OM-1 Mark II: the new OM System box refines its electronics and software

The OM-1 Mark II, unveiled on January 30, 2024, immediately presents itself as a very wise development. Same Micro 4/3 sensor – still a BSI with 20 Mpx stacked memory -, same TruePic ‘OM-1 first of the name, to note that OM System has retained most of its flagship case.

Material-wise, the two cases are similar, with a simple change in the material of the front and rear dials, which opt for a rougher rubber. We also find the same viewfinder, the same optical part in front of it, the same screen and the same battery.

However, OM System has introduced some new features. They are to be found in the software, signal processing and memory.

Aiming without blackout, improved AF and doubled burst

Action and nature photography enthusiasts are the main beneficiaries of the improvements brought by the OM-1 Mark II. With first of all a buffer memory more than doubled, the capacity of which increases from 92 photos in raw on the first model to 213 on this new version. Enough to endure almost two seconds of AF mode at 120 fps (in continuous autofocus mode). But OM System has also thought of those who don’t want to blow up their memory cards, by supplementing its burst modes at 25 and 50 fps with two modes at 12.5 and 16.5 fps.

In addition, AF benefits from significant advances: from now on, AI detection no longer picks up on the subject when the head is less visible, or is no longer visible; the locking is done on the body of the animal or human. Speaking of humans, they are now included among the subjects to be detected, with algorithms being able to recognize homo sapiens even in a landscape.

Photographers who want to enjoy uninterrupted viewing, even in bursts, will also appreciate the arrival of triggering without blacking out of the viewfinder. Surprisingly, OM System assures us that the Oled panel is the same as that of the OM-1. The engineers managed, via the software or an electronic hack (new controller?), to transform this 5.76 Mpx Oled viewfinder at 120 Hz, already very good, into a racing beast.

Another advance obtained without apparent change in components: stabilization, already excellent with 8 speeds on the first model, which increases to 8.5 speeds.

The king of electronic filters

The OM-1 Mark II pushes the digital filter management capabilities of its ancestor. Regarding neutral density (ND) filters, which limit the quantity of light to allow, in particular, the use of the full aperture of the optics even in broad daylight, the OM-1 Mark II now simulates filters up to ‘to ND 128 (ND2/4/8/16/32/64 and 128). A feat partly made possible by a 15% improvement in stabilization.

Better still, the OM-1 Mark II can now simulate a graduated filter in real time. Adjustable in GND2, GND4 and GND8, it is placed and configured by touch on the screen, and allows you to limit the exposure of the skies in particular. Without using (and therefore purchasing) any additional products. A purely software innovation, but which alone could convince amateur photographers.

Still among the software improvements, the transition to 14 bits of high resolution mode (compared to 10 previously). Displaying as before 50 Mpx handheld and 80 Mpx on a tripod, this advancement will delight photographers who regretted the loss of nuances in colored information.

OM System remaining OM System, the OM-1 Mark II still manages focus stacking, live compositing, etc. The case is still IP53 certified, still includes the SSWF dust filter (30,000 vibrations/s when switching on and off) and the video is, as before, limited to 4K (Cinema or UHD, h.264 or h.265). However, OM System has added management of vertical videos, as well as that of ProResRAW in C4K in 4:4:4 via the HDMI output (external recorder required).

The end of Olympus in photos, the beginning of paid firmware?

One of the factors which seems to have pushed OM System to carry out this minor update (same case except for a few details, same electronics except for a few gigabytes of ram) is the loss of the right, from January 1, 2024, to use the Olympus brand. As a result, its flagship is now sold under its brand, like the OM-5 and some of its lenses (for example, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6).

The majority of the improvements of the OM-1 Mark II being – depth of the buffer memory aside – on the software side, this electronically minor evolution of the case leaves doubt as to a possible update of the firmware of the previous one housing, the OM-1. Given the higher cost of this Mark II version, one might even wonder whether OM System could resort to a paid update.

The OM System OM-1 Mark II is now available for pre-order at €2,399, €200 more than the OM-1 when it was launched two years ago.