The OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II mirrorless camera is introducing innovative features that could revolutionize how photographers approach landscape shooting. With its advanced design and built-in capabilities, this camera aims to reduce the need for additional gear while providing greater flexibility in challenging field conditions. The camera offers specialized tools for landscape photography, motion blur experimentation, and detail-heavy subject capture.
Chris Baitson's comprehensive video review demonstrates the camera's real-world performance capabilities. One of the most notable features is the Live ND function, which digitally simulates neutral density filters directly within the camera body. This technology allows photographers to create long exposure effects such as smooth water surfaces, streaked clouds, and light trails without carrying physical filters. While it cannot completely replace actual ND filters or polarizers, the system provides viable results when filter kits are unavailable, with capabilities extending up to seven stops of neutral density simulation.
The camera also incorporates Live Graduated ND functionality, serving as a digital equivalent to traditional glass graduated filters used to darken skies and balance exposure across scenes. Photographers can adjust the angle, position, and intensity of this effect, eliminating the constraints of fixed filter holders or specific filter kits. This feature proves particularly valuable for landscape work in mixed lighting conditions, allowing photographers to quickly adapt to changing environments without interrupting their shooting workflow.
The OM-1 Mark II features impressive technical specifications including a Micro Four Thirds lens mount, 20.4-megapixel effective resolution producing 5,184 x 3,888 pixel images, and a 17.4 x 13 mm Four Thirds BSI MOS sensor. The camera incorporates 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization and offers an ISO range from 200 to 25,600, with extended range capabilities from 80 to 102,400. Additional specifications include continuous shooting rates up to 120 fps, DCI 4K video recording up to 60 fps, Full HD recording up to 240 fps with H.264/H.265 codecs, and 4:2:2/Raw 8/12-bit video output via HDMI.
The camera's display system consists of a 3-inch articulating touchscreen LCD with 1,620,000 dots and a 5,760,000-dot OLED viewfinder providing 100% coverage. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, and USB-C connections. The BLX-1 battery provides approximately 500 shots per charge, while the camera body weighs just 1.1 pounds or 511 grams.
Beyond its filter simulation capabilities, the OM-1 Mark II supports high-resolution capture mode producing up to 80-megapixel images when mounted on a tripod. The sensor shift technology combines multiple frames to deliver enhanced detail and improved noise performance compared to the standard 20-megapixel output. This functionality enables file sizes comparable to full-frame camera systems while maintaining the advantages of the Micro Four Thirds platform.
For macro photography enthusiasts, the camera includes built-in focus stacking capabilities, simplifying the process of achieving sharp focus across entire subjects without requiring manual file blending in post-processing. The video review also showcases creative tools like Live Composite mode, which allows photographers to observe long exposures building in real-time on the LCD screen. This feature enables precise timing decisions based on visual feedback rather than exposure time guesswork, particularly beneficial for light trail photography and night scene capture.
The camera's 8.5 stops of image stabilization work in conjunction with these features to produce clean, detailed results whether shooting handheld or tripod-mounted, even in challenging environmental conditions. This comprehensive feature set positions the OM-1 Mark II as a versatile tool for photographers seeking to streamline their equipment while maintaining creative flexibility in the field.
