Like so many other websites also Michael Reichmann from Luminous Landscape chose the Olympus E-M1 as camera of the year 2013. He writes:
Simply put, the Olympus O-MD E-M1 is that company’s new flagship camera, and while not inexpensive, provides proof that Olympus is run by engineers and product marketing folks that actually understand the needs of photographers. Sadly, this is not something that one can say for all camera companies these days.
Good job Olympus. Now let’s see if the new E-M10 will be the next praised and well selling Olympus camera…
E-M1 Store Links:
Olympus E-M1 body at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto, Amazon DE (via DL), Amazon UK (via DL), Amazon ES (via DL), WexUK, Topshot FI, CameraWorldUK.
Olympus E-M1 with 12-40mm Lens kit at Amazon DE (via DL), WexUK and CameraWorldUK, Amazon UK (via DL), Amazon ES (via DL).
Olympus E-M1 with 12-50mm Lens kit at Amazon DE (via DL), WexUK, CameraWorldUK, Amazon UK (via DL), Amazon ES (via DL).
E-M1 Hariz case in [shoplink 43405 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink] or [shoplink 43406 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink].
57 Responses
This camera is so big. I prefer a “real” (captor, price) dslr camera or a “real” (size) m43 camera
The EM1 camera is large for MFT but very well built and apparently a great performer. I think it is worth the price…and with everybody making it camera of the year it is bringing a LOT of notoriety to the MFT format. That is good for everyone, here.
I decided to scale down and keep it simple this year, selling off my OM-D E- M5 and purchasing the E -P5 and E-PL5 this year. Love both cameras for lots of reasons and it was definitely the right choice for me. I have a FF camera system…so one of the strongest criteria for me is to keep my MFT kit SMALL.
I agree, this is good for *ALL* of Micro Four Thirds.
I’m not an Olympus user (got a couple of Panasonic cameras), but all this attention it is bring to the m4/3 system is only a good thing 😀
I’ve got the D800 at one end, and the E-Pl5 as my pocket camera. Which one do I use the most? The E-M1 for 90% of my photography, both personal and professional.
Considering the body, yes, weight and size are quite huge for a mirrorless… but nobody takes pictures with a body only and a main advantage of the mirroless is that you have to deal with smaller and lighter lenses, without compromise on the quality. Since 1 year I fully replaced my Canon “L” system with the EM-5 and the E-M1 and primes. Happy and doing pictures I never tried before.
Definitely my camera of the year as well. Apart from very few things that I would want to be changed, this camera is a very useful tool.
I can see they are using a naming system derived from the OM system. OM- single digit being the pro grade and double digit the consumer grade.
It’s strange they are starting this now having continued the OM naming from OM-4 to E-M5. The E-M5 should have been E-M50 and the E-M1 should have been E-M5.
I hope they don’t confuse the naming further by introducing a 3rd level and 3 digits.
I don’t see what’s confusing when the hypothetical 3-digit scheme comes out out your mouth so fluently 🙂
lolz…with the 17 1.8 I can put the E-M1 in my coat pocket… no problem…I thought it was too big…well yes with the 12-40 2.8…the E-M1 is a really nice machine
No link to the website?
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/
No access to google?
No understanding that admin usually accompanies a courtesy link with the article in question?
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/best_new_camera_of_2013.shtml
Here it is Sqweezy.
Here’s to hoping for improved video in te em10. I’m in for one if it’s there. Love my EM1 but the video is the Achilles heel. Such a shame too because of the great IBIS.
We demand 24p!!
Michael Riechmann hated the 4/3 concept. I remember his disdain for it. I guess m4/3 really makes more sense in terms of the physical size. It has taken 10 years from the release of the E-1 to the EM-1. There has been a lot of improvement in technology and a lot of innovation as well. The EM-1 would not have come to fruition without it’s predecessors. What is interesting is that the size of the sensor remains. The argument that the 4/3 sensor size was not good enough is morphing to the 4/3 sensor size is more than good enough. I’m glad that Olympus and Panasonic have stuck to their guns. Ten years, that’s a long time in tech terms…
Sounds like someone knows what they are talking about. Oly is back with a vengeance and everyone in the photo industry is noticing it with Camera of The Year awards
What an insightful and sensible comment.
Every so often you read comments on this site about the 43rds sensor being “too small and tiny”. The irony being that most picture snappers never exceed the potential of their smart phones cameras sensor.
These are the same critics that have never enlarged a negative and have never printed a digital picture file beyond 3×5 in.
They also ignore the fact that sensor technology has evolved beyond their ability to comprehend.
Disappointing that their tiny brains haven’t evolved as well.
++
Olympus is run by engineers and product marketing folks that actually understand the needs of photographers. Sadly, this is not something that one can say for all camera companies these days.
Well said,.. He’s nailed the point of what camera maker should be
and some days ago in another article about Full Frame Michael Reichmann says:
“The implication of this is that the size and weight disadvantage of digital full frame is rapidly disappearing. And if I were a manufacturer committed to the Micro Four Thirds format I’d be looking over my shoulder nervously. Very nervously!”
“Now, Sony has kicked everyone’s ass (or at least will in a year or so when they have a proper slate of lenses available to go with their new mirrorless full frame system). APS-C will find itself monkey-in-the-middle, and MFT may find that its calling card, smaller size and lighter weight, has effectively disappeared. The new generation of small Full Frame systems will always carry a premium price, because large sensors will always remain more expensive to manufacture. But I believe that even that disparity will shrink, just as Full Frame cameras and lenses are now doing.”
source: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/full_frame_myth.shtml
This has nothing to do with the EM-1 and other M43 not beeing very nice cameras. I just wouldn’t invest more money into this system (I have a M43 body and 2 lenses) when I can get Full Frame for the same price (Sony A7) in a smaller, lighter and cheaper package. Attaching even smaller lenses and use crop mode is always possible if I want even smaller package. M43 is a dead end in my opinion. Olympus and Panasonic better step up soon before it’s too late,
@michael
Micro four thirds mount has the most room to pivot and the most room for variety and versatility, the same can’t be said for “full frame”.Mft has the brighter future…
but people can buy full frame or APS-C and they aren’t more expensive. They need good reasons for going to a smaller sensor. Now the EM-1 is a great camera and might be a good reason, but Fuji and Sony also make nice cameras. Nikon and Canon are also going to enforce mirrorless with more power sooner or later and maybe go for bigger sensors. People will just buy it fo their brand names and fanboyism. I’m no M43 hater I just try to find reasons why still to invest into the system. But since I own the A7r I simply don’t find any good reason.
Nikon is running 4 different mounts at the moment that in itself is confusing to the average consumer and off putting to many photographers and videographers. Canon and Nikon have stumbled and failed already with mirrorless cameras and systems that were 3+ years in development already.
Brand allegiance changes very quickly these days if you don’t deliver well and quickly just ask Nokia, Blackberry etc
Micro four thirds isn’t just about the sensor, its a easier and more pleasing shooting experience for both photo and video…
Then WHY are so many websites picking the OM-D E-M1 over all other cameras as camera of the year. The Sony A7R simply is NOT getting that buzz after people handle it and actually use it for a little while? (BTW I do not own an E-M1.)
I’ve recently bought an A7 and it’ll be my main camera but I’m keeping my G1 and may buy a G7 when prices drop. What’s pushed MTF to second place for me is simply that the spec of every camera has disappointed me and I simply can’t see any sign that they’re going to produce the camera I want and in fact gthey’re moving further away from my idea.
This is just for me of course, many are happy with MFT but for me the system that I’d hoped would replace my DSLR hasn’t delivered the camera I want. The Sony is much closer.
So you like charging the battery with a USB cable for 310 mins?
The charger is easily solved. There are many issues with the A7/r and the EM-1 that can’t be solved.
What lens are you using on the 7r? adapted with crappy IQ? what about the shutter shock issue? yours dosnt have it? the real gimmick here is the sonys 7s, the people that have them do so just to say “look at how big my sensor is”. There have been problems with IQ and other things from day ONE and people still get them. THATs real fanboyism
FOr now I bought the FE Zeiss 35mm 2.8 as my first FF lens. Other lenses I have for now are still APS-C NEX lenses and I love to use them on the A7R even more than on the NEX-7. Zeiss touit 12mm 2.8, Zeiss 24mm 1.8, Zeiss 16-70mm, Sony 18-200
It’s still possible to attach smaller APS-C lenses if I just need maximum range and still get 15MP on the APS-C area. And APS-C lenses are not really much bigger than M43. Now my last lens to get is the Zeiss FE 55 1.8 and I should be set for the next couple of years. I would have bought the A7 at this price point even without the FF sensor just as an upgrade to my NEX-7 (it’s much better in any way I turn it).
Shutter shock is not evident for me on any of my lenses at any focal length (It’s more of a myth I read and same issue on most DSLR too). And the shutter sound? I really like it and outdoors I could’t care less. If I need a silent camera I switch to my RX100 which has a sensor still on par with most M43 cameras in a REAL POCKETABLE package.
See the point? A bigger sensor with the possibility to attach smaller frame lenses doesn’t harm anything. There is even a point for people to get the A7 using APS-C lenses only, e.g. those complaining having too many tiny pixels.
He said A7 not 7r – A7 has electronic 1st curtain shutter ( no shock like 7r )
Michael, first of all I wish you the best with your 7r (not sarcasm, I’m honest).
I was really going to buy one, but I needed a second m43 body and Sony 7 has some issues that I can’t ignore, like the noisy shutter sound (can’t use it in theaters during a piano solo, for example).
The lack of an IS (once tried, IBIS is like airbag system and ABS: it’s good to know it’s there).
Ergonomics: I keep going to my fav store and try a 7, and it feels cheap in my hand. 7r has a full magnesium body and it will feel more sturdy perhaps.
What I mean to say is that Sony deserves a standing ovation for the “miracle” of putting a big sensor in a compact body, but the rest is not that special. I hope to see a better mark II version.
(To me the best thing Sony did is RX1 btw)
Yes for most people a A7 with silent as in RX1 would ne the absolute dream camera. Global electronic shutter is about to come very soon on, Sony has it already in expensive video cameras.
The body for me is the same as the RX1, I don’t see a difference. Maybe the finish is a bit on the glossy side, but that’s just the paint and I think it’s fits the modern interpretation of the body.
Hi, your question is legitimate. However, physics always dictates a size advantage to m43 (don’t look at the OMD EM1 only, which is larger than the average). This starts with lenses. Consider a zoom equivalent to the Oly 12-40 (dust, freeze-proof, 20cm min. focus distance at all focal lengths, f=2.8) which is stabilised on full frame. It will be large and heavy. Even worse for tele (compare a Canon 70-200 VR to the Panasonic 35-100). So my guess is, that if you don’t own expensive range-finder lenses,
the FF system will be a more expensive and heavier system on average. I see an advantage for wide and normal focal lengths
if you stick with primes, since these are usually smaller, but a big disadvantage for tele. IBIS may probably be out of reach currently (requires a lot of energy to move a large sensor and battery life is already mediocre on the A7), so the responsiveness
of m43 will stay better. If I were a professional, I would own both systems, since I usually would want to print large.
I asked myself two questions before I bought into m43 (and dumped my Nikon gear): 1) do I print larger than 25 inches (consider the fact here, that most people don’t print large at all and only store the pics on their local drive. And pixel peeping at 100% will always give FF an advantage, you just don’t see it usually at typical printing sizes)
2) Do I want small lenses (esp. tele and macro; I don’t see any reason in buying a FF camera and sticking with a 35/2.8
or a f=4 zoom (which usually is stopped down further for better image quality. Look at the newest 50mm/1.4 of Nikon, which is very soft wide open at 1400$. So my Voigtländer lenses can do the same).
This doesn’t mean I would go for the Sony in the near future, if they provide for nice and affordable lenses.
@HF, good comments, though I would like to ask one thing. You state “do I print larger than 25 inches”, my question is this. Do you print that large and if so how often? my reason is simply that if you print a lot that size what format are you printing, or do you print 25″x13″ wide aspect prints seeing that 13″ is dimension of A3+ while larger means going to commercial printing as A2 still limits you to 17″ narrow side. Myself as with many enthusiasts use A3+ printers, while I’d say the majority are still limited to A4.
I compared images of the OMD to a friends Nikon D600 (comparable in IQ to the Sony A7) at different print sizes (we ordered over the internet). We found that
differences became visible at around 20 inches or larger when looking closely. This is in accord with findings from a great landscape photographer Tim Ashley (http://tashley1.zenfolio.com/blog), who has high regards for the OMD and especially the 12-40 zoom, but seeks large prints, or another pro at http://soundimageplus.blogspot.de. Our wives weren’t able
to distinguish DINA4 or most DINA3 prints (if that’s a valid measure at all).
I just remember the shootout competition between OMD-shooters and professionals using their large DSLRs (I think it was in Malaysia, accompanying the OMD introduction), with immediate prints being generated at about 30-40 inches (long side). People were asked to tell the difference and usually failed at recognising which one was FF and which not. There is another interesting site: http://guesstheformat.com/photo a similar thing here, too. I guess it will be different for landscape shots,
which require more dynamics range.
I forgot to answer the other part: I usually print DinA4, very rarely DinA3.
Perhaps if we were all to talk about lens size rather than sensor size, you and others might actually get it.
excuse me for being so incredibly dumb.
a random mechanic engineer…
Being a random mechanical engineer doesn’t exactly guarantee one understands how lens size and sensor size relate to eachother
@Michale
It’s been discussed before on this site, lens for full frame sensor will be large compared to u43 lens with eqv. focal length/speed ( and with similar optical performance). Perhaps you can wait until sony releases their line of lenses for the new full frame.
I just converted from canon 40d to em1 with the new kit lens( 12-40mm) and a 4/3 mount 50mm macro lens. The focus speed for em1 is much much faster than 40D. JPG images rendering from olympus lenses are just much more “lively” than canon. Many customizable functions found on the em1 are lacking on the 40d.
It’s been said before by other “fanboys”, when you consider merrying the other half, you don’t just go for the looks (or sensor size in a camera) do you? You probably will also look at other “features”…..
Hot news and factors
Market share in Japan olympus 11.67% and Sony 12.44% for 2013… so Olympus is about to overtake Sony in Japan in 2014…
Meanwhile Nikon’s market share falls to 29% and Canon to 33% the lowest its ever been…
Micro four thirds mount still the largest selling mount and growing in Japan and olympus have gained huge market share in the Japanese mirrorless market against all players….
I prefer m43 over sony’s ff mirrorless.
I) There are almost no ff lenses available for the A7.
II) The crop lenses for the A7 are also much larger than than m43.
III) It will take many years before there is a good selection of ff lenses available for the A7, it will take even longer before there are good selections of both ff and apsc lenses available for the A7. If it ever happens.
IV) IBIS is, for me, more important than pixel count for resolution
At least for me, the larger sensor can’t compensate for the larger lenses, and the lack of lenses. I don’t use manual lenses much, and I would use them even less if I had to use them without stabilization. I am so used to good stabilization on all lenses that unstabilized cameras now annoy me.
I agree. With respect to III: In a few years, when there may be some more interesting (but still big) lenses available for the Sony FF, the smaller sensors will be better than today. I am glad to have invested in MFT.
ridiculous ..
Good choice.
There are two laureling products this year:
Olympus OM-D EM1
Sony A7r
The former is such a brilliant camera pr. se, w/ endless possibilities for customization, features, system choices, lenses, ergonomics and durability. Combined w/ superb IQ and an industry leading IBIS it really is a winner. Good to see that the photographic community at large and the big(ger) photo websites also recognizes this, and now understands that the sensor format no longer is a hindrance for anything…
The latter is a groundbreaking concept, that will deeply affect the industry from now on. But as a versatile photographic tool, it is still not matured. At launch there’s only one modest lens available (35/2.8)! And given the short flange-back, any reasonable IQ from UWA is definitely not a given thing. Adapting legacy ones simply doesn’t stand a chance in that regard. But in a few years this will improve, and the mirrorless FF will be commonplace, putting the DSLRs of today to their final rest. The lenses will remain big though, so the true system convenience will still stay with m4/3.
All in all these two cameras indicates the future, with the E-M1 already there, as a fully functional and superb part of a growing system, yielding quality, versatility, flexibility and convenience in a small but oh so powerful package. The camera of the year 2013 – well deserved Olympus! 🙂
And now known felietonist – Mike Johnston choosed E-M1 as a camera of the year too:
http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/blog_index.html
was my wannahave, but decided to hold back(in my case that means, no money)
In Sweden we call interchangeable lens cameras “Systemkamera” (system camera). While the Sony A7(R) are great, there is no lenses to support them. With the EM1 there is a system – or two (m43 and 43).
What you could have “against” the EM1 would be it is a natural evolution from the EM5 rather than a revolution camera. – But OK, it is “best” camera.
For the future I believe Olympus need to broaden its offer with a FF system: Sony has showed you can have a equally small and light camera that is FF. Can they support it with reasonably small and HQ lenses? Remains to be seen. Keep in mind that HQ m43 lenses tend to be a little big and expensive. The Zeiss 24-70 is lighter than the Oly 12-40 for instance, quality still unknown.
When I see, aside from the rest of the HQ lenses that lacks still that system, a tele 140-300mm for A7 lighter and smaller than the equivalent teles of Pana and Oly, then I will agree that maybe could be a better option than M34 for somebody that looks for portability and IQ if it happens that also he needs really, really, really shallow DOF and to print in very big formats (I have more than enough of shallow DOF with for example my mZuiko macro 60mm 2.8, and I like very shallow DOF when I shoot insects).
Agree, the 24-70 FE looks good. However, it is still about 50% heavier than the m43 12-35. (The 24-70 takes in twice as much light and should give you one stop less noise, so it is reasonable that it is heavier.)
Also, for some reason the ISO noise doesn’t really seem to scale with total light collected. FF sensors collect two stops more total light at the same f-stop, but ISO noise is typically only about 1.5 stop lower. Seems like larger sensors aren’t as efficient per area as smaller sensors. Depends a bit on which cameras you compare of course.
The day when there is a good FF mirrorless camera on the market with a selection of both small and light lenses, and large and high aperture lenses, with IBIS, then I may switch my m43 camera. But it will take several years before that happens, and no one today knows what system that will be.
Even if Sony FE had all those lenses today I would not switch IBIS for the larger sensor. I don’t have the FF fever.
One thing for sure is : if Recheimann and Huff says that the EM-1 is the camera of the year over the Sony A7 , it is probably a VERY VERY GOOD camera to shot with , cause it ain’t a Full Frame ! LOL . I own a EM-1 And i making a good living with it. I swear the god i don’t see, neither of my clients, the difference with the pictures i used to take with my 5D Mk III and L lenses. If you don’t expose large prints of landscape or architecture in art gallery. there is no way you need more Quality then a Olympus EM-1. If you don’t shot very fast action sports you don’t need more tracking speed that the EM-1 can handle. But What the FUN i have shooting with that camera over my Canon ! 🙂 It is certain that the A7 is not as fast, accurate and convenient ! For shallow DOF fan, just get the Voigtlander f0.95 lenses it’s narrower than a 35mm f2.8 on FF !
I agree. I love my Voigtländer, it gives me the shallow DOF I need at most. Although it’s a manual focus lens using it with the OMD works really fine. Maybe the new Panasonic f=1.2 could be an other lens I admire.
Happy new year from Germany!
Pana\Leica 42.5mm f1.2 i can’t wait ! equiv 35mm DOF f2.4 it is the sweet spot aperture for portraits ( no blurry nose ). Happy new year from Canada !
The Voigtlander and SLR Magic fast primes are excellent lenses, but thnx to the smaller sensor and mount on m4/3 can be used Fujinons/Angeniux/Kern/Cosmicars fast primes and zooms…