Olympus OM-D E-M1 Detailed Review

See all images of the Olympus OM-D E-M1

Main

In additional OM-D E-M1 was introduced by Olympus in September 2013. It belongs to the Mirrorless Cameras category.

Olympus is well-known and shouldn’t require further introduction, please see our manufacturer’s page for more digital cameras by Olympus.

Brand Olympus
Category Mirrorless
Date 09/2013
Sensor Properties

Also OM-D E-M1 has a Four Thirds CMOS sensor with size of 17 x 13 mm² (0.68″ x 0.51″).

Picture of OM-D E-M1’s sensor compared to popular format.

Infographic: OM-D E-M1 comparing sensor sizes

The 1-Euro coin has a diameter of 23.25mm.

The OM-D E-M1’s image sensor has an effective resolution of around 16 megapixel. That’s roughly average and will be sufficient for most purposes. Photos with this resolution can easily be printed to A3 or A2 size.

The Olympus supports taking images in RAW. RAW images are stored as they come from the sensor, without any in-camera processing or sharpening. Converting to JPEG or other formats takes place on the computer, using software like Adobe Lightroom or Olympus’s RAW converter. This involves one extra processing step but almost always results in superior image quality. Some filters, like converting to monochrome (black and white) will only yield decent results when used with RAW images.

The OM-D E-M1 features a mechanism for automatic sensor cleaning.

Format Four Thirds
Sensor area 17.30 x 13.00mm²
(0.68″ x 0.51″)
Type CMOS
Resolution (physical) 16.80 megapixel
Resolution (effective) 16.30 megapixel
Pixel size 14.10 µm²
Sensor cleaning
RAW support
Continuous 10 frames/second
Lens
Interchangeable lens
Mount Olympus Micro Four Thirds (MFT)
Viewfinder Properties

The OM-D E-M1 uses an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2.36 megapixel, an excellent value for a viewfinder like this which makes the camera a joy to use.

The magnifcation is c. 0.74x, an excellent value for an electronic viewfinder.

Type Elektronic
Coverage 100%
Magnification 0.74x
Resolution 2.36 megapixel
Dioptric correction
Shutter

The OM-D E-M1’s shutter speed varies from 1/8000s to 60s.

Max. shutter speed 1/8000s
Min. shutter speed 60s
Sensitivity Properties

The OM-D E-M1’s sensitivity goes from 200 ISO und 25600 ISO, a very useful and practical range.

Automatic
Min. sensitivity 200 ISO
Max. sensitivity 25600 ISO
Exposure Modes

The OM-D E-M1 supports all general exposure modes.

The Olympus allows spot exposure for the difficult occasion.

Multi
Center weight
Partial
Spot
Auto Focus Properties

The OM-D E-M1’s auto focus processor uses 81 AF points (or sensors). A basic rule of thumb says that the more AF points you have, the better. More AF points mean a better chance to have a point at the location of interest in a scene, a big plus in challenging situations (e.g. when panning the camera).

Manual focus is also possible with the Olympus, a plus in tricky situations or for some creative freedom.

Type Phase Detection, Contrast Detection
AF points 81
Manual focusing
Flash Specs

The OM-D E-M1 doesn’t feature a built-in flash. That is not unsusual in this camera category.

A flash or a trigger for remote flashes can be attached to the Olympus’s hotshoe.

Built-in
Hot shoe
Display Specs

The OM-D E-M1 display has a diagonal of 76.00mm (3.0 inches.) and a resolution 1.04 megapixel.

The camera display is intended for selfies or other occasion.

Display parameters:

Type LCD
Size 76.00mm (diagonal)
(3.0 in.)
Resolution 1.04 megapixel
Articulated
Touch screen
Video Specs

OM-D E-M1 video supported the resolution with 1920 x 1080 pixel.

Also the camera is equipped with an external microphone.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Video parameters:

Max. resolution 1920 x 1080 pixel
…with frame rates 24 frames/second
25 frames/second
30 frames/second
External microphone
Connectivity & Wireless Specs

The OM-D E-M1 has Wi-fi connection. You can transfer photos to a mobile or laptop using wi-fi.

Connect the Olympus to a monitor or TV set over HDMI.

The Olympus supports USB 2.0.

Connection parameters:

WiFi
Bluetooth
NFC
Remote (wired)
Remote (infrared)
Apps
HDMI (standard)
HDMI (mini)
HDMI (micro)
USB 2.0
USB 3.0
USB Micro
USB Mini
USB-C
Custom
Memory

The camera supports SD HC and SD XC cards.

Memory cards characteristics:

Slots 1
Memory cards SD
SDHC
SDXC
Battery

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 has a BLN-1 LiIon battery. The battery provides a shooting life of 350 shots. It`s enough for one day or more.

The OM-D E-M1’s battery battery parameters:

Type BLN-1 LiIon
Removable
In-camera charging
Battery life 350 photos
Size

The Olympus OM-D E-M1’s size is 130.14 x 93.5 x 63.1mm³. (5.1″ x 3.7″ x 2.5″). That dimensions are without lens. The weight of camera is 5.1″ x 3.7″ x 2.5″ grams (497 oz.) without lens weight.

Here is front and top view of the OM-D E-M1:

Dimensions Comparison

For a better idea of the size of the camera, takes a look off camera and ID card comparison image.

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