Photography News Issue 64

Camera test 58

Photography News | Issue 64 | photographynews.co.uk

Olympus OM-D E-M1X The OM-D E-M1X is a top-endMicro Four Thirds camera with an integrated handgrip aimed at action and nature photographers. However, this innovation- packed, high-performing camera is likely to have a much broader appeal

Specs

Prices £2799 body only Sensor 20.4-megapixel sensor working with two TruePic VIII processors Sensor format Live MOS Micro Four Thirds, 17.4x13mm, 5184x3888 pixels, 12-bit Raw capture ISO range 200-25,600, expanded to ISO 64 Shutter range 60secs to 1/8000sec, plus B, Live Bulb/Live Time up to 30mins, 1/250sec flash sync. Electronic shutter 60secs-1/32,000sec Drivemodes Continuous high: 15fps max up to 103 Raws. Silent continuous: 60fps max up to 49 Raws. Pro Capture: captures up to 35 previous frames, Pro Capture: High 60fps HighRes Shot In JPEG 8160x6120pixels (50MP), Raw 10,368x7776 (80MP). Handheld High Res Shot mode with electronic shutter: JPEG/Raw 8160x6120 (50MP). Metering system Multi-zone digital ESP with 324 zones, centre-weighted, spot, spot with highlight/shadow control Image stabiliser Five-axis, four modes, 7.5EV claimed benefit with 12-100mm f/4 Exposuremodes PASM Exposure compensation +/-5EV, bracketing up to seven frames Monitor 3in, 1037k dots, touch control, vari-angle Viewfinder 0.83x, 2.36k dots, 120fps frame rate Focus points AF point customisation, intelligent subject tracking – aeroplanes, trains, motor sports Focus bracketing and focus stackingmodes Face and eye detection – eye detection with nearer-eye, right-eye and left-eye priority Video 4K (up to 30fps), 1080p (up to 60fps) Connectivity Wi-Fi, USB-C, USB 3.0, Micro HDMI, Bluetooth Other key features Body is splash, dust and freeze proof, in-body image stabilisation Storagemedia Two SD slots, both UHS-II Power Two BLH-1 batteries but does work with one. USB charging. Capacity up to 2580 shots Dimensions (wxhxd) 144.4x146.8x75.4mm Weight 997g body only with two BLH-1 batteries and two cards Contact olympus.co.uk

Words and images by Will Cheung

Last September, before all the rumours (about what turned out to be the OM-D E-M1X) started circulating, I had a one-to-one chat with an Olympus executive. Against the background of three full-frame system launches, I was obviously curious if Olympus would do a Panasonic – ie go full-frame while continuing its commitment to Micro Four Thirds. The short answer was ‘no’, followed by generous use of the word ‘mobility’ and its importance when it came to Olympus cameras. So, now we have the OM-D E-M1X, with its integrated vertical handgrip – the biggest Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera we have seen to date. It is a rugged camera with, according to Olympus, world leading dust, splash and freeze proofing, signalling the start of a new dynasty. Existing pro models like the OM-D E-M1 Mark II and optional HLD-9 vertical power grip continue to be available. So, reading between the lines, we’ll still see pro-level products with body and grip available as separate entities and more cameras with integrated grips. The latter will probably depend on the success of the E-M1X. It is interesting the E-M1X and E-M1 Mark II share the same 20.4-megapixel sensor. Given the E-M1 Mark II was announced back in September 2016, it is perhaps a surprise we didn’t see a new sensor in the new camera, maybe with more megapixels or much better high-ISO performance. It would, for example, provide a very clear user benefit to those using older cameras – an obvious reason to upgrade. But that is not the case, so we have what we have. The E-M1X’s sensor does have an updated coating for improved light sensitivity and works with a pair of TruPic VIII processors. Having dual processors givestheE-M1Xafasterperformance in key areas: quicker start-up, faster recovery from sleep mode, support for two UHS-II SD card slots and features like Subject Detection AF and High Res Shot modes, including a handheld shooting

option, in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) and Live ND. The E-M1X integral grip means all the key controls for horizontal shooting are precisely replicated for vertical shooting, and that is a good thing. There’s also room to accommodate two batteries. The benefit of two batteries (it can run on one) is shooting capacity instead of shooting speed. Two fully charged BLH-1 cells allows for over 2500 shots. I had three days with the camera and got the impression this figure was generous based on the 600-odd shots I took on each day. But then I was previewing a lot of my shots, exploring themenu a great deal and shooting quite a few shots using the High Res Shot modes – so perhaps not a true reflection of battery capacity in normal use.

The good news is the batteries can be charged via the camera’s USB-C socket using a power bank, with LEDs to indicate charging. I think USB charging should be made compulsory on all new cameras, because it is such a handy backup to have. Well done to Olympus for including it. The E-M1X is a chunky-looking camera but there is nothing wrong, in my view, with the control layout. The on/off switch is on the left side, around the base of a control dial mode that has three function controls, drive/flash, bracketing and AF/AE settings. The dominant dial on the right is the lockable exposure mode dial, with four assignable custom settings plus the usual PASM settings and a movie setting. The remaining controls on the

The OM-D E-M1X sensor has an updated coating for improved light sensitivity

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