Fifty years since the original Olympus OM-1 SLR first appeared, the new OM-1 System has been announced. It looks like another giant leap in photography.
More and more people converting to Micro Four Thirds have long been waiting for a new flagship OM Systems model, and it’s finally here. The new OM-1 looks just as revolutionary as its movie name was when it was released half a century ago. Built with the needs of the system users in mind and unyielding to the pressures of competitors’ marketing departments, this camera takes a giant leap forward over its predecessors. it.
This model will be the last camera to bear the Olympus name. It was kept because OM Digital Solutions wanted to honor the legacy of this camera. Going back to the original OM film SLRs, and later the Olympus E series and OM-D models, they’ve always innovated, packing cameras with new and unique features. Will this model be the same? The short answer from me is definitely yes.
Rugged construction, IP-53 weather resistance and weight make it the ideal camera for adventurers
Its recent predecessors were known for their rugged, dust- and splash-proof designs, plus their light weight. The OM-1 is no exception, its magnesium alloy body has been taken one step further, IP-53 weather protected to match the recently released device and much foretold Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO Lens.
The camera is also freeze-resistant to -10°C, making it especially appealing to landscape, wildlife, sports and adventure photographers. Even so, the machine weighs only 599 grams, including battery and memory card. With a smaller, lighter lens, I can see this being the camera of choice for many outdoor photographers and those who carry their kit
Will the OM-1’s Exceptional Performance, Features, and Functions outperform its Competitors?
The OM1 is no slouch when it comes to all-round performance. The new TruePic X (pronounced X not ten) image processor has up to 3x faster processing power than its predecessors. It enables high-speed continuous shooting up to 50 fps with continuous autofocus and 120 fps with single autofocus. To deal with this exceptional shooting speed, both card slots are now compatible with UHS-II SD.
That faster processor will also speed up this system’s unique computational photography. Current user of OM-D Camera enjoy features like Live Composite mode that adds new light to a frame (great for painting with lights, streaks, and lightning), Live Time that lets you watch a long exposure gradually develop across rear monitor or viewfinder, the digital Live ND filter has now been increased by six stops; ND 64, along with a high resolution mode. All of these will work faster, not to mention Pro-Capture, which I’ll talk about later.
The electronic viewfinder is also significantly improved on previous models, with a resolution of approximately 5.76 million dots, viewfinder magnification up to 1.65x, and negligible display delay of 0.005 seconds. and 120fps high-speed display performance. Also, the viewfinder doesn’t lose power
The bigger news is the sensor. It’s a 20-megapixel stacked BSI Live MOS Sensor that increases the maximum conventional sensitivity to 25,600, expands to 102,400, and the camera includes new noise reduction software. The back-illuminated Quad Pixel Bayer-style stacked CMOS sensor also offers a much wider dynamic range than its predecessors. That higher performance is much more important to most photographers than the higher pixel count, which for most of us just means larger image files.
Olympus cameras have always been known for their image stabilization. The upgraded “5-axis sync IS” provides seven stops of in-body stabilization, eight stops when paired with compatible lenses. The camera features a new “Handheld Assist” feature that enables slow shutter speeds to be captured without a tripod.
OM Digital Solutions says the autofocus feature has also been redesigned and improved. The quadruple photodiode configuration enables On-chip Phase Detection in both vertical and horizontal orientation. There are now 1,053 AF points, all of which are cross-type.
The high-speed computation of the new TruePic X processor and the new AF algorithm enable high-speed, high-precision focusing on a subject no matter where it is in the frame.
Of course, this model is equipped with the system’s only AI detection feature, and at the same time, the subject recognition ability has been improved and new subjects are added, now recognizing dogs and cats, along with birds, formula cars, helicopters and planes, motorcycles and trains.
Lossless AF/AE tracking 50fps at approx. 20.37 Megapixels, with ultra-high-speed continuous shooting with AF/AE lock up to 120fps. When using Pro Capture, which is designed to capture an image before the shutter button is fully pressed, it enables continuous shooting up to 50 fps (AF/AE tracking) and up to 120 fps (AF lock). / AE). This speed is superior to cameras like Nikon Z9the Canon R5and Sony a7 IV.
Of course, the new OM-1 has a Supersonic Wave Filter that vibrates 30,000 times a second, cleaning the dirt on the sensor.
The shutter is tested with over 400,000 runs, which is higher than most other cameras in its price bracket. Night View makes it easy to see subjects in the dark, and Starry Sky AF makes it easy to focus on the night sky. The camera also has separate AF-On and AEL buttons for focusing the back button.
Improved video of the OM-1
With the exception of image stabilization, which has been further improved with this camera to what they describe as “industry-leading”, video is an area where previous models lag slightly behind the competition. . But the camera has been updated with enhanced video functions: 4K 60p will deliver smooth, high-definition video and high-speed movies. Full HD video offers up to 240p.
The camera also supports H.264 (8bit), H.265 (10bit) and Multi-Frame Rate for recording video clips longer than 30 minutes.
In addition to 12-bit 4:4:4 RAW data output to external devices for advanced post-production tasks, the OM SYSTEM OM-1 supports OM-Log for a greater degree of freedom over image expressions thanks to color grading, allowing users to capture highlights and shadows without overexposing or underexposing. A new HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) video picture mode has been added for easier HDR video recording.
There’s a New Menu on the OM-1
The menu system on Olympus cameras has previously drawn criticism, in part because it’s necessarily complicated; The large amount of customizable functions is the reason. As a result, the menu screen configuration has been completely redesigned. Menu items have been split, merged, and re-categorized, with simplified descriptions, making it easier to find the desired functions and changing settings easier for first-time users. This makes sense as more and more photographers are moving away from heavier, bulkier systems. On-screen hints will not only tell you what a particular menu does, but also why a menu is greyed out.
Two new M.Zuiko professional lenses also announced
It doesn’t stop there. OM Systems has released two new professional zoom lenses: the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II and the M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4.0 PRO.
Both lenses have the same IP53 weather resistance as the new ON-1 body, and can also operate at -10°C. In addition to repelling water, oil, and dust, a new fluorine coating on the lenses the front element of the lens reduces friction, making it easier to clean them with a blower
Shorter zoom lens delivers improved optical performance on Mark version I, which is a favorite among many Olympus shooters. It has a fixed maximum aperture of f/2.8.
This model uses an optical design with 14 elements in 9 groups (1 EDA element, 2 aspherical elements, 1 DSA element, 2 ED lenses, 1 HD lens, 2 HR lenses) with 4 aspherical elements include one DSA element effectively placed to achieve the compact, lightweight form and outstanding depiction performance of M.Zuiko PRO lenses.
Designed to deliver the best quality when using the High-Resolution Mode on the OM-1, it is said to be able to effectively compensate for aberrations that occur when zooming, resulting in high resolution from mid-range. center the edges of the frame over the entire zoom range. It has close-up performance with a maximum image magnification of 0.6 x 1, and it supports the OM-1’s in-camera focusing capabilities.
Meanwhile, the 40-150mm f/4.0 PRO is a compact, lightweight mid-range telephoto prime that claims to be the lightest, compact model in its class with a fixed aperture of f/4.0. It is only 99.4 mm long (124 mm long when in use) and weighs only 382 g. Considering this gives an angle of view equivalent to an 80-300mm lens on a full frame camera, this is a relatively small and compact professional-grade lens. It also has a close focusing distance, this time at 70 cm, with a maximum image magnification of 0.41 x.
Availability and pricing of OM-1 and new lenses
All cameras and lenses will be available in the market in early March, with offers available for pre-orders.
- OM-1 Body Only: $2,199.99 USD; $2,799.99 CAD; € 2199.99 Euros; £ 1999.99 GBP
- OM-1 Kit with M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II: $2,799.99 USD; $3,599.99 CAD; € 2799.99 Euros; £2499.99 GBP
- M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II: $999.99 USD; $1,299.99 CAD; € 999.99 Euros; £899.99 GBP
- M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F4.0 PRO: $899.99 USD; $1,149.99 CAD; € 899.99 Euros; £799.99 GBP
- HLD-10 Power Battery Holder: $349.99 USD; $449.99 CAD; € 249.99 Euros; £799.99 GBP
- BLX-1 Lithium Ion Battery: $99.99 USD; $129.99 CAD
Pre-order the camera or camera set by March 3, 2022 and get a free Extra Battery & 3-Year Extended Warranty.
My Conclusion on the OM-1 . Release
Despite the negative campaign aimed at damaging the brand, especially since the Olympus camera was rescued and turned away by the JIP, OM Digital Solutions is clearly pointing its nose at its detractors. It releases three top-of-the-line features that will please existing Micro Four Thirds users who are clamoring for a new camera with improved dynamic range. Deciding to choose dynamic range over more megapixels is a good one; 20 million is more than enough for most photographers, and many photographers are now stuck in the pixel count myth.
It will also appeal to those migrating from heavier, bulky systems. The improved usability and choice to use AI for photography will also appeal to photographers who are just learning the technique of photography.
Furthermore, Olympus has always been renowned for the quality of their lenses, and they have pushed this further.
In an increasingly competitive and shrinking market, this camera seems to be truly revolutionary. Pushing boundaries and adopting new technology early is what the Olympus brand is all about. That’s good for photographers and the industry. Furthermore, they seem to be continuing to do this by offering top-of-the-line equipment at a fraction of the cost of other flagship models. I look forward to getting my hands on the camera and passing its steps.
