Lukabulla

HI Everyone.
Last summer I got a used OMD EM1 mk1 .
with Zuiko 14-150 4.5 -5.6 ..
extremely disappointing with this camera .
Menu is very confusing .
Low light auto focus is rubbish
Battery Life ( even with new battery ) is about 60 shots .
Yet this camera had extremely good reviews ( and still has )

Was thinking of getting another mft camera maybe the OMD EM1 later versions are better ?
Or do I forget MFT and stick to proper DSLR ?

I use also a D300s which is marvelous and was thinking of getting a D7200 as well as I have nikon lenses.
I did like the OMD for it's compact size etc which is why I got it .

So question is are the newer MFT cameras better ?
Or should I stick to tried and tested Nikon DSlR

My photo interests are Street Life / Protests , demonstrations / Night club shots ( so low light capability is important )

Cheers

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Love mine but low-light? Not the very best for low-light photography. Of course, your 4.5-5.6 isn't that well suited for low light either. My Pano 2.8 at the appropriate ISO works pretty well and any issues can be fixed in PP. As for the battery in my camera model, I can use it most of the day depending on how many photos I take, well into the hundreds, but I always carry a spare(s) no matter what camera system I have. As for menu's, any new system will have a learning curve....Cheers, good luck.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

The mere fact that you use the term “proper DSLR” tells me you will never be happy with a MFT set up. Perhaps a tried and tested D780 or Z6II would better fit your needs.

banjoboy Loc: Austin, TX

The MkII and MkIII versions of the E-M1 are significantly better. I’d suggest faster glass also, but only you can decide if the system will work for you.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

I have had a EM-1 mark 1 for years and NOTHING improper about it. WHY are you doing low light with such a slow lens ? Camera is not your problem, lens selection is. Get a fast nifty fifty and your shutter speed will improve as well as your keepers... Oly 50mm is a great underrated lens. I don't understand your battery OR menu problems... I can shoot all day on a battery and if you go into the menu with a CLEAR mind it makes a lot of sense.

ELNikkor

What a quandary! Want low light capability in something light and affordable...First thing I noticed when I went from DX to FX was the huge "reach" into the dark that I got from my D750, that my D5100 couldn't do. Possibly a D750 with a fast 28mm prime would be good for your nightclub shots. It also has a built-in flash, which are rare on other FX cameras. If the flash is restricted to -2 f-stops, it complements the ambient light as a natural-looking fill.

Robert1 Loc: Davie, FL

Also, why don't you try to get your hands on a Nikon Zf. Compact, light, it has the feeling of a SLR. An excellent mirror less camera in low light.

bikerguy

Having transitioned from the Canon DSLR environment I have the EM-1 Mk II and the OM-1. While it is perfect for me. Based upon the words you chose to describe the camera, I doubt that you will ever be happy with it. Go get a extremely heave Nikon D850 and a super fast 50 mm lens, lug it around all day and be done with it.
All systems have trade offs, you want a "marvelous" antiquated technology camera so get it and be happy.
As far as battery life perhaps you purchased a terrible third party battery. My EM-1 battery life is generally in the 400 shot range and my OM-1 well beyond that.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

The latest OM camera stepped up the AF and you will find it responsive.
Perhaps rent it for a week and personally decide.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

You can get an excellent used Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm (24mm equiv) F/2 Lens for under $400

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Proper camera??

Just a different format.

Robert1 Loc: Davie, FL

Nikon Z fc. Somehow, the "c" was cut off while typing.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Sorry, My mind auto thinks in FF FOV terms... Mention of Oly 50 is actually the Olympus 25mm 1.8

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I'm using Panasonic MFT gear for 10 years. It started because I could get a long lens that was small and light enough to be mobile. I've never had a DSLR because my experience with film SLRs drew me to the conclusion that I needed the smaller, lighter gear, including tripods.

Lower light situations have been a challenge. A gradual but huge change is denoise software. I can now shoot at ISOs that I used to think were silly! The initial image may be noisy, but it can all go away with proper post processing.

Hip Coyote

The camera is a decade old. The lens is quite slow. The lens is also not that sharp...I have one and it is ok, but not great. When you get into the mft world, you have to figure that low light shooting is not going to be great. And when you add to that a decade old camera, it is even worse. I am a mft user...but if shooting photos of moving objects in low light were my goal, I'd find another system. If my grandkids get into indoor sports or something, you can bet I would be looking for another system to up my indoor game.

But with more modern mft, such as the Oly OMD em1 mark iii or newer, hand held ibis is exceptional. If you are shooting static images in low light, you can reduce your ss to a second and use a very low iso. Its weird at first to hand hold that long, but once you do it and see that it works, it is a neat feature to use. If you use faster lenses, that helps as well. Because of this and the lighter weight, the mft is a perfect travel system for those who want changeable lenses.

The other thing to consider is that AI can help you a bit...such as the various products from Topaz. If necessary, you can up the ISO, get a grainy pic and reduce the grain later in post.

So, you need to figure out why you want mft in the first place, learn to use it and its features, and live with its limitations. But, using the older Oly is making that transition more difficult.

Battery management is also a bit challenging with all mirrorless cameras. I have my camera set so that it the rear screen is never on unless I pompt it to go on and the viewfinder comes to life when my eye goes to it. My camera goes to sleep after about 10 mins or so. I see a developing situation I want to shoot, I bring my baby back to life and start shooting. I also swap batteries during down times so I am not caught with a dead battery.

Its a trade off.