Olympus OM-D

Olympus OM-D E-M1 with m.Zuiko 8mm 1:1.8 Fisheye pro image by CWhatPhotos

The Olympus OM-D system camera bodies resemble the 35mm Olympus OM SLR series. Again the concept is to surpass the concept of the average concurrent system cameras. Both of the first OM-Ds, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 (2012) and the newer E-M1 reached that goal. Despite of their smaller µ4/3 image sensors both cameras delivered excellent respectable image quality in comparison with average APS-C sensor format cameras. Finally, in 2014 a budget version, the E-M10 was released. Backed by this success, Olympus gave up its Four Thirds DSLR series since the mirrorless OM-D took over the lead in Olympus camera portfolio. The old Four-Thirds system lenses can be used via adapter on OM-Ds.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Leica Summilux 1:1.4/25 image by fotograf@flickr (Image rights)

Olympus OM-D E-M10 body image by CWhatPhotos

Mark II

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II image by Zoran Rodic (Image rights)

Olympus OM-D E-M5 with 12-50mm macro lens image by Paul Bailey (Image rights)

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II with adapted Four Thirds lens image by Russell McNeil (Image rights)

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II image by Stonepicker (Image rights)

In 2015 Olympus re-issued the OM-D E-M5, mightily reworked as Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II. Its new specialty is a 5-axis sensor-shift anti-shake mechanism. This is also used for an 8-shot High-Res imaging mode with 2.5× sensor resolution as image resolution. It also got a bigger, more detailed viewfinder image. An OM-D E-M10 Mark II was also launched. In 2016, the Mark II variant of the of the E-M1 was released as first 20 megapixel OM-D, with a better sensor giving overall improved image quality.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II image by CiboloJIM (Image rights)

from left to right: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, Mark I & Mark II image by CWhatPhotos (Image rights)

Mark III

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III with kit lens image by Niels Enderlein (Image rights)

The Mark III variant of the OM-D E-M10 was introduced by Olympus in 2017, the OM-D E-M10 Mark III S by OM in 2021, the E-M5 Mark III, which was the first 20 megapixel E-M5, by Olympus in 2019, the E-M1 Mark III in 2020.

Mark IV

The Mark IV variant of the OM-D E-M10 was introduced in 2020 by Olympus, finally having an E-M10 capable to shoot 20 megapixels, too.

flagship

The heavy-weight OM-D E-M1X is optimized for any professional usage. It was introduced in 2019.

The OM-1, made by OM, on the left side, in the right side for comparison the analog Olympus OM-1. In 2024 a version II of the digital OM-1 was introduced by OM, an improved version, no more badged "Olympus" but instead "OM SYSTEM". image by DavidYoung33

lens cap w/ OM System logo image by CWhatPhotos

OM System

In 2022 OM began to badge its new types of Olympus cameras and flashguns with the new camera brand name OM System.

The OM System OM-5 camera body is like the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, but with small changes and a few improvements, the latter comprising a Starry Sky astronomy mode autofocus, a 1920×1024 pixel webcam mode, an anti-flickering video mode, and art-filter bracketing.

The OM System OM-1 camera body is a more mightily reworked Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, with a mightily improved autofocus with enhanced animal detection modes, greatly enhanced pixel resolutions of EVF and monitor, and a more powerful battery. Thus the model is another choice for professionals beside the Olympus OM-D E-M1X. Some OM-1 bodys were still badged Olympus instead of OM System.

Links

• Olympus E-M1 user manual (pdf) at OM support
• Olympus E-M5 user manual (pdf) at OM support
• Olympus E-M10 user manual (pdf) at OM support