OM System OM-1 vs. Nikon D500 | Birds in flight | Review

[@woodygreen6826]

Straightforward comparison without minutes and minutes of B-roll. Thanks. The OM-1 is the only camera that has tempted me , but I find the D500 with 500 PF is such a fantastic set-up I have no reason to spend the money. As you said, these photos show that both are great systems. :)

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks Woody. They are both definitely great set ups. After you have tried a fast FPS rate though it is kind of difficult to go back. Anyway enjoy what you have... All systems these days are great. The photographer's skill is way more important. 👍🙏😀

[@idahomountainlover754]

I have been a long time shooter using the Nikon D850 & the D500 with the 300mm & 500mm. Both are fantastic combos but my arthritis in my hands & wrists could no longer comfortably handle the weight and bulk. Switched to OM 1 with the 300mm and I couldn’t be happier. Great image quality and I’m having fun again. Well done OM systems 😊

[@RichardCookphotography]

Well done you. Hope you have many great years with the combo. It is very lightweight and easy to hold. 👍🙏😀 Thank you 🙏

[@MediterraneanBlood]

Ive got to buy a new camera and I've got to decide if to go for the d500 + 500 f4 Nikkor or the Om-1 + zuiko pro 300 f4 . What would you advise me?

[@tonigenes5816]

Very nice pictures ! Congratulations !

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks very much Toni. Really appreciate it!

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

The old Nikon does a very good job. Great shots.👍❤️

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks very much. Glad you liked the shots🙏👍

[@ridealongwithrandy]

Good stuff! As we say in the desert southwest USA "nice shootin Tex!" I have dual EM1Xs and the 40-150 f2.8 pro, and the 300 f4. I also have the Nikon D4S, D500, 300 PF, and the 500 PF. Both systems have their goods and bads, I enjoy both. From image quality wise, sometimes its hard to tell them apart. The D4S is low light king, and the Pro Cap on the EM1X is amazing. Cheers!

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks for the great comment. Glad you like the video😀👍🙏

[@SuriyaNarayanan987]

Stunning photos!

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks very much. Have a great day 🙏😀👍

[@SuriyaNarayanan987]

@@RichardCookphotography Welcome. You too!👍👍

[@obelisksaudio295]

Bravo et merci pour ces photos magnifiques

[@RichardCookphotography]

Merci beaucoup 😀

[@laurencearnold5822]

Superb images , I have both and still enjoy taking the D500 and PF out sometimes👍

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks Laurence. We are in the same boat.

[@narinthip3058]

Another outstanding examples of your talents Richard! I think you are the most underrated guy out there based on the subscriber numbers to date. But I think you know it has more to do with how you present your footage :-). One of your remark that strikes me the most is "I am not looking at getting sharp images, but both shape images with good background". I am sure you will only get better how you present your content. Look forward for more of your inspiring stuffs. Cheers.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks so much Narin. Really kind comments that I appreciate. Sometimes a more serious, business like approach gives a sense of knowing what one is talking about and that definitely appeals to some but that just isn't me. I can't change who I am unfortunately so hopefully people will look at my photos and then judge if I know what I am talking about. Thanks again for your support!!😀🙏👍

[@mahesh8106]

Bloody Brilliant Photography Boss ❤it ❤it

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thank you very much. Have a great day🙏👍

[@royparkes6182]

Lovely pics, as a beginner in wildlife photography its a great confidence boost to know my d500 & 500 PF set up can get these kind of images. I would elated to get some images of this quality.

[@ridealongwithrandy]

All it takes is practice, and you will get there. Cheers!

[@RichardCookphotography]

Hi.. Sorry I obviously missed this comment. Yes the Nikon d500 is still a great camera and with practice I'm sure you will be able to get some great results. Good luck!!🙏👍😀

[@Ronroncho]

amazing video as usual! would be nice to see your process from taking a picture to edit final, amazing jop mate!

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thank you very much. Yes sometime I should do a video showing my editing process. Only just worked out that I record my computer screen😀👍

[@garydubberly6608]

Great photos! I have D500 & 500PF and I still really like the kit but I continue to look at the OM-1 & Oly 300 F4 plus the PL 100-400. I am dragging my feet hoping that Nikon will surprise us with a D500 mirrorless Z version that weighs in about the same as the D500 at 30 oz but includes the Z adapter in that weight. As I’ve mentioned before I use my G9 and PL lenses for my travel photography and I’m afraid Nikon will bring the Z500 before Panasonic will give us an OM-1 Lumix camera. So the OM-1 is probably my only modern light weight hope for now. Thank you for sharing your excellent work

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks for the nice comments. A Mirrorless D500 would be great but I don't know when that would be and it won't be cheap. I got a great deal on my OM1 so was happy to try it and the 300mm has been an excellent addition.

[@thrallingFRglory]

@@RichardCookphotography If I may, what deal were you able to cop on the OM-1? Apologies if you mentioned this in the video. I must’ve missed it.

[@RichardCookphotography]

@@thrallingFRglory No Problem at all. This must be nearly a year ago now but I paid about 220000 yen for the body and a spare battery and that worked out at about 1500 pounds. New they are now 240000 yen. In my experience cameras are sometimes cheaper here in Japan. 🙏👍

[@thrallingFRglory]

@@RichardCookphotography That’s an excellent price! I have a 300 f4 in my sights right now. The previous owner is asking 1900 USD. Don’t know if should spring for it or wait for a better offer.

[@RichardCookphotography]

@@thrallingFRglory That doesn't sound too bad.. Maybe go for it👍😀

[@brianlemke6017]

Interesting comparison. Terrific shots. I have the 500mm pf but with the D850; and I have the OM1 but with the 150-400 TC. Both are great combos but the OM1 AI focusing modes are a generational change from the DSLR - as good as the D850 is in its own right. Both lenses are fantastic, although the 150-400 is clearly more versatile; but heavier than the 500. IQ on the D850 is exceptional and beats the OM1 with over 2x the MP to play with. But it can be less forgiving than the OM1 in lower light or if my technique is off. And the stabilization of my Oly rig is better. I’ve shot Great Grey owls with both setups with excellent results but the keeper rate (not the absolute number but the ratio of keepers to total shots) is higher with the OM1. I normally throttle it back in silent sequential at 20fps; and set the camera to Bird AI detect, all points - I’ve concluded using a focus box is redundant, especially if the subject detection is set up to override the focus box selected. Same as you, I sometimes set aside my newer combo and shoot the D850/500mm instead. Just like you, I love that 500mm pf, simply a great lens. Who knows, I’m not getting a Z9 but maybe one day a “Z850” or “Z500” to pair it.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thank you for the great response. Yes another mirrorless option from Nikon with autofocus similar to the Z9 would be hugely popular I think. Thanks again👍🙏

[@naturealbums]

Congrats very good work amazing details on some very difficult shots! nice gear too both combos. Worth keeping that 500mm I can imagine an equivalent D500 mirrorless based on the Z9 has got to be in development. The OM-1 I'm keen on getting myself.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks for commenting on the video. Yes a mirrorless D500 would be a winner👍

[@eljayr4669]

Great shots as usual Richard. I know it wasn’t a comparison test but personally I think the Olympus combo just has the edge.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks Eljay. It definitely has more horse power than the Nikon.

[@Gazzab6]

Great set of images Richard and your style is similar to mine. I have the D500 and 500mm PF combo and love it and what I love about the D500 is its ergonomics. I assign different AF Area modes to the function buttons and if one mode doesn’t seem to be working well (which doesn’t happen very often), I can just press one of the other buttons to active a different AF Area mode. Being able to do this while still looking through the viewfinder while tracking a subject is key in my opinion and increases the chance of getting keepers as I’m sure you’ve also experienced this. Anybody reading this who has a D500 and they haven’t taken full advantage of its ergonomics, give it a go, it can be a game changer. Keep up the good work Richard. Oh just one question, some of the D500 images near the beginning of the video were taken at ISO 4000 and they looked so clean. What software do you use to denoise your images?

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks so much for the lovely comment. Sorry for the delay in replying, have been traveling and under the weather. In regards to the clean 4000iso I was probably using DXo pureraw but on occasion use Topax denoise. Both work really well. Hope this helps. Take care 🙏👌😄

[@Gazzab6]

@@RichardCookphotography Thanks for the reply Richard, I also have Topaz so will carry on experimenting with it. All the best for the New Year.

[@danieled.2583]

Great shots Richard. I wanted to ask if the high resolution shot and the pro capture work with the OM-1 and the panasonic 100-400? Thanks and see you next video.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Hi Daniele. Yes they both work with the PL 100-400. You dont get all the features of pro capture with the PL but it does work. I did a video about a month ago talking about pro capture. Take care🙏👍

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

I need that 300 f4 🤣 someday I will own one that's for sure. Great video those bird shots are amazing 👏 grt guido

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks so much Guido. Yes it is a fantastic lens for sure. Great for wildlife photography. 🙏👍😀

[@mikesphotography7185]

Some great shots Richard. I am still getting use to using my OM-1 but the weather here in the UK is crap 😎

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thank you. Yes I know. I was back in the U.K for 10 days over Christmas.. Rained on about 8 of them.🇬🇧👍

[@nicknie8782]

Great video. These are two setups I am always interested in comparing. Have you also tried the nikon 80-400mm lens for D500? Seems a more affordable lens but I am not sure how much quality is compromised for light weight and shorter focal length.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Hi and thank you. I haven't tried the 80-400mm but anything that is a light weight option is definitely appealing.👍

[@javierramos2280]

Estimado Richard: Soy usuario de la OM1 con lente 300mm F4. Me gustaría saber la configuración que usas en tus fantásticas imágenes.Gracias

[@RichardCookphotography]

Hi Javier. Again have a look at my flickr page 👍

[@javierramos2280]

Ok.Muchas gracias

[@don-at-large]

I thought a Cruet is a thing used for table vinegur. I tri to leern sumtheeng new everyday. Thanks.

[@RichardCookphotography]

I aim to please. If you need to learn anything else ... Just ask 🙏👍😀

[@janvangastel6763]

Beautifull photo's! I also have the OM-1, but not the 300 mm pro lens. Instead I have the 100-400 Panasonic Leica. It looks like you were very close to the birds, or are those large crops?

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thank you very much. I was pretty close to a few of them and some are quite large crops. 👍🙏 I also have the Pl100400.. Have done a few videos about that lens. 😀

[@ThePNWRiderWA]

I looked hard at the 500. The reason I went or more accurately stayed with the OM was I have quite a few lens and the weather resistance was excellent for where I shoot. My concern is still the future. I assume that the OM-1 was in the works before the sale. I will be interested to see if we get feature enhancements as we did with the Olympus products as that will indicate IMO if they committed to the cameras or just believed they could make a bit of money. After all if Olympus was profitable why sell it ?

[@RichardCookphotography]

I think and hope they will continue to improve and update. I'm very happy with the performance of the OM1.

[@jonbarnard7186]

With the OM-1, is it beneficial to use CAF +tracking in conjunction with subject detection to pick out for example a specific bird? Or is it best to adjust the AF area box when using subject detection? I've read that the subject detection can be confused by a busy background, and locking the focus on a subject with a tracking box can help in some situations.

[@RichardCookphotography]

I haven't used it that much to be honest but have had some success with it. I would say it isn't as good as just caf though. On occasion, I have used it and the box stays on the bird but after the sequence is finished I check the shots and they aren't always in focus so I stick with caf and bird eye AF and adjust the box accordingly.

[@alohamark3025]

Rob Trek has a video comparing CAF alone vs. CAF with Tracking, and he states the first mode is more reliable. CAF plus Bird (Subject) recognition is best, with a slightly larger AF box. In either case, my suggestion is to always take a second shot with the OM-1, as the probability of getting a non-focused shot is higher than with a Nikon or Canon professional camera. I am not a professional photographer, and do not have to experience to make every shot count. Thus, Procap is my backstop.

[@KimHojbergJensen]

Very interesting. I have been shooting Nikon for a couple of decades, the last two years Nikon Z6. I still have he D800 and many Nikon F lenses. However, last year I started considering moving to Olympus - mostly because Nikon Z lenses are so large and expensive. I got an E-M1 mark II and some lenses, including 40-150mm f2.8 and 100-400mm f5-6.3. I fell in love with the Olympus system, but at the same time I can't let go of Nikon, so now I have two parallel systems 🤔 I think the Z6 is clearly better with regards to low light - fast shutter speeds and high ISO, but also at autofocus. It may be an unfair comparison, and I am wondering if an upgrade from the E-M 1 mk II to an OM-1 would solve it 😊 The main issues I have is the cap at ISO6400 in auto-ISO, the lack f exposure compensation with auto-ISO and the autofocus speed - both issues should be solved with the OM-1. With the Z6 I have set the cap at 25600. I don't use that but have many shots at 10000-12000 that get clean with DXO PureRaw.

[@ridealongwithrandy]

The OM-1 is leaps and bounds above the EM1.2. I also shoot dual EM1Xs, and can't afford dual OM-1s, but if I could, I would switch. Cheers!

[@RichardCookphotography]

Hi. Sorry I seem to have missed this comment originally. Yes theZ6 would do better in low light but the 0M1 files clean up really nice in DXO or topaz so don't be afraid of using high Isos. Also once you try 25 or 50 FPS with no blackout it's difficult going back to the shower speed of the Z6. Take care🙏👍😀

[@jfphotography69]

Nice captures, well done.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks very much🙏👍😀