This is a complete guide to the OM SYSTEM brand, better known by its initial name: Olympus. In it I will tell you about its current catalog of cameras and lenses, I will reveal its terminology and I will tell you about the data that as a user (or future user) you are interested in knowing.
We already have published on the blog other guides similar to this for brands: Canon , Nikon , Sony , Pentax-Ricoh and Fujifilm . Today we launch with Olympus another brand that, photographically speaking, has a lot to say.
INSIDE THIS ARTICLE... ? [ Hide ]
- 2.1 Why choose OM SYSTEM?
- 2.2 OM D cameras
- 2.3 Olympus PEN series cameras
- 2.4 Olympus Tough Cameras
OLYMPUS – OM SYSTEM
Olympus is a Japanese optical and imaging company founded in 1919 with capital raised from the sugar business. Its name comes from the mountain of the gods, Olympus, and in its beginnings the company was not very successful with the cameras it manufactured. Its founder, the lawyer Takachiho Seisakusho, had a great commercial and business vision, however, he knew little about the photographic world.
Everything changed with the arrival of engineer Yoshihisa Maitani, a photography enthusiast who turned the company around by creating the PEN system, the company's first innovative camera that was launched in 1959, with an 18x24mm format. The PEN system was born with the philosophy of achieving a compact and portable camera; and he got it.
This success was followed by the OM system, a professional system based on 35mm "full frame" born to compete with Canon and Nikon and with innovations such as the through-the-lens (TTL) measurement system or automatic flash. In addition, this system was accompanied by the competent and famous Zuiko lenses.
The decline came in the 1980s-1990s when the company failed to respond to the demands for autofocus on 35mm SLR cameras and Canon and Nikon took the lead; thus losing professional photographers as customers while specializing in high quality and design compact cameras.
Olympus became a trend again with the advent of the digital age, especially when, together with Panasonic, it launched the Four Thirds system.
In 2021, Olympus got rid of its photographic section by selling it to the Japanese investment fund JIP. This fund created the new company OM Digital Solutions , which is the one that continues the photographic legacy of Olympus, thus giving birth to OM SYSTEM .
If you are interested, you can learn more about the history of Olympus cameras here; a whole digital museum.
OLYMPUS CAMERAS
Thinking of buying a camera, you don't care about the brand and you don't know where to start? Our free tool will help you find the best camera for you .
But if you're here, chances are you're looking for an Olympus camera, or at least what it offers.
WHY CHOOSE OM SYSTEM?
If you are a user looking for cameras with a compact and lightweight body, excellent optics and stabilized equipment to give free rein to your creativity, this, without a doubt, may be your ideal brand.
Also, you have the MyOlympus community, I'll tell you about it later.
These are the types of OM SYSTEM cameras, with the Micro Four Thirds system :
OM D CAMERAS
The OM-D range boasts of being the most portable photographic system on the market with the best image stabilization. A very compact and light format with advanced functions designed for both professionals and amateurs.
If you look closely, the M1s are for the professional range, the M5s for advanced photographers, and the M10s for those newcomer photography enthusiasts. This will help you locate yourself if you find second hand cameras that are not currently in the catalogue.
Buying second-hand cameras is something I recommend (highly) as long as you follow the advice in the linked article.
OM D CAMERAS FOR PROFESSIONALS
With the latest technology to obtain precise and sharp images, right now in the OM SYSTEM catalog we find these two models designed for professional photography:
OM-D E-M1 MARK III: COMPACT AND LIGHT FOR GREATER FREEDOM
Professional, light and compact format that provides greater freedom for photography of nature, landscapes, travel, etc. Compatible with more than 20 different lenses. Its price is currently €1,477.06
Built-in image stabilization allowing up to 7 stops of compensation, so you can work handheld in many situations and/or at low ISO levels, 20-megapixel LIVE MOS sensor, high-resolution (50-megapixel) shooting, Live ND function For long-exposure shooting in bright light, 121 focus points, high-speed shooting, 4K video with stabilization, and a weather-resistant magnesium-alloy body are just a few of its features .
OM-D E-M1X: CONTROL AND RELIABILITY FOR THE MOST DEMANDING
Its autofocus system with 121 points, precise and reliable in low light conditions, makes it ideal for action photography: sports, wildlife, nature, adventures, etc. Currently the body costs about 2,000 euros.
Some of the features of this OM-D E-M1X are: 60fps burst shooting, 20 megapixels, articulated screen, 1/32000 sec shooting speed, 4K (4096 x 2160) video format, fully sealed body, vertical grip integrated, long battery life and double slot for SD cards.
OM D CAMERAS FOR ADVANCED HOBBYISTS
This range is designed for the expert amateur photographer or with advanced knowledge in photography. Currently in the catalog is the OM-D E-M5 Mark III.
OM-D E-M5 MARK III: BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE AND INSIDE
Successor to the OM-D E-M5 Mark II this camera takes you as far as you want. Beautiful inside and out. Available in black and silver and costs about €1,460.06
One of the most compact and lightest in its range, it has 20 megapixel resolution, 121 cross-points for surprisingly fast autofocus, face and eye detection, 30 fps, 5-axis image stabilization to compensate up to 5.5 steps, option to take photos in 50 megapixels (with the help of a tripod), WIFI and Bluetooth and 4K video in an ergonomic and sealed body with a flip-up screen.
OM D CAMERAS TO START (WITH DESIRE)
Quality and ease of use to achieve the most creative images with the lightest and (prettiest) bodies is what characterizes this range in which we now find the following models:
E-M10 MARK III S: TO START YOU THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR
A small camera with a retro design that is very easy to use; but with everything you need to get started in photography through the front door, thanks to shooting assistance and all its scene modes and its intuitive use.
Stabilizer, Wi-Fi connections, tilt and touch screen for more creative shots with Live View Mode, stabilization, silent shooting and 4K video recording (and without losing focus) are features that make it ideal for street photography, travel , family and / or to always carry with you. The price of the body is currently around 700 euros.
E?M10 MARK IV: FOR A MUCH MORE CREATIVE DAY TO DAY
Simple but tough camera in terms of quality and creativity, small, retro design and very affordable with a very attractive price ( €699.00).).
With a 20-megapixel sensor, electronic viewfinder, tilt and touch screen, 4K video and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, it offers many creative possibilities through its scene modes and its creative filters, in addition to its modes: Bulb, Multiple Exposure, Panorama, Silent, HDR, etc. Options that many more advanced cameras do not offer.
Doubts? Are the main differences between these two cameras not clear to you? This table shows you how the E?M10 Mark IV differs from the E-M10 Mark III S :
| E?M10 Mark IV |
E-M10 Mark III S |
|
|---|---|---|
| megapixels | twenty | 16 |
Maximum Resolution |
5184 x 3888 | 4608x3456 |
| Flash NG | 7.2 | 8.2 |
synchronization speed |
1/250s 1/ 4000s |
1/250s |
| Weight | 383g | 411g |
Art Filter Bracketing |
? | ? |
| connectivity | Bluetooth® Wi-Fi |
Wifi |
| battery life |
360 | 330 |
OLYMPUS PEN SERIES CAMERAS
Elegant, very compact and with interchangeable objectives. That is the spirit of the PEN series that currently has these two models, whose characteristics you can see in the following table:
| Model | E?PL10 | E-P7 |
|---|---|---|
| Picture | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds |
Micro Four Thirds |
| Sensor | Live MOS | Live MOS |
| Processor | TruePic VIII | TruePic VIII |
| megapixels | 16 | twenty |
| Stabilizer | Up to 3.5 EV steps |
Up to 4.5 EV steps |
| Focus | 121 points | 121 points |
face detection |
? | ? |
exposure compensation |
+/- 5 EVs (1, 1/2, 1/3) |
+/- 5 EVs (1, 1/2, 1/3) |
scene modes |
23 | twenty-one |
artistic filters |
16 | 16 |
shutter speed |
1/4000 – 60s |
1/4000 – 60s |
| Burst | 14.1 fp | 15fps |
integrated flash |
? | ? |
| Screen | Flip Touch |
Flip Touch |
| formats | RAW JPEG |
RAW JPEG |
| Video | 4K | 4K |
noise reduction |
? | ? |
| connectivity | Bluetooth® Wi-Fi |
Bluetooth® Wi-Fi |
| battery life |
350 shots approx. |
360 shots approx. |
| size approx. |
117x68x39 | 118x68x38 |
| Weight | 380g | 337g |
| Colors | Brown Black White |
white silver |
| Price | €850 | € 900 |
Also, you can see the full review of the Olympus PEN E?PL10 in this blog article .
OLYMPUS TOUGH CAMERAS
Resistant, action and adventure cameras are the ones that have made up this series that currently has the TG?6 model in the catalogue.
TOUGH TG?6
In this table you can see the characteristics of this Tough TG?6 camera:
Tough TG?6 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| megapixels | 12 | ||
| Processor | TruePic VIII | ||
| Sensor | 1/2.3″ CMOS | ||
| Aim | F2 4x optical zoom |
||
| shutter speed | 1/2000 s / < 4 sec | ||
| ISO | 12800 | ||
equivalent focal length |
25 – 100mm | ||
| Burst | 20fps | ||
| scene modes | 16 | ||
| Monitor | LCD 7.6cm / 3″ | ||
| formats | JPEG and RAW | ||
| image editing | ? | ||
| Video | 4K | ||
| artistic filters | ? | ||
| Live Composite mode | ? | ||
| GPS | ? | ||
| resistant to | Shock (2.1m drop) -10ºC |
||
| Submersible | 15 m | ||
| connectivity | Wifi | ||
| Weight | 253g | Price | €599.00 |
If you want to know more about old models of Olympus digital cameras, be sure to go through our encyclopedia of cameras .
OLYMPUS LENSES – OM SYSTEM
OM Digital Solutions has M.Zuiko objectives. Previously, the lenses used by Olympus were Zuiko, with the advent of the Micro Four Thirds system, they were renamed M.Zuiko.
Zuiko lenses were OM-mount lenses for Olympus film SLR cameras. Some came as S Zuiko which meant they were entry/mid range and others carried a prefix indicating the number of optical elements (A to L indicating 1 to 12 elements respectively). These elements were reduced with the introduction of multi-layering.
The M.Zuiko objectives , of the Micro Four Thirds system are characterized by their quality and for being quite compact compared to other brands. Currently, within the catalog we can find the standard M.Zuiko and M.Zuiko PRO range for the OM and PEN series; in addition to the adapters and converters that we will see right away.
M.ZUIKO OBJECTIVES
The standard range of objectives for the OM and PEN series of OM SYSTEM (ie, Olympus) currently includes the following models:
In the following graph of the brand you can discover, in a very visual way, the main characteristics of this range of standard M. Zuiko lenses:
M.ZUIKO PRO
This PRO range is designed for the most demanding photographers and professionals in the sector, in addition to their excellent optical quality, they are characterized by their resistance to dust, water and freezing.
Let's also see the main features of this PRO range from M. Zuiko:
TELECONVERTERS
Teleconverters are used to magnify the subject when attached to your lens, since they multiply the focal length:
CONVERTERS
To squeeze the objective of the kit are the converters:
OLYMPUS LENS COMPATIBILITY
Now that you know the range of OM SYSTEM lenses, you are probably wondering about lens compatibility: if you can use old lenses on your new Olympus, if there are other non-brand lenses you can use, etc.
We are going to answer all these questions.
WHAT MOUNTS DOES OLYMPUS USE?
These are the main mounts that Olympus has used throughout its history.
CAN I USE A FOUR THIRDS LENS ON A MICRO FOUR THIRDS CAMERA?
Yes you can use a Four Thirds mount lens on a Micro Four Thirds camera as long as you use a Four Thirds mount adapter.
CAN I USE A THIRD-PARTY LENS ON AN OLYMPUS MICRO FOUR THIRDS CAMERA?
Yes you can as long as it is a Micro Four Thirds mount lens. Hereyou will find all available targets.
WHAT ADAPTERS ARE THERE FOR MICRO FOUR THIRDS CAMERAS?
You will also find other adaptersto attach lenses from other brands on an Olympus MFT (Micro Four Thirds).
The important thing is that you take into account the lens you want to use and the camera you are going to attach it to and that you be aware that you can lose automatisms.
OLYMPUS LENS ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
The objectives have letters and numbers that are common to all brands , but also different ones that depend on the terminology of each of them.
It's bordering on crazy, I know, that's why I'll leave you with the acronyms and abbreviations that Olympus uses on its lenses:
OLYMPUS-OM SYSTEM FLASHES
In the following link you will find the recommended flashes for Olympus – OM SYSTEM cameras , as well as a guide to choose the best flash for your camera.
MYOLYMPUS COMMUNITY
If you are an OM SYSTEM user, you are interested in knowing the community I was talking about before, MyOlympus, a place for brand users to share, get inspired, accept challenges, learn, find out about all the news and much more.
OLYMPUS APPS
OM Digital Solutions offers the following applications to its users:
Olympus Image Share (OI.Share): Serves both for importing photos and as a remote control. It is available for Androidand for iOS.
Olympus Image Palette: with it you can edit your photos, add a watermark or share them. Available for Androidand iOS.
OM SYSTEM AMBASSADORS
Of course, OM Digital Solutions also has its own photographic ambassadors.
HereYou can discover them and also learn about the OM SYSTEM ambassador program, in case you are interested in joining and dare to try it.
Around here we are enthusiastic about the work of one of them, Álvaro Sanz. I leave you the link to his Instagram in case you want to meet him.
And here is this guide to the new OM SYSTEM. I hope it has been useful to you and that, if so, you share it with whoever you think may also find it useful.
