First Look at the Olympus OM-D E-M1X

Earlier today Olympus introduced several new products including the new flagship OM-D E-M1X as well as a new M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens and an M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20, weather resistant FL-700WR wireless flash, FC-WR commander, and FR-WR receiver and a new lens roadmap.

We shall, of course, start with the new OM-D E-M1X and try and bring some of the main features of the first high-end camera of 2019 to light. This camera integrates several innovative technologies including quite a bit of emphasis on new AI and computer vision capabilities for enhancing your shooting experience.

As Chris Niccolls (from DPR) demonstrate in the hands-on video above, the  OM-D E-M1X has almost an endless amount of buttons and more customizability than arguably any camera on the market.  The OM-D E-M1X has a large grip and a full body design (similar to the top end Nikon/Canon 5D/1DX MKII cameras) which includes two batteries which give the camera almost 900 images before you need to charge the camera again. A nice bonus – you can use the USB-C connector to charge both batteries at the same time quickly in camera.

For us, the most interesting and future looking feature is the AI and computer vision capabilities we mentioned – these include the abblity of the camera to identify cars, planes, and trains (strange choice actually, we would probably go with cats, dogs, and birds). Interestingly Niccolls found that the camera worked very well in these modes although you do need to go into the menus to change the settings each time.

In terms of new features we have:

  • High Res Shot mode – 50MP JPEG / 80MP raw images.
  • Live ND – ND2, ND4, ND8, ND16, and ND32 (based on composite shots – stills only).
  • Live Composite – long exposure mode that allows you to gradually build up an exposure over time without overexposing key elements within the frame.
  • Pro Capture Mode – starts recording and buffering full-resolution JPEG or raw images prior to fully depressing the shutter.
  • In-Camera Focus Stacking 
  • Machine-learning-based autofocus – cars/trains/planes auto tracking.

 

The new OM-D E-M1X flagship

 

Some of the main specs of the OM-D E-M1X

  • Sensor: 20.4MP Live MOS Micro 4/3.
  • Processor: Dual TruePic VIII Image Processors.
  • AF system: 121-Point All Cross-Type Phase-Detection AF.
  • Batteries: Dual BLH-1 rechargeable lithium-ion.
  • Memory cards: Dual SD (UHS-II).
  • Grip: built-in vertical grip (with the dual batteries).
  • Viewfinder: 2.36m-Dot 0.83x magnification.
  • Monitor: 3.0″ 1.037m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen.
  • Video: DCI 4K/24p & UHD 4K/30p Video Recording (but only 4:2:0 at 8 bit internal and external).
  • Stabilization: 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization (up to 7.5 stops with some lenses).
  • Shooting speed: 15 fps Shooting and Expanded ISO 25600
  • Weather-Sealed: IPX1 rating
  • Price: $3000 start shipping in late February 2019.

IR in-depth look at the OM-D E-M1X 

YouTube player

Cinema5D look at the video aspects of the OM-D E-M1X

YouTube player

A little bit more info on the other products announced by Olympus:

  • M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO – this future lens (to be released in 2020) is a high-end pro zoom telephoto (no price at the moment but we can guess that it will be ready for the Tokyo Olympics) but we do know that this lens will have a built-in 1.25x teleconverter (so this is a 300-1000mm~ in 35mm equivalent in terms of angle of view). If max 1000mm equivalent is not enough you can add the new 2x teleconverter that will also be available around the same time.

The future M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO

  • Olympus also announced 3 flash-related products: the FL-700WR Electronic Flash, FC-WR Wireless Commander, and FR-WR Wireless Receiver all of these will be available in February 2019 with price tags of $400, $350, and $230, respectively.

The new Olympus lens roadmap for 2019 and beyond

If you don’t want to miss any new photography related product be sure to check out our product photography section on our photo gear channel.

Iddo Genuth
Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *