15 Reasons to Buy the new OM System OM-1 Camera
Now that the OM System OM-1 is official, we have better understanding of what it offers and how competitive it is potentially going to be against the competition. Here we have listed 15 Reasons to buy the OM-1 and 5 Reasons not to Buy in no particular order.
15 Reasons to Buy the OM-1
1- Fastest sensor in the MFT world: The new Stacked BSI CMOS sensor and new Image Processeor promises faster readout speeds less rolling shutter, higher dynamic range and faster shooting speeds.
2- Unlimited Video Recording:No more 29 minute recording limit as in older Olympus cameras.
3- LiveND / Built-in 6-stops ND Filter Simulation: This is so handy for long exposures.
4- Improved Video capabilities: 4K 60p Video recording with no crop and FHD 240p Video Recording, 10-bit recording in the H.265 format
5- RAW Video recording (ProRes RAW) to Ninja V and Ninja V+ via HDMI.
6- Improved AF with 1053 Cross type focus points that covers the whole frame, improved Eye-AF and tracking performance.
7- Imrpoved EV Experience: 5760kdot Viewfinder with 120fps refresh rate and 0.83x magnification: This is as big as the E-M1X viewfinder but at much higher resolution.
8- High Resolution Mode with 50MP Handheld and 80MP Tripod; Mitigates the disadvantage of 20MP sensor resolution in certain scenarios. Thanks to fast readout with the enw stacked sensor, duration is much shorter than the one on the E-M1 III.
9- Live Composition Mode: Don't know why more manufacturers don't add this feature to their cameras.
10- 50 fps with full autofocus and autoexposure and 120fps with locked AF and AE (Both with eshutter and 50fps is only possible with 'PRO' lenses, other lenses let 25fps max).
11- Longer battery life - 520 shots CIPA- with the new battery.
12- Deeper Grip improves handling and ergonomics.
13- IP53 Weather Sealing: Protected from limited dust ingress. Protected from water spray less than 60 degrees from vertical.
Previous E-M1 III and E-M1X have the lower IPX3 standard. Kudos to Olympus for releasing their IP ratings unlike other 'very pro' manufacturers.
14- 7-stops in-body image stabilization, up to 8-stops when combined with certain lenses is the best in business, let's see what the Panasonic GH6 will come up with.
15- New Menu system promises to address some of the complaints with the very complicated older menu system.
5 Reasons to not Buy the OM-1
1- Sensor resolution at 20MP is still much behind the competition from APS-C and Full Frame Cameras., leaves less room for cropping.
2- Small body is cramped for larger hands and when used with gloves.
3- MFT sensor gives less control on the depth-of-field (reality for all MFT cameras though).
4- $2199 body only price is in the advanced Full Frame territory.
5- Branding: I know It is mainly personal and emotional but isn't 'OM System' the silliest brand name in the camera world? Is that why they still have the 'Olympus' written on the camera? I wish they could have preserved the Olympus name permanently.
The OM-1 will be available starting from March 3rd with an MSRP of $2199 but it is already available for pre-order now: B&H Photo / AmazonUS / AmazonCA / AmazonDE / AmazonES / AmazonFR / AmazonIT / AmazonUK / AmazonIN / AmazonAU