burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

They’re great.

But do yourself a favor, and rent to try, before you buy. Also consider the direct competitor of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 MK 2, the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9. Both use the same >100 lenses. Both use the same Sony 20MP sensor. However, they have entirely different menu structures and ergonomics, and slightly different features. You may prefer one or the other, strongly!

https://naturalexposures.com/panasonics-lumix-g9/

John from gpwmi Loc: Michigan

Switched from Canon 5Ti, to Olympus M10,III for a couple of years, which got me used to the Olympus menu system. Earlier this year I purchased the M1,II and really like it. Has so many features and custom settings. I recommend one of the books that explain it in detail. I used "Mastering the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II" by Darrell Young. Even the book looks intimidating but it isn't. First it explains the physical controls and the menu system. It then has a step by step section for everything the camera can do, showing every menu screen. This last part is used as a reference, if you want to use an advance feature. You will want to download the firmware update: Version 3.0. It gives you several of the features from the M1X, including faster and more accurate focusing. Olympus cameras are known for their build quality. It is built like a brick. Many reviews of the camera and some of the lenses: dpreview.com, on-line videos and of course b&h photo has many customer reviews. Don't be put-off by the complexity. It's because it can do so many things. Once you get the hang of it, that becomes part of the fun of using it and some features you will never use. All cameras have tradeoffs, but if you've researched the M1,II and other cameras and understand why you're attracted to the M1,II, it won't disappoint. I think you can see that from all the responses.

jburlinson Loc: Austin, TX

You might want to hold off a week or two and check out the new OMD EM-5 mark iii, which is rumored for release Oct. 17. It'll likely have a lot of the same features as the OMD EM-1 ii, such as: similar, if not identical, 20.4MP sensor to that of the E-M1 Mark II and E-M1X; the same 18fps with AF/AE tracking as the E-M1 II; phase detect autofocus system; the same 50 megapixel high-resolution shot mode. Also, weather sealing, excellent IBIS and at least 4K/30p recording. Probably only one card slot, though.

These are all "rumored" -- so the proof will be in the pudding. But the price tag will likely be some $400 cheaper than the OMD EM-1ii.

I love the EM5 series and still use the original as my main go-to. This is due to the size -- smaller than the EM1's, to the point where, with the IBIS, I can take super sharp one-hand-held shots.

papaluv4gd Loc: durham,ct

What can I say that hasn't already been said. I have 2 EM-1.1 plus 2 EM5.1 cameras. Love them. I tryed the mII body and was pretty awed by the capabilities. The only thing keeping me,(for a while anyway), is the price ,and the flip out screen. I actualy like the older style flip down screen better. But I love these cameras. I have taken night shots of steam trains along with my pals using their Nikon d750's. After the shoot, we did some comparing of shots just to see what our perspectives were. Both of my friends were duly imprest with what I was able to do with the olympuses. Just do it,you will not regret it. I'm probably going to make the jump to the M II body. As far as the menues are concerned, I found friends Canon super sized DSLR to have a pretty complicated menue also. Olympuses pack some real cool features into these little gems. Things that Canikon cameras can't even touch. Buy it, good luck, and have fun.

danieljcox Loc: Bozeman, Montana

Thanks for the link burkphoto. Im currently shooting both the LUMIX G9 and the Olympus EM-1X. I have two G9’s and one Olympus. I’ve added the Olympus to my gear bag for one reason and that’s it’s Auto Focus capabilities for birds in flight. Other than that I’m still a major fan of LUMIX cameras. Mainly due to their superior ergonomics, the high quality electronic viewfinder, excellent build and weather proofing, DualIS, pre High Speed Burst and exceptional video. The beauty of the two systems is I can mix and match all my LUMIX lenses with Olympus and vise versa.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I have the E-M1mkII also. It is a pro end camera and is quite capable of birds in flight (BIF). If action shots and BIF are what you would like to shoot, I would also suggest getting the EE-1 viewsight. If your shooting is mainly sports, BIF, and action shots, then I would suggest looking at the top pro camera, the E-M1X along with the EE-1 viewsight. There is also the intermediate E-M5mkII and very soon to be released upper intermediate E-M5mkIII. And as Bill at Burkphoto has mentioned, the Panasonic line can be looked at too, especially if video is a staple of your photographic work. Olympus just released a firmware update of the century for video for the E-M1mkII, but I believe Panasonic is still in the lead for video. And the soon to be released E-M5mkIII will have better video than the older E-M5mkII.

Where the E-M1mrII excels is size, weight, and cost along with "bang for the buck" features not found on larger sensor DSLRs. Pro capture is amazing. Most DSLR users consider it "cheating", but I say anything that helps you capture the peak moment is fair game. And althought there are some limitations to High Resolution Mode, it is amazing to produce a real 80mp RAW image from a 20mp camera without extrapolation. And now it can be done either with a tripod or handheld (no tripod necessarily needed).

But the E-M1mrII is not for everybody; it will not meet everyone's needs. If you need prints larger than 30X40 all the time, take pictures of black cats in coal bins at midnight on a moonless night, or need the most absolute narrowest depth of field, then the E-M1mkII may not be what you need. But there are a bunch of us, some with Pulitzer Prizes and other accolades, that shoot, or have switched to, 4/3rds for their every day work and travel photography.

If you do decide to get any of the above mentioned Olympus cameras, start with the simple menu first, the Super Control Panel, and then work on the much harder to learn scroll menu. Both can be learned and will become second nature, but learning the Super Control Panel first allows fast and easy access to the most used controls and helps prevent frustration brought on by the control freak's more detailed scroll menu. The are no cameras that offer more control over a scene than the E-M1mkII or the E-M1X. And supposedly Sony has the only scroll control menu harder to learn that the Olympus (and photographers love their Sonys inspite of the menu).

My suggestion for a starter set would be the E-M1mkII with the 12-100 f4 Pro IS lens. It is weatherproof so you can shoot all day in the rain or snow and need no other protection. One can pretty much travel anywhere with that body, lens, extra battery, flash, and a polarizer and not need anything else. Then you can take your time deciding which Olympus or Panasonic lenses you want to add on. Or even add a Panasonic body to your system of Olympus body and Olympus and Panasonic lenses. It is all good.

Rockyw

Well, I after hearing all the glowing reviews about the EM 1 MK 2 I decided to get one, arrives in a couple of days. Got the Olympus 12 to 100 F4 pro lens, and a Panasonic 100 to 300 for longer range subjects.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Once you learn how to use them, I think you will be covering about 95% to 98% of the shots you want. Just a reminder: 1) learn to master the Super Control Panel first and then the scroll menu for less learning frustrations 2) Remember that the OIS of the Panasonic lens will not sync with IBIS of the Olympus. All basic lens function will work along with the Olympus IBIS though. Personally, I think you are going to have a lot of fun, along with some great photos, with your new setup.

Rockyw

Reasonably happy with my Olympus EM 1 MK 2 until yesterday. Trying to do a live comp photo, with my 12 to 100 mm Olympus F4 pro lens, but cant get it to work. Selected camera to manual, wound down to live comp, exposure compensation was flashing at plus 3 during daylight attempt, and couldn't get it to change and stop flashing. Took the first shot, and then hit the shutter again, and a hugely over exposed image was the result. Also no sign of the image showing up on the LCD panel as it was doing the shots. Tried outside at night to do a star trail, and Exposure was flashing at minus 2.7 Got no image at all with that, just blackness, and still nothing showed on the rear LCD.

Is the 12 to 100 mm lens not suitable for this type of photography ?

Am I doing it wrong, and if so what am I doing wrong ?

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Live comp should be more like a bulb setting on a film camera. I am not sure what the limits are under manual mode for star trails. I would think a manual setting of f4, a shutter of 25 or 30 seconds, and ISO of 1600 or 3200 should yield some sort of image of stars. You might want to pose your question to this site's astrophotography group. I have only explored moon shots as of now. But there are plenty of star trail shots that I have seen done on an assortment of Olympus cameras. Also, the Olympus website has tutorials for shooting star trails along with the required settings. Let us know what you find.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Try this Olympus photographer's site.
https://www.creativeislandphoto.com/blog/olympus-live-composites-star-trails