It’s 2022, and the market has not embraced MFT, the future is mirrorless FF.
Norm
June 19, 2022 11:27 pm
An interesting read. I recently purchased a low shutter count EM1 in the beginning of May 2022. I purchased it as an addition to my Canon FF gear. The images out of this little beast are stunning as witnessed in your beautiful reference images.
I have the Zuiko 60mm macro, 14-42mm II R kit lens and the Lumix 20mm f1.7 lens. I’m not disappointed in the image quality out of the two primes. I have yet to test the kit lens. Perhaps this weekend. At least one Pro lens is in the sites.
I’ve been enjoying the macro so much that my Canon 5D Mk IV has virtually been gathering dust. The IBIS is fabulous, colour rendering is great, ergonomics incomparable, images are sharp, there’s not much to dislike. We’re talking about a nine year old system here, and it is still worth strong consideration in 2022 IMHO.
Of course as with all systems there are weak points, but then you just work around them and/or shoot your subject matter accordingly. In example I don’t have any real issues with the common complaint of noise that most people battle with. There’s lots of good software out there today to deal with these issues in a significantly positive way if it is an issue.
I’m now tempted to consider a Mk II or Mk III upgrade, but for the moment I’ll simply enjoy shooting with what I have.
edward hyde
September 8, 2021 8:26 am
“For the rest of us, I strongly believe that the lighter weight, compactness, portability, high precision, future technology and lower cost of mirrorless systems will prevail.”
Not in 2021…
mark freeman
July 17, 2019 2:34 am
the omd em1 review is great , are you going to do a review of the omd em1 mk2 at any time would be intresting to know what you think on that camera, as it has been out a while now thanks mark.
I am intersted in buying the new upcoming model of the OM-D-E-M1 (mark II ?) therefore I read your article about the M1.
You said that Nikon flashlights can be used on the M1… which would be very interesting for me since I have a Nikon system and wont to go to the lighter Olympus system. I don’t like to haul all that weight anymore and since I am only doing photography for fun I think I will be happy with the M1 (mark II).
When I look at the hotshoes of both Nikon and Olympus cameras there is a difference which makes me wonder how that wonderful iTTL from Nikon could work with another Camera system. I tried a Nikon flash on my Leica D-LUX (109) which is MFT and very similar to the Lumix LX100. The flash didn’t work!
Are you talking about the wireless camera controlled Master/Slave settings? Could that mean that the M1 with Olympus flash would be able to control a Nikon flash when it serves as slave?
Sorry for my English, I hope I could make it clear enough what I am asking for. I am writing from Germany and would appreciate your answer very much.
Thanks for the very quick reply. So I guess I will sell those, too…
Do you have any plans on reviewing the upcoming OM-D-E M1 Mark II?
Best regards, Juergen
Chris
December 29, 2015 12:20 pm
Thank you for the review and excellent sample pictures! And yes, I do own an Olympus M1 + Olympus 12-40
John P.
December 25, 2015 10:23 pm
Nasim, Well written review. Thank you for sharing.
You stated that you used the Nikon SB-900 on the E-M1? No smoke, or other failures? I suspect you are using the SB-900 in manual mode, is that true? Please reply – I am waiting to try my SB-900 on the E-M1
Thank you, John P.
Steve Sanders
July 4, 2015 9:07 am
I purchased the E-M1 several months ago. It did take awhile to learn the menu and handling functions but once learned the camera is a delight to use. I’ve tried both Olympus and Panny lenses and much prefer the Olympus Pro series lenses (quality and better size for large, clumsy mitts). But the 17mm is terrific, too. Regarding the tracking capability: fantastic! I used the Pro 40-150 (80-300 equiv) with the 1.4 tele (420 equivalent) and the Olympus grip for balance and second battery, and shot over 500 photos (with RAW/JPG LrgFine for over a 1,000 total photos) on a 32g card). The tracking system is amazing. A couple of action shots from the St. Paul Rodeo in Oregon may be viewed at the G+ Orenco Photo Club site. In re-reading this review after using the camera for a few months I’ve learned a lot more about this great camera and I am looking forward to experimenting further.
Thanks, Nasim
Steve Sanders
Andres
October 15, 2014 3:07 pm
As always, a very nice review. Though briefly referenced in the article, the Fuji – EM-1 high iso comparison may be slightly misleading. The perceived 2/3- 1 stop advantage may not be quite as large. The sharpening in the OMD files clearly affects its high iso performance. I have been able to obtain a 1/2 to 2/3 stop ISO performance increase in the OMD’s by dialing down the inherent in camera sharpening and contrast. Fuji files tend to be less sharp, with less contrast, by design, which lends to the perception of better high ISO performance. Then there is the inflated ISO issue with Fuji’s. Since I did not compare the exif data, I will not comment further on that issue and will assume that exposure triangles matched for each comparison.
The larger sensor size will inevitably result in better high ISO performance when comparing cameras of similar generations. However, I believe that certain, often overlooked, parameters have significant effect on the overall picture quality at high ISO’s and these parameters are not always factored in correctly when making image quality comparisons such as those made in this article. I think we can all agree that the Fuji does perform better at high ISO’s than any other micro four thirds camera; my experience has shown me that it is not quite as high as the 2/3 to 1 stop advantage referenced in the article.
David
August 31, 2014 10:19 am
Thank you for excellent review what I have been looking for. For me its hard decission between DSLR word and micro four and you point out few important facts. TY
It’s 2022, and the market has not embraced MFT, the future is mirrorless FF.
An interesting read. I recently purchased a low shutter count EM1 in the beginning of May 2022. I purchased it as an addition to my Canon FF gear. The images out of this little beast are stunning as witnessed in your beautiful reference images.
I have the Zuiko 60mm macro, 14-42mm II R kit lens and the Lumix 20mm f1.7 lens. I’m not disappointed in the image quality out of the two primes. I have yet to test the kit lens. Perhaps this weekend. At least one Pro lens is in the sites.
I’ve been enjoying the macro so much that my Canon 5D Mk IV has virtually been gathering dust. The IBIS is fabulous, colour rendering is great, ergonomics incomparable, images are sharp, there’s not much to dislike. We’re talking about a nine year old system here, and it is still worth strong consideration in 2022 IMHO.
Of course as with all systems there are weak points, but then you just work around them and/or shoot your subject matter accordingly. In example I don’t have any real issues with the common complaint of noise that most people battle with. There’s lots of good software out there today to deal with these issues in a significantly positive way if it is an issue.
I’m now tempted to consider a Mk II or Mk III upgrade, but for the moment I’ll simply enjoy shooting with what I have.
“For the rest of us, I strongly believe that the lighter weight, compactness, portability, high precision, future technology and lower cost of mirrorless systems will prevail.”
Not in 2021…
the omd em1 review is great , are you going to do a review of the omd em1 mk2 at any time would be intresting to know what you think on that camera, as it has been out a while now thanks mark.
apparently not…
Hello Nasim,
I am intersted in buying the new upcoming model of the OM-D-E-M1 (mark II ?) therefore I read your article about the M1.
You said that Nikon flashlights can be used on the M1… which would be very interesting for me since I have a Nikon system and wont to go to the lighter Olympus system. I don’t like to haul all that weight anymore and since I am only doing photography for fun I think I will be happy with the M1 (mark II).
When I look at the hotshoes of both Nikon and Olympus cameras there is a difference which makes me wonder how that wonderful iTTL from Nikon could work with another Camera system.
I tried a Nikon flash on my Leica D-LUX (109) which is MFT and very similar to the Lumix LX100. The flash didn’t work!
Are you talking about the wireless camera controlled Master/Slave settings?
Could that mean that the M1 with Olympus flash would be able to control a Nikon flash when it serves as slave?
Sorry for my English, I hope I could make it clear enough what I am asking for.
I am writing from Germany and would appreciate your answer very much.
Thanks and best regards,
Juergen
Juergen, no, Nikon flash units will only work as “dumb” flashes. No slave mode, no TTL – you will need to dial everything on the flash unit manually.
Hi Nasim,
Thanks for the very quick reply.
So I guess I will sell those, too…
Do you have any plans on reviewing the upcoming OM-D-E M1 Mark II?
Best regards,
Juergen
Thank you for the review and excellent sample pictures! And yes, I do own an Olympus M1 + Olympus 12-40
Nasim,
Well written review. Thank you for sharing.
You stated that you used the Nikon SB-900 on the E-M1? No smoke, or other failures?
I suspect you are using the SB-900 in manual mode, is that true?
Please reply – I am waiting to try my SB-900 on the E-M1
Thank you,
John P.
I purchased the E-M1 several months ago. It did take awhile to learn the menu and handling functions but once learned the camera is a delight to use. I’ve tried both Olympus and Panny lenses and much prefer the Olympus Pro series lenses (quality and better size for large, clumsy mitts). But the 17mm is terrific, too. Regarding the tracking capability: fantastic! I used the Pro 40-150 (80-300 equiv) with the 1.4 tele (420 equivalent) and the Olympus grip for balance and second battery, and shot over 500 photos (with RAW/JPG LrgFine for over a 1,000 total photos) on a 32g card). The tracking system is amazing. A couple of action shots from the St. Paul Rodeo in Oregon may be viewed at the G+ Orenco Photo Club site. In re-reading this review after using the camera for a few months I’ve learned a lot more about this great camera and I am looking forward to experimenting further.
Thanks, Nasim
Steve Sanders
As always, a very nice review. Though briefly referenced in the article, the Fuji – EM-1 high iso comparison may be slightly misleading. The perceived 2/3- 1 stop advantage may not be quite as large. The sharpening in the OMD files clearly affects its high iso performance. I have been able to obtain a 1/2 to 2/3 stop ISO performance increase in the OMD’s by dialing down the inherent in camera sharpening and contrast. Fuji files tend to be less sharp, with less contrast, by design, which lends to the perception of better high ISO performance. Then there is the inflated ISO issue with Fuji’s. Since I did not compare the exif data, I will not comment further on that issue and will assume that exposure triangles matched for each comparison.
The larger sensor size will inevitably result in better high ISO performance when comparing cameras of similar generations. However, I believe that certain, often overlooked, parameters have significant effect on the overall picture quality at high ISO’s and these parameters are not always factored in correctly when making image quality comparisons such as those made in this article. I think we can all agree that the Fuji does perform better at high ISO’s than any other micro four thirds camera; my experience has shown me that it is not quite as high as the 2/3 to 1 stop advantage referenced in the article.
Thank you for excellent review what I have been looking for. For me its hard decission between DSLR word and micro four and you point out few important facts. TY