Olympus OM-D E-M1X Review: A Comprehensive Guide to the Camera’s Features and Performance


olympus om-d e-mx

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is a professional-grade mirrorless camera that is designed for sports and action photography. It boasts a dual-grip design that provides a comfortable and secure grip for photographers who shoot in rugged and challenging environments. The E-M1X is built to be tough and durable, with a weather-sealed body that can withstand harsh conditions.

The E-M1X features a Micro Four Thirds sensor that delivers excellent image quality and fast autofocus performance. It also comes equipped with a range of advanced features and technologies, including 5-axis in-body image stabilization, a high-speed electronic shutter, and a supersonic wave filter that eliminates dust and other particles from the sensor. These features make the E-M1X an excellent choice for photographers who demand the best in terms of image quality and performance.

Design and Build Quality

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is a camera designed for professional use, and its build quality reflects that. The camera features a dual-grip design with an integrated vertical grip, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods of time. The camera is also weather-sealed, making it resistant to dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures.

Ergonomics

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is a large camera, but its ergonomic design makes it easy to handle. The camera’s dual-grip design provides a comfortable and secure grip, even when shooting with heavier lenses. The buttons and dials are well-placed and easy to reach, and the camera features a customizable button layout, allowing users to set up the camera to suit their shooting style.

Weather Sealing

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, making it ideal for outdoor photographyOpens in a new tab.. The camera is dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof, with a shutter life rated at 400,000 actuations. The camera features a new supersonic wave filter that oscillates at over 30,000 times per second to eliminate dust, reducing the possibility of particles spoiling an image by a factor of 10.

Overall, the Olympus OM-D E-M1X’s design and build quality make it a durable and reliable camera for professional use. Its ergonomic design and weather sealing make it comfortable to use and capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions.

Image Quality

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X delivers impressive image quality, thanks to its advanced sensor and image stabilization technology.

Sensor

The camera features a 20.4-megapixel Live MOS sensor that delivers sharp and detailed images, even in low light conditions. The sensor is paired with the TruePic VIII image processor, which helps to reduce noise and produce vibrant colors. The camera also has a low-pass filter that helps to reduce moiré patterns, which can be a problem with high-resolution sensors.

The camera has a native ISO range of 200-25600, which can be extended up to 6400. The ISO performance is impressive, with minimal noise at lower ISOs and manageable noise at higher ISOs. The camera also has a built-in ND filter that can be useful when shooting in bright conditions.

Image Stabilization

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X has a 5-axis in-body image stabilization system that provides up to 7.5 stops of compensation. This means that you can shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds without worrying about camera shake. The system works well for both stills and video, and can be particularly useful for shooting in low light conditions or when using long lenses.

The camera also has a Dual IS mode that combines the in-body stabilization with the stabilization of compatible lenses. This can provide even more stabilization, particularly when using longer lenses.

Overall, the Olympus OM-D E-M1X delivers impressive image quality, particularly when paired with high-quality lenses. The sensor and image stabilization system work together to produce sharp, detailed images with minimal noise and vibrant colors.

Autofocus

The autofocus system of the Olympus OM-D E-M1X is designed to be fast and accurate, making it ideal for sports and action photography. It features 121 cross-type phase detection autofocus points and 121 contrast detection autofocus points. The autofocus system is also capable of detecting and tracking subjects with high precision, even in challenging lighting conditions.

Performance

The autofocus system of the Olympus OM-D E-M1X performs exceptionally well. It is capable of focusing quickly and accurately, even in low light situations. The camera’s AF system is also capable of detecting and tracking subjects with high precision, making it ideal for sports and action photography.

The autofocus system is also highly customizable, allowing users to adjust various settings to suit their specific needs. For example, users can adjust the AF sensitivity, AF area, and AF mode to ensure that the camera focuses on the desired subject with high precision.

Tracking

The tracking performance of the Olympus OM-D E-M1X is impressive. The camera’s AF system is capable of tracking moving subjects with high precision, making it ideal for sports and action photography. The camera’s AF system is also capable of detecting and tracking subjects with high precision, even in challenging lighting conditions.

The camera’s AF system also features an intelligent subject detection algorithm, which can detect and track various subjects, including birds, planes, trains, and automobiles. This feature is particularly useful for wildlife and sports photographers who need to track fast-moving subjects.

Video Capability

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is not only a great camera for still photography, but it also excels in video capabilities. In this section, we’ll take a look at the camera’s video resolution and frame rates.

Resolution

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X can shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second (fps) and 1080p Full HD video at up to 120 fps. The camera also has a high-speed video mode that can shoot at up to 240 fps in 720p HD resolution. The camera’s 4K video quality is impressive, with sharp details and vibrant colors. The camera also has a built-in microphone and headphone jack for monitoring audio.

Frame Rates

The camera’s frame rates are impressive, with the ability to shoot at up to 60 fps in 4K and up to 120 fps in Full HD. The camera also has a high-speed video mode that can shoot at up to 240 fps in 720p HD resolution. This makes it a great camera for capturing fast-moving action and slow-motion footage. The camera also has a built-in stabilization system that helps to reduce camera shake, making it easier to shoot smooth, steady footage.

Overall, the Olympus OM-D E-M1X is a great camera for video, with impressive resolution and frame rates. Its built-in stabilization system also makes it a great camera for shooting smooth, steady footage. Whether you’re a professional videographer or just looking to capture high-quality video, the Olympus OM-D E-M1X is definitely worth considering.

Battery Life and Storage

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is powered by a high-capacity BLH-1 lithium-ion battery that provides impressive battery life, allowing users to shoot for extended periods of time without worrying about running out of power. According to TechRadarOpens in a new tab., the camera can shoot up to 870 shots on a single charge, which is a significant improvement over the previous model.

Battery Life

The camera also features a dual battery system, which allows users to hot-swap batteries without turning off the camera. This is a useful feature for photographers who need to shoot for long periods of time without any interruptions. The camera also comes with a battery grip, which can hold two additional batteries, further extending the camera’s battery life.

Users can also monitor the battery life using the camera’s battery indicator, which displays the remaining battery life in percentage. This feature is useful for photographers who need to plan their shoots and ensure that they have enough battery life to complete their work.

Storage Options

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X features dual memory card slots, which support both SD and XQD memory cards. This is a useful feature for photographers who need to shoot in RAW format or capture high-resolution images and videos.

The camera also features a high-speed data transfer system, which allows users to transfer their images and videos quickly and easily to their computer or other devices. This is a useful feature for photographers who need to work quickly and efficiently.

Overall, the Olympus OM-D E-M1X offers impressive battery life and storage options, making it an excellent choice for professional photographers who need a reliable and high-performance camera for their work.

Additional Features

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is packed with additional features that make it a great choice for professional photographers. Here are some of the standout features:

Dual Processors

The E-M1X features two TruePic VIII processors, which work together to provide fast and efficient performance. This allows for faster autofocus, improved image processing, and faster shooting speeds. The dual processors also help to reduce noise and improve image quality, especially in low-light conditions.

High-Res Shot Mode

The High-Res Shot mode is a unique feature that allows the camera to capture incredibly detailed images. When activated, the camera takes eight shots in rapid succession and then combines them into a single high-resolution image. This feature is especially useful for landscape and architecture photography, where detail is important.

Live ND Filter

The E-M1X also features a Live ND filter, which allows photographers to achieve long exposure effects without the need for neutral density filters. The Live ND filter works by electronically combining multiple exposures to simulate the effect of a physical ND filter. This feature is especially useful for landscape and outdoor photography, where long exposures can create stunning effects.

Conclusion

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is a high-performance camera that is designed for professional photographers who need a camera that can keep up with their fast-paced shooting needs. With its rugged, weather-sealed body, dual batteries, and advanced autofocus system, this camera is an excellent choice for wildlife and sports photographers who need a camera that can handle any situation.

While the E-M1X’s Micro Four Thirds image sensor may not be as large as some of its full-frame competitors, it still delivers excellent image quality, especially in good lighting conditions. The camera’s in-body image stabilization system is also impressive, allowing photographers to shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds without worrying about camera shake.

One of the standout features of the E-M1X is its autofocus system, which offers impressively sticky AF tracking that can keep up with fast-moving subjects. The camera also offers a wide range of autofocus modes, including face and eye detection, which makes it easier to capture sharp, well-focused images.

Overall, the Olympus OM-D E-M1X is a powerful camera that offers a range of advanced features and capabilities that are designed to meet the needs of professional photographers. While it may not be the right choice for everyone, those who need a camera that can handle fast-paced shooting situations will find that the E-M1X is an excellent choice.

John Kilmerstone

I'm an Aussie living in Japan who enjoys traveling and photography. Please visit this website and explore the wonderful world of Micro Four Thirds photography. Discover the advantages of carrying a small yet powerful camera system.

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