In our Olympus OM-1 evaluate, we labelled the flagship mirrorless digicam for photographers “the most effective Micro 4 Thirds digicam you should buy”, and mentioned it proved that computational methods are the way forward for mirrorless cameras. Virtually two years later, it has a successor with a unique title etched on its physique – the OM System OM-1 II.

Olympus had already been purchased by OM Digital Options when the OM-1 was launched in March 2022. Since then, there’s been little exercise from the fledgling title in cameras in addition to whacking its OM System model on up to date Olympus fashions which are mere minor refreshes. Sadly, the identical is true right here.

We’ve nearly the identical OM-1 {hardware} within the new OM-1 II; a 20MP back-illuminated stacked sensor with 1053-point AF system, 50fps with steady autofocus and autoexposure, plus the rugged IP53-rated dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof physique. These specs nonetheless learn properly at the moment, however followers of the MFT system would have been hoping for extra. 

Nonetheless, it is a system that is significantly in style with those that do not need to lug round heavy gear or a tripod, and particularly with chicken and wildlife photographers, for whom a few of the new options within the newest mannequin ought to solely serve to enhance the taking pictures expertise. The OM-1 sequence can also be main the best way for computational pictures in correct cameras, proving they are not simply restricted to smartphones. 

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So if little has modified within the OM-1 II {hardware} (in addition to its new rubberized and tactile exterior controls), what precisely is new? Briefly, improved algorithms. Which may not sound horny, however the total efficiency of the digicam has been enhanced, plus there are some new computational methods on supply. 

Most noteworthy is the improved buffer efficiency – the OM-1 II can shoot for twice so long as the OM-1. In the event you’re maxing the digicam out utilizing the 50fps steady burst mode, now you can shoot sequences as much as 256 uncooked photos, with a 5.76m-dot EVF that now has a blackout-free show no matter your taking pictures charge. 

The digicam additionally comes with picture stabilization now rated as much as 8.5EV, whereas the OM-1 was rated at 7EV. To be clear, the development right here is algorithm-based and never a newly designed in-body picture stabilization system. Nonetheless, we anticipate class-leading efficiency, which is thrilling particularly when pairing the second-gen mannequin with the brand new M.Zuiko 150-600m F5.0-6.Three IS lens launched on the identical day.  

There’s additionally what OM System says is considerably improved autofocus accuracy, by means of improved AI topic detection algorithms. The OM-1 II can higher detect fast-moving birds and maintain them in sharp focus. It means that you can choose any one in all as much as eight topics in crowded scenes, plus human detection AF has now been added to the AI topic detection menu – which is one thing we requested for in our OM-1 evaluate. 

New and improved computational methods

Of any ‘correct’ digicam, the OM-1 makes use of computational pictures methods essentially the most – it even has a devoted menu – and the brand new OM-1 II provides a completely new function; LiveGND. Briefly, it is a world-first graduated filter impact, as much as 3EV in power. In apply, you choose the horizon in your shot and apply the graduated filter to darken the brighter half of your shot – normally the sky, with delicate, medium or onerous gradations and GND2, four or Eight power choices.

Finally, LiveGND balances your publicity when one half of the shot is far brighter, and is a dream for panorama photographers. LiveGND cannot be used along side LiveND (which by the best way now goes as much as ND128 – that is equal to a 7-stop ND) or Professional Seize modes, however OM System goes a protracted technique to eliminating the necessity for bodily lens filters altogether. 

Elsewhere, the Excessive-Res shot mode that may seize 50MP handheld images of static topics can now be used with 14-bit uncooked seize for what OM System says provides 3x the quantity of tones, whereas focus stacking is far faster and subsequently extra usable than earlier than. Till we take a look at the brand new digicam, we cannot know if the ugly halo impact on this mode, reported in our OM-1 evaluate, has been handled. 

At the moment OM System has no plan to roll out these algorithm enhancements to the OM-1 through a firmware replace, although that would change sooner or later. Transport of the OM System OM-1 II is from mid-February, and it prices $2,399 / £2,199 / AU$3,799 physique solely. OM System hasn’t given individuals a lot of a purpose to improve, however these in search of a brand new, light-weight and versatile system for wildlife and macro pictures particularly have a probably wonderful choice right here. 

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