OM System OM-1 Mark II review: A solid, capable mirrorless camera

Mirrorless cameras have evolved enough that it’s now harder to find a bad camera than a good one. Photographers are spoiled for choice, and few bodies offer inferior image quality.One of the biggest differences between mirrorless cameras and their competitors is ability. The OM System OM-1 Mark II takes this to the extreme.

The Micro Four Thirds body offers a range of features that are hard to find elsewhere. The camera can automatically focus on the stars and then take handheld long exposures by combining top-notch stabilization with a built-in neutral density filter. Processes like focus stacking and real-time compositing are done in camera, no Photoshop required.

Is there a better sensor than the 20.4-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor inside the OM-1 Mark II? Sure, but you’d be hard-pressed to find another camera body that does what OM System’s latest flagship does without accessories or Photoshop. Of course, Micro Four Thirds sensors can also find 1200mm equivalent lenses that don’t cost as much and don’t weigh as much.

Prices, specifications and availability

OM System released the OM-1 Mark II in January 2024. The camera currently retails for $2,400 (body only). I tested the body using the M.Zuiko 9-18mm f4-5.6 and 150-600mm f5-6.3 lenses.

design

tough but comfortable

The camera is a little too small, but the OM-1 Mark II achieves the perfect combination of weight and ergonomics. The body has a large grip and is as comfortable as a DSLR. The camera weighs approximately 21 ounces (599 grams) including battery and microSD.

The compact design keeps controls within easy reach. The top of the OM-1 Mark II has a mode dial, as well as shortcut keys for burst mode, autofocus, and exposure compensation. Two control dials are located on the front and back of the handle, along with an ISO button for quick exposure adjustments.

There’s a set of menu controls on the back of the camera, but the highlight here is the large LCD screen that tilts to the side. The hinged screen makes it easy to shoot from awkward angles, or tuck the screen away for protection. It’s also touch-enabled, with tap-to-focus and a quick menu, although the full menu requires the use of physical buttons.

The camera also comes with plenty of ports. It has two UHS-II SD card slots, a USB-C port, microphone jack, micro HDMI, and sync sockets. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity make it easy to connect to the OM System app. One minor gripe is that the OM-1 Mark II doesn’t come with a charger in the box, which has become the norm with most cameras. You need to purchase the adapter separately.

The Mark II is designed for outdoor adventures. The body is IP53 certified, dustproof, splashproof, and can withstand temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius). The sonic filter is located internally and vibrates every time the camera is powered on to prevent dust from entering the sensor.

Photo and video performance

Throw away the filters and even the tripod

The OM-1 Mark II’s strong focus on functionality allows you to get more done without Photoshop and a host of accessories. It has features that simplify operation for novices and amateurs, yet is advanced enough that most photographers won’t give up on this camera.

For example, the body offers an incredible 8.5 stops of stability. Even for five-second handheld long exposures using a wide-angle lens, the stability is adequate.

The built-in neutral density filter even allows handheld long exposures during the day. While the Mark II’s predecessor had this feature, the new camera goes a step further and adds graduated neutral density filters. GND slides across the lens to darken the sky to avoid overexposure. The OM-1 Mark II does this internally using computational photography—no physical filters required. You can adjust the intensity and see the effect before shooting. The camera’s controls allow you to adjust where the filter falls so that it covers the sky even when the horizon is at an angle.

While the OM-1 Mark II’s predecessor offered subject detection autofocus, the OM System improves the new model’s accuracy. Birdseye AF is a big boost for beginner wildlife photographers. This feature works fine in most situations, but problems can arise if branches or leaves cover part of the animal. It also has some difficulties with backlighting. In my experience, Canon’s higher-end cameras do a better job of picking out a bird among tangled branches.

Overall, autofocus performance is solid, if not absolutely optimal. Expect some dropped frames when your fastest subjects are running straight towards the camera. For example, shooting my dog ​​at 10 fps with Animal Eye AF, about 20% of the photos were soft. The camera works better if the subject is not facing directly towards the camera. The OM-1 Mark II captures images at up to 50 fps (120 fps if autofocus is not required). Still, your hard drive will cry when processing so many images, and the slower speeds also benefit from a black-screen-free viewfinder. The OM-1 Mark II also includes more RAM than before, so the camera can sustain its fastest burst shooting speeds for twice as long.

These features can help the camera be more versatile, without the need for accessories, and suitable for more novice users. Like its predecessor, the OM-1 Mark II can also merge multiple images for sharper photos and star trails, or start taking photos early to correct bad timing. In scenes without movement, handheld high-resolution mode can combine multiple images into a 50-megapixel photo, or use a tripod to combine multiple images into an 80-megapixel photo.

The camera shoots video up to 4K 60p and features excellent Eye AF enhancement. Video isn’t the main selling point, though, with competing options like the Panasonic G9 ii and GH6 offering 5.7K capture and ProRes support.

Picture quality

Not bad, but not the best for such an expensive camera

The OM-1 Mark II captures decent images, but you can expect better results from a full-frame camera. This isn’t surprising, as the 20.4-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor and TruePic X processor are the same hardware found in earlier models. I don’t feel the same awe when looking at 100% resolution images from the OM-1 Mark II as I do when looking at similarly priced full-frame competitors. Photos are sharp and colorful, but don’t have as much detail as those captured by high-resolution cameras. Image grain is acceptable at ISO 3,200. If push comes to shove, I’ll use a camera with ISO 12,800.

However, the 2X crop factor brings benefits when using telephoto lenses. You can use the OM-1 Mark II to get closer to your subjects because the 600mm lens is equivalent to a 1200mm lens on a full-frame body, yet is cheaper and lighter.

judgment

OM System The OM-1 Mark II is one of the most powerful cameras I’ve ever used, but I’ve seen other $2,400 cameras that take better photos. The features of the OM-1 Mark II make it one of the best Micro Four Thirds bodies. This camera is an excellent choice if you want to bring a lighter lens and fewer accessories on your next adventure. It allows for some long exposures without filters and sometimes even without a tripod. It can also accomplish focus stacking and real-time compositing without Photoshop. These features are great for traveling while also making difficult photography easier for amateurs.

In comparison, the Panasonic G9 II offers higher resolution and excellent color profiles. However, I think the OM-1 II has better eye AF, as well as additional features like built-in ND and GND, and a blackout-free viewfinder. OM System’s latest flagship also offers longer battery life with 520 photos.

The OM-1 Mark II is one of the best cameras for travel and a great choice for Micro Four Thirds format. However, if pure image performance is important to you, the OM-1 Mark II can’t compete with similarly priced full-frame cameras. For travelers, beginners who want more than a plastic novice model and a genre where a 2x crop factor is a plus rather than a minus, the OM-1 Mark II is well worth considering.