Heliskiing in British Columbia with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

Scott Rinckenberger is a professional adventure and outdoor sports photographer. We lent him the new Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II for a few days, to shoot a wintry commission for outdoor clothing brand Eddie Bauer.
The OM-D E-M1 Mark II is Olympus's flagship mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, and should be ideally suited to use in tough, wet (and cold) conditions. Watch our video to find out how it performed.
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[@yukonchris]

Olympus makes really tough gear with great image quality. If some people could get over that stupid old sensor size argument and just look at the images and the convenience of the smaller lighter form factor, they might do themselves a favour. There is no such thing as one tool for everything. When you're in the back country, like these guys were, a durable system that's lighter and smaller makes a massive amount of sense. Very nice video!

[@weareshouting]

^^ What he said.

[@touristguy87]

....yeah, but just think of how much better it would have been with a full-frame :)

[@yukonchris]

@@touristguy87 I'm trying to imagine that, but it's not working.

[@touristguy87]

@@yukonchris just a "Holy Grail" joke. It's funny how in life so many arguments come down to which icon you revere the most, but in the end they are just a matter of swapping icons. Are they put to good use, used logically and constructively in the argument? That's almost a secondary issue. People worship icons because they are beyond reproach, you aren't supposed to criticize an argument that has icons in it, you aren't supposed to criticize an argument that has icons in it, much like DJT literally wraps himself with the US flag and talks about how much he loves the US and then criticizes 95% of the people in it. Let's break this one down to the "icon" level. "Olympus" " "really tough gear" "great image quality" stupid old sensor size argument" "just look at the images" " "the convenience of the smaller lighter form factor" "might do themselves a favour." The commenter might do himself a favor and realize that he's set up a logical conundrum here, between name-dropping, gear "toughness" and IQ AND THEN HE BROUGHT UP THE SENSOR-SIZE ISSUE. Fine, you want to talk about IQ..."just look at the IQ"...but wait, maybe we should worry about "convenience" instead? So what really matters here, the mfg, the size & weight, the toughness or the IQ? "There is no such thing as one tool for everything." ...well done, Captain Obvious!!!! Luckily we're not talking about "everything" here... "When you're in the back country, like these guys were" ...why do you need to tell us this? And note that they didn't hike from Lake Tahoe out into the high country or the "back country". They drove out there, they took a helicopiter, they rode a ski-lift. They were out there during the day then went back to a lodge every night. It wasn't like they were on a month-long expedition where every pound of gear mattered. That's why the guy carried multiple lenses and was even changing lenses live in the blowing snow... ", a durable system that's lighter and smaller makes a massive amount of sense. " Yep that's why a lot of pros prefer to shoot Nikon or Canon gear instead of Olympus. Even if it's not the lightest or smallest. Because they know their gear isn't going to break out in the back country and they will get the best IQ possible even if they have to lug bigger, heavier gear. Which they will happily do because they are pros. Because they are paid to do it. Because their reputation and livelihood depends on it. Next icon?

[@yukonchris]

@@touristguy87 You've made some good points. That said, every argument has a counter argument, and examples to support it, except perhaps "captain obvious," which is more challenging to refute, and which I am happy to own. Cheers.

[@johnathanquinn9143]

I’ve watched this over and over again, and when I ever doubt the EM1 mk 2 and MFT system in general, it pulls me back and tells me it’s the system to stay with.

[@mahamza86]

I like these kind of field reviews that you guys put out. Keep up the good work.

[@VipulDK]

Absolutely the best video I have seen that puts OM-D EM1 Mark II to use! I am nature/travel photographer as a hobbyist and hike regularly here in the Arizona desert. You sold me on this camera! BTW, I use Eddie Bauer for my hikes. Our mountains are different - they are not as tall but rocky and covered with desert cacti. Spring is around the corner so desert plants will soon bloom. Come to AZ and put your gear (camera and Eddie Bauer) to use! Hopefully one day I can afford investing in OM-D gear and I would definitely enjoy shooting with it due to its size, features and capabilities. Great review and kudos to the athletes who provided such a wonderful footage. This requires meticulous planning, effort so thank you for your work. This seems like the best job one can have!!!

[@weareshouting]

Thanks Vipul! Have fun out there.

[@ScottRinckenberger]

Thanks for the comments, glad you enjoyed the piece. We certainly enjoyed making it! Keep exploring those mountains.

[@DelightfulVegans]

Looks like a lot of fun. Did you experience any rolling shutter using electronic shutter for a fast moving subject?

[@StarGateSG7]

I'm sitting here watching this video in Vancouver, Canada and this STUNNING footage makes me want to pack up and drive all the way to Revelstoke and/or Whistler-Blackcomb to go jump off some snow-covered cliffs....AND... if I feel that way because of a video then it means YOU'VE DONE YOUR JOB WELL! Kudos to You, Your Team, Eddie Bauer, Revelstoke, DPreview and everyone else who gave you the time, money and gear to make something that screams at me to GO PLAY OUTDOORS !!!! See y'all there on the upper slopes soon! and please do...... Ski Like Hell but Go To Heaven When You Die! ...AND... May Your Lenses Be Light, You Focus Tack Sharp and The Winds Calm as you bring photo joy to all people itching for the weekend to come along!

[@lim2001burger]

This series is so great!!! Well done dpreview crew - production, story telling and info are all very well done :)

[@danielbatts9386]

I live in the Philippines where the often harsh environment when taking photographs is on the opposite side from this video. No snow or freezing temps, but heat, water, and sand. I do a lot of shooting where trekking is required to get to places. My Nikon gear is too big and heavy for this type of situation, especially now that I'm 54. $2000 is a lot of money for a camera, but if it can handle the shooting environment and also with all the amazing features and image quality that the EM1 II has, it is worth the investment. Thanks for a great video.

[@KingzOfPop]

This is insane, it looked like all the shots outside of the interview were handheld? Unbelievably steady.

[@weareshouting]

Yes-- the interview was the only shot with a tripod. I also didn't use a shoulder rig. The stabilization on this camera/lens combo is the best I've ever used.

[@KingzOfPop]

Eric Becker it's phenomenal. which lens was it?

[@weareshouting]

Olympus 12-100 f4. It's one of the best focal ranges of any lens on the market for running and gunning.

[@KingzOfPop]

That's what I suspected, awesome. Thanks for all the info! Great job on this...One more quick question, did you use autofocus for the video?

[@weareshouting]

KingzOfPop I did use AF exclusively. This was only the second time I was willing to trust a camera to nail focus. The first time was the last video I shot for DPreview about the 5Dmk4.

[@3runjosh]

randomly coming back to this video because I remember how much I enjoyed it. Seeing the grain in the photos to me now 6 years later I actually appreciate the look relative to every hair in his beard sharp. I always wondered why post processing can add grain and now I understand it gives the image a certain appeal like a painting that can tell a story with not as much detail as a photo. I dunno what I am trying to say but love this video. I might try to find a used em1 2 for cheap.

[@ramelsen]

I just got this camera 1 week ago and it is clearly my favorit camera!

[@rtlamb]

Well done you guys! I love my Olympus gear for all the same reasons!

[@Steyrshrek1]

Thanks guys I was seriously looking for both a new photo and video rig. This video just about sewed it up for me.

[@BarefootMediaTV]

was this filmed with the e-m1? The interview indoor shot looked like it had a nice shallow depth of field, what lens was that?

[@weareshouting]

PeglegMedia Yep, entire video was em1m2 except for some TG Tracker action footage. Indoor interview was the 25 1.2. Beautiful portrait lens.

[@BarefootMediaTV]

thanks, beautifully shot and great story! maybe time to switch over from panasonic

[@PhilipCutting]

Yes, a truly beautiful video. But credit must also go to the editing and colour grading. Thanks for the pleasure of watching it Eric Becker

[@RanjanManohar]

I was so jealous when I saw the pictures from the 7-14mm lens.

[@weareshouting]

Thanks Philip!

[@brysonmartin5405]

Great to see a review of an action sports camera by an action sports photographer.

[@duratorque]

Wonderful images from the camera. Well done.

[@kuau714]

@Scott Rinckenberger , Normally when I shoot FIS Freestyle events I just rent, usually either the latest Nikon or Canon offering with there 3 pro zoom lenses, 16-35/2.8 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 A lot of what I shoot are events at night that require very high ISO 12800 usually at a minimum. I realize the Olympus would not handle this very well, yet for my daytime shooting it would be nice to carry around a more compact kist like the new Olympus. Can you comment on the AFC tracking capabilities on the new Olympus, I assume to get the best results is to use center spot only. Which are you favorite lenses that perform the best on the Olympus. Thanks and great shots btw...

[@freddie8812]

Great video of a great camera. Im in love with mine

[@ScottRinckenberger]

Sweet!

[@nickgill7941]

How did you achieve the ISO on each photo. In other words do you set ISO on auto. Your comments would be much appreciated,please. Regards Colin

[@billhollinger3389]

Excellent footage and tracking AF (and editing). There was only one short sequence of AF shots, but all were in focus. What kind of percentage were you getting in these conditions, and how does the video tracking compare to the still AF tracking?

[@ScottRinckenberger]

I was extremely impressed with the still AF tracking. I shoot with the Nikon D5 as my primary sports camera, which is recognized as the gold standard for focus tracking. I was getting similar results with the EM1 MKII. In most conditions I was getting better than 75% results with fast moving subjects in often challenging lighting conditions. As I understand it from chatting with the video guys, it was a little bit more spotty on video tracking.

[@billhollinger3389]

Thank you. I have the same opinion about the D5, but would love to have a smaller lighter camera system with that capability. The NX1 is pretty good, and does function well during video (the AF), but the still tracking AF is not as good as the Nikon.

[@mihaivo_]

Olympus promised they will improve video AF in their future firmware updates ;) Fingers crossed they will do it soon enough

[@danieldougan8613]

You've sold me. Now to just save up to upgrade my original E-M1!

[@thestefprovost]

I would like to know which brand of camera bag Scott use on his chest strap to his backpack? I use mindshift horizon but I am looking for others options. Thanks BTW I love my M4/3 and fully understand their limitation, in fact I capture more images since it's with me at all time vs my Nikon D500 with the 70-200 2.8 which is back home. Size and weight ratio quality. Very nice video,Revelstoke is my favorite skiing place, i wear the hat proudly on my profile pic. I was thinking about the Fuji XT-2 but now I am back to change my EM1 version for the mark2.

[@darrendavenport3334]

Stephane Provost you should worry more about improving your photography skills.... nothing worse than some guy with a pro compact taking pics that make yours look like shit ....

[@thestefprovost]

Darren Davenport i never recall being a Pro or good far that matter but I would bet you most likely don't make a living either as a photographer with comments like this and your none existing portfolio. I am sorry for your none success life. Buy your self a dog and have a life.

[@bigdave1885]

Had this camera about 5 years ago...although a great camera.....seemed pretty complex for my liking. I do event photography and now find fuji a better option, especially with fuji built in raw converter.

[@topdealhotels]

My next camera for sure.

[@danieldougan269]

The E-M1 II is not the best hybrid video camera, but it's still really good. The differences between this and, say, the GH5 are clearly on the margins.

[@RanjanManohar]

I wonder how a camera like the Sony A6500 with it's APS-C sized sensor would've done in such shooting scenarios. That is, ignoring the weather sealing requirements the terrain demanded.

[@pukarshrestha4739]

please do field review(durability test) for canon 77d too

[@vacationviking]

Really great video DPR!

[@JustlifeTomSandraYordi]

looks like a very nice camera

[@michaelycis]

This is fucking amazing.

[@ScottRinckenberger]

Thanks!

[@liquidcooled877]

Great Video.

[@jean-davidgodin7560]

Great video!!!

[@JustlifeTomSandraYordi]

How do you like the video functions afther use

[@Stano0711]

Excellent job :-))

[@TomasRamoska]

Scott ex assistant of Chase Jarvis I remember when he get his first Olympus Pen...

[@ScottRinckenberger]

Been a while, eh? :) These cameras have come a long way since then...

[@TomasRamoska]

Scott Rinckenberger I'm glad you doing well mate..

[@smickelsen]

great info. thanks

[@baturindenis]

9:41 2-40mm f2,8 ????

[@spd2224]

Well !!!! This video review will cost me more money !! Who wants to buy my OMD- EM1

[@jhinkay5907]

Hello, I have some questions to ask you, can you email me for example?

[@john3Lee]

With a sensor one quarter the size of full frame :((

[@TomasRamoska]

john wheatley Yes but still nice images. Personally I will take D500 over the Olympus..

[@john3Lee]

kingsmeadow even Scott says with 4/3m he runs into resolution issues.

[@jakelindsay6251]

Yeah ("at some point") when he wants to print north of 20X30. How many prints north of 20X30 are you making?

[@john3Lee]

Scott could well be in a situation where his client could ask for poster sized images.... If he was shooting full frame, he has 4 times the area of the m4/3 to utilise...

[@jakelindsay6251]

Most definitely...and for that he'll grab an A99 or D810 and lug it around. Just saying that the full frame argument doesn't hold for 90% or more of our images that are seen on a 5.5" screen in our pocket or our desktop computer.

[@Peizxcv]

Why is this review feel so promotional video?

[@MrIkarphoto]

Nice shots, but noizy IMO.

[@darrendavenport3334]

Ivan Karlyshev cut the bullshit ....