E-M1 Mark II in 2023

memo90061 · Aug 24, 2023

Would you buy an E-M1 Mark II in 2023?

I want a light camera to carry with me when I want to take pictures. I'm thinking of using the Panasonic S5 when I don't mind carrying something slightly heavier.

Photongraphy · Aug 24, 2023

Why not? It still is as capable as it was 5 yrs ago. Many buy the latest because the want to, not because they need to.

Henry Richardson · Aug 24, 2023

The E-M1 II is still a very nice camera -- I have one. It has one major flaw, but that exists in the E-M1 III also and reportedly not fixed until the OM-1. The problem does not exist on my E-M10 II and PEN-F. Here is my user review:

Olympus E-M1 II review: flawed gem

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65760663

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65721962

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67155230

OM-1 reviewer: washed out E-M1 II, E-M1 III, E-M1X EVF

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65986464

E-M1 II: 1/60 second electronic shutter read speed

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65771438

But, as you can see here, there are reasons for some people to prefer the E-M1 II over the OM-1:

Robin Wong has replaced OM-1 with E-M1 II

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67172708

OM-1: 3 more videos about the AF problems

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67172978

Rob Trek: OM-1 vs E-M5 III S-AF in Low Light

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67174528

CBR1100XX · Aug 24, 2023

I bought 2 in 2022 so personally I'd say yes.

For me it provided the best bang for the buck by far for being part of the lightest system that I could continue my work with.

But what are your specific needs (features/performance) & concerns about getting one?

UrbaneHobbit · Aug 24, 2023

I would not, because I already have an OM-1, and the AI AF on that has completely changed how I photograph birds.

If I did not have such an obsession, I would be quite happy with the E-M1 II for general photography. Prior to the OM-1, I had two E-M1 IIs.

Having owned both, I’d say that the other main improvements for me personally have been USB-C charging, better EVF, and the new menu system in the OM-1 (although I prefer the location of the Menu button itself on the E-M1 II). I don’t use the OM-1’s joystick as much as I thought I would. The E-M1 II’s front dial was easier to turn. The OM-1’s more capacious battery means I no longer have to carry spares like I did with the E-M1 IIs. I can go pretty much all day with the new battery in the OM-1, even shooting lots of bursts and a few 4K videos.

As if me rambling on about the OM-1 wasn’t enough, allow me to advocate for the E-M5 III as an alternative to the E-M1 II, if smallness and lightness are very high on your priority list. That camera is basically an E-M1 II in a shrunken body with a much smaller grip. The EVF is different (OLED) and there are a couple of differences in some of the more advanced features, but that’s about it. Oh, and the baseplate is catastrophically incompatible with Peak Design-style clip systems for backpack strap carry. Other than that, it is a pretty compelling small yet very capable camera body,

azazel1024 · Aug 24, 2023

If you want light, I'd go with the EM-5 MkIII. I haven't looked to see the price difference, but there are some notable upgrades from the E-M1 Mark II and is a fair amount lighter and more compact. The 5 MkIII is my primary camera and is excellent.

David5833 · Aug 24, 2023

The E-M5iii is basically a smaller and lighter E-M1ii but it also has much shorter battery life, a much smaller grip, slower sequential shooting rates, only one C setting on the mode dial, only one SD slot, no compatibility with OM Capture, and a tripod socket in a polycarbonate baseplate that is prone to breaking in some use cases. If you are OK with the noticeably greater size/weight of the E-M1ii, it's mostly a better camera overall and it's still on the small side compared to some other options. Having said that, the E-M5iii is without a doubt a very sophisticated and highly effective little camera, my choice for travel, and IMHO the minuses are outweighed by the smaller size and weight when size matters.

ahaslett · Aug 24, 2023

I traded up from an EM1.2 to an OM1, which is noticeably heavier. The EM1.2 is a pretty competent camera unless you want tracking or EyeAF.

Other options worth considering are used EM5.3, new GX9 and G100.

A used EM1.2 is a lot of camera for the money.

Andrew

Hope1943 · Aug 24, 2023

Sure. It's a great camera. Go for it. I used to have two, but gave one to my son.

John

tammons · Aug 24, 2023

It is a solid camera and makes nice photos.

Skeeterbytes · Aug 24, 2023

They differ by 1 ounce/25g. I sure can't notice it. Guessing a portion of the modest difference is the larger battery.

Regardless, E-M1ii in 2023? can be framed WRT price and condition. A low-mileage copy at a good price delivers a very competent, very versatile 20MP camera that will wring the most from your lenses. Reasons to opt for an E-M1iii are HHHR, Live ND, Starry Sky, usable face and eye detection, more effective IBIS, My Menu.

Reasons to opt for OM-1 in addition to the M1iii advances are subject detection, usable ISO 25600, 120fps with RAW, the aforementioned BIG battery, twin USHII slots, the revised menu, the higher-res EVF and back display, future-proofing in the form of further firmware updates and service and parts availability.

With that said an E-M1ii today is still a very good camera, I have two.

Cheers,

Rick

bikerguy · Aug 24, 2023

I have both the EM 1- Mk II and the OM-1. The OM-1 weighs a mere 25 grams (0.88 ounces) more. I have used both on the same outing and find that the EM-1 Mk II is still a very capable camera. If you do not need or want the subject detection it is a fine camera.

ahaslett · Aug 24, 2023

I don't notice 25g when using the 300/4, but the Laowa 10/2 is my most used lens. 25g here and there starts to add up.

I'm sure that the bigger battery is an important part of it. Before that, dual card slots must have added something, etc etc.

Nice summary of each step in the journey. I missed out the EM1.3 because none of the added features really excited me. the OM1 fast readout and subject detection were decisive, along with the future proofing (hopefully). I didn't expect the shooting experience to be that much better, but it is.

Unless you want a smaller body, the EM1.2 is the system value point for me, like a Sony A7R2 (unless you want a responsive camera).

Andrew

ahaslett · Aug 24, 2023

I agree.

A

memo90061 · Aug 24, 2023

I've had the E-M5, and E-M1 and LOVED them! I had the E-M1 Mark III and also loved it. I would choose the OM-1 if I could find one at a good price.

I want the best bang for the buck and I saw an E-M1 Mark II that I've been wanting in silver!! haha

Adrian Harris · Aug 24, 2023

Wingsfan · Aug 24, 2023

I bought an em 1.3 during the refurbished fire sale a couple months ago, to have a second body that was nearly identical to my 1.2. Well guess what, the subtle changes they made to the 1.3, with regards to menus and control panels, made it less user friendly for me, and I'm shooting with the 1.2 almost exclusively again. I'm glad I have the second body because I like to keep a wide zoom and a telephoto zoom on each body and take two bodies with me everywhere, so I'm not swapping lenses, but I'm finding the 1.3 less user friendly than the 1.2.

And image quality as far as I can tell is imperceptibly different if at all. If you need the built-in nd, or I think it has the handheld high res mode, and the joystick, Splurge for the 1.3. Otherwise as far as image quality and performance goes, Save your money and get the 1.2.

I do like that the 1.3 can be charged via usb.

MNE · Aug 24, 2023

I bought one a few months ago and am almost perfectly happy.

I would have liked the joystick, live ND, and HHHR, on the E-M1 III, but not for almost 2x the price.

--
Mark

Messier Object · Aug 24, 2023

I have the Mark II and Mark III.

I find the III to be a better all-round camera apart from the position of the Menu button.
The 4th Custom mode, better Movie C-AF and especially the Custom Mode 'Hold' feature make it my first choice. However I'm still very happy when I have the MkII in my hands

If I 'lost' my Mk II I don't think I'd replace it unless there was a really nice used copy available with very low shutter count and at a good price.

Instead I'd buy an E-M1X

Peter

Adrian Harris · Aug 25, 2023

The button and thumbwheel layout is far superior on the em1-mk2 than the cramped setups on the mk3 and OM1.

E-M1 Mark II in 2023

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