OMD-E1 Mk III vs II: I am considering purchasing one of these cameras. Both are currently on sale. Any specific comments on the relative merits of each camera would be appreciated. For...

fetzler Loc: North West PA

I am considering purchasing one of these cameras. Both are currently on sale.

Any specific comments on the relative merits of each camera would be appreciated.

For both cameras the remote release cable has a 2.5mm pin connector. I believe the connector is the same as the Cannon RS-60 E3 remote release. Am I correct?

John from gpwmi Loc: Michigan

Well it's been a while since I looked at that so recall only a couple of items added to the Mark III.
1. Ability to take handheld either 50 or 80 Mega Pixel photos. They utilize the natural hand movement of the photographer to take a set of photos to combine. Also, anything in the photo that moves and causes a blur like a breeze impact on leaves will not be high definition to eliminate the blur. The Mark II must be on a tripod and uses sensor shifts and the blur problem isn't handled.
2. Ability to sharply auto-focus on stars. A great assist for astro-photography.
There may be others. You could check reviews of the MarkIII or call Olympus. Not sure if the B&H web-site has that detail.

srodday Loc: Mass

I have both and use them for birding with dedicated lens attached. Features are very similar. The m3 has a joystick which makes it easier to move the selection point and better autofocus. The m3 has held held hi-res mode and astronomy mode.

For me, mostly bird photography. I use both interchangeably and I haven’t noticed a huge difference in real life. Buy a used one and get good glass.

I am thinking of getting the M1X soon for the bird autofocus.

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

If you are thinking about the EM1 Mk III, consider the EM1X, particularly if it’s still available for sale for just under $2000. If you are not going to equip either of those bodies with Olympus Pro lenses, I would go with the EM1 Mk II and spend the savings on better glass.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Peteso wrote:

If you are thinking about the EM1 Mk III, consider the EM1X, particularly if it’s still available for sale for just under $2000. If you are not going to equip either of those bodies with Olympus Pro lenses, I would go with the EM1 Mk II and spend the savings on better glass.

I was between the MkIII and the M1X and despite the size difference, (the M1X is HUGE for a M4/3 body), the addition of bird tracking and the big price cut sealed the deal. I believe the $1000 price cut is good until 4/4. The MkIII is also on sale. I think it’s $300 or $400 off.
I was gonna go out and shoot today but I’m waiting on FedEx with the used 40-150 Pro lens.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I recently upgraded from an EMD Mk2 to a Mk3 and have no regrets. The added features were worth it to me: the hand held high res feature works very well, the starry sky feature is a huge improvement over trying to manually focus on stars (!), the simulated ND filter is a handy thing. The IBIS is improved (I can handhold at slower shutter speeds than with the Mk2), and though I haven’t read about it as a feature, the continuous focus definitely works better. It’s the same (old) sensor, but some tweaks have made it a little better, too. Form factor is about the same. I like having a dedicated ISO button and a spot on the dial for Bulb/Live Time, one of Oly’s most helpful features but one we used to have to deep dive the menu for. Oddly there is no Auto setting on the dial, if you like an Auto setting you’d have to create your own in a Save slot on the dial or use P as a kind of substitute; I don’t think I’ve ever owned a camera that could not be set on Automatic. I seldom use that setting so I don’t miss it.

idahoshooter Loc: Coeur d'Alene

It would help to know what kind of photography you do. If its about birds, especially BIF, I would consider the EM1X, but its big. But if you are using a super-tele its less of an issue.

I rented the E-M1 II: great camera, but not enough high-end features for me to purchase. I waited for the Mark III.

On Canon cameras I used back-button focus to set focus, then would set and move for composition. Because of the image stabilization on the Olympus cameras (and other mirrorless), I keep AF on with half-depress of the shutter button. Thus, I found the joystick to move the focal point on the MarkIII a must.

Also I think the "My MENU" feature which is nice for customizing is only on the EM1 Mark III and the EM1X.

For landscapes, I use the Hand-held high res frequently. I also like the Live ND mode, but I believe that feature became available in the EM1 Mark II.

rcarol

fetzler wrote:

I am considering purchasing one of these cameras. Both are currently on sale.

Any specific comments on the relative merits of each camera would be appreciated.

For both cameras the remote release cable has a 2.5mm pin connector. I believe the connector is the same as the Cannon RS-60 E3 remote release. Am I correct?

I have been contemplating purchasing the OMD EM1 MK III as well. The main reason I'm looking at the MK III rather than the MK II is the handheld high resolution feature of the MK III>

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Because some asked. I do quite a bit of macro, close up, nature and landscape photography. I have done some night photography. I also do some restoration of old photos. Some portraits and travel photography are mixed in too.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

idahoshooter wrote:

It would help to know what kind of photography you... (show quote)

Thanks some good thoughts here.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

fetzler wrote:

I am considering purchasing one of these cameras. Both are currently on sale.

Any specific comments on the relative merits of each camera would be appreciated.

For both cameras the remote release cable has a 2.5mm pin connector. I believe the connector is the same as the Cannon RS-60 E3 remote release. Am I correct?

The handheld high res shooting is available with the mkIII but not the mkII. There are other slight improvements with the mkIII over the mkII. If you can afford the mkIII, it probably is worthwhile spending the extra money for the mkIII.

I only have the Olympus remote. But when I was buying it, it was indicated that the Canon remote release would work too.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

fetzler wrote:

I am considering purchasing one of these cameras. Both are currently on sale.

Any specific comments on the relative merits of each camera would be appreciated.

For both cameras the remote release cable has a 2.5mm pin connector. I believe the connector is the same as the Cannon RS-60 E3 remote release. Am I correct?

The Mark III has many notable advancements over the Mark II. I'd get the III if money were no issue.

Otherwise, I'd get the Panasonic Lumix G9 instead of an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. That's because I have all Panasonic Micro 4/3 lenses.

Watch this review from DPReview.com: https://youtu.be/TB71SN-r25k

Before I'd plug a Canon remote into an Olympus, I'd want to be sure that the digital signals are identical! You're not necessarily looking at "just a push-button switch."

fetzler Loc: North West PA

burkphoto wrote:

The Mark III has many notable advancements over th... (show quote)

Thanks for the info. Attached is a link to wiring diagrams that I found on the internet. I just want confirmation.

https://www.doc-diy.net/photo/remote_pinout/#olympus

Seems like Olympus, Cannon, Pentax and to a lesser extent Nikon have the right idea - keep it simple. Lumix cameras are not great in this regard. This function is important remote control devices.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

fetzler wrote:

Thanks for the info. Attached is a link to wiring diagrams that I found on the internet. I just want confirmation.

https://www.doc-diy.net/photo/remote_pinout/#olympus

Seems like Olympus, Cannon, Pentax and to a lesser extent Nikon have the right idea - keep it simple. Lumix cameras are not great in this regard. This function is important remote control devices.

The best Lumix remote is an iPhone or Android device and an app... The wired remote is very hard to find. I use my phone to control the camera when digitizing film with a macro lens.

ponchod5

Have both. I like the starry sky, live ND features and hand held high res mode of the Mark 3. However, the Mark II is still a very capable and feature packed camera. Sigma f1.4 trio is every bit as good as the Oly f1.2 Pro lineup without breaking the bank.