OM System OM-1 Mark II Review: A Pro-Level Camera With An Adventure-Ready Body

The OM System OM-1 Mark II (AKA "Mkii") is the long-awaited follow-up to the Olympus OM-1, and while it's clear that the OM-1 Mkii is only an evolutionary step up from its predecessor, there are nonetheless some highly attractive aspects to this camera. On paper at least, it looks like a really appealing camera for those who want a lot of advanced capabilities packed into a small, lightweight body capable of withstanding whatever nature can throw at it.

Whether the OM-1 Mkii is a camera you might want to add to your kit will depend on a lot of factors, and one of the questions you might well ask is what's the point of buying a camera with a relatively tiny M4/3 sensor when large, full frame sensors have grown so attainable. That's a question that this review will attempt to answer, and we will also see whether or not the impressive computational features of the Om-1 Mkii live up to the hype.

OM System provided a sample of the OM System OM-1 Mkii for this review.

There's something incredibly freeing about a camera you don't have to treat like a delicate flower or a priceless vase. The OM-1 Mkii is IP53 certified, meaning it's highly dust and water-resistant. It's not waterproof, so you can't take it swimming, but we didn't need to concern ourselves while shooting in the rain or the heavy spray from a roaring waterfall. The OM-1 Mkii is also guaranteed to work in temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius), and in general, It's a really solid camera in terms of its construction, and I never felt concerned about its welfare.

I tested the OM-1 Mkii in the middle of a Pacific Northwest winter. Whether scrambling down a muddy trail into a canyon or attempting to capture elusive lighting during a snowstorm, it never let me down. The rugged qualities of the OM-1 Mkii are certainly one of its key selling points, and it doesn't disappoint in this regard.

OM System has achieved something quite remarkable by pushing the image stabilization capabilities of the OM-1 Mkii to 8.5 stops, something then-Olympus once claimed was not possible due to limitations imposed by the rotation of the Earth. Apparently, OM System found a way past this, and the result is a camera that rarely misses a shot due to camera shake. 

I was particularly impressed when shooting at the full frame equivalent of 1200mm and being able to reliably snap sharp images at only 1/600. This is also the first interchangeable lens camera I've used that approaches action-camera level video stabilization, though it's not quite up to the standards of the Insta360 Ace Pro, GoPro Hero 12, or DJI Action 4.

Andy Zahn/SlashGear

Autofocus is similarly impressive; it's fast and accurate and includes AI subject detection that rivals that of the Nikon Z8 or Z9. Testing it by tracking birds in flight, I saw comparable results to those much more expensive cameras. It's similarly effective at grabbing focus on human eyes as well, and only stumbled when I tried photographing small brown birds in dense thickets of brush, which no camera I've used has managed with much success.

On top of all this, the OM-1 Mkii can capture RAW photos at up to 120fps, including in the pro capture mode which continuously buffers photos until you fully press the shutter button, wherein the photos immediately preceding that moment are saved. This allows you to capture unpredictable moments with relative ease — I find it of particular use for wildlife photography.

As someone with large hands who appreciates a camera with a substantial grip, I can confidently say that the OM-1 Mkii is among the most comfortable cameras I've ever used. It fits my hand as if it was molded specifically for it, and thanks to this the camera never felt awkward even when shooting with a lens many times the size and weight of the camera.

Andy Zahn/SlashGear

Beyond this, the placement of controls is well thought out, and the texture of buttons, dials, and switches is nicely tactile. The whole camera seems purpose-built to provide maximum operability and security in any condition. When scrambling around on spray-slicked boulders by raging waterfalls I experienced several tumbles. While I ended up bruised and muddy, I never even came close to dropping the camera.

Battery life was surprisingly good; despite going out on long photo/video expeditions, I never felt limited by battery life. In small cameras, battery life is often a concern, but not the Om-1 Mk II. In many ways, this is a big camera in a little body.

I had no problems navigating the on-camera menu system to adjust settings and access features of the OM-1 Mkii. It's not the snappiest layout I've seen, but it gets the job done.

The OI. Share app for Android and IOS, while a little dated in its appearance, is actually superior to other camera companion apps I've used in its range of functionality. Most notably, it connects relatively quickly and easily compared to something like Nikon's Snapbridge app. The interface for remote control of the camera is actually really well throughout too, and transferring photos from the OM-1 Mkii to your phone is fairly snappy. You can also watch recorded videos from the camera on your phone without downloading them, which is not something to be taken for granted with camera companion apps.

There's also some basic built-in editing tools, not as robust as you'd find in an app such as Lightroom Mobile, but all the basics are there.

I've come to absolutely love the OM System OM-1 Mkii during my time testing it. I was worried that I would find the limitations of a micro four-thirds sensor too difficult to work with, but for the most part, I was delighted with the images I produced using this camera.

While this device's image quality isn't on par with that of full-frame cameras, it's nonetheless very good, and it's a worthy tradeoff for the remarkable portability and ruggedness of the OM-1 Mkii. Also, the Live ND features of the camera enabled me to easily capture images that would have otherwise been impossible with any other camera, unless I went to the trouble of carrying a bag full of cumbersome filters with me. For backcountry travel where saving weight and space in my pack is imperative, and where you need gear that won't fail you no matter the conditions, the OM-1 Mkii would be my first choice.

While the OM-1 Mkii does offer meaningful upgrades over its predecessor, those who already own that camera don't have a huge incentive to trade in for the new model. However, this is a great jumping-on point for anyone who's been eyeing an OM-1. Even if you already own a big full-frame camera, this may be a great addition to your kit for specific scenarios. The OM System OM-1 Mark II is a great camera that's easy to recommend.

The OM System OM-1 Mark II can be purchased from OM System's online store for a starting price of approximately $2,399.99 (body only).