Excellent review of the OM-1 camera for underwater photography and videography:
This is one of the best, perhaps the only, review of the OM-1 for u/w photography/video I have read so far.
The review conclusion is very favorable for the OM-1 for u/w photography use with several very strong capabilities for the job competing against the big names/models in the full frame category. The feedback for the video capabilities isn't so positive for this camera. Their conclusion is that the OM-1 isn't for the serious video diver (but we know that already) mainly because of the u/w white balancing issue.
One of the most important pieces of information in the review that I didn't know nor expect was this bit:
There are plenty of uses for a higher sync speed. Freezing more ambient light to prevent motion blur of fast-moving subjects, darker backgrounds for macro while using a wider aperture, or getting more light from your strobes by increasing ISO and shutter speed for wide angle while maintaining a darker background. It’s the biggest surprise this camera has and it's pretty huge in terms of flash capability. The Sony a1 is the only other flash to sync at 1/400 and this is 1/3 stop better than that. I can’t emphasize how awesome this is.
Since this is not an official spec, please don’t rely on this as gospel. There could be tolerances with different cameras, but we saw the same 1/500 sync capability with 3 different camera bodies. Your mileage may vary.
The hacked 1/500 sync speed is the sleeper underneath the hood that makes a big difference in controlling ambient light. No other camera can do this right now, and for me, is the biggest game-changer."
The "bad" points, only two of them, are:
"The 2 weak spots are the lackluster white balance capabilities and the inability to see the foreground in sunball shots."
Overall Evalution:
"The OM Systems OM-1 is the best 4/3 camera that a photo shooter can have right now. Speed of shooting is excellent combined with the speed and accuracy of tracking autofocus rivaling cameras that are 3 times the price.
Regarding the 20MP resolution and remember that this is a smaller sensor camera, it will not be able to match the image quality of larger full-frame cameras. That being said image quality is at the top of the list for anything less than full-frame, and those full-frame cameras come at a much higher price and size premium. I found the images coming from this camera to show excellent image quality and if this was my only camera, I would definitely be satisfied with it.
Pros
Con
Olympus OM-1 Underwater Camera Review By: Jim Decker | Backscatter
This is one of the best, perhaps the only, review of the OM-1 for u/w photography/video I have read so far.
The review conclusion is very favorable for the OM-1 for u/w photography use with several very strong capabilities for the job competing against the big names/models in the full frame category. The feedback for the video capabilities isn't so positive for this camera. Their conclusion is that the OM-1 isn't for the serious video diver (but we know that already) mainly because of the u/w white balancing issue.
One of the most important pieces of information in the review that I didn't know nor expect was this bit:
"Flash Sync Speed Spec'd at 1/250 But I Got It To 1/500
The camera lists the spec of the flash sync speed at 1/250. However, when using a manual flash trigger with only ground and fire connections, the camera has no idea a flash is connected and will allow the shutter speed to go higher than the max sync speed of the camera. I was able to shoot at 1/500 with no sign of the shutter in the image. The shutter did creep in at 1/640.There are plenty of uses for a higher sync speed. Freezing more ambient light to prevent motion blur of fast-moving subjects, darker backgrounds for macro while using a wider aperture, or getting more light from your strobes by increasing ISO and shutter speed for wide angle while maintaining a darker background. It’s the biggest surprise this camera has and it's pretty huge in terms of flash capability. The Sony a1 is the only other flash to sync at 1/400 and this is 1/3 stop better than that. I can’t emphasize how awesome this is.
Since this is not an official spec, please don’t rely on this as gospel. There could be tolerances with different cameras, but we saw the same 1/500 sync capability with 3 different camera bodies. Your mileage may vary.
The hacked 1/500 sync speed is the sleeper underneath the hood that makes a big difference in controlling ambient light. No other camera can do this right now, and for me, is the biggest game-changer."
The "bad" points, only two of them, are:
"The 2 weak spots are the lackluster white balance capabilities and the inability to see the foreground in sunball shots."
Overall Evalution:
"The OM Systems OM-1 is the best 4/3 camera that a photo shooter can have right now. Speed of shooting is excellent combined with the speed and accuracy of tracking autofocus rivaling cameras that are 3 times the price.
Regarding the 20MP resolution and remember that this is a smaller sensor camera, it will not be able to match the image quality of larger full-frame cameras. That being said image quality is at the top of the list for anything less than full-frame, and those full-frame cameras come at a much higher price and size premium. I found the images coming from this camera to show excellent image quality and if this was my only camera, I would definitely be satisfied with it.
Pros
- Best Micro Four Thirds photo camera to date
- Lightweight and small travel size due to smaller lens mount system
- Great for birding and safaris too due to the smaller lightweight lens system
- Excellent image quality for anything less than full-frame
- Autofocus subject tracking that rivals cameras 3 times the price
- Newly organized and improved menu structure
- Smooth image stabilization of 7 stops in body, 8 with a compatible lens
Con
- Won’t execute a custom white balance worth anything in ambient light conditions
- Can’t see the foreground in a backlit sunball shot"
Olympus OM-1 Underwater Camera Review By: Jim Decker | Backscatter
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