TOTALLY WRONG - Olympus OM-D E-M1X- Gut-level review

[@PhotoBob]

I shoot Olympus for my wedding, family, and volume team sports business. I switched from FF Canon and have been very pleased. You give up some low light performance but what I gain makes up for it. Overall it’s just an amazing system

[@IvanRN]

What about image quality?

[@PhotoBob]

Ivan A image quality is great. I have hundreds of photos hanging in businesses all over my home City. I shoot for the largest glass contractor in the south and they use my photos in large prints of hospitals, Universities, museums and gyms. It’s just not an issue at all.

[@billjobes1851]

Why stay indoors when it's raining, when shooting with that Olympus pro gear ? You can shoot in the shower with it ! Literally. Best weather-proof photo gear on the planet.

[@weizenobstmusli8232]

Went on a photo walk some weeks ago. It wss raining cats and dogs. Found myself the last man standing, while all the Sony shooters sat inside, drinking coffee. It not once crossed my mind to protect my EM1 II.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

The body may have great weather sealing but I do not. :) Plus my models did not want to play in the rain with me. Thanks for watching.

[@leftylinky8826]

Tony Northrup has had such a negative impact on m4/3. Thank you for this review 👍

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thank you for watching!

[@joerf9351]

Well... If someone said that Jared Polin was paid by Sony, I guess you were wrong; Tony Northrup w̶a̶s̶ is paid by Nikon then 🤣🤣🤣

[@c3vette47]

Tony is a knucklehead. Plain and simple.

[@thomasreed49]

We need to accept Olympus has its limitations the image quality is not as good as Canon due to the small sensor. But it is small light half the price. To expect it to perform top brands would be too good to be true and it is. I am an amateur I use Olympus. If I was a professional I would use Nikon on or Canon.

[@gp60m122]

@@thomasreed49 I shot with various 4/3 cameras including this model and through habit tend to use my D3s or D4 for my most important shots but this beauty matches them about 90% of the time. I would say at only the very highest ISO’s are the Nikons superior and even then the seven stops of image stabilization have advantages.

[@keri-di5122]

I own it. This camera is fantastic!

[@MyRetroJourney]

I used Nikon gear (D600) before I switched to Olympus. Never looked back, even tho the dynamic range and ISO capabilities aren't as good. But they are simply good enough for me. And Olympus lenses are just stellar, especially the PRO lenses.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching Bill!

[@klackon1]

Good, honest video. I shoot wildlife and in 2016 bought a Nikon D500 to compliment my 2 x Olympus EM1 bodies. In my hands, the D500 blew the EM1 out of the water. I then replaced my 2 x EM1's with an EM1 mark II. What a difference! After a couple of weeks I discovered that I preferred my EM1.2 to my D500. On the odd occasions I took out just one camera, it was always the EM1.2. I now own an Olymus EM1X and just awaiting delivery of my 40 - 150mm f2.8 and 12 - 40mm f2.8 (I already have a 60mm f2.8). So far, I'm loving the EM1X and it will be a brilliant compliment to my Sony A7R4. I have owned a couple of cameras with a top mounted LCD and never used it, preferring to use the EVF/OVF, but I get your point. I can actually take the EM1X + my Oly flash out in the pouring rain without a second thought. Jared Polin took one into the shower!

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching Pete!

[@Patrice48h]

I own it and love it. I rarely shoot over 2500ISO so I am fine with the sensor. The usability, ruggedness and technology packed into this camera is amazing!

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching Patrice!

[@ridealongwithrandy]

I shoot dual X's alongside D4S ,D500 and D750, all have their special places. I also use EM5 mkiii for all my YT vids. Cheers!

[@davidblack2632]

Good gut level review. I have owned the E-M1X for 11 months now and I love it.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching David!

[@scottiesretro1213]

I shoot olympus omd em10 mk2 and thought If would never be interested in the X. Like you after picking it up I was shocked by the weight. The feel is wonderful, like most olympic bodys.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching. You are right it felt wonderful.

[@mmma4096]

I used Nikon gear (D800) before switched to Nikon D850 then switched to Olympus M1X. Was a difficult decision since I had a lot Nikon gear, but The Olympus impress me a lot, the build quality is amazing, the buttons are letter engraved and the body feel very solid not feel plastic like Nikon and beautiful pro metal lenses made me switched definitely. Nikon use plastic lenses. I use Olympus and some Panasonic-Leica metal pro-lenses and the whole set that I have are Made in Japan, very sharper lenses. I recommend. Thanks.

[@antonykyriacou8300]

Hi, a bit of camera background history from me, D200,D3s, D810 and associated lenses all sold off. I now have the Z6 24/70 f2.8 and an EM1X. Your right the about the viewfinder, but once you get use to it it is certainly good enough. I took the EM1X to the Malaysian jungle in November 2019. This camera got an absolute soaking on very small river boats, going over rapids all I did was have the lens pointing down (so the front element wouldn’t get wet) you should have gone out in the rain and had some fun. Also you did not mention the focus stacking function for close up / macro work, it’s really, really good. Anyway the EM1X is a well crafted product with some excellent features. Cheers 🍻 AK

[@PanopticChopsticks]

The body may have great weather sealing but I do not. :) Plus my models did not want to play in the rain with me. Thanks for watching.

[@philipgowdy]

I switched from Olympus 3 years ago after 20 years with Nikon as a pro...been waiting for something from Nikon to compete!!!!!!taken my best pictures and still with Olympus for the foreseeable future.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching Philip!

[@bamsemh1]

I'm going for the m1 mk2 😊

[@mrrcassidy]

You will not be disappointed.

[@Makta972]

Very nice portrait of your daughter. She looks like that actress Emma Stone. Olympus lenses are superb !

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching!

[@philotimo5089]

There are very few reviews of portrait photography with the X. Thank you so much for making this subject your main focus instead of BIF.....

[@Jgatti41]

Very refreshing to see someone give a real opinion about this camera. Someone who gave it a shot unlike that Fro fool. The 40-150 and the 12-40 are fantastic lenses. Shame you did not have the 300 F4 pro to shoot that bird. The dual IS is unreal. If somehow you get your hand on another or buy one. The feature I love the most in my Olympus is live composite. I do so many crazy creative shoots with live comp. Oh, one other thing. The rain. Not sure if Olympus asks you not to use a loaner in the rain, but I have had my Olympus gear out in some crazy weather and they have never failed me. No covers, no hiding it under my coat, snow, sleet, rain and downpours. One other thing, I'm not familiar with that Nikon lens you held up next to it for comparison. But the sliding lens hood ad's a good 2 1/2 inches to the length of the 40-150 so that was a hair misleading. :) Other than that, thanks for the honest positive video. Glad to see someone saying what us Olympus users have known for a long time.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

The body may have great weather sealing but I do not. :) Plus my models did not want to play in the rain with me. Thanks for watching.

[@Impostertot]

Thanks, Steve, for your honest, gut level review and impressions. The camera is weather sealed so you could have continued shooting in the rain. Gotta love the weight factor plus the IBIS. Now cue the incoming “but it is a MFT sensor as opposed to full frame.”

[@michaels8597]

Now cue to the why even bother to mention full frame when the subject is THIS camera???4/3 is not ff and vice versa..

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this camera.

[@davidjamesshaver]

@@michaels8597 "Full frame" is a misleading advertising term. Other than that it's practically senseless. It's better to just simply say 35mm sensor😊

[@michaels8597]

@@davidjamesshaver Whatever..That's your singular OPINION,and the sensor is fully framed.You can call it Mongolian pizza if you want to,and it's still the same science/physics.Let's try to do some reading...>>>>"A full-frame camera uses a sensor that's the same size as a single frame of traditional 35mm film, measuring 36 x 24mm. The more popular APS-C sensor size found in most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras measures 22 x 15mm. This means a full-frame sensor has more than 2.5 times the surface area of an APS-C sensor.Oct 24, 2018"...IF you can read,it clearly states that the 35mm standard was related to FILM....

[@michaels8597]

@@davidjamesshaver Then on top of that,full frame had NOTHING to do with the subject,yet here you are,chirping about it.That means you probably do not use full frame cameras,or otherwise you would not be chirping about the term being 'misleading'.With you,i guess if i use the word'mouse',with my computer gear,that would be misleading too,since it's not alive...hehehehehe....You must be really,really,really bored,to be nitpicking and petty....wow...

[@richardewlliams9864]

I use a Lumix G9 mostly and when I need a higher megapixle I use my Nikon D800. When this went on sell for $1,700 I couldn't pass it up. It's about the same as a G9 with battery grip. The G9 is so much like the Olympus with a little more and a little less than the Olympus. Is one. Better than the other? In some ways yes and no. I wouldn't buy the Olympus at the $3,000 price but I did at the $1,700 price. G9 ONE HELL OF A BODY WITH ALL THE UPDATE FIRMWARE.

[@johnbradshaw5900]

I own one of these and love it. The build quality and handling are in a different class to most cameras. This was an expensive camera but it has a tactile feel that is difficult to match at any price. Although it is a big camera (especially for MFT) it is nicely balanced using either grip. The sensor may be only 20MP but it's a good one, superb colours and unless you want to crop aggressively it's enough. AF is excellent. And there is a wide range of superb lenses which combine great build, excellent optics and compact size. I find the lighter lenses offset the size of the body so that camera + lens is still pretty compact. Especially with telephoto lenses. It's one of those cameras that seems to be loved by users.

[@bamsemh1]

With the 12-100mm which has is in the lens too, they say it can handheld for like 10 seconds. But I'm going for the 12-40mm because of the aperture. 2.8 vs 4.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching. Good lens choice.

[@jessestarks3128]

I don't plan to buy one but it's good to hear some positive commentary for a (refreshing) change.

[@thomasstirr3018]

Hi Steve, There was no reason at all for you not to shoot in that heavy downpour. The IPX-1 weather sealing on the E-M1X will blow your mind. Tom

[@АнатолийРыбка-ф4у]

Fantastic lens 300 f4 with x2.0 and double stabilization 7 stops e-m1x is very good choice for birds

[@mrrcassidy]

It's interesting. When vloggers review MFT pro bodies and lenses, they seem mostly unenthusiastic (especially the grey one). When pro photographers review them, the comments are generally very positive. Olympus make some outstanding lenses. When will people realise that a sharp 20mp RAW is preferable to a soft 36mp file?

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching Richard!

[@FrankNeulichedl]

It's the same positive impressions they give to all cameras they don't use ... "It's great but not for me - I recommend it to everybody else" ... I have Olympus cameras and they are nice - but if you want really sharp and good results you have to spend more money than on other systems.

[@jamespeirce2582]

Frank Neulichedl If you can’t get sharp, stellar results from Olympus pro gear, you are doing something wrong.

[@dannyli9424]

I know it's a 3 year old review, but I just ran into this one today. Funny you mentioned Live ND, with the limitation of fastest shutter speed of 1/2 second ( for ND32, 5 stops)) , I wonder how you shoot anything during the day light hour with 1/2 second of shutter speed, especially with the Native lowest ISO being at ISO 200, and diffraction limit coming in at F8 for MFT, how can you actually use this " feature"? when can you use ISO 200, F8 and 1/2 second shutter speed in bright day light????? I own a EM1X myself, and I found this is the most useless marketing BS among all the " computational Photography" Olympus is putting into the camera. I like the body ergonomic of the Em1X a lot though, shooting next to my old 1DX and new Z9, it feels just as good, but the image quality from tiny sensor really left a lot to be desire.

[@dvbeattie]

Great video thank you very much. I have the EM1 Mark II, which is the baby brother to the EM1X, and even though I have the full frame itch I can’t find a compelling reason to switch over. Did you have a chance to try out live composite, pro capture or Hi-Res mode? Those are fantastic features. These cameras are lots of fun and make photography a joy.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching Cal. I really found the camera a joy to use.

[@TeannCoffee]

Thanks Steve! I've transited from Canon 5D3 to E-M1X with the same pro lenses and have never even considered going back.

[@jay-by1se]

Why would you go inside over rain with a waterproof camera?

[@markhoffman9655]

I dont own it, but did get to play with one and yes it is large - but it is ergonomically better than the smaller E-M1 MkII and balances beautifully in the hand. And it balances out better with larger telephoto lenses - more of which are coming and will be best suited to the M1X.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching Mark. You are right. The ballance is fantastic.

[@maxfactor4209]

Finally I saw someone who actually buy this camera

[@FrankNeulichedl]

Who? This guy got it to try from Olympus - and even with the highest priced and best lenses he will not switch ...

[@marcusnz232]

I switched from Nikon to Olympus and have two EM1X bodies. Best overall system I have ever used. Some drawbacks in lower light but you can work round them. You do know that they are weathersealed and will be fine in the rain?

[@PanopticChopsticks]

The body may have great weather sealing but I do not. :) Plus my models did not want to play in the rain with me. Thanks for watching.

[@moisescugat3948]

YES!! I was going to comment just this. It is typical of people coming from other systems to say "weather is not good, I cannot shoot" and as a Olympus user, I DON'T CARE about the weather AT ALL. (I also keep on hearing from my not Olympus friends: "wait, good spot, let me take my tripod" when they have the tripod set, I already took the photos handheld. For Landscape photographers, I honestly think that Olympus is unbeatable,

[@michaels8597]

First,it's a great camera,and Olympus dont make no junk,period..Those native lenses are legendary,and the IBIS is probably the best..Negative???$3000????????Were you all insane when you set the price?Then for $3000 the viewfinder should be so great,you shoot while doing backflips.The price went down so now they can sell more than 10 EM1X cameras..

[@moisescugat3948]

I wish it was cheaper, but you have two processors there, a cooling system, best sealing in the market, best IBIS in the market, one of the fastest focus and frames per second in burst, usable virtual ND... it is a lot of things and they come with a cost. Said so, I agree... Gosh!! For 2000 it would be great, and if the viewfinder is like my OMD EM1.2, let's be honest, it has really really way to improve. Anyway... it is perfectly functional.

[@williampegram]

Thank you for a very interesting review specially from the perspective and experience of a Nikon professional.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching William!

[@misahorna]

Thanks for Your first impression E-M1X video. I am also long time Nikon D4 (non pro, but occasionally paid) shooter who's thinking about this wonderful Olympus camera lately. I mostly shoot portraits and headshots, too. Your thoughts about it from a Nikon shooter perspective are most valuable and most welcome, just what I was looking for, here on YT. I'm afraid I can't afford the switch right now, but I'm seriously thinking about it.

[@ppetounis]

Hi Steve, I used to be a nikon FF guy until I went to micro 4/3 system with a OMD10ii and GX9 for video. I never go back even if the full frame has some advantages for sure. I love the feeling of Olympus cameras. I would like to ask you if you think the OMD 1 mark ii has simiral image quality of the EMX1? Why you choose to to go to the bigger body instead of OMD mark ii. In 2020 hoping new lenses and bodies will come to the system so the prices of older bodies will drop down. Greetings from Athens (Greece) and happy new year, Peris

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Hi Peris. I have not used the 1 mark ii. I only had a chance to evaluate the emx1 but was VERY impressed with it.

[@kian8382]

I don't shoot m4/3 anymore but it's always nice to see improvements. I remember back when I was shooting the E-PL5, the camera automatically choose to focus on the background a lot of the times, even with a face clearly in the centre portion backed by blank background.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching Kian!

[@KenRane]

I think the reason Olympus did not put an OLED EVF on this camera is that they do not refresh fast enough.(To avoid tearing on video) The EVF fitted has a refresh rate of 120 and I believe OLEDS dont go that fast !

[@39zack]

Ken Rane true

[@keithrjoseph9528]

As an Olympus and Sony user the resolution of the evf is well below average for a camera in this price range. I'll be honest and say it's difficult to see a niche for this system as it's just too large when a MFT's main advantage was their compact shape which made it the ideal travel camera and then there's the 20 megapixel sensor which is starting to show it's age when compared to what's currently available at a much lower price

[@gregm6894]

@@keithrjoseph9528 The main MFT advantage was not their small camera body size, as much as small lens size for the equivalent FF lens weight and price. I have the Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens that is a portrait gem and it weighs a measly 4 OZ.. When mounted to my E-M1X the whole set up is surprisingly light. But even more obvious is the difference between comparable long telephoto lenses of equivalent speed -- compare the Olympus 300mm f/4 to an equivalent FF 600mm f/4 lens for size and price. There is your MFT advantage.

[@DavidCrooksPhotos]

Can you add the lighting kit you use?

[@gregs4163]

You can adjust the color and contrast of the viewfinder, along with the refresh rate.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Good to know. I only had the loaner for a few days so I did not get to dive as deep as I would have liked.

[@albee209able]

I really liked the omd em 10 mark ll, when I tried it. I had an Olympus 35 mm film camera in the 90's that I absolutely loved. Great Review.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching Albert.

[@mikeosinski50]

Nice video, I switched from Sony when the EM1X just came out and loved how it feels in your hand and the weight, I have bad shoulders so big plus. And got the OM EM1 mark 2 for my back up, and since the new firmware 3 update for that its almost a 1X just but missing some of the higher end features like the ND filter since only one processor. But same autofocus and like one stop lower on the stabilization. Menus the same. Love the 40-150mm pro 2.8 and why you run from the rain the thing has the best weather seals 😁

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching Mike!

[@hatimal]

Why did you not test it in rain?

[@frankcutuli9282]

Hatim it is weather sealed just like it’s predecessor the omd em mk 2

[@hatimal]

@@frankcutuli9282 Precisely my point, if it's weather sealed, why run in and out for rain to clear? and that was my implication. Otherwise a great summary.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

The body may have great weather sealing but I do not. :) Plus my models did not want to play in the rain with me. Thanks for watching.

[@fadelalshobaki5728]

is this camera good for landscape!!!

[@PanopticChopsticks]

sure

[@docugraf]

I have tested the Nikon Z6 while owning the E-M1 (1st Edition) and was surprised how bad the Viewfinder in the Z6 is. Especially while shaking the body or turning horizontally the displayed image was awful against my E-M1 where it was smooth (both tested without glasses)

[@Stefan1968ful]

The whole Z system is a piece of shit. Not worth the money.

[@tizio54]

The smoothness of the viewfinder is also the result of the image stabilizer working full time, which is a great help when composing with long telephoto lenses.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching!

[@terrywbreedlove]

The EM1X is $1000 off at BH right now = $1999

[@ecamormex]

Price alert!!! $1999 on Olympus website (US)

[@JoeMaranophotography]

The G9 is 90% of the camera for about a third of the price if not more. That was my choice :)

[@garybrown9719]

I like the g9 menu and is the best feeling in hand Love the Olympus focussing

[@Makta972]

g9 sucks for real CAF shooting. that dfd is crap. the em1 mk2 is a much better camera.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@@Makta972 It's about the same if not better than the EM1 MK2 in most tests and that was before the new firmware.

[@tizio54]

@@JoeMaranophotography CAF while very good and accurate, cannot compete with PDAF for fast action. That's just physics. (I own both the E-M1X and the G9, I've tried it). That said, the G9 at current prices, is probably much better value for money if you don't need the last 10%.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@@tizio54 Yeah I don't need that. Money is far more important to me as a family man haha

[@riotrob]

It’s received a lot of praise, but it’s the most expensive m4/3 camera by far. That’s pretty much what hurt it when it first came out.

[@michaels8597]

exactly..and $3000 for 4/3??NOT..Once the price went down,now it's a deal...

[@Boris-sm9up]

Thanks Steve, actually I have been thinking to switch for few months now, due to the weight of full frame pro lenses and I am considering micro four thirds system, particularly Olympus. There are two main things that people who want to switch have to consider: because the sensor size is harder to get shallow dept of field and second thing is a bit grainier images,when shooting at high ISO over 1600. Based on my style of shooting, primary landscape and some weddings, dept of field is not so critical, but I really love night time photography. Have you tested it at high ISO? I am considering some of their semi-pro models cameras,like M5 Mark3 or maybe EM1 Mark 2.Otherwise, I think micro 4/3 system which Olympus and Panasonic developed is incredible.I love also,that you can shoot Olympus body with Panasonic,Leica lenses as you can have have Panasonic body and shoot with Olympus lenses.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Yes the low light capability is an issue for me. It was not great in low light.

[@MrTaurushill]

I find the 1X is fantastic for me at night, and in low light, but just not for freezing (use a flash) motion. The AF, and handheld HR mode work very well at night, and up to ISO 3200. Cosidering that we are talking about handheld nighttime results, I think the output quality is quite superb!

[@twiniiah399]

With this camera and this pro lens, you don’t have to run inside when it starts to rain. You can take it under the shower and it keeps working.

[@rudolfabelin383]

I thought this camera and lens was weather sealed...... Thanks for your input!

[@PanopticChopsticks]

The camera and lens are, but I am not. :)

[@rudolfabelin383]

@@PanopticChopsticks LOL I kind of figured. Here in south Sweden now, it is rainy, dark and muddy. Nowadays, seldom snow down here. PS I'm a Lumix GH5 shooter.

[@elduderino4983]

Rain should not stop this camera.

[@ha7179]

That camera is actually weather sealed

[@BlaxkNobility]

The quality of Olympus cameras is truly unique but I am afraid it’s time to move on.

[@mediamannaman]

Before you forget this experience, give the Panasonic G9 a try. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on how it compares to the Oly and your Nikon. I’ve never shot the Oly but the G9 should rival its IBIS and focus speed, and it has a top readout window and outstanding viewfinder.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

If we get a chance we will.

[@tizio54]

G9 is a great camera too with better viewfinder and top display, but a major downside is lack of phase-detect autofocus that the E-M1X (and EM-1ii and EM-5iii) has.

[@ajinkyathorat7502]

@@tizio54 Af is garbage on M43.

[@keithreeder]

*"TOTALLY WRONG - Olympus OM-D E-M1X- Gut-level review"* Just trying to figure out if a more clickbait video title would actually be possible... Nope.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching Jan. The title simply states how I feel. I was totally wrong about olympus. I really enjoyed the camera.

[@DracoPL]

@@PanopticChopsticks title suggest this camera i totaly wrong...

[@torstenlange2418]

Come on, today thats more or less normal. Otherwise, nobody recognize you. Read the titles of the BIG photo channels... Those really suck. That's why I don't watch them anymore - especially Tony Northrop or big hair Polin. And actually, I didn't found it was much click bait here.

[@garybrown9719]

3 days dang 3 days to make the settings

[@MrTaurushill]

Hmm, can you guess what my 'gut level' appraisal of this video is? (answer: I won't say more, out of some seasonal, 'politeness'...)

[@MrTaurushill]

Above comment referred to the Title, btw. Good video, otherwise.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

Thanks for watching Jan. The title simply states how I feel. I was totally wrong about olympus. I really enjoyed the camera.

[@patriqcnewman275]

Look like pro that’s all

[@GarethJefferson]

>>> NIK-ON Yep, it’s that easy to sound like you were born in Tokyo. Please learn how to pronounce “Nikon”. “Sony” does not rhyme with pony!. It rhymes with Bonny.

[@PT-re2gi]

Overpriced and too big for m4/3rd. Has some nice tech but there are better systems for its intended application. I would choose one of their smaller and cheaper cameras for m4/3.

[@PanopticChopsticks]

But felt so good in the hand.

[@PT-re2gi]

@@PanopticChopsticks It did look like it fit you like a glove. I have just been very happy with the size and grip on the Omd-em series.