Having fun with the original Olympus EM1

Last Update:- 12th June 2025

Given social media statements and a general focus on sensor size, one would question my enthusiasm for an M43 camera released in 2013. The Olympus E-M1, which remains a remarkable camera in 2025, highlights this distinction. While preparing this article, the E-M1 reminded me why Olympus cameras became so popular. By adopting a philosophy that diverged from the trend of prioritizing the sensor, Olympus acknowledged that all sensors are subject to optical and technical limitations. This mindset empowered Olympus to develop more innovative solutions to effectively address and leverage these inherent sensor limitations and qualities (strengths and weaknesses).

This article discusses these technical versus optical limitations.

Image noise amplifies the significance of acknowledging the distinction between the sensor's optical and technical attributes. Social media experts often advocate for FF cameras as a quick remedy for noise. Olympus opted to create more efficient solutions because they recognized that all sensors have a noise floor. For example, I rarely need third-party AI noise filters for my Olympus RAW files because knowledge combined with the standard and AI noise filters from Olympus are good enough.

In-body image stabilization (IBIS) illustrates how Olympus became a market leader in navigating the technical challenges associated with image sensors. For instance, photographers can achieve up to a 2-stop noise improvement with IBIS and the depth-of-field advantage of M43 cameras. This simply means upping the sensor's saturation and a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Computational features offer similar advantages. Old-school options, like using a tripod in select applications, let us position the camera more accurately and/or increase the reflected light captured by the sensor.

These basics help us when photographing with cameras like the E-M1, because the E-M1 sensor does have a larger noise floor with more visible noise at lower SNRs when compared to the sensors in the OM-1 and E-M1 III. I used the camera's "Low" Noise Filter for all the photos in this article.

The OM System OM-3 with the M.Zuiko 40-150mm f4-5.6 lens.

This article merely touches on the creative potential photographers enjoy with an Olympus E-M1. It is remarkable that a small M43 camera from 2013 delivers such beautiful photos at current used rates. Notably, many may not know that the Olympus E-M1 received its final firmware update in 2019 and already offered computational features in 2013. I will outline some features that could enhance your macro photography, as well as the photography styles showcased in this article.

The following features are unique to the Olympus E-M1:

• Top-down EVF option - this is unique to Olympus M43 cameras with an accessory port.
• The macro arm LEDs (MAL-1) is unique to Olympus cameras with an accessory port.
• The Photo Story feature of the Olympus E-M1. See the final two photo examples.

Features common to most Olympus M43 cameras:

• ART filters (Several examples were done with ART filters)
• Color Creator (I used the Color Creator with some images)
• 2X Digital Zoom at full resolution
• Color profiles (Adjust color function)
• Black and White or Monochrome options
• Focus Stacking with the E-M1, Photoshop, or Workspace
• LIVE Composite (Painting with light)
• LIVE Time
• Flash remote control (RC)
• Live View Boost
• S-OVF
• Exposure Shift
• Selective AE and AF options
• 2 second timer
• Video

Olympus designed Workspace and the enhanced RAW format as unique enablers for Olympus M43 photographers. They encourage more image and creative control by letting photographers tweak their camera settings when converting Olympus RAW files or editing JPEGs on personal computers. Older M43 cameras like the Olympus E-M1 and E-M5 II share a unique advantage when shifting from a sensor size focus to a more hands-on or practical approach to digital photography.

The original Olympus E-M1 does have a quality concern. Early production runs of the E-M1 had issues with the control dials, leading to failures. In response, Olympus issued a formal notification and provided complimentary replacements for the affected dials. Unfortunately, not all E-M1 owners took advantage of this repair offer. Therefore, it is advisable to verify the status of any used E-M1 dials before purchasing. Additionally, updating the firmware is recommended, as it unlocks more features and functionality. See this article for more on firmware updates.

What is the most important lesson we learn from photographing with the E-M1? Older cameras like the E-P3 or the E-M1 reveal that the notion of achieving perfect image quality is a myth. For instance, when using the E-M1, technical aspects such as dynamic range, noise, and image quality often took a backseat in the creative process. Instead, I found joy in leveraging the E-M1's technical limitations to better express my artistic vision. This approach invites contemplation on the creative possibilities that can emerge when we adopt a similar mindset across all types of cameras.