TECH REVIEW Olympus OM-D E-M1
PRICE 1,19,000
(with 12-50mm lens)
SPECIFICATIONS 16MP MFT format sensor, 5-axis image stabilisation system, True Pic VII image processor, 3-inch touchscreen, electronic viewfinder, WiFi, 709 grams Superlative build quality, great performance, superfast AF system, lots of built in features (time lapse, inclinometer), weather seals Too expensive for a Micro Four Thirds camera, no built in flash
Olympus is a big player in the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras — a class of mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses and large sensors. MFT cameras were created for those who wanted a DSLR camera feel and DSLR-like image quality in a compact size. But there’s a problem — the standard has been having a tough time because of cheap, full size DSLRs. The problem was compounded by the arrival of large sensor small cameras, some of which even have APS-C sensors — the kind used in most full size DSLRs. The MFT sensor is roughly 30% smaller than an APS-C sensor
The OM-D E-M1 is the new flagship from Olympus, built to take advantage of multiple years of extensive MFT know-how and accessories. Looking at all the dials, levers and buttons on the E-M1, it’s hard not to get a little confused. The camera has direct control buttons/dials for all important shooting functions, so that you don’t have to wade through menus. There is a learning curve to it, but once you get a hang of where each button is, you’ll become a lot faster.
Merely saying ‘fast autofocus’ doesn’t even begin to define the AF system in the E-M1. It has both contrast and phase detection autofocus so it locks on faster than most DSLRs —split second fast. The electronic viewfinder is simply brilliant — it has a very high resolution and can even mimic the feel of a DLSR viewfinder (with a black border) if you like. Within the extensive on-screen menu, you’ll find settings for everything, from HDR, Time Lapse movies and customisable settings for many of the buttons/dials/levers on the camera body.
The unique M. Zuiko Digital 12-50mm lens has multiple zoom modes; a manual zoom with a rotating ring like a DSLR, an e-zoom in which the rotating lens barrel becomes a zoom rocker and finally, a dedicated macro mode. On the mode dial, the Art setting gives you multiple digital filters like Pop Art, Soft Focus, Light Tone, Pin Hole and Diorama (tilt shift).
A great feature of the E-M1 is the built in WiFi and smartphone remote control. If you download the free Olympus Image Share app on your Android or iOS device, you can view stored images, share images, edit them or even remotely control the camera with a live view on your mobile. Pairing with the camera needs to be done one time only, by scanning the QR code on the camera display. Thanks to the advanced image processing, the results are nothing short of stunning in any condition. The speed of the camera combined with excellent metering and AF system mean that it would be really hard to get bad results here. The optical image stabilisation works to correct shake even up to 3 stops lower than normal — which is to say, it beats the OIS in most cameras. ISO performance is great — you can shoot at ISO 6400 at night and still get very good results. The built in battery is good for roughly 300 shots Despite being a Micro Four Thirds camera, it seems like the E-M1 is targeted at a professional photographer. Maybe not as a primary camera but as a compact, go-anywhere secondary camera. The build quality, imaging results, the number of features, customisable buttons and weather proof body will probably appeal to a lot of photographers. That being said, the stratospheric price tag of the E-M1 means that it has a lot of excellent competition too. For instance, the brand new Canon EOS 70D is a traditional DSLR with mirror, pentaprism and optical viewfinder. Coupled with an 18-135mm Canon IS lens, it sells for just over a lakh of Rupees — slightly less than the E-M1 body only price of 1,05,000. It has a larger (APS-C) sensor, tilt-twist LCD, fast autofocus system and there are a lot more accessories and lenses available for it. On the other hand, you can get the compact Sony NEX-7K for 79,990. It has an APS-C sensor, tilting LCD, fast AF system and various built in modes. Finally, if you like the MFT format, Olympus’ own OM-D E-M5 is available for 65,000 (including the 12-50mm kit lens).
HITESH RAJ BHAGAT ET131021SPECIFICATIONS 16MP MFT format sensor, 5-axis image stabilisation system, True Pic VII image processor, 3-inch touchscreen, electronic viewfinder, WiFi, 709 grams Superlative build quality, great performance, superfast AF system, lots of built in features (time lapse, inclinometer), weather seals Too expensive for a Micro Four Thirds camera, no built in flash
Olympus is a big player in the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras — a class of mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses and large sensors. MFT cameras were created for those who wanted a DSLR camera feel and DSLR-like image quality in a compact size. But there’s a problem — the standard has been having a tough time because of cheap, full size DSLRs. The problem was compounded by the arrival of large sensor small cameras, some of which even have APS-C sensors — the kind used in most full size DSLRs. The MFT sensor is roughly 30% smaller than an APS-C sensor
The OM-D E-M1 is the new flagship from Olympus, built to take advantage of multiple years of extensive MFT know-how and accessories. Looking at all the dials, levers and buttons on the E-M1, it’s hard not to get a little confused. The camera has direct control buttons/dials for all important shooting functions, so that you don’t have to wade through menus. There is a learning curve to it, but once you get a hang of where each button is, you’ll become a lot faster.
Merely saying ‘fast autofocus’ doesn’t even begin to define the AF system in the E-M1. It has both contrast and phase detection autofocus so it locks on faster than most DSLRs —split second fast. The electronic viewfinder is simply brilliant — it has a very high resolution and can even mimic the feel of a DLSR viewfinder (with a black border) if you like. Within the extensive on-screen menu, you’ll find settings for everything, from HDR, Time Lapse movies and customisable settings for many of the buttons/dials/levers on the camera body.
The unique M. Zuiko Digital 12-50mm lens has multiple zoom modes; a manual zoom with a rotating ring like a DSLR, an e-zoom in which the rotating lens barrel becomes a zoom rocker and finally, a dedicated macro mode. On the mode dial, the Art setting gives you multiple digital filters like Pop Art, Soft Focus, Light Tone, Pin Hole and Diorama (tilt shift).
A great feature of the E-M1 is the built in WiFi and smartphone remote control. If you download the free Olympus Image Share app on your Android or iOS device, you can view stored images, share images, edit them or even remotely control the camera with a live view on your mobile. Pairing with the camera needs to be done one time only, by scanning the QR code on the camera display. Thanks to the advanced image processing, the results are nothing short of stunning in any condition. The speed of the camera combined with excellent metering and AF system mean that it would be really hard to get bad results here. The optical image stabilisation works to correct shake even up to 3 stops lower than normal — which is to say, it beats the OIS in most cameras. ISO performance is great — you can shoot at ISO 6400 at night and still get very good results. The built in battery is good for roughly 300 shots Despite being a Micro Four Thirds camera, it seems like the E-M1 is targeted at a professional photographer. Maybe not as a primary camera but as a compact, go-anywhere secondary camera. The build quality, imaging results, the number of features, customisable buttons and weather proof body will probably appeal to a lot of photographers. That being said, the stratospheric price tag of the E-M1 means that it has a lot of excellent competition too. For instance, the brand new Canon EOS 70D is a traditional DSLR with mirror, pentaprism and optical viewfinder. Coupled with an 18-135mm Canon IS lens, it sells for just over a lakh of Rupees — slightly less than the E-M1 body only price of 1,05,000. It has a larger (APS-C) sensor, tilt-twist LCD, fast autofocus system and there are a lot more accessories and lenses available for it. On the other hand, you can get the compact Sony NEX-7K for 79,990. It has an APS-C sensor, tilting LCD, fast AF system and various built in modes. Finally, if you like the MFT format, Olympus’ own OM-D E-M5 is available for 65,000 (including the 12-50mm kit lens).
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