My Favourite Camera (The Olympus Pen Mini/E-PM1).

This is the camera I had wanted to get a year after it officially came out in 2011.
Who would have thought I’d be fortunate to find one second hand, but still have all its contents (charger, USB cable, HDMI cable, warranty & manual) still preserved in their packaging?
After buying it in 2017, I have taken it to numerous tennis matches, musical performances, landscaping, and just as my “go-to” photojournalist tool.
Images and 4 video samples were taken with the Pen Mini/E-PM1.
Audio recorded by me with the Zoom H1n.
Video for this review was shot with the Olympus OM-D E-M5ii + M. Zuiko (PRO) 12-40mm f/2.8 with the SLR Magic Variable ND Filter.
I’d also like to take a moment to thank my fellow musicians here in Christchurch who have allowed, and accepted my work to promote their business you can check out what they do down below:
Michele Ducray + Isolde;
/ michelegiblotducray
/ isoldeband
Alannah Prins + Iconic;
/ prins.music
/ iconicmusicnz
David Rea + Electric Temples;
/ davidreamusic
/ electrictemples
Honeymoth (background music played in the video);
/ honeymothnz
Also feel free to check out more of my work.
www.patrickros...

[@katiekay4516]

So happy to see that the camera I saved for years for as a teen and treasured is still being appreciated years later. I've just pulled the bad boy back out after years not taking photographs due to an intense university course and now working in a hospital in an equally intense job then juggling post grad on top. Just recently finished post grad and now I'm excited to get back into the joy of photography 😊

[@ahmadsaad5613]

It's so hard to find it in my region right now

[@victorwalteramaya4781]

I bought a second hand a few days ago. I'm an Olympus fan and this camera is really good

[@patrickmcfadden1689]

Nice video review. I picked up an E-PL1 a few years back for about 25USD, and was amazed at getting an interchangeable lens body for so little. Not my first or only M43 body but it still works great.

[@wristaction]

I still use mine too. The 45mm lens is fantastic.

[@javierperez1973]

I have the EPM1 and I love it too. Thanks for the video. It's very useful.

[@stevew179]

I bought a new one in 2012 and I thought it wonderful. Since then I bought an OMD-EM10 mk 1 and a OMD-EM1 mk 2 . I still find it excellent but a little soft compared to it's newer brothers.

[@farestabs]

I have the epm2 and absolutely love it as well. I find myself reaching for it instead of my pen f almost always. Sure there’s still no focus peeking but the size and feel of shooting it is incredible. I just need to find myself a viewfinder like yours 😁

[@snapfilmwalk6207]

Cheer for opening my eyes I have been watching endless amounts of videos & googling so many different cameras. Have a target price that I have set, want to hit the ground running in January but might rethink how much money I put down now & keep it simple. Think I'll go down the Olympus route too as these cameras look more traditional, don't want to over complicate things with all the different bells & whistles in the menu screen. DSLR now off the list lol.

[@ibapa888]

Totally enjoyed your video. Here bcoz I'm watching pm1 in ebay. Great pics and video footage man. Subbed.

[@jodybiztube]

I love my E-PM2. I hope Olympus would make tiny cameras like these again.

[@prose4ever]

So far OM Digital Solutions released the EP7, but it's only available in Japan and the UK.

[@paristo]

I just 30 min ago purchased this model in a mint condition (a black edition) for 46 €. As one commenter said 2 years ago being an Olympus fan, same am I. I like to buy old Olympus bodies as hobby now, as they are so cheap to be picked up when good bodies are found. Example year ago I got E-P2 for collection. I wanted to get E-P1 but you can't really find it anywhere to be sold. It was on market just couple months before E-P2 was released and replaced it, because E-P1 had electronic/mechanical design flaw and they needed to correct that. Same time they included the AP2 (Accessory Port 2) to that body. And that is the only difference to E-P1, a fixed hardware mistake and addition to AP2, I don't really care, I take it. As it means I can use VF-2 with it. Some people admire and hunt the latest and greatest. I have the latest and greatest for the work, but I hunt the old and "obsolete" for the enjoyment to be used to capture photos that such people would think is not good enough to be used. It is fun to "proof them wrong". I am currently as well hunting a acceptably priced kit lenses too. Friends laugh that why I want to buy something for 50-60 € when I have 1200-2000 € lenses for the purpose? And I just have to say "Because it is not the lens that makes the photo....". For the 02:40 about external flash you show, it is the Olympus FL-LM3 flash, and it is not compatible with any previous models since PEN-F and E-M1 II as it does not use AP2 anymore for power but the new hotshoe in new cameras has extra pin (4th now) for power. That new small flash is great considering you can turn and tilt it, sadly just for newer ones. If that model would have come with AP2 variant as well, it would have been great addition to older m4/3 owners.

[@StephenStrangways]

What design flaw did the E-P1 have?

[@OrenNoah]

I'm still shooting my EPM-1, but mostly underwater in an Olympus housing. Love it, too.

[@prose4ever]

I also got the dive housing, and I would love to get a dome port so I can use my 7.5mm Samyang lens.

[@bebopganymede]

Can either of you link me that underwater housing?

[@hoogletm]

Mine has a broken battery door too. Still love it to this day.

[@ganz_unten]

Great video and camera. Love it!

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

Patrick, good vid. New to 4/3 coming from FF. Started off with an EP2 & am having a blast. Now I am up to???? well too many EP's, EPL's, etc. The Pen F arrives Monday.

[@prose4ever]

Great stuff. I just recently purchased the LX100ii by Panasonic, and so far I am more than happy with my purchase. I did say in a recent video, it may be the last camera, I'll purchase for 2022, but now I may explore the G100 and GX85 as well.

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

@@prose4ever Yes, just grabbed a used gx7. Sadly they didn't send the charger. It arrives Saturday,,, so Pany shooting ahead!

[@ulfjonsson2122]

Lovely images / Ulf

[@Mark-ks9jj]

Thinking of grabbing one of these for a super compact camera for carrying around.

[@eduardooka1655]

Great samples!

[@Koji-888]

I wish you posted which lens you used for each example photo. ? You are using expensive lenses, mostly fast wide/ normal. But it’s a nice video about your style. Todays culture ツ

[@StephenStrangways]

5:13 the in-body image stabilization doesn't work during video shooting. What you're seeing is electronic image stabilization, which entails a crop.

[@theskrawny]

i need to know how you do this bulb effect and use a long time night photos in this camera, its very difficult to me how to undersand the menu, i grab this little piece of art from olympus few days ago but the menu is p1ssd me off for now

[@petepictures]

Yea, MFT is a lovely system. I use mostly Lumix , but have of both.

[@joanpauvlog4460]

Hi, i have also Olympus E-PM1. Sadly, i cannot use because everytime i open the screen appears no connection. Hope you can give me some suggestions. Thank you so much.

[@johnbourke3074]

What lens is attached to the camera in the vid

[@77pox]

How to shoot stars with this?

[@AleksFotkin]

Клёвые снимки👍🔥

[@pavel_kulikov]

👍

[@Woodenarrows]

I have the E-PM1 and just today have ordered an E-PM2. I get a kick out of seeing what I can do with the simpler cameras... ?: What is your 'go to' lens for your photo outings. The images in this video are pretty interesting...

[@prose4ever]

My go-to lens is the 7Artisans 35mm f/2 Leica M version. 7Artisans do have a micro 4/3s version of this lens, but I wanted to get the metabones adaptor (in red)

[@prose4ever]

I will also add that I am interested in getting the Olympus 12-50mm f/3.5-5.6 lens for this camera for a small telephoto set up.

[@Woodenarrows]

@@prose4ever Yes, the 12-50 would also get you near macro images if you're interested in that and the lens is pretty reasonable from used markets. I tend to first look at MPB.com as they have pretty good prices, free shipping option and they don't charge tax, at least to my address...

[@user-ph8rc3cn4k]

Hey, please help how to zoom on this camera? With manual lens

[@MarcoFDVN]

I heard this cam. Has issue related to Shutter Shock? Can you confirm that pls. Thanks

[@hgwong8365]

Hi, do you try out others or third party flash as well, with manual mode. I intended to update mine as well for the evf compatible, but flash is essential for me too. And I really like your photo, you put magic on a 10 years old e-pm1.!!

[@StephenStrangways]

It will work just fine with any flash that uses batteries. The FL-LM3 he's trying to use will never work, because that requires power from the camera using an extra pin that the E-PM1 doesn't have.

[@StevenEspaniola]

Cool have the same cam! What is the red adapter you have on the cam?

[@prose4ever]

The red adaptor is a metabones Leica M to Micro 4/3s.

[@phils263]

Picked one of these up recently. The shutter cycles on power up, is this normal as my other Oly bodies don't seem to do this?

[@prose4ever]

Very normal

[@bensonarizona7820]

2:46 That's a FL-LM3 you are trying to use there, right? According to Olympus this flash is not compatible with any PEN series camera except for the PEN-F. Were you able to use it before updating to the latest firmware?

[@prose4ever]

I have other flash units and I tried all of them, ot doesn't work

[@thientrieu91291]

What wide angle lenses did you have for your epm1?

[@prose4ever]

I use the Samyang/Rokinon 7.5mm f/3.5 fisheye, the 12mm f/2 by Samyang/Rokinon, and the M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 (pro).

[@thientrieu91291]

@@prose4ever nice! Thanks man. I'm getting myself a pl6 with the vf4 finder and looking into some wide-angle options. You have some really nice wide angle shots. Really enjoy your video. And NZ is beautiful, I got a chance to visit a couple years back and had a great time. The people are so nice. Cheers man.

[@loft4me]

I acquired a E-PM2 last year, as a never sold, new in box from a seller in Israel, to use as a discreet street shooter with the lenses that I already obtained for my Lumix G9. This, as an alternative to Ricoh GR or similar discreet shooters which do not have the interchangeable lens capability. Patrick, at 05:22, it looks like you have a setting that can compensate for manual lenses. I'm trying to see if I have that capability on my PM2. Can I from you the procedure. Thanks.

[@prose4ever]

I'm not too sure if the E-PM2 has any technical changes, but in the Custom Menu settings, I have gone through the AF modes on my menu, the only thing I can not do is use Focus Peaking. There is a zoom to focus, but that only works on AF lenses.

[@bensonarizona7820]

At 05:22 he is manually changing the image stabilization setting for the use of a legacy lens. You can find the IS (image stabilization) somewhere on the right side after pressing the OK button or on the bottom left corner of the SCP (super control panel). The IS can be set to IS Off, IS 1, IS 2 and IS 3. IS 1 is what you want to have most of the time. When you press the Info button the focal length becomes highlighted and you can change it with the thumb wheel. Confirm the chosen focal length by pressing the OK button.

[@loft4me]

@@bensonarizona7820 Will check into this, thanks Benson.

[@anjinggombal]

I found that it have difficulty on low light. Dobyou also experience the same? If yes, any tips for noobie?

[@prose4ever]

As a matter of fact, I do struggle shooting in lowlight with the camera, however I find that Micro 4/3's encourages you to explore the use of flash. Before I updated my E-PM1's firmware to use the EFV-4, I was able to use any sort of flash on the camera, but now I occasionally use the pop-up flash that came with camera and adjust the brightness.

[@BigBoss-gb4cx]

How can you adapt other lens? My doenst work if there's no electronic connection to the lens... Is there a setting for that?

[@prose4ever]

It depends what lens you are using. If you're using Canon EOS lenses, you'll need to look into an adapter with an electronic connection. I normally adapt Pentax lenses because they don't often have electronic connections.

[@Rem777rich]

Hi friend. Thanks for the video!I wanted to know about the latest firmware, what is its number and what does it not support from external modules?

[@prose4ever]

So far I think I have the latest update on my model, that being said, I got the firmware update in order to use my external EVF. As a draw back, I can no longer use external flashes, but the one that came with the camera.

[@Rem777rich]

@@prose4ever Thanks

[@StephenStrangways]

The latest firmware absolutely does work with external flashes, but the FL-LM3 he is trying to use will never work, regardless of firmware version, because it is physically incompatible with the E-PM1.

[@nexttt__]

Hey! Awesome video! I purchased an E-PM1 last week and I was wondering, where I could buy the case and the adapters? Also, which lens do you recommend for a beginner? Thank you so much, the vid was great!

[@RenatoFontes]

Just wondering, can you hide all the on screen interface so it can be used as webcam? 🤔

[@prose4ever]

I have tried using it as a webcam, unfortunately it does not cooperate with Elgato Camlink so easily. I have tried using the OMD webcam program with similar results so far.

[@eduardooka1655]

How is this camera compared to others like the nikon 1 j3, 1 v1 or the Samsung nx3000?

[@senordoncubo]

In my opinion Olympus is better, more lens options and quality than Nikon, samsung i don’t even take them into account

[@prose4ever]

I've never heard of the NX3000, I was really interested in the Nikon AW1 for a while. I would say the E-PM1 would have a slight (and I do mean a slight) edge with the senor size and the fact that micro 4/3s is still producing new lenses. Meanwhile Nikon has sadly abandoned their 1 series bodies and lenses in order to focus on the Z series.

[@M.Kabane]

Awesome video! anyone knows what's this lense? 0:18

[@prose4ever]

This is the 7Artisans 35mm F/2 Leica M mount. 7Artisans does have a Micro 4/3s version, but I really wanted to get the Red Leica M to Micro 4/3 adapter by Metabones.

[@moribhd7492]

Which viewfinder are you using?

[@prose4ever]

The Olympus VF-4.

[@johnvincentespiritu4768]

Does the video have manual mode?

[@nhatucnguyen1701]

Does it have the film filter ?

[@prose4ever]

The only filters on this camera are Pop art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, and Dramatic Tone. Monochrome is another feature, unfortunately the vintage filter came into later models like the E-PL5, and Pen F.

[@mimato]

I bought my second hand cam the other day. However it's my first camera with replacement lenses. I'm getting "no picture" when I install a different one of the other lenes that comes with the camera. Is there something I need to do to fix it? Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

[@prose4ever]

It really depends. I have just went through the menu of my camera to answer your question. What are the lenses that you own?

[@Ag47SilverSurfer]

Could use this as a streaming camera for twitch?

[@prose4ever]

So I have attempted to use this on a Elgato camlink to see if was possible, sadly it isn't. Once the camlink is installed, it only shows the menu or images inside the memory card.

[@prose4ever]

I also own the E-M5II and Olympus have created a beta software for webcam use.

[@Ag47SilverSurfer]

@@prose4ever thank you so much for your quick reply! I have this camera laying around and assumed maybe a capture card would work, but I guess not~ booo~ great camera by the way! And great review!

[@hwntwww]

How much for the viewfinder?

[@prose4ever]

I bought mine off E-bay brand new for roughly $400 NZD.

[@MatthewDeVries]

I can't believe how expensive the EVF add-ons are for these, even used. I dream of having one for my EPM-1, but can't get my self to spend $50 more than I can get the whole body for on KEH.

[@prose4ever]

The EVF is pretty pricey, but I find it very useful when taking photos with manual focus glass. The E-PM1 lacks focus peaking, and I'm not a huge fan of the close up focus on manual.

[@emiliamontefalco9921]

Hi patrick! I also have the E-PM1, I didn't know much about the camera and I am having a hard time capturing photos because some picture tends to be blurry and low quality unless I use a flash. I was wondering how did you take pictures in astrophotography? what camera setup did you use and what lens? thank you!

[@prose4ever]

For Astrophotography, You'll need to look into an ultra-wide lens with a fast F stop. I personally have a 7.5mm f/3.5 by Samsang, and I leave the camera on a tripod for 30-40 seconds long exposure on manual mode. Ideally best to have it set on a tripod for steady shooting

[@prose4ever]

I usually set my cameras on aperture priority, but occasionally manual controls. It's all about experimenting on the exposure triangle (shutter, iso, aperture).

[@bensonarizona7820]

The E-PM1 - as wonderful of a gem it is - has one big flaw: It has some enormous shutter shock. This results in slightly blurry pictures. The mass is just to little for the somehow hefty shutter mechanism of the PEN series. Anything unter 1/100s is a dangerous territory with this camera. The only way to mitigate this flaw is to increase the overall mass, for example, by using a legacy lens. Or only use it at day time.

[@nobodyvnobodyv]

I can't shoot 60 fps, only 30 fps.

[@mgman6000]

Lose the distracting music it sounds like it's in a bar I used to have a epl1 and interested in this video but the music made it unwatchable

[@johnnyc.5979]

Great camera's the micro four thirds, but horrible in low light. I have the E-PL1, and it's fun to take around, but it has some issues. I live in Arizona, so it's bright during the day, hard to take pictures close up of flowers and I can't see the screen due to the bright sun. And buying an optical viewfinder (if you can find one) runs about $200. Taking pictures indoors, using auto iso gives grainy images without the flash. So not really a camera I'd use for high quality pictures. You're better off buying an APS-C mirrorless in my opinion. I honestly think these cameras are over rated for what you get.

[@ks1ngh27]

E-pl1 is much slower at focusing than the e-pm2. I have both cameras. I also have the em5 mark 1 and iii. E-pm2 holds its own against the new cameras.