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Olympus E-M1X versus the E-M1 II, Panasonic G9, Fujifilm X-T3 and Nikon D500

24 Feb

Introduction

With ‘Deep Learning’ autofocus, crazy-fast burst speeds and refined ergonomics, the Olympus E-M1X is the most focused action and sports shooting camera that Olympus has ever made. And though it retains a Four Thirds sensor like the E-M1 II, Olympus is touting the X as a credible alternative to the flagship Nikon D5’s and Canon EOS-1D X II’s of the world: in the right circumstances.

We’ll look at comparisons against the D5 and 1D X II in a future article, but for now, we wanted to take a closer look at how the E-M1X stacks up against other Four Thirds and APS-C cameras with sports-shooting chops. It’s true that the E-M1X is the only camera in this comparison with a true double-grip chassis, but its competition is fierce nonetheless.

Against the E-M1 Mark II

Olympus has been clear that the E-M1X does not replace the existing E-M1 II, and both will live alongside each other in their lineup. But since the E-M1 II was already such a capable camera and you can get one at a steep discount compared to the X, we figured we’d start with a look at how these two stack up against each other.

The most immediate change is obviously the body. Not only in terms of size, but also battery life (doubled on the X, since it has…double the batteries). There are also significant differences between the two in terms of their controls. By and large, there are more buttons on the X that are dedicated to a single purpose, and the dual 8-way joysticks free up the four-way controller to act as four distinct custom buttons.

Against the E-M1 Mark II

Another benefit of the larger body on the E-M1X is that it makes room for an all new in-body image stabilizer, now rated at up to 7 stops without a stabilized lens, and up to 7.5 stops with certain lenses such as the Olympus 12-100mm F4 Pro. The E-M1X is also officially rated to IPX1 standards; the E-M1 II is certainly a well sealed camera, but Olympus makes no claims regarding formal ratings for it.

Both cameras have the same viewfinders, the same rear screens and the same
(or very similar) sensors

Olympus also doubled the processors in the X relative to the Mark II, enabling not only the ‘Deep Learning’ autofocus that detects motorsport vehicles, aircraft and trains, but also the hand-held high-resolution mode that spits out 50MB files. And Olympus has told us that it’s tweaked its C-AF algorithm in the X (note, this is not the C-AF + Tracking algorithm) to allow for better autofocus performance when you keep an AF area over your subject.

As for the rest, well, there’s not much to tell. Both cameras have the same viewfinders, same screens and the same (or very similar) sensors and very similar menu systems. For all intents and purposes, unless you need a tougher camera, want a beefier camera to use with bigger lenses or are in love with the Olympus ecosystem and want the best possible autofocus performance your bucks can buy, it’s probably best to just stick with the E-M1 II for now.

Against the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9

Let’s start with Panasonic’s Four Thirds stills-shooting flagship, the G9. Although at first glance there doesn’t appear to be much between the two in terms of core specs, the experiences of actually using each of them are more disparate than you might expect.

But let’s start with those specs, just ’cause. While the E-M1X shoots at 18fps with autofocus, the G9 ups the ante with 20fps. But they both have 20MP Four Thirds sensors with native ISO ranges of 200-25600, they both have fully articulating rear touchscreens, AF joysticks and in-body image stabilization.

But whereas the E-M1X has an on-sensor phase detection autofocus system that is able to recognize subjects like aircraft, trains and automobiles, Panasonic has stuck with its Depth from Defocus technology in the G9’s contrast-detection autofocus system. The result is that there is ‘flutter’ in the G9’s EVF when shooting moving subjects, as the lens rapidly wobbles in and out of focus to reconfirm critical focus. The ‘keeper rate’ of in-focus shots on the G9 is actually quite good, but it can be difficult to see while shooting if your subject is in focus at all. It’s a bit disconcerting until you get used to it.

Against the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9

There are other considerations, such as the G9’s top-plate LCD that displays shooting settings, something missing on the Olympus. Both cameras have high-resolution modes, but only the Olympus lets you hand-hold the E-M1X to get those extra pixels. The G9′ s video spec is rather more impressive too. It shoots 4K/60p, while the Olympus tops out at 4K/30p. Missing a built-in battery grip, the Panasonic is of course smaller, and with around half the rated battery life of the Olympus.

Both cameras give great results from their Four Thirds sensors given enough light. In the end, we lean towards the Olympus for outright autofocus performance, but the Panasonic is the stronger option for those who also dabble in video.

Against the Nikon D500

Okay, with the E-M1X’s main Four Thirds competitor out of the way, let’s look at how it stacks up against Nikon’s APS-C flagship, the D500.

With a resolution of 21MP, the D500 is only slightly above the E-M1X in this regard – but the larger sensor will come with less noise, more dynamic range and better low light performance than the E-M1X. Physics is physics, simple as that.

The larger sensor in the D500 will have less noise, more dynamic range, and better low light performance

And while the D500 comes without any form of ‘Deep Learning’ in its autofocus system, it does have a highly capable 3D Tracking mode to track moving subjects. So it won’t automatically detect, say, a car, but if you manually tell the camera what to track, the D500 will stick to it with remarkable tenacity. By contrast, Olympus’ non-subject specific tracking is nowhere near as ‘sticky’ as the Nikon.

Against the Nikon D500

The viewfinder experience differs from one camera to the next, and not just because one is optical (Nikon) and one is electronic (Olympus). The Olympus’ viewfinder is noticeably larger than that on the D500, but because it uses LCD technology, contrast is lacking and blacks can appear somewhat ‘washed out.’

The D500 also tops out at 10fps, slower than the E-M1X but still respectable. Despite only having a single battery, the D500 is rated for more shots per charge than the E-M1X, in part because it doesn’t have to power its viewfinder. But the Olympus has incredible image stabilization, and Nikon’s lens lineup offers limited solutions for getting near the reach of the Olympus lineup without spending more money and carrying more weight.

In the end, both cameras will reward you with an insane number of in-focus ‘keepers’ and good image quality – but the Nikon will handily beat the Olympus as light levels drop and ISO values rise, while Olympus gives you more reach in a smaller overall package.

Against the Fujifilm X-T3

Aha! You weren’t expecting Fujifilm to make an appearance, were you? But the X-T3 is a credible contender, offering further evidence that Fujifilm is quickly learning from both its past and its competitors. It wasn’t that long ago that Fujifilm offered dismal video and slow autofocus, yet now the X-T3 is a stills / video hybrid camera that is among the best APS-C cameras we’ve ever used. So how does the E-M1X look against it?

The X-T3 has the highest resolution of any camera in this slideshow

With a new sensor offering 26 megapixels of resolution, the X-T3 will have the highest resolution of any camera in this slideshow. It also reads out very fast, allowing for 20fps burst shooting using the electronic shutter, and 30fps with an added 1.25x crop that yields 16MP images.

But what good are burst speeds if your subject is out of focus? Good thing the latest autofocus system in the X-T3 is really good, with a solidly capable tracking mode that works similarly to Nikon’s 3D Tracking. Also like the Olympus, there’s no top-plate LCD to check your settings, but that may not matter if you make use of the analog dials. And one last small-but-significant distinction: the E-M1X has a large AF-L / AE-L button that can be assigned to AF-ON for back-button shooters, and the X-T3’s AF-L and AE-L buttons are comparatively small and placed less conveniently.

Against the Fujifilm X-T3

Despite its relatively large sensor, the X-T3 will also be the smallest camera in this comparison – but that portability comes with compromises. The Fujifilm’s smaller grip is less well-suited to large lenses than the Olympus, and battery life is comparatively poor. But build quality is excellent, even if Fujifilm won’t commit to an ingress protection rating like Olympus will. Despite having excellent video capabilities, the Fujifilm has no in-body stabilization, limiting video shooting possibilities for some users, though it has a much nicer electronic viewfinder and zero-blackout shooting in those electronic bursts.

Like Panasonic’s G9, the Fujifilm X-T3 may be best seen as a more appropriate all-rounder for most people. But Olympus should be concerned about the little Fujifilm, particularly as the system has some excellent lens support that signals how seriously the company is taking sports and action shooting (see the XF 100-400mm zoom and the 200mm F2 prime). Fuji also offers – arguably – some of the best JPEG color in the business, which is not only an Olympus strong suit but also very important to action shooters that don’t have time to process thousands of Raw files.

The wrap

In looking at the E-M1X in comparison to these excellent crop-sensor cameras on the market today, you can’t help but wonder if Olympus really has their work cut out for them.

It occupies an interesting niche in the market. Olympus is clearly catering to users that may either aspire to own a professional double-grip DSLR, or perhaps already own an SLR of some sort but are tired of carrying it around. These users must be shooting in pretty decent light to avoid ultra high ISO values compromising image quality on the Four Thirds sensor and yet, these users must not want to compromise at all on autofocus capability.

There’s no denying that the E-M1X is an amazing piece of technology wrapped in what is perhaps the best-built camera body any of us have laid our hands on. In the right hands and in the right circumstances, it’s capable of astounding imagery. We’ll continue to put the camera through its paces as we press on with our final review.

What do you think of the E-M1X? Do you own any of the other cameras mentioned in this comparison? Do you want to pick up a copy of the Olympus for your very own? Let us know in the comments.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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DPReview TV: Olympus E-M1X video features review

02 Feb

Chris and Jordan recently reviewed the Olympus E-M1X as a camera for still photography. Now they’re back with a whole episode about its video features. Watch to find out where this camera really excels – as well as a couple places where there’s room to grow.

Get new episodes of DPReview TV every week by subscribing to our YouTube channel!

  • Introduction
  • Cinema 4K capture
  • 1080p quality
  • Time-lapse
  • Flat and OM-Log profiles
  • Menus
  • Video autofocus
  • Image stabilization
  • Body design
  • Microphone and pre-amp
  • Wrap-up

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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‘Sensor size isn’t the answer’ – Olympus exec explains the thinking behind E-M1X

31 Jan

Aki Murata, VP of sales and marketing for Olympus America.

Long before the new Olympus OM-D E-M1X was officially announced, we had the opportunity to sit down with Aki Murata, VP of sales and marketing for Olympus America, to talk about the upcoming camera. While some details of the final specification were yet to be finalized (our conversation happened in October) Mr Murata was keen to explain the concept behind the pro-oriented E-M1X, and why in his opinion it doesn’t make sense for Olympus to go full-frame.

The following interview has been edited slightly for clarity and flow.

What kind of customers are you hoping to attract with the E-M1X?

We believe that there will be three types of users. One is users stepping up from existing M43 cameras, like the E-M1 Mark II. That’s a good camera, but in certain circumstances it doesn’t work for sports photography. For example having a joystick on the vertical and horizontal grips – that’s the kind of thing that’s needed for wildlife and sports. That’s the number one target group.

Second is photographers who are stepping up from APS-C, like Canon 7D users. Those people are buying APS-C to make use of tele lenses, to get longer focal lengths. And the system is smaller than full-frame. Those people aspire to EOS-1D X type products but they’re not affordable. And they’re big, it’s a hassle. This camera will create new demand. You can shoot at long focal lengths and still hand-hold.

For us, sensor size isn’t the answer

Obviously current APS-C users will be tough. ‘Step-up’ for some of them means going to full-frame. But we want to say to those people think again – what kind of pictures do you want to take? For us, sensor size isn’t the answer. We want to convey that message to the market. Full-frame is definitely a buzzword in the market, but maybe after carrying around full-frame lenses they’ll find they’re too big and give up!

The third group is people who are making an additional purchase, in addition to 5-series, 1D-series or D5 cameras who want to try the new system. Because what this camera does is basically the same. People may think that they need full-frame but once they’ve seen this camera’s performance I don’t think that that will be an argument, considering the difference in size and weight.

Arguably, the Olympus OM-D E-M1X represents the company’s most serious attempt to court professional photographers since the film-era OM-4, released in 1986.

The AF tracking will be very important for those demographics – how did you benchmark the new camera compared to competitors?

We don’t have any numbers around that, but in order to develop this camera’s AF system we gave it to many professionals here [in the US] and abroad to get their opinions about AF performance. So we’ve changed the algorithms a lot. It’s not so much about benchmarking about other cameras, more about listening to the voices of the professionals. And obviously the AI technologies.

Ultimate reliability goes far beyond strong build, and resilience to the elements

You said that the camera has been in testing for a long time – can you tell us how long it’s been in development, from the initial concept?

After the E-M1 II, we started to get feedback from the market. That was the first step. Our R&D guys wanted to develop the camera for ultimately reliability. The E-M1 was the first challenge, then the Mark II, when we really wanted to improve autofocus accuracy. But after listening to the pros we realised we had to make an even bigger effort to achieve maximum reliability. That was the starting point, when we were planning the new model.

‘Ultimate Reliability’ is a primary goal of Olympus’s R&D philosophy. This philosophy was established 48 years ago in a company memorandum created by Yosihisa Maitani [creator of the original OM product line]. This memorandum establishes three main R&D goals: compact, lightweight and ultimate reliability. Ultimate reliability goes far beyond strong build, and resilience to the elements, it also speaks to the cameras performance and consistent operation. This R&D policy is still followed today and is a cornerstone of our operation.

Is it very important to you that professionals use Olympus cameras?

Absolutely. Our target is that Olympus gear will be trusted by professionals. That’s what we want to achieve. And to achieve it, we need to achieve ultimate reliability. With the M43 system we want professionals to use our cameras and be satisfied by them.

Do you expect to see Olympus lenses at the 2020 olympics?

I hope so! We had the Asian olympic games a couple of months ago and that was our first time being inside the press center. There was only Olympus and one other manufacturer. We didn’t have many professional photographers there, but we had some and they came to us for professional service. That was a great first step for us.

The M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro is equivalent to 300-800mm on Micro Four Thirds bodies, increasing to 375-1000mm with its built-in teleconverter activated. The lens will be available in 2020.

How will computational photography technology from smartphones change cameras in the future?

The speed of smartphone development means that those technologies can be incorporated into smartphones, first. The risk for the photo industry is that people lose interest in traditional photography because their smartphone is so good. If the next step is big lenses and huge cameras, a lot of people might just give up and use their phones instead. They’re not competitors in some ways, but in other ways they are.

How will you address that challenge?

First of all we won’t use any other mount other than Four Thirds. If we had more than one mount, that’s not really user-friendly, and we’re creating the risk that we’d lose customers. If we ask you to buy a camera and lens and then step up to another mount, you might not want to do that. We want to create one, cohesive system with M43. We know our strengths. We have a small and lightweight system, which is good for shooting telezoom lenses, outside. So we’re focusing on this area, to provide suitable products for this field of photography.

For this [kind of photography], you cannot utilize a smartphone. You need optics, and capable AF systems. This is the area we want to focus on. We think that there is growth in these areas. This differentiates us a lot compared to smartphones. We would like all users in these fields to test our product because once they do they will see how accurate the autofocus is, and we have 7.5 stops of stabilization now, you can make great images.

Many people buy $ 399 or $ 499 DSLRs and end up just abandoning them

Lastly, services – not in terms of repair, but what we can offer our customers. We are not a giant in the camera industry, we know that. So we cannot speak to all photographers, but for our users we want to provide good post-purchase experiences. This is a new vision we’ve been talking about in the past few months. If we meet in a year or two I hope that you’ll remember what I said in this meeting!

Many people buy $ 399 or $ 499 DSLRs and end up just abandoning them, because in some conditions the pictures might look worse than their phone. Unless we give proper training, information and proper hands-on experiences, it’s difficult to enjoy photography. Our responsibility is not only to create cameras, but to provide services after purchase. We’re currently thinking how we can use our current platform, or maybe a new digital platform.

The ultra-tough E-M1X is built for reliability and endurance in tough environments. Two batteries deliver a CIPA rated 800+ shots before the camera runs out of juice. In more representative shooting situations we’d expect much more.

This is a very uncluttered camera, compared to previous OM-D 1-series cameras. Does this represent a deliberate attempt to create a different kind of experience?

Many of those things come from direct feedback from photographers. They’ll tell us ‘it’s really good to have this button here, so I don’t press it by mistake’, or whatever. So we have made several changes after talking to professionals and finally we came up with the [E-M1 X]. We just wanted to make the perfect camera for them.

They didn’t want an LCD on top?

Do you need one? There are mixed feelings on that. We considered it, but the camera would become bigger and lose operability. Our R&D guys just sit next to professionals sometimes, and watch how they use the camera. That’s how they get inspiration.

This is still a fairly large camera – do you still have any interest in developing the smaller, lighter cameras?

specially last year we used a lot of R&D resources on this camera, not only because we want to have professional users, but because we wanted to add ultimate reliability to our lineup. We wanted to meet the requirement of professionals who shoot sports and wildlife. Now that [the E-M1X] has arrived, and it’s our 100th anniversary, you can expect more.

We don’t make full-frame, because we don’t believe that everyone needs it

Olympus is now the only camera manufacturer not to offer an APS-C or larger sensor. How will you differentiate your lineup in that context?

We have three strengths: Compactness and light weight, lens quality, and I.S. That combination is unique. Full-frame is kind of like a buzzword in the market, but lens size cannot be changed. If you compare the systems there are visible differences in terms of size and weight. We do what we believe is right. We don’t make full-frame, because we don’t believe that everyone needs it. For most photographers it’s better to have mobility – if you don’t have a camera with you, you can’t take the shot. We believe that our solution is better for most people. It’s good to have full-frame, but there is a need for a smaller system. This is why Maitani’s R&D philosophy is so important to us.

We believe that the market will be separated into two. One is larger, full-frame, and the other is more portable cameras and lenses. We’re happy that everyone else is going to bigger sensors, and we’re staying where we are. I’m confident, and I’m proud to say that we’re staying here. It doesn’t make sense for us to go full-frame. There is a place for full-frame, and a place for medium format, but our customers can’t [be limited to] three frames per second. There is a customer base that needs the products we offer now, and they need a compact and lightweight system.

Editors’ note: Barnaby Britton and Carey Rose

Perhaps the most striking takeaway from our conversation with Mr Murata is his confidence that Olympus is right to buck the general trend towards bigger sensors. He couldn’t have been clearer that whereas close competitors like Panasonic and Sony have opted to expand into full-frame, he isn’t interested in developing products for any mount other than Four Thirds.

It’s unusual to hear this kind of unequivocal – very specific – statement of intent from senior executives at major companies. Normally in conversations with press, we’re told that all possible doors are open ‘depending on the market’, but Mr Murata couldn’t have been clearer. “We won’t use any other mount other than Four Thirds […] we’re staying where we are”. You heard it here first.

It remains to be seen whether the E-M1X will attract the professional photographers that Olympus wants, but it’s certainly true that it can do some things that larger-format cameras cannot. There isn’t a full-frame camera on the market that can shoot Raw+JPEG frames at 60fps, or combine several frames taken in an instant to output an 80MP file. Likewise Live ND, which simulates the effect of an ND filter without the hassle of actually having to use one, and a stabilization system capable of 7.5EV of correction (thanks to a new gyro mechanism and tweaked software).

Will we see banks of Zuiko lenses on the sidelines at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics? Only time will tell

It’s quite likely, too, that the E-M1X is the toughest professional camera on the market. Durability and weather-sealing are notoriously hard to test (unless you test to destruction, which we don’t) but an officially-quoted IPX1 rating and a promise that the camera is sealed based upon experience learned from the ‘TOUGH’ series compacts is encouraging. Some DPReview commenters have balked at the E-M1X’s $ 3000 MSRP, but it’s worth remembering that this is only a little more than half the cost of a Nikon D5.

Alongside the Sony a9 (with upcoming firmware) the D5 is a benchmark camera for autofocus performance and reliability, and with the E-M1X Olympus is clearly launching a challenge for that crown. Using machine learning, Olympus’s engineers have effectively ‘trained’ a model to recognize certain subjects (automobiles, airplanes and trains, for now) and this model – which houses a large dataset – is integral to how the E-M1X’s autofocus tracking system operates. This isn’t artificial intelligence so much as machine learning (or ‘deep learning’) but if you’re shooting planes, trains or automobiles with the E-M1X you’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise.

While we’re told that some E-M1X features might be added to the E-M1 II via firmware, this predictive tracking model relies on the dual processors of the ‘X’. Will we see banks of Zuiko lenses lined up on the sidelines at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics? Only time will tell, but the E-M1X is definitely a step in the right direction.

Learn more about the new pro M43 Olympus OM-D E-M1X

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Olympus OM-D E-M1X in the studio: familiar image quality, Pixel-Shift still impresses

26 Jan

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We’ve been shooting with the new Olympus OM-D E-M1X for a little while now, both in and out of our studio. Our standard studio tests show that conventional stills performance is little changed from the E-M1 II, but its high-res Pixel Shift mode is still impressive.

Click here to read our Olympus OM-D E-M1X First Impressions Review

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Olympus E-M1X Sample Gallery

25 Jan

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Olympus has released the ultimate Micro Four Thirds sports camera in the E-M1X and we’ve been busy pointing it at as many fast-moving subjects as humanly possible. Note: Many of these images are from an E-M1X running pre-production firmware, but rest assured we’ll be updating with more final firmware samples soon.

See our Olympus E-M1X pre-production sample gallery

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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DPReview TV: Olympus E-M1X Review

25 Jan

Olympus just announced its new flagship camera, the OM-D E-M1X, and Chris and Jordan are already here with their review. Tune in to see them put this new model to the test in the frozen north, and find out what they think of it.

Get new episodes of DPReview TV every week by subscribing to our YouTube channel!

  • Opening sequence
  • Introduction
  • Jordan's video settings
  • Ergonomics and controls
  • Live ND
  • Handheld high-resolution mode
  • Sunset shooting
  • Autofocus modes and performance
  • Weather sealing
  • EVF and LCD panel
  • Image stabilization
  • Final thoughts

Images from this episode

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Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Olympus introduces durable, sports-oriented OM-D E-M1X

25 Jan

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After three weeks of teasers, Olympus has revealed its sports-oriented, high-performance OM-D E-M1X to the world. The E-M1X is all about speed, with dual TruePic VIII processors, an all-cross-type 121-point hybrid AF system with ‘Intelligent Subject Detection’, and 60 fps continuous shooting (18 with continuous AF). Olympus has put all that (and much more) into a rugged, weather-resistant body that has in-body image stabilization that can reduce shake by up to 7 stops (7.5 stops with the 12-100mm lens under specific conditions).

The E-M1X is all about speed

Physically, the E-M1X resembles an E-M1 with a built-in battery grip. Its magnesium alloy body is designed to pass the IPX1 specification for water ingress, and its refined Supersonic Wave Filter shakes off 10% more dust from the sensor than on previous cameras, according to Olympus. An integrated ‘heat pipe’ helps keep the sensor cool while shooting bursts or videos for a long period of time. The shutter is rated to 400,000 shots.

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Photos can be composed via a large EVF with 2.36 million dots (which seems low for a $ 3000 camera,) or on a 3″ rear touchscreen display. The built-in grip holds two BLH-1 batteries, which in combination should deliver 870 shots until they’re both exhausted (per CIPA rating). The E-M1X supports power delivery over USB-C, which lets users charge both batteries in-camera, in a total of about two hours using a laptop/tablet charger or portable power bank. There are two SD card slots on the camera, both supporting UHS-II media. The E-M1X also has a built-in GPS and compass, plus pressure, temperature and acceleration sensors.

The autofocus system on the E-M1X is derived from the one on the E-M1 Mark II. It puts 121 all-cross-type phase detect points on top of a traditional contrast-detect system. The focus point can be set using the fully articulating touchscreen or 8-way joystick. The camera’s Intelligent Subject Detection system can detect and track your choice of trains, race cars and motorcycles, or aircraft of all types, in addition to faces and eyes. Sorry, no pet detection yet. As with the E-M1 II, the E-M1X can shoot at 18 fps with continuous autofocus and exposure or 60 fps with AE and AF locked, using its electronic shutter.

The E-M1X offers the same High Res Shot mode as the E-M1 II, which creates 80MP equivalent images by shifting the sensor slightly. In addition, the E-M1X has a handheld mode, which attempts to do the same thing but without the tripod and with motion correction (check out our Review in Progress to see how well it performs). Another new feature is Live ND, which simulates the effect of up to a 5-stop neutral density filter by combining multiple exposures. The Pro Capture mode is still there, which saves up to 35 frames buffered before you fully press the shutter release button.

The E-M1X can shoot at 18 fps with continuous autofocus

The E-M1X has very good (but not class-leading) video specifications. You can capture DCI at up to 24p / 237Mbps and UHD 4K video at 30p / 102Mbps, using the full width of the sensor. Full HD recording at 60 fps is also available, with a top bit rate of 202Mbps. The camera supports time code, flat and OM-Log400 gamma curves and can output 8-bit 4:2:2 to an external recorder.

The E-M1X will be available in late February for $ 2999.

Read our E-M1X Review in Progress for much more

Press Release:

INTRODUCING THE OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1X® OFFERING UNRIVALED SPEED AND SYSTEM MOBILITY

Latest OM-D Body Provides Absolute Confidence for Professional Photographers

CENTER VALLEY, PA., January 24, 2019 – Today Olympus expands the OM-D series with the introduction of the OM-D E-M1X professional Micro Four Thirds® interchangeable lens camera. The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is packed with industry leading speed, performance, reliability and high-quality image output that rivals that of full-frame DSLRs. This new professional model, positioned alongside the award-winning Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, incorporates an integrated vertical grip to provide a secure grip and superior operability, whether held horizontally or vertically, and offers the world’s highest[1] image stabilization performance with approximately 7.5 shutter speed steps of compensation. Zero-lag Pro Capture Mode[2] and 60 fps high-speed continuous shooting[3] ensures photographers never miss a shot. Its dual TruePic VIII Image Processors provide for high-speed responsiveness and a handheld High Res Shot Mode. The camera’s 121-point all-cross-type on-chip Phase Detection AF sensor and an AF Multi-Selector provides greater freedom over composition. When pairing the OM-D E-M1X with the versatile, excellent image quality of Olympus M.Zuiko lenses, this compact, lightweight, high quality camera system demonstrates its true capabilities in situations where portability is essential, including sports and wildlife photography.

Main Features

  • Integrated Vertical Grip
  • Precise Autofocus system with AF Multi-Selector, All-Cross-Type On-Chip Phase Detection AF Sensor, and Intelligent Subject Detection AF
  • Pro Capture Mode[4] and 60 fps High-Speed Sequential Shooting[5]
  • Dual TruePic VIII Image Processors
  • The World’s Highest Image Stabilization Performance

Integrated Vertical Grip Construction

To meet demands from professional users who place importance on a secure grip during shooting, the OM-D E-M1X features integrated vertical grip construction, designed to provide an improved grip with a deep finger rest whether holding the camera horizontally or vertically. The ergonomic design reduces fatigue when shooting for long periods of time.

Redesigned Button Layout

The layout, shape, and height of all buttons and levers have been completely redesigned to enable users to concentrate on shooting through the viewfinder. A multi-selector is included in both the horizontal and vertical positions so that users can quickly shift focus areas while looking through the viewfinder. A new C-LOCK lever allows the user to select and disable numerous buttons and dials on the camera when in the vertical or horizontal position to substantially mitigate any the risk of accidental changes in settings.

High Magnification, High-Speed Viewfinder

The viewfinder features a new optical design using an industry-leading magnification of 0.83x (35mm equivalent). This four-element configuration designed with aspherical and high reflective index lenses provides a clear, distortion-free display right up to the edge of the viewfinder. As found on the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, a 120 fps (progressive scan) high-speed frame rate with a 0.005 second latency are provided for stress-free moving subject photography.

Advanced Durability and Reliability

The OM-D E-M1X clears Olympus’ in-house splashproof tests that are far more rigorous than IPX1 water ingress testing. The body is designed for shooting in the severe conditions professional photographers often find themselves. Dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof (14°F / -10°C) performance is maintained even when the remote cable, microphone, and headphone jacks are in use, enabling shooting that is not affected by poor weather. A new coating is used on the Super Sonic Wave Filter, which vibrates at 30,000 times per second to remove dust and dirt, boosting dust removal effectiveness by 10% compared to previous Olympus models. The OM-D E-M1X also features durability and reliability to put pro photographers’ minds at ease, including construction that dissipates heat when shooting video and during high speed shooting in very hot conditions, which can typically cause the temperature to rise and limit functionality, as well as a shutter life actuation counts of 400,000[6].

High-Capacity Battery

The OM-D E-M1X is equipped with a cartridge battery insertion system with the capacity for two BLH-1 lithium-ion batteries (also used in the OM-D E-M1 Mark II). Users can capture up to approximately 870 shots[7] and easily replace the batteries even when the camera is attached to a monopod or tripod. The camera also supports USB-C power delivery from a maximum 100 W USB-C standard power source with no special adapter required. This makes it possible to charge the two BLH-1 batteries in the camera body in approximately two hours.

AF Area Multi Selector

A multi selector is included in both the horizontal and vertical positions on the OM-D E-M1X allowing users to quickly shift the AF area while looking through the viewfinder. A distinctive attribute of this joystick is that it allows for diagonal movement of the AF point, where most other cameras only allow for left, right, up and down movement, and in only one direction at a time. This feature makes it possible to smoothly shift AF areas during sequential shooting and video recording.

121-Point All-Cross-Type On-Chip Phase Detection AF Sensor The precise 121-point all-cross-type on-chip Phase Detection AF sensor currently available on the OM-D E-M1 Mark II is also featured on this model for more accurate and greater freedom for focusing in various situations. Olympus on-chip Phase Detection AF delivers Live View images and utilizes autofocus information from recorded images for quick tracking of unpredictable subject movement and changes in subject speed. The AF low-light limit when an F1.2 lens is attached[8] is -6 EV, allowing for high-precision focusing in both dark situations and low-contrast subjects.

Various Autofocus Settings

Various autofocus settings are available on the OM-D E-M1X to meet the needs of professional photographers, including multiple AF Target Modes, AF area position settings when holding the camera vertically or horizontally, and turning the focusing ring in C-AF AF to instantly switch to manual focus using C-AF+MF Mode. The new 25-Point Group Target and Custom AF Target have been added to the available AF Target Modes for greater operating freedom.

High-Speed Sequential Shooting

The OM-D E-M1X features high-speed sequential shooting at a maximum60 fps for capturing scenes in high definition that even the human eye cannot see. Both the 60 fps high-speed continuous shooting in AF/AE Lock, and maximum 18 fps continuous shooting with AF/AE Tracking can be used in Silent Mode for shooting a variety of activities, performances and events where the photographer does not want to disturb others with the sound of the shutter.

Pro Capture Mode

Pro Capture Mode records up to 35 frames retroactively from when the shutter button is released with no blackouts (image loss) during shooting, recording at 20 million pixels and offers support for RAW capture. This feature has received high praise from professional photographers since its introduction on the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, and is effective for capturing artistic images of subjects that move unpredictably.

Dual TruePicVIII High-Speed Image Processors

The OM-D E-M1X is equipped with two TruePic VIII Image Processors, providing quicker start-up times and recovery from sleep mode, and supporting the two high-speed UHS-II SD card slots for overall high-speed responsiveness. This not only contributes to a faster camera, but also supports new camera functionality, including Handheld High Res Shot Mode, Live ND, and Intelligent Subject Detection AF.

Handheld High Res Shot

In addition to ultra-high-resolution maximum 80M[9] High Res Shot images that can be captured using a tripod, Handheld High Res Shot Mode is now available on the OM-D E-M1X, in response to many requests received from professional photographers. This feature is particularly useful for capturing high-definition shots in locations where it is impossible to use a tripod, including when moving from place to place, such as hiking.

Live ND

Live ND is included on the OM-D E-M1X for slow shutter speed effects without the need for an ND filter. This new technology combines multiple exposed images in camera to attain slow shutter effects. It is also possible to check the slow shutter effects in the viewfinder before shooting for improved efficiency. Effects can be set in five levels: ND2 (equivalent to one shutter speed step), ND4 (2 steps), ND8 (3 steps), ND16 (4 steps), and ND32 (5 steps).

Intelligent Subject Detection AF

Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Deep Learning technology was utilized to develop new algorithms for the Intelligent Subject Detection AF feature. It detects three different types of subjects, including motorsports, airplanes, and trains, focusing on and tracking the optimal area. For example, it sets pinpoint focus, locking onto the driver’s helmet during motorsports, automatically detecting the subject, enabling improved autofocus precision so users can focus on the composition.

World’s Highest Image Stabilization

The OM-D E-M1X’s new gyro sensor enables superior image stabilization performance, delivering a maximum of 7.0 shutter speed steps of compensation performance[10] when using the camera body stabilization alone, and the world’s highest 7.5 shutter speed steps of compensation when combined with the stabilized M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO lens. This feature makes handheld shooting possible at lower shutter speeds than ever before, which is perfect for nighttime and indoor shooting.

Other Features:

  • Field Sensor System and Built-In GPS: The OM-D E-M1X contains a built-in GPS® sensor, temperature sensor, manometer and compass, collectively known as ‘field sensors’. In addition to location information, including longitude and latitude, these sensors detect and record the temperature, elevation, and direction of the camera for adding detailed shooting information to images.
  • Anti-Flicker Shooting and Flicker Scan: With anti-flicker shooting, the camera detects the flicker frequency of artificial light sources, including fluorescent lighting and activates the shutter at peak brightness to eliminate uneven exposures and coloring between sequential frames. Flicker scan suppresses striped patterns that can occur when using Silent Mode (electronic shutter) and when shooting movies, so that users can fine tune the shutter speed.
  • Olympus Capture: Olympus Capture camera control software now supports the transfer of recorded images over Wi-Fi®. This new feature makes it possible to transfer images wirelessly to a computer when shooting in the studio without connecting a USB cable. Both 2.4 GHz and high-speed communication 5 GHz bandwidths are available.
  • Handheld 4K and Cinema 4K: Powerful 5-Axis Image Stabilization and electronic stabilization enable ultra-smooth handheld 4K and cinema 4K video recording, without the need for stabilizing gear. Image stabilization effect can be selected from three levels depending on the photographer’s posture and movement.
  • OM-Log400: The OM-D E-M1X supports OM-Log400 shooting, which allows for shooting without loss of details in shadows and highlights and without blowouts, along with color grading via a computer for a high degree of freedom over images.
  • High-Speed Movie (120 fps): 120 fps high-speed movies are now supported in Full HD. Slow-motion playback can make for more impressive imaging expressions.

Separately Available Accessories:

FL-700WR Electronic Flash

FL-700WR Electronic Flash is a high-performance wireless radiowave shooting compatible electronic flash. During wireless shooting, it can function as a commander or flash with built-in receiver. The compact, lightweight design delivers excellent portability with high intensity at a maximum guide number of 42[11] (ISO 100/m). The dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof (14°F / -10°C)[12] performance offers reliability when shooting in a variety of environments including rain, when paired with the OM-D E-M1X, and other splashproof and dustproof body and lens combinations. Full flash intensity is possible with an approximate 1.5 second[13] charging time for comfortable, easy shooting. Because charging time is short, sequential flash photography[14] at 10 fps is possible.

Wireless Commander FC-WR & Wireless Receiver FR-WR:

Wireless Commander FC-WR and Wireless Receiver FR-WR can control multiple flash units remotely from the camera, enabling versatile wireless flash photography. As is the case with the Electronic Flash FL-700WR, dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof (14°F / -10°C) design allows use in a variety of fields. When paired with weathersealed cameras, lenses, and flash units including the FL-700WR or high-capacity Electronic Flash FL-900R, users can perform wireless flash photography comfortably even in the rain. The commander can connect to three groups and an unlimited number of flash units. Users can also select which group to fire and not fire and configure the flash intensity.

Olympus Workspace image management software

This new image management software delivers authentic image viewing and editing functions. RAW processing preview speed is now faster to streamline the post-shooting workflow. The rating function has also been improved for speedy selection of the best shots from large collections of images. A multi-window environment is now supported along with other comfortable controls for a more satisfying work process. Olympus Workspace can be downloaded free of charge for users who own an Olympus camera.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X (black) will begin shipping in late February 2019 for $ 2,999.99 (U.S.) and $ 3,899.99 (CAD).

[1] Lens used: M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO, at a focal distance of 100mm (35mm equivalent: 200mm), halfway release image stabilization: Off, conforms to CIPA standards, when corrected on 2 axes (Yaw and Pitch), current as of January 24, 2019.

[2] During Pro Capture shooting, the shutter speed is limited to the maximum speed (1 fps or higher) and the flash is disabled.

[3] AF and AE locked at first frame. Maximum of 18 fps during AF, AE operation.

[4] During Pro Capture shooting, the shutter speed is limited to the maximum speed (1 fps or higher) and the flash is disabled.

[5] AF and AE locked at first frame. Maximum of 18 fps during AF, AE operation.

[6] According to Olympus tests.

[7] When using two BLH-1 batteries. Shooting with a Toshiba SDXU-D032G, IS on, flash not attached, CIPA testing standards. When using power saving shooting mode, Olympus testing conditions show approximately 2,580 shots based on CIPA testing standards.

[8] Lens used: M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 IS PRO, M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm F1.2 IS PRO, and M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 IS PRO.

[9] Up to 80M (50M for Handheld High Res Shot) supported during RAW shooting. Images must be processed using compatible software including Olympus Workspace.

[10] Lens used: M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO, at a focal distance of 40mm (35mm equivalent: 80mm). Conforms to CIPA standards, when corrected on 2 axes (Yaw and Pitch), current as of January 2019.

[11] Firing angle of 75mm / standard light distribution mode, ISO 100/m.

[12] Batteries may not withstand lower temperatures. In such environments, keep batteries warm prior to use.

[13] When using rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries. Approximately 2.5 s when using alkaline batteries.

[14] Only when using OM-D E-M1X and OM-D E-M1 Mark II mechanical shutter. At a firing ratio of 1/16.

Olympus OM-D E-M1X specifications

Price
MSRP $ 2999
Body type
Body type SLR-style mirrorless
Body material Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution 5184 x 3888
Image ratio w:h 4:3
Effective pixels 20 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 22 megapixels
Sensor size Four Thirds (17.4 x 13 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Processor Dual TruePic VIII
Color space sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array Primary color filter
Image
ISO Auto, 200-25600 (expands down to 64)
Boosted ISO (minimum) 64
White balance presets 7
Custom white balance Yes (4 slots)
Image stabilization Sensor-shift
Image stabilization notes 7.5 stops with 12-100mm lens at 100mm. Otherwise 7 stops
CIPA image stabilization rating 7.5 stop(s)
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Super fine, fine, normal
File format
  • JPEG (Exif v2.31)
  • Raw (12-bit ORF)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Phase Detect
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Touch
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp Yes
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 121
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds
Focal length multiplier 2×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Fully articulated
Screen size 3″
Screen dots 1,037,000
Touch screen Yes
Screen type TFT LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100%
Viewfinder magnification 1.48× (0.74× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 60 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic) 1/32000 sec
Exposure modes
  • Program
  • Aperture priority
  • Shutter priority
  • Manual
Built-in flash No
External flash Yes (via hot shoe or flash sync port)
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), manual
Flash X sync speed 1/250 sec
Drive modes
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Bracketing
  • Self-timer
Continuous drive 60.0 fps
Self-timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Highlight-weighted
  • Spot
  • Spot AF-area
Exposure compensation ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
AE Bracketing ±5 (5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB Bracketing Yes
Videography features
Format MPEG-4, H.264
Modes
  • 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 202 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 202 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 202 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Storage
Storage included Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC cards
Connectivity
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
USB charging Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank)
HDMI Yes (micro-HDMI)
Microphone port Yes
Headphone port Yes
Wireless Built-In
Wireless notes 802.11ac + Bluetooth
Remote control Yes (via smartphone or wired remote)
Physical
Environmentally sealed Yes (to IPX1 standards)
Battery Built-in
Battery description Two BLH-1 lithium-ion batteries
Battery Life (CIPA) 870
Weight (inc. batteries) 997 g (2.20 lb / 35.17 oz)
Dimensions 144 x 147 x 75 mm (5.67 x 5.79 x 2.95″)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording Yes
GPS Built-in
GPS notes Also captures direction, temperature, pressure and acceleration

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Q&A with DPReview editors about the Olympus E-M1X

25 Jan

We were live this morning discussing the Olympus E-M1X and answering questions from our community. You can re-watch the video here, and we’ll try to address those questions we couldn’t get to, in the comments below.

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Olympus E-M1X shooting experience

24 Jan

Introduction

Out-of-camera JPEG.
ISO 1600 | 1/1000 sec | F4.5 | Olympus 40-150mm F2.8 + 1.4x teleconverter

As water pooled on the camera, I held my composition. A motorcyclist rocketed into the frame and I watched as the camera immediately drew a box around the rider’s helmet and began focusing as I half-pressed the shutter. As he screamed through the scene, leaving chunks of flying red mud in his wake, I fired off a burst at 15 frames per second.

Thanks to the Olympus E-M1X’s new ‘Deep Learning’ autofocus, well, I didn’t need to think about autofocus. I didn’t need to follow the motorcyclist with a group of points, or time a half-press just right as he entered a pre-selected zone. I didn’t even have to place a focus point over him and initiate tracking.

The camera immediately drew a box around the rider’s helmet and began focusing

With so much less to think about, I found myself shooting with tighter framing than I normally would. That’s crucial for sports and action, because tighter framing means less cropping in ‘post’ and better overall image quality. And considering that I was shooting at a fairly high ISO value on a Four Thirds sensor, I wanted to maintain the best image quality I could get.

There’s no doubt that between Nikon, Canon and Panasonic’s product announcements, 2018 was the year of the full-frame mirrorless camera. But with the E-M1X and its 20MP Four Thirds sensor, Olympus is taking a different approach. Many will cry foul, saying that this sizable, double-grip sports camera is evidence of Olympus losing their way.

Image processed in-camera from Raw.
ISO 200 | 1/80 sec | F5.6 | Olympus M.Zuiko 40-150mm F2.8 + MC-14 1.4x teleconverter

On the contrary, I think the E-M1 X is evidence of Olympus charting a new path in this ever-more-competitive world occupied by computationally capable smartphones and the inescapable allure of full-frame sensors and optics. And I think that new path shows a lot of promise.

Full disclosure: Olympus flew me down to Orlando, put me up in a nice hotel, fed me some tasty meals and handed me a pre-production E-M1X to test out. All images and impressions here are based on that pre-production camera, and performance and image quality may change with final production firmware.

What is the E-M1X?

The E-M1X is aimed straight at sports and action-shooting professionals, particularly those looking for lots of reach but not wanting to haul huge full-frame telephoto lenses around. In addition, it offers lots of direct control, durability, and highly configurable autofocus.

But there’s no question: that Four Thirds sensor, inside this large camera body, looks a little silly. And though it offers great image quality for its size, you’ll have noisier images and deeper depth-of-field than you would with a larger APS-C or full-frame sensor given the same exposure parameters. That’s just the way it is.

On the other hand, between its new hand-held high-resolution mode, crazy effective image stabilization and new autofocus tricks, the E-MX is an exciting piece of innovation.

You see, the E-M1X is among the first ‘traditional’ cameras from a ‘traditional’ camera manufacturer to make use of use ‘deep learning’ and true computational photography techniques like we’ve been seeing on high-end smartphones (Sony’s latest Real-time Tracking AF is similar…but different). And that is exactly what traditional camera manufacturers need to stay relevant in today’s shifting market.

Deep learning autofocus

Out-of-camera JPEG.
ISO 200 | 1/60 sec | F5 | Olympus M.Zuiko 40-150mm F2.8 Pro

Does this new intelligent autofocus actually work? Yes and no. Let’s start with the ‘yes’ bit.

With the ‘Motorsport’ setting enabled, the camera would reliably detect both cars and motorcycles in a given scene. If you set the camera up to have a single autofocus area, you can place that area over a particular subject to manually choose which car or motorcycle you want the camera to focus on.

As I said earlier, this has the potential to be an incredibly powerful tool. I am by no means an experienced sports shooter, but this new autofocus system really did leave my mind free to focus more on composition, anticipating subject movement, and improving my panning technique.

Happy with the pan, less happy with the rain on the lens. Processed in-camera from Raw.
ISO 200 | 1/50 sec | F16 | Olympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm F4 Pro

Now for the ‘no’ bit. This is a pre-production camera, of course, but there are bursts where the camera positively identified a subject, indicated it was tracking, and then I ended up with soft or out-of-focus shots. Also, I found when shooting NASCAR that if the car is temporarily blocked by an object, the camera effectively gives up and you have to re-engage tracking when it appears again. Engineers told me that adjusting my C-AF Sensitivity may help combat this, but we’ll have to confirm that when we get final firmware.

But my biggest gripe concerns usability. The function lever to the right of the viewfinder allows you to switch between AF modes (single, continuous, etc) and/or AF areas with one flick. But it doesn’t allow you to switch between face detection or deep-learning settings.

While you can at least change face detection if you assign a button to AF area, you must enter the menus to enable or disable the deep learning autofocus. This strikes me as something of an oversight, particularly since Face Detect overrides all other settings and the deep learning modes sometimes ‘see’ motorcycles and cars in everyday objects. In any case, I hope this gets fixed in subsequent firmware revisions.

The rest

Out-of-camera JPEG, hand-held high-res shot. Notice how the palms lose some detail due to motion, and the ghosting of the individual in the lower right.
ISO 200 | 1/250 sec | F5.6 | Olympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm F4 Pro

The other feature I’d like to touch on is the hand-held high-res shot. It really, actually, works. It aligns and stacks a total of 16 images, giving you more resolution and lower noise levels. And unfortunately, you get ghosting and / or a loss of detail on moving subjects.

Because you can’t use it on moving subjects, it’s less robust than, say, the Google Pixel 3, which stacks up to 12 images each time you press the shutter and has no shutter lag. But hey, this is Olympus taking a step in the right direction, and it’s only going to improve.

Olympus is thinking of computational applications for ‘real’ cameras

And this is the big takeaway. Not only is the hand-held high-res shot showing Olympus moving toward offering you bigger-sensor image quality, but the deep-learning autofocus shows that they are thinking of computational applications for experienced users of ‘real’ cameras. They’re actively looking at ways to improve the experience of using a traditional camera through software.

Olympus could have jumped on the full-frame bandwagon and called it good (the marketing would likely have been easier). But I honestly think this path they’ve chosen is the braver, if riskier, one, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it pushes the rest of the market forward.

Read our Olympus E-M1X Review in Progress

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Olympus E-M1X review in progress

24 Jan

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The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is a dual grip Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera aimed at pro sports and action photographers. It’s designed to be rugged, durable, fast and capable, and has a price tag to match that ambition.

The EM1X uses fast readout and fast processing both to provide high-level AF performance and a range of novel modes and features. It also promises new levels of performance in terms of weather resistance and image stabilization.

Key Specifications

  • 20MP Four Thirds sensor
  • 121-point autofocus system with deep learning-based subject recognition
  • Hand-held high-res shot mode
  • Up to 60 fps Raw + JPEG capture (up to 18 fps with autofocus)
  • Pro Capture mode records frames before you hit the shutter
  • Up 7.5EV of image stabilization with supported lenses
  • ‘Live ND’ multi-shot mode simulates ND filters
  • Large 2.36M-dot LCD viewfinder able to work at up to 120fps
  • Dual BLH-1 batteries giving 870 shots per charge (CIPA)
  • Dual UHS-II SD memory card slots
  • Extensive direct control, dual AF joysticks, articulating touchscreen
  • UHD 4K/30p video and DCI 24p at up to 237Mbps
  • Extensive, IPX1-rated weather sealing
  • USB charging

To a degree the E-M1X resembles a twin-grip E-M1 II with more powerful processors and two batteries. What makes the camera interesting is what it does with that extra power.

The E-M1X will go on sale in February at an MSRP of $ 2999, CAN $ 3899, €2999 and £2799.

What’s new and how it compares

The E-M1X brings improved AF, a hand-held high res mode and Live ND as the headline updates.

Click here to see what’s new

Body and Handling

The E-M1X is the first Olympus digital camera to offer the dual-grip design favored by pro sports cameras. It’s also one of the few to receive a formal rating of its environmental sealing.

Click here for more

Controls and Operation

There are plenty of direct control points on the E-M1X but also a lot that can be customized.

Click here for details

Video overview

The E-M1X’s video spec is very similar to that of the E-M1 Mark II, which means high bitrate DCI 4K but only at 24p

Click here to read about the camera’s video

Shooting Experience

Carey Rose was impressed by the performance of the E-M1X at a pre-launch shooting event, but there are some things he’d like to see improved.

Read about shooting with the E-M1X

Sample gallery

We’ve been shooting extensively with the OM-D E-M1X: here are the images we’ve got so far:

Click here for samples

Specifications

See a breakdown of what the Olympus OM-D E-M1X offers.

Click here for specifications

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