Peter Cripps

So I finally succumbed and splashed out on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 to supplement (most definitely not replace) my E-M5.

To test out the camera I did a shoot with Hannah at The Pit and Pendulum in Nottingham. Here are a few images, all taken with the E-M1 and M.ZUIKO 25mm f/1.8 lens. I’m no camera reviewer, apart from anything else I’m too bought into the OM-D brand to be impartial, but here are the things that stood out for me with this camera:

1. Size wise the E-M1 is not noticeably bigger than the E-M5 when compared with the latter having the hand grip attached (which I nearly always do). One good thing about the E-M1 having a built-in grip is that the battery can easily be accessed without having to first remove the grip.
2. Ergonomically the layout of the controls is a definite improvement. Everything feels a bit more solid on this camera and the dials are more accessible without having to do anything too unnatural with your fingers whilst shooting.
3. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is significantly improved. Apparently it has near twice the resolution of the E-M5, is brighter and has noticeably higher magnification.
4. Whilst I was not photographing a particularly fast moving subject I did notice focusing was quicker than the E-M5 with less tracking back and forward. This, apparently, is because of phase detection AF capability on the E-M1’s sensor.
5. The great thing about the E-M5 was the five-axis image stabilizer. This is slightly improved on the E-M1 giving an extra stop of stability. Many of the images I took on this shoot were in fading daylight (i.e. it was raining outside) so I had quite slow shutter speeds, there was no noticeable camera shake.
6. The E-M1 uses the same battery as the E-M5 thank goodness so I now have enough batteries to allow me to shoot probably in excess of 1500 images (on three batteries).
7. Some features I did not get to try out on this shoot were the extra art filters (Watercolour, Vintage and Partial Colour), built-in Wi-Fi, a HDR mode, tethered shooting and the built-in ‘digital shift’ which allows you to straighten tall buildings in-camera. All good stuff which I shall look forward to trying imminently.

After a very quick initial shoot I am hugely pleased with the E-M1. It feels like a solid step up from the E-M5 which I will continue to use as a back-up as well as my take anywhere camera in its basic configuration (i.e. no grip or battery holder) and fitted with the 25mm M.ZUIKO lens.