Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 300mm Lens Kit
UPC's:
Much to like and not like
There is much to like about the OMD EM-1.2, and there are many good reviews online that report on this. I will say some things I like about this camera at the end of the review.I will start off by highlighting some not so good things that has made my purchase bittersweet. Anyone who is considering purchasing one or has made a recent purchase should be aware of these issues. As for some background, this was an upgrade from the OMD EM10 I purchased... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Sorry Olympus...
The E-M1.2 is an outstanding example of design and modern technology. The auto WB is improved over previous models as is the autofocus speed. Though many of the features - image stacking, high resolution shots, etc., can be found on the E-M5.2 they seem to be improved on the newer model. Autofocus is quite fast and seemingly accurate, which brings me to the letdown : The image quality is a definite step backwards for Olympus. In the 1.5 year... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Pro Camera for the Pros
Magazines and bloggers have already written many comprehensive reports so I wont attempt anything like that. Heres a few of my experiences and opinions. The EM-1 Mark II is a fantastic camera. It makes my original EM-5 seem like a dinosaur. My EM-5 got put on shelf and it remains there. The Mark II is so much more capable; the speed, the features, the feel, its hard to describe, and as the Mark II has matured into a pro camera, the functionality ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Big Results in a Small Package
I've given this camera 5 stars because I love it. It is not perfect as the number of stars may suggest but I still love it. I shoot professionally and have done so since 2006. I've owned some very expensive cameras, all DSLRs then switched to mirrorless, primarily, since being semi-retired. I now shoot editorial stock for a very large (macro) stock agency. They have some rather demanding standards. I find myself using this camera for 90% of my ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Game changer for sports & documentary photography!
I wanted to wait 6 months before writing this review. After shooting professionally for over a decade, OM-D E-M1 Mark II might be the best all-round camera I've ever shot with, and I don't say that lightly. Even in the harshest, most extreme climates, my E-M1 Mark II never skips a beat. The "weatherproof / dustproof / freezeproof" claims aren't marketing hype. Shooting pro cycling through dust clouds, pouring rain, mud from frigid temperatur... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Better not bigger
I have worked with Canon cameras my entire working career and still like them fine. But after nearly 40 years of carrying heavy packs and having to leave long heavy lenses behind due to weight restrictions on air travel and simple logistics, I bought into the Olympus system first with an E-M1, then the E-M5II and now the E-M1II. The Mark II is a worthwhile upgrade in most areas over the Mark I but both are excellent cameras! I tested the Mark II... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good News
Different people buy cameras for different reasons. My reason for this camera is to have something lighter and more compact than my full frame DSLR with a 24-70 stabilized lens when I go on travel and for for day to day carry about. At the same time, I was NOT interested in very much compromise on image quality, quality of the EVF and general sharpness. Micro 4/3 was definitely the answer because of the lens ecosystem, but it could have been an e... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Full speed ahead in the wrong lane.
The Olympus EM1 MII is a wonderful state-of-the-art 5-star engineering achievement. It feels like a shrunken old-fashioned pro film camera plus a digital display and lots of buttons. It has a bevvy of enhanced features that will appeal to pros and enthusiasts willing to spend days learning and more days using it often enough not to forget. So, what is there to regret? Sadly, this camera displays a failure of strategic vision, reminiscent of the N... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great camera - steep learning curve
I bought this camera to use for walking around and a group tour that will mean a lot of walking thorough European cities as an alternative to my much heavier Nikon 610 gear and after a week of trying it out I believe it is an excellent choice for that purpose. To use this camera effectively you really need to get to know its knob, dial, buttons and lever, and that makes for a steep learning curve. The little booklet that comes with it doesn't b... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Outstanding quality, highly recommended!
I have been using this camera and lens for 3 weeks, already shot more than 4,000 pictures. Whether in a botanical garden (close-ups and macros) or around the sea; whether stills on the beach or pelicans flying fast, this is the best combination of camera and lens. Besides the 12-40mm, I have been using the 7-14mm f/2.8, the 12-100mm f/4, and the 40-150mm f/2.8 with and without the 1.4x teleconverter. First and foremost: Why it is worth buying a ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The improved version
Oh, where to start? The sensor now has 25% more pixels. Good for adding a bit more resolution to the images. Now, add to this the high res option. This is a nifty little pixel shifting trick that can produce an eighty megapixel image. The in camera stabilization is just short of insane. Olympus claims a 5.5 stop difference. Seems to work. It is not hard to handhold a two or three second exposure if precautions are taken. Like getting into a good ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
There's a lot packed in here
I've had a lot of Olympuses (Olympi?), back to the film years, including an E-500 and both OMD-5 models. I skipped the OMD-1, so this is a significant change for me. There is so much packed in this body, but a few things jump out immediately: - The Custom settings on the dial - I never liked, or trusted, the MySet concept. The dial settings are fantastic - basically I have 3 complete custom cameras ready to go, plus I usually use the 'A' setting ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Better fit for an old friend
I've owned the original Olympus OM-D E-M1, along with and E-M5, for 4 or 5 years. I'm retired and spend a lot of time doing nature photography as a hobby (don't retire without at least one). I have no complaint about either camera, except that the E-M1 always struck me as a little too small for my hands. So when I got these hands on a friend's E-M1 mkII, which is just bit bigger, I decided to purchase one. I'm glad I did. I feel right at home wit... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
New features improve on great camera
The new mark II model provides several meaningful improvements over the first e-m1 for my own particular photographic needs. These include the hires mode which combines multiple images taken over the course of about a second to provide much higher resolution files comparable to my Nikon D800 but in a much lighter and smaller system. This mode is only for relatively static scenes and requires a tripod but should be useful for a variety of landscap... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
It's early
I was about to invest in a second EM1 body to replace my aging EM5 when i first saw the rumors regarding the EM1 Mk2. I decided to wait....and wait...and wait. The price was announced and I, like everyone else almost rethought MFT completely. However I can't write off the quality of the glass and the image stabilization. So with a heavy heart and lighter wallet i pulled the trigger and preordered. It arrived 2 weeks ago and i've been shooting wit... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Don't be fooled, this is professional gear!
One of the things that used to drive me crazy as a photographer was the occurrence of dust/ oil/ dirt on the camera sensor which olympus took care of with their sensor cleaning system. Was it enough to get me to switch over from my Nikon gear? Not really because Nikon still had the edge on Olympus with a decent autofocus system that I enjoyed using. Olympus just couldn't complete. Also, I loved the full frame image quality and my Nikkor lenses. ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great image quality and hand held performance
I have been using pro level cameras and lenses from Canon and Nikon for the past 30 years and digital cameras from them for the past 16 years and first tried an Olympus Pen camera with its 3-axis image stabilization and found it wanting. Then the Olympus E-M1 arrived with its 5-axis image stabilization and high resolution view finder and I decided to give it a try. What a difference in overall performance with these two new features. T... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Outstanding
I replaced my OM-D E-M5 (which died after 100K+ shutter actuations) with the E-M1 Mark II. I went with the EM-1 for two reasons. First, the upgrade in image capture (larger 20MP sensor, higher ISO low-light performance, improved image stabilization, crisper image quality, phase detect focus allowing fast continuous focus). The E-M1 MII has exceeded my expectations across the board. The images are gorgeous. The auto focus is tack sharp and ve... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Made for the Pros
Magazines and bloggers have already written many comprehensive reports so I won't attempt anything like that. Here's a few of my experiences and opinions. The EM-1 Mark II is a fantastic camera. It makes my original EM-5 seem like a dinosaur. My EM-5 got put on shelf and it remains there. The Mark II is so much more capable; the speed, the features, the feel, it's hard to describe, and as the Mark II has matured into a pro camera, the functionali... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The Love Is Back!
I started in the 70s with the Olympus OM system, for its outstanding glass, strong macro support, and diminutive size and weight. I reluctantly continued with the 4/3rds cameras, mainly because of the strong support for all my legacy OM glass. But I wondered why I wasn't taking many pictures any more. I looked at my HUGE, HEAVY E-3 with the HUGE, HEAVY 50-200 lens, and knew the answer. I'd always thought that it wasn't a real camera unless I coul... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Terrific Upgrade From Mk I
I have owned two E-M1 Mk I bodies since they came out over three years ago. I had replaced Canon gear that was becoming too heavy for me to travel with. I had tried a Leica M9 for its size and weight but wanted zoom lenses, auto focus and telephoto abilities. The E-M1's gave me all of that and I have been quite happy with the Oly system. I bought the Mk II in December when it first came out and have shot about 5,000 photos so far. I couldn't be h... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Awful purple reds
Having owned the original E-M1 I was hoping for a major upgrade. And got it. The camera moved forward in many ways, but while doing so, picked up a major problem. When outdoors, reds are rendered as purple or magenta. Point this camera at a fire engine red car, and the shots come out purple. I have shown sample images taken at the same time with Canon, an original EM-1, andEM-5-II and they all have what could be considered "normal" reds, but th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I'm really impressed.
For my use case, which includes wildlife and landscape photography, Olympus offers an excellent camera. This camera, in combination with the pro glass, offers excellent performance that matches or rivals DSLR. The kit is small, light, and packable. I also really like that I don't need to agonize over a few rain drops here or there. I have rented and tried a large variety of setups, including Nikon, Canon, and Fuji, all with unique advantages, but... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Very disappointing. Can not recommend.
I have been a professional commercial photographer for many years and have used a lot of cameras. I was looking for a lighter system to carry while traveling and hiking and the omd fits that bill. I purchased the pen f first and was fairly happy with it, so I got the omd with a grip and two pro zooms (12-40/2.8 and 40-150/2.8) to compliment the primes I have for the pen. Then I took it to Southeast Asia for a few months to shoot. I was extremely ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
