6910 I hope you are correct as I own the Mark I as well, though I don't use it for bird photography. Before I saw their announcement, I had been hoping for improvements to human detection and the addition of the GND feature as the latter would greatly impact my landscape photography. But the announcement really quashes those hopes. If it really is down to a RAM shortage, then it seems that the original (Mark I) had a short-sighted design. Disappointing. Though I still love shooting with my camera.
To all mark one users, never use tracking especially with subject detect
which lens do you use for this test?
Hi Mike, a quick question off track if I may, I know that there are a few breeding pairs of Golden Eagle in the UK, but, are there any in the south west Midlands? I had a bird land on my garage with a pigeon in its talons, it was about 2 feet tall and had the same beak shape as a Golden Eagle, unfortunately I'm colour blind so I couldn't tell you the colours, as I reached for my phone to grab a pic of it, it flew off.
No there are none in the Midlands. Buzzard maybe.
@MikeLaneFRPS This thing was big, I just had a look at the common buzzard and it seems a bit smaller, I wonder if it was an owned bird that may have just hit a pigeon and landed to adjust its grip, it did slam it into the garage roof.
I don't understand all the arguing and fighting. Regarding the OM-1 Mk 2, there are just 2.5 categories of users:
1. Folks who just want to have the latest gear no matter what. If this is your case, then buy the Mk 2 and move on.
2. Folks who need a good reason to upgrade, and in that case
2.1 You already have the Mk 1: Probably not worth it. Unless you absolutely definitely need the GND feature, you won't see much return on your expense.
2.2 You have an older model or no recent M43 at all (I am coming from the EM-1 Mk II and Pen-F myself): Then this is a fantastic camera well worth the upgrade.
What way did you use in this test? Speed, aperture or manual?
If you mean which program mode them aperture. They would all give the same result!
Since 22.4.24 there is a huge firmware update version 1.6 for the OM1. Some photographers see the OM1 AF is now as good as the AF of the m2. You don't think so, Mike ? I will switch from r5 to the OM, wich one do you recommend to buy..
The OM website describes firmware update 1.6 as a minor update and does not mention an improvement to AF, which it does with other updates. After any update there are always people who say it is better and others say it is worse. This is because it is very difficult to measure and judge.
I can see no difference.
If you can afford it go for the OM-1 Mk2. The AF is slightly better, but again such a small difference that it took me weeks to convince myself. If money it tight the Mk1 is cheap now.
@@MikeLaneFRPS I will look for a Mark2, Mike. 12mm-100mm PRO IS would be fine, do you recommend it ?
Sorry I know nothing of the lens.. I only use long lenses for birds
I am a Landscape and Seascape Photographer Mike and I would only take Wildlife if it posed for me and I still use amongst other various Olympus Cameras the old OMD E M1 Mk2 and a newer OM5 which I like very much, and I didn't know if it would be worth buying a OM1 Mk1 or OM1 Mk2 I know that we have different Photo genres but having extensively used these Cameras you have any thoughts, Always great Videos and so detailed I love them, regards Colin.
There only benifit for me is the bird subject detection for flight shots. If that is not your interest I see no advantage.
Unless you have a graduated ND, I think the mk II with GND could be great. There is one more stop ND in mk II than Mk I that could be usefull with seascapes. The in my view improved AF, may not benefit your style. You will have to learn a new menusystem. OM-1 is a bigger and heavier camera and a more expensive. You will need new batteries. There are tons of other differencies but I am not sure they will give you any extra benefits as a landscape photographer.
I brought om1-mk2 upgrade form om-1 , the human AI on back-lit will become reliable , always focus on the background
Would anyone suggest coming over from full frame as a sole camera ?
I suggest it! I owned the Sony A1 and A7RIV and several G master lens and I was so impressed by the Om1 that I sold all my Sony gear and made the switch
@@ForrestHogue how’s the noise level at high iso? I routinely shoot at higher iso and I actually like nice noise patterns.
@@fred4859with major advancements in denoise software, I don’t mind paying the ISO high. I have quite a few photos between 6400-10000 ISO and came out pretty clean. You will generally get cleaner files with full frame, unless it’s a super high megapixel camera, then that’s a little different but overall the OM1 produces very good images, even at high ISO values. Using a micro 4/3 camera all comes down to knowing the strengths and weaknesses of a camera. I’ve used it long enough that I know how to get the best quality photos from the camera
I still feel we are getting screwed as MK1 users. Such marginal improvement should be doable in the MK1. My biggest problem with the MK1 AF birddtection is that with a bird in flight that I follow it often jumps of the bird and focusses on a branch, a flag pole, a car, a tree in the background. So it does a bad job sticking to the selected object type. That should be fixed by OM. Still considering to simply just leaving OM all together.
OM doesn't seem to put customers first so i'm staying away
Although the Mk2 is only a slight improvement on the Mk1 I still regard the Mk1 as amazing for birds in flight even against messy backgrounds. Not matter what brand you buy none will get it right every time.
Then change focus sensitiivty...
@@pentagramyt417 The sensitivity setting does not really improve or handles the described problem. Maybe OM will address it right in the Mark IV or V. As Mike describes the OM1 MK1 can do very well, but it will also fail you where you expect it should not. A car is not a bird, sensitivity setting will not help you with that.
I would imagine it's because OM bought Olympus and want a return on their investment. It's one thing that puts me off OM as I'm not sure they will be around long at all