This camera should be spoken of the in the same way we speak of the Nikon D700 and Canon 5D. It’s a classic that absolutely nailed it. I’m so glad I kept mine when upgrading to the OM1. As it turns out I’m not really making much use of the OM1’s newest features. And who could have possibly seen that coming? 🙄
I've had mine for a year and the more I use it, the more I learn and the more fun I get out of it. Also size and weight advantage over full frame and APSC is essential for my type of work. And persuaded a work colleague to buy one and now he cant stop using the flipping thing.. Awesome.
@@DavidFlowerOfficial Do you have any idea as to whether the EM1-X would work with the Zhiyun Weebill 2, I know the EM1-ii and the EM1-iii work with that gimbal, I suspect the EM1-X bridging the two would have the same basics. It's battery life make it ideal for a gimbal.
@krashdown5814 I’m not sure in terms of compatibility but if the size isn’t an issue for the gimbal I don’t see why not. There’s a compatibility list on Zhiyun’s website so you might find a definite answer there🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial No, only the EM1-ii is listed, but I am reliably informed the EM1-iii works just as well thanks David, great channel you have, learn much do I.😁
I love finding other people who aren't obsessed with full frame as the absolute best because it's really not. I loved you sticking your tongue out about it at the end 'cause that's exactly how I feel.
After using them all extensively, I have no issues with any format, but those people claiming full frame is the only way are being intentionally dismissive about things they’ve likely never used. The EM1 mk ii and pretty much every subsequent m4/3 camera have feature sets that are very impressive and to say otherwise is just silly. Is m4/3 perfect? No, but neither is full frame. You can make great pictures with any camera if you know what you’re doing. Thanks for watching. Have an awesome weekend 🖖
E-M1 Mark ii is probably the best value M43 camera right now. Packed with features, PDAF, great sensor. I picked one up this year with a 2nd hand Oly 12-40 f2.8 pro. It's a big upgrade from my E-M5 Mark ii.
It’s a bit ridiculous how inexpensive the EM1 mkii is really. I still have the EM10 mkii (or rather my son does) and the difference is night and day. Definitely a keeper 🖖
E-M1-II, great camera. When I opted for an upgrade from the E-M1 I went for the E-M1-III. Yes, more expensive than the II and argumentatively not a huge upgrade, but I really appreciate My Menu, Virtual ND and Joy stick just off the top. Other stuff like HHHR I haven't used much but like that it is available. I totally agree the ergos of these two cameras are pretty sweet.
Hi David, I have 2xEM1 MK2 (bought new in 2018) and a MK3 (second hand, bought this year) and love them all. The FW update for the MK2 was a great benefit and improvement to the camera too! Just a quick point though the MK3 (whilst having an identical resolution) is not the same sensor (MK3 has a TP9 single quad core processor, MK2 has a dual quad core TP8processors - must be clocked lower then the TP9 though I don't have any details to hand). Colour reproduction is great and lightweight versatility is the best (for me). The fact both use identical batteries as well is a great bonus if you have both.
Howsit friend and greetings from South Africa. I been using the omd11 five years now and it’s a beast. Your channel has just convinced me to get another one. Have full frame as well. Big deal. Your pics are freaking brilliant. I have the cheap but fantastic 50mm ,7-14mm, 40-150 mm. But now I want 300 mm. Just can’t afford that.Thanks for the advice and stay safe. Salute.
The one feature I do like better in the E-M1iii is better face detection for portraits. I don't have the E-M1iii but have the E-M1ii and its still a good camera. I might upgrade to the E-M1iii or wait until the OM-1ii price comes down before I buy a new camera.
Great video on a great camera. I picked up a near mint secondhand example last year for A$750 (about £375). I bought it as a backup and a lighter alternative to my E-M1X and it has been a joy to use.
Just recently jumped in to the Olympus cameras. Found two at a pawn shop, em 10 iiis with kit lens for $225, great shape, looked new, and an em 10 IV with kit lens and bag, also in great shape, for $385. Got bit by size and ease of menus. Thinking of getting rid of two bigger bodies, Nikon D7200 and Canon T7i and going all Olympus. Great feeling cameras and smaller size means I will carry these more often. I did trade one of my Fuji X T20's with MPB for a like new OM D EM5 ii for a $9 difference. Like the feel of the em5 ii. Daughter ended up with EM 10 iiiS, she loves it.
Does this model do the auto focus bracketing? I heard you mentioned it does the on board focus stacking but was curious about the bracketing. Great video, thanks!
Talk about timing ! I am looking for a new camera as a birthday present for myself and now i just saw this video 😂 now i am curious about what the camera can do.
Well all the images I showed were shot with this camera and as I said, I’ve never found it lacking. I have both canon and Sony FF cameras and they only really get used if I’m using vintage slr lenses or if the lighting is consistently low and long exposure isn’t an option. Thanks for watching 🖖
Yeah I’d say the EM1 mkii is closest to the g9 in terms of features and functionality but if you’re looking for more video leaning features, the GH5 is actually fantastic and in about the same price bracket here in the UK. Thanks for watching 🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial much appreciated. I've been making videos on guitar on YT for a bit and want to upgrade my camera now the channel has some traction, so your pro opinion is a big help. The Olympus looks like an easy and relatively inexpensive win. I'll look at G9, but I hear so far Panasonic always has issues with auto focus in their cameras. I need far and close shots easily. Having said that I did see a few GH2s for £150... that's cheap! But that old model might be a few compromises too far...
@appetiteforguitar The Olympus will also give way better continuous af in video if that’s a feature you need. Until the G9ii the lumix video af was a bit shaky. Appreciate you watching mate. I’ll give your channel a follow 🖖
I have the Sony A7R3, definitely better image quality when it comes to portraiture, but its like holding onto a brick, the Olympus EM1 mk2 feels fantastic and I love using all those wonderful lenses, end of day I like the Olympus system better.
I love that camera too. I never had the Mark III, but then came the O-M1. The OM-1 was so hyped on forums - there was a world of difference between the OM-1 and my EM-1 Mark II. So I had to get it. I was disappointed - don't know what I expected, and of course it was better. But to me nothing that matters 😊
Yeah I genuinely believe we’ve reached a plateau with a lot of tech which is why so many modern cameras seem underwhelming and folks are returning to older models. Thanks for watching 🖖
It’s really the extra focusing tools and a slight improvement in the sensor. I have the OM-1 mark II, which was an upgrade from my E-M1 (mark I). The mark II is definitely a big step up from the mark I, and for general shooting there isn’t a lot between that and the OM-1 (both versions). However, for my use I shoot a lot of airsoft players which is a tricky AF proposition. The E-M1 was very difficult to use, while the OM-1 mark II can lock on to players quite effectively.
My first mft was a Lumix LX-100 with a fixed f1.7-2-8, 10-34mm Leica lens. I was so impressed with that little guy that I upgraded to a GX85 and bought into a series of lenses. They were great for certain things, mostly what I call casual shooting and street photography because of their low profile. Then I made what I consider a mistake when I picked up an Olympus E-M1 MKII, thinking it could be equivalent to my full frame cameras for my usage. Well, especially since I bought a Z7, the Oly, sad to say, has been on a shelf collecting dust. MFT's strength is size and my old GX85 does just that. I shoot weddings and events with my full frames, a pair of D750s and the Z7 for portraits. Sorry, but my opinion is that my Nikon Z7 absolutely blows away the Oly, especially when I shoot low light or a situation when I expect to do cropping. No contest. But to be fair, when new, it's a $3000 camera vs a sub $1000 camera. BTW, with tech advances of smartphones, my new phone takes photos which are just about as good as my LX-100. Fact. The bottom line is to just use what you are comfortable with and keep shooting!
I needed a robust camera that can withstand the Norwegian winter since most of the year is cold and wet here. After much back and forth, the choice fell on an EM1 Mark ii with 5000 shutter action together with an Olympus 14-150mm ii and 2 batteries. Everything is in mint condition and I paid only 600USD for this. I am 100% sure that for that sum there is no better solution today. Thanks
Something most reviewers don’t mention. The battery. It is like the Ever read bunny. It goes on and on and on. One battery last a whole day. I take the 2nd battery with me but have never needed to replace the battery. The newer EMD cameras I’m sure are better than the 1Mii. The improvements Are incremental though. I’m satisfied with the 1Mii’s performance. I picked mine up for $400. Money well spent. The 12-40 pro lens is supper and lives on this body. I also use LUMIX cameras. A great benefit of M43 bodies is you can use either Olympus or LUMIX lenses on either body. The image stabilization doesn’t work on the other brand’s body though. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I have the EM1 - Mark III and I love it. Whats important to me, 5 axis stabilization, photo stacking (in camera), 20MP. I just wish, they would make a full frame with the same features and 4K. But then it would be heavy. I would love to own both. Possibilities are endless with Olympus. Not to mention the grip, the ability to add Metabones and use Canon EF and EFS lenses.
I think the closest you’ll get to a full frame version of this is the Lumix S5/S1 line and while those bodies are pretty small (the s5 is smaller and lighter than my gh5) it’s the lenses that make the up the size and weight when compared to m4/3. If there was ever a FF EM1 camera I’d be all over it🖖😁
@@DavidFlowerOfficial I could not agree more. The only issue with the Lumix FF are that it uses a L mount which Metabones does not make. I do know there is some brands like Viltrox and all that, but owning them with M4/3 gave me bad results vs Metabones. I have alot of Olympus M4/3 lenses and alot of Canon lenses. I also own the Sony A7R II and with that Metabones works perfectly, better than the Olympus Metabones. But again, I love experimenting with different lenses. As I used to shoot Canon before Olympus. But even back in the day I know Olympus made great cameras, I had the Olympus E-300 EVOLT and even though its a DSRL and a low MP, it produces fantastic images.
With having exposure bracketing dynamic range isn't a problem anyway. If you think you need more latitude, just flick a switch and bracket, just in case. You probably won't need it, but still.
Yeah bracketing has been part of my process for years, mainly to avoid using grad filters because I don’t like them lol There are folks out there though, who like to use the DR thing as a negative towards m4/3 without realising that canon dslrs were pretty awful for DR right until the 5d4 but apparently that wasn’t a problem 😂 Thanks for watching 🖖
For street since things aren’t moving very quickly, I don’t even use afc; I mostly use afs and zone focusing. If I were to pick the one thing that I would change it’s the menus. After using the Lumix GH5, the Olympus menus are infuriating 😂 Thanks for watching 🖖
I nearly found myself clicking on the buy button for one of these a few weeks ago David (based on your previous recommendations), but I couldn't really afford it, and I didn't really need it, and I'd have wanted a good zoom to keep on it all the time (something like 24 - 70mm full frame equivalent) as all my Micro 4/3 lenses are either primes or vintage stuff, and that's not what I'd want the EM1 for. I still might get one sometime, I'd definitely pick it over something brand new - can't believe the price of the latest bodies from all the manufacturers, with all those features that no one will ever use etc etc. Great video by the way.
Yeah when you compare the Em1 mkii price to the most recent models I find it hard to believe I’m getting 5x the camera (vs the prices of om1 ii). I mainly use the panny Leica 12-60 for most things in good light and it works great. Thanks for watching, Tim🖖
Grumpy you made the right decision. Can’t afford it? Don’t need it? There is your answer. If this is a hobby whatever you have is good enough. There are no bad cameras being made now. Go back as far back as 10 years ago and any camera is good enough. You pick your price. You select the features you need. Bob is your uncle. We are at the point of diminishing marginal returns. We are paying more and more for less and less improvements. I’m sure the Olympus (and other brands) newer cameras are better. The question is how much performance do you want and need? For me, good enough is good enough. Don’t let anyone hear shame you. The performance of today’s (and yesterday’s) cameras exceeds most people’s ability to use them. The EMD1 Mii is a super camera. It will remain cheap. If you want it, it will be there for you. Olympus and LUMIX lenses are relatively inexpensive. Buy the body. Save for the lens. Then you got it. David talked about the PL12-60 lens. I have it. A very good lens. I bought the P12-60 with a GX body. Also a super lens. It is less expensive. I have the 45-200 lens. This isn’t a premium lens. Not that expensive. Lots of reach. Buy your lens used and save a bunch. It has been said the difference between a man and a boy is the price of his toys. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
It’ll be solid as a back up to the OM 1. It’s got almost all of the same core features and you’ll be getting pretty much the same image quality. Thanks for watching 🖖
You are right. The EMD1Mii is a great B roll camera. It is also great in its own right. If you have the money buy one. I’m great at spending other people’s money. While you are at it, buy the 12-40 pro lens. About the only bad thing one can say about that lens is it doesn’t have image stabilization. Your OM1 and EMD1 Mii have enough IBID you won’t miss the lack of image stabilization in the lens. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
Absolutely, I also have a lumix gh5 and that thing is the size of a full frame camera! Amazing for video, but certainly not what you expect as a micro four thirds body😂 Thanks for watching 🖖
Personally I don’t think it’ll happen since as you said, they already have those features covered in the mark iii and of course the OM1 models. Fingers crossed though 🤞
I've just bought the second body used for £320! The first thing I will do is to upload the custom firmware that removes time limit in video recording. I have Panasonic Gh5s as my prime gear but for some video jobs it's nice to have autofocus and image stabilisation. The only thing I wish Em1 mk2 would have is 4k 60fps (it has max 30fps in 4k) but nobody's perfect ;)
That’s a bargain. I don’t use slow motion that much since practically everything I shoot is in 24p and em1 mkii has that nice c4k setting. If I want slow motion, I just use the gh5, but it’s rare🖖😁
Hi, thanks for your helpful review! I'm considering buying the new e-m1 mark II (upgrade from my e-m10 mark ii) and one thing is not really clear about the new advertised feature Live GND: does it only come with the brand new mark ii or is it also available for older mark ii with a firm update? I can't seem to find it mentioned in the firm update. I seem to find very different prices from the official website to 3rd party distributors like Amazon (big price reduction), what could be the difference here? Should I be aware of any pitfalls? (Amazon is not really good at giving the details of the camera body) Thanks in advance for your help!
The Olympus E-M1 mark ii (the camera shown in this video) and the new OM System OM1 mark ii are very different cameras. The live GND is a feature in the new OM1 mkii and not the em1 mk ii. There is approximately 8 years between these 2 cameras so that might explain the price discrepancies you’ve seen. Hope this helps 🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial I’m using a ND filter for intentional camera movement photography. A six stop ND filter is $85. Buy the EMD1 Mii with the ND filter. This will save you a lot of money. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I'm running into the limits of my E-M5 Mk II buffer for sequential photography (only about 11 images before writing to the card), so I am looking to upgrade. I read a review of the E-M1 mk II and the mk III from the same reviewer (pcmag), and in their testing the mk III could shoot about 50% more images (115 shots in Raw) than the mk II (73 Raw) before filling the buffer. I'm not sure these numbers are reliable, since both cameras have the same hardware, so I thought. Do you have enough experience with this to comment?
I don’t shoot a whole lot of sports or wildlife so I’ve never filled the buffer on the Mark ii, but when I have shot in high burst mode I’ve never been close to 73 frames at once. It’s one of those things that seems crazy to me after shooting a lot of motor sports and wildlife in the past with dslrs. My personal opinion is that it’s overkill in the mark ii and I rarely take mine out of the low burst setting, but that comes down to shooting style I suppose. Thanks for watching 🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial I'm getting into focus stacking macro shots, and 50+ shots in a stack is common. I'm probably getting the Mk II anyway due to budget. Thanks for sharing your experience.
SOLD My Zhiyun Weebill 2 Pro+ lists it as compatible, so now I will explore the Used market for one. As a collector of all things Olympus I now have to decide, do I place my EM1 or my EM5 into the display cabinet, which do I take as my backup, decisions decisions.
Yeah I have used mine with the weebil 3s and it’s great. If you’re looking at a mkii, I’d display the mki and keep the em5 at hand as a cool walk around option🖖😁
@@DavidFlowerOfficial Thanks man, it's just that my silver EM1 looks so good with my silver 75mm f1.8, so I will take turns with them. I was wondering if the EM1X would suit the Weebill 2pro+, it's weather proofing is exceptional. I still use the old Olympus E-1 when going inside waterfalls, or in light rain in the Blue Gum forest up here in The Blue Mountains.
If you’re looking to freeze motion, use a fast lens. For my personal tastes, up to iso 3200 has manageable noise with a little work in post. If you’re talking about night sky photography, this camera handles it no problem and I’ve shot the Milky Way core with it. As with any camera, light is key so it’s just a case of finding the right balance and if you can introduce light into the scene, do it🖖
@Dabal_R Em1 mkii is far superior since you’re talking pro level vs entry level in terms of specs. Better resolution, better ibis, better video, better battery life, weather sealing etc. the list is quite extensive. The em10 mkii can be found here in the uk for around £250 (about $335 usd) so given the 2 kit zooms I’d say $500 is still decent as you’re getting the 2 lenses for under $200🖖
The em1 mk1 and em10 mk ii have the same sensor and if memory serves the same image processor so you’re gonna get practically the same image from both. The em10 mkii has better ibis and that retro look, but lacks any weather sealing that is present in the em1. From an image perspective they’re gonna produce the same image so it’s the quality of life features that you should look at to make your decision I think. Thanks for watching 🖖
Hi Miguel, I have both the EM1 mk1 and the EM10 mkii. The ergonomics of the EM1 are much better than the EM10 however you can get an extended handgrip (EG-3) for the EM10 mkii which improves the handling. The other advantage of the EM1 is that you can purchase a battery grip for it which are very inexpensive and gives extra battery power if needed. Personally I use the EM1 for my legacy lenses in view of the better grip.
@@alangamble3236 thats one the points I was looking for! Coming from a 600D+17-70, I'm used to the grip and the e-m1 looks right in. Do you feel a big size difference?
@@miguelpinheiro8645 hi Miguel there is a very small size difference ( other than the grip) but not noticable when in the hand. It is also slightly heavier but you would not notice that coming from a DSLR.
Beautiful camera I will never part with, but then I am an Olympus collector since my OM10. I noticed 16 M-1's went up for sale on eBay, many of them fakes.
@@krashdown5814 The EMD1’s are built like tanks. Very sturdy. The EMD1 is cheaper than the Mii. The difference in the performance between the original and Mii justifies the update. More so than the iterations following the Mii. The cost difference between the original and Mii isn’t that much. For me, the choice is simple. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I’m stills only so the mk1 does everything I need, though I wouldn’t say no to a mk2, both great cameras, mistakenly and unjustly scoffed at by some. I’ve no interest in the new OM range though.
Hi-res mode isn’t a feature I need. I imagine most people don’t need or even use this feature. Nice that it is there if I need it. I don’t need it. This feature seems very niche. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I’ve used it on a few occasions for still macro and product shots for the sole purpose of cropping afterwards, but you’re absolutely right, it’s nice to have, but in my case it goes largely unused 🖖
We’ve borrowed cameras from each other in the past so it depends which you’re referring to. I borrowed his canon 7D, 1diii and I made a video with his RP. The rest are mine, I’m a bit of a camera nerd 👍😁
@@DavidFlowerOfficial thinking about the em1 mkii, Canon 40d and probably a few more. I’m watching a lot of TH-cam in hunt for the perfect camera so I might have mixed you up with other British lads 🤷🏽 the GAS runs deep!
We both have the em1 mkii and the 40d was mine and I think he may have used that at one point. For me I’m a bit of a collector and like to use the older cameras as a bit of a challenge. Like if I can get a decent picture with a 20 year old potato, I can get a shot with pretty much anything 😂
I'm going to ruffle a lot of feathers here but I think the em1 Mark II is a much better camera at a much better price than even the the beloved PEN F.. in fact,, if you take out the very beautiful and pleasing aesthetics of the PEN F.. it doesn't make sense at all considering that a good EM1 Mark II is half the price... Or less!
Absolutely agree. The Pen F is a nice looking camera, but from a practical point of view the em1 mkii is much better. And I love the grip, it’s just a lovely camera to use🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial I think people buy the Pen F because it is a beautiful body. It is small and lightweight. A good street camera. I’d rather use the Pen F for street photography than the EMD1 Mii despite the latter being a better camera. Look at the price of the Pen F. Some people have more money than sense (cents). Even though I own the EMD1 Mii I prefer to take the GX85 with me when I hit the street. The right tool for the right job. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I'm sorry, David, but there is one thing that should make you re-evaluate all that you've said here. Are you ready for it? OK: 'I completely agree with you'. Hope that's not too hard to take, even though it's the truth. Just relax... have a nice cup of tea... have a good day. Cheers.
@@DavidFlowerOfficial In fact... you're so right - and it's taken me a couple of months in therapy to get to THIS point (deep breath) i'll have my very own Mkii next week. Thanks for leading me astray.
I have the mk2, superb camera, coupled with the 12 to 40 mm Pro len,s weather sealed, can,t be precious over your gear in UK weather! On a serious note David, get that blemish on your nose checked out, I have the same thing, can be cancerous.
Yeah I use it with the Leica 12-60 and can pretty much do anything I need with that set up. Regarding the nose, it was just a scrape, the result of having two sons who like to get scrappy sometimes lol
@@DavidFlowerOfficial The EMD5 Miii IS more expensive than the 1Mii. Significantly more expensive. Same sensor and processor. Overall, I’d say the 1Mii is superior to the 5Miii. The reason I’ve been searching for the 5Miii is the smaller size and weight. A good B cam. At the price of a 5Miii I can buy a 1Mii. The 1Mii is a better buy. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I agree that the EMD1 Mii is a great value. The 12-40mm pro lens lives on this body. A supper combination. A slight niggle that may be particular to me. The on/off switch is on the left hand of the top plate. Annoying. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
This camera should be spoken of the in the same way we speak of the Nikon D700 and Canon 5D. It’s a classic that absolutely nailed it. I’m so glad I kept mine when upgrading to the OM1. As it turns out I’m not really making much use of the OM1’s newest features. And who could have possibly seen that coming? 🙄
Yeah the OM1 looks great, but even with the Em1, there are features I never use and probably never will lol
Thanks for watching 🖖
Same here. I just picked up an Olympus lens. 45mm 1.8 Oh my gosh. 💁🏻♀️💕
@@Koji-888 My daughter-In-Law's favourite lens for her EP-7.
@@Koji-888 It's a beauty, just like my 75mm 1.8 is.
I've had mine for a year and the more I use it, the more I learn and the more fun I get out of it. Also size and weight advantage over full frame and APSC is essential for my type of work. And persuaded a work colleague to buy one and now he cant stop using the flipping thing.. Awesome.
When I got mine, even after some substantial nerding, I was genuinely surprised at how good it was.
Thanks for watching 🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial Do you have any idea as to whether the EM1-X would work with the Zhiyun Weebill 2, I know the EM1-ii and the EM1-iii work with that gimbal, I suspect the EM1-X bridging the two would have the same basics. It's battery life make it ideal for a gimbal.
@krashdown5814 I’m not sure in terms of compatibility but if the size isn’t an issue for the gimbal I don’t see why not. There’s a compatibility list on Zhiyun’s website so you might find a definite answer there🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial No, only the EM1-ii is listed, but I am reliably informed the EM1-iii works just as well thanks David, great channel you have, learn much do I.😁
I love finding other people who aren't obsessed with full frame as the absolute best because it's really not. I loved you sticking your tongue out about it at the end 'cause that's exactly how I feel.
After using them all extensively, I have no issues with any format, but those people claiming full frame is the only way are being intentionally dismissive about things they’ve likely never used. The EM1 mk ii and pretty much every subsequent m4/3 camera have feature sets that are very impressive and to say otherwise is just silly. Is m4/3 perfect? No, but neither is full frame.
You can make great pictures with any camera if you know what you’re doing.
Thanks for watching.
Have an awesome weekend 🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial 😁 Oh, I definitely am! And speaking of feature sets, yeah. I've been drooling over the om-1 mark 2. It looks reaalllly good.
E-M1 Mark ii is probably the best value M43 camera right now. Packed with features, PDAF, great sensor. I picked one up this year with a 2nd hand Oly 12-40 f2.8 pro.
It's a big upgrade from my E-M5 Mark ii.
It’s a bit ridiculous how inexpensive the EM1 mkii is really. I still have the EM10 mkii (or rather my son does) and the difference is night and day. Definitely a keeper 🖖
12-40 f2.8 is the lens I use on my gimbal.
Thanks to you and a couple others on here is why I stuck with micro four thirds and this camera in particular. Thank you!
E-M1-II, great camera. When I opted for an upgrade from the E-M1 I went for the E-M1-III. Yes, more expensive than the II and argumentatively not a huge upgrade, but I really appreciate My Menu, Virtual ND and Joy stick just off the top. Other stuff like HHHR I haven't used much but like that it is available. I totally agree the ergos of these two cameras are pretty sweet.
Hi David, I have 2xEM1 MK2 (bought new in 2018) and a MK3 (second hand, bought this year) and love them all. The FW update for the MK2 was a great benefit and improvement to the camera too! Just a quick point though the MK3 (whilst having an identical resolution) is not the same sensor (MK3 has a TP9 single quad core processor, MK2 has a dual quad core TP8processors - must be clocked lower then the TP9 though I don't have any details to hand). Colour reproduction is great and lightweight versatility is the best (for me). The fact both use identical batteries as well is a great bonus if you have both.
Howsit friend and greetings from South Africa. I been using the omd11 five years now and it’s a beast. Your channel has just convinced me to get another one. Have full frame as well. Big deal. Your pics are freaking brilliant. I have the cheap but fantastic 50mm ,7-14mm, 40-150 mm. But now I want 300 mm. Just can’t afford that.Thanks for the advice and stay safe. Salute.
Makes a lot of sense to me…has the tools you need for what you do! Nice overview!
Great review ! Gotta get one now. Love from South Africa 🇿🇦
The one feature I do like better in the E-M1iii is better face detection for portraits. I don't have the E-M1iii but have the E-M1ii and its still a good camera.
I might upgrade to the E-M1iii or wait until the OM-1ii price comes down before I buy a new camera.
@mipmipmipmipmip Did they fix those auto focus issues with the OM-1ii?
This is a killer good camera and people should take your no bs review seriously. Love from South Africa
Appreciate you mate. Thanks for watching 🖖
Great video on a great camera. I picked up a near mint secondhand example last year for A$750 (about £375). I bought it as a backup and a lighter alternative to my E-M1X and it has been a joy to use.
You just made me sell the E-M 1 Classic (which I had bought as a stopgap on the way to a Mk III), and buy an E-M1 Mk II.
Not a bad choice to be fair. I love the mk ii!
Thanks for watching 🖖
Nice one David great over view along with excellent pictures, really liked the astro shots 👍🖖
Thanks very much. It does great with Astro even single shots like these. I’d be curious to see what I’d get with a tracker🖖😁
Well said! Great camera.
I absolutely love it🖖
Love to have one but now my daughter has swiped it for live rock concerts I haven’t seen it for months
call the US Marshalls and they will have it physically removed from her presence.
Great Video Dave :) Yes - Awesome Camera :)
Thanks a lot mate. Appreciate you watching 🖖
Nice, looking forward to get a second hand E-M1 Mark II
Just recently jumped in to the Olympus cameras. Found two at a pawn shop, em 10 iiis with kit lens for $225, great shape, looked new, and an em 10 IV with kit lens and bag, also in great shape, for $385. Got bit by size and ease of menus. Thinking of getting rid of two bigger bodies, Nikon D7200 and Canon T7i and going all Olympus. Great feeling cameras and smaller size means I will carry these more often. I did trade one of my Fuji X T20's with MPB for a like new OM D EM5 ii for a $9 difference. Like the feel of the em5 ii. Daughter ended up with EM 10 iiiS, she loves it.
Does this model do the auto focus bracketing? I heard you mentioned it does the on board focus stacking but was curious about the bracketing. Great video, thanks!
It's a brilliant camera. I have one and I love it.
Talk about timing ! I am looking for a new camera as a birthday present for myself and now i just saw this video 😂 now i am curious about what the camera can do.
Well all the images I showed were shot with this camera and as I said, I’ve never found it lacking. I have both canon and Sony FF cameras and they only really get used if I’m using vintage slr lenses or if the lighting is consistently low and long exposure isn’t an option. Thanks for watching 🖖
The only limitation is what is 6” behind the viewfinder.
Mask On Nurse Marty(Ret)
Great video! Very helpful. Was looking at Pan GH3, this looks way better.
Yeah I’d say the EM1 mkii is closest to the g9 in terms of features and functionality but if you’re looking for more video leaning features, the GH5 is actually fantastic and in about the same price bracket here in the UK.
Thanks for watching 🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial much appreciated. I've been making videos on guitar on YT for a bit and want to upgrade my camera now the channel has some traction, so your pro opinion is a big help. The Olympus looks like an easy and relatively inexpensive win. I'll look at G9, but I hear so far Panasonic always has issues with auto focus in their cameras. I need far and close shots easily. Having said that I did see a few GH2s for £150... that's cheap! But that old model might be a few compromises too far...
@appetiteforguitar The Olympus will also give way better continuous af in video if that’s a feature you need. Until the G9ii the lumix video af was a bit shaky.
Appreciate you watching mate. I’ll give your channel a follow 🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial Many thanks!
I have the Sony A7R3, definitely better image quality when it comes to portraiture, but its like holding onto a brick, the Olympus EM1 mk2 feels fantastic and I love using all those wonderful lenses, end of day I like the Olympus system better.
I love that camera too. I never had the Mark III, but then came the O-M1.
The OM-1 was so hyped on forums - there was a world of difference between the OM-1 and my EM-1 Mark II. So I had to get it. I was disappointed - don't know what I expected, and of course it was better. But to me nothing that matters 😊
Yeah I genuinely believe we’ve reached a plateau with a lot of tech which is why so many modern cameras seem underwhelming and folks are returning to older models.
Thanks for watching 🖖
It’s really the extra focusing tools and a slight improvement in the sensor. I have the OM-1 mark II, which was an upgrade from my E-M1 (mark I). The mark II is definitely a big step up from the mark I, and for general shooting there isn’t a lot between that and the OM-1 (both versions). However, for my use I shoot a lot of airsoft players which is a tricky AF proposition. The E-M1 was very difficult to use, while the OM-1 mark II can lock on to players quite effectively.
My main as well
A truly great camera. I wonder if it'll go down in some hall of fame at some point.
My first mft was a Lumix LX-100 with a fixed f1.7-2-8, 10-34mm Leica lens. I was so impressed with that little guy that I upgraded to a GX85 and bought into a series of lenses. They were great for certain things, mostly what I call casual shooting and street photography because of their low profile. Then I made what I consider a mistake when I picked up an Olympus E-M1 MKII, thinking it could be equivalent to my full frame cameras for my usage. Well, especially since I bought a Z7, the Oly, sad to say, has been on a shelf collecting dust. MFT's strength is size and my old GX85 does just that. I shoot weddings and events with my full frames, a pair of D750s and the Z7 for portraits. Sorry, but my opinion is that my Nikon Z7 absolutely blows away the Oly, especially when I shoot low light or a situation when I expect to do cropping. No contest. But to be fair, when new, it's a $3000 camera vs a sub $1000 camera. BTW, with tech advances of smartphones, my new phone takes photos which are just about as good as my LX-100. Fact. The bottom line is to just use what you are comfortable with and keep shooting!
I needed a robust camera that can withstand the Norwegian winter since most of the year is cold and wet here. After much back and forth, the choice fell on an EM1 Mark ii with 5000 shutter action together with an Olympus 14-150mm ii and 2 batteries. Everything is in mint condition and I paid only 600USD for this. I am 100% sure that for that sum there is no better solution today. Thanks
That sounds like an absolute bargain!
Thanks for watching 🖖
If you ever find an Olympus E-1, it's the one I take under the waterfall.
Something most reviewers don’t mention. The battery. It is like the Ever read bunny. It goes on and on and on. One battery last a whole day. I take the 2nd battery with me but have never needed to replace the battery.
The newer EMD cameras I’m sure are better than the 1Mii. The improvements Are incremental though. I’m satisfied with the 1Mii’s performance. I picked mine up for $400. Money well spent.
The 12-40 pro lens is supper and lives on this body. I also use LUMIX cameras. A great benefit of M43 bodies is you can use either Olympus or LUMIX lenses on either body. The image stabilization doesn’t work on the other brand’s body though.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
@@martingreenberg870 Very much agree about the battery on the Olympus. Lasts a whole day without a problem. For me this is also very important. Thanks
Spot on. 🤘
Just bought one, thanks to you!
I have had 2 of them now, for some reason I keep getting drawn back to it.
It’s just never let me down and I think I’d have a hard time letting it go 🖖
I have the EM1 - Mark III and I love it. Whats important to me, 5 axis stabilization, photo stacking (in camera), 20MP.
I just wish, they would make a full frame with the same features and 4K. But then it would be heavy. I would love to own
both. Possibilities are endless with Olympus. Not to mention the grip, the ability to add Metabones and use Canon EF
and EFS lenses.
I think the closest you’ll get to a full frame version of this is the Lumix S5/S1 line and while those bodies are pretty small (the s5 is smaller and lighter than my gh5) it’s the lenses that make the up the size and weight when compared to m4/3.
If there was ever a FF EM1 camera I’d be all over it🖖😁
@@DavidFlowerOfficial I could not agree more. The only issue with the Lumix FF are that it uses a L mount
which Metabones does not make. I do know there is some brands like Viltrox and all that, but owning them
with M4/3 gave me bad results vs Metabones. I have alot of Olympus M4/3 lenses and alot of Canon lenses.
I also own the Sony A7R II and with that Metabones works perfectly, better than the Olympus Metabones. But
again, I love experimenting with different lenses. As I used to shoot Canon before Olympus. But even back in
the day I know Olympus made great cameras, I had the Olympus E-300 EVOLT and even though its a DSRL
and a low MP, it produces fantastic images.
With having exposure bracketing dynamic range isn't a problem anyway. If you think you need more latitude, just flick a switch and bracket, just in case. You probably won't need it, but still.
Yeah bracketing has been part of my process for years, mainly to avoid using grad filters because I don’t like them lol
There are folks out there though, who like to use the DR thing as a negative towards m4/3 without realising that canon dslrs were pretty awful for DR right until the 5d4 but apparently that wasn’t a problem 😂
Thanks for watching 🖖
David what do you recommend for street AFC for moving subjects, just bought the mark 3 and the menus are so confusing, thanks 😊
For street since things aren’t moving very quickly, I don’t even use afc; I mostly use afs and zone focusing.
If I were to pick the one thing that I would change it’s the menus. After using the Lumix GH5, the Olympus menus are infuriating 😂
Thanks for watching 🖖
I nearly found myself clicking on the buy button for one of these a few weeks ago David (based on your previous recommendations), but I couldn't really afford it, and I didn't really need it, and I'd have wanted a good zoom to keep on it all the time (something like 24 - 70mm full frame equivalent) as all my Micro 4/3 lenses are either primes or vintage stuff, and that's not what I'd want the EM1 for. I still might get one sometime, I'd definitely pick it over something brand new - can't believe the price of the latest bodies from all the manufacturers, with all those features that no one will ever use etc etc. Great video by the way.
Yeah when you compare the Em1 mkii price to the most recent models I find it hard to believe I’m getting 5x the camera (vs the prices of om1 ii).
I mainly use the panny Leica 12-60 for most things in good light and it works great.
Thanks for watching, Tim🖖
Grumpy you made the right decision.
Can’t afford it? Don’t need it? There is your answer. If this is a hobby whatever you have is good enough. There are no bad cameras being made now. Go back as far back as 10 years ago and any camera is good enough. You pick your price. You select the features you need. Bob is your uncle.
We are at the point of diminishing marginal returns. We are paying more and more for less and less improvements. I’m sure the Olympus (and other brands) newer cameras are better. The question is how much performance do you want and need? For me, good enough is good enough. Don’t let anyone hear shame you. The performance of today’s (and yesterday’s) cameras exceeds most people’s ability to use them.
The EMD1 Mii is a super camera. It will remain cheap. If you want it, it will be there for you. Olympus and LUMIX lenses are relatively inexpensive. Buy the body. Save for the lens. Then you got it. David talked about the PL12-60 lens. I have it. A very good lens. I bought the P12-60 with a GX body. Also a super lens. It is less expensive. I have the 45-200 lens. This isn’t a premium lens. Not that expensive. Lots of reach. Buy your lens used and save a bunch.
It has been said the difference between a man and a boy is the price of his toys.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I bought a OM-1 last year, but still ponders getting a EM1MkII as a secondary. For the price it is somewhat unbeatable, I think.
It’ll be solid as a back up to the OM 1. It’s got almost all of the same core features and you’ll be getting pretty much the same image quality. Thanks for watching 🖖
You are right. The EMD1Mii is a great B roll camera. It is also great in its own right.
If you have the money buy one. I’m great at spending other people’s money. While you are at it, buy the 12-40 pro lens. About the only bad thing one can say about that lens is it doesn’t have image stabilization. Your OM1 and EMD1 Mii have enough IBID you won’t miss the lack of image stabilization in the lens.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I had to stick with the Mark 1 as the ii and iii had the flippy screen.
Great video! It’s a bargain workhorse and so much lighter than modern M43 bodies.
Absolutely, I also have a lumix gh5 and that thing is the size of a full frame camera!
Amazing for video, but certainly not what you expect as a micro four thirds body😂
Thanks for watching 🖖
I'm hoping for a new firmware for some interesting features: Starry Sky Af and Live ND....which are included on the mark III.
Personally I don’t think it’ll happen since as you said, they already have those features covered in the mark iii and of course the OM1 models. Fingers crossed though 🤞
i use the mk1 with 12-100mm f4 for everything other than wildlife then i use g9 with 100 -400 pl ;)
I've just bought the second body used for £320! The first thing I will do is to upload the custom firmware that removes time limit in video recording. I have Panasonic Gh5s as my prime gear but for some video jobs it's nice to have autofocus and image stabilisation. The only thing I wish Em1 mk2 would have is 4k 60fps (it has max 30fps in 4k) but nobody's perfect ;)
That’s a bargain. I don’t use slow motion that much since practically everything I shoot is in 24p and em1 mkii has that nice c4k setting. If I want slow motion, I just use the gh5, but it’s rare🖖😁
Hi, thanks for your helpful review!
I'm considering buying the new e-m1 mark II (upgrade from my e-m10 mark ii) and one thing is not really clear about the new advertised feature Live GND: does it only come with the brand new mark ii or is it also available for older mark ii with a firm update? I can't seem to find it mentioned in the firm update.
I seem to find very different prices from the official website to 3rd party distributors like Amazon (big price reduction), what could be the difference here? Should I be aware of any pitfalls? (Amazon is not really good at giving the details of the camera body)
Thanks in advance for your help!
The Olympus E-M1 mark ii (the camera shown in this video) and the new OM System OM1 mark ii are very different cameras. The live GND is a feature in the new OM1 mkii and not the em1 mk ii.
There is approximately 8 years between these 2 cameras so that might explain the price discrepancies you’ve seen.
Hope this helps 🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial Thank you, I seemed to be misreading the EM and OM all the time, this makes everything more logical!
@@DavidFlowerOfficial I’m using a ND filter for intentional camera movement photography. A six stop ND filter is $85. Buy the EMD1 Mii with the ND filter. This will save you a lot of money.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
Mine too!
Cracking camera. Had mine since 2020 and can't see a reason to upgrade yet.
Absolutely agree. I can’t see any reason to ever part with mine🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial Ibid.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I'm running into the limits of my E-M5 Mk II buffer for sequential photography (only about 11 images before writing to the card), so I am looking to upgrade. I read a review of the E-M1 mk II and the mk III from the same reviewer (pcmag), and in their testing the mk III could shoot about 50% more images (115 shots in Raw) than the mk II (73 Raw) before filling the buffer. I'm not sure these numbers are reliable, since both cameras have the same hardware, so I thought. Do you have enough experience with this to comment?
I don’t shoot a whole lot of sports or wildlife so I’ve never filled the buffer on the Mark ii, but when I have shot in high burst mode I’ve never been close to 73 frames at once. It’s one of those things that seems crazy to me after shooting a lot of motor sports and wildlife in the past with dslrs.
My personal opinion is that it’s overkill in the mark ii and I rarely take mine out of the low burst setting, but that comes down to shooting style I suppose.
Thanks for watching 🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial I'm getting into focus stacking macro shots, and 50+ shots in a stack is common. I'm probably getting the Mk II anyway due to budget. Thanks for sharing your experience.
SOLD My Zhiyun Weebill 2 Pro+ lists it as compatible, so now I will explore the Used market for one. As a collector of all things Olympus I now have to decide, do I place my EM1 or my EM5 into the display cabinet, which do I take as my backup, decisions decisions.
Yeah I have used mine with the weebil 3s and it’s great. If you’re looking at a mkii, I’d display the mki and keep the em5 at hand as a cool walk around option🖖😁
@@DavidFlowerOfficial Thanks man, it's just that my silver EM1 looks so good with my silver 75mm f1.8, so I will take turns with them. I was wondering if the EM1X would suit the Weebill 2pro+, it's weather proofing is exceptional. I still use the old Olympus E-1 when going inside waterfalls, or in light rain in the Blue Gum forest up here in The Blue Mountains.
Any advice for night photography on this camera
If you’re looking to freeze motion, use a fast lens.
For my personal tastes, up to iso 3200 has manageable noise with a little work in post.
If you’re talking about night sky photography, this camera handles it no problem and I’ve shot the Milky Way core with it.
As with any camera, light is key so it’s just a case of finding the right balance and if you can introduce light into the scene, do it🖖
Bro am getting it for $500 on marketplace ....with 12-50mm lens , 40-150mm lens and one tripod ...all for $500?
Sounds like a good price to me depending on the condition. Definitely worth a look🖖
I just checked it's em10 mark ii...is there a huge difference between both? And which one is superior?..
@Dabal_R Em1 mkii is far superior since you’re talking pro level vs entry level in terms of specs. Better resolution, better ibis, better video, better battery life, weather sealing etc. the list is quite extensive. The em10 mkii can be found here in the uk for around £250 (about $335 usd) so given the 2 kit zooms I’d say $500 is still decent as you’re getting the 2 lenses for under $200🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial thank you for clearing the doubt , subscribed
That is a great price. Enjoy friend.
What do you guys think of the e-m1 mk1? Thinking of migrating from DSLR to M43 and going for that, the other option being the em10 mk2 :)
The em1 mk1 and em10 mk ii have the same sensor and if memory serves the same image processor so you’re gonna get practically the same image from both. The em10 mkii has better ibis and that retro look, but lacks any weather sealing that is present in the em1. From an image perspective they’re gonna produce the same image so it’s the quality of life features that you should look at to make your decision I think. Thanks for watching 🖖
Hi Miguel, I have both the EM1 mk1 and the EM10 mkii. The ergonomics of the EM1 are much better than the EM10 however you can get an extended handgrip (EG-3) for the EM10 mkii which improves the handling. The other advantage of the EM1 is that you can purchase a battery grip for it which are very inexpensive and gives extra battery power if needed. Personally I use the EM1 for my legacy lenses in view of the better grip.
@@alangamble3236 thats one the points I was looking for! Coming from a 600D+17-70, I'm used to the grip and the e-m1 looks right in. Do you feel a big size difference?
@@DavidFlowerOfficial thank you! I've been going through all of ur vids
@@miguelpinheiro8645 hi Miguel there is a very small size difference ( other than the grip) but not noticable when in the hand. It is also slightly heavier but you would not notice that coming from a DSLR.
my camera of choice ... both my Canons ( FF & APSC) stay at home now
Yeah, my Full frame bodies aren’t used much outside of fun with vintage glass🖖
Any thougts
about the original em1 ?
It’s not a camera I’ve used personally but I know a few people who have and they rate it highly.
Beautiful camera I will never part with, but then I am an Olympus collector since my OM10. I noticed 16 M-1's went up for sale on eBay, many of them fakes.
@@krashdown5814 The EMD1’s are built like tanks. Very sturdy.
The EMD1 is cheaper than the Mii. The difference in the performance between the original and Mii justifies the update. More so than the iterations following the Mii. The cost difference between the original and Mii isn’t that much. For me, the choice is simple.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I’m stills only so the mk1 does everything I need, though I wouldn’t say no to a mk2, both great cameras, mistakenly and unjustly scoffed at by some. I’ve no interest in the new OM range though.
The Mii has PDAF and better IBIS. Reason enough, for me as a photographer, to select the Mii. YMMV.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
What is the firmware update?
The V3 firmware came in 2019 and brought some much needed updates to the camera including pdaf in video. I think the most recent one is v3.7 or so 🖖
Does the e-m1 Mark II have handheld hi-res mode?
No, tripod only, but for what I do I don’t need it🖖
Hi-res mode isn’t a feature I need. I imagine most people don’t need or even use this feature. Nice that it is there if I need it. I don’t need it. This feature seems very niche.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I’ve used it on a few occasions for still macro and product shots for the sole purpose of cropping afterwards, but you’re absolutely right, it’s nice to have, but in my case it goes largely unused 🖖
Is it you who buys all different cameras and Chris are borrowing them and makes videos about them? 😄👍🏻
We’ve borrowed cameras from each other in the past so it depends which you’re referring to. I borrowed his canon 7D, 1diii and I made a video with his RP. The rest are mine, I’m a bit of a camera nerd 👍😁
@@DavidFlowerOfficial thinking about the em1 mkii, Canon 40d and probably a few more. I’m watching a lot of TH-cam in hunt for the perfect camera so I might have mixed you up with other British lads 🤷🏽 the GAS runs deep!
We both have the em1 mkii and the 40d was mine and I think he may have used that at one point. For me I’m a bit of a collector and like to use the older cameras as a bit of a challenge. Like if I can get a decent picture with a 20 year old potato, I can get a shot with pretty much anything 😂
I'm going to ruffle a lot of feathers here but I think the em1 Mark II is a much better camera at a much better price than even the the beloved PEN F.. in fact,, if you take out the very beautiful and pleasing aesthetics of the PEN F.. it doesn't make sense at all considering that a good EM1 Mark II is half the price... Or less!
Absolutely agree. The Pen F is a nice looking camera, but from a practical point of view the em1 mkii is much better. And I love the grip, it’s just a lovely camera to use🖖
@@DavidFlowerOfficial I think people buy the Pen F because it is a beautiful body. It is small and lightweight. A good street camera. I’d rather use the Pen F for street photography than the EMD1 Mii despite the latter being a better camera.
Look at the price of the Pen F. Some people have more money than sense (cents). Even though I own the EMD1 Mii I prefer to take the GX85 with me when I hit the street. The right tool for the right job.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I'm sorry, David, but there is one thing that should make you re-evaluate all that you've said here. Are you ready for it? OK:
'I completely agree with you'.
Hope that's not too hard to take, even though it's the truth. Just relax... have a nice cup of tea... have a good day. Cheers.
Ok, errrrmmmm, I errrmmmmm, ok then 🤯 😂
@@DavidFlowerOfficial In fact... you're so right - and it's taken me a couple of months in therapy to get to THIS point (deep breath) i'll have my very own Mkii next week. Thanks for leading me astray.
Haha, I hope you’re doing ok mate. I’m sure you’ll love the Em1 mkii 🖖😁
I have the mk2, superb camera, coupled with the 12 to 40 mm Pro len,s weather sealed, can,t be precious over your gear in UK weather! On a serious note David, get that blemish on your nose checked out, I have the same thing, can be cancerous.
Yeah I use it with the Leica 12-60 and can pretty much do anything I need with that set up.
Regarding the nose, it was just a scrape, the result of having two sons who like to get scrappy sometimes lol
100%
EM-5 mark3...
Except no grip and more expensive on average 🖖😁
@@DavidFlowerOfficial The EMD5 Miii IS more expensive than the 1Mii. Significantly more expensive. Same sensor and processor. Overall, I’d say the 1Mii is superior to the 5Miii. The reason I’ve been searching for the 5Miii is the smaller size and weight. A good B cam.
At the price of a 5Miii I can buy a 1Mii. The 1Mii is a better buy.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I agree that the EMD1 Mii is a great value. The 12-40mm pro lens lives on this body. A supper combination.
A slight niggle that may be particular to me. The on/off switch is on the left hand of the top plate. Annoying.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
It’s not just you, being right handed and having a lot of other cameras all with on/off switches on the right, the EM1 mkii gets me every time 😂
Mine too!