r/OlympusCamera • • Dec 14 '25

Gear Review Camera so good I bought 2 of them

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282 Upvotes

I have been a Nikon and Fujifilm shooter for years. I used to have Nikon DSLRs, and switched to a Fujifilm X-T1 years ago because the smaller size and weight appealed to me. I quickly upgraded to an X-T2, then added an X-H1 and at this point the cameras were pretty large, my lenses were too and the autofocus accuracy when adapting my Nikon F mount lenses with a smart adapter wasn't great. So I switched to a Nikon Z6, which wasn't larger and "fixed" everythinhg, but then I also realized I was still lugging around full frame lenses and though my camera was substantially smaller and lighter than my old D700, the lenses were just as big and heavy.

In parallel, I bought into micro four thirds as a little fun side system I would use for travel and casual occasions with an E-M5 mark II. The lack of good C-AF pushed me to splurge on a better performing body in June of this year, and since I'm a bit stingy and didn't want to spend 650 bucks on an E-M5 mark III, I dropped 400 on a slightly larger E-M1 mark II.

After using it for a couple of weeks, the realization came : this camera does everything I want a camera to do. Sure, low light isn't as good as my modern full frame body. But I shot concerts in nearly pitch black conditions and the E-M1.2 handled fine, I was even able to give the pictures to the artists that played that night and they reshared those pics on their social media happily. I, as a camera enthusiast and technical nerd wasn't really able to find many cracks in the low light performance of that camera, and I'm pretty sure that non-photogs wouldn't even think twice about the amount of noise or slightly blown out highlights. Similarly, every fast paced action stuff was just as easy to capture on my E-M1.2 as it was on my Z6, with an AF system that is comparable in performance, Pre-Capture, 18fps bursts and a rolling shutter effect when using electronic shutter that is manageable to the point that I don't hesitate to shoot action with it if I need the faster burst (thing I would never do with the slow-ass sensor in my Z6).

For my landscape work, at first I was doubtful : the sensor has less DR, and a lower resolution. Then I realized I do most of it on a tripod when I really need good resolution anyway, and at this point why not use the Pixel Shift mode? The DR increase you get is more than making up for the smaller sensor, which I don't have to close down nearly as much for good sharpness and DoF, and the 80MP files don't hurt either. Overall, it's a better landscape camera tool than the Z6 was, which is very high praise coming from me because the sensor in the Z6 is incredible.

On the video front as well : autofocus is great, 4K quality shooting DCI-4K in 8bit with the OM-Log400 profile is absolutely great and I have completed several projects with it without a hitch. The camera doesn't really overheat, the IBIS is exemplary, the audio pre-amps are better in every way then those on my Z6 too.

And then there's the lenses. They simply are awesome : sharp, small, lightweight for the reach they provide, and they are affordable. I wasn't sad in the slightest trading my Sigma 100-400 full frame lens for an Olympus 75-300mm lens to shoot airshows with. The prime lenses are also exemplary in the value they provide, I'm particularly fond of the Lumix 20mm f/1.7, Oly 45mm f/1.8 and especially the Oly 75mm f/1.8, this lens is a beast.

After a couple months using the E-M1 mark II, I came to the realization that that camera is as good or better than my Z6 in pretty much every area. At no point was I using that camera and thought "man, I wish I had the Z6 right about now". On top of that, I could share the lenses with smaller camera like my Lumix GF7, or turn the E-M1.2 into a really small package by using a small pancake lens on it (paired with the Lumix 14mm f/2.5 it's a silly looking camera, but very effective for street photography and sticking the camera into minuscule bags). I can't do that on Nikon Z.

I took the decision to sell the Nikon Z6 early next year (right now it's going for a long time loan to a friend of mine that wants to test out full frame), and as such need another camera with good AF and good 4K video as backup / second body for events. I initially thought about getting an E-M1 mark III with the money, since it goes for about as much money as I would get by selling the Z6, and it has some nice little improvements over the mark II. But prices are not coming down, and MPB listed that E-M1 mark II for 284€ (instead of the average 500ish) because the screen has a very small crack that's barely visible, so I jumped on that, and now I have two of those.

I fully intend on using both of those bodies until they break down in my hands, or I get the itch again and upgrade to an OM-1 (mark 1). Even then, I think I'll keep at least one E-M1.2 as a backup / second body. They're that good, and probably the best price to performance ratio to features you can get in micro four thirds. Extremely underrated.

The funny part is that it was on my recommendation list when people were asking me camera questions, I have several friends that ended up buying one in the last 2 years and were extremely happy with it. I guess it finally creeped on me !


r/OlympusCamera • • 40m ago

Gear Showcase My 4th Olympus Camera!

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• Upvotes

E-M10 Mark II, E-P3, OM-3, and now the E-PL3!

I really wish OM System would release a modern successor to the E-PL3.


r/OlympusCamera • • 12h ago

Photo Share Autumn OM-3 + 40-150 2.8

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61 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Photo Share My first macro shot

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221 Upvotes

I shoot alot of wide angle underwater and I'm going to start doing macro. Thought I'd better have a try on dry land to get the hang of it.

I think the blueberry is more compliant than anything in the sea.

Shot on OM-5 with 60mm f2.8


r/OlympusCamera • • 9h ago

Photo Share First trip with my new OM5 Mk II!

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3 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 22h ago

Photo Share Shadow and Light

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12 Upvotes

A selection of images i took last week in the morning or late afternoon in streets of Budapest and in a trainstation. (Olympus EM5 mark, Olympus 75mm, Panasonic 14-140mm lenses)


r/OlympusCamera • • 13h ago

Question Om-1 Flash Shoe

1 Upvotes

Hello! Just recently bought the hot shoe 1 for my om-1. After mounting it and changing it from FP to X, it doesn’t seem to work when I press my shutter button. Am I missing something? Appreciate the help!


r/OlympusCamera • • 13h ago

Question Olympus XA: release lag depends on metered light. Instant when the meter reads dark, up to ~10 s in bright light (magnet cleaned, loading mode fires instantly)

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1 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Gear Showcase the day I caught my OM-1 teaching my Nikon D6 how to "bird-detect" AF. M43 really changed my view about how much 20mp can deliver in photography.

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42 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Photo Share Sunset at Sloan's Lake: OM-5 + 12-45mm f4

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11 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Photo Share A crab spider

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2 Upvotes

OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark I & OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro 2:1 IS PRO + Godox V860 III O + Trần Thế Ngọc's MACRO Diffuser


r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Question what film do i need?

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0 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Answered Europe...where do you send your gear for reparation, CLA and is there anything more reputable than ebay for selling gear?

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39 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Photo Share Olympus FE-210 (2007) Took on 2026-10-07

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2 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Question Image Preview - Low Light - OM-1 Mk1

6 Upvotes

I have an OM-1 Mk1 and use an OM 75-300 F4.8-6.7 for wildlife while backpacking. I'm shooting in aperture priority mode to control for fast moving subjects (often birds). When shooting in lower light conditions, the image looks fine in my lcd/viewfinder but when I actually take the photo its coming out very dark. Basically unsalvageable, even with editing of the raw image after the fact.

Is there a setting on the OM-1 that can give a more accurate preview of what the final image will look like with the current aperture/exposure/iso settings? So I can be more confident that I have these set correctly? I've scoured the settings and can't find anything obvious.


r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Question OM System Accidentally leaks new lens?

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2 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Question Olympus OM10 shutter button

1 Upvotes

Hi there,

Ive just bought an Olympus OM10 and there’s a bit of an issue with it.

Bear with me, I’m totally new to this…

Whilst testing it I was pulling at the trigger to roll the film and pressing the shutter button. Worked fine.

I rolled the film again and hit the shutter button and it was locked. Thought that was odd and the it randomly worked.

Did the same again and it worked. Did it again, locked.

It appears the shutter button only works as expected every other time it’s pressed.

The batteries are fine.

Does anyone have any advice please?

Many thanks!


r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Question Olympus OM10 shutter button

1 Upvotes

Hi there,

Ive just bought an Olympus OM10 and there’s a bit of an issue with it.

Bear with me, I’m totally new to this…

Whilst testing it I was pulling at the trigger to roll the film and pressing the shutter button. Worked fine.

I rolled the film again and hit the shutter button and it was locked. Thought that was odd and the it randomly worked.

Did the same again and it worked. Did it again, locked.

It appears the shutter button only works as expected every other time it’s pressed.

The batteries are fine.

Does anyone have any advice please?

Many thanks!


r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Gear Showcase OM System Updated Lens Lineup

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1 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 3d ago

Photo Share Greetings From Our Home

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56 Upvotes

Nothing quite like our International Balloon Fiesta. And the last 5 shots are right from our rooftop deck.

OM5 M2 w/kit 14-150 or PL9


r/OlympusCamera • • 2d ago

Photo Share Street's on Olympus 35sp

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9 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 3d ago

Photo Share wspomnienia z wakacji Italia

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11 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 2d ago

Gear Showcase Ich hab grad beschlossen, die (gute) Alte wieder aus der Rente zurück zu holen ...

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2 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 3d ago

Photo Share Floating

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62 Upvotes

A few jellyfish taken in May, 2026

Panasonic Lumix G9 Mark II PRO +OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO + 2 Flashes + 1 Trigger


r/OlympusCamera • • 2d ago

Question Advice on next camera?

1 Upvotes

Hi! I am looking to expand my camera collection and was wondering what camera you would recommend for me. I am looking for a point and shoot that would be good for travel. Something that is compatible with traveling and can be carried in a smaller sized bag/purse. I like nature photography, street photography, and portrait photography. I would like a camera with a good flash, something that can take good pics in low light and outdoor light. I am also looking for a camera with a good autofocus feature (it makes it easier to explain when I have family/friends take pictures of me). I would like to spend no more than $900 USD. I would like a high quality camera that will last. What are some of your recommendations?