Olympus OM-1 1972 35mm SLR – Olympus OM-1 2022 Digital 20.4 Mp.

Fifty years have passed, and here is another OM-1 !
Will it be discussed as much as the original OM-1 ? (which actually was marked M-1 first), I don’t think so, can he be as revolutionary ? possibly.

But why do I want to write about it anyway?
Do I have one – no
Do I want one – yes, no, yes…ehhm… no, but that’s because I already have too many cameras, and I already own an EM5 Mark II that I realy love.
I am and remain a follower and supporter of the Fujifilm camera system, but sometimes I prefer to use my Oly EM5 Mark II 🙂
for photographing birds for example,
and also when I want a long reach and little weight – on Bushcraft for example,
basically anywhere where weight-range and water resistance is important.

So, for this type of camera we are talking about the adventurous type photographer.
Isn’t a Fujifilm photographer adventurous? of course yes, robustness and water resistance is certainly no problem for a Fuji,
but carrying a camera with a lens equivalent of 600mm, and weighing 1030grams in total is something else – my EM5 II with Panasonic 100-300mm (200-600) weighs 1030grams, and it can fit in a large coat pocket or a very small handbag.

The strong argument that Olympus has always used is that in combination with the crop factor you can use smaller and lighter lenses, then add image stabilization and make the camera very small and light, and you have a killer combination.

However, this camera is not so light, and also not that compact, in terms of dimensions you can compare it with the Fujifilm X-H1 – just a few millimeters smaller, so not really tiny.

Then, is there still an advantage to using this camera?
Well, the specs of this camera are better than the X-T4, not much you say? well, he really stands out here and there:
unlimited recording time, live composite, larger viewfinder and higher resolution , higher iso, doubled focus points, faster shooting, build in ND, high resolution shot 80mp – 50mp handheld, animal eye tracking …
And the gain in smaller and lighter lenses is still there.

To summarize the advantages of the new OM-1 : its a Fuji X-T4 on steroids.

• the crop factor is in any case a plus (long range, small lenses)
• 120fps continuous shooting (electronic)
• 8.0 EV Stops of Stabilization Performance
• 80MP High Res Shot Mode (Tripod) 50MP High Res Shot Mode (Handheld)
• an OLED viewfinder of 5.76M dots
• IP53 Weathersealing

These are some impressive specifications !

These are some impressive specifications !
And if you read carefully, really focused on nature photography,
and that’s where Olympus shines.
That’s also the reason for this writing.
Very honest ?
If I was still busy with the switch from Pentax camera system at this moment,
then this camera, and whether the Olympus system as a whole, would have been worthy of consideration.
Today ?
As a photographer I am just not involved enough with nature photography,
just not enough on (extreme) adventure,
however…

In the video below you can find and demonstrated all the most important specifications.
But a warning in advance !
After watching the video you will want it ! I already had my visa in my hand 🙂
it’s tempting…

Now, this OM-1 is not a cheap camera,
do you still want to take advantage of the advantages that an Olympus camera has,
then you can still opt for an older camera,
such as the Olympus OM D EM 5 Mark II.
When my wife and I stay in our vacation home,
I always have my EM 5 with 100-300mm lying around,
just for the occasion when something suddenly pops up that you want to photograph.
It is never in the way, because it is small.
Below I have attached a video that I made in this way with this camera.

* picture header original Olympus OM-1, courtesy of https://www.olympus-global.com/technology/museum/camera/products/om/om-1/?page=technology_museum