Considering an OM-1, but for half the price, is an EM1-MK III worthwhile?

I have em1, a 3 a X and a em2 in the box never used. I took two or three pictures the night I got it. The next day my wife got me a X never told her about the 2 They wanted 150 for the return so I keep it. There are more out there looking for a home.

john isaacs said:

I have been surprised that the OM1 batteries last noticeably longer than the EM1ii/EM1iii batteries.

Click to expand...

Fact.

I have yet to run one completely out. In a two-camera shoot the companion E-M1iii will roll over to the second battery while the lone BLX will show 50% left. Very pleased by this aspect and no longer panic when I discover I forgot to bring the spare.

Cheers,

Rick

Chas2 said:

OM1 is $!999, with used not much lower.

EM1 Mk III is $1499, but with used, low shutter counts, most often below $1000. Is the OM1 that much better?

All previous cams are Lumix 12 or 16 MP MFT from 2011 forward. Most recent is a G85. I have both Lumix/Leica and Olympus lenses.

Thank you in advance.

Click to expand...

What do you photograph and what max ISO?

Skeeterbytes said:

john isaacs said:

I have been surprised that the OM1 batteries last noticeably longer than the EM1ii/EM1iii batteries.

Click to expand...

Fact.

I have yet to run one completely out. In a two-camera shoot the companion E-M1iii will roll over to the second battery while the lone BLX will show 50% left. Very pleased by this aspect and no longer panic when I discover I forgot to bring the spare.

Click to expand...

On the other hand, I routinely get about 4 hours per battery when I shoot renaissance faire, pirate, steampunk, and science fiction events. Now these days, I can't necessarily last 8 hours like I used to, so I haven't needed more than 2 batteries so far. When I'm doing this, I have the camera always on, but it is set to sleep, and the camera does go to sleep (i.e. I'm not continuously pressing the shutter).

FWIW, the one time I used my Kastar ultimate backup BLX battery, I got about 2 hours. But I didn't specifically top off the battery (and in fact I had forgotten I had the Kastar battery in the camera when I was charging the other 2 batteries).

I bought the EM1.3, with two objectives: for use with 8mm f1.8 fisheye ( bought at the same time); to hopefully give better ( than the G9) hit rate on BIFs/ moving targets and, in so doing, to kill of GAS for the OM1.

The EM1.3 was £850 from mpb.com, in excellent condition with box, etc. I have G80 and G9. Love the G9, pretty good at BIFs/ moving targets, with 100-400mm and 50-200mm. The EM1.3 has a better hit rate than the G9, not massively so but noticeably better. So, I no longer desire an OM1. However, compared to your G85, the EM1.3 menus and operation are very different, a steep learning curve. Expect severe frustration and disbelief on, for example AEB. I believe the OM1 menu system is different/ better.

If the 8mm fisheye and BIFs are not for you, then I recommend you try and compare the Olympus with the G9. The G9 is a massive step up from the G85 and can be had new for less than a secondhand EM1.3 or a third of the price of the OM1. The G9 menus are longer than the G85 but will be 90% familiar.

Chas2 said:

OM1 is $!999, with used not much lower.

EM1 Mk III is $1499, but with used, low shutter counts, most often below $1000. Is the OM1 that much better?

All previous cams are Lumix 12 or 16 MP MFT from 2011 forward. Most recent is a G85. I have both Lumix/Leica and Olympus lenses.

Thank you in advance.

Click to expand...

Long answer: it depends.

EM1 III was overpriced when launched, but price is much more reasonable now.

EM1 III is basically an OM1, but slower, with no subject detection (except for humans) and older hardware (sensor, processor, displays).


Though intially enticed by all the computational features, when I first got my old EM1III in 2020, I was immediately impressed with the AF, especially with people. It was light years ahead of all the 16MP m43 cameras I was using before.

IBIS was also a fairly big upgrade. The first time I could achieve the 6-8 seconds exposures hand-held, the kind of shots I thought people were exaggerating but it turned out they weren't. Not everyone has the same steady hands though so results may vary.

I also liked the ergonomics of the camera. Big plus.

Well, maybe not half the size - but that was my choice. The OM-5 is about at the limit of what I can shoot with one-handed - which is my criteria.

Chas2 said:

OM1 is $!999, with used not much lower.

EM1 Mk III is $1499, but with used, low shutter counts, most often below $1000. Is the OM1 that much better?

Click to expand...

The OM1 has these features over the EM1.3

• Larger Higher Resolution Viewfinder
• Higher Res LCD
• Faster operation overall
• 1053 AF points vs 121
• Improved AF
• Faster C-AF burst speeds
• Live ND64 vs ND32
• Larger Grip with better ergonomics (subjective)
• Longer Battery Life
• New, Better Menu vs old menu
• Better 4K/60 video footage
• No More Video Record Limit
• No image penalty for the Stacked Sensor

I'm using the EM1.2 which lacks the HHHR mode, Live ND, Starry Sky AF, 7 Stop IBIS, ... So for me it will be definitely be worth the upgrade going from the EM1.2 to the OM1. Overall, I think it would be worth the upgrade regardless of the Olympus camera someone has.

Chas2 said:

All previous cams are Lumix 12 or 16 MP MFT from 2011 forward. Most recent is a G85. I have both Lumix/Leica and Olympus lenses.

Click to expand...

You'll notice an improvement in IQ with the 20mp sensors over the 16mp sensors. Lower noise, Better DR, More detail, etc...

Chas2 said:

Thank you in advance.

Click to expand...

Chas2 said:

OM1 is $!999, with used not much lower.

EM1 Mk III is $1499, but with used, low shutter counts, most often below $1000. Is the OM1 that much better?

All previous cams are Lumix 12 or 16 MP MFT from 2011 forward. Most recent is a G85. I have both Lumix/Leica and Olympus lenses.

Thank you in advance.

Click to expand...

All,

I was stunned coming back to this thread, to see the number of answers to my question. Thank you so much to all of you for the information, opinions and suggestions outside of the narrow box I constructed.

I think it is too much to answer each one of you individually, but I generally still photography, nothing for sale. Little to no video, although it is something I am beginnig to explore, but the hardware and software requirements seem daunting.

No BIF, although I do like airshows, and panning at 1/200 or so to get motion blur in the propellers has never been easy for me. The most "custom" set up I do, is Back Button Focus with my GX7 and G85 to get those "birds" in the air using ND filters to keep the aperture from getting too small...

I hope to do some travelling now that the pandemic has calmed down, and wondering if I get an Olympus if the 12-100 is the everything lens, with a 15 or 25 as a low light lens. For ultrawide, I have either a Rokinon fisheye or Venus 7.5 lens and a small GM1.

I also wanted to see if a 20 MP sensor is really that much less noisy and better for image resolution. Probably not much resolution difference is what I read, but there may be some cropping advantage. I figured I could purchase a used GX8 for a 20MP sensor example to see what its all about, but I figure I am probably overdue to see what Olympus is all about.

Thank you all again for your help while I digest this information.

Chas2 said:

All,

I was stunned coming back to this thread, to see the number of answers to my question. Thank you so much to all of you for the information, opinions and suggestions outside of the narrow box I constructed.

I think it is too much to answer each one of you individually, but I generally still photography, nothing for sale. Little to no video, although it is something I am beginnig to explore, but the hardware and software requirements seem daunting.

No BIF, although I do like airshows, and panning at 1/200 or so to get motion blur in the propellers has never been easy for me. The most "custom" set up I do, is Back Button Focus with my GX7 and G85 to get those "birds" in the air using ND filters to keep the aperture from getting too small...

Click to expand...

The OM-1 AI airplane mode does work--I'll leave it to airshow mavens to compare it versus regular C-AF. It's fascinating to see it acquire the target. Live ND won't be the answer for blurred props, so your current tricks and tools will still be needed. I've shot a few helis and can get rotor blur with just setting adjustments.

Chas2 said:

I hope to do some travelling now that the pandemic has calmed down, and wondering if I get an Olympus if the 12-100 is the everything lens, with a 15 or 25 as a low light lens. For ultrawide, I have either a Rokinon fisheye or Venus 7.5 lens and a small GM1.

Click to expand...

12-100 with either model is terrific and dual-IS allows dragging the shutter to absurd exposure times. And with HHHR and Live ND, one's landscape and architecture toolkit is expanded quite a bit.

Chas2 said:

I also wanted to see if a 20 MP sensor is really that much less noisy and better for image resolution. Probably not much resolution difference is what I read, but there may be some cropping advantage. I figured I could purchase a used GX8 for a 20MP sensor example to see what its all about, but I figure I am probably overdue to see what Olympus is all about.

Click to expand...

GM5 remains the only 16MP camera I continue using, 20MP makes a difference and dynamic range and ISO ceiling have come a long way since that camera generation. It's nice to ditch the goofy one-curtain shutter, too.

Chas2 said:

Thank you all again for your help while I digest this information.

Click to expand...

Good luck!

Rick

Chas2 said:

Chas2 said:

OM1 is $!999, with used not much lower.

EM1 Mk III is $1499, but with used, low shutter counts, most often below $1000. Is the OM1 that much better?

All previous cams are Lumix 12 or 16 MP MFT from 2011 forward. Most recent is a G85. I have both Lumix/Leica and Olympus lenses.

Thank you in advance.

Click to expand...

All,

I was stunned coming back to this thread, to see the number of answers to my question. Thank you so much to all of you for the information, opinions and suggestions outside of the narrow box I constructed.

I think it is too much to answer each one of you individually, but I generally still photography, nothing for sale. Little to no video, although it is something I am beginnig to explore, but the hardware and software requirements seem daunting.

No BIF, although I do like airshows, and panning at 1/200 or so to get motion blur in the propellers has never been easy for me. The most "custom" set up I do, is Back Button Focus with my GX7 and G85 to get those "birds" in the air using ND filters to keep the aperture from getting too small...

I hope to do some travelling now that the pandemic has calmed down, and wondering if I get an Olympus if the 12-100 is the everything lens, with a 15 or 25 as a low light lens. For ultrawide, I have either a Rokinon fisheye or Venus 7.5 lens and a small GM1.

I also wanted to see if a 20 MP sensor is really that much less noisy and better for image resolution. Probably not much resolution difference is what I read, but there may be some cropping advantage. I figured I could purchase a used GX8 for a 20MP sensor example to see what its all about, but I figure I am probably overdue to see what Olympus is all about.

Thank you all again for your help while I digest this information.

Click to expand...

If you photograph flying airplanes at airshows, I would say buy the Om1. Also you have all the other upgrades, cleaner noise, better EVF, simpler menu, among other improvements.

Used cameras are a lot like used cars. You can buy an "almost new car" (or camera) for significantly less than a brand new one. And it will do almost everything that new one will do.

You should buy new if you must have some latest feature, or if you have some phobia about goods that have been touched by others, or if you want the longest possible manufacturer's warranty.... but just be advised you will be paying the highest possible price for this functionality.

Digital cameras, just like cars, are a very mature technology. New models MUST have new features to attract buyers, but those features may or may not be useful for you. You just need to decide what you need, and how much you are willing to pay for it,

The OM-1 will not take better photos than an EM1-III will. It will just have more features. There might be some marginal improvements in low light ability, or in burst rates, but it just won't take better photos. You should buy new if you want those new features, and want that "new camera smell."

Personally, I would go a step further and find a used EM1-II in near mint condition. Because that was a hell of a camera and used ones are going for very low prices. And here is the truth, straight from the mouth of a rabid M4/3 fan.... The difference between the EM1 and the EM1- II was huge. Olympus took a great camera and made it an outstanding camera. But the difference between an EM1-II and an EM1-III is really very slight. And the same can be said for the difference between the EM1-III and the OM-1. If you need the AI stuff, then buy the new camera. If not, and you want the best value buy used previous models, starting with the EM1-II.

And just to belabor my analogy one more time.... absolutely NO ONE buys every model of every new model for mature technologies. No one trades in a 2022 Ford Mustang for a 2023 model. No one swaps washing machines, or refrigerators every year to get the "latest features." Only some camera geeks do this sort of thing. Because they want bragging rights.

I was testing out my new toy with the three year old E-M1 III. The new toy is the Olympus 100-400 with 2X TC, the EC-20. The task I has was shooting a cardinal feeding on a long stem branch up high in the tree that only the 400 + 2X TC can reach. This was not a BIF shooting, but I was struggling big time, because the wind was blowing, and the branch was swaying. Chasing C-AF to the bird eye by small single point was like shoot and pray proposition. This was the time I wished for bird detection, animal eye focusing, C-AF with tracking to the rescue. In time, I will get on with the OM-1.

Marty4650 said:

Personally, I would go a step further and find a used EM1-II in near mint condition. Because that was a hell of a camera and used ones are going for very low prices. And here is the truth, straight from the mouth of a rabid M4/3 fan.... The difference between the EM1 and the EM1- II was huge. Olympus took a great camera and made it an outstanding camera. But the difference between an EM1-II and an EM1-III is really very slight.

Click to expand...

I wouldn't. The E-M1iii is the mark II with extensive FW v4 and several useful HW add-ons such as:

• better IBIS
• larger buffer
• a joystick
• a mode dial with B and C4
• USB-C + charging
• WiFI 5 & BT4.2

And it finally has an improved F&E detection. The mark II uses the old 2011 algorithm. The mark III is just better camera or a mark II 2020 edition.

Unless the new features are useful to your shooting I would go for the EM1.3. Personally, there is nothing practical or tangible the OM1 would add for “me”. I was in a similar situation generation ago with the M3 vs the M2 version. The EM1.2 was just fine but the EM1.3 had a few nice features that I knew would be useful so I made the move when I found a great deal on a Refurb body. For me the EM1.3 does not leave me with an itch to scratch so no need for a new camera until mine dies. I do not have deep pockets but do have extra batteries for the EM1.

Albert Valentino said:

Unless the new features are useful to your shooting I would go for the EM1.3. Personally, there is nothing practical or tangible the OM1 would add for “me”.

Click to expand...

You're right here, Albert. Unless they release a major FW update, which will add more extras for non-wildlife/bird shooters, I am not interested.

Are there any new goodies you would like to see?

AK_hiker said:

You can drop down to the EM1 mk2 like I did. It was in mint condition (shutter count of 120. Everything still in bags in box unopened with baby flash. I did good i think). 800$, lower now for used 6-800. Not much difference really between Mk2 and MK 3. And with money saved from not getting MK3, i got used 12-100. Im set.

The OM1 will drop in price in year or so and meantime you can learn the OMD quirks and menu.

IMO

GC

Click to expand...

I am on the fence acutally. I've been looking at OM for quite some time. I am normally shooting FF (Canon) but would like something smaller for street and the OM-1 MK2 seems perfect. Also, I started my photography journey with an old OM-1n so there is a nostalgic vibe I can't deny! That plus the tasty colors the Olympus paints with. I think I've tried all camera brands but there is just something extra with the rendition from Olympus. As you probably expect by looking at my nickname, I like colors . Strong vivid colors with the right look and feel.

My only concern is if I (as a FF shooter) will find the sensor format too small.

Cornflake7 said:

Albert Valentino said:

Unless the new features are useful to your shooting I would go for the EM1.3. Personally, there is nothing practical or tangible the OM1 would add for “me”.

Click to expand...

You're right here, Albert. Unless they release a major FW update, which will add more extras for non-wildlife/bird shooters, I am not interested.

Are there any new goodies you would like to see?

Click to expand...

Firmware wise, I have zero complains, plus there are many existing features I have yet to explore. What I would like, and it will never happen, is a tilty LCD to replace the articulated screen which I hate and never use. I used the tilty LCD when I had the EM1.1

Chas2 said:

Chas2 said:

OM1 is $!999, with used not much lower.

EM1 Mk III is $1499, but with used, low shutter counts, most often below $1000. Is the OM1 that much better?

All previous cams are Lumix 12 or 16 MP MFT from 2011 forward. Most recent is a G85. I have both Lumix/Leica and Olympus lenses.

Thank you in advance.

Click to expand...

All,

I was stunned coming back to this thread, to see the number of answers to my question. Thank you so much to all of you for the information, opinions and suggestions outside of the narrow box I constructed.

I think it is too much to answer each one of you individually, but I generally still photography, nothing for sale. Little to no video, although it is something I am beginnig to explore, but the hardware and software requirements seem daunting.

No BIF, although I do like airshows, and panning at 1/200 or so to get motion blur in the propellers has never been easy for me. The most "custom" set up I do, is Back Button Focus with my GX7 and G85 to get those "birds" in the air using ND filters to keep the aperture from getting too small...

I hope to do some travelling now that the pandemic has calmed down, and wondering if I get an Olympus if the 12-100 is the everything lens, with a 15 or 25 as a low light lens. For ultrawide, I have either a Rokinon fisheye or Venus 7.5 lens and a small GM1.

I also wanted to see if a 20 MP sensor is really that much less noisy and better for image resolution. Probably not much resolution difference is what I read, but there may be some cropping advantage. I figured I could purchase a used GX8 for a 20MP sensor example to see what its all about, but I figure I am probably overdue to see what Olympus is all about.

Thank you all again for your help while I digest this information.

Click to expand...

Again, thanks to all for helping with my GAS and curiosity about a 20 MP sensor and Olympus/OM Systems in particular.

Always having been a Lumix user since 2011, I have finally decided to try an Olympus camera. It has yet to arrive, but I purchased an EM-1 Mk III with a low <4000 shot count, and have funds left over for a Pro Lens of some kind. I figure the OM-1 might be next in a few years.

Thank you all again for your help, frank opinions, analyses and recommendations.

One last question...for this thread:

What is the best resourece/resources for setting this camera up. I keep reading the menu system is a steep learning curve over my old Panasonics. Thanks!