OM1 hands-on - initial impressions

[pdk42]

I had a play with the OM1 today. A few quick impressions and comparing with the EM1.3:

Good stuff

• EVF is great. Super hi res. Very smooth. No obvious lag.
  • As regards those who wear specs - if you use Styles 1&2 (slightly reduced LV image with settings in a bar underneath) then it's fine. However, with Style 3 (LV takes the whole screen) then you can't easily see the edges of the frame when wearing glasses without repositioning your eye. I'm OK with this - styles 1 & 2 work well.
• HDR functions now use electronic shutter - yay!
• 100% zoom on playback is much improved. You can now check critical focus on the camera!
• AF looks like it's streets ahead in terms of capability. I really think if you're into stuff that moves then this alone is worth the upgrade cost.
• Everything runs very smoothly and fast. HHHR feels much quicker.
• New menu is a step forward, but will still be very familiar to existing Oly users.
• Grip etc is fine. It's a big bigger than the EM1.3 but even for someone with small hands like me, it felt good (not that the EM1.3 doesn't).
• Having AF-On plus AEL buttons is really nice.
• I like the new level indicators - a welcome improvement over earlier cameras.

Not so good stuff

• The rear dial is not as nice to use as the dial on the EM1.2 and EM1.3. The range of movement from a single swipe with the thumb is limited, needing multiple bites at it to move it a lot. It's also harder to use with the joint of the thumb - you really need to use the tip of the thumb. I use the rear dial for exp comp and spin it a lot. This is a bit of a disappointment. I'm sure I'll adjust but I think the EM1.3 is just perfect and don't understand why they changed it (perhaps for IPX reasons)
• The front dial is not such a retrograde step as the rear dial, but overall I still prefer the arrangement on the EM1.
• The camera feels more plasticy. It's hard to describe why I feel this way, but that's the impression I got. It's probably also about the IPX rating.
• No mini-flash or charger.

Overall, the not-so-good things are pretty minor.

Ignoring the IQ questions that are well covered in other threads, I'd say this is a really nice upgrade. It's arguably what the EM1.3 should have been. But let's not pick fights when we don't need to - I think that OM have done a great job and they deserve success with the camera.

It seems that my pre-order would get me one next week. Now what to do? ....

[Bengeo]

A good summary. You could add longer battery life as a plus (and different battery as a minus!)

You don't get a mini flash with the EM1.3 either.

Interesting about the rear dial, I didn't notice that during my quick play with it, but then I'm used to the EM1X that has a similar arrangement.

One minus I did find - you can't specify S-AF, C-AF etc for the Home position. Hopefully that can be fixed in a firmware update.

What to do? Grab it now while you can still get the extra battery and warranty! Worth it for the viewfinder alone.

[Dave in Wales]

Thanks Paul, very informative.

I'm committed now, one lens in (60mm) and another on order (100-400mm) both will fit nicely each side of the Q2.

Someone else mentioned the 'plasticky' fell.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4634002

[blackfox]

I think I saw posts from somewhere that had received there’s and a mini flash was included ?

[Miketoll]

That may be in a different region, they seem to get one in the States but perhaps not here?

[DerekC]

The website doesn't list a flash in the box content.
Additional box content

• BLX‑1 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery
• F‑7AC USB-AC Adapter
• Shoulder Strap
• Micro Four Thirds body cap (BC‑2)
• EP‑18
• CB‑USB13 USB cable
• CP‑2 Cable Protector
• Operating Instructions
• Warranty Card

On the launch day I'm sure the box content did show the flash, as also it did intially list the charger. Changed very quickly.

[Miketoll]

I agree Derek, the initial box content did show the flash and charger.
I had a quick look at the box content on WEX and it says the same as you have posted,

[Ian]

griffljg Had a flash included with his OM-1 in Australia.

[Dave in Wales]

How do we get the spare battery ?

[Ian]

I understand all pre-orders will ship with one, along with the 5 year warranty.

[RedRobin]

Remember that you need to register your OM-1 with OMDS to activate the extended 5-year warranty.

[Ian]

Good point RedRobin

[BDennis]

A good writeup, thanks. I’ve got one on order myself, no idea when it will ship at the moment.

I kind of regret getting the Mk3 in 2020 now and not sticking with the Mk2, but I didn’t have a crystal ball and it kept me happy in the lockdowns with minor upgrades and doing some more astro photography with the starry AF which saves a lot of messing around on a cold night.

[RedRobin]

If the time of your order missed the first batch as a pre-order then my understanding is that OMDS have anticipated high demand and the next batch will be in April. But I don't know if early or mid or late April. It could of course be later in March. Your retailer will probably be willing to give you more info if they know. Unfortunately WEX are not helpful in that respect and won't even tell you where your order is in the queue, whereas Ffordes and others will.

[BDennis]

Thanks. I pre-ordered with Wex on the day it was announced. Last I heard via a friend is that Wex didn't know when stock will arrive. I avoided using the Olympus shop due to them shipping direct from the EU so potential of UPS wanting to charge duty and also the last time I used them they shipped me a 100-400 in very poor packaging. This packaging thing is becoming a familiar theme with OMDS..

[RedRobin]

pdk42 Very reassuring first impressions - Thanks for that! 👍😎👍

It sounds like the transition from shooting a E-M1X to an OM-1 will be very easy indeed. I just need the HLD-10 Battery Grip to be delivered hopefully at the same time.

[Ross the fiddler]

Looks like it would be perfect for my intended use!
There is an FL-LM3 included in units sold in Australia & would be surprised if not elsewhere, but then again .......

[griffljg]

Not so good stuff

• No mini-flash or charger.

That's strange. Mine came with a mini flash.

[Ross the fiddler]

Was the AC adapter in there as well?

[Phill D]

Thanks for the hands on report Paul. No doubts now glad I pre ordered.

[griffljg]

I haven't had the chance to try the OM-1 out thoroughly yet. - Too much rain and too many personal engagements over the weekend, including a combined birthday party on the Gold Coast, which gave me a further opportunity to try out the face recognition on the autofocus. It is fast and accurate and very much better then the E-M1 III. Unfortunately I can't post any of those photos here. Some people don't like their "prosperous" figures being posted on the net.

However, late this afternoon, the storms started rolling in again and we decided to head off home to Brisbane before the storms hit. - Too late! The rain was bucketing down for most of the drive back. But, before we left, I managed to sneak this photo in from a friend's deck. Look at the colour of the water. That is from the rubbish and silt brought down by the rivers after the last lot of storms:

Storms Rolling in...... by Laurence Griffiths, on Flickr

[Ross the fiddler]

Yes, that’s the one. 😊

[RedRobin]

griffljg Too much rain? All the Olympus Pro gear will withstand rain all day - I know from direct experience, even shooting in hail on M1X.

[Ross the fiddler]

Camera gear might survive the weather, but it doesn't mean I will.

[MJ224]

Another thumbs up review...

https://www.facebook.com/andrew.mccarthy.3388

[wornish]

That's a great image. Thanks for sharing.

[Phill D]

Must have missed something cant see an image. That link goes to a fb account?

[RedRobin]

Phill D Yes it does go direct to Andrew McCarthy's Facebook page. He says he will be writing a full review later.

[Mazdaman]

This one is interesting please note its from DP review forums where the name of game is to hurl insults I get what the guy was trying to do and it would be fair to say that the Sony A1 is held in high regard in the moving wildlife world its a long read but worth it if you are able to accept both sides of the argument pass on by if birding is not your thing

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4633976

[Barr1e]

Interesting comments from many members, it seems (I hope) Olympus could be on another winner.
Thanks Paul for your comments above.