Practical test of the OM-D E-M1 Mark II
I have to admit quite honestly: So far I only worked with the Olympus system twice and always had an aversion to it. Two weeks ago I bought the E-M1 Mark II and took it with me on a photo expedition. You can find out the results, my first impressions and why I'm taking the Olympus with me again next time in this article!
The sensor stabilization:
Internal sensor stabilization is standard on many mirrorless system cameras. In my opinion, Olympus is one step ahead here and has installed an impressive 5-axis sensor stabilization. Because the MFT sensor is smaller than an APS-C sensor, there is plenty of room for perfect stabilization. This is particularly practical for slower hand-held shutter speeds and action shots. A year ago, the Foto Koch team was invited to a team event together with Olympus. There we were able to test the OM-D cameras in a speedboat on the Rhine. You can see how the sensor stabilization is noticeable in video mode in the video.
Technology facts:
- 20 MP live MOS sensor
- TruePic VIII image processor
- ZUIKO Lens Systems
- 5-axis IS
- 4K video
- 121 focus points, cross-type sensor
- 18 fps RAW with AF-C
- 60 fps RAW with AF-S
- High-resolution images up to 80 MP
- Two SD card slots
The autofocus
When a single focus point is selected, the E-M1 Mark II shows an extremely fast autofocus speed and high accuracy. Very important: Work with the latest firmware, because the software can change a lot of the autofocus performance!
During my photo walk I tried to activate all fields in between so that I didn't have to worry about the metering field, but unfortunately the OM-D often found another object to be important here. If I had installed the update beforehand, this wouldn't have happened. The E-M1 Mark II has integrated face and eye autofocus, which takes a lot of work off your hands when it comes to taking portraits quickly and precisely.
Why Olympus?
- fast and powerful
- Precision and functionality
- Mobility and reliability
- Robust construction
- Compact size
- Excellent image quality
- First-class lenses
Optional audio recorder
Olympus has a new audio recorder for all photographers who also want to create videos or are journalists - the LS-P4. The external audio recorder can be used in a variety of ways and offers various advantages. The LS-P4 is also one of the first Linear PCM recorders in the world to be compatible with FLAC format recording. The recorder records audio at 96kHz/24-bit.
The device has three built-in microphones and is ideal for use as a dictation machine. With the supplied flash shoe adapter, the recorder can be attached directly to the camera. Various options are available for playback of the recording:
- Integrated speakers
- 3.5mm jack output for headphones
- Bluetooth connectivity
Audio recorder in practical use
What impressed me most about the LS-P4 was its user-friendliness and extremely compact dimensions. I used the recorder at a wedding because I try to collect as many audio tracks as possible so that I can later use an excerpt from a speech in a video, for example.
To do this, I simply plugged the LS-P4 into the DJ mixer and connected it to a master output on the mixer using a 3.5mm jack - 6.3mm jack cable. I immediately checked the sound via the recorder's headphone output and was a little surprised that it was set perfectly straight away. I didn't have to worry about the sound level at all! The recorder ran for 6 hours and now I'm having a lot of fun picking out the 30 seconds I actually need.
My conclusion
Although I was a little skeptical at the beginning of the test, I was very surprised at the possibilities offered by the Olympus system. On the technical side, the lens selection and sensor stabilization are particularly exciting for me, but even more important to me is the handling. The different camera systems are very often compared exclusively on a technical level, but for me this now plays a rather subordinate role. Of course, there are situations in which a certain brand or product offers a technical advantage that is indispensable, but the theoretical specifications often play a lesser role in everyday life.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II with its high-quality and extremely robust magnesium body is very comfortable to hold and has a good grip. I personally also really like the shutter release and the pressure point of the buttons! The camera simply feels very valuable in the hand. The replay button in the thumb position has become somewhat rarer - I think it's great that the E-M1 Mark II has this button layout. I can only recommend anyone who is thinking about buying a new camera system, as well as anyone who already uses Olympus, to try out the camera and get to know it. Olympus is currently offering an ingenious promotion for this. "TEST & WOW" Particularly interested people can try out the most important Olympus products - we offer you the opportunity to test your desired equipment for a whole day
