[ad_1]
 |
Product pictures by Shaminder Dulai
The OM System OM-1 Mark II is a high-speed Micro 4 Thirds digicam primarily based round a 20MP Stacked CMOS sensor. Because the title implies, it is an up to date model of the flagship OM-1, with a sequence of {hardware} and firmware enhancements.
Key Specs:
- 20MP 4 Thirds Stacked CMOS sensor
- Steady taking pictures at as much as 50fps with full autofocus, 120fps with AF/AE locked
- In-body stabilization rated to eight.5EV
- 4K (UHD or DCI) at as much as 60p with 10-bit and Log seize choices
- Prolonged topic recognition AF modes
- 5.76m dot OLED viewfinder with 0.83x magnification
- 80MP multi-shot excessive res mode with 50MP hand-held choice
- Reside composite, Reside ND and Graduated ND mutli-shot modes
- Environmentally sealed to IP53 customary
- Twin UHS-II playing cards
The OM-1 Mark II will probably be accessible from February twenty sixth at a beneficial worth of $2399, a $200 enhance in contrast with the unique mannequin from February 2022. US clients ordering earlier than Feb twenty fifth will obtain a second BLX-1 battery and $300 off choose lenses, we would count on different areas to offer related incentives to pre-order.
Index:
What’s new?
The OM-1 Mark II arrives two years on from the unique mannequin and affords a sequence of enhancements, reasonably than a radical change of specs, in contrast with the present mannequin.
The OM-1 II makes use of the identical TruePic X processor as the unique mannequin did and its headline capabilities are primarily the identical, however the brand new model has extra RAM onboard, which the corporate says underpins lots of the modifications which have been made attainable.
So, whereas the max burst price and video specs stay unchanged, the way in which options are applied and the efficiency of the digicam throughout the bounds of these headline figures have modified.
Improved AF
 |
| A ‘Human detection’ choice within the digicam’s topic detection system replaces Face/Eye detection. It needs to be higher at recognizing smaller topics in addition to serving to simplify the person interface. |
The headline change is the development of the digicam’s autofocus. The OM-1 II builds on what was one of many earliest implementations of machine-learning-trained topic recognition. The Olympus E-M1 X was the primary digicam to make use of machine studying to supply an AF system with AF algorithms that had been educated to acknowledge a broad vary of topics (earlier rivals might solely acknowledge folks and home animals, sometimes).
The most important outward change is that OM-1 II features a Human detection mode, which extends topic recognition past simply face detection but additionally implies that all of the digicam’s recognition modes at the moment are built-in throughout the identical part of the interface (Face Detection was a separate mode on the OM-1).
The corporate additionally says the refresh price of the AF system has been improved, boosting the efficiency of the (non-recognition-based) C-AF + Monitoring mode in addition to the effectiveness of the AI-trained topic recognition modes.
As earlier than, you’ll be able to specify what the digicam does if the acknowledged topic ventures past your chosen AF space: follow the topic or revert to focusing inside your chosen space. This may be set individually for stills and video.
We’re additionally informed the primarily based C-AF monitoring (with out topic recognition) has been improved, which we’re trying ahead to testing.
Improved IS
 |
One other main step ahead within the OM-1 II is its improved in-body picture stabilization. The revamped system, which makes use of up to date algorithms, is now rated to ship a formidable 8.5EV of correction when subjected to industry-standard testing.
That is unlikely to imply which you can truly reliably shoot at 8.5 stops under the normal 1/focal size shutter velocity (with a 50mm equiv lens, that may be an publicity of round seven seconds), however it does depart the OM-1 II because the highest-rated digicam in the marketplace.
Extra blackout-free modes
The prevailing OM-1 supplied true blackout-free taking pictures at its quickest taking pictures settings. The Mark II extends this to a few of its slower burst charges, which means that photographers who do not all the time want to make use of the digicam’s quickest charges nonetheless expertise the advantage of the sensor’s speedy readout.
Larger buffer
The obvious signal of a {hardware} change within the Mark II is its deeper buffer. The Mark II can shoot 256 Uncooked frames at 50fps or 213 in its single (preliminary) AF 120fps mode. These numbers are round double the figures that the unique mannequin might obtain, and assist enhance the worth of its high-speed capabilities.
In lots of circumstances, the profit will not a lot be the power to remain on the shutter for 5 seconds, however as an alternative that it decreases the probability of the buffer being full in the mean time it is advisable seize one other fast 50fps burst.
Graduated Impartial Density filter
 |
| The OM-1 II’s GND characteristic permits you to regulate the severity of the gradient and regulate its place and angle. |
Constructing on the Reside ND choice, which blends numerous brief exposures to provide the impact of a impartial density filter, the OM1 II features the power to simulate a graduated impartial density filter.
It offers the selection of whether or not you need the gradient to have a tough, medium or delicate edge, and whether or not you need it to have a 1, 2, or 3-stop influence (ND 2, 4 or 8). You’ll be able to then use the four-way controller or the touchscreen to maneuver the mid-point of the gradient, and the dials to rotate its angle. The entrance dial rotates the gradient impact by 15 levels, whereas the rear dial makes single diploma changes.
The digicam’s Reside ND characteristic has additionally been prolonged and may now simulate a 7-stop ND128 filter: a cease darker than the unique mannequin.
14-bit multi-shot Uncooked
The OM-1 II has the choice to seize its multi-shot high-res pictures in 14-bit Uncooked. In each the 80MP mode that requires the usage of a tripod and the 50MP mode designed for hand-held taking pictures, the digicam can now retailer Uncooked recordsdata with the capability for wider dynamic vary that multi-shot taking pictures generates. It does not seem that this extra Uncooked depth is used to retailer the picture information any extra effectively, although: the multi-shot Raws are between 2.4 and 4 occasions the scale of a single-image file. We look ahead to discovering whether or not there’s an considerable distinction one we get impartial Uncooked help for the digicam.
Physique and dealing with
 |
| The OM-1 II shares a physique with its predecessor: a compact, dense physique with a well-designed format that gives in depth direct management, regardless of the digicam’s small measurement. |
The obvious change between the OM-1 and the Mark II is that the digicam now wears OM System branding throughout its viewfinder hump. The unique OM-1 was at fairly a sophisticated stage of improvement when Olympus divested its digicam enterprise, so it nonetheless had the earlier firm’s branding emblazoned on it, which the Mark II units straight.
Past this, the dealing with of the digicam is nearly equivalent to that of the unique digicam. We are saying ‘virtually’ as a result of OMDS has modified the digicam’s command dial to at least one with a rubbery coating. These provide an improved tactile really feel and in addition make the digicam slightly simpler to function when utilizing gloves.
 |
| The OM-1 II’s dials have a rubberized end to them, bettering the texture and making them simpler to make use of when sporting gloves. |
The result’s a small digicam with an enormous diploma of direct management however with a format which means these two elements are not often in battle (until you might have very massive palms). We stay impressed with how a lot direct entry is out there and the way comfy the digicam is to carry and shoot.
 |
| The elimination of the separate face detection choice implies that topic recognition choices can now take its place on the Tremendous Management Panel, just under the White Steadiness setting. |
Past this, the digicam’s dealing with and operation stay unchanged. It continues to make use of the up to date model of the Tremendous Management Panel fast menu, making it simple to see and regulate the digicam’s key settings.
The dizzying diploma of customization of the digicam remains to be current. As an example, you’ll be able to set the two-position lever across the AEL button to modify between focus settings, at which level you’ll be able to resolve whether or not this impacts the AF mode, AF space mode and chosen AF space, in order that it does precisely what you need. Nonetheless, newer options akin to focus limiter and topic recognition mode aren’t choices for what the swap modifications, so you’ll be able to’t use this characteristic to have interaction and disengage topic detection mode or swap between topic sorts.
Viewfinder and display
 |
| Caption |
The OM-1 makes use of the identical 5.76M dot (1600 x 1200 px) OLED viewfinder because the earlier mannequin. The viewfinder optics give a finder with 0.83x magnification. As earlier than, this may be run at as much as 120Hz, with OMDS claiming a refresh lag of 5ms. It is a big and responsive viewfinder.
As you may hope, the OM-1 II additionally comes with the little FL LM3 flash. This mounts within the digicam’s hotshoe and might be rotated sideways and upwards, permitting you to bounce it. It isn’t very highly effective in itself, however in addition to being much more versatile than a typical built-in flash, it can be used to speak flash info to exterior flash models utilizing the ‘RC’ infrared system.
Battery
 |
The OM-1 II makes use of the identical BLX-1 battery because the earlier mannequin. This can be a 16.4Wh unit that powers the digicam to a CIPA ranking of 500 pictures per cost: a really slight drop in contrast with the present digicam. Within the extra environment friendly Fast Sleep mode, the ranking jumps to 1010 pictures per cost, however with the screens slowing after which going darkish a lot, way more shortly after every interplay with the digicam.
As all the time, CIPA numbers are inclined to considerably underestimate the variety of pictures you are more likely to get from a digicam. Double the rated worth is not uncommon, and this quantity considerably will increase for those who’re taking pictures pictures in bursts, the place you are unlikely to view every picture individually for lengthy durations on the rear display.
The OM-1 Mark II is appropriate with the present HLD-10 battery grip, which provides a second battery to the digicam.
Preliminary impressions
By Richard Butler
 |
The very first thing that is more likely to strike many OM System and Olympus customers in regards to the OM-1 II is that OMDS has chosen to replace one among its most up-to-date fashions reasonably than increasing or refreshing the remainder of its lineup.
The corporate’s presentation in regards to the digicam talked when it comes to “perfecting” the already spectacular capabilities of the unique OM-1, reasonably than considerably increasing them. A deeper buffer, improved AF efficiency and uprated picture stabilization recommend the corporate’s engineers have been busy, although.
The brand new digicam has extra onboard reminiscence, which we’re informed permits a number of the new options. The deeper buffer throughout burst taking pictures is the obvious consequence, however it might plausibly even be underpinning options such because the digital Graduated ND characteristic that requires numerous frames to be held whereas the processor blends them collectively. However it’s clear why the corporate has known as this a Mark 2, reasonably than branding it as a completely new mannequin.
The transfer to a human detection mode throughout the digicam’s topic recognition choices, reasonably than face/eye detection that lives individually, helps enhance the coherence of the digicam’s operation. However there are nonetheless clear indicators (such because the restricted capabilities that may be managed by the two-way swap) that it is a digicam that is been added to, 12 months by 12 months, reasonably than developed from a clean sheet of paper.
What it continues to supply is pro-level velocity with digicam/lens mixtures which are appreciably smaller and lighter than bigger codecs. There is a trade-off to be made for this, however options akin to hand-held excessive decision mode can assist to beat the variations.
 |
| The OM-1 II’s video specs are unchanged, in contrast with the present digicam. |
OMDS has clearly acknowledged this, and if the improved AF efficiency makes the digicam simpler for wildlife pictures, then it might assist strengthen the model’s handhold in that area of interest. We’re nonetheless within the early days of testing the OM-1 II, however simpler autofocus, mixed with the OM-1’s velocity, its climate sealing and the provision of sunshine lengthy lenses, would assist justify the corporate’s concentrate on its high-end fashions.
We would like to see a continuation of the PEN line of small, classic-looking cameras, as they have been a number of the fashions that helped outline the early guarantees of the transfer to mirrorless. However the velocity and multi-shot capabilities Olympus and OMDS have developed make extra sense in a rugged digicam to be taken into the wilderness with a protracted lens for panorama and wildlife taking pictures. Arguably, a few of these capabilities might additionally translate right into a go in all places/do all the pieces journey digicam, too, however for now the efforts have been targeting the OM-1 and OM-5 strains.
As with the transfer from the E-M1 II to the III, there will be individuals who wonder if the modifications might have been made as a firmware replace, and it will be attention-grabbing to see whether or not a number of the behavioral refinements of the Mark II are made accessible to homeowners of the unique digicam. However our first impressions are that the OM-1 II represents a significant advance within the areas that matter for its supposed makes use of. Whether or not they’re significant sufficient to immediate OM-1 customers to improve is one thing we’ll uncover within the coming weeks.
Pattern gallery
Please don’t reproduce any of those pictures on a web site or any publication/journal with out prior permission (see our copyright web page). We make the originals accessible for personal customers to obtain to their very own machines for private examination or printing (together with this assessment); we achieve this in good religion, so please do not abuse it.
Again to index
[ad_2]
Leave a Reply