OM-1 VS E-M1 III HIgh ISO Performance (ISO 1600-102400) - RED35 LAB 

Hi guys, remember that this is an initial look as there are limited RAW support on the OM-1. I want to see if I can use DxO and Topaz later and get an ultra high ISO usable. Workspace AI noise reduction does an ok job but it's hard to see until I have more time with it. FYI, this episode was filmed with the new OM-1 in 10 bit, the difference is significant in tonality.

Thanks for the work on this Jimmy. From what I have seen here and on Imaging Resource, it looks like a real ISO improvement of 1 to 2 stops to me, but there really appears to be a big improvement in reducing color shift.

Great analysis. Even with pixel peeping, the E-M III still holds its own against the OM-1.

Thanks for your video, always super and well analyzed. This new technology of the OM-1 sensor, I would say is the way of the near future, the results are very evident, but it is not only the technology, it is the combination of so much experience and the wealth of knowledge with the innovativeness that Olympus has always perpetuated over time, and the new OM-1 is an example of this. The colors that Olympus cameras know how to convey have something that captures you, for their science of neutral color, but with mellowness and density, vintage and modern at the same time.

every tom, dick and harry and never heard YTubers have had and reviewed OM-1. BUT Jimmy, Robin and Peter are yet to get a sniff of the camera. Apparently "Brand Ambassador" means jack shite

I was going to order the OM-1, but after much deliberation I decided to order an EM-1iii instead to save the money I don’t really have spare. The new sensor does perform better, and the OM-1 has some other nice features, but I figured that if people didn’t notice when I switched from full-frame to M4/3 they’re definitely not going to see the difference the OM-1 offers, and for most of my shoots (live music) I don’t go below ISO 1600. I will eventually get an OM-1, but I would rather get a new fast lens for the EM-1iii than spend the extra on the OM-1. It was a tough call though.

Not sure I am seeing 2 stops improvement to be honest

The funny thing is, I like shooting at a cameras HIGHEST ISO setting in black and white, I like the effects without doing any processing, especially the really old digital cams. Cheers!

I was hoping you would take a look at the dynamic range at such ISO's. I was wondering how much you can lift the darks with the new generation of sensor compared to the old (and still keep the colour.)

"This confirms OM Systems claim for two stop noise performance enhancement" is just... I was about to use an ugly word here, but lets not. From the examples given, I can see maybe a half stop difference, definitely not more. And some feedback from a viewer - stop moving the sample pictures all the time and make a more detailed comparison of ISOs usable in actual practice, like 3200, 6400 and 12800.

Congratulations on your purchase. I ordered om-1 and a 12-40 ii from a danish dealer. I found out on monday that I probably won't get my camera. I had to order from a polish dealer. Yesterday I got raw files from both cameras for comparison. OM-1 has much more detail on the higher ISO. Color noise appears much later. Luma noise looks great (it's really beautiful) and it's much easier to remove. At first glance, the files from both cameras look quite similar, but when you edit the photo and move the sliders up and down the difference is really big..even on the lower ISO. I'm really surprised. I didn't expect such an improvement.

Cannot wait to do my own tests. Should be fun and interesting.

Thanks for this comparison video! There is an improvement with the new sensor and improved retention of fine detail is great, but it didn't blow me away. I would love a pair of OM-1s, but I think I'll stick with the E-M1 II and III for now... maybe wait until the OM-1 price comes down a bit or until my finances can handle it. Also I'll probably rent an OM-1 before buying.

I was going to buy the OM1, however it appears to me OM 1 still requires Topaz processing. The hi cost to change to OM1 and still having to process the images, I think one would be better off sticking to the E-M1 mark III, and invest in DXO and Topaz. This way it's cheaper and you still get as good performance. For my money the wow camera is NOT a wow. Perhaps OM1 version II will be the wow cam era and a better purchase.

To be honest, I am not too impressed. In the normal range it looked like 1 stop advantage. That is of course something, but would I upgrade for just that?… For me, dynamic range is more important, especially preservation of highlights. I have already spent some time on manually reconstructing clipped highlights.

I see some difference, but not sure if i can see 2 stops improvement, not even 1 stop to be honest. Those initial 2 stops improvements claims appear to be quite exaggerated

To claim a two stop advantage over the EM1 MkIII is an overstatement, to say the least. To my eyes, the sensor is somewhat improved, but by no more than 1/3 to 1/2 (at the most) of a stop. As with any other 20 MP sensor the images are very good up to ISO 1600. 3200 is acceptable, and with a bit of post-processing, can give nice A4 prints. Above that...

They said the om1 will have 2 stops better noise performance than em1 mark iii but i think it is very minimal

Thanks for this Jimmy. I am going through the same pixel peeping process but not as a olympus owner as someone looking to switch, so this is very useful. I have some emix files i shot but the rest are downloads of the net so not ideal. However i would have to agree with your summing up so far as i can see with present software. I am also comparing to my 7d11 and mk11 files as well. Thank you.

Uniform noise looks more like a film grain, which can be of advantage for video production.

Great to see micro four thirds tackling one of the major complaints about the m43 system. Useable high iso. I wonder if there is some way they could imitate bokeh. I really want this camera, can't get it at the moment but I plan to in a couple of months

Hey Jimmy, thanks for this first look. I can't wait for your detailed analysis! I was going to comment about the look of your video when I saw that it was shot with an OM-1. I'm not a video expert, but your footage looked ems really smooth--almost like an over-denoised still image.

It apperred to me that the ISO1600 was the usable ISO, the color noice became prominet in higher ISOs

It is difficult to make out subtle differences on youtube video. I can't see the big difference in image quality that you see on your computer.

Please test the preamps in your coming review 🥰

I watched your video. I heard what you were saying. I could not see a significant difference in the video between the two cameras. I'm sure RU-vid compression is smudging out the details on both camera images. I will take your word for it and wait for my preorder to be delivered.

Great video Jimmy, the new camera looks great, but maybe for your full review you can make a test in a really low light situation like with the photo of the candle, but put some fine details like text from a book or something similar. Yesterday I was shooting a protest in the dark and with my 1.2 primes and 6400 ISO, the shutter speed was around 1/50 most of the time :)

There is only one (1) OM-1! Reusing a great name like the 1972 OM-1 for a digital camera is sacrilege. Unless of course the digital OM-1 has shutter speed dial, clicked stopped aperture ring and a viewfinder as large and brilliant, even though electronic, as the original. Yep, I’m a cranky old man, with owning an OM-1 since 1974, 48 year, refurbished 3 times, and still works.

It seems the picture from OM-1 is brighter than that of EM1iii with the same ISO settings.

Wow (thats my wow for the Camera!). Just thinking of getting rid of my Fuji. Now that there is almost no color noise (my main reason why I also have a Fuji. For Low Light higher ISO shots. But maybe i'll wait until the price gets under 2k... The Duckness is real tho! 😁

Cool Test. But for the final Noise Test Review you should change it slightly, because as you said the noise pattern is improved, there is less banding and color noise. Therefore you should take a subject with far finer detail , e.g. fur and feather, and then push the shadows like you would normally do get more details in those areas and for a more even-lit subject. Then i think you would see what the real difference between both cameras is.

Very interested in iso performance compared to my EM1X from 200 up to 3200 iso. Dynamic range test will be fun to watch as well. So far it looks like at normal iso from base to 1600 we don't see any improvement ?

I'd love to see if you think OM-1's HHHR improves DR AND usable option when during portrait and etc! I want to make a jump from A9 and A9 is known to have bad DR so if I can get similar DR out of OM-1, I'd love to grab OM-1!

ISO Reviews are always about dark shooting. There are some of who don't shoot in the dark but nevertheless like to use ISOs in daylight to maximise our shutter speeds. How about a daylight ISO test.

The noise does look nicer and is probably easier to take care of. I’m very happy with my EM1 II though, but will get the OM-1 in the future.

I have been thinking of upgrading my EM1-iii to the OM1, but when I look at DP review's review of this camera, where they compare both jpeg and raw files side-by-side, it appears to show that there is virtually no difference between these cameras at any iso, at least for raw files. When I compare the raw images, even at 6400 (or for that matter at iso 25,600) I see virtually no difference. The jpegs may show a slight difference, but this could be due to the jpeg processing. What do you make of this? Do you see a dramatic difference, or any difference at all?

Interesting. However I question some different ISOs in the same light and subject as when it is dark and low ISOs are needed, they are noisier than high ISO in good light. I know it was an initial look. Any chance of seeing an EM1III at say 3200 and how it compares to an OM1 at 12800 in low light to see if it the OM1 is the clamed 2 stops better?

ISO6400 is the maximum I use on my Pen F and E-M1 III. It's quite usable. Here are some example photographs to demonstrate real world use, rather than test shots: aimlessaim.com/lenny-kravitz All of these were shot at ISO6400 with a Pen F and the 75mm f1.8.

The noise looks the same below iso 6400. But what is more important, the colors on the em1III look better to me - deeper with cooler color balance. With OM1 they went with this yellow cast nikon look.

Nice video. Thanks for that

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Thanks Jimmy!

I have received clean images in my EM1.M3 at 12800 with Topaz Denoise. The noise in the OM-1 noise doesn't look that bad at the highest looks like Topaz should be able to clean it as well. I will test once I have my hands on one.

Um, how about the OM-1's lackluster AF-S performance?

There is another editing program that reads OM1 files - Affinity Photo.

Hi Jimmy, been a long time viewer. Here's the problem - we've had 3 cameras where the IQ was touted and turned out a dud. This time around ambassadors are trashing the same EM1 Mk 3 which was praised by ambassadors upon launch. What's the assurance that we won't see this happen to the OM1 in a years time? Are OMDS users supposed to be treated as hamsters running on a wheel or hyped up features? It would be so much better if the company lays out the real facts without misleading caveat filled claims. 2 stops of noise performance is of minimal use when accompanied by a list of caveats.

Got my OM-1 yesterday,shooting high ISO, up to 6400 and a couple of 26500. Topaz Denoise and Sharpen Ai clean the up beautifully. About to do some DxO Deep Prime on the same images. Keep up the good work.

A big question to consider is what the future firmware updates will do for upgrading the OM-1 camera system. Will future potential of the new system make the price of entry worth the purchase, especially when considering the price of a lightly used E-M1 Mark III.

Finały you got yours Om1. Im waiting for your review.

Fantastic comparison Jimmy and this is very very good for OM Digital, and also m43 as a whole isn't it. It does look like a fantastic camera for image quality.

If Livetime with ISO 1600 usable that would help a lot in low light shooting such as galaxy.

I noticed that you were using the new 12:40 Mk 2 lens on the OM 1 and the older 12 :40 on The MK 3 lens on The EM 1 .

Thx for the test. Could you also make a comparision between the two with some more realistic and relevant subjects? I´d like to see how well the OM-1 performs with skin tones, and hair in portraits, as well as green tones in landscape, e.g. grass.

Thank you very much for this video. I´ve been looking forward for such a comparison. I´m struggeling a bit with the things I see. I don´t see that much of a difference. Could it be, that the RU-vid-Compression is taking away a lot of the details? I´ve preordered the OM-1, and I´m hoping to see a real difference of 2 Stops of ISO-Sensitivity compared to my EM1-Mark2. It would be great, if you could write a link in the description to download the files you show in the video, to get a cleaner look on it.

is it possible 102400 iso in video Mode ? or only for photos. thanks

I just found out that the difference between off and standard of the noise filter for the OM-1 is night and day. With it turn on and set to standard, the image quality is like having AI reduction turn on, noise is significantly less at iso 6400 and details are still retained well. I have that compare to my canon RP which I shoot events with. With the same setting for shutter speed and iso 6400, the image quality of the two images is quite similar. This is unbelievable. With the noise filter set to off, the noise is excessive at iso6400. I’m planning to do more testing myself and see whether I still need to shoot the Canon RP if the OM-1 can get similar image quality at iso6400. I might sell off that full frame setup🤣

Could you once please upload an unedited hlg video from the om-1 to youtube. It will then be played as hdr video. I am wondering how good it is.

Now you can photograph bullets at the Mariana Trench in natural light 🤷‍♂️

Im in the market for a camera to replace my em5 II and am on fence about the om1 vs the em1 III I was even thinking of getting a used m1 II until the prices come down.

Hi Jimmy, could you post some ooc jpegs, portraits and some with broad dynamic range? I checked out OM1 briefly when Clare was at Park Cameras last week. A few pics I took show nice jpeg colour, at least with the new 12-40. I was also going to try OM workspace to process Raw files but workspace requires a camera serial number, bugger! I have pre-ordered the camera anyway :-)

Interesting test results. Did you try the new noise reduction in OM Workspace? According to a couple of reports I've seen it "compares well" with DxO Deep Prime, which would be remarkable for a freebie! In fact, that would be an interesting vlog of itself - especially if it works on the older raw files too! It still doesn't tempt me to the OM1 because as a tripod-based landscaper I rarely shoot above 800 ISO.

Could you please post the raw files? I would like to see the E-M1 Mark III raw files at 6400 ISO compared to those of the OM-1 at 25600 ISO to see if they actually look the same. If OM System is really being truthful about two stops of noise reduction, the files from the E-M1 Mark III should look the same as those of the OM-1 taken at 4x the ISO value.

Thanks for this video. I would like to see tests with very high iso values in deep darkness. Because very high iso values would only be used in overcast weather or at night. I would also like to see iso 12800 in video mode with noise reduction. i would like to know how well the new denoising ki works in video mode. I hope the new denoising ki works in video mode too.

Thanks for the comparison Jimmy. I just failed with my em1m3 at iso 6400 shooting at 560mm focal length in the evening. Maybe I should consider the new OM-1 🤔... But... Too expensive to afford again a new camera 😕

Again and again the OM-1 is proving to truly be the WOW camera!

Thank you very much for the analysis... 👌👍👍🙏 Question... , would it be the same or similar comparing the new OM-1 with the E-M1X ...?? 🤔 Greetings... "Saludos... 👋🙋😃 "

Though I can't tell for sure unless I have the files with me, but I can to some degree of confidence say that the sensor technology has gone so far that this incredibly small Micro 4/3 sensor outperforms my D800E high ISO noise levels from back in the day. This is an impressive feat!

Well done to OMS for a superb camera which apparently removes one small advantage of using full frame. However, I'd be interested in your reaction to Robin's 'I quit' video. For me it takes the shine off their efforts.

Great great comparison! Thank you!!!!!

Very good

From my experience, the only usable pleasant-looking 50,000/51200 ISO I have ever used are the Leica SL2-S and Panasonic S5. Even the Sony A7siii looks meh at 51200ISO. For APSC, didn't have one that's good. The OM-1 looks usable. Are there any raw files I can play with for comparison? 😁 Thanks for this video!

I think in jpeg OM-1 is a clear winner.... AI denoise in camera ? Update : now I see the problem on em1 III with color stains, the same on mine at only 6400 iso

The OM-1 does the ai noise reduction in camera on jpegs?

When is the 100k iso actually useful? I can only think of making fake stars in the starry sky 😅 I pre-ordered the om 1 😅 hoping to get 100-400mm combined with it 😊 and probably the 25mm 1.8 😊

The improvement is way farther from what OMDS/fanboys claimed. I'll wait for DXO mark analysis...

You ordered two? Goodness me!

Thx for the test, what I would have liked to see in order to make it fair, would have been using the same lens on booth cameras. It seems you where using the new 12-40 Pro lens on the OM-1 camera.

No, it doesn't confirm 2 stops of better ISO on the new camera. You need to compare other situations and other RAW softwares. I looked the imaging resource raw files with Iridient Digital which now supports it. While there is indeed a notable improvement it's nowhere near 2 stops. More like at best 1 stop- which is still admittedly quite remarkable. JPEGS may improve up to 2 stops given the new AI noise reduction.

Thanks Jimmy. Can you test if the camera is iso invariant for your next review?

The advancements in sensor tech and processors should mean that MFT lives on, but unfortunately, Panasonic and OM Systems probably won’t market their products effectively enough to make them thrive. MFT sensors are now better than FF sensors were about 10 years ago, yet some people will always trash them, just because there is something better. It’s tantamount to saying my Honda Accord (fantastic car, btw) is crap because the Lexus LS exists.

Thanks. Clearly, there are differences. But only in what are for me extremes. From what I have read so far, it seems to me that OM Systems goes for very sophisticated gadgets. I am sure that there are people who will happily use them, but how many? I felt cheated that my recently introduced EM D1 still came with the substandard viewfinder and now suddenly there is the OM 1 that took care of that. I have the feeling that something fishy went on and that the EM D1 did not get the latest improvements. They were saved to make the OM S more attractive one year later. A substantially improved EVF cannot be developed and produced in such a short time.

Looks like a decent improvement and a step in the right direction. I'd be interested to know your thoughts about how the in camera NR handles noise in jpeg output files. I wonder if it could produce decent enough results at, say, ISO12800. Well, whatever "acceptable" means in this case!

Thanks, Jimmy. Matt Seuss used a demanding subject (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Swn4om8nhug.html) and posted the RAW files, clearly showing the OM-1 advantage, albeit only at one ISO setting. A similar test across the range of ISO with access given to the RAW files to download could settle the case.

Hey jimmy! Really interesting findings! I noticed from the exif in your video that you had the 12-40 ii on the OM1 and 12-40 i on the em1. Have you observed any optical differences in real world usage?? Thanks so much for you time. Tom

Jimmy, would love to see same comparison with 1X, thanks.

Thank you. I wonder if any one could help me? On my recently received OM-1, I don't seem to see the Single frame shooting mode, but has the Silent mode etc. I thought this comes standard.....or do I need to enable something else first? Thanks again.

Nice video. I kind missed that comparison where is that 1 or 2 step improvement. To me em1.3 showed same iso on 6400 on shadows/dark areas and even much more natural colors. So not impressed at all. Quite agressive image movement too.. so hope more slower presentation and analysis on future (:

Hi will the OM1 auto focus the Panasonic 10 - 25 f1.7 at native performance

If you want to step out of iPhone 13 or Samsung S22 Ultra, then buy this like many O"s Ambassadors.

It’s good but this gives me pause when I don’t hardly go above 1600.

Since I've Lumix and third party lenses, I may upgrade my GX9 at some stage to a G9 for at least a third of the price. I would never shoot an MF3 camera over 3200 iso

Hate to tell you this, but your hat was back-to-front all through the video...

Having tested it it's no better than the mk 3 MFT fails in low light light . the sensor is simply too small and i'm sick of this shilling of the om1 like it's a perfect camera , the panasonic s5 out performs it in every respect when it comes to iq especially in low light, yes it's got quite a few better things but overall OM need a bigger sensor to compete

Interesting.

Jimmy who cares ? Low light performance if imperative use Nikon z6 ii . That said I’ve owed every OMD bodies since 2012 from E M5 to EM1X and EM1 Mk 3 which I use today. Better Resolution and low noise high ISO require a different tool, that is the reason I keep a Nikon Z6 ii. Mind you my Olympus system is fabulously good, but you understand it’s limitation and adjust for it. This new OM1 is a nice camera more an E-M1 mk 4 then a new model. They should have Gone to a 25 mega pixel sensor and then you’d have got the “ update “ right. Price is sort of ok let’s face it virtually every OM E-M1 started at $2,000 so no issues here. The improved EVF and Monitor with the new processor and Sensor are worth the upgrade if you are new to the system or own any EM Mk 2 or older Body. All the “ marketing” convinced me to pre order one on the first day announced. But I think I will pass mine when it becomes available to me. I’ll wait to see what else happens down the road and the price falls to make it a more rational upgrade for me.

01.51 all that catches my eye is the bogger on his left nostril :')

I wonder why you didn’t use OM Workspace. Raw is not official supported in Lightroom. So you test is at best inconclusive.

But how does it compare at base iso?

Oh this is a waste of time, I'm never going to use my camera to photograph cardboard boxes at ridiculous settings. I'm more concerned with the constant change in batteries and the fact that OM keep on ceasing production of them within a very short time period. Already there are reports of shortages for the EM1 mark three. If you can no longer power your camera then the thing is useless and can no longer be used and the huge investment is a waste of money. I used my original OM1 from the early 1970s up until it was stolen in 2009 and the batteries that powered it are still available today, unlike my EM5 mark 2 which should in theory give me decades of service yet. If I put two prints side by side, one from the EM5 and the EM1, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. However nobody is ever going to use their camera at these outrageous ISO settings anyway so why would we even be interested in such a feature.

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