Olympus OM-1 Review: My Real-World Experience

I own and use OM System OM-1 (Mark I), and the photographs in this article were taken with my own equipment. This review is based on my real-world experience with the camera, especially for macro and wildlife photography.

I moved from the Sony A7R II to the OM-1 because I wanted a faster, lighter system with computational features that could make a genuine difference in the field. The three features that impressed me most were in-camera Focus Stacking, Pro Capture and High-Res Shot.

Olympus OM-1 review: quick verdict

The original OM System OM-1 is a 20.4-megapixel Micro Four Thirds camera with a stacked BSI Live MOS sensor and the TruePic X processor. Specifications alone do not explain why I enjoy it. Its real strength is the way its computational tools solve practical photographic problems.

For my work, Focus Stacking makes macro photography more efficient, Pro Capture helps with unpredictable action, and High-Res Shot provides extra detail when the subject and conditions allow it. Those features were important enough for me to change camera systems.

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Why I switched from Sony to the OM-1

The Sony A7R II offered excellent image quality, but the OM-1 suited the type of photography I increasingly wanted to do. I photograph small subjects, wildlife and fast moments, so portability, speed and useful in-camera tools matter to me as much as raw resolution.

The Micro Four Thirds system also gives me a compact setup with plenty of effective reach. More importantly, the OM-1 lets me complete certain jobs in-camera that would otherwise require more preparation or additional editing.

1. In-camera Focus Stacking for macro photography

Depth of field becomes extremely shallow at macro distances. Closing the aperture can help, but it is not the same as combining several photographs focused at slightly different distances. Very small apertures can also soften fine detail through diffraction.

Focus stacking captures a sequence of frames while moving the focus point through the subject. The OM-1 can combine compatible frames inside the camera and produce a finished JPEG with a greater area in focus. The individual files can also be useful when I want more control during editing.

This feature is one of the main reasons the OM-1 works so well for my photography. It allows me to retain a relatively open aperture and a softer background while extending useful focus across a small subject. It does not make movement irrelevant: the best results still come when the camera and subject remain sufficiently stable throughout the sequence.

My macro setup shown above combines the OM-1, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro lens and a Godox TT600 flash. I photographed the wasp below in my garden in Liverpool, UK, using the OM-1’s focus-stacking capability.

If you want to see how I push this setup further, read my practical guide to using the OM-1 with the M.Zuiko 60mm lens, extension tubes and Raynox DCR-250.

2. Pro Capture for unpredictable action

Human reaction time is often the difference between capturing a decisive moment and missing it. Pro Capture helps by buffering photographs while the shutter button is held halfway down. When I press it fully, the camera saves a selected number of frames from immediately before the full press and continues shooting according to the chosen settings.

This is especially helpful with birds and wildlife because take-offs, landings and sudden movements are difficult to predict precisely. It does not replace good technique, suitable shutter speed or careful autofocus settings, but it gives me a better chance of preserving the instant I actually wanted.

The feature needs sensible configuration. The pre-shutter frame count, frame rate and autofocus behaviour should match the subject, and very long bursts create more files to review. Even with those practical considerations, Pro Capture is one of the OM-1 features I value most.

3. Handheld and tripod High-Res Shot

The OM-1 normally produces 20.4-megapixel images. In High-Res Shot mode, it uses sensor-shift technology to capture and combine multiple exposures. The camera offers a 50-megapixel handheld option and an 80-megapixel tripod option, with RAW and JPEG output available.

This can be valuable for landscapes, architecture, artwork and detailed product photography. It is not a universal replacement for the normal shooting mode, because movement between the component frames can create artefacts. Water, foliage, people and other moving details therefore need special attention.

I consider High-Res Shot a useful option rather than a simple megapixel comparison with a full-frame camera. Resolution is only one part of image quality; the lens, light, subject movement, exposure and processing all influence the final result. You can see more of my photography on my Pexels profile.

What I like most about the OM-1

• Focus Stacking can produce a completed image inside the camera.
• Pro Capture is genuinely useful for wildlife and unpredictable movement.
• High-Res Shot provides extra detail when the scene is suitable.
• The Micro Four Thirds system gives me a relatively compact setup for macro and wildlife work.
• The camera’s computational features reduce some of the work I would otherwise do later on a computer.

Important limitations to understand

These modes work best when they are used for the right subject. Focus stacking can be affected by movement during the sequence. Pro Capture can generate many similar files and requires suitable autofocus and shutter settings. High-Res Shot is strongest with static or nearly static scenes.

The OM-1 also has many settings and customisation options. That flexibility is useful, but it takes time to learn which combinations suit a particular type of photography. I would not buy it solely because a specification looks impressive; I would buy it when these tools match the photographs I want to make.

Who is the original OM System OM-1 for?

In my opinion, the OM-1 Mark I remains particularly attractive for macro, wildlife, nature and travel photographers. It makes the most sense for someone who values portability, speed, stabilisation and computational features. Photographers whose main priority is maximum full-frame resolution or very shallow depth of field may prefer a different type of system.

My conclusion after using the Olympus OM-1

The OM System OM-1 Mark I gave me practical capabilities that influenced the way I photograph. Focus Stacking helped with the limited depth of field in macro work, Pro Capture improved my chances with fast and unpredictable subjects, and High-Res Shot gave me a higher-resolution option for suitable scenes.

It is not perfect for every photographer or every situation, but it fits my own work extremely well. That personal experience—not a specification sheet—is why switching from Sony made sense for me.

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If you use the original OM-1, share your experience in the comments and use the star rating to let other photographers know how it has performed for you.