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May 28, 2024 · With the best Olympus cameras (or OM System, as the lineup is gradually being renamed), not only do you get iconic style and impeccable design, but also immaculate image quality and some of the smartest computational features on the market.
- OM System OM-1 Mark II review: the camera that will make you ...
In my opinion, this is the ultimate outdoor camera: it's...
- OM System OM-1 Mark II review: the camera that will make you ...
- Overview
- Film credits
- Olympus Pen F (1963)
- Olympus Trip 35 (1968)
- Olympus OM-1 (1972)
- Olympus O-product (1988)
- Olympus mju (1991)
- Olympus E-1 (2003)
- Olympus mju 720 SW (2006)
- Olympus PEN E-P1 (2009)
News
By Amy Davies, Mark Wilson
last updated 27 June 2020
We pick our all-time favorite Olympus cameras
Perhaps the biggest bombshell in the camera world this year came not in the form of an exciting new launch, but the news that Olympus – one of the world’s oldest and most respected brands – was parting ways with its camera business.
Olympus has been making cameras and lenses since 1936, and celebrated its overall centenary last year in 2019. Although rumors had long been swirling that its camera division might be sold, that gossip had been quashed on several occasions.
As a much-loved and a once extremely innovative camera brand, it’s a shame to see things go wrong for Olympus.
In its heyday, it was a household name with the massive celebrities advertising its latest models.
The digital revolution isn’t entirely to blame for its dwindling sales – Olympus was actually a very early pioneer of mirrorless cameras, coming together with Panasonic to introduce the Micro Four Thirds format.
More recently, though, it’s doggedly stuck with that format, even in the face of full-frame and APS-C rivals, while smartphones have swallowed up a huge chunk of its hobbyist market, too.
While we’ve been big fans of some of Olympus’ more recent models, including the fantastic Olympus OM-D E-M1X and the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, in this piece we’ll be looking back at some of the highlights from further back in the Olympus archives, stretching way back into its heritage.
There are some incredible innovations, but there are also some downright wacky cameras too – Olympus was nothing if not original.
Why it's a classic: it showed the world that small and light was the way forward
Produced between 1963 and 1966, the original Pen F (which would later give its moniker to the digital edition in 2016) was truly a thing of beauty.
It was the world’s first (and only) 'half frame' SLR with interchangeable lenses – which meant that for a standard 36 exposure roll of film, you’d actually get 72 shots. Nifty.
Olympus has always been into its “small is beautiful” mantra, and by using a half-frame format, the camera itself and the accompanying lenses could be small and neat – much like the Micro Four Thirds system today.
Why it's a classic: it gave the masses an affordable, lightweight holiday camera
One of the biggest-selling Olympus cameras ever, the Trip 35 sold by the lorry-load during the two decades it was on the market.
So-called because of its portability as a travel camera, the Trip 35 is one of the most recognizable models in this list. It was easy to use and was priced at a point that most people could afford, too. Being completely mechanical, it also didn’t need a battery – another bonus for travel photographers who might not have access to a power source.
During the 1970s, iconic British photographer David Bailey advertised the camera, further boosting its popularity – in the end, more than ten million Trip 35s were sold.
Why it's a classic: it showed you didn't need a huge camera to get pro shots
Another example of Olympus pioneering the small form factor, the Olympus OM-1 was a direct competitor for bulkier models such as the popular Nikon F, at the time one of the default choices for working professionals.
Created by the same team responsible for the PEN F, the OM-1 was the world’s smallest and lightest 35mm SLR camera. To do this, it employed a range of ideas which were innovative at the time, such as equipping the camera with an air damper to absorb the shock of the mirror movement, and rest prevention technology for the lightweight steel of the body.
Several well-regarded photographers used an OM-1 for their work, including Patrick Lichfield, Josef Koudelka, Jane Bown, and Olympus stalwart, David Bailey.
Why it's a classic: it took film camera design to new, eccentric places
This bizarre-looking creation is so eccentric it rivals early noughties Nokia for sheer design audacity. A point-and-shoot 35mm camera, the O-product included an autofocus 35mm f/3.5 lens which was protected by a built-in lens cap that moved out of the way when the camera is switched on.
Why it's a classic: it was one of the first desirable pocket cameras
It might not be much to look at now, but at the time of its launch the Olympus mju was seen as incredibly stylish.
Small and sleek, it was specifically designed to fit perfectly in one hand and appealed to a variety of different photographers. It was fully automatic, with an integrated lens cover – you switched the camera on by moving the cover to the side.
More than five million units were made, making it one of the most successful cameras in Olympus' history. Originally sold in black, some 50,000 units were made in a limited edition silver finish, too.
Why it's a classic: It paved the way for modern Micro Four Thirds cameras
It’s from here that we really see Olympus embracing digital tech. It’s easy to forget that as recently as 2003, digital photography was still a new, exciting and emerging technology, with cameras like the E-1 being innovative pioneers at the time.
The E-1 was the first Olympus digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera that offered support for interchangeable lenses. It used a Four Thirds sensor, much smaller than the full-frame sensors, meaning it could be smaller and lighter than some of its contemporaries. The E-400, released three years later in 2006 was at the time the world’s smallest DSLR.
One of the best things about the E-1 was its tough credentials. It was completely weather-sealed – as were its accompanying lenses – making it a great choice for those who liked to shoot outdoors.
Why it's a classic: it helped photographers discover new ground (and shots)
Another model which may not seem much to look at now, the mju 720 SW was the world’s first 'tough' digital camera. It laid the rugged groundwork for a breed of camera that's still going strong today.
Its thin and stylish body was shockproof, waterproof and rustproof, making it a safe choice to let the kids run off with. Although picture quality might not have been amazing – especially compared to modern cameras – it allowed pictures to be taken in situations previously unimaginable, such as while snorkeling or rafting.
Although much of the compact market has today been swallowed by ever-more-impressive smartphones, tough cameras can still be relied upon to deliver the goods where your smartphone simply can’t go (try smashing an iPhone off a rock or taking it 20 meters underwater). Following in the footsteps of the original mju 720 SW, the Olympus Tough TG-6 is currently one of the best on the market.
Why it's a classic: It brought retro design to digital cameras
Here’s where things got really interesting, and where we begun to see a noticeable shift in the camera world – not just for Olympus.
Micro Four Thirds was a collaboration between Panasonic and Olympus, who jointly announced the new format back at Photokina in 2008. It was Panasonic who got there first with an actual camera, but Olympus wasn’t too far behind with the PEN E-P1 in 2009.
With a beautiful design based on the much-loved PEN analogue series, the E-P1 took everything Olympus had learned from its Four Thirds cameras, and packed it into a much smaller and more portable body. Indeed, this camera was seemingly based on the E-620 DSLR.
Oct 2, 2024 · To name a few: the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is suited to beginner photographers, the OM System OM-1 Mark II is the current professional flagship, the OM System OM-5 is brilliant for travel, and the OM System Tough TG-7 is a brilliant waterproof camera for beaches and snorkelling (and more).
Feb 15, 2023 · The OM System OM-5 is a mid-range 20MP Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera mainly for stills, but with a decent set of video features as well. Although its exterior and sensor are a rehash of the older OM-D E-M5 Mark III, its processing has been boosted to unlock computational photography features previously reserved for more expensive cameras.
- (3)
- 6.5-7.5 stops depending on lens
- OM System / Olympus
- $1,599 (with 12-45mm F4 lens)
May 6, 2024 · In my opinion, this is the ultimate outdoor camera: it's astonishingly weather-proofed, its compactness is unparalleled, it negates the need for both ND filters and grads, it matches full frame sensors for ISO noise and actually beats them for dynamic range, the improved autofocus is super-reliable even for birding, and the 2x crop factor is a s...
- james.artaius@futurenet.com
- James Artaius
- Editor
May 4, 2020 · TechRadar Verdict. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is the most compelling Olympus camera yet for pros and enthusiasts. Offering the power of the E-M1X, with the latest TruePic IX processor and...
Sep 13, 2024 · Amateur Photographer verdict. A terrific entry level camera at great value. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV’s in-body stabilisation, twin-dial design, looks, feel and handling will inspire budding photographers. Pros. Excellent JPEG image quality with highly attractive colours.
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