r/OlympusCamera • • Dec 14 '25

Gear Review Camera so good I bought 2 of them

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280 Upvotes

I have been a Nikon and Fujifilm shooter for years. I used to have Nikon DSLRs, and switched to a Fujifilm X-T1 years ago because the smaller size and weight appealed to me. I quickly upgraded to an X-T2, then added an X-H1 and at this point the cameras were pretty large, my lenses were too and the autofocus accuracy when adapting my Nikon F mount lenses with a smart adapter wasn't great. So I switched to a Nikon Z6, which wasn't larger and "fixed" everythinhg, but then I also realized I was still lugging around full frame lenses and though my camera was substantially smaller and lighter than my old D700, the lenses were just as big and heavy.

In parallel, I bought into micro four thirds as a little fun side system I would use for travel and casual occasions with an E-M5 mark II. The lack of good C-AF pushed me to splurge on a better performing body in June of this year, and since I'm a bit stingy and didn't want to spend 650 bucks on an E-M5 mark III, I dropped 400 on a slightly larger E-M1 mark II.

After using it for a couple of weeks, the realization came : this camera does everything I want a camera to do. Sure, low light isn't as good as my modern full frame body. But I shot concerts in nearly pitch black conditions and the E-M1.2 handled fine, I was even able to give the pictures to the artists that played that night and they reshared those pics on their social media happily. I, as a camera enthusiast and technical nerd wasn't really able to find many cracks in the low light performance of that camera, and I'm pretty sure that non-photogs wouldn't even think twice about the amount of noise or slightly blown out highlights. Similarly, every fast paced action stuff was just as easy to capture on my E-M1.2 as it was on my Z6, with an AF system that is comparable in performance, Pre-Capture, 18fps bursts and a rolling shutter effect when using electronic shutter that is manageable to the point that I don't hesitate to shoot action with it if I need the faster burst (thing I would never do with the slow-ass sensor in my Z6).

For my landscape work, at first I was doubtful : the sensor has less DR, and a lower resolution. Then I realized I do most of it on a tripod when I really need good resolution anyway, and at this point why not use the Pixel Shift mode? The DR increase you get is more than making up for the smaller sensor, which I don't have to close down nearly as much for good sharpness and DoF, and the 80MP files don't hurt either. Overall, it's a better landscape camera tool than the Z6 was, which is very high praise coming from me because the sensor in the Z6 is incredible.

On the video front as well : autofocus is great, 4K quality shooting DCI-4K in 8bit with the OM-Log400 profile is absolutely great and I have completed several projects with it without a hitch. The camera doesn't really overheat, the IBIS is exemplary, the audio pre-amps are better in every way then those on my Z6 too.

And then there's the lenses. They simply are awesome : sharp, small, lightweight for the reach they provide, and they are affordable. I wasn't sad in the slightest trading my Sigma 100-400 full frame lens for an Olympus 75-300mm lens to shoot airshows with. The prime lenses are also exemplary in the value they provide, I'm particularly fond of the Lumix 20mm f/1.7, Oly 45mm f/1.8 and especially the Oly 75mm f/1.8, this lens is a beast.

After a couple months using the E-M1 mark II, I came to the realization that that camera is as good or better than my Z6 in pretty much every area. At no point was I using that camera and thought "man, I wish I had the Z6 right about now". On top of that, I could share the lenses with smaller camera like my Lumix GF7, or turn the E-M1.2 into a really small package by using a small pancake lens on it (paired with the Lumix 14mm f/2.5 it's a silly looking camera, but very effective for street photography and sticking the camera into minuscule bags). I can't do that on Nikon Z.

I took the decision to sell the Nikon Z6 early next year (right now it's going for a long time loan to a friend of mine that wants to test out full frame), and as such need another camera with good AF and good 4K video as backup / second body for events. I initially thought about getting an E-M1 mark III with the money, since it goes for about as much money as I would get by selling the Z6, and it has some nice little improvements over the mark II. But prices are not coming down, and MPB listed that E-M1 mark II for 284€ (instead of the average 500ish) because the screen has a very small crack that's barely visible, so I jumped on that, and now I have two of those.

I fully intend on using both of those bodies until they break down in my hands, or I get the itch again and upgrade to an OM-1 (mark 1). Even then, I think I'll keep at least one E-M1.2 as a backup / second body. They're that good, and probably the best price to performance ratio to features you can get in micro four thirds. Extremely underrated.

The funny part is that it was on my recommendation list when people were asking me camera questions, I have several friends that ended up buying one in the last 2 years and were extremely happy with it. I guess it finally creeped on me !


r/OlympusCamera • • 23h ago

Gear Review OM TG-7 as a Biking Cam - Some first pics

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58 Upvotes

Hey all,

I've gotten myself a TG-7 as a biking camera since I needed something durable for all terrains. Yes it's no Ricoh GR, but I have been rather satisfied with the pictures it produced. I think the key is to not let Iso get above 800, if you do Black and White can help a bit.

Do you use your camera for biking as well? What's some recommendations you have in terms of setup?

(Mostly JPEGs with light edits in LR)


r/OlympusCamera • • 10h ago

Photo Share Traded all my Sony gear for an OM-3 and haven’t looked back

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5 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 16h ago

Photo Share City Architecture. OM System EM10 IV, 45mm f1.8.

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15 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 16h ago

Photo Share EM1 ii still going strong

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6 Upvotes

Em1 mkii and 12_40 2.8


r/OlympusCamera • • 20h ago

Photo Share A broad-headed bark spider

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5 Upvotes

The last photo showing how he looks completely like a tree knob

Caerostris sp, a weird but cute orb weaver

OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark I & OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro 2:1 IS PRO + Godox V860 III O + Trần Thế Ngọc's MACRO Diffuser


r/OlympusCamera • • 20h ago

Question 16-35mm Lens for E-500

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I'm a bit overwhelmed searching for a lens for my E-500. I think what I'm after may not exist and I'm really confused by if there are mount adapters or not for MFT.

I'm after a wide angle lens with a fast F. My aim is create wide angle cinematic shots of the city at night (I'm going through a whole Cyberpunk 2077/Bladerunner thing) and I know my camera has x2 cropping. I've googled in lots of different ways '16mm for Four Thirds' but it just gets more and more confusing and I don't even know where to begin with other lenses being compatible.

I really love this camera and I've had it since I was 14, it just has this unreplaceable film-ness to it that I love so much. I was looking into buying a second hand Fujifilm X100S but I'd rather upgrade the lens I have now, or mainly the F. as I currently have 14-42mm lens that struggles in anything except bright sunlight. Thank you in advance!

** Thank you everyone, I ended up getting the recommended  Zuiko Digital 12-60 f/2.8-4 SWD lens, yay! **


r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Photo Share First time out with the EM10 iii

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9 Upvotes

The weekend can be summed up by Music, Mushrooms, Lizards, CCR, and Mortal Kombat. I enjoyed the camera along side me the entire time.


r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Photo Share The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina. Pre move 1986 [Olympus OM-1n, 50mm, f/1.4 Kodachrome Professional 64]cOC

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3 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Answered Need convinced on which to keep - 12-40 f/2.8 or 12-45 f/4

7 Upvotes

Just looking for a bit of common sense or a reality check. Once again, with trying out lenses, and swapping/trading gear, I find myself with overlapping kit. There's the 12-40 f/2.8 Pro and the 12-45 f/4 Pro lenses. I love the smaller size of the f/4 on my OM-5ii (which is where both are most likely to be used) and I don't always need the extra stop of light. The extra reach is marginally useful. I don't do portraiture, but neither is the ideal lens for that anyway. But I can't deny they are both nice lenses so I'm caught in the dilemma of which one to hold on to. There's really little sense in keeping both and selling one facilitates more gear to test and try. What one should I keep?


r/OlympusCamera • • 2d ago

Question A deep-blue Olympus PEN-F repaint — would this work for you?

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33 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Photo Share A jumping spider

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9 Upvotes

OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark I & OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro 2:1 IS PRO + Godox V860 III O + Trần Thế Ngọc’s MACRO Diffuser


r/OlympusCamera • • 2d ago

Photo Share Got some nifty shots at the zoo's butterfly enclosure

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13 Upvotes

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

40-150mm F4.0-5.6 R

Run through DxO photolab.


r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Photo Share Shooting Cats at Houtong Cat Village | OM SYSTEM PEN Pet AF Test (12-100mm F4 PRO)

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2 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 2d ago

Question Thoughts on the TG-7 as an everyday use Digicam ?

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91 Upvotes

Found a good deal on this one ( used ) and hoping it's a great beginner friendly camera for hikes, trips and occasional street photography


r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Answered ArmorAll Fixed Tight Lens Hood

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0 Upvotes

I was having issues with the lens hood on my 14-150mm lens getting harder and harder to put on and take off. I decided to apply some ArmorAll to the mating surfaces with a Q-Tip. Now it goes on and off as easily as ever. Just sharing in case anyone else is having similar problems.

NOTE: I've partially removed the lens hood to show the thread area. It's not cross-threaded.


r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Photo Share OM 5 with Olympus 40-150, f 4-5.6

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2 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Photo Share Scouting the hood with the OM-5 Mark II with the M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R Lens

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1 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 2d ago

Photo Share [OM-3] Walk in the park

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9 Upvotes

Shot on the OM-3 with the OM Systems 150-600mm lens and Lumix 12-35mm, post processed in Lightroom.


r/OlympusCamera • • 1d ago

Question Ordered batteries for my new Pen and it says delivered in PA - I'm in Canada... What's going on?

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0 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 2d ago

Photo Share °OO°

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17 Upvotes

OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark I & OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro 2:1 IS PRO + Godox V860 III O + Trần Thế Ngọc’s MACRO Diffuser

Which crop do you prefer?


r/OlympusCamera • • 2d ago

Gear Showcase Silver Pen

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7 Upvotes

r/OlympusCamera • • 3d ago

Gear Review First week with the TG7

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20 Upvotes

I got it for a waterproof camera to stick in my waders while Fly Fishing but it’s become my favorite walk around tool. The macro stuff it can produce is amazing. No recipes yet. Sooc. This thing is so tiny and has so many modes and settings and almost every way to control it manually. I think my only gripe is remembering that it’s not a touch screen.

I’m pretty excited to continue learning this. Coming from an OM-1 Md film camera, the build quality on this little tg is really impressive and the hand feel is really nice.


r/OlympusCamera • • 2d ago

Gear Showcase New PEN

0 Upvotes

My new PEN has arrived, and I thought I'd give u/flarblesgarbles something a little different to look at, based on an idea somebody else had on here. I think they're an improvement, don't you?


r/OlympusCamera • • 2d ago

Answered Olympus AF-1 Super rewinds film immediately after loading — what could be wrong?

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m having an issue with my Olympus AF-1 Super.

As soon as I load a film and close the back, the camera starts the motor but then immediately rewinds the film instead of advancing it to frame 1.

I’ve already tried:
a fresh/new battery
two different rolls of film
carefully loading the film and making sure the perforations engage properly.

Has anyone experienced this with an AF-1 Super or knows what I should check next?

Thanks!