OM-1 Mark II reflections now the dust has settled

[Ian]

It's been very interesting to soak up the response to the OM System news over the last 24 hours. For what they are worth, here are some of my personal reflections on the OM-1 Mark II. By the way, that's not me in the photo - it's one of the lifestyle PR shots press were supplied with.

Dare I say it, I am probably slightly defensive of OM System by nature, but above all, fact and logical supposition are very important to me.

To start with, it's only two years since the original OM-1 was launched. By all accounts, it has been a real success. Time stands still for nobody, but we might not have had an OM-1 replacement this year at all as product cycles tend to be 3-yearly.

Yes, the hardware has had very few changes applied, but it's already a very accomplished design. OM System has to operate differently to the way Olympus used to. Change for change's sake is not really an option any more. At the same time the company has to do what it can to remain competitive. OM System has responded to the constructive criticism it has received regarding the original OM-1. Little things, like being able to re-program the Menu button to the right side of the back of the camera, to enable one-handed operation, are evidence of this.

I know there has been concern that OM System is all gung-ho for bird photographers at the expense of other genres, but high on the list of features added or improved are those that will be welcomed by landscape, macro and even people photographers (street and candid photographers).

• LiveND has become even more useful, with an exra stop of darkening now available.
• Live GND, is a new and unique-to-OM-1 Mark II tool for applying Live ND graduated filters at the time of capture, using the touch screen to position the level and tilt.
• Doubling the memory buffer combined with improved algorithms means focus stacking and bracketing results in less waiting around for the camera to consolidate each image, as well as enabling around double the number of sequential shots to be rattled off before the camera stalls.
• 80 and 50 megapixel High Res Shot modes can now be recorded in 14-bit tone.
• Not only should we expect more reliable subject recognition and AF reliability, the addition of AI-trained recognition of people is, hopefully, of use to anyone who photographs - people!
• Our typical social profile here on the E-Group means we may not all realise the importance of being able to shoot video in vertical format, but have you looked at YouTube and social media in general, recently?

So, OM System isn't ignoring landscape, macro and people photographers.

Meanwhile, improved AF (and the buffer increase) suggests that wildlife photographers will be kept happy, too. And let's not forget the ability to avoid sequential shooting screen black-out at even slower frame rates.

The OM-1 Mark II is very much an intermediate upgrade. Going back to the old OM film DSLR days, I'd have called it an OM-1n.

Pricing is a bit contentious - the SRP has risen by £500. None of us welcome price rises, but we live in inflationary times. We have been through this process many times before, so let's hope OM System has built its pricing to be discounted later. Some lucky ones here will see that the new spec. is worth upgrading for, and I know a few of you have placed orders already.

Perhaps the thorniest issue has to be the question of firmware upgrades for the original OM-1. OM System has to be very careful. Loyalty and goodwill from its faithful are its lifeline. Vague and unsubstantiated hints from OM System sources that much of the software-based OM-1 Mark II improvements can't be applied to the original OM-1, sounds disingenuous.

It's now an accepted norm that connected digital devices like phones, cameras, even cars, can routinely receive over the air updates that can often add functionality. If OM System really can't offer some of the new functionality to users of the original OM-1, because of fundamental technical limitations, OM System needs to be up-front and honest about it.

I am actually sympathetic towards OM System regarding a requirement to adequately differentiate the OM-1 and OM-1 Mark II. But blocking access to software upgrades that are technically possible, for strategic marketing, is not right. I hope that, in reality, we're just experiencing a delay before some of the new features do become available to the original OM-1. Another alternative, which I think could be acceptable, is that upgrades are made available for a suitable fee. Not everyone will need the upgrades but I do know that some have expressed a willingness to pay towards accessing them.

Let's see what happens.

But above all, I still rejoice in the fact that the OM-1 Mark II is a fabulously versatile and capable camera, which has built on another fabulously versatile and capable one!

Ian

[bigsambwfc]

I agree with your summary Ian and rejoice in the fact that some thought is going into the flagship camera, although I think it,s just exhausting existing technology and not advancing bravely enough like the first original OM1 and 2nd OM1,I just hope they can take the bull by the horns and produce a global shutter with organic sensor ,purely for my selfish reason that it would be possible to click on the touchscreen the bird I want to track and providing I keep it in the frame it locks focus on it for flight etc.Then I would sell my granny for it.

[Mazdaman]

Some very valid points Ian

I did look last night at the Canon system last night and others to look at if I leave micro 4/3 and change system what will I get and how much would it cost and after a few hours it is clear other systems do not offer such a versatile camera as the OM-1 every system I looked at is a trade off either in the camera body or its functions or the range of lenses available

I am not going to be an early adopter of the OM1-II as even though I am very lucky that I can afford it I am holding back until the following happens

1. Firmware updates to the OM-1 are a yes or no

2 Real world reviews such as Mike Lane and actual user feedback through forums such as these outlining the good and bad of the OM1-II

3. The price drops to £2K or less my intention would be like others to move my OM1 to back up camera and move my EM1X on on the plus side both bodies would be set up the same unlike having to use my memory muscle when using the EM1X

Final point it gets said very often but no such thing as a perfect camera and the best camera is the one you have in your hand

Was yesterday an opportunity missed by OM on reflection no but I did like a good firmware update from Olympus!!

[wornish]

Very good summary Ian I agree with all you said.
OM systems have to be competitive to survive.

[blackfox]

I’m with the others a fair summing up and as a latecomer to the OM1 I won’t be updating for the foreseeable future. Same with the big bird lens but circumstances change so who knows . Once the dust settles and we see real world pricing it may happen

[Miketoll]

A very good summary Ian.
As far as Mk I firmware updates go David Smith on his Tech Tuesday YouTube blog as good as said that many if not all of the new or improved features needed the increased RAM and associated updated memory circuitry to be able to run. So that precludes a major firmware update for the Mk I,. Perhaps some individual bits like the improved autofocua bird Ai might be possible but who knows? I would be pleased if that happened but I doubt it will.
Anyway for me personally I have several eye problems which have decreased my ability to see clearly and where one problem precludes the other problems being treated (a real catch 22) so after gaining my wifes approval I have sold a car and preordered the Mk II to get as much help as I can with autofocus so as to continue enjoying my bird photography as long as possible.

[Phill D]

Congratulations Mike, looking forward to hearing your verdict on the new arrival.

[BDennis]

A good sum-up Ian. It will be interesting to see what happens on the firmware front for sure!

I like the features on the Mk2 not just for the improved AF for wildlife but for the updates to the computational features too, I like to play around with this stuff and try new things.

It feels like there is a lot they could do on the computational photography side in firmware if they had the right hardware platform, maybe some more wow stuff in future like combining HHHR and LiveND or stacking. There was some excitement on the David Smith tech video as it seemed like the LiveND and new Graduated ND could be combined but just a menu glitch alas!

I think the chap in the promo shot is Matt Horspool, an OM Ambassador from Down Under. He has a YouTube channel here

https://youtube.com/@etchd_?si=ar4b0gmuUyRhmMUw

Bill

[Malfis]

Before I consider buying a mark ii, I want to see reports on the autofocus etc. by non OM ambassadors, the likes of Mike Lane.
Call me a cynic, but the likes of Espen Hellland are hardly going to say they see little improvement.
If everything is as good as has been reported so far, I’ll probably supplement my mark I with a mark ii for my safaris in April.

[rustyarrow]

I agree Ian a good some up and I agree about the FW updates for the OM1- continue to support/improve the AF by FW upgrades but no additional features would be fine.

Overall OM must have done OK in two years in the that 150-400, OM1 and the 90mm macro lens have had good sales.

Now two years since the acquisition of Oly has passed hopefully they will have less work mopping up all that process brought and can concentrate on product development and sales.

We certainly need less negativity than we have had of late, Ian you could secure a group discount of 25% I would lead the way and order the OM1m2 without delay and report back how good it is in the hands of an amateur :-)

[Mazdaman]

I agree Ian a good some up and I agree about the FW updates for the OM1- continue to support/improve the AF by FW upgrades but no additional features would be fine.

Overall OM must have done OK in two years in the that 150-400, OM1 and the 90mm macro lens have had good sales.

Now two years since the acquisition of Oly has passed hopefully they will have less work mopping up all that process brought and can concentrate on product development and sales.

We certainly need less negativity than we have had of late, Ian you could secure a group discount of 25% I would lead the way and order the OM1m2 without delay and report back how good it is in the hands of an amateur :-)

Edward great idea on the group discount 25% off my name would be down 😄😄😄

[rustyarrow]

That should be reworded to say at least 25% 😂, be interesting to see how many would order at a good discount for one bulk order

[rustyarrow]

Interesting

[Ian]

NIce sentiment, but it's meaningless. We need clarity - see:

https://magazine.e-group.uk.net/pages/is-the-original-om-1-going-to-get-some-of-the-mark-ii-goodies/

[rustyarrow]

I agree but it is "out there" for all to see.

[Miketoll]

A rumour is out there is all that means by "a kind of insider" whatever that is in an unspecified of report.

[antpitta]

Ian, thanks for your summary/write up: very balanced. I'm much of the same opinion as others commenting above in that I want the company to prosper and can fully appreciate the initial approach to protect sales of the new camera. And I'm sure they must have given much thought to how to manage the expectation of current OM-1 customers given that it has only been around for 22 months. I would still be surprised (and disappointed) if the software based improvements aren't made available as FW updates in a few months time. Failure to do so would surely create the same concern for potential future customers of the new OM-1ii.

I'm also in the fortunate position that if I NEEDED to I could afford the new body but having only recently cleared the decks of all my old bodies and less-used lenses to fund a second OM-1 I'd really prefer not to. But - like others - I'm not against paying for upgrades (software and/or hardware) once the benefits of the changes to the OM-1ii are confirmed in the real world. Meanwhile if I was looking for a new body and didn't need the new features I'd be very happy to see that you can now pick up a new OM-1 (albeit a grey import) for under £1200!

[rustyarrow]

what price would you now put on a 2 year old OM1?

[antpitta]

Difficult because I know what I could get a new one for and don't have a problem buying grey (if a UK-based grey source like HDEW or Cotswold cameras both of whom I've used before) - on which basis maybe £800. Is it one with the 5 year warranty? And if so is that transferrable (which might be a worthwhile "feature" for a 2nd user buyer)? I'm guessing that one way or another it will be a great time to pick up a bargain OM-1 whether as a prime or backup body. I see MPB have 27 in stock and apart from one at just under £1200 the rest are between £1289 and £1419: a lot to pay for 6 months warranty?

[rustyarrow]

I was thinking if I jumped for a new what would mine be worth- roughly , it is a UK one and with the warranty, although the warranty is not transferable that could be got around. Still on the fence at the moment waiting for things to calm down , my camera is fine but some of the new stuff is appealing but may just be wonder lust :-)

[gazza95]

What frustrates me about the whole thing is that folks have been complaining about focus issues and OMD say all is fine. Low and behold they issue a MK II that suddenly fixes these issues and improves image stabilisation.......

So while I think it i great to see a MkII as a mid life kicker to keep the new sales going it is ridiculous to not apply fixes to a camera that is only 2 years old.

Surely there is a case for a senior person at OMD to listen and make a statement rather than just the marketing/technical folks who have to follow company line.

Gary

[Ian]

gazza95 That's not how I read it. OM System have only said they have improved the AF. They haven't admitted there was a basic fault that needed fixing at all.

Ian

[Olybirder]

Well, I know Kasey is not to everybody's taste but here is his verdict on the latest releases from OM System. It is rather toe-curling to watch but, unfortunately, I think he makes a lot of valid points. Reading the comments below the video (which is never a good idea) many of the posters have decided that this is the end for Olympus/OMS. Time will tell ...

Ron

[tmp]

Well, I know Kasey is not to everybody's taste but here is his verdict on the latest releases from OM System. It is rather toe-curling to watch but, unfortunately, I think he makes a lot of valid points. Reading the comments below the video (which is never a good idea) many of the posters have decided that this is the end for Olympus/OMS. Time will tell ...

Ron

i haven't seen that video yet but i've heard the sentiment plenty enough times over the decades and from all brands.
too much money not enough improvements is exactly what my ex-Nikon shooter colleague said about the OM-1II (he has accumulated 2 OM1s, the 150-400 and a couple/few other lenses since the Spring of 2023).
I replied, if (a big IF) the OM-1II's AF is now as good as the Z9/A1/R5 then I say OM Systems can charge that much for it and it's still a bargain compared to them.
smaller sensor, not enough megapixels, can't crop, not enough DR, and, higher ISO noise...yes, yes, and, yes, I've heard all of that before too but m4/3 has been good in those departments for my purposes for years. m4/3 just gets better and better in my opinion.

I like the OM-1II.
It's a worthy upgrade for me.
I want to know what is going on with OM Systems before I order one.
To my recollection this is the first time I've hesitated on a camera body upgrade purchase once I've determined the thing is a worthy upgrade. if my memory serves me correctly I pre-ordered the EM1mkII, I know I bought the EM1X at a release event, and I preordered the OM-1.
This hesitation is solely based on how I feel the company is behaving.