Olympus OM System OM-1

The Olympus OM System OM‑1 is a flagship mirrorless camera that combines exceptional image quality with creative versatility. Featuring interchangeable lenses, advanced autofocus, and powerful 4K video, it’s built to inspire photographers who want precision and freedom in every shot. 

Introduction

Amidst the breathtaking vista, where a sea of clouds conceals the earth and the radiant horizon heralds the dawn of a new day, I find the perfect moment to capture with my camera. This journey to reach this point was no mere chance but a testament to the pursuit of those rare and remarkable scenes that only daring photographers can seize. The Olympus OM System OM-1, an interchangeable lens camera, was crafted to embrace such passion and empower photographers to explore new realms of creativity.

A Journey Unbound

As I venture forward, my camera becomes an unwavering partner, propelling me through an endless quest to discover boundless photographic worlds. Endowed with all the elements necessary for genuine creativity, the OM System OM-1 interchangeable lens camera empowers me to forge ahead, unbound by limits, and eager to witness the wondrous realms that await my lens.

Product Highlights

High Image Quality

• Beyond Expectations: The OM-1 delivers high image quality that surpasses expectations for its sensor size, capturing scenes with remarkable clarity and detail, ensuring that every shot is a masterpiece.

Computational Photography

• Expanded Expression: Embrace computational photography and expand your creative expression with the OM-1, unlocking new possibilities and pushing the boundaries of traditional photography.

High-Speed Performance

• Precise Capture: With high-speed performance, the OM-1 ensures that you can precisely capture split-second moments, allowing you to freeze time and immortalize fleeting beauty with ease.

Absolute Reliability

• Unwavering Dependability: Built with absolute reliability in mind, the OM-1 stands as a testament to durability and ruggedness, ensuring that it remains your trusted companion through every photographic endeavor.

Video Functions

• For Demanding Creators: Catering to the needs of demanding creators, the OM-1 features advanced video functions that empower you to unleash your creativity and produce stunning visual content with ease.

Standout Features

Optimized Sensor and Engine

• New 20M Stacked BSI Live MOS Sensor: The OM-1 features a cutting-edge sensor design that, when paired with the TruePic X engine, optimizes M.Zuiko Digital lens performance to deliver stunning detail and minimal noise in every shot.
• Surpassing Expectations: Despite its compact size, the OM-1 surpasses typical image quality expectations for its sensor size, rivaling full-frame cameras in output, ensuring that every image is rendered with exceptional clarity and richness.
• Balanced Performance: Striking a perfect balance between portability and high image quality, the OM-1 emerges as an optimal camera choice for photographers who refuse to compromise on image excellence.

Enhanced Processing Power

• New Image Processing Algorithm: The OM-1 incorporates a new image processing algorithm that maximizes the TruePic X engine’s high-speed processing power, allowing photographers to capture intricate details like feathers and fur with unparalleled precision, ensuring that every shot is a masterpiece.
• Expanded ISO Sensitivity Range: With a standard ISO sensitivity range up to ISO 25600 (expandable to ISO 102400), the OM-1 excels in low-light conditions and indoor sports photography, delivering outstanding performance and image quality in any lighting scenario.

Advanced Stabilization

• High-Performance IS (Image Stabilization): The OM-1 boasts a highly efficient sensor and TruePic X engine combination that reduces noise at high sensitivities, resulting in clean images with a wide dynamic range, from shadows to highlights.
• Handheld Shooting Confidence: With image stabilization compensating up to 7 steps with the camera body alone (8 steps with sync IS), photographers can confidently shoot handheld at slow shutter speeds without the need for a tripod, ensuring sharp and blur-free images in challenging conditions.
• Handheld Assist Feature: The Handheld Assist feature aids framing during slow shutter speed shooting, providing photographers with better results and enhanced stability when capturing scenes in demanding environments.

High-Resolution Shot

• Delivering Exceptional Clarity: The OM-1’s High Res Shot feature delivers amazing high-definition images in a compact package, ensuring that every detail is captured with breathtaking clarity and precision.
• Versatile Shooting Options: From Tripod High Res Shot, which composites 8 images to create 80M high-definition shots, to Handheld High Res Shot, which composites 12 images for 50M high-definition shots, the OM-1 offers a range of shooting options to suit every photographer’s needs.

Live ND and Live Composite

• Simulated Extended Exposure: The OM-1’s Live ND feature simulates extended exposure times for slow shutter speed effects, allowing photographers to achieve stunning results even in bright conditions without the need for physical ND filters.
• Lighten Composite Photos: With Live Composite, the OM-1 merges brightened parts in multiple shots to create Lighten Composite photos, ideal for capturing star movements and city lights with ease and precision.

Focus Stacking and HDR Shooting

• Seamless Deep Focus: Focus Stacking delivers seamless deep focus and high resolution by shifting the focal point and compositing multiple shots for in-focus foreground to background images, eliminating the need for extreme aperture stops for depth of field.
• Wide Dynamic Range: The OM-1’s HDR shooting capabilities allow photographers to capture a wide dynamic range from shadows to highlights, compositing multiple shots at different exposures to achieve natural-looking scenes or a painting style aesthetic.

Menu Configuration

• Revamped Menu Layout: The menu layout of the OM-1 has been revamped for easy navigation, accurate settings, and clear item notation, ensuring better user understanding and accessibility.

In-Camera Rating Feature

• Immediate Image Rating: Users can now rate images in five categories immediately after shooting or during their free time, facilitating easier selection and organization of photos, and ensuring efficient image management in OM Workplace.

Night View Mode

• Improved Live View Boost: The improved Live View Boost function enables users to check the subject on the EVF or rear monitor even in low-light conditions, such as shooting the starry sky, enhancing nighttime photography.

Starry Sky AF

• Special AF Algorithm: Astrophotographers will appreciate the special Starry Sky AF algorithm designed to achieve high-precision focusing on stars, allowing for authentic and professional astrophotography.

Location Information Recording

• Minimal Power Drain: The OM-1 can acquire location information from a smartphone via Bluetooth connection, embedding it in recorded images with minimal power consumption, enabling geo-tagging for images.

Independent AEL and AF-ON Buttons

• Enhanced Control: In addition to the AEL button, a new AF-ON button has been introduced, allowing users to customize settings for both buttons according to their shooting style or subject, offering more flexibility and control.

Features

Advanced Autofocus System

• 1,053-Point, All Cross-Type AF: The OM-1 boasts an impressive autofocus system with 1,053 points covering 100% of the frame, utilizing a Stacked BSI Live MOS sensor with Cross Quad Pixel AF mode for unparalleled precision and coverage.
• On-Chip Phase Detection: Equipped with on-chip phase detection in both vertical and horizontal directions, the OM-1 ensures swift and accurate autofocus performance, enabling photographers to capture fast-moving subjects with ease.
• AI Detection AF: Leveraging deep learning technology, the OM-1 offers AI Detection AF for improved subject recognition, including detectable subjects such as animals (dogs and cats), ensuring that even the most challenging subjects are accurately tracked in real time.

Enhanced Shooting Speed

• Pro Capture 120 fps Sequential Shooting: The OM-1’s Pro Capture mode allows photographers to capture split-second moments with its blazing-fast 120 fps sequential shooting speed, ensuring that no moment is missed with its 1st and 2nd release feature.
• AF/AE Tracking 50 fps High-Speed Sequential Shooting: With the Stacked BSI Live MOS sensor and TruePic X engine, the OM-1 achieves blistering sequential shooting performance, capturing fast-moving subjects with incredible speed and accuracy at up to 50 fps during AF/AE tracking.

Absolute Reliability

• New EVF with Greater Realism: The OM-1 features a new EVF with 5,760,000 dot resolution, offering improved clarity and a 0.83x viewfinder magnification (35mm equivalent) for an immersive shooting experience.
• Practical IP53 Compatibility: Designed for reliability in challenging environments, the OM-1 boasts IP53 dustproof and waterproof performance, a sealed magnesium alloy body, and freezeproof construction to -10°C, ensuring usability in punishing conditions.
• Reliable Dust Reduction System: With an effective dust reduction system, the OM-1 ensures clean shots during lens changes, maintaining image quality even in dusty environments.
• Highly Durable Shutter Unit: Enduring 400,000 operation tests, the OM-1’s shutter unit is built to last, providing photographers with long-lasting performance and reliability.
• New BLX-1 Battery with 520-Shot Capacity: The OM-1 is equipped with a high-capacity Lithium-Ion Battery for extended shooting, with optional support for the HLD-10 Power Battery Holder for simultaneous charging and versatile power bank support.
• Dual Card Slots for Continuous Shooting: Featuring staggered layout dual SD card slots with UHS-II interface support, the OM-1 offers various recording modes for sorting and continuous shooting, ensuring photographers never miss a moment.

Smooth and Detailed Imaging

• 4K, 60p Video: The OM-1 delivers high-definition 4K, 60p video capabilities, ensuring smooth and detailed imaging for professional videographers and vloggers seeking mobile creative video production.
• Up to 240p High-Speed Movie Shooting: Supporting up to 240p high-speed movie shooting in FHD, the OM-1 enables users to capture fast-moving scenes with remarkable clarity and precision.
• Support for Multiple Formats: With support for H.264, H.265, and Multi Frame Rate, the OM-1 offers high bit rate recording, ensuring exceptional video quality in various shooting scenarios.

Advanced Video Recording

• RAW Video Recording: Introducing RAW video recording capabilities, the OM-1 allows for advanced post-production tasks in 12-bit RGB palette when outputting to external equipment, providing filmmakers with unprecedented creative control.
• Apple ProRes RAW Format: Supporting Apple ProRes RAW format on compatible external output devices, the OM-1 offers expanded color correction range, enhancing the flexibility and quality of the final video output.
• HDMI Monitor Connection: With HDMI monitor connection, users can check recorded video on an external monitor and use external devices for recording output images, offering new possibilities for creative filmmaking and video production.

Advantages

Easy-to-Use Film Camera

The Olympus OM System OM-1 interchangeable lens camera is a fantastic choice for beginners and enthusiasts alike who are delving into the world of film photography. With its user-friendly design and intuitive controls, capturing stunning images becomes effortless.

Great Image Quality

Equipped with high-quality lenses and a reliable imaging system, the OM-1 delivers exceptional image quality that surpasses expectations. Whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, or street scenes, the camera consistently produces sharp, detailed, and vibrant images.

Creative Control with High-Quality Lenses

The OM System offers a wide range of high-quality lenses that provide photographers with greater creative control over their images. From wide-angle to telephoto, each lens is crafted to deliver stunning results, allowing photographers to explore different perspectives and styles.

Excellent Value for Money

Despite its advanced features and superior image quality, the OM-1 remains an affordable option for film photography enthusiasts. Its reasonable price point makes it accessible to a wide range of users, offering excellent value for money without compromising on performance.

Conclusion

For those seeking to immerse themselves in the art of film photography, the Olympus OM System OM-1 provides the perfect gateway. With its ease of use, exceptional image quality, and affordable price, the camera offers a delightful way to explore, experiment, and enjoy the timeless charm of analog photography.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Olympus OM System OM-1 good?

Yes, the OM System OM-1 is a great camera with good build quality, easy to use controls, and a wide range of lenses and accessories. It’s especially popular among classic and vintage camera enthusiasts. It’s capable of taking excellent photos with its legendary Zuiko lenses and is an affordable alternative to many newer digital cameras.

Why should you consider purchasing the Olympus OM System OM-1?

The OM System OM-1 is a classic film camera that has stood the test of time. The camera body and lenses are both incredibly durable, and the robust metal construction gives it a premium feel that many modern digital cameras don’t have. Additionally, it is lightweight and designed with ergonomics in mind, making it easy to handle and carry around. With its versatile interchangeable lens system, the camera is able to take sharp and crisp images with beautiful shallow depth of field.

Despite its age, its manual accessories are widely available and still reasonably priced, making it great for any kind of photographer. So, if you’re looking for a reliable film camera that has a classic retro appeal, then the OM System OM-1 is the perfect choice.

Who would benefit most from purchasing the Olympus OM System OM-1?

The Olympus OM System OM-1 is a great choice for photography enthusiasts and professionals alike who are looking for an affordable and reliable system with a wide selection of compatible lenses. It is especially popular among vintage camera lovers and those who appreciate a manual focus system. This camera offers excellent image quality and reliable performance, making it a great choice for all types of photographers.

Are customers generally satisfied with the performance and features of the Olympus OM System OM-1?

Overall, most customers seem to be quite satisfied with the Olympus OM System OM-1. Customers have noted its impressive image quality, its easy-to-use manual controls, and its spacious viewfinder as positive aspects to the camera.

Technical Specifications

Product Type: Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens System Camera

Sensor and Memory

• Sensor Size: 17.4 mm x 13.0 mm (Micro Four Thirds)
• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds Mount
• Image Sensor Type: 4/3 Stacked BSI Live MOS Sensor
• Number of Pixels:
  • Effective Pixels: Approx. 20.4 million pixels
  • Total Pixels: Approx. 22.9 million pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3
• Dust Reduction: Supersonic Wave Filter (Image Sensor Dust Reduction System)
• Memory:
  • Slot 1: SD, SDHC (UHS-I / II), SDXC(UHS-I / II)
  • Slot 2: SD, SDHC (UHS-I / II), SDXC(UHS-I / II)

Still Photo Recording

• Recording Format: DCF2.0, Exif2.31
• File Format: JPEG, RAW (12-bit Lossless Compression), JPEG+RAW
• Recording Image Size:
  • RAW: 5184 x 3888 pixels
  • JPEG: 5184 x 3888 pixels – 1024 x 768 pixels
• Dual Slot Settings: Standard, Auto Switch, Dual Independent, Dual Same
  • When two cards are inserted, card to be saved onto or viewed can be designated.
• Folder Creation and Selection: Available

Image Stabilization System

• Image Stabilization Type: Built-in 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization
• Image Stabilization Mode: S-IS AUTO, S-IS1, S-IS2, S-IS3, OFF
• Stabilization Performance:
  • Compensation Steps (Body only): 7.0
    • When using M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO (Focal Length: 40mm)
  • Compensation Steps (Sync IS): 8.0
    • When using M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO (Focal Length: 150mm), Halfway Release Image Stabilization Off, Frame Rate: High
• 5-axis Sync IS: Available
• Focal Length Setting: 11 Settings: 10 Programmable Settings (10 Lenses)

Finder

• Finder Type: Eye-level OLED Electronic Viewfinder, Approx. 5.76M Dots
• Field of View / Viewfinder Magnification:
  • Approx. 100% / Approx. 1.48x – 1.65x (-1m-1, 50mm Lens, Infinity)
• Eye Point / Diopter Adjustment Range:
  • Approx. 21mm (-1m-1, Distance from Rear Lens Surface)
  • -4 ~ +2m-1
• Display Grid: Off / Normal Grid / Trichotomy / Golden Grid / Scale / Diagonal / Movie Grid
  • Grid Color is Selectable
• Level Gauge: 2-axis (Horizontal/Vertical) Level Gauge
• Finder Style: 3 Styles
• Brightness and Color Temperature Control: Adaptive Brightness Technology (EVF Auto Luminance) / ±7 Level Manual Brightness Control / ±7 Level Manual Color Temperature Control (GM and BA)
• S-OVF (Simulated OVF): Available
• Eyecup: EP-18 (Bundled)

Monitor

• Monitor Type: 3.0-inch Vari-angle Monitor (Electrostatic Capacitance Touch Panel), Approx. 1.62M Dots (3:2)
• Touch Control: Shutter Release, Touch AF (AF Area Selection, AF Area Size Adjustment), Face Selection by Touch Operation, AF Targeting Pad, Frame Forward/Backward, Magnified Playback, Super Control Panel, Wi-Fi Connection, Movie Controls
• Tilting Capability: Swivel Type
• Brightness / Color Temperature Control: ±7 Levels / GM ±7 Levels, BA ±7 Levels