The OM System OM-1 was first introduced on fifteenth February 2022 as a brand new flagship Micro 4 Thirds sensor mirrorless digicam.
It is the primary mannequin to be launched beneath the OM System banner, after Olympus bought their digicam division to OM Digital Options GmbH in 2020.
Now that we all know every little thing in regards to the new OM-1 digicam, it is clear that it truly shares some similarities to the core specs and options of the older E-M1 III and E-M1X, so which one must you decide?
We’re bringing you this in-depth OM System OM-1 vs Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M1X head-to-head comparability that can assist you select between these three mirrorless cameras.
You may as well learn our detailed Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Evaluate and Olympus OM-D E-M1X Evaluate (thus far) to seek out out precisely what we consider each.
Sensor
All three cameras have a 20 megapixel Micro 4 Thirds CMOS sensor, so the brand new OM-1 would not provide any enhance in decision, which can not please some.
What the OM-1 does provide is a rise in pace (extra on this later), because of its new stacked sensor, and a claimed enchancment in picture high quality because of the sensor additionally being BackSide Illuminated (BSI).
That is the primary ever Micro 4 Thirds digicam to make use of a Stacked BSI sensor, a design that a number of full-frame cameras additionally use, notably the Canon EOS R3 and Nikon Z9 and Sony Alpha A1.
This could enhance the picture high quality in comparison with a standard CMOS sensor, enhance the imaging pace for quicker burst capturing, and enhance the low-light-imaging functionality.
Burst Taking pictures
The EM1X and EM1 III had been each able to capturing at a powerful 18fps with steady AF/AE or 50fps with out.
The OM-1 takes issues to a complete different degree by providing 50fps burst capturing with steady AF/AE or 120fps with out, making it one of many quickest, if not the quickest, cameras available on the market.
Notice that these spectacular speeds are solely achievable when utilizing the digital shutter. If you wish to use the mechanical shutter. you are extra restricted to a nonetheless very fast 18fps, similar to the E-M1X and E-M1 III.
ISO Vary
The native ISO vary of each the E-M1X and E-M1 III is 200 to 25,600, which could be expanded all the way down to ISO 64.
The native ISO vary of the brand new OM-1 is 200 to 102,400, which could be expanded all the way down to ISO 80, so a barely greater base sensitivity than the older fashions however considerably providing two stops extra on the excessive finish.
Video
The OM-1 represents a giant step ahead in terms of video specs and efficiency, an space the place Olympus cameras have lagged considerably behind the competitors.
This new flagship digicam can now document video at C4K/60p high quality, in contrast with C4K/24p on the 2 older fashions, while Full HD now goes as much as 240fps (up from 120fps).
The OM-1 lastly additionally helps H.265 (10bit) in addition to the H.264 (8bit) normal that the E-M1X and E-M1 III supported, in addition to RAW information output as much as 12 bit 4:4:4 to exterior gadgets and a brand new HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) mode.
Autofocus
The brand new OM-1 options probably the most superior model of autofocusing that the corporate has ever produced, with a whopping 1053 cross-type AF factors overlaying 100% of the body, able to working all the way down to -8EV low gentle at F1.2.
By comparability, the 2 older cameras use a 121-point cross-type system that solely covers 70% of the body, working all the way down to a nonetheless spectacular -6EV.
That is not the entire auto-focusing story although, because the O-M1 can acknowledge motorcars, bikes, airplanes, helicopters, trains, and birds, in addition to animals (canine and cats) in each C-AF and S-AF modes. The brand new system is claimed to be 2x extra correct and 3x quicker than the one on the E-M1 III.
Measurement and Weight
The OM-1 is ever so barely larger and heavier than the E-M1 III, measuring 134.8mm(W) x 91.6mm(H) x 72.7mm(D) versus 134.1 x 90.9 x 68.9mm and weighing 599g with a battery and reminiscence card fitted versus 580g for the E-M1 III.
The twin-grip E-M1X is clearly a lot bigger, weighing in at 997g and measuring 144.4 x 146.8 x 75.4mm.
Climate Resistance
Olympus cameras have additionally been well-known for his or her excessive ranges of weather-proofing, and the brand new OM System OM-1 takes issues to the following degree.
The E-M1X and E-M1 III are each IPX1 rated, to allow them to resist water that drips vertically onto the product, however the OM-1 ups the ante to the extra stringent IP53 ranking, which signifies that it’s protected in opposition to spraying water when tilted as much as a 60-degree angle.
IBIS
Olympus cameras have at all times boasted a fairly unimaginable stabilisation system, and that is equally true of the brand new O-M1.
Similar to the 2 older fashions,. it encompasses a 5-axis in-body picture stabilisation (IBIS) that gives as much as 8-stops of IS when utilizing the digicam with sure suitable lenses.
The brand new OM1 has precisely the identical IBIS system – its 5-axis In-Physique Picture Stabilizer can mix with the optical Picture Stabilizer in chosen lenses to supply industry-leading efficiency value as much as 8-stops.
Viewfinder
Of the 2 older fashions, the E-M1X is barely higher right here than the E-M1 III – each have 2.360K-dot digital viewfinders, however the E-M1X has a 1.65x magnification versus the E-M1 III’s 1.48x magnification.
The brand new OM-1 carries over the 1.65x magnification of the E-M1X however considerably will increase the decision to a powerful 5.760K-dots. It additionally makes use of OLED reasonably than LCD expertise.
LCD Display screen
All three cameras provide 270-degree vari-angle contact screens, which supplies better flexibility of capturing angles than a hard and fast display because of its capability to tilt and rotate into a spread of various positions.
The important thing distinction between them is that whereas the older E-M1X and E-M1 III each have 1.040K dot decision LCD screens, the brand new O-M1 has a barely higher 1.620K dot display.
Reminiscence Playing cards
All three cameras have twin SD card slots, however whereas each slots on the the E-M1X and OM-1 are UHS-II suitable, the E-M1 III solely helps one high-speed slot.
Battery Life
The O-M1 supplies as much as 520 nonetheless pictures or 160 minutes of video from its new BLX-1 battery, a rise of 25% in comparison with the E-M1 III and its BLH-1 battery.
The E-M1X has is CIPA-rated for 870 photographs or 170 minutes of video per cost, however then it does home two BLX-1 battery without delay in its a lot bigger physique.
Value
The value of the brand new OM System OM-1, body-only, is £1999 within the UK and $2199 within the US.
When it was launched in 2020, the E-M1 III value £1599 / $1799 body-only within the UK and US, whereas a 12 months earlier the E-M1X launched at £2799 / $2999.
Quick ahead to 2022, and the E-M1 III now prices round £1499 / $1499 and the E-M1X is circa £1799 / $1699, reflecting the relative lack of enthusiasm from the shopping for public for the latter mannequin.
Conclusion
It could not provide any extra decision, with the brand new proprietor of Olympus cameras resolutely sticking to twenty megapixels, however what the brand new OM-1 does provide in spades is Pace – it may shoot extra frames per second, detect extra topics and concentrate on them extra rapidly, and course of pictures quicker than ever earlier than. Video specs and efficiency have seen a fine addition, while the class-leading picture stabilisation and weather-proofing are current and proper.
Doe this all add as much as the WOW digicam that Olympus followers had been broadly predicting? What do you assume? Primarily based on what we all know thus far, would you select the brand new OM-1 over the older, cheaper fashions, and why? Depart a remark under!
