My most aggravating camera is...

[Photongraphy]

Thx! The more I learn about the 1x the harder it gets to understand why it didn't sell better.

 

[Will Rose]

I'm in the 'no problem' group, I guess it's a matter of ergonomics and how you handle the camera.

Yeah, I don't understand why "they" have so much trouble; it's never once been an issue with me, with any SLR-style camera. But then to me, yellow mustard tastes stronger than brown, and everybody I know tells me I'm wrong and that there's no room for discussion. People will have their views...

Thanks for sharing some interesting details on the OM1s that aren't commonly known (at least new to me). Ofcourse I have heard about the much better EVF. Never tried it, because it might convince me to join the dark side, while otherwise I'm still perfectly happy with the em1iii.

Glad it was of some use. For me, the new OLED EVF in the OM1 was almost worth the price of admission by itself. The lack of EVF upgrade was what kept me away from the EM1.3. To me the EM1.3 was just a mk2 with a joystick. The OM1, with the new EVF, speed increase, and subject detect focusing, feels like an entirely new camera.

That being said, honestly I don't think all the changes were good. I felt the buttons above the power switch and the wheels were much better on the EM1.2/3 than they are on the OM1. Especially the wheels. Some people disagree. But in terms of pure ergonomics and feel, to me the EM1.2/3 was the high point. (EM1X was just too big for me, so disqualified). The grip on the OM1 is also somewhat thicker. I preferred the EM1.2 grip, but its not a big deal. If I could just get those wheels back it would be ergonomic bliss.

But like I said, the EVF on the OM1 is so much better, that it makes up for the decline in usability of some of the other controls. The new menus are also much improved. The OM1 has a bit better image quality as well because the noise pattern is more even and grain-like and less splotchy.

But the EM1.2/3 are outstanding cameras. Unless you photograph birds in flight, the OM1 isn't going to transform your photography. Cheers...

 

[2ndact scene1]

my EM1 III.

Rant

I have an EPL5; EP5 and an EM5 II. All of these work the way I set them up and are a pleasure to use.

The EM1 III has a mind of its own. Recent example-

I was out with two 1971 vintage Nikkor lenses trying to decide whether Focus Peaking or Magnify was better for me. All of a sudden, the EVF was way over-exposed and nothing would change it. Eventually, I realized that I had pressed one of those stupid buttons on the ON-OFF switch and had changed from Evaluative Metering to Highlight Spot. I did not notice the tiny icon in the EVF as I was shooting into bright light.

What a stupid place to put those buttons with no means of changing their function or disabling them. The EM5 III's buttons can be changed but not the EM1 III.

Another aggravating thing is - although you can disable the centre button on the joy stick, it is still enabled while you are moving the focus point and, thus disables the movement of the focus point. Really clever programming.

Are the OM1s like this?

Allan

I got so annoyed with mine that I sold it a few days ago. Not the same issues except that I still find the logic of Olympus autofocus controls baffling (maybe obtuse would be a better description) and counterproductive. I don't have these problems as much on my EM1X, probably because the EVF implementation is a lot better. I could barely tell what was going on with the EM1.iii EVF, even though they are basically the same in terms of specs.

I actually liked the two buttons under the on-off switch (three on the EM1X). Direct control over drive, autofocus and metering options without taking your eye from the EVF is very convenient.

Another example is that I hated the random movement of the focus point on my Canon RP and eventually turned the touch screen off. But then I could not make menu changes on the screen. So, I sold it.

You have to be comfortable with your camera's controls or you will just start leavong it at home.

Interesting, I didn't know there were differences between the 1x and 1iii in EVF. What is it that makes the one on the 1x better?

The design of the eye cup around the EVF on the EM1X cuts down the peripheral sun glare that was troublesome on the EM1.iii. I often had to shield the mark iii EVF with my left hand (I live in the South East US which gets a lot of bright sunshine). I think the eye cup also positioned my eye glasses closer to the screen of the EVF, which increased apparent magnification. As a result, there was less distraction from superfluous side light and the EVF image had better perceived color and detail. I am away from home and I don't have the EM1X with me, otherwise I would come up with a more detailed answer. Whatever the specific reasons were, the EM1X EVF is a lot nicer to use.

 

[Will Rose]

Thx! The more I learn about the 1x the harder it gets to understand why it didn't sell better.

That's the easiest thing to understand: the battery grip was non-removable, so it was just too big and heavy for a lot of people.

 

[Photongraphy]

I'm in the 'no problem' group, I guess it's a matter of ergonomics and how you handle the camera.

Yeah, I don't understand why "they" have so much trouble; it's never once been an issue with me, with any SLR-style camera. But then to me, yellow mustard tastes stronger than brown, and everybody I know tells me I'm wrong and that there's no room for discussion. People will have their views...

And it's a good thing, so different cameras from different brands can co-exist

Thanks for sharing some interesting details on the OM1s that aren't commonly known (at least new to me). Ofcourse I have heard about the much better EVF. Never tried it, because it might convince me to join the dark side, while otherwise I'm still perfectly happy with the em1iii.

Glad it was of some use. For me, the new OLED EVF in the OM1 was almost worth the price of admission by itself. The lack of EVF upgrade was what kept me away from the EM1.3. To me the EM1.3 was just a mk2 with a joystick. The OM1, with the new EVF, speed increase, and subject detect focusing, feels like an entirely new camera.

Well, for me, better AF, HHHR and Live ND were interesting improvements. Hoped for a little step in IQ, but still thought it interesting enough to take the step. Moving the menu button was a bad idea imo. The mk3 is a little faster too; very little: I didn't even notice going from mk2 to mk3, but when after some time I got a mk2 in my hands I noticed the difference.

That being said, honestly I don't think all the changes were good. I felt the buttons above the power switch and the wheels were much better on the EM1.2/3 than they are on the OM1. Especially the wheels. Some people disagree. But in terms of pure ergonomics and feel, to me the EM1.2/3 was the high point. (EM1X was just too big for me, so disqualified). The grip on the OM1 is also somewhat thicker. I preferred the EM1.2 grip, but its not a big deal. If I could just get those wheels back it would be ergonomic bliss.

But like I said, the EVF on the OM1 is so much better, that it makes up for the decline in usability of some of the other controls. The new menus are also much improved. The OM1 has a bit better image quality as well because the noise pattern is more even and grain-like and less splotchy.

But the EM1.2/3 are outstanding cameras. Unless you photograph birds in flight, the OM1 isn't going to transform your photography. Cheers...

I share your view: of course I really see the improvements in the OM1 over the EM1's, but for my kind of shooting they have little benefit. Yes, HHHR is faster, and Live ND goes a little further. But it won't enable me to take pictures I can't get with my EM1iii (I'm not a birder/wildlife shooter). It is a very capable camera and I am still happy with it.