OM SYSTEM (formally Olympus) has announced its new OM-1 M4/3 mirrorless hybrid camera. The OM-1 features a 20MP Stacked BSI Live MOS and it can shoot 4K DCI and UHD in 4:2:0 10-bit up to 59.94p.
Key features
- 20MP Stacked BSI Live MOS MFT Sensor
- DCI/UHD 4K 60p 10-Bit Video Recording
- 10 fps Shooting, 120 fps with E. Shutter
- Cross Quad Pixel Phase-Detection AF
- 5.76m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- 3.0″ 1.62m-Dot Swivel Touchscreen LCD
- 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization
- High-Res Shot, Live ND & Composite Modes
- IP53 Weather-Sealed & Freezeproof Design
- Dual UHS-II SD Card Slots
Olympus Falls and then Rises again
In 2021 the Olympus imaging division was sold to Japan Industrial Partners and rebranded as OM Digital Solutions. At the time, OM Digital Solutions made it very clear that they would continue to develop and make M4/3 cameras.
OM SYSTEM which is the new camera brand under the OM Digital Solutions umbrella also wanted loyal Olympus followers to know that they would follow the same path that Olympus had already forged.
The OM-1 isn’t the first camera to be released by OM System. The Olympus PEN E-P7 was, but that camera had already been developed by Olympus prior to the sale.
Sensor
The OM-1 uses a 20.4MP (effective) 17.4 x 13 mm (Four Thirds) MOS M4/3 type stacked BSI live MOS sensor that comes from Sony. This stacked BSI design is claimed to offer improved readout speeds, noise levels, and greater dynamic range than previous designs. The sensor structure is also said to improve noise performance by two stops and dynamic range by one stop for improved image quality, especially at higher ISOs.
TruePic X Processor
Compared to previous-generation processors, the TruePic X is claimed to offer 3x-faster processing speeds along with a 120 fps sensor readout rate for faster, more responsive shooting. The processor also contributes to a wide ISO range and quick continuous shooting rates.
- Native sensitivity range from ISO 200-102400, expandable down to ISO 80.
- Continuous shooting up to 10 fps with full-time AF/AE and a buffer of 169 raw frames when working with a mechanical shutter.
- If working with a silent electronic shutter, 20 fps shooting is possible with full-time AF/AE and a buffer of 108 raw frames. SH1 and SH2 are blackout-free high-speed shooting modes, offering rates up to 120 fps without AF/AE in SH1 and 50 fps with AF/AE in SH2.
- Pro Capture mode begins recording before you release the shutter; able to record at 120 fps with fixed focus or 50 fps with continuous AF, this mode begins recording once the shutter button is half-pressed and then stops once the button has been fully pressed. Up to 70 additional frames can be recorded with this mode, serving as a safeguard for times when the action occurs just before you press the shutter button.
Weight & Size
The camera weighs 511g / 1.12 lb (Body only) and it has physical dimensions of 134.8 x 91.6 x 72.7mm / 5.27 x 3.64 x 2.86″.
If we compare this to a GH5 II it weighs 727 g / 1.6 lb (Body with Battery and Memory).
Video Recording Capabilities
The OM-1 features DCI/UHD 4K video recording up to 60p and 10-bit 4:2:0 sampling. Full HD recording is possible at up to 240 fps. There are no 4:2:2 10-bit recording options at all.
An HLG picture mode permits in-camera HDR recording and an OM-Log gamma allows for greater color grading range when adjusting the footage in post-production.
In-camera time-lapse production is possible, up to UHD 4K with frame rates from 5 fps to 30 fps.
H.265 LongGOP/MOV 4.2.0 10-bit
| RESOLUTION | FRAME RATE | BITRATE |
| 4K DCI (4096 x 2160) | 50p 59.94p | 152 Mbps 152 Mbps |
| 4K DCI (4096 x 2160) | 23.98p 25p 29.98p | 77 Mbps 77 Mbps 77 Mbps |
| UHD (3840 x 2160) | 50p 59.94p | 152 Mbps 152 Mbps |
| UHD (3840 x 2160) | 23.98p 25p 29.98p | 77 Mbps 77 Mbps 77 Mbps |
| HD (1920 x 1080) | 50p 59.94p | 42 Mbps 42 Mbps |
| HD (1920 x 1080) | 23.98p 25p 29.98p | 22 Mbps 22 Mbps 22 Mbps |
H.265/MOV 4:2:0 10-Bit
| RESOLUTION | FRAME RATE | BITRATE |
| HD (1920 x 1080) | 50p 59.94p | 162 Mbps 162 Mbps |
| HD (1920 x 1080) | 23.98p 25p 29.98p 100p 119.88p 200p | 82 Mbps 82 Mbps 82 Mbps NA NA NA |
H.264 Long GOP/MOV 4:2:0 8-Bit
| RESOLUTION | FRAME RATE | BITRATE |
| 4K DCI (4096 x 2160) | 50p 59.94p | 202 Mbps 202 Mbps |
| 4K DCI (4096 x 2160) | 23.98p 25p 29.98p | 102 Mbps 102 Mbps 102 Mbps |
| UHD (3840 x 2160) | 50p 59.94p | 202 Mbps 202 Mbps |
| UHD (3840 x 2160) | 23.98p 25p 29.98p | 102 Mbps 102 Mbps 102 Mbps |
| HD (1920 x 1080) | 50p 59.94p | 52 Mbps 52 Mbps |
| HD (1920 x 1080) | 23.98p 25p 29.98p | 27 Mbps 27 Mbps 27 Mbps |
H.264/MOV 4:2:0 8-Bit
| RESOLUTION | FRAME RATE | BITRATE |
| HD (1920 x 1080) | 23.98p 25p 29.98p 100p 119.88p 200p 239.76p | 230 Mbps 230 Mbps 230 Mbps NA NA NA NA |
What does it record to?
The camera has dual SD, SDHC (UHS-I/II), SDXC (UHS-I/II) card slots. It is a bit unfortunate that OM System didn’t make at least one of the card slots CFexpress Type B.
HDMI Output
Over HDMI you can choose three options with the camera:
- Monitor Mode
- Record Mode
- RAW Mode
12-bit RAW output is supported via the micro-HDMI port when working with an optional compatible external recorder, such as the Atomos Ninja V or Ninja V+. You will be able to record ProRes RAW in either DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) or UHD 4K (3840 x 2160).
Unfortunately, the camera features a Mini HDMI output and not a full size HDMI.
Cross Quad Pixel AF & AI Detection
The OM-1’s AF system features a unique design that uses on-sensor phase-detection AF. This is a Cross Quad Pixel system that effectively splits each pixel into four sub-pixels for cross-sensor performance that is more adept at focusing in tricky lighting conditions. The focusing system has 1053 individual points, which fully cover the sensor and perform at up to 120 fps to suit virtually all recording methods.
Benefitting from the Cross Quad Pixel AF structure, color and contrast information from the sensor can also be used to create a detailed depth map of the image for more refined subject detection and tracking accuracy. Using AI, this focusing system is claimed to be able to automatically detect a range of subject types, like cars, motorcycles, airplanes, helicopters, trains, birds, dogs, cats, and humans, as well as faces and eyes. Compared to earlier iterations of this focusing system, improved processing is now said to make focusing performance 2x more accurate and 3x faster.
One-push Movie Digital Converter
OS System has incorporated what they are referring to as a One-push Movie Digital Converter. What this essentially does is provide you with a 1.4x crop of your image.
Rear LCD & EVF
The electronic viewfinder features a 5.76m-dot OLED panel. The finder has a 0.83x-equivalent magnification, a 21mm eyepoint, and 120 fps refresh rate.
The 3.0″ 1.62m-dot LCD touchscreen features a vari-angle design with 270° of swivel to suit working from high, low, and front-facing angles.
Picture Profiles
The OM-1 can record in OM-Log400 or HLG. OM-Log400 is OM System’s Log profile.
The following picture profiles are also available:
- i-Finish
- Vivid
- Natural
- Flat
- Portrait
- Monotone
- Custom,
- Underwater
- Color Creator
- Art Filters
Video Assist Tools
Along with the usual focus magnification, the camera also has peaking (available in four colors), zebras, histogram, and a center marker. There is no listing for a waveform.
There is timecode available, but there is no physical way of inputting timecode unless you use something like a Tentacle Sync that can input timecode over audio.
Audio
The camera has a built-in stereo microphone and a single 3.5mm mic input jack. There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring audio.
Photography Features
The OM-1 features several Creative Shooting Modes.
High Res Shot—Benefitted by the stacked sensor design, processing power, and image stabilization system, this mode composites a series of 12 shots into a single higher-resolution frame in just 5 seconds. Tripod High Res Shots mode produces an 80MP raw file and Handheld High Res Shot mode produces a 50MP raw file, and both modes offer up to 2 stops of reduced noise and improved color information.
Live ND—Now supporting up to ND64 (6-stop), this unique function digitally simulates the effects of an optical neutral density filter to produce long exposure/slow shutter speed effects.
Live Composite—Perfect for long exposures, nighttime shooting, and light painting applications, this unique mode gradually builds up an exposure over time without overexposing key elements within the frame. This mode works to only record newly detected light sources over time, and allows live view monitoring as an image develops. A Handheld Live Composite mode is available, too.
Focus Stacking—This mode automatically records 15 sequential frames while shifting the plane of focus slightly between each frame, then composites these exposures into a single image that exhibits an extended depth of field.
Price & Availability
The OM-1 will retail for $2,199 USD. It will be available in March.
It is also available with a 12-40mm f/2.8 Lens for $2,799.99 USD.
Accessories include:
- OM SYSTEM BCX-1 Lithium-Ion Battery Charger $149.99 USD
- OM SYSTEM BLX-1 Lithium-Ion Battery (7.2V, 2280mAh) $99.99 USD
- OM SYSTEM HLD-10 Power Battery Holder $349.99 USD
- OM SYSTEM EP-18 Eyecup $14.99 USD
- OM SYSTEM RM-WR1 Wireless Remote Control $99.99 USD
Thoughts
I think this is a pretty decent stills camera, but it probably won’t have much appeal for video shooters, especially since it will have to compete with the upcoming GH6.
At $2,199 USD it is a hard sell for OM SYSTEM to attract any type of new buyer to purchase a M4/3 system. For existing Olympus owners the OM-1 will certainly have a strong appeal, especially if you already happen to own a lot of M4/3 native glass.
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
