I was shooting FF Canon and saw one of the Oly dSLRs on display in a camera store and rented one. I then sold my FF and went M43. I will never knock the Canon or FF but I for one will take the trade off--especially in the weight and price of lenses. The Oly really gives me superior results in where it maters to me.
Funny you mention there are not many people on youtube giving the OM-1 or m 4/3 the credit it deserves. I was trying to word a post the other day on DPreview and a FB OMD group about how there is not a positive voice for m 4/3 that does not seem to work for OM systems. Out of boredom I watched the Northrups and ended up furious when Chelsea pointed out how much she loves the pre capture feature on the Z9 and how amazing it is, and then Tony commented about how the tech would eventually be stolen and put in other cameras. This after he (Tony) said OM/Olympus is no longer innovative. The fact Olympus had this feature 6 years ago and they ignored it irked me beyond words. Looking forward to more comparison videos.
I stopped watching the Northrups years ago when they made a video saying that screw in filters are no longer needed because all the functions of a filter can be done in post. They seem very clueless and aloof on many topics, catering to the most inexperienced amateurs who just don't know better.
For me, m43 is a great system. Having shot event, travel, and documentary photography for work and pleasure around the world what I've found most overrated is weather sealing, dynamic range, and the 'full frame look'. For me, a m43 F1.8 lens with an increased depth of field is actually a huge advantage over a full frame F1.8 with a shallower depth of field
I'd say stick with it a while. It has taken me a while to get used to mine but am now loving it and finding it far more capable than expected. I came to OLY M43 after 50 years of Canon via a Panasonic GX8 and G90 so adjustment was expected. Even so it took longer than I expected to get really familiar with it. As for the image quality concerns I've found with the right processing more than adequate quality can be achieved from the ORF files. For versitility the OM1 has it.
As a D500 enthusiast (underwater and wildlife) I've gotta say, I'm crazy tempted to have the OM-1 + 300PF as a separate body, and sell my D500 telephoto lens. OM-1 300PF will give me 600mm reach at f/4, which is crazy. I have the 200-500mm on a 1.5x crop (D500) and this means I get 750mm at f/5.6, vs olympus at 600mm f/4. The main benefit here with olympus is tracking + procapture + weight. I don't have a massive amount of problem handling the 200-500, it's not that heavy, but I have to properly decide that I'm going wildlifing if I'm taking it. Whereas I feel with the Olympus, I can just chuck it in my bag and head out to be opportunistic, and probably get sharper shots due to the built in stabilisation sync'ing with the pro lenses, giving you something like 5-6 stops of IS!
The OM-1 was my first own camera back in 1974 and I’ve been using OM cameras for a fair part of my professional work as a fashion/beauty photographer until it all went digital. Back then these were amazing cameras and lenses and I still occasionally use my OM-1. Over the past months I’ve regained my enthusiasm for Olympus. A few months ago I bought my daughter an OM-1 with a Pro zoom lens for her birthday and she loves it. It is absolutely amazing and when you don’t need full-frame it’s one of the best cropped sensor cameras out there. You’ve got to learn to compose using a 4:3 ratio, which is a bit different. For me not an issue since it’s the same ratio as my H6D, but for those coming from FF or APS-C it feels weird for a few days. Don’t let that stop you though. There’s a lot to be said for 4:3…
As for your question: The Olympus is not iso invariant, its adc has 3 different stages. So setting a high iso in camera willl give you better results than increasing exposure in photosoftware afterwards
I've actually been shocked by how much information can be pulled out of the shadows of my OM-1 and any noise is wiped out by DXO Deepprime. The Procapture, starry sky auto focus, HDR mode, Hi res shot, live ND, etc. are so useful for me. It's like I have a laptop and a camera bag of filters with me without having to bring them along. Plus, I've read that if you accidentally drop it in a river or run it over with your truck it may just survive. ha
Also, 50fps with autofocus is stupid fast. I think even the Z9 can't match that. Add on 120fps with fixed focus if you want to fill up your 99 frame buffer in under a second. ha
Hey Eric, new to your channel but also an OM-1 owner, for me about a month. I have similar goals with regards to documenting family and getting some wildlife and landscape in. I had the E-M1 II before the OM-1, and over the past two years have bought and sold a bunch of MFT and FT lenses. I highly recommend the 12-100 f/4 Pro as the do-almost-everything lens. The Sync IS makes it a very stable video platform, no digital IS required. For family day trips just the one lens is plenty, and it is so liberating to just bring the one setup. For more complex conditions, throw in a bright prime (9mm f/1.7 or similar) for low light or wider shots (vlogging) and you’re set. For wildlife, lots of choice in MFT. Three lenses and a small bag or pack and you can shoot just about anything. Good luck with your second run with MFT.
I have to make a final decision this week. I’ve been testing it side by side with the A74. I go back and forth daily…. Do you regret the OM-1? Wish you had something else like XH2s or A74?
@@ericrjennings I wish I could offer you a more educated opinion on other systems, but I have shot almost exclusively MFT, with a little Canon APS-C (SL1 and M5) before that. Just never wanted to carry the bigger full-frame glass. I will say that I am very happy with the OM-1, which has turned birding and other wildlife into point-and-shoot quickness with the subject-recognition AF. Some say that takes all the fun out of it, but I say my family no longer has to wait for me to fiddle with my other cameras when I see a bird. Fuji does catch my eye once in a while, but currently I am having fun with the wide selection of MFT glass, as well as adapting Four Thirds and full-frame lenses.
You forgot compare SIZE. I love hiking. 10 years I was shot with APSC DSLR's. In 2019 I buy smallest weather-sealed camera at this moment - Oly Em5mk2. Today with 3 lenses (leica 15mm f1,7, Panasonic Macro 30mmf2,8 and Oly 45f1,8) and second battery all setup weights just 1024grams... To get on APSC (FF equivalent in...) 30mm, 60mm and 90mm I need 2,5-3 times more weight. It is huge deal for me.
OM-1 and DXO Pure Raw software is an amazing combination, particularly for someone interested in outdoor or adventure photography. There's a free 30 day trial for Pure Raw. It will transform your low light photography if you are an Olympus shooter.
olympus cameras are brutal, hella full of buttons, it's like holding a film camera. And their burst mode is insane. I met a guy with a m43 olympus that could do 10FPS with full AF drive, it had the second grip, I believe it's called Olympus 1x?
the right tool for the job , I have an OM systems OM1 with 12-40, 40-150 and 300 f4 pro , also the 1.4 TC and use it for wildlife, video, sports, etc its portable, lightweight and the IQ is pretty damn good but I also have a Nikon Z7ii with 24-120 and 50 f1.8 for product, studio, people and landscapes......I'm with you in your approach, more than one system ,but moreover pick your tool for the job you want it to do
Good lighting alleviates most issues people have with MFT, I use both ff and mft; for my personal setup I dig the flexibility I get with MFT; lens are usually less, tons of features (that ff doesn’t have). I mean it all depends on your needs, but I bet most creators would do just fine with mft and good lights
I have shot Canon since film. When AF was developed I got a great deal on some used Canon gear and IF I would have gotten a better deal on Nikon I would now be a Nikon shooter. I have NEVER had a brand bias. Having said that, now in the digital age, things are SO much different. Canon and Nikon won out because they had a glass advantage over Minolta and Pentax. When it came to digital, Minolta sold to Sony and Pentax NEVER got the credit they deserved but Canon and Nikon just won. Both are infuriating. Currently, Sony has the worst color science and ALWAYS have. Does that mean they are bad, hell no. Bottom line is that you can pour over specs all day long but the MOST important things about ANY photo remain the same. Composition, lighting, exposure.., Micro 4/3's is NEVER gets the credit it deserves and is PERFECTLY adequate for probably 90% of ALL photographers. Especially given the cost and size of the system. Is FF better sure at least part of the time. But then again, medium format is better than FF for the same metrics, DOF and dynamic range. Bottom line is that in real world, the overwhelming vast majority of clients will NEVER see the difference IF you have the basics AND you shoot photos with character. Character is the side nobody seems to discuss anymore.
I do have a sweet spot for MU43, as my first interchangeable camera was the Panasonic G1. I currently have a Z6 Mk I and get on well with it, but there’s a massive price jump between the sub 200mm lenses and the longer reach lenses. I can see an OM-1 and their brilliant 40-150mm f/2.8 with 1.4tc in my future. I just need to get over that full frame look!
I love watching your journey, but I have to say I shoot Nikon Z6ll and OM1, love them both, but when I am on adventure in my kayak, I always grab my OMD systems. I have left Olympus and came back. Can’t think of any system that I have more fun with than my OMD.
Another thing that's not a lot of people mention with the M43... because smaller sensors have wider DOF, F1.2 lenses wide open is more usable than using a 1.2 full frame lenses on a full frame body. that should translate to a better low light capability.
if you shoot portrait a lot (i mean over 60% , or even 70%) just get full frame camera , But if you don't , i think om system was better pick (price, IBIS, build, handle). I use both ,(nikon Z9 and Olympus EM1 MK3 with few pro lens). I never sell my om system, but I will sell my Nikon z if I don't need portrait work.
Random thoughts: The OM was noticeably sharper in the video test and the IBIS was noticeably better. The DOF...ehh. Like I've said before, the super bokeh'd out vlog look is pretty dumb anyway if you ask me. I'm guessing the Sony would handle the difficult AF situations better but you have to weigh that against the other stuff. The photos all looked good. But I've also never been bothered by noise, unless it's gross color noise. Part of the reason I love Fuji. For me it would come down to whether or not one system is going to help you get the shot more than the other. That might be a function of ergos, AF, reliability or any number of things. Getting the shot has to trump everything else. If you're going to try to compete with people shooting traditional commercial-style weddings and senior portraits on their 5Ds and D750s then you ought to get a FF camera to get that look that everybody is expecting. I also happen to find that style of photography to be the most boring of all, and it sounds like you're leaning away from that look too. I'm guessing if you actually enjoyed shooting the Sony you wouldn't have picked up the OM.
Om-1 seems to have faster AF. This is what i see in your video. Do yourself a favor and buy a used 45 1.2 and 17 1.2. I know the 45 1.2 doesn't have as shallow depth of field as the 85 1.4 but the autofocus is 10 times faster, you have a manual focus clutch which i love and it's cheap compared to the 85 1.4 and a lot better than the sony 85 1.8. One more thing. Don't be afraid to use the electronic shutter. OM-1 amd m1miii/m1x are the only cameras that have better image quality with electronic shutter compared to mechanical shutter. The Om-1 has almost no rolling shutter. Quite the opposite with Sony or any other ff. About 30-40 times a year i photograph motorsport (car racing-tcr Europe and motocross). For this type of photography, the om-1 is the king. So i gave up on ff. I also shoot family and pet portraits and i can't complain. Especially for pet portraits, this camera is a beast. There is something else. Autofocus in low light. Om-1 is the first camera with 2x2 ocl sensor. Everyone compares the speed of lenses using single AF. Om-1 in caf mode is much faster in the dark than m1miii and any other camera.. The question is: What do you need more? For portraits with a shallow depth of field sony. For everything else om-1.
Greetings from the West side of the state (GR area). As a current A74 and past Olympus EM-1 user I find this comparison interesting. Wish you all the best in your evaluation and Camera decision for shooting in 2023. Personally, I am focused on re-adding a first or second generation X-Trans sensor to my stable alongside the Canon 5d Classic and A74 for 2023.... I guess I am going backwards... hahaha
Thanks for this. I recently purchased the OM-1 which will be the last m43 gear that I buy. I'm continually disappointed with image quality compared to the FF users I shoot with.
I just sold Sony a1 with 4 g master lenses because I tried out the OM1 with a couple of their pro lens and was shocked at how great the OM1 was. So, I’m confused as to why you’re disappointed with MFT gear? I’ve been using OM1 for lots of BiF and I’ve been getting spectacular images, all of which are tack sharp
@@forresthogue3532 M43 is fine if your priority is to carry less weight or spend less. But if you need performance, it's not the best. I'm also disappointed with the OM-1 in terms of reliability and the benefits of the features/specs. It doesn't live up to its marketing hype.
I currently own 4 systems: Mamiya RZ, Nikon F, Canon EF, and Panasonic L mount. Like you, I sometimes spot deals that are too good to pass up. I paid $1500 brand new for my Canon 5DSR. I want the OM-1 mainly for photographing animals, both pets and wildlife, and airplanes. The fact that it's also a decent video camera and good enough to be an all rounder make it even more attractive. For serious portrait and landscape I'd want more megapixels but for sports, action, wildlife, and video 20mp is enough. The Canon 1DX Mark III and Nikon D6 are both 20mp and those are what most professional sports and photojournalism are shot on. The main things the OM-1 has going for it are 10 fps mechanical shutter with AF tracking and metering as well as 50 fps electronic shutter with AF tracking and metering with the right lens, as well as a crop factor which allows it to get a lot of reach out of modestly sized telephoto lenses. From what I have seen the AI subject detection has gotten really good. I currently don't have anything in my lineup to cover this genre of photography so I'm taking a hard look at the OM-1. I'm thinking of starting out with a couple of f/4 zooms, the 8-25mm and 40-150mm and putting in an order for the 150-400mm f/4.5. The 150-400mm f/4.5 is what attracted me to this system initially. You are right about OM system not being covered that well on TH-cam. Yours is one of the few channels covering this brand that is not an OM system ambassador. That's how I ended up here and subscribed. Looking forward to seeing how this system works out for you. Thanks for making some great videos about the OM-1!
Thx for this video. I like both cameras, but I'm leaning to the OM-1, because it's a lighter option with a more interesting set of capabilities for travel/journalistic documentary-style work. I particularly like the little-discussed option for 120 FPS bursts (from which you can make 5.2K slomo video image sequences that look awesome). The weather-proofing on OMD seems far superior, the stabilization much better, OM Color Science looks better to my eye (and less playing around in post), and you can still get subject separation and low-light performance with a range of easy-to-carry 1.8s, 1.4s and 1.2s. That said, the A74's dependable AF and one-touch Tracking are hard to ignore, and the E-Mount offers a stellar range of lenses, too.
I use OM cameras (OM1, OM1 Mk2 and OM5) and Leica (SL2 and Q2). There is so little difference in picture quality despite resolution and sensor size that image quality is never a factor in choosing which to use. Even a 32” Apple XDR display has a max resolution of (6016x3384) c. 20 mp so unless you are into pixel peeping, which I admit is a fun and pointless hobby and is easier than being outside making photos, then anything over 20 mp is lost unless you are seriously into very large prints. These aren’t meant to be viewed up close though, so it becomes a bit self-defeating. Higher resolutions might allow more cropping, but the ace feature of MFT is that it is a sort of high res crop compared with a 35mm sensor. OM photos are higher res than equivalent magnification crops taken from the Leica 47mp sensor when using lenses with the same focal length (i.e 90mm on both the Leica and the OM). Both systems have some great lenses and the Olympus 17mm f/1.2 is a match for detail resolution and overall picture quality with the lauded 35mm APO-Summicron. Both systems have their own buzz, their own way of doing things and their own feel. The Leicas draw people in, the OMs are brilliant for motor sports and aerial photography. For all other uses they are equivalent, although surprisingly I find in-camera keystone correction on the SL2 to be better implemented than on the OMs, but then again OMs have in-camera focus stacking, pro-capture, starry sky auto-focus, in-camera ND and graduated ND filters etc etc. Leica and OM are also only two that take water resistance seriously and so, for me, are the only camera makers to take seriously.
Took me most the video to realize I had seen stuff of yours on LinkedIn before. Love my M1 mark II and played with the OM1 yesterday a bit and was surprised what it could do. What’s your favorite lens combo for it?
Ah welcome over from the business side! 😉 I haven’t played enough to have a favorite but I’ve used m4/3 for a while. For vlogging the 12/1.4 is awesome but a big heavy. The 17/1.2 and 25/1.4 are great.
Great camera with one flaw that keeps me away. The buffer is too small. When they put a decent buffer in it, I will be with Olympus right off the bat. Maybe next one. Will see. Reply
What makes this such a strong contender is don’t forget it’s a stacked M43 that’s a worlds first and big difference which brings it closer to Full Frame IMO
@@ericrjennings You be willing to share some outdoor footage with some sky and some darker areas in 10bit LOG? Its fine if you do not have any such footage, such a shame that no one has tried to do a proper dynamic range test on the video compared it to stuff like GH5 II or GH6
If you are into travelling and doing photos or video of wildlife then M4/3rds OM-Systems is excellent and better than Sony A7-4. However, the M4/3rds falls down if you are doing heavy cropping and shooting in low light. The only camera worth considering to overcome this and remain at the relatively small size and weight is the Sony A1. My recommendation is to buy a Sony A1 in addition to the OM -1 otherwise do not bother. The A7 fails when shooting wildlife and you may as well buy a cheaper Sony a6600. There are lots of reasons for this comment and I am sure wildlife photographers and videographers will understand 😊😊
@@ericrjennings Hi Yes absolutely. In terms of value for money then nothing beats the M4/3rds system. I have both OM-System/Olympus and Panasonic/Lumix Leica. Having said that the Sony A1 50 mega pixel camera together with Sony 100-400mm lens plus x1.4TC does fill that low light, heavy crop issue. The answer is to buy secondhand Sony units although the A1 does not come up very often at a reasonable price. Guess waiting for the Sony A1 mark ii will solve that issue. And the Sony A1 is superb at shooting video!! Have fun with your photography 😊😊
Please make a video about taking kids photos with the face tracking option on the om-1. Kids are always moving, it is hard to take lifestyle pictures of them if the autofocus is not good. It would be nice to see how the om-1 perform
the learning curve on olympus is getting the proper settings the tri-angle of exposure. i am a novice and learning photographer fundamentals so i struggle to get proper pictures and most good ones where buy a mere guess! also the type of lenses you’re using makes a bit challenging when trying to learn new ways! so this where i think 80% of olympus buyers struggled like me so some how the other brands cameras have easy learning curve that get better results than olympus! but its 80% user ignorance is the vast majority of olympus shooter struggles to get good results! i have stick with olympus a gradually get better at working the system menu i know my issue is the learning curve of the basics of photography and not that olympus is a bad camera! i currently have the em1, the em1mk2 and the em1x! all three have characteristics that set them apart also the firmware play a big role but i think i can get equal results on images on all three if can juggle the right setting!
Olympus system is a great system that i think will be worth mastering! cant beat the size, rugged body! and quality of lenses available specially the pro line up lens but if want stealth mode the small prime lens are well worth the investment i can carry em1x body and three small primes lens on small dji drone bag!
exposure triangle? you might be over thinking it a bit. stick at least one auto function and let the camera figure it out and you do the composition and use the EV compensation to suit your vision.
@@ericrjennings I'm debating between A7IV and X-H2s. I think the biggest difference is rolling shutter. A7IV seems to have much greater rolling shutter. Does this bother you at all?
@@mixmasteralan yes that’s true. XH2s is a stacked sensor whereas the Sony is not and it’s a higher megapixel count. It doesn’t bother me but I also am not hardcore about video. If you’re really into video the XH2s is a better way to go. I also have an OM-1 which is a stacked sensor and that thing is crazy fast as well. I believe the GH6 is stacked too
@@ericrjennings I would recommend watching this review of the lens and viewing the samples the producer created: th-cam.com/video/Za9M5IBRGzQ/w-d-xo.html
I'm an OM users so I like this video. M43 at f/2.8 is equivalent full frame at 5.6, which would be the noise comparison at "similar" settings. The advantage of FF is f/2.8 allows more light than M43 2.8 because of the 2x factor.
F/2,8 is f/2.8 independent of sensor-size! The f/2.8 in mft equals f/5.6 in ff, is only about depth of field, dof. Example: I have an old manual Nikon 50mm f/2.0. If I adapt it for my Nikon Z6 it will of course be a 50mm f/2.0. When I adapt it to my MFT camera, it will be a 50mm f/2.0 as well. The dof in MFT will be even a little less than in ff, because of circle of confusion, coc. The MFT will use a narrower field of the image projected to the sensor. This equals the field of view of a 100mm on a ff camera, and dof not like f/2.0, but f/4.0.
@@ericrjennings I love shooting during severe thunderstorms, or underwater, or both. Sometimes I dunk my camera in the bathtub then throw it in the sandbox just to see what happens :)
Why, I wonder why I will use a m4/3 as a FF?? Why useless tests like underexposed and see how much noise there is below (none of the photos that factio is ever so dark, if the canceled does it because it's simply wrong!) Bokeh? it is done but, with 1.8, 1.6, 1.4, 1.2 long lenses, no hyperbokeh like 1.2 on FF (because that type of pdc is exaggerated) So let's use the m4/3 with its rules and the FF with its own, don't pretend to use the m4/3 with the rules of the FF.
I give it two months and you will sell the Olympus. 🤣 And all you said in the video will be meaningless like the previous one about the E-M1 Mark III. Prove me wrong. 😆😉
Just watched this video - so had to Google OM1 to find a bit more information on the camera - so landed at your video th-cam.com/video/MX0BBZQ5oBo/w-d-xo.html
You can compare camera's but the bottom line is OM 1 is an advanced superb camera...maybe you just need to work on your abilities. th-cam.com/video/Ni4jUUguteU/w-d-xo.html
I have a sony camera & lens dusting on my shelf where I bought a 6yrs old Olympus Pen F... a gorgeous small compact camera I carry around every where. I know there is image issues with higher ISO. I had someone told me about DxO Pure Raw...it changed everything for my images. Please if you have a chance review DxO Pure Raw....I decided to sell all my full frame cameras.
I discovered this software recently and now my images from APS-C Fuji are on par with FF. The only real difference now that I see is DoF capabilities of FF with lenses like 24 f1.4 and so on. Apart from that image quality is practically the same even at 12800 ISO. Mind blown how they did it. I am ditching Capture One and moving to full DxO Photolab now.
I was shooting FF Canon and saw one of the Oly dSLRs on display in a camera store and rented one. I then sold my FF and went M43. I will never knock the Canon or FF but I for one will take the trade off--especially in the weight and price of lenses. The Oly really gives me superior results in where it maters to me.
Funny you mention there are not many people on youtube giving the OM-1 or m 4/3 the credit it deserves. I was trying to word a post the other day on DPreview and a FB OMD group about how there is not a positive voice for m 4/3 that does not seem to work for OM systems. Out of boredom I watched the Northrups and ended up furious when Chelsea pointed out how much she loves the pre capture feature on the Z9 and how amazing it is, and then Tony commented about how the tech would eventually be stolen and put in other cameras. This after he (Tony) said OM/Olympus is no longer innovative. The fact Olympus had this feature 6 years ago and they ignored it irked me beyond words. Looking forward to more comparison videos.
Yeah man there just aren’t enough good voices out there
I stopped watching the Northrups years ago when they made a video saying that screw in filters are no longer needed because all the functions of a filter can be done in post. They seem very clueless and aloof on many topics, catering to the most inexperienced amateurs who just don't know better.
@@BretMiller they create click bait topics and its never helpful.
@@BretMiller A good summary of them.
@@Jgatti41 Spot on.
For me, m43 is a great system. Having shot event, travel, and documentary photography for work and pleasure around the world what I've found most overrated is weather sealing, dynamic range, and the 'full frame look'. For me, a m43 F1.8 lens with an increased depth of field is actually a huge advantage over a full frame F1.8 with a shallower depth of field
Is this not the same as a full frame with F3.6? Or would you need to adjust for exposure to make this adjustment?
F/3.6 on FF would be the same DOF but you would have to increased iso or reduce shutter speed to match exposure.
@@ChristopherSeng nope.. 1.8 is 1.8 the exposure is the exact same. The only difference is depth of field😂😂
I'd say stick with it a while. It has taken me a while to get used to mine but am now loving it and finding it far more capable than expected. I came to OLY M43 after 50 years of Canon via a Panasonic GX8 and G90 so adjustment was expected. Even so it took longer than I expected to get really familiar with it. As for the image quality concerns I've found with the right processing more than adequate quality can be achieved from the ORF files. For versitility the OM1 has it.
As a D500 enthusiast (underwater and wildlife) I've gotta say, I'm crazy tempted to have the OM-1 + 300PF as a separate body, and sell my D500 telephoto lens. OM-1 300PF will give me 600mm reach at f/4, which is crazy. I have the 200-500mm on a 1.5x crop (D500) and this means I get 750mm at f/5.6, vs olympus at 600mm f/4. The main benefit here with olympus is tracking + procapture + weight.
I don't have a massive amount of problem handling the 200-500, it's not that heavy, but I have to properly decide that I'm going wildlifing if I'm taking it.
Whereas I feel with the Olympus, I can just chuck it in my bag and head out to be opportunistic, and probably get sharper shots due to the built in stabilisation sync'ing with the pro lenses, giving you something like 5-6 stops of IS!
The OM-1 was my first own camera back in 1974 and I’ve been using OM cameras for a fair part of my professional work as a fashion/beauty photographer until it all went digital. Back then these were amazing cameras and lenses and I still occasionally use my OM-1. Over the past months I’ve regained my enthusiasm for Olympus. A few months ago I bought my daughter an OM-1 with a Pro zoom lens for her birthday and she loves it. It is absolutely amazing and when you don’t need full-frame it’s one of the best cropped sensor cameras out there. You’ve got to learn to compose using a 4:3 ratio, which is a bit different. For me not an issue since it’s the same ratio as my H6D, but for those coming from FF or APS-C it feels weird for a few days. Don’t let that stop you though. There’s a lot to be said for 4:3…
As for your question: The Olympus is not iso invariant, its adc has 3 different stages. So setting a high iso in camera willl give you better results than increasing exposure in photosoftware afterwards
I've actually been shocked by how much information can be pulled out of the shadows of my OM-1 and any noise is wiped out by DXO Deepprime. The Procapture, starry sky auto focus, HDR mode, Hi res shot, live ND, etc. are so useful for me. It's like I have a laptop and a camera bag of filters with me without having to bring them along. Plus, I've read that if you accidentally drop it in a river or run it over with your truck it may just survive. ha
Haha. Truck demolition survival is my main draw
Also, 50fps with autofocus is stupid fast. I think even the Z9 can't match that. Add on 120fps with fixed focus if you want to fill up your 99 frame buffer in under a second. ha
Hey Eric, new to your channel but also an OM-1 owner, for me about a month. I have similar goals with regards to documenting family and getting some wildlife and landscape in. I had the E-M1 II before the OM-1, and over the past two years have bought and sold a bunch of MFT and FT lenses. I highly recommend the 12-100 f/4 Pro as the do-almost-everything lens. The Sync IS makes it a very stable video platform, no digital IS required. For family day trips just the one lens is plenty, and it is so liberating to just bring the one setup. For more complex conditions, throw in a bright prime (9mm f/1.7 or similar) for low light or wider shots (vlogging) and you’re set. For wildlife, lots of choice in MFT. Three lenses and a small bag or pack and you can shoot just about anything. Good luck with your second run with MFT.
I have to make a final decision this week. I’ve been testing it side by side with the A74. I go back and forth daily…. Do you regret the OM-1? Wish you had something else like XH2s or A74?
@@ericrjennings I wish I could offer you a more educated opinion on other systems, but I have shot almost exclusively MFT, with a little Canon APS-C (SL1 and M5) before that. Just never wanted to carry the bigger full-frame glass. I will say that I am very happy with the OM-1, which has turned birding and other wildlife into point-and-shoot quickness with the subject-recognition AF. Some say that takes all the fun out of it, but I say my family no longer has to wait for me to fiddle with my other cameras when I see a bird. Fuji does catch my eye once in a while, but currently I am having fun with the wide selection of MFT glass, as well as adapting Four Thirds and full-frame lenses.
You forgot compare SIZE. I love hiking. 10 years I was shot with APSC DSLR's. In 2019 I buy smallest weather-sealed camera at this moment - Oly Em5mk2. Today with 3 lenses (leica 15mm f1,7, Panasonic Macro 30mmf2,8 and Oly 45f1,8) and second battery all setup weights just 1024grams...
To get on APSC (FF equivalent in...) 30mm, 60mm and 90mm I need 2,5-3 times more weight.
It is huge deal for me.
OM-1 and DXO Pure Raw software is an amazing combination, particularly for someone interested in outdoor or adventure photography. There's a free 30 day trial for Pure Raw. It will transform your low light photography if you are an Olympus shooter.
Amen, blown away by my om-1 with pureraw it's wild...
Pure raw is worth every penny. Makes my nex3 pictures look like an a6600 took them without looking unnatural.
olympus cameras are brutal, hella full of buttons, it's like holding a film camera. And their burst mode is insane. I met a guy with a m43 olympus that could do 10FPS with full AF drive, it had the second grip, I believe it's called Olympus 1x?
the right tool for the job , I have an OM systems OM1 with 12-40, 40-150 and 300 f4 pro , also the 1.4 TC and use it for wildlife, video, sports, etc its portable, lightweight and the IQ is pretty damn good but I also have a Nikon Z7ii with 24-120 and 50 f1.8 for product, studio, people and landscapes......I'm with you in your approach, more than one system ,but moreover pick your tool for the job you want it to do
Good lighting alleviates most issues people have with MFT, I use both ff and mft; for my personal setup I dig the flexibility I get with MFT; lens are usually less, tons of features (that ff doesn’t have). I mean it all depends on your needs, but I bet most creators would do just fine with mft and good lights
Yes - good feedback! Very true :)
I have shot Canon since film. When AF was developed I got a great deal on some used Canon gear and IF I would have gotten a better deal on Nikon I would now be a Nikon shooter. I have NEVER had a brand bias. Having said that, now in the digital age, things are SO much different. Canon and Nikon won out because they had a glass advantage over Minolta and Pentax. When it came to digital, Minolta sold to Sony and Pentax NEVER got the credit they deserved but Canon and Nikon just won. Both are infuriating. Currently, Sony has the worst color science and ALWAYS have. Does that mean they are bad, hell no. Bottom line is that you can pour over specs all day long but the MOST important things about ANY photo remain the same. Composition, lighting, exposure.., Micro 4/3's is NEVER gets the credit it deserves and is PERFECTLY adequate for probably 90% of ALL photographers. Especially given the cost and size of the system. Is FF better sure at least part of the time. But then again, medium format is better than FF for the same metrics, DOF and dynamic range. Bottom line is that in real world, the overwhelming vast majority of clients will NEVER see the difference IF you have the basics AND you shoot photos with character. Character is the side nobody seems to discuss anymore.
I do have a sweet spot for MU43, as my first interchangeable camera was the Panasonic G1. I currently have a Z6 Mk I and get on well with it, but there’s a massive price jump between the sub 200mm lenses and the longer reach lenses. I can see an OM-1 and their brilliant 40-150mm f/2.8 with 1.4tc in my future. I just need to get over that full frame look!
Yeah likewise. I really like this camera so far
OM Systems just make you want to get out there and shoot, in any weather conditions and dont break your bank or your back......its a no brainer !
I love watching your journey, but I have to say I shoot Nikon Z6ll and OM1, love them both, but when I am on adventure in my kayak, I always grab my OMD systems. I have left Olympus and came back. Can’t think of any system that I have more fun with than my OMD.
That’s similar to me too
I traded in my Z6II for the OM1 and have no regrets.
Great video. In my experience, the Oly always fights above its weight class!
"Here comes the UPS Truck... It's not for me." I think we were all wondering if it was for you. :-) Typing this as I'm watching.
Most times it’s for me
@@ericrjennings 🙂
Another thing that's not a lot of people mention with the M43... because smaller sensors have wider DOF, F1.2 lenses wide open is more usable than using a 1.2 full frame lenses on a full frame body. that should translate to a better low light capability.
You got it!
if you shoot portrait a lot (i mean over 60% , or even 70%) just get full frame camera , But if you don't , i think om system was better pick (price, IBIS, build, handle). I use both ,(nikon Z9 and Olympus EM1 MK3 with few pro lens). I never sell my om system, but I will sell my Nikon z if I don't need portrait work.
Random thoughts:
The OM was noticeably sharper in the video test and the IBIS was noticeably better. The DOF...ehh. Like I've said before, the super bokeh'd out vlog look is pretty dumb anyway if you ask me. I'm guessing the Sony would handle the difficult AF situations better but you have to weigh that against the other stuff.
The photos all looked good. But I've also never been bothered by noise, unless it's gross color noise. Part of the reason I love Fuji.
For me it would come down to whether or not one system is going to help you get the shot more than the other. That might be a function of ergos, AF, reliability or any number of things. Getting the shot has to trump everything else.
If you're going to try to compete with people shooting traditional commercial-style weddings and senior portraits on their 5Ds and D750s then you ought to get a FF camera to get that look that everybody is expecting. I also happen to find that style of photography to be the most boring of all, and it sounds like you're leaning away from that look too.
I'm guessing if you actually enjoyed shooting the Sony you wouldn't have picked up the OM.
Nailed it.
I agree here
Agreed. Wise words.
Om-1 seems to have faster AF. This is what i see in your video. Do yourself a favor and buy a used 45 1.2 and 17 1.2. I know the 45 1.2 doesn't have as shallow depth of field as the 85 1.4 but the autofocus is 10 times faster, you have a manual focus clutch which i love and it's cheap compared to the 85 1.4 and a lot better than the sony 85 1.8. One more thing. Don't be afraid to use the electronic shutter. OM-1 amd m1miii/m1x are the only cameras that have better image quality with electronic shutter compared to mechanical shutter. The Om-1 has almost no rolling shutter. Quite the opposite with Sony or any other ff. About 30-40 times a year i photograph motorsport (car racing-tcr Europe and motocross). For this type of photography, the om-1 is the king.
So i gave up on ff. I also shoot family and pet portraits and i can't complain. Especially for pet portraits, this camera is a beast.
There is something else. Autofocus in low light. Om-1 is the first camera with 2x2 ocl sensor. Everyone compares the speed of lenses using single AF. Om-1 in caf mode is much faster in the dark than m1miii and any other camera..
The question is: What do you need more? For portraits with a shallow depth of field sony. For everything else om-1.
Greetings from the West side of the state (GR area). As a current A74 and past Olympus EM-1 user I find this comparison interesting. Wish you all the best in your evaluation and Camera decision for shooting in 2023. Personally, I am focused on re-adding a first or second generation X-Trans sensor to my stable alongside the Canon 5d Classic and A74 for 2023.... I guess I am going backwards... hahaha
I get it. That film look
Thanks for this. I recently purchased the OM-1 which will be the last m43 gear that I buy.
I'm continually disappointed with image quality compared to the FF users I shoot with.
I just sold Sony a1 with 4 g master lenses because I tried out the OM1 with a couple of their pro lens and was shocked at how great the OM1 was. So, I’m confused as to why you’re disappointed with MFT gear? I’ve been using OM1 for lots of BiF and I’ve been getting spectacular images, all of which are tack sharp
@@forresthogue3532
M43 is fine if your priority is to carry less weight or spend less. But if you need performance, it's not the best.
I'm also disappointed with the OM-1 in terms of reliability and the benefits of the features/specs. It doesn't live up to its marketing hype.
@@formermpc10 How can you be disappointed with reliability when you've only owned it a few months?
Johan has a point! I love these back and forth rallys. I’m still older Sony vs new OM, and every comment gets me nearer 😊
Nice video, man. Is your "from Detroit" website new? Is it live already? Sounds cool! I enjoyed your photos at the end too.
I have to go find it. It’s been inactive for a while.
I currently own 4 systems: Mamiya RZ, Nikon F, Canon EF, and Panasonic L mount. Like you, I sometimes spot deals that are too good to pass up. I paid $1500 brand new for my Canon 5DSR. I want the OM-1 mainly for photographing animals, both pets and wildlife, and airplanes. The fact that it's also a decent video camera and good enough to be an all rounder make it even more attractive. For serious portrait and landscape I'd want more megapixels but for sports, action, wildlife, and video 20mp is enough. The Canon 1DX Mark III and Nikon D6 are both 20mp and those are what most professional sports and photojournalism are shot on. The main things the OM-1 has going for it are 10 fps mechanical shutter with AF tracking and metering as well as 50 fps electronic shutter with AF tracking and metering with the right lens, as well as a crop factor which allows it to get a lot of reach out of modestly sized telephoto lenses. From what I have seen the AI subject detection has gotten really good. I currently don't have anything in my lineup to cover this genre of photography so I'm taking a hard look at the OM-1. I'm thinking of starting out with a couple of f/4 zooms, the 8-25mm and 40-150mm and putting in an order for the 150-400mm f/4.5. The 150-400mm f/4.5 is what attracted me to this system initially. You are right about OM system not being covered that well on TH-cam. Yours is one of the few channels covering this brand that is not an OM system ambassador. That's how I ended up here and subscribed. Looking forward to seeing how this system works out for you. Thanks for making some great videos about the OM-1!
So glad you ended up here. More content to come
Thx for this video. I like both cameras, but I'm leaning to the OM-1, because it's a lighter option with a more interesting set of capabilities for travel/journalistic documentary-style work. I particularly like the little-discussed option for 120 FPS bursts (from which you can make 5.2K slomo video image sequences that look awesome). The weather-proofing on OMD seems far superior, the stabilization much better, OM Color Science looks better to my eye (and less playing around in post), and you can still get subject separation and low-light performance with a range of easy-to-carry 1.8s, 1.4s and 1.2s. That said, the A74's dependable AF and one-touch Tracking are hard to ignore, and the E-Mount offers a stellar range of lenses, too.
I think you nailed it but m4/3 is a nicely flushed out system too.
Wow! The OM-1 is really good!!
it really is
I use OM cameras (OM1, OM1 Mk2 and OM5) and Leica (SL2 and Q2). There is so little difference in picture quality despite resolution and sensor size that image quality is never a factor in choosing which to use. Even a 32” Apple XDR display has a max resolution of (6016x3384) c. 20 mp so unless you are into pixel peeping, which I admit is a fun and pointless hobby and is easier than being outside making photos, then anything over 20 mp is lost unless you are seriously into very large prints. These aren’t meant to be viewed up close though, so it becomes a bit self-defeating. Higher resolutions might allow more cropping, but the ace feature of MFT is that it is a sort of high res crop compared with a 35mm sensor. OM photos are higher res than equivalent magnification crops taken from the Leica 47mp sensor when using lenses with the same focal length (i.e 90mm on both the Leica and the OM). Both systems have some great lenses and the Olympus 17mm f/1.2 is a match for detail resolution and overall picture quality with the lauded 35mm APO-Summicron. Both systems have their own buzz, their own way of doing things and their own feel. The Leicas draw people in, the OMs are brilliant for motor sports and aerial photography. For all other uses they are equivalent, although surprisingly I find in-camera keystone correction on the SL2 to be better implemented than on the OMs, but then again OMs have in-camera focus stacking, pro-capture, starry sky auto-focus, in-camera ND and graduated ND filters etc etc. Leica and OM are also only two that take water resistance seriously and so, for me, are the only camera makers to take seriously.
Took me most the video to realize I had seen stuff of yours on LinkedIn before. Love my M1 mark II and played with the OM1 yesterday a bit and was surprised what it could do.
What’s your favorite lens combo for it?
Ah welcome over from the business side! 😉
I haven’t played enough to have a favorite but I’ve used m4/3 for a while. For vlogging the 12/1.4 is awesome but a big heavy. The 17/1.2 and 25/1.4 are great.
Great camera with one flaw that keeps me away. The buffer is too small. When they put a decent buffer in it, I will be with Olympus right off the bat. Maybe next one. Will see.
Reply
objectively, the om1 was sharper, and better stabilization, also the autofocus was faster.
What makes this such a strong contender is don’t forget it’s a stacked M43 that’s a worlds first and big difference which brings it closer to Full Frame IMO
Slightly better noise performance and much faster readout speed
Trying to decide between an OM1 and XT5. With these two would you choose OM1?
That’s tough. What’s your use-case
Wish someone would do dynamic range test on OM-1 video mode in 10bit LOG.
The camera also apparently shoots RAW video out the HDMI port.
I shot a video in log and I suck at grading. Decided not to talk about it because i would do it a disservice.
@@ericrjennings
You be willing to share some outdoor footage with some sky and some darker areas in 10bit LOG?
Its fine if you do not have any such footage, such a shame that no one has tried to do a proper dynamic range test on the video compared it to stuff like GH5 II or GH6
@@SMGJohn sure I could do that. That’s possible in-camera right? I don’t have an atomos.
@@ericrjennings
Yeah 10bit h265 4k with LOG profile in camera is possible.
However ProRes RAW is only possible with an atomos recorder.
Excuse me, but we're talking about the original M1? The 2013 one or the M1 mk3? Thank you.
OM-1 … not EM1 (mk 1,2,3)
@@ericrjennings Ok, Thank you!
It be interesting to do this with olympus high resolution mode
I did a hi res shot of the Mackinac bridge this past summer with it. It's pretty impressive.
Hey Eric how about your x-e4 for travel stuff?
I still have it. Good small kit
If you are into travelling and doing photos or video of wildlife then M4/3rds OM-Systems is excellent and better than Sony A7-4. However, the M4/3rds falls down if you are doing heavy cropping and shooting in low light. The only camera worth considering to overcome this and remain at the relatively small size and weight is the Sony A1. My recommendation is to buy a Sony A1 in addition to the OM -1 otherwise do not bother. The A7 fails when shooting wildlife and you may as well buy a cheaper Sony a6600. There are lots of reasons for this comment and I am sure wildlife photographers and videographers will understand 😊😊
The Sony A1 is like $6k though ....
@@ericrjennings Hi Yes absolutely. In terms of value for money then nothing beats the M4/3rds system. I have both OM-System/Olympus and Panasonic/Lumix Leica. Having said that the Sony A1 50 mega pixel camera together with Sony 100-400mm lens plus x1.4TC does fill that low light, heavy crop issue. The answer is to buy secondhand Sony units although the A1 does not come up very often at a reasonable price. Guess waiting for the Sony A1 mark ii will solve that issue. And the Sony A1 is superb at shooting video!! Have fun with your photography 😊😊
Uhm if you do low light stuff Sony A7sII or Panasonic S1R.
Otherwise the S1R or A7rIV are WAY cheaper than the A1
Please make a video about taking kids photos with the face tracking option on the om-1. Kids are always moving, it is hard to take lifestyle pictures of them if the autofocus is not good. It would be nice to see how the om-1 perform
I’m not sure how I would show you … I don’t have a way of recording my screen. But I can tell you it’s good.
why didnt you post some close ups of the beard ?
the learning curve on olympus is getting the proper settings the tri-angle of exposure. i am a novice and learning photographer fundamentals so i struggle to get proper pictures and most good ones where buy a mere guess! also the type of lenses you’re using makes a bit challenging when trying to learn new ways!
so this where i think 80% of olympus buyers struggled like me so some how the other brands cameras have easy learning curve that get better results than olympus! but its 80% user ignorance is the vast majority of olympus shooter struggles to get good results!
i have stick with olympus a gradually get better at working the system menu i know my issue is the learning curve of the basics of photography and not that olympus is a bad camera! i currently have the em1, the em1mk2 and the em1x! all three have characteristics that set them apart also the firmware play a big role
but i think i can get equal results on images on all three if can juggle the right setting!
Olympus system is a great system that i think will be worth mastering! cant beat the size, rugged body! and quality of lenses available specially the pro line up lens but if want stealth mode the small prime lens are well worth the investment i can carry em1x body and three small primes lens on small dji drone bag!
exposure triangle? you might be over thinking it a bit.
stick at least one auto function and let the camera figure it out and you do the composition and use the EV compensation to suit your vision.
I missed the OM1 Black Friday sale. I regret it.
I don’t think a7iv has product showcase- I think that is on the new zv cameras
The OM-1 has insane subject focus and tracking, but it looks super slow on inanimate stuff when you pop out of frame or pull up the phone.
You’re saying once it pics the subject jt tracks well?
I want to know more about what you intend to do with this website, when you get around to it
I haven’t totally thought it through but I’ll address it when it’s ready
Wich also plays a role for me....the "Olympus" is nicer!
What do you think about the Fujifilm X-H2s?
the XH2s was the other camera i really wanted to try. The body is the best built Fuji body I've ever held.
@@ericrjennings Its a REALLY good camera..the S model anyhow, can't vouch for XH-XT5
@@ericrjennings I'm debating between A7IV and X-H2s. I think the biggest difference is rolling shutter. A7IV seems to have much greater rolling shutter. Does this bother you at all?
@@mixmasteralan yes that’s true. XH2s is a stacked sensor whereas the Sony is not and it’s a higher megapixel count. It doesn’t bother me but I also am not hardcore about video. If you’re really into video the XH2s is a better way to go. I also have an OM-1 which is a stacked sensor and that thing is crazy fast as well. I believe the GH6 is stacked too
I feel like you really can’t lose either way. Which is why making a decision is so hard lol.
I have found the best portrait lens for MFT is the Voigtlander 60mm f0.95 in MFT.
Never heard of that lens. Interesting
@@ericrjennings I would recommend watching this review of the lens and viewing the samples the producer created: th-cam.com/video/Za9M5IBRGzQ/w-d-xo.html
This is the one brand I have not tried yet
Which system easiest to use? Om System of Sony?
Sony for day in day out but OM made big strides with their new menus and the computational modes make advanced techniques very easy.
@@ericrjennings thanks:) nice work keep it up😁
Your face looks so much more distorted on the OM because you have to use a much wider focal length. FF is so much more flattering.
I'm an OM users so I like this video. M43 at f/2.8 is equivalent full frame at 5.6, which would be the noise comparison at "similar" settings. The advantage of FF is f/2.8 allows more light than M43 2.8 because of the 2x factor.
F/2,8 is f/2.8 independent of sensor-size! The f/2.8 in mft equals f/5.6 in ff, is only about depth of field, dof.
Example: I have an old manual Nikon 50mm f/2.0. If I adapt it for my Nikon Z6 it will of course be a 50mm f/2.0. When I adapt it to my MFT camera, it will be a 50mm f/2.0 as well.
The dof in MFT will be even a little less than in ff, because of circle of confusion, coc.
The MFT will use a narrower field of the image projected to the sensor. This equals the field of view of a 100mm on a ff camera, and dof not like f/2.0, but f/4.0.
what's up?
you initiated the talk.
Adventure camera?..I need me one of those. I thought I had one, but I guess not. Olympus out here inventing niche categories to sell cameras.
Got to have that IP53 certification bro! 😉
@@ericrjennings I love shooting during severe thunderstorms, or underwater, or both. Sometimes I dunk my camera in the bathtub then throw it in the sandbox just to see what happens :)
@@hasenmyer is there any other time?
OM-1 video was too sharpening and no natural look. I have OM-1 too but video quality is much worse than my Sony cameras (A1, A7R5 and FX-3)
I changed the settings in the next video
@@ericrjennings 👍
Why, I wonder why I will use a m4/3 as a FF?? Why useless tests like underexposed and see how much noise there is below (none of the photos that factio is ever so dark, if the canceled does it because it's simply wrong!) Bokeh? it is done but, with 1.8, 1.6, 1.4, 1.2 long lenses, no hyperbokeh like 1.2 on FF (because that type of pdc is exaggerated) So let's use the m4/3 with its rules and the FF with its own, don't pretend to use the m4/3 with the rules of the FF.
I think I agree but I wanted to see recovery of a underexposed image. This happens sometimes when shooting backlit.
Olympus video seems over sharpened.
I agree. Will try to reduce sharpening in future videos
Olympus Lenses are tac sharp It's opposed to look like that
Aahh, Olympus. Only took me a year of using it. Did not like how it renders greens and skin tones. Welp, back to canon.
You didn’t like Olympus ?
@@ericrjennings only the rendering of the color. You could say I was expecting something it was not meant to have.
It's very difficult to find any auto focus reviews other than bloggers bobbing their heads like chickens or hiding and unhiding their faces.
Lol well that’s the most extreme situation besides backlit / low light
I give it two months and you will sell the Olympus. 🤣 And all you said in the video will be meaningless like the previous one about the E-M1 Mark III. Prove me wrong. 😆😉
I plan on it. If I keep it over Sony
That was a loud cough. Haha
Wake up and pay attention cough
The GAS continues…
3 more weeks
Just watched this video - so had to Google OM1 to find a bit more information on the camera - so landed at your video
th-cam.com/video/MX0BBZQ5oBo/w-d-xo.html
The clear throat 0:01 should have been completed before clip start
.
Hey thanks
You can compare camera's but the bottom line is OM 1 is an advanced superb camera...maybe you just need to work on your abilities.
th-cam.com/video/Ni4jUUguteU/w-d-xo.html
I have a sony camera & lens dusting on my shelf where I bought a 6yrs old Olympus Pen F... a gorgeous small compact camera I carry around every where. I know there is image issues with higher ISO. I had someone told me about DxO Pure Raw...it changed everything for my images. Please if you have a chance review DxO Pure Raw....I decided to sell all my full frame cameras.
Ok. I’ll review that next
I discovered this software recently and now my images from APS-C Fuji are on par with FF. The only real difference now that I see is DoF capabilities of FF with lenses like 24 f1.4 and so on. Apart from that image quality is practically the same even at 12800 ISO. Mind blown how they did it. I am ditching Capture One and moving to full DxO Photolab now.
Check out @etchdphotography He’s an OM ambassador and his videos (and work) is fantastic.
youtube.com/@etchdphotography
I’ll check him out