The OM-D E-M1 Mark II in a practical test
I have to admit in all honesty: So far I had no experience with the Olympus system system only once or twice and always had an aversion to it. Two weeks ago I bought the E-M1 Mark II and took it on a photo expedition. The results, my first impressions and why I'll take the Olympus again next time you can read in this article!
Sensor stabilization:
Internal sensor stabilization is standard on many mirrorless system cameras. In my opinion, Olympus is ahead of the game here and has installed an impressive 5-axis sensor stabilization. Because the MFT sensor is smaller than an APS-C sensor, there is plenty of room for perfect stabilization. This is especially handy for slow handheld shutter speeds and action shots. A year ago, the Foto Koch team was invited to a team event together with Olympus. There we were able to test the OM-D cameras in a speedboat on the Rhine. You can see how the sensor stabilization works in video mode in the video.
Technology Facts:
- 20 MP live MOS sensor
- TruePic VIII image processor
- ZUIKO Lens Systems
- 5-axis IS
- 4K video
- 121 focus points, cross-type sensor
- 18 fps RAW with AF-C
- 60 fps RAW with AF-S
- High resolution shooting up to 80 MP
- Two SD card slots
The autofocus
When a single focus point is selected, the E-M1 Mark II shows an extremely fast autofocus speed and a high accuracy. Very important: Work with the latest firmware, because the software can change quite a bit in the autofocus performance!
During my photo walk I tried to activate all fields in between, so that I don't have to worry about the metering field, but unfortunately the OM-D often found another object important here. If I had installed the update beforehand, this wouldn't have happened. The E-M1 Mark II has integrated face or eye autofocus and thus takes some of the work off your hands when it comes to taking portraits quickly and precisely.
Why Olympus?
- fast and powerful
- Precision and functionality
- Mobility and reliability
- Rugged construction
- Compact size
- Excellent image quality
- First-class lenses
Optional audio recorder
For all photographers who also want to create videos or are journalists, Olympus has a new audio recorder - the LS-P4. The external audio recorder has various uses and offers several advantages. In addition, the LS-P4 is one of the first Linear PCM recorders in the world that is compatible with FLAC format recording. The recorder records audio at 96kHz/24-bit.
The device has three microphones built in and can be optimally used as a dictation recorder. With the included hot shoe adapter, the recorder can be mounted directly on the camera.# For playback of the recording, various options are available:
- Integrated speakers
- 3.5mm jack output for headphones
- Bluetooth connectivity
Audio recorder in practical use
What impressed me most about the LS-P4 was its user-friendliness and extremely compact dimensions. I used the recorder at a wedding, because I try to collect as many audio tracks as possible to be able to use later, for example, an excerpt of a speech in the video.
To do this, I simply plugged the LS-P4 into the DJ mixer and connected it to a master output of the mixer with a 3.5mm jack - 6.3mm jack cable. Using the headphone output of the recorder, I immediately checked the sound and was a bit surprised that it was perfectly set up right away. I didn't have to worry about the sound level at all! The recorder ran through 6h and now I'm having fun picking out the 30 seconds I actually need.
My conclusion
Although I was a bit skeptical at the beginning of the test, I was very surprised about the possibilities the Olympus system offers. On the technical side, the lens selection and sensor stabilization are particularly exciting for me, but the handling is even more important. The different camera systems are very often compared with each other exclusively on a technical level, but for me this now plays a rather subordinate role. Of course, there are situations in which a certain brand or product offers a technical advantage that is indispensable, but often the theoretical specifications play a lesser role in everyday life.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II feels very comfortable in the hand with its high-quality and extremely robust magnesium body and has a nice grip. I personally also like the shutter release very much, as well as the pressure point of the buttons! The camera simply feels very valuable in the hand. The replay button in thumb position has become a bit rarer - I think it's great that the E-M1 Mark II has this button layout. I can only recommend that anyone who is thinking of buying a new camera system, as well as anyone who already uses Olympus, try out the camera and get to know it. Olympus is currently offering an ingenious promotion for this. "TEST +amp; WOW" Especially interested people can try out the most important Olympus products - we offer you the opportunity to test your desired equipment for a complete day.
