PROS and CONS of the OM SYSTEM OM-1 MK II - WILDLIFE FIELD REVIEW

We discuss the Pros and Cons of the OM System OM-1 MKII in the Alaska to see how it performs.
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USE THE CHAPTERS TO NAVIGATE TO THE SECTION YOU WANT TO VIEW
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00:00 - Intro
01:45 - Stats
02:34 - Micro 4/3 Pros
06:32 - Micro 4/3 Cons
11:28 - Image Stabilization
12:46 - LCD
13:17 - EVF
15:48 - Live ND and GND
16:52 - Buttons, Handling, and Menus Pros
18:19 - Buttons, Handling, and Menus Cons
20:42 - FPS and ProCapture Pros
21:58 - Buffer
22:50 - FPS Cons
24:13 - ISO and Low Light
27:05 - AF Performance
32:00 - Video Performance
32:41 - VIDEO AF
34:25 - The Verdict
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SOCIAL MEDIA & WEB

WHO I AM.
My name is Scott West and I am a nature and wildlife photographer located in Alaska. I am very lucky to live in a place surrounded by amazing landscapes and even more amazing wildlife.

☊ MUSIC
“Outback Sun” licensed via Music Vine: OPK8O6M7IWDCUR7P

Best Wishes
Scott

[VABrowneMDPhD]

Scott, once again another excellent review that really hones in on what is of most importance to wildlife photographers! This looks like an awesome tool for the right setting and for the right photographer. As we grow older and joints like our backs, wrists, elbows, and shoulders develop orthopedic problems, having a lightweight and smaller system can be extremely helpful.

[rudigerwolf]

Love this video. One quick suggestion... you reference the OM-1 as an "APSC" camera multiple times on the video. Perhaps overlaying some text to correct and avoid any confusion.

[daybrich]

I use the OM1-M2. I setup the different focusing methods to a custom function and then assign that custom function to a button. This gives me the options I need.

[WaddyMuters]

I love the OM 1 as an enthusiast camera. Has its limitations, but if you don’t earn a living with it it gives people access to a lot of tools for very little money in comparison.
Combined with the 300mm f4
Is a great package.

Also you can set the lever right of the evf up to switch between 2 preprogrammed focus modes.

[Mthompson]

Thanks Scott. It was so great to hear your insights on this. I hope the folks at OM take your suggestions to heart. The only con I don’t share is with the whites. With the Live Highlights alerts turned on, the whites turn red when the highlights are being blown out, so I rarely miss an exposure. But I certainly agree with all your other pros and cons. Great job!

[ulflundh]

You switch between autofocus modes by user the lever on the back

[rreichar]

Great job Scott! I have been using the OM-1 for a couple of years after moving from Canon. I have enjoyed using it and have no regrets. I mostly use the 300mm F4 Pro. I use the function lever to change between C-AF and S-AF with a single point. I have subject detection on the ISO button but I have found that even when in single point S-AF that I rarely have to turn off subject detection. It works even through very thick brush. It is a bit counter intuitive but works great. I did buy the OM-1 Mk 2 after it was released. I used it for a week and then returned it. I felt that the AF was more inconsistent than the OM-1. Like you I don’t use the graduated ND so while I think it’s cool to have it doesn’t matter for my use case. I also use Topaz Photo AI to process most of my photos. I get great results and generally upscale everything 2X. I would be interested in seeing your review of the lens. Now they are easier to come by so I might still pick one up.

[don_at_large]

I agree about the challenge of getting EVF view to be in the contrast I want. Having to adjust Aperture and or Shutter Speed for some situations seems either too dark or blown out. Finding that right sweet spot is sometimes a dance. I have OM-1. Usually I just make the shot and see what it looks like in review. Most of the time it works great, but sometimes the sweet spot of exposure I want can be challenging. Maybe I will try bracketing and see what that creates. Am glad other people notice it too. A well informed review, thank you.

[jimmosca]

the lack of of options for multiple focus buttons would be a definite problem. Thanks for all your detail.

[bambix]

Really useful review, pretty much my experience when I tried the OM1 Mark II. Too many ambassador videos out there overselling its af capabilities.

Where OM System shines for me is Macro, though. So I got the OM1 + 90mm macro kit instead, saved a bunch of money and got pretty much the same functionality. For everything else I'll stick with my R7.

Wish I could justify a R5 Mark II, I'm definitely looking forward to your review of that cam!

[Chris_Wolfgram]

Great video 🙂 Thank you. I’m really intrigued by this camera system. I’m currently using the R7, with the 800 F11. Should have the 200-800 any day now.
Oh and 100% agree on DXO ! Like you, I will also use a light touch of Topaz if I have to, as a final step. But most times, just DXO 🙂👍

[derekmidgley]

Thank you for your fantastic in depth look at this one. As a Canon R7 & RF100-500mm bird nut I couldn't help watching and constantly comparing because they'd be quite close for ultimate reach vs shy birds. R7 kit: 500mm x 1.6 => 800mm "equiv" / OM1 kit: 500mm x 2 =>1000mm. But it's closer than that as the R7 sensor is approx 32mp vs OM 20mp. Adjust for that and you probably have almost identical resolving power. I'd have to stick with my R7 since I already have it and love it and the awesome lens. Would still love trying the OM1ii though. So thanks for showing us and sharing your thoughts so honestly.

[jazzcats]

EVF, did you select muted colors? If you're shooting RAW, using a muted JPEG color palette will make the EVF look better IMO since the EVF displays the JPEG colors, then you can do what you want with the RAW file.

[jeffbronson]

Would love to hear a quick review on the lens, how did you find the ergonomics? I’ve heard it’s a bit easier to handle and better balanced than the 180-600/200-600

[FQ]

Great review...I've thinking of MFT for a while now but I do love my R7/RF100-400 (giving me 160-640mm) so for me I'm good. Although would be cool to rent with their 100-400.

[JohnDrummondPhoto]

I presume you recorded this before the R1 and R5 II were announced. Those bodies will have pre-capture that works like the OM-1 and A9. I know you haven't used those bodies and I look forward to you having one. Did you order the R5 II, or R1, or both? Thanks.

[narinthip]

Fantastic review, one of the best listing out pros and cons! You are not wrong on the EVF. But not sure if you had used HL/SD alert. It can be set up easily. Regarding AF drifting, I believe you can prioritize AF box to eliminate the drift or when you are dealing with multiple subject in the same frame. It will allow you to pick the one that AF box is placed over without it jumping around. Regarding multiple focus buttons, yes, it is different. I think you can overcome this by using the FN lever. You would set one for CAF and one for SAF. On the SAF, you would set it with single target point. You could assign a button for subject detection and disable/enable it on the fly. You can also set up how SAF focus differently as well. Yes, as we get older or having health issue, either we take the compromise and keep on shooting or call it the end! My buddy adopted OM1.2 with 150-400mm because he could not longer handle his R5 with 600mm F4 lenses. One thing I thought bothering me and my friend is the lack of the third wheel. My buddy wish OM has it just like this Canon. It makes adjusting EC a lot easier!

[DoURock]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, it has helped me as a beginner to feed the passion. And now money is exiting from my bank account like water through a sieve. 😊 Alaska sure is beautiful through your lenses. Right now I’m using Canon EOS R6 mII, R7, R50 (first purchase 1 yr ago) R6 is the newest addition and have had it about a week. I only have one red lens the RF 100-500mm. But I have a couple of good macro the RF 85mm F2, 35mm 1.8, RF 100-400, 1.4x and several others that either came with the camera or . just a little background information. My question and sorry to bother you, is do you in any of your videos talk about SD cards? I got the SD UHSII 90V 300speed 128gb, I have two in the R6 and the R7. I was wondering your recommendation, like I don’t do a lot of video yet as I am way back there in the learning curve. But would a less expensive card be worth using and would you still get good results. I notice you got the 200-800 and got some really good shot using the R7 with it. I’m waiting to hear of one being available for many months now. I hope to someday acquire a portion of your skill set. Again thank you for sharing your knowledge.
P.S. I kinda picked up from one of your videos that you had a bit of a health issue. I hope you are back to 100% and feeling better. Sending positive healing waves your way brother.

[theflyingdutchman]

thank you for making this very useful and informative video. I think the Om-1MK II does very well compared to the full frame and megapixel cameras. white birds pose quite a challenge for almost all cameras. the best you can do is slightly underexpose. The AF not working properly is something that the engineers at OM system have to solve. The last thing you want is a malfunctioning AF. That's why you miss beautiful moments that you don't want to miss. The lenses of Olympus lenses belong to the TOP world. now a camera with a good and fast-working AF system.🙏

[alankefauver]

It may be how your AF was set up. The AF on the OM-1 MkII is better than my R5. I have both. The MkI is about the same as the R5. When my R5MkII gets here it will be an interesting comparison. I don't get the the jumpy focus that you say you had (stills).