Olympus Em1x Was it a Failure?

Was the Em1x a Failure? Some say it was. They always seam to be people that do not own one. Maybe this is a cult camera? You tell me. I have not had my head examined in a while. All I can say personally is I long and hope for an OM1x. Might even have to do a wish list video about it.

[thomasstirr]

I shoot with a pair of E-M1X bodies and absolutely love this camera. It is simply the best camera I've ever owned in terms of comfort, ergonomics and performance. I have large hands so comfort and ergonomics are very important to me. I have no plans to replace either one of my E-M1X bodies and intend on shooting with them for many years to come. Even if an updated model (OM-X?) was introduced I'd still keep the two E-M1X bodies that I currently own.

[robinwong]

The biggest problem was product differentiation. When E-M1X came out, Olympus was loud to remind that this was not a successor of E-M1 Mark II, that it sat side by side with E-M1 Mark II as both flagships at that time. This was utterly puzzling and confusing. It did have some extra features and improvements but many were hoping for a true successor, which was expected to be released in 2019 (3 years after E-M1 Mark II). Then E-M1 Mark III and E-M5 Mark III both came too late, when everyone else like Sony and Fuji were releasing new cameras left right center non-stop!
Knowing that E-M1X was not a replacement/successor for E-M1 Mark II, Olympus never set the expectations high for E-M1X sales. It was the same strategy as Nikon D4/D5 or Canon 1DX series, these don't sell by large volumes. To say that the E-M1X sold according to expectation was correct.
I personally wish that OIympus could have put more emphasis on E-M1 Mark III, pouring more R&D resources into it and release it earlier instead of diluting their products. Even the differentiation on E-M5/E-M10 lines was quite poorly done.
The peak of Micro Four Thirds era for Olympus was during the E-M1 and E-M1 Mark II, they really had strong presence in the mirrorless world, with faster and more reliable AF, more complete lens collection, mature set of features (5-Axis IS, EVF, Live Composite, etc). Instead of continuing to push and create a truly "wow" E-M1 Mark III, the E-M1X seems to be the unnecessary detour, which I strongly believe ultimately led to their downfall as well. This was especially true when just after E-M1 Mark II you see all other competition catching up and pushing their boundaries, while Olympus basically stayed stagnant.

[NatPhoto]

I was an early adopter of the EM1-X. Paid full price and don’t regret it for a second. Great camera. I now own the EM1-X, EM1-III, and the OM-1. As you said the OM-1 is better in every way, except for handling. I still much prefer the EM1-X, especially with bigger lenses. The build of the EM1-X just feels better. The card door is SO much better than the others. The battery slide is SO much better. I sure wish OM Systems would release a Firmware update for the EM1-X that would allow the ability to do updates to custom settings (C1, C2, ….) on the fly like the EM1-III and the OM-1. As is, you have to go save updated settings manually. Seems like an easy firmware update. Now that I have two other bodies with Starry Night AF, I don’t care about getting that function in the EM1-X as much. I’m with ya….. If they come out with an OM-1X, I’ll buy it instantly.

[hemligx-sson]

I have an E-M1, an E-M1 mark II, an E-M1X and an O-M1. The build and feel of the X is in my opinion the one that feels most professional. The ergonomics is great. I must say that I was really disappointed when Olympus introduced it, but after using it since it was first available I have really enjoyed using it. With DXO Photolab, the difference in image quality between the latest Olympus cameras and a FF is negligible.

[thedrkknight]

Bought the M1x for around £1100 one year ago and have had no regrets. Your analysis is spot on as it is an unassuming camera for its size it’s a shame there may not be a successor will have to see what Olympus comes up with

[ianparr]

I have no idea if there's an OM-1x in the works, but it would make sense as OMDS aim for the upper end of the outdoor and wildlife photography market. After all, the body design and tooling is all paid for, they just need to stick the OM-1 guts in it (with dual processors perhaps) and it's done.

[brambonnewel]

As a pro photographer I own a pair of E-M1x cameras and they are my favorites. I used Fuji, Nikon and Canon in the past but for now I stay with the E-M1X cams.

[ronaldbak]

Thanks for the great and honest review, bought a E-M1X about a year ago and the more I use the camera, the more I like it. I shot canon pro digital bodies for many years and a friend at a local camera shop back in Michigan talked me into Micro 4/3 because I can't carry that heavy gear around anymore at 67 years old. The e-m1x reminds me of the EOS-1D pro bodies I was using and the image quality is excellent, I don't expect to have full frame image quality, but the images I have got from this camera has amazed me and with the latest firmware updates, the new features are nice with bird tracking and better autofocus. I mainly shoot birds and wildlife here in Florida and with the 40-150 2.8 Pro lens and MC14 convertor, this is a great lens combo and has served me well, anyone looking to move into Micro 4/3 should seriously look at the e-m1x and now that the price has come down, this camera is a great deal, even in 2023.

[MiaogisTeas]

Wait, the OM-1 is better than the EM-1X? There was almost no difference between the EM-1 MIII and the OM-1 that I could see, so I'm a little confused.

[og]

I just bought one this week and I couldn’t be more happier. I own 5d’s bodies and 1DXii and this is my favourite body right now.
If you do macro, landscape, product and portrait photography this camera is a no brainier despite the 20 mpx sensor.
Focus stacking and the short focusing distance of OM lenses makes this camera good for food and macro photography.

[Jgatti]

Interesting to see how well this camera sold. It was way out of my price range when it was released. Recently bought the OM-1 . Only complaint is I wish they could fix the damn focus tracking already. Blows my mind they can make all these AI tracking options but still can't get the C-AF/Tracking to work as well as other brands.

[gregm]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts -- nothing crazy about your analysis at all. It was informative regarding the sales numbers, etc. I actually wanted the E-M1x when is first came out, because I got to play with one at an intro event and was very impressed. At that time I owned two E-M1 Mkll's and two E-M1 Mkl's -- and a ton of lenses. All of those had been used for my pro work. I would have gotten the E-M1x right then, but Covid put a real hitch in things and after having several big corporate conferences cancelled, I decided to retire from pro work, and I also decided to wait on the M1x. In late September 2021 Olympus had an 'Outlet Store' sale and I was able to snatch up a refurbished, brand new condition E-M1x with 236 shutter clicks -- I'm convinced it was new -- for $1, 300. A few days back 'Get Olympus' had another Outlet sale and they had another refurbished E-M1x priced at $1, 104 -- I almost bought it and now wish I had, but some other lucky/smart person snatched it up after a couple days.
The E-M1x is the best camera I have ever owned.

[Raysnature]

I agree in just about everything you said.
I traded my 1X in to pay for my OM-1 but if I could have afforded to keep the 1X I would have. I purchased my 1X just after launch, I had the second copy to come through my LCS, after handling the first one. The ergonomics, for me, are simply superb. Does it have its faults? For sure; the EVF is complete pants, tracking and bird detect (I'm mostly a wildlife photographer) are not far behind but I loved using it. Also I'm lucky to have the 150-400 and the 1X balanced perfectly with it.
The OM-1 is technically a better camera for sure, the IQ is improved all be it marginally, it blows my mind with its tracking and bird detect capabilities, and the EVF is worth the upgrade on its own IMHO. However it's not a patch on the 1X for ergonomics. This winter will be interesting because accessing the recessed wheels with gloves on I suspect will be tricky as just one example. Also the build quality, while good, is not quite up to the same standard.
I really hope they do bring out an OM-1X and it successfully melds the two cameras. The one issue is I've now blown my photography budget for a good while.
A little side rant (at OM Systems). I noticed the other day you have the grip for the OM-1 you lucky so and so, . Here in the UK and I think in Europe they are like hen's teeth, I still haven't received mine yet despite ordering it at the same time as the body way back in the early spring. Batteries are a similar issue.

[t-money]

Thanks for your hard work and promoting m43. Love the Em1-x

[Emerald_City_]

Except for the handling (and then to larger hands only), and perhaps the build quality, what advantage does the em1x have over the em1mk3? The latter has a newer sensor, so the image quality should be better. Of what use are the ergonomics when the end result is less?

[gaildolormente]

Welp, i'm so glad i got my EM1X a couple years ago..such an awesome platform IMHO

[luzr]

I've got all this great 4/3 glass - all the 'Top Pro' or 'SHQ' lenses. I'm going to get an X for them, and i'll keep my 5MP E-1 as the back-up body and give an honorable retirement to the rest. Nice vid - thanks for sharing your thoughts and flashing your E-1. Cheers.

[whfowle]

Like the Edsel, which was a very good car, the E-M1X came on market at a time when there were better alternatives. I agree with Robin Wong but would add that this camera did not follow the MFT profile of being small, light, but loaded with advanced features. What it did offer was a more balanced camera body for the large, heavy 300mm and 150-400mm lenses. And it offered more battery life. In that, it succeeded for a very small group of photographers who went after auto racing and birds in flight. Also good for wildlife. At $3, 000, it was over priced. If it had hit the market at $2, 000, I think it would have done better. Also factored in was the financial condition of Olympus at the time. They simply did not have the revenue to build in more advanced features to separate it from the E-M1 mk II. With the advancements in technology that are now available and the R&D revenue of the new owners behind them, I think OMD should take another look at making an OM-1x. When you look at who has been successful at designing great autofocus, it falls to Sony and Canon. They both have enormous R&D working for them. I think there is a market for a really good MFT pro camera. I know us old guys would love to shed all the heavy Nikon, Canon, and Sony FF gear we tote around now.

[johnbradshaw]

I bought one new in the run out phase and got a great deal. It's one of those cameras that if you like it then you really like it. Handling, build quality and just the way it feels in the hand are outstanding in my view, in fact regardless of budget I've never picked up a digital camera that beats it for handling and tactile feel and you have to spend serious to get anything near it. Despite the sensor seeming to be unimpressive I find it gives excellent results with some excellent features and functionality. There is a great range of high quality lenses which blend great optical quality, build and compactness. Although it's a big camera by MFT standards it balances supremely well and really doesn't feel big, while the lenses are very compact. Overall if people can look past the pixel count it's a wonderful camera which still delivers the necessary results.

[IAmRch]

I bought mine for cheap used. I wanted to play with live composite and the other Oly cameras were expensive by comparison. So I got the EM1X because it was cheap, I bought an adapter for my Canon lenses and I loved it. Then I found out it was good for macro, I bought a 60mm 2.8 macro for a 270 dollars and I am a very happy camper. I got a godox flash for it but sent it back and will have to find a more expensive flash. As soon as I get one, I will be doing some flash macro. Great camera. I would not pay 3k dollars for it but the used prices are great.