OM Digital Solutions launches flagship OM-1
Posted on Feb 15, 2022
The eagerly awaited first camera from OM Systems is here and what better way to celebrate a new brand than with a flagship camera, the OM-1
The Olympus imaging division was acquired by OM Digital Solutions last year and it promptly announced that the Olympus brand was no more and that future products would be sold under the OM System brand. However, its first camera, the OM-1 does bear, for the final time, the Olympus name in homage to the OM-1 film camera that was introduced exactly 50 years ago and changed SLR photography forever.
The OM System OM-1 is a top end Micro Four Thirds format camera and its tiny body is packed with cutting edge imaging technology. At its heart is a 20 megapixel stacked BSI Live MOS sensor working with the latest TruePic X image processor that is three times faster than that found in any previous Olympus camera. With the benefit of a backside illuminated sensor and improved processing technology noise performance is said to be 2EV better than previous models with a 1EV gain in dynamic range. The camera’s native top ISO speed is 25,600, and this is expandable to 102,400.
The in-body, five axis sync image stabiliser can give up to 8EV of benefit, depending on the lens used, and a new Handheld Assist feature makes it possible to shoot at slow shutter speeds enabling effects that would usually need a tripod. Handheld High-Res Shot mode takes about five seconds to merge images to give 50 megapixel results and if you have a support handy Tripod High-Res shot mode turns in 80 megapixel images. Focus stacking, HDR shooting and Live ND are other features possible with a hand-held camera.
The camera’s AF system uses a new, world’s first, Cross Quad Pixel AF with 1053 phase detection points across the whole image frame. AI detection AF uses the four direction phase detect data including colour and contrast information to give improved subject recognition, detection and tracking performance, up to three times faster, and twice as accurate compared with existing Olympus cameras. Face/eye Priority AF has also seen significant benefits too.
Action shooters will appreciate the OM-1 too, with sequential shooting and Pro Capture giving up to 50fps full resolution, blackout free shooting with AE/AF tracking. With fixed AE/AF this increases to 120fps. These shooting speeds are achieved without any image blackout which you can enjoy with the new EVF with its 5.76 million dot resolution, a magnification of 1.65x and a 120fps refresh rate.
The OM-1 is compact and lightweight but it’s super-rugged too, with the body meeting the IP53 dust- and splash-proof standard. It’s the world’s only IP53 camera system and two new lenses have been introduced that meet the same standard, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II and M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4 PRO. The camera and lenses will continue working perfectly down to -10°C. See the separate story for more on the two new lenses.
Video shooters are well catered for in the OM-1. Smooth, high definition results are possible with 4K 60p recording and Full HD is possible up to 240fps. The camera supports H.264 (8 bit), H.265 (10 bit) and OM-Log. With an external recorder Raw output at 12 bit 4:4:4 is possible.
Other features include dual SD UHS-II card slots, SSWF dust reduction system, Starry Sky AF, independent AE-L and AF-ON buttons, electronic shutter flash sync at 1/100sec and a new battery. The high capacity BLX-1 rechargeable battery is good enough for 520 shots, and the camera can be used during charging with a suitable power delivery power bank.
Sales of the OM System OM-1 start early March with a body only price tag of £1999.99. The body with M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II kit is £2499.99. The optional HLD-10 Power Battery holder is £319.99 with extra BLX-1 Li-ion rechargeable batteries costing £79.99 each.
Place an order for an OM System OM-1 with your dealer before 7 March and you’ll receive a free BLX-1 battery and a five year warranty by registering your camera and subscribing to the newsletter on MyOlympus.
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