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Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mirrorless Camera

The Olympus E-M1 is a 16MP Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera — with 1080p video and in-body stabilization. Used copies start from $425.33 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mirrorless Camera

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mirrorless Camera

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Camera OverviewOlympus E-M1

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera built around a 16MP sensor powered by a TruePic VII image processor. It covers an ISO range of 100 to 25600, giving shooters meaningful flexibility across varied lighting conditions. One of its standout features is the 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization, which works independently of the attached lens — a genuine advantage for handheld shooting.

The autofocus system combines both Phase Detection and Contrast Detection, with 37 phase-detection points and 81 contrast-detection points for versatile subject acquisition. Burst shooting tops out at 10fps, making it capable for fast-moving subjects. Video recording reaches 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps in 8-bit color, with Standard and Flat color profiles available.

The 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen LCD resolves 1,037,000 dots, while the electronic viewfinder delivers 2,360,000 dots at 60Hz. The magnesium alloy body is weather sealed and measures 130 x 94 x 63 mm at 497g. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi, a 3.5mm microphone jack, Micro HDMI output, and USB.

Storage is handled via SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards. Battery life is rated at approximately 350 shots per charge.

Key FeaturesOlympus E-M1

16MP MFT CMOS Sensor: Micro Four Thirds format sensor with a 2x crop factor, offering a compact system with a broad selection of compatible lenses.

5-Axis In-Body Stabilization: Sensor-shift stabilization operates independently of the attached lens, benefiting both stabilized and non-stabilized glass during handheld shooting.

Hybrid Phase/Contrast AF: Combines 37 phase-detection points and 81 contrast-detection points for fast, accurate subject acquisition across a range of shooting scenarios.

10fps Burst Shooting: Continuous shooting at up to 10 frames per second makes the camera capable of capturing fast-moving subjects in sports or wildlife situations.

Weather-Sealed Magnesium Alloy Body: Dust and splash-resistant construction with a rigid magnesium alloy chassis suitable for outdoor and field use in variable conditions.

2,360,000-Dot EVF: High-resolution electronic viewfinder with a 60Hz refresh rate delivers a clear, smooth framing experience in bright outdoor light.

Camera SpecificationsOlympus E-M1

Olympus E-M1 full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesTravel, Wildlife, Sports
TypeMirrorless
SensorMicro Four Thirds (MFT)
Resolution16MP
ProcessorTruePic VII
ISO Range100 – 25600
AF SystemHybrid (Phase + Contrast)
AF Points81 (Contrast) / 37 (Phase)
Max Photo Resolution4608x3456
Burst Rate10 fps
Max Video Resolution1080p
Max Frame Rate30fps

DescriptionOlympus E-M1

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera centered on a 16MP sensor processed by the TruePic VII image processor. The ISO range spans 100 to 25600, offering adaptability in a wide range of lighting situations. Its 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization sets it apart from lens-dependent stabilization systems, working with any compatible optic.

The hybrid autofocus covers 81 contrast-detection points and 37 phase-detection points for flexible, reliable focusing. Burst shooting reaches 10fps, supporting action and wildlife capture. The 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen LCD resolves 1,037,000 dots, making it easy to compose from varied angles, while the electronic viewfinder offers 2,360,000 dots at a 60Hz refresh rate.

Video maxes out at 1080p @ 30fps in 8-bit color, with a Flat color profile available alongside Standard. The weather-sealed magnesium alloy body measures 130 x 94 x 63 mm and weighs 497g. Connectivity covers Wi-Fi, Micro HDMI, a 3.5mm microphone jack, and USB, with storage via SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards.

ProsOlympus E-M1

  • 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization provides optical stabilization independent of the lens
  • Hybrid autofocus system combines 37 phase-detection points and 81 contrast-detection points for broad coverage
  • 10fps burst mode supports fast-action and sports photography

ConsOlympus E-M1

  • Video is capped at 1080p/30fps with 8-bit color depth — no 4K recording available
  • Battery life rated at approximately 350 shots, which is modest for extended shooting sessions
  • No Bluetooth connectivity, limiting some wireless workflow options

Frequently Asked QuestionsOlympus E-M1

What autofocus system does the Olympus OM-D E-M1 use?+

The E-M1 uses a hybrid system combining Phase Detection and Contrast Detection autofocus. It features 37 phase-detection points and 81 contrast-detection points. Eye tracking and subject tracking are not supported.

Is the Olympus OM-D E-M1 weather sealed?+

Yes, the body is weather sealed and constructed from magnesium alloy. This makes it more resilient in dusty or wet shooting environments.

What video resolutions does the E-M1 support?+

The camera records video at up to 1080p at 30fps, and also supports 720p at 60fps. Video is captured in 8-bit color, with Standard and Flat color profiles available.

Does the Olympus OM-D E-M1 have in-body image stabilization?+

Yes, it features 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization. This is a physical stabilization system built into the camera body, and digital IS is not used.

What memory cards are compatible with the E-M1?+

The E-M1 accepts SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. There is a single card slot on this model.

Does the E-M1 have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?+

The E-M1 includes Wi-Fi connectivity but does not have Bluetooth. Wi-Fi enables wireless image transfer and remote control functionality.

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