One of the persistent complain from almost everyone on any Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera is the deep, confusing maze of menu navigation. There are no quick ways to find certain features. One of the important function which I do turn on and off rather frequently is Live View Boost (enabling or disabling live simulation of previewing actual exposure of the image on EVF/LCD screen). Or turning the Wireless Flash RC Mode on or off. Or searching for noise filter options when I want to shoot in mostly dim light situation to take advantage of effective high ISO noise suppression of the camera. It was no easy feat searching for these far-hidden items in the intimidating labyrinth of a menu system Olympus has implemented. Yes, even an experienced user like myself have troubles finding something from time to time, and it does not make it easier that E-M1 Mark II, E-M10 Mark III and E-PL9 have slightly tweaked menu, relocating some features, making things even more confusing.
While Olympus did not fully revamp the menu and only made some slight changes in the new OM-D E-M1X, they did offer an entirely feasible and acceptable solution to his problem - ability to create your own menu. This new My Menu is a full personalization option, you can customize what items you want to include in your own menu, arrange it in your own preferred order and organize everything neatly in tabs. In other words, if you don't like what Olympus is doing with the menu system, then why not do it yourself, literally?
I think this is a huge upgrade in terms of usability of the camera. There is no one menu system that works for everyone, surely no matter how they change the layout, someone will have something they wish could be different. Therefore, with My Menu, you should have no excuse of not being able to find something quickly and no more diving deep to get to something that you frequently use.
Here is a short video I did, showing you how My Menu works in Olympus OM-D E-M1X.
OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1X
MY MENU
I do hope Olympus includes My Menu in all their cameras. This is a powerful option for photographers who do care about just selectively few features and needing to reach them quickly without pressing too many buttons going into the never-ending menu.
I find it appalling that certain high profile Youtuber was condemning the menu layout of E-M1X, without even mentioning about the availability of My Menu. I was not sure if he was even aware of My Menu's existence, or simply chose to ignore it entirely. Whichever answer to that, I was disappointed because clearly My Menu can significantly improve user experience controlling the camera. Don't like the camera's menu? No problem, you create your own menu, how can you not like the menu that you have made?
Here are some more image samples from the Olympus OM-D E-M1X which did not make it to the final edit of my original article.
Wireless off-camera flash used.
F2.8, 1/100, ISO200, 40mm, 40-150mm PRO
F5.6, 1/400, ISO200, 420mm, 300mm PRO + MC-14
High Res Shot 50MP Hand-Held
High Res Shot 50MP Hand-Held
High Res Mode 50MP Hand-Held
The wind was blowing, so I took this opportunity to test what happens to the hand-held high res mode is the leaves and branches were not still. Look at the crop below.
The movement due to wind caused the blur of the leaves. The image is not entirely unusable, but the advantage of high resolution is no longer valid when the wind was blowing.
F5.6, 1/60, ISO1000, 17mm F1.2 PRO
F2.2, 1/400, ISO3200, 45mm F1.2 PRO
Crop from previous image
F4, 1/8, ISO200, 45mm F1.2 PRO
The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is available to pre-order at B&H here (click).
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This incessant storm of dissatisfaction and loud mouth bashing of any camera model, the Nikon Z series, the Sony A7 series, the Canon EOS R is continual. I encountered Dan Chung (the self confessed gear geek who runs Photo Gear News - that supports Kai and Lok) and he spoke of how Youtubers need to get the hits and the subs - that is directly their income model, nothing else. Although Tony Northrup says that negative camera reviews reduce his hits and his affiliate income, it may not be the stats for all Youtubers. Remember there is a whole breed of people now who are consider themselves influencers and must shoot their mouth rather than their camera. The considered pros are people like Gordon Laing who spend heaps of time living with their gear, try to be objective and test again and again before they report a finding - others are just loud mouths who make a living by picking something to mouth. Jamie MacDonald (US Visionary) confessed he felt burnt out by forum negativity, Peter Forsgard (Matti's friend, Finnish Visionary) was quite upset in a gentlemanly way with that Youtuber who has lots of hair and shoots raw.
ReplyDeleteThat's the world we live in. Main thing is for us to progress the marquee, the cameras (all brands) and to make them successful and keep the photo biz alive. That has to be our mission.
Thanks Ananda for the kind response, and also show of support. Appreciate your balanaced stance too. I guess it is easy to just make quick judgment and jump to conclusions.
DeleteTotally agree on the "clickbaity" approach for Youtubers and reviewers in general. I am perfectly ok with people being honest and open with their opinion, eg bashing the menu layout. However, not mentioning about My Menu at all, having seen how convenient and possibly game-changing in terms of user experience it can be, that part is unforgivable.
Hello Mr. Wong. Thanks for the interesting article. Btw. I think, you mean Personalization (in the Headline). Greetings, Phil
ReplyDeleteGood catch! Was rushing off the article when I was waiting for a flight in the airport. Headline fixed.
DeleteGood Evening Mr. Wong. I just have a question: Do you think, the High Res Mode kann be used handheld (!) for macros too? Or maybe you have already tested it? Btw. I love your Insect-Captures!
ReplyDeleteI did not test it for macro because I needed to use wireless flash. The high res mode does not support use of flash, hence it was not suitable for my technique. If you light your subject with LED or other constant light, maybe it is possible. Also, as long as your subject does not move.
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