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Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Video Review

David Thorpe casts his eyes, and opinion, over the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II.

9 Feb 2017 3:23PM by David Thorpe | Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II in Mirrorless Cameras

Reviewer, David Thorpe, gives his verdict on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Micro Four Thirds camera. The flagship camera is available for around £1849 (body only) but does David think the features packed inside the compact body are worth the asking price? Find out in the video above.

Some of the points touched on in the video review include the camera's appearance, shooting mode options (including the impressive pro capture function) and the useful double memory card slots which mean you can save JPEG images to one memory card and RAW files to another. Of course, image quality, focus speeds, the continuous autofocus option and other performance features are also discussed in David's review.

Overall, David says the OM-D E-M1 Mark II is a beautifully built, state-of-the-art piece of technology that's second-to-none in looks, performance and feel. He recommends it as a serious option for those who regularly capture action shots or are fans of bird photography, particularly if they don't want to break their backs carrying heavy equipment to race tracks or up mountains.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Sample Photos

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David Thorpe has recently reviewed the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II, Olympus PEN-F, as well as the Panasonic Lumix GX80, Panasonic Lumix GX8, and G7. He's also reviewed the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix 30mm f/2.8 Macro, Panasonic Lumix LX100, and Panasonic Lumix 42.5m f/1.7.

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Photographs taken using the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

Comments

StrayCat 15 19.1k 3

11 Feb 2017 7:22AM

Like 0

Excellent review David, as usual. It will sell to a niche group, as you said, but for the average, or maybe I should say enthusiast, will it give them any better photos than a camera half its price. Action capability is great, which has been a deal breaker for many sports and wildlife photographers when it comes to MFT. This one may change that. If I had a stable of the expensive, top MFT lenses, it would be a no-brainer, but to put together a decent action/wildlife kit would be prohibitive. The review answered all my questions, thanks.

Denny

lemmy 12 2.8k

11 Feb 2017 11:40AM

Like 0

Thanks Denny- glad it was informative. The E=M1 Mk2 certainly upped my expected hit rate on moving subjects but personally, since I rarely do action pix, it wouldn't earn its keep in my hands. So for me, an Olympus or Panasonic at half the price would be much more cost effective.

I've just been in Poland for a few days. All I took was my GX80, 12-32 and 35-100 small zooms and an Olympus 17mm f/1.8 (because I never go anywhere without that). I can hold the entire outfit in the palm of my hand. That's my kind of camera!

On the other hand, it I was going to be photographing the ski-ing there, the E-M1 Mkll would be a much better choice, size and cost not withstanding. It's still small by traditional standards, of course.

mstaffo 6

15 Feb 2017 2:23PM

Like 1

I bought this camera to go with my OM-D E-M5 II, and I can't say I regret it. I needed a camera I could take anywhere in any weather and not have to worry about the camera letting me down. I put it through hell in Antarctica and the Rockies and do not regret my decision for a moment. All the other niceties are great, just icing on the cake for me, however. It may be the toughest camera I have used in my 50 years of Professional photography. Excellent review Mr. Thorpe - and to the point!

photohounds 3

16 Feb 2017 9:54AM

Like 0

EM-1 Mk 2 scores 80 to the sony 6500's 85.
An excellent effort seeing the sensor is half as long and half as wide.
It is up to the task, unless "the task: is a mine's bigger than yours competition - or a gimmicky wafer thin DOF competition.

Good luck with manually getting "the moment" better than 60FPS Pro Capture can do.
That is what you imply, isn't it? To such a claim I say: "no way, not reliably".
I couldn't even SEE most of these people. Even the OLD EM-1 saw perfectly
https://photohounds.smugmug.com/Performing-arts/Eurobeat-by-Supa

I shoot theatre sometimes. ProCap will be stellar as is a good EVF.
OVFs are complete rubbish in very dim light by comparison.

Room of smoke - not to an EM-5 (the frst one)
https://photos.smugmug.com/Performing-arts/Music/i-K43W9fD/3/X2/P6135199-X2.jpg
I could barely see the girl, let alone the glint in her eye - (full red lighting)

THese things are a very good tool - as they should be for the loot.
Heck, this thing could even turn ME into a half decent "birder".