Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Complete Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ค. 2024
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Our in-depth review of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 II flagship micro four thirds camera.
Table of Contents:
1:09 - What I like the most: Image Stabilisation (for stills and video)
4:13 - What I like: Image Quality
8:31 - What I like: Design and Customisation
10:38 - What I like: Speed (Continuous shooting, buffer and Pro Capture)
13:14 - What I like: 4K video
16:24 - What I like: Battery life
17:41 - Good but can be perfected: Autofocus for stills
21:37 - What I don't like: C-AF for video and other nitpickings
23:27 - Conclusion
E-M1 II Cinema 4K compilation: • Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark... - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
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Mathieu Gasquet ?
This is the review I've been waiting for above all others
Concise, sophisticated review with terrific sample/case studies. Wow, great job Mathieu!
So many people seem to complain about the price of this camera for a micro four thirds, but, really, there's so much tech packed into this camera!
exactly, i just got mine few days ago and the amount of features packed into this is over whelming...
im still learning the menu :))
Why? Because it's got a smaller sensor? The sensor isn't a big part of the cost anymore as long as they are 36x24mm or smaller. The tech costs money, as does build quality and other things. I'd much rather spend 2000 on this camera house then 1700 on a Nikon D750. A larger sensor in a cheap housing, fastest shutter speed 1/4000 etc.
Nice review btw!
Agree, price point is too high. Olympus got greedy.
They complain just because its M43 not FF, for beginners life end on FF
Best review of this camera I have seen on TH-cam, I have just subscribed to your channel , Thankyou for reviewing all aspects I'm interested in including high iso and long exposure. Great work !!
Excellent video. Thanks for the honest, detailed review without any BS.
really loved this video. The most complete I have found out there yet.
I will also do a review from another pov/speciall usage, but this sure covered the most.
Extra big thanks for have shown different shots, with different lenses and situations. This was what made this video so great.
Keep on with the good work. Now you got one more subscriber :)
Great review, very balanced and honest, I like your approach and your examples, nice job !
Thanks Mathieu for another great review!
Most thorough and useful review yet, thanks for posting! Also, great pictures :)
thanks!
though nearly two yrs old, your review was very complete and helpful as i assess whether the e-m1 mk2 or the g9 is in my future. many of the images in your review were stunning. your efforts and sharing are appreciated. thank you from a very satisfied subscriber. thumbs up.
Which one did you choose? And are you pleased with your choice?
Another excellent review! Very well done.
lots of great info! Thanks so much
A complete and perfect review. Thank you!
What a great review. Thanks.
Great review thanks matthieu
Excellent review and guidance on the Olympus m1 mkII Thank You
Great and useful review. Thanks for the upload...
great complete review! i know how much work goes into this
Just a "little bit" of work really.... :-D :-D
This is a superb review, thank you so much for posting it. I never even considered M43 until I saw this review and have come really really close to wanting to take the plunge and buy an E-M1, especially thanks to the 12-100 f4 lens and the insane combined stabilisation. It's a lot of money though and I do shoot a lot in low light when I travel, so I'm tempted to stick with my Canon 6D for a little longer while hoping maybe the E-M1 Mark 3 might be the one to tip me over.
Nice job! Thanks!
Great review!
Incredibly useful video for someone shopping for this camera. I ended up purchasing one! Thank you.
Enjoy it!
Great review
This camera is amazing!!
Review on point. Well done
Thanks , I like this review
Excellent. Merci !
so many bad reviews on YT, your is really more than perfect atleast from my POV, thanks alot
At least Olympus will try to improve on any shortcomings and regularly give firmware upgrades. Don't see these from Canon or Nikon. Olympus lost they're way after the OM1 and OM2 but are now back right at the cutting edge with the M43 cameras. I would like to see them go full frame to give an option to have 2 systems, one small and light and the other for ultimate image quality and high iso performance. Always have been me favourite camera.
Thank you !!
This was a very very very very good review.
Thank you!
Great reviews from your channel! I am using em5 mark 1 and looking to upgrade to em1 mark ii or Panasonic g9. I am a enthusiast mainly shooting children, family vacation and track and field events. I have olympus 12-40mm and Panasonic 35-100mm. Which camera will you suggest? Thanks!
Thank you very much for your complete presentation. I am missing the SCN modes and do you know of a way to get them back or are they hidden deep some place in the menu system?
I don't think you can or at least I didn't find a way to assign them to a function button or something like that.
I congratulate you to yet another great, and deep, review. Not many would take the time to insert some tips on the best settings for some of the functions. I think that lends more credibility to the review over all since it really underlines how carefull you have been when trying the different functions and settings of the camera. Really well done!
The problem with a camera this packed with features is that software updates tend to really change it over time. I have the first EM-1 and I´m still very pleased with it. I bought that camera as soon as it was availible in Sweden with firmware 1.0. Today I have a somewhat different camera since Olympus have fixed some issues, and added new functions with their updates. Personally I think that is amazing! But it begs the question, what kind of camera will the EM-1 MkII be in one years time? Or after the four years of continual support that Olympus have promised? I understand that you put an insane amount of work into a review like this. But maybe a follow up minireview in , say, two years time would be interesting? By then Olympus might have fixed some of the issues you´ve found, like the grouping of AF-points, or even better videofeatures? Who knows? That would be a review of the camera as much as a review of the commitment from Olympus.
if the firmware update will be significant, we might do a complementary video like we did for focus bracketing and stacking on the E-M1 when firmware 4.0 was out.
Well, knowing Olympus I think it may well be possible. Firmware updates are a great way to keep an aging camera model competing with new rivals on the market. Thank you for answering! :)
Thank you for this. Great review. Very interested in the Hires mode. Do you think the improvements might come to the em5 ii through firmware?
I don't think so, the improvements are related to the new image processor.
Great review, very informative. I got convinced and bought the EM1 Mark II. Thanks.
i have a question though, I can't get my iMac Photoshop c.f. 2017 to recognize the Olympus files. how did you get Photoshop in Mac to read the ORF Raw files?
You probably need to update camera raw for photoshop.
Great Review! Thank you for the video! I have a question and if you can't answer that's ok. "What's in YOUR camera bag?"
Mat,
Just finished watching the whole video, what came to mind was in terms of CAF using single point is what most pros do anyway. When I shoot my one big ski event here in Utah I either rent the latest Canon Pro body or this year I rented the Nikon D5 and I experimented with 3D tracking multiple points etc, and still missed some shots so I always ended up with single point CAF and do the best job I can do keeping the subject in the center.
Thanks Steven. I always tests all the focus points to see how the camera behaves with different settings. On the old E-M1 I often used the small single point because it was the most accurate. However on the X-T2 Zone AF works really well for certain sports and action. Recently I tried a D500 for BIF and 3D Tracking gave me the best results.
The BEST review to date !!!One thing I can't seem to find. What is the difference between the new Custom buttons and the old Function buttons ?
Do you mean the three Custom modes found on the main top dial?
Mathieu, I really did enjoy this review you made of the Olympus E-M1. Question: did you see any problem with the clips that hold the camera strap as in other similar cameras they can make clicking noises when shooting video (seeing that they are made of metal).
Not really to be honest but if you're concerned about them than it's better to take them off.
How does this Camera perform with none Pro lens?
It seems like the C-AF in video still uses contrast detection instead of phase detection, strange.
Mat, another great review. In terms of CAF when using mechanical shutter at 10fps how does it compare to other mirrorless cameras like the XT2 and the Sony 6500? Is the Olympus in your opinion the best for CAF for mirrorless as of today? Thanks
To me the AF is below the X-T2 and a6500/a6300 in terms of AF, not by a lot honestly but in my experience with the different cameras, the X-T2 is the one that gave me the best performance so far.
Thank you for this review. I have to ask you just an information about 5x5 or 7x7 group target mode. What function i have to set for this option? In this moment my camera has just 3x3 group target. Sorry for my English thank you.
There aren't any 5x5 or 7x7 group target modes. In the video I say it would be a nice addition to have such groups as I often find the 3x3 group limiting.
fantastic review, very informative!
Random question; is the 12-100 F4 PRO lens stabilisation complementary with the IBIS of the E-M1 Mark I or the EM-10 Mark II? Or is it exclusively beneficial to the E-M1 Mark II?
Yes for the E-M1 mark I but no for the E-M10 II.
How about the 5Mark2?
Hi Mat, did you try the C-AF in 1080p, and is there a difference in speed and accuracy? I own the GX8 and depending on the resolution I pick and the lens, I can get much better results at 1080p than 4k. I think it is due to the processor drawing much more power during 4k recording, it has to work a lot more.
I admit it didn't cross my mind to try C-AF in 1080p. I'll give it a go if I get the chance to use the camera again.
Yes. The mark I , had only function buttons. I was questioning the custom buttons on the top. Thanks.
The Custom buttons on the mode dial are the equivalent of the MySet modes on the E-M1 mark I.
But there are still function buttons on the mkii. Those are no longer applied to mysets ?
No, you need to use C1 to C3 on the top dial.
Hi Mathieu -
Just purchased my E-M1 II after watching this review. So far so good. Just one question:
Do you happen to know how to review pictures in the EVF? With my E-M1 I, the shots just played back in the EVF everytime my eye was in the viewfinder. Do you know how to get that same function to work on the Mark II?
Again, thanks a million for all your hard work. I love to watch your videos and read your gear reviews very closely.
Cheers,
Dustin
It should be in Setup menu / Rec View.
I feel so silly. I had been hitting the menu button. It's in the EXACT place that the old play button was in. Need to develop some new muscle memories. Sorry for bothering you, Mathieu.
A great review as always. For my opinion very objective.
So you said that Olympus is willing to work oon the autofocus when it comes to photography. But are they also aware of the slow af when it comes to video? I think compared to the Fuji this is indeed a weak point. Do they also work on this too Mr. Gasquet? Thank you again for this great review. Salutations Marcel
I think they aim to improve AF for both stills and video.
Please also review GH5 because that should easily crush E-M1 II
great matthew. baci ;-)
Maybe revisit this camera with the new firmware 3.1, apparently the CAF in video is much better, and I wonder about the Dynamic range in video, can you show me some footage in Davincy resolve, to see the IRE values and compare it to GH5 V-log and the flat profile?Thank you!
C-AF test with firmware 3.1 here:
th-cam.com/video/z_tPoo_n8qo/w-d-xo.html
I have a question about IS. How are you able to get 4 second exposures with the 25mm 1.2? The most I can get is 1/10 for 100% keeper rate. 1/8 for 80% keeper rate. Please help.
At 4s I didn't get a 100% keeper rate, it was much lower than that.
Great Review! I noticed you mentioned the video quality when using the digital tele-converter for Movies. Did you get a chance to try the Movie Tele-converter mode? This is a 1:1 1080p crop of the sensor and should give better image quality. I believe it is not available in the 4k modes so you'll need to select 1080p60 before this mode becomes available. According to Olympus this is almost a 3x crop.
Yes you can see an example with 4K and 1080p at 15:40.
Thank Mathieu, but I believe that was taken with the Digital Tele-converter. I was more interested in the results from the Movie Tele-converter.
Ok, so I looked at the user manual and I understand what you mean now. I missed that Movie Tele-Converter feature completely. It is hidden in the Movie Effects options, the same options where you can add an "old" film effect for example (this is why this menu still need some work LOL).
Oh well, next time I guess! :-D
I have the original EM-5, do you think it's worth waiting for the E-M1 Mark III or would you get the E-M1 II now?
It's probably going to be two or three years before Olympus releases an E-M1 III.
Can anyone tell me how to extend my review time after a shot on my em 1 please. It is doing my head in.
Setup Menu / Rec View
do you know if the e-m5 m3 will have the same level of customisation?
I'm not sure but I think it should be similar.
I tried to do hand held with mk 2 in the shop for 2 seconds and i cannot do it. Your handhold technique is increible. Your suggestion of 8 seconds is just beyond my imagination. Is there a problem with the settings of the camera in the shop?
which lens were you using?
Eh...I got 5 second easily...With the 12-35 mm Panny. So no SyncIS involved.
i got shanky hands? i used 12-100mm in shop.
Excellent review. To take it all in I’ll have to watch it a couple of times. This Olympus is still the most expensive of the top end m 4/3 cameras. I’ll be interested to see how it stacks up against Panasonic’s G9.
You can change the size of the focus group. Every review I've seen so far says they wished you could change it, but you can.
I'm listening.
5” image stabilization? Remarkable!
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
Very nice review! Still disagree strongly on the Hires. I have so many pics with wind that posed zero problems. It is inconsistent, that is true but you always have that ORI file you rename to ORF like you show and nothing is lost.
If people want to rely on it and feel they need 42 MP FF or even MF IQ then sure I agree. But "absolutely nothing is moving" is....well in stark contrast with my experiences.
You also completely forgot to add that there are no strange artifacts anuwhere on anything moving. And water...looks fine.
Also: do mind many landscape photographers use longer than 1 second exposures. To get some effect on clouds etc where 6-10 or even 15 stop filters come in. Now all cams are equally affected by movement. Would be nice if you tested that.
But nothing to be negative about when it comes to this review which deals with a lot more than just HiRes. And it is a very good review. thanks again for your effort and good information!
I do say that it works fine with water ;-)
I'll give the HRS mode a more in-depth look if I get the chance to use the camera again. For now I had to base my findings on the various shots I brought back home and none of them were perfect except maybe one.
I still consider the feature a nice plus, and as you said, if worst comes to worst you sill have a 20MP shot to use.
You said that last time that you would give it more attention so I thought this was that time....So it is not. I missed your remark on the water, my bad! All the best et au revoir!
Oh I see I remember your comment now. No I haven't got the chance to use the camera again, this review was already planned after my first month of use but it took more time to finish the editing than expected.
Ah doesn't matter. I think you have a different view on the same shots may be and that is fine of course. Yesterday I had a sundown on a lake with plenty of birds out of the 100s indeed a few moved and were blurred, but they were at a distance (30-300 metres). Nearby it will get worse. I wondered however why birds floating on the water which was not still did not render them all blurry. What you can do is use the single shot file and replace the moving parts. If the pic is really good it is worthwhile may be.
But we can agree; it is not ideal. Oly this week talked about handheld being possible. Would be nice if that means a faster excecution. Say in 1/60s or so. That would be great. So that means you should be able to use 1/500s. Its noise performance is so good that you could push ISO much higher to achieve 1/500s shots. Etc. We'll see.
Finally: the single shot performance I saw yesterday again is already so so good. I was blown away by the lack of noise, the fantastic colourrendition.
some popular you tube reviewers of the Mark II claim that 237 Mbps is bogus, is that true ?
+interpido it’s a variable bit rate so it often uses a lower amount depending on the situation.
thanks for replying promptly and it was a great review
This is an excellent review, however you move way too fast when showing various menu and settings changes. There is no time to see what your settings are and the impact they have on images. Next time, please hold the settings long enough so we can see and understand them.
If the price point is too high then it's too high by just a few hundred dollars. Considering the degree of Technology packed into this camera I am willing to pay a little bit extra. I also like the fact that it's weather resistance. What good is buying a camera that gets destroyed in a singular rainstorm. Then we are really talking about money to replace the ruin camera
The camera is clearly worth every penny if one requires all those features. But how many people do? I would be happy with a full-frame 24mb camera, with a leisurely 6fps, fully articulating touch screen, IBIS, dual-card slots, comprehensive weather-sealing and 4k. Such a camera does not exist, we are been forced to spend a fortune on features and speeds very few people need.
Saurat The new Nikon D850 comes pretty close!
This camera has a fatal flaw: the firmware just crashes and the only recourse is to disconnect the battery. Photographers that use the viewfinder or the LCD screen will see when this has happened. Those that use the camera without using either the VF or the LCD never know that the camera has crashed and will be shooting with a brick.
Camera reviews never unearth problems like this.
Great review, but this camera is behind the curve compared to other brands.
Pray tell. Enlighten us with specifics.
for wildlife photography m43 is just not an ekonomic option. You got newest tamron 150-600 (225 - 900mm FF equivalent) for like a 1000$ with really superb optics for that price, good stabilisation and f5. Olly 100-400 with it's 5,6 rating, really worse optic performance and 1/3 price higher is not a competitor. Sad to say that, but there's no relly good telephoto options for wildlife photography in m43 world. If you want good telephoto performance for good quality/performance ratio, stay away from m43 system.
Very good review !