Thank you for reviewing old or "cheap" gear from time to time. There are so many affordable products on the m43 market that allow everyone with a tight budget to buy a very decent and complete system. And the E-M1 is such an asset in this respect! Some highlights to add: perfect ergonomics, very good viewfinder, handy and solid display tilting (I don't like full articulation), good compatibility with old 4/3 lenses (which are good options for tight budgets). Meanwhile I could enlargen my personal photo budget, but I don't see a reason to exchange the E-M1 for something more recent. Even the video quality is good enough for me (in FullHD). A friend, who films semi-professional using his Nikon full frame dslr got very impressed by the E-M1's video stabilization. The E-M1 has no anti-aliasing filter on the sensor and I have seen rainbow moiré once. This might be a problem for video, but many other cameras share this.
I also like the tilt lcd. I should have said that in the video. I think that many of these older cameras are still worth using. Those can be bought quite cheap and are good value for the money.
@@ForsgardPeter I kind of prefer the tilt because I have it already on the EM10 mk ii and I feel I would somehow stupidly knock the screen off if it was a fully flipping one. Plus it's better for reviewing photos or videos quickly using the screen without having to pull ot right out to the side.
I just bought this camera today from an Olympus certified seller and it's amazing to still see this camera in the window 9 years later. As a demo machine, the salesperson couldn't find the original box and charger, but was willing to sell it for $411 with 2 years Olympus official warranty and give away a 128GB SanDisk Extreme Pro.
I have used two E-M1's for years at events and are great cameras to use. Now I have one E-M1 Mkii, so one of the originals will be used for when I go out for my street photography because I prefer the rear screen on the Mki and then the new Mkii will be used just for the events. My customization of the buttons are identical in both cameras so it reduces the person behind the viewfinder, to make mistakes. The downside to owning two different models, I have to carry two different types of batteries.
Good video for those of us that buy used... I have three EM1's and didn't pay more than $375usd for any of the bodies! I love this system and could not see spending the high dollars for new bodies. I do mainly portrait and model portfolio work. I have 10 Olympus lenses... I couldn't be happier. great video... really like your videos because they are straight forward!
This is still my main camera for my professional photo-work and I still love it. I’m not using it for fast moving subjects and video though. I have actually thought about getting one more since the price is so low now...
I also still love my E-M1.1. I briefly thought about upgrading a couple of months ago but then decided to get myself a PEN-F as a second body. It is so comfortable that I can use the the same batteries in both cameras. Finally let me say that I really like your videos, Peter.
Believe it or not, i just bought EM I a month ago for my wedding photography. EM I for my main body and EM 10 II is for my 2nd body. It is still usable in 2019 and my client is not complain with image quality. Another great review from my favourite photographer, cheers from Jakarta, Indonesia
This video was made two years ago... when I was happy with my EM1... 2 years later now and I'm still happy and using my EM1. The extra features of the EM2/3 only matter if you think they will help you with your photography... and more megapixels only matter if you're printing big. For portraits and urban landscapes the EM1 is still a great camera to have.... the quality of prints at A3 is still fantastic. And I'll still be using it in a few more years.
I still use my em-1 and am happy with it. 8 months ago I even bought a used em-1 as my 2nd camera! I prefer em -1 rather than em-5 because the former has much better ergonomics and built quality.
I owned an e-m5 (mk. 1) for years and I always used it (as hobby) with the first grip because it was too small for may hand. After the display has broken, I buyed an e-m10 mk.2, a very good camera, but an even smaller one. So, i sold it and I buyed an second hand E-M1, that fits perfectly in my hand. Now, I am pretty happy using it, with only one complain: the shutter button is far more sensitive compared to the shutter button of my ex e-m5 or e-m10 II. Is this normal, or is a fault? Thank you.
I picked this up in November 2022 for $540 CAD, so 9 years after this video. Previous camera was a Panasonic GF-6, which was likely of the same vintage as this Oly, but a consumer grade camera. So far I'm absolutely loving it, can't believe the extra features it has over the Pany...not an action or video photographer, so these shortcomings are not an issue.
Thanks for the video Peter, I almost bought an E-M1 at the end of November, and I share many of your thoughts. Things that will always be good with an E-M1 (in good condition): + Ergonomics + Direct controls + 5-axis IBIS + PDAF and CDAF + Manual focus “peaking” + In-Camera HDR + Big .74x magnification EVF + Microphone input port + Flash Sync socket + Weathersealing/general toughness + Compatibility with large selection of M4/3 and 4/3 lenses, easy to adapt manual Film lenses + WiFi image sharing + Great image/print quality from average view distances That last point is important... since Digital has caught up and surpassed film for dynamic range and noise, a successful image is much more dependent on how well you can frame and control a shot. Olympus’ color science was/is great! Exposure is crucial, and I don’t know how good the metering was on the E-M1... sometimes my E-PL5 from the same year would underexpose by maybe a stop, but a good live view preview can help significantly to compensate for that! 16 MP is perfect for a 300 dpi 8x10 print, and enlargements look great at average viewing distances. Honestly, you don’t even need that much, I have some great E-500 photos I printed at 20”x30” (about 76cm on the longest side) that don’t look soft... and that camera only took 8MP shots! Unfortunately, I have a sad story... For our wedding, we hired a photographer using a Canon T5, and sadly we didn’t realize how amateur he was. Sure, it has a larger image sensor than m4/3, but so many of his shots were 2-3 stops under or overexposed, blurry from hand shake, bad focus, and every single photo had a weird greenish-yellowish white balance. Those things might’ve been helped by a live view camera and better focus system, but he also routinely failed to capture good compositions, the emotion, and made weird decisions like zooming while taking a still (several shots!) and bad unnatural poses. Negatives for the E-M1: - Video features - ISO noise at 3200 and up - No self-portrait/filming composition aid (screen can’t flip to face front) - No In-Camera Hi-Res mode. Can’t fault it for the last point, as that hadn’t been invented yet (apart from some very experimental manual efforts), and the lack of high bit-depth video is somewhat offset by the option of higher quality audio due to the mic input. I was fairly happy with ISO 2000 on my E-PL5 that used this same sensor, and rarely needed ISO that high, though of course the option of cleaner noise at higher ISOs is nice to have. I concluded that the Olympus E-M1 would have been a pleasure to use and shoot with, but I needed the video features of newer cameras for some of my paid work, and so I went for the similarly priced Panasonic G85. I’m ecstatic that my Olympus lenses and surprisingly my wireless Olympus flash will continue to work on the new body. I think the best choice of all, for me, would have been the brand new (at time of writing) E-M5 mk III, but at $1000 with weathersealed kit lens (an upgrade from my “standard” zoom), I chose to save some money for Christmas gifts 😅 Thanks for your video!!
Thanks for sharing. The story about the bad quality wedding pictures is sad. Sorry to hear that the images were not great. It is more about the photographer than just the sensor size...
I've actually had a lot of success photographing birds in flight with my EM1.1 combined with the old 4/3rds 50-200 SWD. Yes my EM1.2 and 300f4 combo is better but in many cases the old combo is good enough to get the shot. These days I use the EM1.1 generally in situations where I don't want to risk my EM1.2 such on a boat. It's still a lovely camera. ATB Paula
I bought mine on Ebay for about 230 dollars and I'm loving it. My choice was between the em10 mark 3 and the em1 but I figured it would be better to buy the older pro grade camera.
Of course I own an EM1 and I am so proud of the images I get out of it. I have it combo with a EM5 II and 12 40 f2.8 and three Sigma 16 f1.4, 30 f1.4 and 60 f2.8. My conclusion is that combined this camera with good glass it can create miracles. With this setup I crush weddings and even low light fighting events and I believe I am nailing it all the time. Of course I'm not writing all this to show off.. my point is that of you know your limitations and can invest in some glass the camera will perform even better. EM1 II is my next big goal for 2020. After all photography is all about the journey and Olympus provides a good way to make it happen. Thank you Peter for all the things you do for Olympus photographers.
@@ForsgardPeter Thank you Peter. Yes with our system sometimes it can be difficult to do some things that are said to be easier with other systems, but what's the fun of it? Where is the challenge if you can click in complete dark and can recover everything? Where is the effort in this? The creativity in my opinion comes from the challenges one had to deal with (among other things). Olympus really creates wonderful images if you know what to do and how. Especially if you are on budget, like me. We have to fight our way to perfection and Olympus is really the best tool for me. Cheers!
@Shoot To Save yes! I have my eyes on the 56mm f1.4 now to complete the trio from the Sigma primes. My images are really sharp with this lineup of lenses in a point that it makes me even think to pause for a little bit the EM1 II for this lens to join my kit. The 60mm f2.8 creates stunning and very sharp portraits and as it is lacking light performance I am willing to buy the 56. Any thoughts anyone about the image quality to be significantly better with the EM1 II instead of a new lens would be really helpful.
@@peterparanoid9635 EM1 II. There is no denying it's much better with focus and quality. When I'm in a church I count on the EM1 II mostly and secondly on the EM1 to do the work. BUT, when shooting cars out, in a well lit environment, EM5 II with the 12 40 combo is a one way trip. And I shoot A LOT of cars. About 500 shots a day. Cameras are tools. Learn them and just make them work as you please.
Hi Peter, I just bought this camera a couple of days ago. I have a Canon 5D Mk iv and various lenses, but I wanted something light and useable for daily walking around. The E-M1 fit the bill. I paid $450 Canadian Dollars which got me the Camera, 14-42mm lens, spare battery, SD card and a small case. The previous owner (he is the second owner and bought it at a camera store with a warranty) indicated that the AF button top left of the camera popped off. He took it in for repair and when he got it back the camera had a number of body parts replaced. This means that the camera looks like it is new, out of box. I think they may have replaced the shutter control wheel at the same time. Despite being a 9 year old camera I'm very impressed with the way it handles and I'm very happy with the images that it captures. Now I just have to match my creative eye to meet up with the capability of this camera.
I have both the EM 1 II & EM 1. I still use & like the EM 1 but I have a small additional grip that makes the camera more comfortable. I find that the Em 1 with the 14-150 lens, both with weather sealing, makes a wonderful travel combination. I have used this for many trips & think this lens is really under rated. I look forward to your review.
The EM1 mk 1 is still a very good camera. When I use the camera after a while I am often surprised how modern the camera is after all this years. The EVF is a joy to use. The layout of the camera still convinced me. I am sure. The EM1 mk1 is still a good choice for the most situations.
About a year ago your video helped me to decide to get the E-M1 first before saving money to get the E-M1 mark III or even OM-1. So thank you! Monday the E-M1 mark III will arrive and the E-M1 will be my second camera or backup, or for use in more risky situations. The limitations of the AF system are frustrating, so I'm happy I now could buy that mark III. And I'm happy to have such a great back up camera that had helped me in my transition to OM-D (my first SLR was the Olympus OM-1 :D )
Figured I would try M43 so I bought a E-M1 Mk1 it had 35k shutter movements on it. Since it was used by a PRO it was in excellent condition. It's now my main camera. Love the old camera.
Our studio still uses two M1.1's for second shooter sport, corporate and function work for stills AND video. The firmware updates kept C-AF and the HD video competitive (for instance by adding slate tone and time code features for HD video). Granted, the M1.2, the X (which we also use) have more PD AF points but, after FW4.0 there is little in the focus acquisition speed when using the 40-150 PRO and shooting sport (with the right settings) in my experience as it uses both the PDAF and the CD points to acquire and follow focus. Ultimately, yes, the M1.2/X give more keepers at higher frame rates in C-AF (with less effort) but the M1.1 is still a darn good all round bit of kit. Images taken on the M1.1 and the 1.2/X are not easy to tell apart for the editing staff most of the time. For wedding, function and corporate video the M1.1 cameras are still relevant and useful for adding multi-camera coverage (especially in interviews) and for doing outdoor time-lapse work where the cameras may be at risk. If users do not need 4K (and most of our clients out here do not want or need the huge files of 4K - which the M1.1. does not do) the camera is still highly relevant and -as you say - the most amazing value at current prices. In my view it is a great low cost entry into the OM-D pro arena at its current pricing and still relevant and capable of hard work every day. While we also have two M1.2s and two M1.X models, our two M1.1s are now well into the mid 150K shutter cycle range and still going strong. We are, in fact looking at getting a pair of younger bodies to add to the set for even more coverage and as backups if the originals decide they need to retire. The M1.1 is still a great camera.
Hi Peter I’ve just bought an EM1, complete with battery handgrip, for just £200. The camera is in very good condition with just over 11,000 shutter actuations from an expected life of 150,000, so I’m not worried about it packing up any time soon. In addition to what you mentioned in your video, there were two other reasons for buying. Firstly this model has the flip up screen which I much prefer for street work, and secondly I have a couple of legacy four thirds Panasonic Leica lenses which work with phase detection. The EM1 was in some ways the micro four thirds successor to the E5, as the planned E7 never made it into production, making it an excellent choice for anyone with original four thirds lenses. So far I see no difference in image quality compared to later Olympus micro four thirds cameras, (of which I have three) but for me the real bonus is the EM1’s build quality. To say it is solid doesn’t do it justice as it has a feel reminiscent of the old Nikon F3 and which, as you know, was built like a tank. In all I’m very pleased with this purchase, especially as you are getting a professional quality camera for very little money indeed. Keep up the good work Peter and best wishes from the UK.
I started using the E-M1 M1 in 2014 and am still using it as a second body, mostly with my 4/3 legacy 300mm F/2.8 lens and also with MF third party adapted telephoto primes. Something that Peter forgot to mention it introduced an electronic shutter in one of the major FW updates. Mind you, the camera has two design flaws, though. First, the rear dial could become unreliable to the point it became more or less dysfunctional. Next, the right-hand side eyelet could get loose. Both happened to me after quite some heavy use, however Olympus offered to have it fixed at no charge even though guarantee had expired. Cudos!
Hi Peter, thanks for all the tips. I picked up a used E-M1 to use with OM-1 Zuiko lenses and to learn photography a couple months ago during the quarantine. It has been a lot of fun. I have since read the previous Zuiko four thirds system lenses work great with this camera. I picked up 2 lenses (18-180mm, 70-300mm) in the hopes of catching some wildlife photos and a 14-54mm/f2.8-4 is coming tomorrow. So far so good. I'm hoping the 14-54 is good for close quarters and street photography.
E-M1 is my main camera and wonderful to use. FullHD video is also ok. I even purchased very cheaply an E-M5 - wonderful camera and very satisfying in use. There is not much difference in picture quality compared to 20MP MFT cameras nowadays.
Hi Peter, I just bought an E-M1 less than 2 weeks ago. So far I am very pleased with it. You are correct with your comments on it's strengths and weaknesses. I looked at the MK2 and the E-M1X, boy are they nice! The MK2 feels so good in the hand, but the E-M1X takes it to another level still. I am a enthusiast/hobbyist so am always looking to save a bit of cash but still get good value and I think E-M1 might be a winner for me, plus I have some more wiggle room for lenses and accessories. The camera sure is different from my old E-1. Your pictures in this video where beautiful. Oh, I should add I watched your setup video for the MK2, and because of that I have not been more confident with getting my exposures right, thanks so much in sharing your experience. Peace, Rick
I bought this camera 2 weeks ago for $CAD250 with a grip and 4 batteries! I sold my E-M10 Mk II for the "old" E-M1 and I don't regret it. I use it with vintage lenses and a speed booster and I can take very good photographies. The original E-M1 is still a very capable camera, even in 2022.
I was a late converter to E-M1 MarkII, preferring the E-M5 Mark II and E-510 SLR - the later cameras I still use occasionally and frankly I can still get the best out of them - obviously with the help of appropriate lenses.
I found another good reason for the M1 V1. Olympus had a scene mode it called Hand-Held Starlight. This took 12 high ISO exposures and combined them into one JPEG picture in camera. This was good for eliminating grain in night photos. The feature seems to be dropped in the M1 V2 and V3 models, (along with the other scene modes). There is a starry sky in V3, but it is a focusing feature and not a multiple exposure. The OM10 V4 and M5 V3 still has the Hand-Held Starlight mode. I don't see any videos about using this mode if you are looking for something to do. I imagine more than a few are interested in night photography.
I used to use a GX8 by Panasonic but found it wasn't very user friendly for me and just didn't work. My dad traded his EM-1 with me and I loved it after a week of using it, he said I could keep it. Ever sense that's the best camera I ever used and I still use it.
My E-M1 Mk I shares my gear bags with the EOS R, and gets about 50% of my use. It is still an excellent camera in 2021. When I go for longer hikes where weight and bulk is a major concern, I take the E-M1. Of course, with the Olympus camera division sale having now been completed, I am waiting to see what happens before considering any more m/43rds purchases, so the E-M1 may have to suffice for sometime yet.
Hi Peter, thank you for your video. I have 2 em5mkll cameras and had considered the em1 as a third camera. I like to have several cameras with me as I am in a wheelchair and do a lot of bush, bird photography. Having several cameras mean I do not need to change lenses in the field. Important for me. Thank you for this informative video. Just one comment you say serious instead of series near the end of the video. It is a series of camera systems not serious. Serious means stern focused. Just a small thing. I admire your efforts as you speak several languages and I speak only one. Keep it up my friend. Cheers Hanz
I owned it since 2013. I’m a stills shooter and for the most part it satisfies my needs as a hobbyist. I was considering upgrading to the em5 iii, but the only thing I’d improve is af and maybe a little on dynamic range. But then they made it small and plastic and I decided to pass.
I watched your video on focus stacking and it helped me to decide on the M1 Version 1, and pro lenses instead of the newer cameras and standard lenses, (for others to know, focus stacking does not work with all lenses). We date the camera body and marry the lenses, so eventually as funds allow I can upgrade the body and have great lenses to put on it.
I have been very lucky to find a totally mint Olympus E-M1 for £410.00 (English Pounds). It had only 432 shots taken and came with an Olympus made battery grip. I'm loving it. (bought January 2020)
For those of us on a budget, the used EM1 is superb, pro standard for circa £240 UK. Coupled with the 12 to 50 mm len,s great kit, both weather sealed, all you need.
@@ForsgardPeter The one card slot is not a problem, you can change it in second,s, remembering to turn the camera off first. I believe it can wipe the card if powered up?
About 3 years ago I decided to ditch my Nikon and go Olympus. I read all the guff about full frame was the only way to go. I loved my EM 5 and my DX / APSC Nikon and the lenses was already too much for me so I bought a second hand EM1 with grip (image count about 1500) and new 12-40mm and 40-150 pro lenses with the 1.4 TC. I paid less for all that than a Full Frame Nikon. Am I happy with it? You bet I am. It is a great combo. I still use it today and don’t see any need to upgrade. I must admit I am not doing much low light or sports. I did get an Em5ii so I am delighted with this setup and I don’t anticipate upgrading it for some time. Too much talk about new gear and not enough time taking photos to my mind! Good video Peter, as usual.
@@baseroom9 Like both. I use the em1 with grip for the 40-150 and the em5ii for my smaller lenses. I like the build Quality of the em1 but on balance if I was to choose 1 it would be the em5ii by a hairs breath. Depends what you shoot. For Landscapes em1. For travel, street and general stuff the em5ii. I am glad I have both.
@@ronmorris4983 handling wise, which would you be more comfortable holding in your hand? I think this would be a big factor for me coming from larger Nikon's with a huge grip... And why did you leave the Em1 only good for landscapes? Would it not be the same quality wise/slower AF or something? And how's the button placement on both, which feels more intuitive?
@@baseroom9 if you are coming from Nikon the Em1 would be best. The hand grip is a lot better and it is a touch better. That is why I use it with the grip with the 40-150. Because it is more rugged it is better for lugging around in a pack otherwise they are both identical in many respects. The Em5 is smaller and less imposing so better for street and travel. It looks like the em1 for you. The mk 1 is still great but the mk2 is a bit better. I am not sure if the mk3 is worth it for what it is worth.
Thanks for this - I am still using mine and really love this camera. Appreciate you being so candid about why you don't need to buy the latest. What makes your advice so useful is that it is very sensible and considerate. I use a mix of Olympus and Lumix lenses with the camera and the quality of images is great. I also agree with you that the feel of the camera is great.
I purchasd one 2nd hand a few months ago after losing my Fuji XT1 ... It was only 500CAD$ and had less than 10K actuations. I couldn't afford a whole new system like the one that I lost and this was by far the cheapest camera on the market (that met my needs). Turns out, I really really love this camera ... way more than my XT1. The controls are just where I want them to be and I'm really liking the M4/3 system. I'm not a pro, I don't do video, and I rarely do action photography so the limitations are not a limit. I'm now considering a second body (to replace the XT10 that I also lost).
With. The prices of the OMD`EM1 MK1 now available at bargain prices I have recommended it as a good starter camera for people. Sadly there isn’t many videos available on these older EM models, so if you can do some tutorials on set up and use it would be useful to people new to photography and lower priced used models. This also applies to the Original OMD-EM5 mk1. Sadly many people just don’t have the budget to purchase expensive new gear. Alternatively maybe you could point me to other you tubers that I can point. New users to ? Thank you for all the time and information you put into these vids 😊👍
I recently picked up a EM1 with about 1000 shots taken for $325 , it's a great camera for my uses. Picked up the grip cheap too. Great ergonomics and image quality with the 12-40 or the f1.8 primes.
Great video. I still have my Em1.1 and use it as a backup with my mk2 version and in some situations where I don't want to risk the mk2. I bought it when Olympus discontinued development of their 4/3 DSLR cameras like my E5. They had an offer with a free 4/3 to m4/3 adaptor so I could use all my 4/3 lenses, which worked well on the mk1 with the phase detect AF. I used it with my 4/3 90-250mm lens for wildlife photos before the 300mm F4 came available - the C-AF was a bit challenging! The original firmware did not have silent electronic shutter but they later introduced it with an update, great for use in public bird hides.
I'm still using my E-M1 I bought in 2013 when it first came out AND I'm still loving it! Although I've been tempted by the newer E-M1 Mk II and the E-M1X, I really need additional lenses more than I need a new camera body. A few days ago I was able to order my first new lens in a while, the 45mm F/1.2 PRO which I look forward to getting and using!
Thanks for the video. I still use the em-5 I and em-1 I as my everyday cameras. I took both with me to a 3 month trip to Canada last year and got some really good images, including night shots. I used the 12-40 pro on the em-5 as backup and the 12-100 F4 and Laowa 7.5mm on the em-1. The big advantage was being able to use the same batteries, especially when my wife started using the em-5 when her Canon lens broke. The big question now is whether to get the em-5III or wait for an updated em-1. I want an updated camera for my Europe trip in 2021, when interestingly I will visit Helsinki for the first time.
It is a hard decission whether to upgrade tour camera, but I know you will make the right decission. Why I know this? You made a great decission and are planning to visit Helsinki. 😀
Peter, during the film days, professionals were the ones least willing to change, or upgrade their cameras. A film camera offers a high enough performance ceiling which can handle a variety of films, and the familiarity of its control eliminates the need for learning to use new gear. In this digital age, professionals have practically no choice but to get the "latest and greatest" as the camera itself determines the image quality; in a sense they have to adopt the mentality of the well-heeled hobbyists, who would consider an "older" camera less-good to the point of being unusable. Certainly an electronic contrivance like a digital camera requires a much more involved level of support compared to, say, a twin-lens Rolleiflex: its continuous operation depends on the availability of proprietary components. However, with that taken into account, as long as the final demands of our photographs remain the same, then the same camera kit would stay productive. For instance I photograph with my E-M1 for print publication in magazines, meaning the greatest demand for the final image would be printed as A3, using 300dpi offset litho on coated paper, something the E-M1 can easily handle, so the camera stays productive. Getting a newer camera would not make me any more productive, in fact it might even make me less so, for having to familiarize with it, and dealing with the repercussion of its larger file size as well.
In the days of film I used my Mamiya RB7 for decades, but the first years in digital I bought a new camera every year. The new camera actually made a difference, but I am glad that the current cameras do not need to replaced so often. A six to five ear old camera is fine.
@@ForsgardPeter The earlier days of digital photography saw the growth of technology, and the quality increase, quite a bit more rapidly than today, in terms of the quality that can be utilized in the final use of the photographs. Using myself as an example, anything beyond, say, 16MP would not make the pictures on the page any better, so the need to upgrade gradually tails off. There is another thing you might have noticed as well. During the film era there were clients insisting on pictures taken on cameras more expensive than necessary, such as 4X5 etc, as a way to bluff the photographers, saying "I am really discerning regarding quality", but that rarely fooled the photographers though. The modern equivalence would be clients demanding picture files of file sizes much greater than what the final results require, such as 20MP for a picture printed in postage stamp size, and I do know photographers having to keep upgrading just to satisfy such clients.
I was happy owner of Olympus M1 Mark I & Lumix G9 .And I found-for most of my style of photography I liked M1 more.G9 has some kind of aggressive "artifical looking" colors,especially greens,too punchy.Olympus has more natural colors.Noise perfomance & resolution imho was approx the same on end photos.Video of course is not strong feature of E-M1,compares to outstanding video capabilities of G9.Olympus M1 is more compact and easy can serve not only as professional camera but as "party reporter" instrument.Also paired with Olympus 60 2.8 lens & macro rings its outstanding macro device.Good DEF,excellent sharpness. If somebody looking for close to ideal macro system for relatively small money,its best choice.IMHO. p.s Adding camera grip to E-M1 making it looking like M1X:).
Hello Peter. You make a good case for the original E-M1. It still has a lot of capability built into it and Olympus has been very generous in the firmware upgrades. One does not have to have the latest gear to make great photos although the trend is for the newest. I hope that it works out as well this way for you politically in your country! 😉
The E-m1X has dropped $500 here in the states. Please comment on Tony Northrup's Pixels of the Year awards. He picked the E-m1X as the Innovative Camera of the Year and then turned around and called it the Flop of the Year.
@@ForsgardPeter yes basically the E-m1x has innovations from some of the Apple iPhones but uses same old sensor and poor viewfinder. And it has hardly registered any sales. And even the 4/3 community is at odds with the camera.
Tony keeps making a fool of himself. A "flop" is entirely dependent on the sales projections of the manufacturer. From what I heard locally in Paris from photography shops, they can't get enough from Olympus to satisfy demand. In my book, that's a win for Olympus.
I think this was the best Olympus camera design wise to date. Really like the tilt only rear panel and the facility to use the VF4. Don't know why Oly removed the VF4 socket as it was fantastic for macro work and shooting at low odd angles.
One of better mirrorless systems on the market. I hope Olympus keeps the good parts of this camera and updates the bits of hardware like the evf,touchscreen and introduce a new higher megapixel sensor. Having said that if you are interested in a light robust travel camera then this and the em5 mark ii should be on your list
My OMD E-M1 is 6 years young. Young enough to wait for the E-M1 III in the early 2020. I expected really new features, specially the AF, HiRes , electronic ND-Filters and perhaps a display on the top. And I want back the art-programs on the dial. My backup are Panasonic cameras, first the very cheap GX80 with a very good face-and eye AF (better than E-M1) and professional the G9 with the new Firmware 2.0 and animal-detect. I can wait... says the husband of Gabriele :-)
There is a store close to me that have one with 5000 shutter count and in very good condition for just over 400usd. Was considering it as a second camera to my Fuji x-t20, for time laps and when it is raining. Had a OMD-10 Mk2 some years ago so i know the system.
My local camera store has 1 of these for £190 with a very low shutter count,needless to say they have put it to 1 side for me as I am not getting any younger and my mid range nikon gear (D7000 series) is getting a little heavy for a day out..thank you for this video,it has reassured me in my upcoming purchase 🙂
I am sorry that I traded in the original E-M1 when I brought the E-M1X. I figure owning the E-M1 Mkii, E-M1X and Pen F was plenty of cameras to own. Still I miss the original E-M1. Enjoy the photos and video.
I got mine for 30 €. You can't beat the value. Of course I'm using it ;-) (explanation : I bought 2nd hand a combo body + some lenses, and after selling the lenses I already had, the balance was ~ 30 € ; this is all above board with original invoices and documentation etc.)
@@ForsgardPeter : the seller couldn't be bothered with splitting the kit himself, he wanted the cash now and I suspect he had set the price to the level he needed to buy into another system. I, on the other hand, was willing to put up the effort of selling patiently piecemeal to recoup my investment, so all in all, we ended both happy ;-) The best part is the camera was for all intent and purpose new, with only 1600 clicks... It was still at firmware level 1, too...
I use an EMi Mk2 as my main camera but use my Mk1 as a backup. Everything remains great except the autofocus which is slower than the Mk2. Also the rubber coating around the multi-directional pad has come off.
I recently bought one with a low shutter count for $330 USD. Quite a bargain compared to what the current version goes for. I tend to buy good used equipment. If I kill my gear taking risks with it, I've only lost $300 or so. A little bulkier than I like for travel use, for that my EM-10 mkII, E-PM2 and a Lumix GX85 are a bit easier to pack.
Not sure about the Em10 mk3, I own a Mk 2. Image quality seems about the same between the EM1 and EM10. The EM1 has more external buttons, bells and whistles and weather sealing. EM10 is a bit smaller but not a large grip. I'm still evaluating the Lumix GX80/85 and figuring out how to make it behave the way I like. I think I like the dials on the Olympus slightly better. All of these cost me between 300-350 USD for the body.
Just because its older it still takes great pics. Because ots old doesn't mean picture quality is reduced. Since your talking about old cameras does the em5 mark 2 have any firmware upgrades comming or is it obsolete?
I got this one offered for 300 AUD, about 150€ by a friend, I already have a pen E-p3 same age... I really don't know what to do since the OM-D doesn't really take better pictures than the E-p3, at least for a point and shoot purpose. For sure offers more features but it does have a learning curve
I have the E-M1 and the PEN E-PM2 - sometimes digital reaches "good enough" performance. I've drolled over the E-M1 Mark II and the Panasonic G9 but I keep telling myself, the weak link is me, not the camera - at least for my activities. The back dial on the E-M1 is sometimes not responsive (a well known issue that can develop) and the lens mount is a bit tired after I played with the 50-500mm Four Thirds "Bigma" life is not without blemishes but I get by. I think I would prefer to spend on that 8-18mm that Matti keeps teasing us with if I had money
@@ForsgardPeter one reason to use E-M1 bodies with FT lenses is of course the Phase Detect AF (also the E-M5 Mark III now). AF performance is as good as that lens is capable of. :) However the lens is not of the same refinement as modern and more expensive M.Zuiko lenses - Zoom ring is a not as smooth, AF speed is not as fast as newer lenses, and optical resolution / sharpness is not as high. It also strains the lens mount or the lens mount adapter. - but I find fun in most things
I think there is a general misconception for what you need a very quick AF for. A formula one car is moving faster than a swallow. But you can take perfect pictures of a formula one car even using manual focus, because you will be panning anyway and the movement is very predictable. Obviously taking sharp pictures of a bunch of swallows hunting insects is without a very quick AF almost impossible. So it’s not about objects moving fast, it’s about predictability. It would be just wrong to say you can not take sharp pictures of fast moving objects because the continous AF of a camera is not fast enough.
I have my E-M1 since 2015 and I will also like to use them for a long time. I like this device. Small, light, robust, powerful. For a long time, personally, I do not see an important reason for switching to current models. More pixels or even better noise performance are of course nice, but this is not really necessary as the level of the M1 is certainly more than sufficient for most amateur or semi-professional applications. These qualities are not lost. For videos, the M1 is not well suited. That's just a stopgap. Who needs videos in high quality, must change. The rear dial had to be changed once already. Unfortunately outside the warranty period. This mistake seems to have been a known problem of the first generation of the E-M1. The contact with Olympus was exemplary, the repair went quickly. It is not better. In addition, the camera works without any problems and without errors. The feel, the usability and above all the free configurability of the controls are very good. However, the extensive possibilities of the camera and its extensive software menu also require that one must deal with it intensively and in detail. Special mention must be made of the technical support from Olympus. The troubleshooting and the technical enhancements of the camera by the firmware updates by Olympus are a valuable and ingenious feature for the customers. The camera is packed with features and capabilities, most of which I will rarely or never use. The device can do much more than I can. Currently I own 3 lenses from Olympus. The Zuiko 14-150 II I have just bought as number 4, it will arrive in the next few days with me. There is a wide range of very good used MFT lenses in all price ranges. Except for the Olympus 12-40 2.8 which was sold together with the camera as a kit, I bought all other lenses used. You get very good lenses in this way and can save a lot of money.
Hej Peter. super kanal du har:-) er det muligt på mit em1 at se de valg jeg tager på skærmen eller i finder før jeg tager mit foto ?? Hilsen Søren Danmark
Can u read my mind ? I thought IT will be very nice if you do a Video about the old em1. I have an em10 and looking for a weathersealed Olympus body with a big grip beacause the combo em10 with 12-40 is not so good in my hand. Thank u very much.
Needed a second body for quick switching between primes, and for use with the 4/3 50-200. My biggest issue is that it isn't very smart about choosing where to focus in the wide setting, which is bad for shooting from the hip. I've gone back to zone focusing on this one. The other is lens compatibility. My panasonic lenses focus poorly on the em-1, even though my oly 17 works fine on my panasonic gx85. Unlike on the Panasonic, there is no way to focus while stopped down, so the 25mm 1.7, which has focus shift (when you stop down), can only be used at f2. Other minor things include the click of the IBIS when you turn it on or off, and the fact that changing auto iso is buried in the menu. There were a few pleasant surprises. The IBIS works well, especially in video. The latest firmware offers smooth aperture changes in video, which looks ok even with panasonic lenses. Shame there's no 4k, or peaking in video. I also appreciate the amount of buttons.
Hi Peter, I was checking out this camera and the M5 Mark II as well. Here in Hungary, I could get the M1 Mark I with 12-40mm pro lens for about 650 euros and the M5 Mark II with the same lens for 830 euros. Just from the technical aspect they look pretty much the same to me. 16mpixel, True VII processor, 81 focus points, same LCD and viewfinder resolution, same continuous shooting, weather sealing...etc. So, it looks to me that the M5 Mark II is not really worth the higher price. Or is it? Or I should go with the M10 Mark III which would set me back around the 640-650 euros with the 12-40 pro lens. I would mainly shoot still objects, landscapes, people, maybe some street photography. I hope you read the comments to your old videos as well. :) thank you, Daniel
That is a tough question. It is always hard to comment on what camera one should get. I would take E-M1 over E-M5 MKII. E-M10 MKIV has it adavatages. It is smaller and newer technology, but it is not weather sealed.
@@ForsgardPeter Thanks Peter! 🙂 E-M10 Mark IV could be an option but the body only is around 650 euros as new and even the used ones are around 450-480 euros without a lens. I was looking for a strict technical perspective when comparing the two cameras. The rest is more up to personal preference and likes.
I have a used E-PM1 that still takes great pictures.. not as good as my G7.. But it's a great second camera I can carry for wider pictures on a day out
@@ForsgardPeter Haha, well maybe and thanks... Certainly it's not as good as the E-M1. But it surprises me just how good these old cameras still are comparatively.
Hey Peter -- I still have an original E-M1, and it's still going strong. So, the E-M1 and the E-M5 Mark II both share the TruePic VII processor, but the E-M5 Mark II has some better video capabilities...77 mbps All-I and 1080p / 60 fps. I'm not asking for 4K on this camera, but it would be great if I had some more options in 1080p. Can you please use your pull to persuade Olympus to give us that in firmware? We know the hardware can do it. I prefer the E-M1 to the E-M5 Mark II because of the phase-detect autofocus and better ergonomics.
Yes still a good camera, when I first got mine I was disappointed with it for sports photography as it wasn't as good as the E5 for shooting Motorbikes etc but brilliant for everything else, great 2nd body for my EM1 Mkii these days
Hi Peter, great review! Can you help me with a decision? For landscape photos, does the Olympus E-M1 perform better than the Olympus O-MD E-M 10 Mark II?
I really like my EM-1 MK I, especially with 14-150, great all-occasion/all-weather combo! I did not realize this Camera had focus stacking now. Which lenses work with focus stacking? The Macro lenses and the Pro lenses???
Just bought this as a second camera for stills. I have a gx85 and I'm looking forward to comparing them for stills. So far the Oly looks like the better photography camera. Update: it absolutely is a better stills camera.
Hello Peter, I've heard that on the OM-D EM1 mk 1, the focus peaking doesn't work with vintage or, rather, with any non-electronic lens. Is this true, and if yes, then is there a way around it? I've just sold EM10 mk2 and was about to buy an EM1 mk1. Thank you.
@@ForsgardPeter Thanks for the reply. I was actually directed here by RobTrek. Yes my EM10 was the same it had to be assigned to a button. I hope the EM1 that I have just bought has focus peaking as good as it is in the EM10.
Hi Peter, i enjoyed the video of the m1 first gen. I have only recently started bird(still) fotografy with Panasonic lumix g6 and fz1000. And with the g6 my pics are not so great. As i bought these second hand i ask you is the Olympus a better camera for pictures(no video) for birds that are sitting still.and last question will my mft lenses work on this Olympus m1 camera,greets danny
Cannot really say anything about G6. I know that E-m1 is capable of geting you great shots of sitting birds. Yes, all MFT-lenses work on Olympus. Some features like stabiliser in the lens might not work. just turn it off and use the IBIS in the body.
I am thinking of upgrading my original em5. I mainly use my camera for family and vacation photo with occasional nature and street photography. Should I go for g85 or the em1? I want the g9 but it's a little out of my price point.
Thanks for this. I’ve been considering the OM Ds but didn’t understand the timeline of the models. This gives me a clue. ps in Finland would it be uncommon for others to call you Pete as we do in English? For me it’s based on the guys preference.
I'm still shooting with the E-m5 mk 1. Shooting fast moving things is very rare for me so I haven't felt the need to change. I'm also on a budget so went with lenses first. I suppose I might upgrade eventually, not sure to which model as I'm not even thinking about it for now. I'd really like some weather sealed f1.8 primes. That would do me until either my camera or myself died :D
Hi Peter, i think to buy Olympus camera. İ want to choose between omd-10 & in omd-1 Mk1. I know that's deferent class camera but omd-10 release date 2015, it's newer camera but omd-1 have pro body and spec. Which one should I choose. Limit of the my budget is 250-280 euro. Thanks...
E-M1 has weatherproofing, E-M10 has not. And E-M1 is pro graded where the E-M10 is meant for consumers. So it depends on what you want from the camera. A year ago I bought the E-M1 and I'm still really happy with it
Hello Peter! I recently considered to buy this om d em1 mark I as my first camera, due to the price, the features and other aspects, such as that I don't like entry level bodies! I'd like to have an advice from you about which optical I should buy with it. I'd buy a used PRO, obviously, but may be just one to begin. So what should I choose? Thanks a lot
Hi Andrea, Im not Peter. :-) But if I may give you some advice as an Olympus user. What do you want to take pictures of? That is HUGELY impacting what you could use. Is it low light? Or sports? Or landscapes? I have an E-M1 where I use my 24-70 Pro alot. If I could only buy one lens it would be this one. Very useful if you dont want to switch lensens and do not have a clue what might come at your way. For street photography I use my PEN-F with 17mm 1.8 as it wont track alot of attention (and its a beautiful combO), sometimes 45mm 1.8 if I know what I want. I also have a 9-18 for landscapes, but there is a wider pro lens which is very good. So as you see, every lens has its purpose... so first figure out what you want to do with it. If you want all-round, the Olympus 24-70 is the way to go. If you want primes, 17mm 1.8 or 25mm 1.8 are my favourites (dont have the latter but used it before). Maybe Peter also has tips, I love his videos and learn alot of them. :)
@@SplashDamageNL thanks! It was very useful, I have to learn and I don't know what I am going to shoot, but I figure out most probably some street, some portraits, and a few landscapes, so i Need a full range Lens that let me choose everytime the focal length and improve my skills. Do you agree it's better a Pro Lens?
@@andreapaoli9853 Sorry.. sometimes Im a bit stuck in the fullframe format. I mean the 12-40 2.8 pro (or the 12-45 4.0 pro). Which is basically a 24-70 alike lens if you were having a CMOS or FullFrame camera.
@@andreapaoli9853 I do not agree at all, not every pro lens is better for someone to start with. There are alot of lenses which are very cheap and perfect for beginners. Like the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Type R or the 17mm 1.8 lens. :) But yeah, generally spoken, the pro lenses are very good and the best lenses around.
I found an em1 body for 215 and I'm just now getting into using SLR cameras. (Transitioning from my Lumix FZ70 bridge camera). Is it worth getting for someone just starting out?
@@ForsgardPeter Thanks for replying. I am actually considering getting the Em1 mk1 as a cheap camera to keep on my self at all times. Of course, the newer models are a lot improved, but I use a Nikon DSLR for for that. But since I cannot carry a heavy dslr around always, I wanted to keep a lighter mirrorless. So, does it show any lag when panning? And how clear is the evf? If it has any uncomfortable lag that is visible then I would get some other camera.
Question everyone. I own EM1 1 and EM5 II with a lineup of Sigma primes and the pro 12 40, as I mentioned in a previous comment. Would image quality increase significantly with the newer EM1 II in contrast with the EM1 1 or it would be more wise for someone to buy faster lenses? I am thinking to complete the trio of 1,4 primes from Sigma buying the 56mm and I am on the fence whether it would be wiser now to invest to the better body. Any help here will really matter to me. Thanks everyone!
If you do not photograph fast moving subjects I would invest in lenses. Of course the E-m1 MKII has a few more pixels and a lot better AF, two card slots, it is a lot faster etc.
The E-M1 I was my main camera until recently, when I got a PEN-F for a good price. The 20 mp sensor in fact gives a small, but visible advantage if you look closely (you may inspect that in camera reviews on DPreview). But the difference is not big and applies mostly for landscapes in good light with small details. For anything else, I don't think it matters. I still use the E-M1 I when it might rain and for paid jobs, where ergonomics are crucial. Btw, the E-M1 I shares a battery type with the old E-M5 and the PEN-F.
Hauke and Peter thank you for your feedback. As I am short in terms of incomes, I always try to take the most out of my system an to upgrade when possible. I will eventually buy a fast prime telephoto witch is needed in my MMA fight photography gigs I am involved lately. Thank you a bunch!
@@ToKanaliMouAbout primes, I tried some: regarding value for money, the Olympus 25 and 45/1.8 primes are obvious choices. But the Panasonic Leica 25/1.4 has dropped in price since there is a mark II version and combines very good center sharpness, even at 1.4, with very nice bokeh. One of the best lenses ever is the Sigma 56/1.4! Just perfect. Both have smooth manual focusing on the E-M1. I can not recommend the Olympus 17/1.8, it is not perfectly sharp wide open and for a similar price you can get the Panasonic Leica 15/1.7, which is a little bit better.
@@hauke3644 I just love Sigma lenses! I have in my lineup the 16mm f1.4 and the 30mm f1.4 and man.. they are really sharp lenses. I also have the Sigma 60mm f2.8 and really is great portrait and compact lens. I just need more light so my next goal is to buy the 56mm f1.4 for all the benefits you mentioned.
Thank you for reviewing old or "cheap" gear from time to time. There are so many affordable products on the m43 market that allow everyone with a tight budget to buy a very decent and complete system. And the E-M1 is such an asset in this respect! Some highlights to add: perfect ergonomics, very good viewfinder, handy and solid display tilting (I don't like full articulation), good compatibility with old 4/3 lenses (which are good options for tight budgets). Meanwhile I could enlargen my personal photo budget, but I don't see a reason to exchange the E-M1 for something more recent. Even the video quality is good enough for me (in FullHD). A friend, who films semi-professional using his Nikon full frame dslr got very impressed by the E-M1's video stabilization. The E-M1 has no anti-aliasing filter on the sensor and I have seen rainbow moiré once. This might be a problem for video, but many other cameras share this.
I also like the tilt lcd. I should have said that in the video. I think that many of these older cameras are still worth using. Those can be bought quite cheap and are good value for the money.
@@ForsgardPeter I kind of prefer the tilt because I have it already on the EM10 mk ii and I feel I would somehow stupidly knock the screen off if it was a fully flipping one. Plus it's better for reviewing photos or videos quickly using the screen without having to pull ot right out to the side.
I just bought this camera today from an Olympus certified seller and it's amazing to still see this camera in the window 9 years later. As a demo machine, the salesperson couldn't find the original box and charger, but was willing to sell it for $411 with 2 years Olympus official warranty and give away a 128GB SanDisk Extreme Pro.
You got a good deal!
I have used two E-M1's for years at events and are great cameras to use. Now I have one E-M1 Mkii, so one of the originals will be used for when I go out for my street photography because I prefer the rear screen on the Mki and then the new Mkii will be used just for the events. My customization of the buttons are identical in both cameras so it reduces the person behind the viewfinder, to make mistakes. The downside to owning two different models, I have to carry two different types of batteries.
Good video for those of us that buy used... I have three EM1's and didn't pay more than $375usd for any of the bodies! I love this system and could not see spending the high dollars for new bodies. I do mainly portrait and model portfolio work. I have 10 Olympus lenses... I couldn't be happier. great video... really like your videos because they are straight forward!
Thank you.
This is still my main camera for my professional photo-work and I still love it. I’m not using it for fast moving subjects and video though. I have actually thought about getting one more since the price is so low now...
I also still love my E-M1.1. I briefly thought about upgrading a couple of months ago but then decided to get myself a PEN-F as a second body. It is so comfortable that I can use the the same batteries in both cameras. Finally let me say that I really like your videos, Peter.
Using the same batteries is an advantage and thanks for the nice words.
Believe it or not, i just bought EM I a month ago for my wedding photography. EM I for my main body and EM 10 II is for my 2nd body.
It is still usable in 2019 and my client is not complain with image quality.
Another great review from my favourite photographer, cheers from Jakarta, Indonesia
Thank you!
Still love mine. I would rather buy a 2nd body and a lens than an E-M1 II or an E-M5 III.
hi there how is the video with new firmware update? i couldnt find videos anywhere
This video was made two years ago... when I was happy with my EM1... 2 years later now and I'm still happy and using my EM1. The extra features of the EM2/3 only matter if you think they will help you with your photography... and more megapixels only matter if you're printing big.
For portraits and urban landscapes the EM1 is still a great camera to have.... the quality of prints at A3 is still fantastic. And I'll still be using it in a few more years.
I agree that E-M1 is still a very capable camera.
I still use my em-1 and am happy with it. 8 months ago I even bought a used em-1 as my 2nd camera! I prefer em -1 rather than em-5 because the former has much better ergonomics and built quality.
This is why I'm getting an E-M1!!!
I owned an e-m5 (mk. 1) for years and I always used it (as hobby) with the first grip because it was too small for may hand.
After the display has broken, I buyed an e-m10 mk.2, a very good camera, but an even smaller one. So, i sold it and I buyed an second hand E-M1, that fits perfectly in my hand.
Now, I am pretty happy using it, with only one complain: the shutter button is far more sensitive compared to the shutter button of my ex e-m5 or e-m10 II. Is this normal, or is a fault?
Thank you.
I picked this up in November 2022 for $540 CAD, so 9 years after this video. Previous camera was a Panasonic GF-6, which was likely of the same vintage as this Oly, but a consumer grade camera. So far I'm absolutely loving it, can't believe the extra features it has over the Pany...not an action or video photographer, so these shortcomings are not an issue.
Thanks for the video Peter, I almost bought an E-M1 at the end of November, and I share many of your thoughts.
Things that will always be good with an E-M1 (in good condition):
+ Ergonomics
+ Direct controls
+ 5-axis IBIS
+ PDAF and CDAF
+ Manual focus “peaking”
+ In-Camera HDR
+ Big .74x magnification EVF
+ Microphone input port
+ Flash Sync socket
+ Weathersealing/general toughness
+ Compatibility with large selection of M4/3 and 4/3 lenses, easy to adapt manual Film lenses
+ WiFi image sharing
+ Great image/print quality from average view distances
That last point is important... since Digital has caught up and surpassed film for dynamic range and noise, a successful image is much more dependent on how well you can frame and control a shot. Olympus’ color science was/is great! Exposure is crucial, and I don’t know how good the metering was on the E-M1... sometimes my E-PL5 from the same year would underexpose by maybe a stop, but a good live view preview can help significantly to compensate for that! 16 MP is perfect for a 300 dpi 8x10 print, and enlargements look great at average viewing distances. Honestly, you don’t even need that much, I have some great E-500 photos I printed at 20”x30” (about 76cm on the longest side) that don’t look soft... and that camera only took 8MP shots!
Unfortunately, I have a sad story... For our wedding, we hired a photographer using a Canon T5, and sadly we didn’t realize how amateur he was. Sure, it has a larger image sensor than m4/3, but so many of his shots were 2-3 stops under or overexposed, blurry from hand shake, bad focus, and every single photo had a weird greenish-yellowish white balance. Those things might’ve been helped by a live view camera and better focus system, but he also routinely failed to capture good compositions, the emotion, and made weird decisions like zooming while taking a still (several shots!) and bad unnatural poses.
Negatives for the E-M1:
- Video features
- ISO noise at 3200 and up
- No self-portrait/filming composition aid (screen can’t flip to face front)
- No In-Camera Hi-Res mode.
Can’t fault it for the last point, as that hadn’t been invented yet (apart from some very experimental manual efforts), and the lack of high bit-depth video is somewhat offset by the option of higher quality audio due to the mic input. I was fairly happy with ISO 2000 on my E-PL5 that used this same sensor, and rarely needed ISO that high, though of course the option of cleaner noise at higher ISOs is nice to have.
I concluded that the Olympus E-M1 would have been a pleasure to use and shoot with, but I needed the video features of newer cameras for some of my paid work, and so I went for the similarly priced Panasonic G85. I’m ecstatic that my Olympus lenses and surprisingly my wireless Olympus flash will continue to work on the new body. I think the best choice of all, for me, would have been the brand new (at time of writing) E-M5 mk III, but at $1000 with weathersealed kit lens (an upgrade from my “standard” zoom), I chose to save some money for Christmas gifts 😅
Thanks for your video!!
Thanks for sharing. The story about the bad quality wedding pictures is sad. Sorry to hear that the images were not great. It is more about the photographer than just the sensor size...
Hi! I have the G85 and want to get the EM1 as second cam. How bad is the ISO noise level on the EM1 compared to the G85?
I just unloaded my m1. The rear dial seldom worked. 1 week owner of m1 mark 2.
Amateur photographer new subscriber.
Thank you and welcome to channel.
I've actually had a lot of success photographing birds in flight with my EM1.1 combined with the old 4/3rds 50-200 SWD. Yes my EM1.2 and 300f4 combo is better but in many cases the old combo is good enough to get the shot. These days I use the EM1.1 generally in situations where I don't want to risk my EM1.2 such on a boat. It's still a lovely camera. ATB Paula
Great to hear!
I recently purchased this very combination you discribe! I can't wait to use it in the field!
I‘m still using my E-M1.1, the camera is working fine!
Great to hear.
I still use it with 12-40 and 40-150 f2.8 and 75mm f1.8 and some more primes . Awesome body and sturdy and dependable
I bought mine on Ebay for about 230 dollars and I'm loving it. My choice was between the em10 mark 3 and the em1 but I figured it would be better to buy the older pro grade camera.
You got yours for a very good price!
Thank you for your share Peter. Had my EM-1 bought back then on sale and still using it. It still fits my requirements as enthusiasts.
Finally. . I've been waiting this to happen for years. My dearest, humble body.
Of course I own an EM1 and I am so proud of the images I get out of it. I have it combo with a EM5 II and 12 40 f2.8 and three Sigma 16 f1.4, 30 f1.4 and 60 f2.8. My conclusion is that combined this camera with good glass it can create miracles. With this setup I crush weddings and even low light fighting events and I believe I am nailing it all the time. Of course I'm not writing all this to show off.. my point is that of you know your limitations and can invest in some glass the camera will perform even better. EM1 II is my next big goal for 2020.
After all photography is all about the journey and Olympus provides a good way to make it happen. Thank you Peter for all the things you do for Olympus photographers.
...and yes show off is ok! Seriously you are right, with good glass and knowing what to do, you can get great results.
@@ForsgardPeter Thank you Peter.
Yes with our system sometimes it can be difficult to do some things that are said to be easier with other systems, but what's the fun of it?
Where is the challenge if you can click in complete dark and can recover everything?
Where is the effort in this?
The creativity in my opinion comes from the challenges one had to deal with (among other things).
Olympus really creates wonderful images if you know what to do and how.
Especially if you are on budget, like me.
We have to fight our way to perfection and Olympus is really the best tool for me.
Cheers!
@Shoot To Save yes! I have my eyes on the 56mm f1.4 now to complete the trio from the Sigma primes. My images are really sharp with this lineup of lenses in a point that it makes me even think to pause for a little bit the EM1 II for this lens to join my kit. The 60mm f2.8 creates stunning and very sharp portraits and as it is lacking light performance I am willing to buy the 56.
Any thoughts anyone about the image quality to be significantly better with the EM1 II instead of a new lens would be really helpful.
Which Kamera do you like better: The EM1, the EM1 Mk2 or the EM5 Mk2?
@@peterparanoid9635 EM1 II. There is no denying it's much better with focus and quality. When I'm in a church I count on the EM1 II mostly and secondly on the EM1 to do the work.
BUT, when shooting cars out, in a well lit environment, EM5 II with the 12 40 combo is a one way trip. And I shoot A LOT of cars. About 500 shots a day.
Cameras are tools. Learn them and just make them work as you please.
Hi Peter, I just bought this camera a couple of days ago. I have a Canon 5D Mk iv and various lenses, but I wanted something light and useable for daily walking around. The E-M1 fit the bill. I paid $450 Canadian Dollars which got me the Camera, 14-42mm lens, spare battery, SD card and a small case. The previous owner (he is the second owner and bought it at a camera store with a warranty) indicated that the AF button top left of the camera popped off. He took it in for repair and when he got it back the camera had a number of body parts replaced. This means that the camera looks like it is new, out of box. I think they may have replaced the shutter control wheel at the same time. Despite being a 9 year old camera I'm very impressed with the way it handles and I'm very happy with the images that it captures. Now I just have to match my creative eye to meet up with the capability of this camera.
Oh, and I don't mind the old style menu look.
E-M1 is still a very good camera. Yes replacing worn-out parts is part of the maintenance OMDS does when a camera is sent for repair.
@@ForsgardPeter that certainly makes customers happy!
I have both the EM 1 II & EM 1. I still use & like the EM 1 but I have a small additional grip that makes the camera more comfortable. I find that the Em 1 with the 14-150 lens, both with weather sealing, makes a wonderful travel combination. I have used this for many trips & think this lens is really under rated. I look forward to your review.
It is published: ruclips.net/video/75E61lqKJaI/видео.html
The EM1 mk 1 is still a very good camera. When I use the camera after a while I am often surprised how modern the camera is after all this years. The EVF is a joy to use. The layout of the camera still convinced me. I am sure. The EM1 mk1 is still a good choice for the most situations.
You are absolutely right.
About a year ago your video helped me to decide to get the E-M1 first before saving money to get the E-M1 mark III or even OM-1. So thank you! Monday the E-M1 mark III will arrive and the E-M1 will be my second camera or backup, or for use in more risky situations. The limitations of the AF system are frustrating, so I'm happy I now could buy that mark III. And I'm happy to have such a great back up camera that had helped me in my transition to OM-D (my first SLR was the Olympus OM-1 :D )
Great to hear!
Figured I would try M43 so I bought a E-M1 Mk1 it had 35k shutter movements on it. Since it was used by a PRO it was in excellent condition. It's now my main camera. Love the old camera.
Our studio still uses two M1.1's for second shooter sport, corporate and function work for stills AND video.
The firmware updates kept C-AF and the HD video competitive (for instance by adding slate tone and time code features for HD video). Granted, the M1.2, the X (which we also use) have more PD AF points but, after FW4.0 there is little in the focus acquisition speed when using the 40-150 PRO and shooting sport (with the right settings) in my experience as it uses both the PDAF and the CD points to acquire and follow focus.
Ultimately, yes, the M1.2/X give more keepers at higher frame rates in C-AF (with less effort) but the M1.1 is still a darn good all round bit of kit. Images taken on the M1.1 and the 1.2/X are not easy to tell apart for the editing staff most of the time.
For wedding, function and corporate video the M1.1 cameras are still relevant and useful for adding multi-camera coverage (especially in interviews) and for doing outdoor time-lapse work where the cameras may be at risk. If users do not need 4K (and most of our clients out here do not want or need the huge files of 4K - which the M1.1. does not do) the camera is still highly relevant and -as you say - the most amazing value at current prices.
In my view it is a great low cost entry into the OM-D pro arena at its current pricing and still relevant and capable of hard work every day. While we also have two M1.2s and two M1.X models, our two M1.1s are now well into the mid 150K shutter cycle range and still going strong. We are, in fact looking at getting a pair of younger bodies to add to the set for even more coverage and as backups if the originals decide they need to retire. The M1.1 is still a great camera.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Peter
I’ve just bought an EM1, complete with battery handgrip, for just £200. The camera is in very good condition with just over 11,000 shutter actuations from an expected life of 150,000, so I’m not worried about it packing up any time soon.
In addition to what you mentioned in your video, there were two other reasons for buying. Firstly this model has the flip up screen which I much prefer for street work, and secondly I have a couple of legacy four thirds Panasonic Leica lenses which work with phase detection. The EM1 was in some ways the micro four thirds successor to the E5, as the planned E7 never made it into production, making it an excellent choice for anyone with original four thirds lenses. So far I see no difference in image quality compared to later Olympus micro four thirds cameras, (of which I have three) but for me the real bonus is the EM1’s build quality. To say it is solid doesn’t do it justice as it has a feel reminiscent of the old Nikon F3 and which, as you know, was built like a tank. In all I’m very pleased with this purchase, especially as you are getting a professional quality camera for very little money indeed.
Keep up the good work Peter and best wishes from the UK.
Thanks for sharing. I totally agree that E-M1 is still a good camera.
I started using the E-M1 M1 in 2014 and am still using it as a second body, mostly with my 4/3 legacy 300mm F/2.8 lens and also with MF third party adapted telephoto primes. Something that Peter forgot to mention it introduced an electronic shutter in one of the major FW updates. Mind you, the camera has two design flaws, though. First, the rear dial could become unreliable to the point it became more or less dysfunctional. Next, the right-hand side eyelet could get loose. Both happened to me after quite some heavy use, however Olympus offered to have it fixed at no charge even though guarantee had expired. Cudos!
Hi Peter, thanks for all the tips. I picked up a used E-M1 to use with OM-1 Zuiko lenses and to learn photography a couple months ago during the quarantine. It has been a lot of fun. I have since read the previous Zuiko four thirds system lenses work great with this camera. I picked up 2 lenses (18-180mm, 70-300mm) in the hopes of catching some wildlife photos and a 14-54mm/f2.8-4 is coming tomorrow. So far so good. I'm hoping the 14-54 is good for close quarters and street photography.
E-M1 is my main camera and wonderful to use. FullHD video is also ok. I even purchased very cheaply an E-M5 - wonderful camera and very satisfying in use. There is not much difference in picture quality compared to 20MP MFT cameras nowadays.
Hi Peter, I just bought an E-M1 less than 2 weeks ago. So far I am very pleased with it. You are correct with your comments on it's strengths and weaknesses. I looked at the MK2 and the E-M1X, boy are they nice! The MK2 feels so good in the hand, but the E-M1X takes it to another level still. I am a enthusiast/hobbyist so am always looking to save a bit of cash but still get good value and I think E-M1 might be a winner for me, plus I have some more wiggle room for lenses and accessories. The camera sure is different from my old E-1. Your pictures in this video where beautiful. Oh, I should add I watched your setup video for the MK2, and because of that I have not been more confident with getting my exposures right, thanks so much in sharing your experience. Peace, Rick
Thanks. You made a good choice!
I bought this camera 2 weeks ago for $CAD250 with a grip and 4 batteries! I sold my E-M10 Mk II for the "old" E-M1 and I don't regret it. I use it with vintage lenses and a speed booster and I can take very good photographies. The original E-M1 is still a very capable camera, even in 2022.
I agree it is.
I was a late converter to E-M1 MarkII, preferring the E-M5 Mark II and E-510 SLR - the later cameras I still use occasionally and frankly I can still get the best out of them - obviously with the help of appropriate lenses.
I found another good reason for the M1 V1. Olympus had a scene mode it called Hand-Held Starlight. This took 12 high ISO exposures and combined them into one JPEG picture in camera. This was good for eliminating grain in night photos. The feature seems to be dropped in the M1 V2 and V3 models, (along with the other scene modes). There is a starry sky in V3, but it is a focusing feature and not a multiple exposure.
The OM10 V4 and M5 V3 still has the Hand-Held Starlight mode. I don't see any videos about using this mode if you are looking for something to do. I imagine more than a few are interested in night photography.
I need to look into this. Might be something I have missed.
I used to use a GX8 by Panasonic but found it wasn't very user friendly for me and just didn't work. My dad traded his EM-1 with me and I loved it after a week of using it, he said I could keep it. Ever sense that's the best camera I ever used and I still use it.
My E-M1 Mk I shares my gear bags with the EOS R, and gets about 50% of my use. It is still an excellent camera in 2021. When I go for longer hikes where weight and bulk is a major concern, I take the E-M1. Of course, with the Olympus camera division sale having now been completed, I am waiting to see what happens before considering any more m/43rds purchases, so the E-M1 may have to suffice for sometime yet.
Hi Peter, thank you for your video. I have 2 em5mkll cameras and had considered the em1 as a third camera. I like to have several cameras with me as I am in a wheelchair and do a lot of bush, bird photography. Having several cameras mean I do not need to change lenses in the field. Important for me. Thank you for this informative video. Just one comment you say serious instead of series near the end of the video. It is a series of camera systems not serious. Serious means stern focused. Just a small thing. I admire your efforts as you speak several languages and I speak only one. Keep it up my friend. Cheers Hanz
Yes, thanks for correcting me on the pronaunciation. I seem to get it wrong most of time. Need to remember that.
I owned it since 2013. I’m a stills shooter and for the most part it satisfies my needs as a hobbyist. I was considering upgrading to the em5 iii, but the only thing I’d improve is af and maybe a little on dynamic range. But then they made it small and plastic and I decided to pass.
I watched your video on focus stacking and it helped me to decide on the M1 Version 1, and pro lenses instead of the newer cameras and standard lenses, (for others to know, focus stacking does not work with all lenses).
We date the camera body and marry the lenses, so eventually as funds allow I can upgrade the body and have great lenses to put on it.
I have been very lucky to find a totally mint Olympus E-M1 for £410.00 (English Pounds). It had only 432 shots taken and came with an Olympus made battery grip. I'm loving it. (bought January 2020)
Good deal! Nice!
Still using an EM-5 mark 1, I'd love to have an EM-1,it definitely holds up.
Thanks a lot, I obtained the answers that I'm looking for.
For those of us on a budget, the used EM1 is superb, pro standard for circa £240 UK. Coupled with the 12 to 50 mm len,s great kit, both weather sealed, all you need.
I totally agree with you E-M1 is still a very good camera.
@@ForsgardPeter The one card slot is not a problem, you can change it in second,s, remembering to turn the camera off first. I believe it can wipe the card if powered up?
About 3 years ago I decided to ditch my Nikon and go Olympus. I read all the guff about full frame was the only way to go. I loved my EM 5 and my DX / APSC Nikon and the lenses was already too much for me so I bought a second hand EM1 with grip (image count about 1500) and new 12-40mm and 40-150 pro lenses with the 1.4 TC.
I paid less for all that than a Full Frame Nikon.
Am I happy with it? You bet I am. It is a great combo. I still use it today and don’t see any need to upgrade. I must admit I am not doing much low light or sports.
I did get an Em5ii so I am delighted with this setup and I don’t anticipate upgrading it for some time.
Too much talk about new gear and not enough time taking photos to my mind!
Good video Peter, as usual.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and thanks for the nice words about my videos.
And which do you prefer the Em1 or Em5 mark 2?
@@baseroom9 Like both. I use the em1 with grip for the 40-150 and the em5ii for my smaller lenses.
I like the build Quality of the em1 but on balance if I was to choose 1 it would be the em5ii by a hairs breath. Depends what you shoot. For Landscapes em1. For travel, street and general stuff the em5ii.
I am glad I have both.
@@ronmorris4983 handling wise, which would you be more comfortable holding in your hand? I think this would be a big factor for me coming from larger Nikon's with a huge grip... And why did you leave the Em1 only good for landscapes? Would it not be the same quality wise/slower AF or something?
And how's the button placement on both, which feels more intuitive?
@@baseroom9 if you are coming from Nikon the Em1 would be best. The hand grip is a lot better and it is a touch better. That is why I use it with the grip with the 40-150. Because it is more rugged it is better for lugging around in a pack otherwise they are both identical in many respects. The Em5 is smaller and less imposing so better for street and travel.
It looks like the em1 for you. The mk 1 is still great but the mk2 is a bit better. I am not sure if the mk3 is worth it for what it is worth.
Thanks for this - I am still using mine and really love this camera. Appreciate you being so candid about why you don't need to buy the latest. What makes your advice so useful is that it is very sensible and considerate. I use a mix of Olympus and Lumix lenses with the camera and the quality of images is great. I also agree with you that the feel of the camera is great.
Thanks.
I purchasd one 2nd hand a few months ago after losing my Fuji XT1 ... It was only 500CAD$ and had less than 10K actuations.
I couldn't afford a whole new system like the one that I lost and this was by far the cheapest camera on the market (that met my needs). Turns out, I really really love this camera ... way more than my XT1. The controls are just where I want them to be and I'm really liking the M4/3 system.
I'm not a pro, I don't do video, and I rarely do action photography so the limitations are not a limit.
I'm now considering a second body (to replace the XT10 that I also lost).
Sorry to hear that you lost your camera. Also happy that you found anew one that you like.
I just bought em1 to use with old 4/3 lenses. Shutter count is about 20 000. I have nice tool for a long time.
Sounds great! What are you photographing the most?
Peter Forsgård mostly portraits.
With. The prices of the OMD`EM1 MK1 now available at bargain prices I have recommended it as a good starter camera for people.
Sadly there isn’t many videos available on these older EM models, so if you can do some tutorials on set up and use it would be useful to people new to photography and lower priced used models.
This also applies to the Original OMD-EM5 mk1.
Sadly many people just don’t have the budget to purchase expensive new gear.
Alternatively maybe you could point me to other you tubers that I can point. New users to ?
Thank you for all the time and information you put into these vids 😊👍
I recently picked up a EM1 with about 1000 shots taken for $325 , it's a great camera for my uses. Picked up the grip cheap too. Great ergonomics and image quality with the 12-40 or the f1.8 primes.
Nice!
Really appreciate the work you put in, and share your thoughts and ideas and help us all. Many thanks
Thank you!
Great video. I still have my Em1.1 and use it as a backup with my mk2 version and in some situations where I don't want to risk the mk2. I bought it when Olympus discontinued development of their 4/3 DSLR cameras like my E5. They had an offer with a free 4/3 to m4/3 adaptor so I could use all my 4/3 lenses, which worked well on the mk1 with the phase detect AF. I used it with my 4/3 90-250mm lens for wildlife photos before the 300mm F4 came available - the C-AF was a bit challenging! The original firmware did not have silent electronic shutter but they later introduced it with an update, great for use in public bird hides.
I'm still using my E-M1 I bought in 2013 when it first came out AND I'm still loving it! Although I've been tempted by the newer E-M1 Mk II and the E-M1X, I really need additional lenses more than I need a new camera body. A few days ago I was able to order my first new lens in a while, the 45mm F/1.2 PRO which I look forward to getting and using!
A new lens will be more likely to be better than a new body. 45mm f1.2 is good choice! Did you get it for portraits?
Yes Peter. I've been shooting more portraits and fashion as of late.
I have the 45/1.2 pro and it’s awesome!
Thanks for the video. I still use the em-5 I and em-1 I as my everyday cameras. I took both with me to a 3 month trip to Canada last year and got some really good images, including night shots. I used the 12-40 pro on the em-5 as backup and the 12-100 F4 and Laowa 7.5mm on the em-1. The big advantage was being able to use the same batteries, especially when my wife started using the em-5 when her Canon lens broke.
The big question now is whether to get the em-5III or wait for an updated em-1. I want an updated camera for my Europe trip in 2021, when interestingly I will visit Helsinki for the first time.
It is a hard decission whether to upgrade tour camera, but I know you will make the right decission. Why I know this? You made a great decission and are planning to visit Helsinki. 😀
Peter, during the film days, professionals were the ones least willing to change, or upgrade their cameras. A film camera offers a high enough performance ceiling which can handle a variety of films, and the familiarity of its control eliminates the need for learning to use new gear. In this digital age, professionals have practically no choice but to get the "latest and greatest" as the camera itself determines the image quality; in a sense they have to adopt the mentality of the well-heeled hobbyists, who would consider an "older" camera less-good to the point of being unusable.
Certainly an electronic contrivance like a digital camera requires a much more involved level of support compared to, say, a twin-lens Rolleiflex: its continuous operation depends on the availability of proprietary components. However, with that taken into account, as long as the final demands of our photographs remain the same, then the same camera kit would stay productive.
For instance I photograph with my E-M1 for print publication in magazines, meaning the greatest demand for the final image would be printed as A3, using 300dpi offset litho on coated paper, something the E-M1 can easily handle, so the camera stays productive. Getting a newer camera would not make me any more productive, in fact it might even make me less so, for having to familiarize with it, and dealing with the repercussion of its larger file size as well.
In the days of film I used my Mamiya RB7 for decades, but the first years in digital I bought a new camera every year. The new camera actually made a difference, but I am glad that the current cameras do not need to replaced so often. A six to five ear old camera is fine.
@@ForsgardPeter The earlier days of digital photography saw the growth of technology, and the quality increase, quite a bit more rapidly than today, in terms of the quality that can be utilized in the final use of the photographs. Using myself as an example, anything beyond, say, 16MP would not make the pictures on the page any better, so the need to upgrade gradually tails off.
There is another thing you might have noticed as well. During the film era there were clients insisting on pictures taken on cameras more expensive than necessary, such as 4X5 etc, as a way to bluff the photographers, saying "I am really discerning regarding quality", but that rarely fooled the photographers though. The modern equivalence would be clients demanding picture files of file sizes much greater than what the final results require, such as 20MP for a picture printed in postage stamp size, and I do know photographers having to keep upgrading just to satisfy such clients.
I was happy owner of Olympus M1 Mark I & Lumix G9 .And I found-for most of my style of photography I liked M1 more.G9 has some kind of aggressive "artifical looking" colors,especially greens,too punchy.Olympus has more natural colors.Noise perfomance & resolution imho was approx the same on end photos.Video of course is not strong feature of E-M1,compares to outstanding video capabilities of G9.Olympus M1 is more compact and easy can serve not only as professional camera but as "party reporter" instrument.Also paired with Olympus 60 2.8 lens & macro rings its outstanding macro device.Good DEF,excellent sharpness. If somebody looking for close to ideal macro system for relatively small money,its best choice.IMHO. p.s Adding camera grip to E-M1 making it looking like M1X:).
Hello Peter. You make a good case for the original E-M1. It still has a lot of capability built into it and Olympus has been very generous in the firmware upgrades. One does not have to have the latest gear to make great photos although the trend is for the newest. I hope that it works out as well this way for you politically in your country! 😉
Thanks.
Just bought one for my sister....I updated the firmware and it now has ‘silent shutter’ facility!...I might buy myself one?....😘📸🇬🇧
The E-m1X has dropped $500 here in the states. Please comment on Tony Northrup's Pixels of the Year awards. He picked the E-m1X as the Innovative Camera of the Year and then turned around and called it the Flop of the Year.
Jay G. I will nominate Tony as the flop of the year.
Really, I have not seen that video. I have to check it out and see if there is something to comment about.
@@ForsgardPeter yes basically the E-m1x has innovations from some of the Apple iPhones but uses same old sensor and poor viewfinder. And it has hardly registered any sales. And even the 4/3 community is at odds with the camera.
Tony keeps making a fool of himself. A "flop" is entirely dependent on the sales projections of the manufacturer. From what I heard locally in Paris from photography shops, they can't get enough from Olympus to satisfy demand. In my book, that's a win for Olympus.
All that does is continue to hurt his reputation. Seems like plenty of wildlife photographers are using and liking the EM1X with great results.
I think this was the best Olympus camera design wise to date. Really like the tilt only rear panel and the facility to use the VF4.
Don't know why Oly removed the VF4 socket as it was fantastic for macro work and shooting at low odd angles.
The VF-4 was a great EVF.
I want to buy one, Is still worth? I already have m43 lenses, but my Panasonic Is broken...
It's great camera if you're not shooting high ISO, but if it's not something very dynamic I prefer E-M5 Mark II.
Yes, high ISO is not the E-M1´s strongest point.
One of better mirrorless systems on the market. I hope Olympus keeps the good parts of this camera and updates the bits of hardware like the evf,touchscreen and introduce a new higher megapixel sensor. Having said that if you are interested in a light robust travel camera then this and the em5 mark ii should be on your list
Both E-M1 and E-M5 MKII are both still good for photography.
My OMD E-M1 is 6 years young. Young enough to wait for the E-M1 III in the early 2020. I expected really new features, specially the AF, HiRes , electronic ND-Filters and perhaps a display on the top. And I want back the art-programs on the dial.
My backup are Panasonic cameras, first the very cheap GX80 with a very good face-and eye AF (better than E-M1) and professional the G9 with the new Firmware 2.0 and animal-detect. I can wait...
says the husband of Gabriele :-)
Hi Gabriele, ay idea when we can expect om de 1 m mark 3?
There is no info about when the E-M1 MKIII will be out.
There is a store close to me that have one with 5000 shutter count and in very good condition for just over 400usd. Was considering it as a second camera to my Fuji x-t20, for time laps and when it is raining. Had a OMD-10 Mk2 some years ago so i know the system.
With that price it is a good deal.
My local camera store has 1 of these for £190 with a very low shutter count,needless to say they have put it to 1 side for me as I am not getting any younger and my mid range nikon gear (D7000 series) is getting a little heavy for a day out..thank you for this video,it has reassured me in my upcoming purchase 🙂
That is good deal. Are you planing on getting one.
@@ForsgardPeter Yes,I collect it in a few days 🙂getting the 14-42 non power zoom as well.
I collected the camera with 14-42 today,what an awesome piece of kit 🙂
I am sorry that I traded in the original E-M1 when I brought the E-M1X. I figure owning the E-M1 Mkii, E-M1X and Pen F was plenty of cameras to own. Still I miss the original E-M1. Enjoy the photos and video.
Thanks. Sometimes you just have to let some gear go.
I got mine for 30 €. You can't beat the value. Of course I'm using it ;-)
(explanation : I bought 2nd hand a combo body + some lenses, and after selling the lenses I already had, the balance was ~ 30 € ; this is all above board with original invoices and documentation etc.)
Wow, that is a really good price!
@@ForsgardPeter : the seller couldn't be bothered with splitting the kit himself, he wanted the cash now and I suspect he had set the price to the level he needed to buy into another system. I, on the other hand, was willing to put up the effort of selling patiently piecemeal to recoup my investment, so all in all, we ended both happy ;-)
The best part is the camera was for all intent and purpose new, with only 1600 clicks... It was still at firmware level 1, too...
Love my EM1 with the battery grip. Good to have some batteries with you if shooting :-)
1:00 Wow. I just ordered a used E-M1 and an unused original 12-40mm f/2.8 . A nice EM1 mk i is stupid cheap in 2022. About the onlt thing that is!🙄😕
Really excellent camera. Even after 10 yrs AF & IQ still very good and the ergonomics are second to none.
I use an EMi Mk2 as my main camera but use my Mk1 as a backup. Everything remains great except the autofocus which is slower than the Mk2. Also the rubber coating around the multi-directional pad has come off.
I recently bought one with a low shutter count for $330 USD. Quite a bargain compared to what the current version goes for. I tend to buy good used equipment. If I kill my gear taking risks with it, I've only lost $300 or so. A little bulkier than I like for travel use, for that my EM-10 mkII, E-PM2 and a Lumix GX85 are a bit easier to pack.
Hey I had found some deals for 300-350 € with lens . How does it compare to M10 III or yo GX. As I can afford only one camera and few lens
Not sure about the Em10 mk3, I own a Mk 2. Image quality seems about the same between the EM1 and EM10. The EM1 has more external buttons, bells and whistles and weather sealing. EM10 is a bit smaller but not a large grip. I'm still evaluating the Lumix GX80/85 and figuring out how to make it behave the way I like. I think I like the dials on the Olympus slightly better. All of these cost me between 300-350 USD for the body.
@@YoSpiff then it seems to me like getting em 1 for 350 € with lens is better than getting em 10 II or III . . Thanks
Just because its older it still takes great pics. Because ots old doesn't mean picture quality is reduced. Since your talking about old cameras does the em5 mark 2 have any firmware upgrades comming or is it obsolete?
I think E-M5 MKII will get upgrades for possible new lenses/other gear like flashes etc. But I do not think there will be anything major.
I got this one offered for 300 AUD, about 150€ by a friend, I already have a pen E-p3 same age...
I really don't know what to do since the OM-D doesn't really take better pictures than the E-p3, at least for a point and shoot purpose. For sure offers more features but it does have a learning curve
Usability is a bit better. It has an EVF and a better grip. You are right about the IQ. For point and shoot, the E-P3 is great.
I have the E-M1 and the PEN E-PM2 - sometimes digital reaches "good enough" performance. I've drolled over the E-M1 Mark II and the Panasonic G9 but I keep telling myself, the weak link is me, not the camera - at least for my activities. The back dial on the E-M1 is sometimes not responsive (a well known issue that can develop) and the lens mount is a bit tired after I played with the 50-500mm Four Thirds "Bigma" life is not without blemishes but I get by. I think I would prefer to spend on that 8-18mm that Matti keeps teasing us with if I had money
How is the 50-500mm performing. Works great with an adapter?
@@ForsgardPeter one reason to use E-M1 bodies with FT lenses is of course the Phase Detect AF (also the E-M5 Mark III now). AF performance is as good as that lens is capable of. :)
However the lens is not of the same refinement as modern and more expensive M.Zuiko lenses - Zoom ring is a not as smooth, AF speed is not as fast as newer lenses, and optical resolution / sharpness is not as high. It also strains the lens mount or the lens mount adapter. - but I find fun in most things
I think there is a general misconception for what you need a very quick AF for. A formula one car is moving faster than a swallow.
But you can take perfect pictures of a formula one car even using manual focus, because you will be panning anyway and the movement is very
predictable. Obviously taking sharp pictures of a bunch of swallows hunting insects is without a very quick AF almost impossible. So it’s not about objects moving fast, it’s about predictability. It would be just wrong to say you can not take sharp pictures of fast moving objects because the continous AF of a camera is not fast enough.
You have a point.
I have my E-M1 since 2015 and I will also like to use them for a long time. I like this device. Small, light, robust, powerful. For a long time, personally, I do not see an important reason for switching to current models. More pixels or even better noise performance are of course nice, but this is not really necessary as the level of the M1 is certainly more than sufficient for most amateur or semi-professional applications. These qualities are not lost. For videos, the M1 is not well suited. That's just a stopgap. Who needs videos in high quality, must change. The rear dial had to be changed once already. Unfortunately outside the warranty period. This mistake seems to have been a known problem of the first generation of the E-M1. The contact with Olympus was exemplary, the repair went quickly. It is not better. In addition, the camera works without any problems and without errors. The feel, the usability and above all the free configurability of the controls are very good. However, the extensive possibilities of the camera and its extensive software menu also require that one must deal with it intensively and in detail. Special mention must be made of the technical support from Olympus. The troubleshooting and the technical enhancements of the camera by the firmware updates by Olympus are a valuable and ingenious feature for the customers. The camera is packed with features and capabilities, most of which I will rarely or never use. The device can do much more than I can. Currently I own 3 lenses from Olympus. The Zuiko 14-150 II I have just bought as number 4, it will arrive in the next few days with me. There is a wide range of very good used MFT lenses in all price ranges. Except for the Olympus 12-40 2.8 which was sold together with the camera as a kit, I bought all other lenses used. You get very good lenses in this way and can save a lot of money.
Thanks for sharing.
Hej Peter. super kanal du har:-) er det muligt på mit em1 at se de valg jeg tager på skærmen eller i finder før jeg tager mit foto ?? Hilsen Søren Danmark
Tack. I am not sure what you mean.
Can u read my mind ? I thought IT will be very nice if you do a Video about the old em1. I have an em10 and looking for a weathersealed Olympus body with a big grip beacause the combo em10 with 12-40 is not so good in my hand. Thank u very much.
Yes I can! :D
Needed a second body for quick switching between primes, and for use with the 4/3 50-200. My biggest issue is that it isn't very smart about choosing where to focus in the wide setting, which is bad for shooting from the hip. I've gone back to zone focusing on this one. The other is lens compatibility. My panasonic lenses focus poorly on the em-1, even though my oly 17 works fine on my panasonic gx85. Unlike on the Panasonic, there is no way to focus while stopped down, so the 25mm 1.7, which has focus shift (when you stop down), can only be used at f2.
Other minor things include the click of the IBIS when you turn it on or off, and the fact that changing auto iso is buried in the menu.
There were a few pleasant surprises. The IBIS works well, especially in video. The latest firmware offers smooth aperture changes in video, which looks ok even with panasonic lenses. Shame there's no 4k, or peaking in video. I also appreciate the amount of buttons.
Good points.
have you tried olympus firmware update for your panasonic 1.7 25mm lense?
A great help - Thank You
Hi Peter, I was checking out this camera and the M5 Mark II as well. Here in Hungary, I could get the M1 Mark I with 12-40mm pro lens for about 650 euros and the M5 Mark II with the same lens for 830 euros. Just from the technical aspect they look pretty much the same to me. 16mpixel, True VII processor, 81 focus points, same LCD and viewfinder resolution, same continuous shooting, weather sealing...etc. So, it looks to me that the M5 Mark II is not really worth the higher price. Or is it? Or I should go with the M10 Mark III which would set me back around the 640-650 euros with the 12-40 pro lens. I would mainly shoot still objects, landscapes, people, maybe some street photography. I hope you read the comments to your old videos as well. :) thank you, Daniel
That is a tough question. It is always hard to comment on what camera one should get. I would take E-M1 over E-M5 MKII. E-M10 MKIV has it adavatages. It is smaller and newer technology, but it is not weather sealed.
@@ForsgardPeter Thanks Peter! 🙂 E-M10 Mark IV could be an option but the body only is around 650 euros as new and even the used ones are around 450-480 euros without a lens. I was looking for a strict technical perspective when comparing the two cameras. The rest is more up to personal preference and likes.
I have a used E-PM1 that still takes great pictures.. not as good as my G7.. But it's a great second camera I can carry for wider pictures on a day out
or maybe it is you who takes those great images?
@@ForsgardPeter Haha, well maybe and thanks... Certainly it's not as good as the E-M1. But it surprises me just how good these old cameras still are comparatively.
Hey Peter -- I still have an original E-M1, and it's still going strong.
So, the E-M1 and the E-M5 Mark II both share the TruePic VII processor, but the E-M5 Mark II has some better video capabilities...77 mbps All-I and 1080p / 60 fps. I'm not asking for 4K on this camera, but it would be great if I had some more options in 1080p. Can you please use your pull to persuade Olympus to give us that in firmware? We know the hardware can do it. I prefer the E-M1 to the E-M5 Mark II because of the phase-detect autofocus and better ergonomics.
Thats true, the video qualities could be improved because there is enough processing power. I will give a hint to Olympus about that.
Yes still a good camera, when I first got mine I was disappointed with it for sports photography as it wasn't as good as the E5 for shooting Motorbikes etc but brilliant for everything else, great 2nd body for my EM1 Mkii these days
You found the E-M5 better in action photography? I used the E-M5 only for a short time so I have now knowledge of that.
@@ForsgardPeter No No No the E-5
Hi Peter, great review! Can you help me with a decision? For landscape photos, does the Olympus E-M1 perform better than the Olympus O-MD E-M 10 Mark II?
The only main difference for landscape photography is that the E-M1 is weather sealed. Image quality is the same.
@@ForsgardPeter Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience!😊😊😊
I really like my EM-1 MK I, especially with 14-150, great all-occasion/all-weather combo! I did not realize this Camera had focus stacking now. Which lenses work with focus stacking? The Macro lenses and the Pro lenses???
Yes you need the firmware 4.0 or newer. Here is a list of all focus stacking compatible lenses: learnandsupport.getolympus.com/node/1732
Peter Forsgård Thanks! Glad they added the new 12-45mm F4 Pro(for when I upgrade)! My EM-1 firmware is upgraded to 4.6.
What is focus stacking Peter?
Just bought this as a second camera for stills. I have a gx85 and I'm looking forward to comparing them for stills. So far the Oly looks like the better photography camera.
Update: it absolutely is a better stills camera.
Thank you very much . EM1.+ VIDIOS pleas
You could put a 12-40 on the front of a cardboard box and take great photos...
Yes.
Hello Peter, I've heard that on the OM-D EM1 mk 1, the focus peaking doesn't work with vintage or, rather, with any non-electronic lens. Is this true, and if yes, then is there a way around it?
I've just sold EM10 mk2 and was about to buy an EM1 mk1.
Thank you.
It can be assigned to a button. It does not work automatically.
@@ForsgardPeter Thanks for the reply. I was actually directed here by RobTrek.
Yes my EM10 was the same it had to be assigned to a button. I hope the EM1 that I have just bought has focus peaking as good as it is in the EM10.
Hi Peter, i enjoyed the video of the m1 first gen. I have only recently started bird(still) fotografy with Panasonic lumix g6 and fz1000. And with the g6 my pics are not so great. As i bought these second hand i ask you is the Olympus a better camera for pictures(no video) for birds that are sitting still.and last question will my mft lenses work on this Olympus m1 camera,greets danny
Cannot really say anything about G6. I know that E-m1 is capable of geting you great shots of sitting birds. Yes, all MFT-lenses work on Olympus. Some features like stabiliser in the lens might not work. just turn it off and use the IBIS in the body.
@@ForsgardPeter Thank you Peter
I am thinking of upgrading my original em5. I mainly use my camera for family and vacation photo with occasional nature and street photography. Should I go for g85 or the em1? I want the g9 but it's a little out of my price point.
I cannot really say anything about G85, but with E-M1 you cannot go wrong.
Thanks for this. I’ve been considering the OM Ds but didn’t understand the timeline of the models. This gives me a clue. ps in Finland would it be uncommon for others to call you Pete as we do in English? For me it’s based on the guys preference.
Pete is ok. Timeline is E-M1 > E-M1 MKII E-M1 X is newer than E-M1 MKII, but it is its own series. The newest OM-D is the E-M5 MKIII.
@@ForsgardPeter Thanks for the timeline. much clearer now. To clarify I was wondering if fellow Finns shorten your name as we do in Canada?
I'm still shooting with the E-m5 mk 1. Shooting fast moving things is very rare for me so I haven't felt the need to change. I'm also on a budget so went with lenses first. I suppose I might upgrade eventually, not sure to which model as I'm not even thinking about it for now. I'd really like some weather sealed f1.8 primes. That would do me until either my camera or myself died :D
I agree on those weather sealed f1.8 primes. Those would be great.
Hi Peter, i think to buy Olympus camera. İ want to choose between omd-10 & in omd-1 Mk1. I know that's deferent class camera but omd-10 release date 2015, it's newer camera but omd-1 have pro body and spec. Which one should I choose. Limit of the my budget is 250-280 euro. Thanks...
E-M1 has weatherproofing, E-M10 has not. And E-M1 is pro graded where the E-M10 is meant for consumers. So it depends on what you want from the camera. A year ago I bought the E-M1 and I'm still really happy with it
If the price is right I would get an E-M1. The things why have already been said in the comments.
Hello Peter! I recently considered to buy this om d em1 mark I as my first camera, due to the price, the features and other aspects, such as that I don't like entry level bodies! I'd like to have an advice from you about which optical I should buy with it. I'd buy a used PRO, obviously, but may be just one to begin. So what should I choose? Thanks a lot
Hi Andrea, Im not Peter. :-) But if I may give you some advice as an Olympus user. What do you want to take pictures of? That is HUGELY impacting what you could use. Is it low light? Or sports? Or landscapes?
I have an E-M1 where I use my 24-70 Pro alot. If I could only buy one lens it would be this one. Very useful if you dont want to switch lensens and do not have a clue what might come at your way. For street photography I use my PEN-F with 17mm 1.8 as it wont track alot of attention (and its a beautiful combO), sometimes 45mm 1.8 if I know what I want. I also have a 9-18 for landscapes, but there is a wider pro lens which is very good.
So as you see, every lens has its purpose... so first figure out what you want to do with it. If you want all-round, the Olympus 24-70 is the way to go. If you want primes, 17mm 1.8 or 25mm 1.8 are my favourites (dont have the latter but used it before).
Maybe Peter also has tips, I love his videos and learn alot of them. :)
@@SplashDamageNL thanks! It was very useful, I have to learn and I don't know what I am going to shoot, but I figure out most probably some street, some portraits, and a few landscapes, so i Need a full range Lens that let me choose everytime the focal length and improve my skills. Do you agree it's better a Pro Lens?
@@SplashDamageNL I cannot find a 24/70... anyway!!!!
@@andreapaoli9853 Sorry.. sometimes Im a bit stuck in the fullframe format. I mean the 12-40 2.8 pro (or the 12-45 4.0 pro). Which is basically a 24-70 alike lens if you were having a CMOS or FullFrame camera.
@@andreapaoli9853 I do not agree at all, not every pro lens is better for someone to start with. There are alot of lenses which are very cheap and perfect for beginners. Like the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Type R or the 17mm 1.8 lens. :) But yeah, generally spoken, the pro lenses are very good and the best lenses around.
I found an em1 body for 215 and I'm just now getting into using SLR cameras. (Transitioning from my Lumix FZ70 bridge camera). Is it worth getting for someone just starting out?
With that price, yes.
@@ForsgardPeter thanks! I've been learning a lot from your videos and other vloggers using Olympus. It has all been immensely helpful!
Of course it's still good. The original OM are still good. People put too much into the number of megapixels.
But how good is the EVF and the monitor? Does it show any lag when panning?
The EVF has improved in newer models, but this is totally usable.
@@ForsgardPeter Thanks for replying. I am actually considering getting the Em1 mk1 as a cheap camera to keep on my self at all times. Of course, the newer models are a lot improved, but I use a Nikon DSLR for for that. But since I cannot carry a heavy dslr around always, I wanted to keep a lighter mirrorless. So, does it show any lag when panning? And how clear is the evf? If it has any uncomfortable lag that is visible then I would get some other camera.
Question everyone. I own EM1 1 and EM5 II with a lineup of Sigma primes and the pro 12 40, as I mentioned in a previous comment.
Would image quality increase significantly with the newer EM1 II in contrast with the EM1 1 or it would be more wise for someone to buy faster lenses? I am thinking to complete the trio of 1,4 primes from Sigma buying the 56mm and I am on the fence whether it would be wiser now to invest to the better body. Any help here will really matter to me. Thanks everyone!
If you do not photograph fast moving subjects I would invest in lenses. Of course the E-m1 MKII has a few more pixels and a lot better AF, two card slots, it is a lot faster etc.
The E-M1 I was my main camera until recently, when I got a PEN-F for a good price. The 20 mp sensor in fact gives a small, but visible advantage if you look closely (you may inspect that in camera reviews on DPreview). But the difference is not big and applies mostly for landscapes in good light with small details. For anything else, I don't think it matters. I still use the E-M1 I when it might rain and for paid jobs, where ergonomics are crucial. Btw, the E-M1 I shares a battery type with the old E-M5 and the PEN-F.
Hauke and Peter thank you for your feedback. As I am short in terms of incomes, I always try to take the most out of my system an to upgrade when possible. I will eventually buy a fast prime telephoto witch is needed in my MMA fight photography gigs I am involved lately. Thank you a bunch!
@@ToKanaliMouAbout primes, I tried some: regarding value for money, the Olympus 25 and 45/1.8 primes are obvious choices. But the Panasonic Leica 25/1.4 has dropped in price since there is a mark II version and combines very good center sharpness, even at 1.4, with very nice bokeh. One of the best lenses ever is the Sigma 56/1.4! Just perfect. Both have smooth manual focusing on the E-M1. I can not recommend the Olympus 17/1.8, it is not perfectly sharp wide open and for a similar price you can get the Panasonic Leica 15/1.7, which is a little bit better.
@@hauke3644 I just love Sigma lenses! I have in my lineup the 16mm f1.4 and the 30mm f1.4 and man.. they are really sharp lenses. I also have the Sigma 60mm f2.8 and really is great portrait and compact lens. I just need more light so my next goal is to buy the 56mm f1.4 for all the benefits you mentioned.