I saw this link on DPReview.
www-sulasula-com.translate.goog
For anyone who knows of Petr Bambousek he is a great wildlife photographer. The above is his (pre-production?) review part 1, part 2 to follow soon.
Google translate leaves something to be desired.....but the gist is there including his caveats about some of the OM-1 functions that he considers would be improved via firmware updates. Bearing in mind his record of results with earlier Olympus bodies his decision to buy the OM-1 speaks volumes!
@RedRobin @Bebop
.... Thanks for the tag - Petr B is someone always to be taken notice of and he is one of the best wildlife photographers although I would also like to see his work on less exotic wildlife in less exotic locations.
I don't think this is a pre-production OM-1 but a first batch released early to only specific photographers. To meet a stated retail stock availability of 7th March, full production will have already have been done
(I would hope!) and especially factoring in global shipping hurdles. Production processes and methods and also the market, are very different than for their flagship supertelephoto lens (which is still in very short supply!).
I think we can already reliably say that the OM-1 is a next generation E-M1 mkIII which has leapfrogged its technology ahead of the E-M1X. It is more of a M1X mkII than a M1 mkIV and it's the new sensor plus processor upgrades which propel it further ahead by opening up even more onboard performance. By simply understanding the indepth descriptions of what the new OM-1 offers, both by Petr and others, it becomes safe to order one and anyway, if you don't like it you can send it back. I notice he has been shooting with it mounted on the ED 150-400mm TC Pro and that bodes even better for me personally.
The OM-1 is a big step in the M-series evolution. I see an equivalent with the evolution and development of Porsche cars which began with the 911. Volkswagen taking over Porsche many years ago is like OM Digital Solutions taking over Olympus cameras. However, Porsche have retained their name badge.
Based on what is known to date, the only justification for a tech-savvy photographer holding back from buying the OM-1 (apart from cost) is if they are a professional who does large prints - They will want to wait and see how the OM-1 image files print. Others are just pixel peepers, but each to their own.
None of us
need a new camera and the OM-1 isn't going to make a photographer be a better photographer but it might enable more potential and
satisfaction. Just like a latest-state-of-the-art Porsche can do.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER MAKES THE PHOTOGRAPH by
Robin Procter, on Flickr
[Yes I know I have mispelt Ansel's name]