TEST: OM System OM-1 – fine investment in performance

Many questioned what would happen to Olympus’ future cameras when its camera section was broken into new OM Digital Solutions. Now we know the answer, and it’s only positive. New OM System OM-1 is namely an improved version of Olympus E-M1 Mark III, and now takes over the throne as the latest flagship. And it also does very well with its newly developed stacked and backlit sensor of 20.1 megapixels.

Regardless of the confusion of what to call the camera – OM System OM-1 as OM Digital Solutions themselves call it in their press release, or Olympus OM-1, which is actually the first camera released by Olympus 50 years ago – the camera has got it widely known logo with the text “Olympus”, although according to the manufacturer itself it will now be the last.

Psychologically, there is also a lot in this, because both the design and technology heritage continues as if nothing had happened, and the changes we can see towards previous models are mostly for the better overall, and definitely for the better technically, something which we will take a closer look at in the test.

Developed design

I have long thought that Olympus has succeeded nicely with its design. It has been compact and well thought out with good functions and layout. This is exactly what we recognize in the OM-1 compared to, for example, the performance-filled E-M1 Mark III or E-M1X, which was aimed at professionals who require tough grip. For this test, I also got a battery grip that made it possible to compare against both E-M1 Mark III and E-M1X purely ergonomically.

The ergonomics are there from the beginning with a basically identical legacy from the E-M1 Mark III. But a big improvement lies in the possibility of a well-placed and dedicated AF-ON button that is now on the back. Excellent feeling in both grips. buttons and controls make the ergonomics really good. With the battery grip, additional possibilities are given and I like the robust feeling, and it is also similar to that of the E-M1X, which I thought was really good, although of course there is a certain difference.

More power – increased speed

Computing power and speed are also one of the five parts that OM System points to when they went through the camera, in addition to reliability, video performance and image quality. With the new Truepic X image processor, the OM-1 should be up to three times faster on certain things, compared to the previous generation.

What I notice immediately when I test is the high-resolution shooting mode that combines images in multiple exposures to create an 80-megapixel image in tripod mode, or 50-megapixel image in handheld mode. I like that – because on the E-M1X it took quite a few seconds before you could use the camera again, while on the OM-1 it only takes a few seconds, which means that it can be used in many more situations without having to wait.

In addition, it will also be easier to reach the function quickly by having it connected to the video recording button located above the shutter button, which means that everything previously digging in the menu disappears – the button simply becomes like a second shutter button. Here is also OM System something on the tracks – I wonder when we will see a two-part trigger that can be used in combinations for different functions?

Calculation-intensive functions such as focus stacking and HDR photography have also been accelerated, and there is also the heavy photo mode with continuous shooting via Pro Capture, which makes it possible to take 50 pictures per second with continuous following autofocus towards 18 on the E-M1 Mark III, or 120 frames per second with locked autofocus on half of the E-M1 Mark III. With it, it is possible to take up to close to 100 images in raw format and thus gives two seconds of happening with the following autofocus at 50 images per second. The feature requires a fast memory card as well as any of the compatible Pro lenses, but is very useful in fast situations.

Developed autofocus

The autofocus has also been developed on several levels. On the one hand, we have the new sensor which, through its “quad pixel” technology, which expands the possibility of the faster phase-detecting autofocus over the entire image area to around 70 percent in the OM-D E-M1 Mark III, while increasing the number of AF points from 121 to 1053. In addition to this, the light sensitivity has also been improved, as well as the built-in image stabilization – a thing that Olympus has long been really good at, and this is no exception in the OM-1.

Autofocus has now also been further developed with AI for recognizing objects, including animals, vehicles, people, faces and eyes. When I test the camera, I can not help but agree that the faces are recognizable and get a focus box over them quickly, as well as the ability to identify eyes.

The autofocus is also quick and easy to work with, as is the tracking function with AF-Tr where the objects are followed as they move. But it is not completely flawless, in some situations the autofocus jumps confused after a few seconds, and even if it does not happen often, it is annoying when it happens when you follow something for just a few seconds. Otherwise, the focus is fast and nice, both for film and still image, and is also easy to use.

Some settings can be adjusted for speed, but really everything works fine right away, without any adjustments.

Fine searcher

The electronic viewfinder has a resolution of 5.76 million pixels, which is really nice. The resolution makes it a joy to use the viewfinder, and gives a good and clear image, with smooth movements due to the high refresh rate.

The screen is also good, with its classic three inches, angled in two directions and foldable. I like to use it, and by a simple press of the OK button I can go in and adjust all settings through the settings box that then comes up, which gives a quick way into the menu system.

The menus are also updated with a new way of navigating. By dividing the menu into an upper level, a lower level and a setting level, you can quickly turn through the menu selections with the two spinning wheels and then make the adjustment for the selection you want to change. It’s really good, and quick to get into once you’ve used it. The only miss is that they are difficult to navigate if you want to use the touch screen, something that will surely disturb some.

OM System OM-1 also has a night mode that makes it easier to use both the screen and the autofocus when it is dark, when you want to focus on and photograph stars, among other things. The “Starry Sky AF” function allows the autofocus to find exactly the right autofocus, and even if it takes a few seconds, depending on whether you have speed or accuracy as a choice, the result will be really good with exact sharpness on the smallest dots. If you want to photograph celestial phenomena such as the northern lights, you also usually want to focus on the stars for the best image sharpness.

Updated for video

OM-1 can record internally in up to 10-bit 4: 2: 0 in 4K / 60p in H.264 / H.265. In addition, it is possible to record full HD in up to 240p. Support for the serious filmmaker is also available – 10 bits with OM Log and HLG and C4K 12-bit Prores Raw 4: 4: 4 for an Atomos Ninja V / V + unit allows you to finish the films afterwards for better color and dynamics.

It is also fun to see that OM System has been developed on this front, even though they have not been bad before, there are now opportunities for more advanced filming, and combined with image stabilization, OM-1 does a really good job. In addition, the functionality for video is easy to use, and for those who do not focus manually, the fold-out screen with push-for-focus with the thumb of the left hand can work very well.

Image quality

With the knowledge of a backlit and stacked sensor, we had high expectations that OM-1 would also deliver high quality images. This is also the case, and the sensor handles both noise and low light well. The resolution of 20.4 megapixels provides sharp and fine images, and there is the possibility of higher resolution through the high-resolution photo mode. Although this mode provides images with higher resolution and ultimately more detailed content, it will not be as good as a sensor of 80 megapixels – but a good opportunity for additional image quality.

Images in JPEG directly from the camera look really good at “Olympus”. Good colors, nice contrast, well-balanced noise reduction.

Video also looks really good, with a sharp image and without any signs of rolling shutter.

Conclusion

What we see in the new OM System OM-1 is a continuation of Olympus’ development so far, and it can only be said that they have succeeded very well with the content of OM-1. Personally, I think it’s time to keep both weight and size down, as more and more people who move in nature also reward these two parts with a camera – especially if it does not compromise on image quality.

With OM Systems’ stated desire to be an “outdoor brand”, I also see that they follow that path with their design of gadgets, which like OM-1 are weatherproof and created to withstand tough conditions in the outdoor environment.

With the new sensor that performs really nice images, with an updated functionality and speed that gives the user more camera than the predecessor, it feels like the OM-1 rings in its target group quite nicely. The use is simple, the handling is simple, the functions and the possibility of settings are many.

For those who reward weight and size and also have a penchant for night photography, the OM-1 has many benefits, and it is extra fun that such specific features as Pro Capture and Starry Sky AF continue to be developed. In this way, we also see that OM System also delivers a really good camera at OM-1, which we also give the award “top class”, and hope that they continue on the beaten path – OM-1 is namely the best camera right now from old Olympus and new OM System.

Grade

Operation: 70

Speed: 95

Construction quality: 70

Versatility: 85

Features: 90

TOTAL: 90

Specifications

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