The OM-D series from Olympus is one of the most recognized in the photographic world, and there are plenty of reasons for that. From its excellent image and video quality to its solid construction, these semi-pro cameras rank among the best, and one particularly attractive model is the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. Superb autofocus, five-axis stabilization, a weather-sealed body, and 60 fps burst for the most extreme situations define this mirrorless camera.
The mirrorless space calls us back, and at the same time reminds us that there are very interesting offers there as well. Even if our budget ranges between 1,000 and 2,000 euros, that doesn't mean we should stop being efficient. Competition is fierce in this space, and it's not too hard to find high-level examples like the Fujifilm X-H1, the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 and its impeccable video, or the Fujifilm X-T3.
Beyond the (almost) three years it has under its belt and some natural limitations of the Micro Four Thirds format, the truth is that the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II can climb into the ring and fight several rounds with all of them. The manufacturer did a remarkable job with that update, improving the central aspects of the previous model without giving ground in terms of manual controls and build quality.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: High Speed Without Losing Focus
Launched in December 2016, the Olympus E-M1 Mark II features a 20.4-megapixel CMOS sensor and is paired with the TruePic VIII image processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 200 to 25,600 with a downward boost to 64, while shutter speed goes from 1/8000 to 60 seconds, or 1/32000 with the electronic system. Its 3-inch touchscreen LCD has a resolution of 1.037 million dots and is fully articulated (90 and 270 degrees). The viewfinder doesn't lag behind, with 2.36 million dots and 100 percent coverage.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II conveys quality from the first moment you hold it. The body is based on an aluminum-magnesium alloy, and its factory sealing against moisture and dust helps protect it against the whims of the weather. Technically it's not a "small" camera, but its overall form is very comfortable, and you won't have major problems shooting with your right hand.
The autofocus system on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II is one of the strongest elements of the entire setup, if not "the" strongest. It uses a total of 121 phase-detection points, with five different levels for continuous autofocus mode. Olympus recommends starting your sessions with a neutral value, but if the subject is too erratic or you want to assign higher priority, you can make the autofocus work more loosely or strictly. Also, don't forget the firmware updates (the latest build 3.0 is from last week!), which include several autofocus optimizations.
That brings us to the burst. If you decide to keep continuous autofocus active, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II achieves 18 fps, but you have the option to turn it into a true machine gun at 60 fps. The final numbers depend both on shooting modes and the memory card used (two slots available, but only one is UHS-II). However, I'm convinced you'll be able to capture just about anything, from animals and kids to sports.
The interface of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II is a true explosion of controls. Three dials on top, dedicated buttons for autofocus mode and HDR, a programmable Fn2 button, another Fn1 button ideal for the right thumb... and the story repeats on the back. While the mode dial has an automatic function, the camera begs you to explore its manual capabilities. In total, the mode dial has ten entries: Intelligent Auto "iAuto", Programmed Auto "P", Aperture Priority "A", Shutter Priority "S", Manual "M", three user entries "C1-C2-C3", Art Filters "ART" (15 options available), and Video Mode. The customization levels are impressive, and for that reason I suggest spending a few minutes on the 200 pages of the official manual
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II was the first of its brand to incorporate 4K video support, and after all this time we can say it stays on par with its direct rivals. Its 4Kp24 in DCI format (4096 x 2160) reaches 237 megabits per second, and to be honest, I think it's the only mode to prioritize. Its 1080p with high bitrate isn't bad, but it doesn't have a much superior quality profile. Some colleagues recommend covering any 1080p need by downsampling from 4K, unless 1080p60 (52 Mbps) is a mandatory condition.
As for connectivity, there isn't much to say. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II has built-in Wi-Fi, but you won't find Bluetooth or NFC. On the other hand, it's worth highlighting the removal of micro and mini USB ports in favor of a USB Type-C port.
Accessories for Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
The current situation of this mirrorless in the market is quite curious. I've noticed that some sellers offer just the body new without battery for 1,200 euros, while a complete kit, which includes a very interesting M.Zuiko 12-40, crosses the 2,000 euro barrier. In other words, it's possible to apply different combinations to optimize our budget, and why not, add these accessories.
Tripods and Supports
Official specifications indicate that the total weight of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II with battery and memory card reaches 572 grams. Quite heavy for a mirrorless, but far from becoming uncomfortable. Still, it's not a bad idea to get a tripod for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, and the first in our list is the classic Gloxy GX-T6662A, with a maximum load of 10 kilograms, a very light design made of aluminum alloy, and non-slip rubber feet. Our second choice is the Clampod Takeway T2, much more compact, but no less robust. Quite the opposite: this second edition retains the original resistance and improves its support points in tripod mode.
Bags and Backpacks
The weather sealing of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II is welcome from every point of view, but it would be a serious mistake to neglect its protection during transport. That brings us to the Gloxy Pro AW backpack, with three different sizes, padded and customizable interior, a tripod support, and an external waterproof cover. Now, if you prefer something more "official", then there's no chance of error with the Olympus CBG-8 bag. It protects, is spacious, and goes unnoticed, an important detail for many users.
Flashes
As we can see in the images, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II doesn't come with a flash, but it offers a hot shoe instead. The question here reduces to what strategy to follow. Something compact for casual use, or a more "semi-pro" flash like the camera? Let's follow both paths: The Meike MK-320 weighs 150 grams, delivers a guide number of 32 at ISO 100, and costs only 75 euros. In the other lane, the Olympus FL-600R reaches a guide number of 50 at ISO 200, and also works as an LED light for video. It costs five times more, but it will work well with your E-M1 Mark II.
Memory Cards
Better to have more and not run out. Storage space is vital in a camera that records 4K video with such high bitrate, but it must also be fast in all its operations. For that reason, our card recommendation is limited to the Transcend SDXC 128GB with 60 megabytes per second write speed, and the SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC 256GB with a V30 rating that guarantees a floor of 30 MB/s when saving video. The product codes for these cards are "IM712518125,IM713363808".
Lenses
If you decide to purchase only the body of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, you'll need a good lens to go with it. I think the most logical thing is to incorporate a versatile lens that adapts to multiple scenarios with a single movement, and to the mirrorless's manual profile. The Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III checks both boxes at once. From wide angle to telephoto, this little cannon from Tamron won't let you down.
Checkered flag... for now. I'm convinced that the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II will be a great companion for you, especially if you want to photograph some action scenes, and its 4K DCI deserves all your attention. Look for the best price, and with a couple of accessories, you'll be ready. Good luck!
