With all the buzz surrounding the latest launch from OM Digital Solutions, the OM-1 Mark II, I am taking a step backward to look into a camera Olympus launched in 2013, the original OM-D E-M1. Even after more than 10 years, I thought this camera is still a capable machine, and I will not hesitate to use it to grab some important shots. Back in November 2023 I went to the eve of Deepavali celebration in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur to shoot some activities there, I used the E-M1 original with M.Zuiko 12-40mm F2.8 PRO lens throughout the entire session. I quite enjoyed this combination, and I shared plenty of fresh images with my thoughts on using the original E-M1 on present day. You can find the video here (click).
There are many things Olympus got right in the original E-M1. The camera has the best size and weight compromise - it was not too small so it can balance well with larger PRO lenses, yet it is still pretty compact and light to be carried around easily. I thought the newer cameras like E-M1 Mark II, OM-1, Panasonic G9, G9 II were all slightly on the "too large, too heavy" side of things, especially when you can find mirrorless full frame cameras that are about the same size or even smaller.
Shooting with the E-M1 for hours on the streets I found myself missing the tilt screen as well. I understand the importance of swivel screen, as a solo content creator, it is convenient to mount the camera on tripod and record myself speaking to the camera with the help of selfie swivel screen. But purely for street photography, that swivel screen has one too many step of turning and tilting, it is just not as seemless and efficient as a tilt up and down screen, which works so much quicker and straightforward for fast framing on the go. We can't have everything, I guess, but as a street photographer myself, I prefer tilt screen over swivel screen.
Then the autofocus - while this E-M1 original is more than 10 years old now, the Single-AF speed and accuracy in low contrast, low light situation outperforms the latest OM System OM-1 camera. There is no comparison, it just is so much better and more reliable. I wish OM-1 did not sacrifice the S-AF function over all the AI and subject tracking capabilities. I most shooting scenarios, I still rely on S-AF. And C-AF on the OM-1 is not that great when working in low contrast, low light situation either.
In terms of image quality the 16MP image sensor is showing its age, clearly any newer Micro Four Thirds flagships, say the E-M1 Mark II and G9 onward would perform better in resolution, dynamic range and high ISO, and you can clearly see the wide margin. It was at least one stop or more better. That can make or break a shot, and create a whole world of difference in challenging scenarios. Nevertheless, during my time using the E-M1 shooting for clients, I have always delivered my shots successfully. With strict shooting discipline, and if you know what you are doing with the camera, you can get really good shots from the old E-M1 - 16MP is more than enough for most scenarios, pairing it with sharp, capable lenses like the M.Zuiko 12-40mm PRO can produce superb output.
I also treasure the 5-Axis image stabilization, great handling of the camera, weather-sealing and robust construction of the E-M1. Overall, it is a true professional grade camera, the first of its kind, laying the groundwork and foundation for future mirrorless cameras to come. The DNA has been replicated by every single camera maker out there - any pro mirrorless cameras from Canon, Nikon, Sony, you can see traces of Olympus E-M1 original in them.
Great sized camera, before the OM-D-1 series began its weight gain, through the Mk ii and iii versions. Utilizing the PDAFs for just for the older four-thirds Olympic lenses was not a solution aimed at most m43 users. Not a camera to capture things that move, like my grandchildren. My EM-5iii is barely adequate for that purpose.
ReplyDeleteI capture a lot of fast paced movement (martial arts, dance, etc) and I find no issue shooting with E-M1 using S-AF. Lock focus and press the shutter button immediately. Extremely high hit rate.
DeleteNot to mention wedding photography, a lot of things happening everywhere and you have to react reflexively.
I used S-AF exclusively for 9 years with the E-M5 mk i to capture moving subjects with reasonably good success, unless the distance between the subject and camera was changing quickly between AF lock and image capture. With a long lens and fast subjects (like a grandchild running towards you), S-AF can result in soft images due to such lag between focus and image capture, especially shooting at 10 FPS. The EM-5 mkiii improves my hit rate.
ReplyDeleteWould be nice if one day OM makes a camera with subject recognition and tracking at a price point that I would be willing to purchase.
Nice blog and video, my dad is now even more keen on using his e-m1 as a secondary camera next to his om-1 and I can use his e-m1 mkii ;) )
ReplyDeleteHow do you get your images to pop out so nicely?