OSP’s Top Camera Recommendation no.4 : Olympus E-M1X – Tough Enough for Anything

5 minutes read.

Following up on the Q&A about which camera I think is the best, would recommend, or would actually buy again – well, that’s a question with a hundred possible answers. It all depends on your budget, what you plan to use the camera for, and your own preferences. That’s why I’m discussing four cameras here, in no particular order. This isn’t a top 1-2-3-4 ranking, but a selection of cameras that each tick different boxes and serve different needs. You can then pick whichever one matches your style and priorities best.

Today we’re talking about nr.4 :

About ten or fifteen years ago, I shot a lot of film – first out of nostalgia, then as a way to test film simulation LUTs. And if there’s one camera from that era that truly made an impression, it’s the Nikon F5. This thing is a beast: big, heavy, loaded with pro features, and pretty much bomb-proof. Built like a tank for the toughest assignments, It was no wonder you found F5s wherever pros needed something that just wouldn’t quit. And despite its size, it feels great in the hand – ergonomics done right.

Still, as much as I love the analog vibe, film cameras like the F5 don’t really make sense for me anymore. Sure, it’s a perfect learning tool for beginners who want to do things the old-school way, but I’ve moved on. Plus, with all those darkroom chemicals, the environment’s better off too.

The Olympus E-M1X: The Digital Tank

Enter Olympus with their own modern monster: the E-M1X. It’s basically a digital tank – about 200 grams lighter than the F5, a centimeter slimmer, and otherwise… just as beefy. Handling? Honestly, it’s eerily familiar. The E-M1X feels solid, substantial, and just right in the hand. The same ‘real pro’ vibe as the F5, but with all the digital perks: pro looks, built-in grip for two batteries, and just about every feature you could want for news, sports, architecture, city reporting, or even fashion work.

And the specs? You get eye-tracking autofocus, subject recognition (yes, it’ll spot trains, planes, and sportscars for you), and blazing speed. The E-M1X is ready for pretty much anything you throw at it – without breaking your back or your bank account. It’s a pro camera without the pro-level price tag.

In Short:
The E-M1X is the spiritual successor to those bomb-proof film cameras, built for shooters who actually want to shoot, not just pose for Instagram. Whether you’re documenting breaking news or chasing deer through the woods, it’s a workhorse – and it won’t let you down, rain or shine.

Alright, so it’s a big, heavy camera – why on earth would you buy this thing? Well, I can think of a few solid reasons. Let’s start with the price: you can pick up an E-M1X these days for as little as €600 to €700, maybe even less. That gets you a camera with :

• advanced subject recognition
• 1/8000s mechanical and 1/32000 electronic shutter
• top speed of 60fps and 100+ frames buffer
• 80 or 50Mp High Resolution (50mp handheld)
• two battery’s
• 2x UHS II
• etc.

Pretty impressive at this price point. If you’re not put off by a bit of extra weight and bulk, you also get a mechanical shutter rated for up to 400,000 actuations, and if you’re clever with the electronic shutter, you can stretch that lifespan even further. This is a genuinely bomb-proof system – built for professional fieldwork.

So yes, if you’re after a camera for adventure, and you need something tough enough to hammer in tent pegs (okay, maybe don’t actually do that, but you get the idea), this is the one. It’s built like a tank, promises a long working life, and yet won’t cost you more than a budget beginner model.

I own one, and let me tell you: it’s never leaving my collection. I absolutely love how it feels in the hand. I use it as a sort of go-anywhere reportage camera – whenever size and weight aren’t an issue, this is the body I grab for a day in the city, a stroll through a gallery, or a museum (when they actually let you shoot inside). I even brought it along on a visit to a WWII fort, complete with flooded tunnels and grimy, pitch-dark corridors – the kind of place where you want a camera that can take a beating.

Thanks to the dual batteries, you never get caught out when it matters. It powers through a full day (and then some), always delivers top-notch results, and just feels right for these kinds of tough assignments. For all the situations I’ve mentioned, I can wholeheartedly recommend it.

And as for the famous words ‘Should you buy the E-M1X in 2025?‘
Absolutely – if you value reliability and ruggedness over chasing the latest specs. Six years on, the E-M1X is still a pro-level workhorse: tough, fast, and packed with features that matter. You get pro autofocus, dual batteries, weather sealing, and a shutter that lasts forever- all now at a bargain price. Built like a tank, this camera doesn’t care about its age – and neither should you.

Target audience:
The E-M1X is built for the Bold and the Curious:

• Adventurers who aren’t afraid of a bit of rain.
• Professionals who need a rugged workhorse.
• Photography students eager to push their skills.
• It’s perfect for Fashion Photographers chasing dramatic light.
• And those drawn to Architectural Geometry or Urban Exploration.
• It’s also surprisingly forgiving for the Clumsy – if you tend to drop your camera, this one’s for you.
• Tech Geeks and Photography Nerds who love to tweak every setting will feel right at home.
• And Wildlife or Sports Shooters who need fast, reliable autofocus will appreciate its power.
• Basically, the E-M1X is for anyone who wants pro-level features without babying their gear, whether you’re knee-deep in mud, perched on a windy rooftop, or just determined to nail the shot – no matter what.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
OSP 5-Star Pick

Curious about the next three? Swing by next week – I’ll be revealing a new OSP Top Pick camera on Monday, Wednesday, and the last one on next Friday. Don’t miss it! Hope to see you back here soon.
Marc.

OSP Wisdom:
If you ever drop your E-M1X, check the floor for damage.

OSP Wisdom:
If you’re worried about your camera surviving the apocalypse, get an E-M1X. If it doesn’t make it, you probably won’t either.

This article was written by Marc R.
While I primarily speak Dutch and have some knowledge of English and a little French, ChatGPT helps ensure my writing is grammatically correct. I often mix Dutch and English in my drafts, and ChatGPT steps in to translate and correct.