The Olympus OM System OM-1 is the best Olympus camera right now. It’s their latest flagship model. And it might be their best digital camera ever. The Micro Four Thirds sensor gives you excellent images. And it has a sophisticated autofocus (AF) system, a High Res Shot mode, and fantastic video features. The OM-1 is in a new class of MFT cameras. Keep reading to see more of the best Olympus cameras. [Note: ExpertPhotography is supported by readers. Product links on ExpertPhotography are referral links. If you use one of these and buy something, we make a little bit of money. Need more info? See how it all works here.]
The Best Olympus Camera in 2022
Olympus has been making quality cameras for generations. Like Nikon and Canon, they were veterans in the analog age of photography. And they successfully made the jump to digital. They found a camera niche that suits them. And they’re thriving. Olympus is the master of the Micro Four Thirds camera. An MFT sensor is smaller than the APS-C or full frame sensor found in other mirrorless cameras. And that means you don’t get the staggering megapixel counts of full frame cameras. But you still get excellent image quality. Plus, the smaller sensor means you have a more compact camera body. MFT cameras were once seen as a more basic alternative to APS-C or full frame cameras. But Olympus packs their cameras full of features. So they’re pushing spec boundaries and changing perceptions. And Olympus has excellent examples of what an MFT camera can do. Olympus cameras range from beginner to professional-standard models. And we’ve listed their best Micro Four Thirds cameras. But we’ve also included some of their other camera types, showing Olympus isn’t a one-trick pony. Here’s a quick rundown of the best Olympus cameras. Scroll down for more details on each Olympus camera. The Olympus OM System OM-1 isn’t just a new flagship camera from Olympus. It’s a camera that makes a statement. It performs at a professional level and is packed full of advanced features. The OM-1 sets a new standard for Micro Four Thirds cameras. The message is clear. Don’t underestimate Olympus MFT cameras! We’ll start with the image sensor. 20 MP might now sound ground-breaking, even for an MFT sensor. But it’s Olympus’s most advanced stacked BSI Live MOS sensor. The image quality is fantastic. The color rendition is excellent. And the details are sharp and accurate. We also see a wide dynamic range and little noise in low light. If 20 MP isn’t enough, you have a High-Resolution Shot mode for more power. It gives you an impressive 50 MP resolution. And unlike previous models, you can use this mode when you shoot handheld. You don’t need a tripod. The autofocus (AF) is the best we’ve seen from any MFT camera. It uses 1,053 cross-type phase and contrast detection points. This gives you full frame coverage for fast and accurate focusing. It tracks even the fastest-moving subjects. And it has face and eye detection AF options. The OM-1 is a pro-grade hybrid camera. The 4K video resolution is stunning. And you can record in full resolution at 60 fps. That’s super-smooth high-res footage. You also get a 240-fps option in Full HD. Action photographers will love the burst mode. It’s one of the quickest frame rates of any camera on the market. It gives you a continuous shooting speed of 120 fps. That’s moment-splitting speed. And you can shoot RAW images at that frame rate. The OM-D E-M5 Mark III remains one of the most popular Olympus cameras. And that’s for a good reason. It’s an outstanding MFT camera that delivers on every front. It has fantastic features. The photography results are excellent. And it shoots quality videos. The E-M5 Mark III has a sensor resolution of 20 MP. That gives you good megapixel density on a smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor. Many photographers are surprised at the quality of the images. They defy expectations after only looking at the specs on paper. All photographers appreciate the built-in 5-axis image stabilization. It reduces camera shake, giving you sharper images. That’s excellent for sports or wildlife photography. Plus, it gives you more shutter speed options when shooting in low light. The AF system is fantastic. Again, it’s great for sports and wildlife. The 121 focus points cover 90% of the frame. And they’re quick to find focus and then track your subject as they move. You have 4K video recording with a 30 fps frame rate. That’s ideal for video makers and streamers. And you get a 30 fps burst mode. That lets you capture moments where if you blink, you’ll miss them. Shoot for two seconds, and you have 60 shots to choose from! The rotating touchscreen is a handy feature. The Wi-Fi connectivity and USB charging are, too. You also get built-in scene modes and art filters for more creative options. And it’s compact, lightweight, and weather-sealed. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is the total package. The E-M1 range has spearheaded Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds mission. It’s their professional line of cameras. And the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III competes with cameras at the highest level. It may be smaller than most DSLR and mirrorless cameras. But it is by no means inferior. The MFT sensor gives you a resolution of 20.1 MP. And that’s backed by a TruePic IX image processor. They work as a team to bring you gorgeous images, squeezing every bit of detail from each pixel. You get vibrant, true-to-life colors. And the dynamic range is excellent for an MFT camera. The High-Resolution Shot mode gives you more power when you need it. It shoots images with an incredible 50 MP resolution. The image quality is excellent anyway. But this takes image creation to a new level. And you don’t need a tripod to use this mode. The hybrid AF system tracks moving subjects. The 121 phase and contrast points give you precision subject tracking. It works well with fast-moving subjects like athletes or animals. And the AF also has face and eye priority modes when shooting portraits or fashion. The built-in image stabilization enhances the image quality. It gives you five stops of shake compensation to keep your images sharp. It also allows you to use slower shutter speeds with no risk of blurring. And there’s also a 60-fps burst mode. The 4K video quality is exceptional. The LCD screen tilts and rotates. You have Wi-Fi connectivity for easy image sharing. And there are dual SD card slots for more memory. Its weather sealing, rapid burst, and accurate AF are perfect for outdoor action photos. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV sits closer to the beginner end of the market. It’s user-friendly, easy to use, and affordable. But it still has fantastic features that inspire beginners and more experienced photographers. This mirrorless camera has a 20 MP sensor resolution. So you can expect the same outstanding image quality as their professional models. And it’s far superior to smartphone cameras. It will impress even the most demanding photographers. It’s a brilliant hybrid camera, giving you excellent video options. You can record with 4K resolution at 30 fps. The footage is smooth and clear. And the 5-axis in-body image stabilization works with photos and videos. That helps when shooting handheld. The autofocus is also fast and accurate when shooting photos and videos. It uses 121 focus points across the frame. It’s quick to find focus. And it tracks your subject’s movements. The screen rotates 180 degrees to give you a dedicated selfie mode. It’s also useful for shooting vlogs. It gives you a 15 fps burst mode. And there are built-in shooting modes and art filters for more creativity. It’s also Wi-Fi connected for easy image transfers. The many features make it a versatile camera. Olympus built the Tough TG-6 for a life of adventure. It’s a compact camera that’s tough by name and in its makeup. It’s also packed with creative features, making it one of the best action cameras on the market. It’s the perfect Olympus digital camera for thrill-seekers and people who love the great outdoors. The Tough TG-6 is completely waterproof down to 50 ft (15 m). And the underwater shooting modes give you fabulous aquatic photography options. It’s dustproof, shockproof, and crushproof. And you can take pictures in sub-zero temperatures. The 12 MP sensor is starting to look dated against newer compact cameras. But you can still expect lovely images that are striking on social media. The 4x optical zoom and creative shooting modes are better than the ones on a smartphone camera. Plus, you also can’t use a smartphone underwater. The video options still hold up. The 4K resolution video looks fantastic. And the 30 fps frame rate gives you smooth action footage. You also have a 120 fps option for Full HD slow-motion videos. That’s perfect for shooting extreme sports. The Olympus Tough TG-6 has built-in Wi-Fi and GPS. You can shoot in RAW. And the fast, fixed lens has an f/2 aperture for good low-light performance. So don’t underestimate this camera. It’s tough as a brick. And it gives you plenty of creative options. The Olympus Pen E-PL10 is a good-looking compact camera. It has a classic rangefinder design. But it’s actually an interchangeable lens camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor. The sleek and discreet design makes it perfect for street and travel photographers. The MFT sensor gives you a 16 MP image resolution. There are a few compact cameras that top the Pen E-PL10 for resolution. But you still get high-quality images. The processor is far better than any smartphone camera. And the details and color rendition for social media images beat most competitors. The AF system is excellent. It uses 121 focus points for fast and accurate focusing. And it does well with moving subjects. The 6 fps burst mode also gives you action photo options. And the camera has a built-in 3-axis image stabilizer for sharper images. The Pen E-PL10 also shoots lovely 4K video. The flip-down screen helps you take selfies and shoot vlogs. And the built-in flash gives you light in dark spaces. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options also keep you connected when you’re traveling. The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is an MFT powerhouse. It has many of the same features as the OM-D E-M1. But this model has improved on those features even further. It’s an MFT camera for professional photographers on a mission. It’s a fantastic camera. But it is one of Olympus’s more expensive models. The MFT sensor gives you a healthy 20.4 MP resolution. That’s not a huge jump from other models we’ve seen on this list. But the sensor is backed up by two TruPic VIII image processors. They extract all the information from the sensor. And they decrease buffering times. You also get the powerful High-Resolution Shot mode. This allows you to shoot with a 50 MP resolution. And you don’t need a tripod or stabilizer. It uses the same 121-point AF system. And it has subject-tracking and face-detection modes. The E-M1X also has one of the most effective image stabilization systems in any camera. It gives you 7.5 EV stops of compensation. You can shoot with slower shutter speeds and still produce crisp and clear images. The 4K video quality is excellent. The image stabilization allows you to shoot handheld footage for smoother results. And you get a rapid continuous shooting speed of 60 fps. So no action is too fast for this camera. The OM-D E-M1X is weather-sealed for outdoor photography. And it has Wi-Fi connectivity for image sharing and remote use. The integrated vertical grip does make the camera larger than most MFT cameras. But it also gives you a comfortable hold when shooting photos or videos. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II is an older model in the E-M1 line. But while the age might deter some, the E-M1 Mark II is still a top camera. The specs still hold up against new models. And its age means the price is more wallet-friendly. The 20 MP sensor gives you fantastic images. The quality is more than enough for even demanding social media creators. And it’s even good enough for print media. The colors and details can cope with photo enlargement and physical printing. The AF system is another highlight. It has 121 phase and contrast detection points. And it tracks moving subjects at any speed. You also get 5-axis image stabilization. This gives you an impressive 5.5 EV stops of compensation. So you have more exposure options, and low-light performance is improved. It’s a brilliant hybrid camera, giving you impressive video results. The 4K resolution is sharp and clear. And the 30 fps frame rate ensures the footage flows smoothly. There’s also a 20-fps burst mode with its electronic shutter. It’s a robust MFT camera with thorough weather sealing. And you can use the camera using the Wi-Fi connection and your smartphone. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II isn’t showing its age. It still has plenty to give enthusiastic photographers. The Olympus Pen E-P7 is the latest model in the Pen series. It has been available in Europe and Asia since June 2021. But we are still waiting for Olympus to sell the Pen E-P7 in North America. It would feature higher on this list. But we’ve had to score it down as many readers can’t buy it yet. The Pen E-P7 continues the stylish trend within this series. The rangefinder design still looks great… especially with analog photography coming back into fashion. The sleek body houses a Micro Four Thirds sensor. And the 20 MP resolution gives you excellent images. The camera also has a 5-axis image stabilization system. This keeps your images sharp and gives you more exposure options. The burst mode is still a bit sluggish at 8 fps. But you won’t be disappointed video results. The 4K footage is crisp and vibrant. And the 30 fps frame rate keeps it looking smooth. The LCD touchscreen tilts and rotates, which is good news for vloggers. You can use the camera remotely using Wi-Fi and the Olympus app on your smartphone. And the USB charging is another handy feature we’re pleased to see.
Conclusion
Olympus makes compact, high-performance cameras with Micro Four Thirds sensors. That’s their specialist niche, and they’re happy in that space… And photographers at all levels continue to be happy with their cameras. The Olympus OM System OM-1 is the best Olympus camera so far. It marks the new era of OM Systems. And it sets a new standard for Micro Four Thirds cameras. It packs a lot of power in a compact body, especially with the High Res Shot mode. Its video features are outstanding. And it has advanced AF and image stabilization. Olympus has proved a Micro Four Thirds camera can be for casual and professional photography. The OM-D E-M5 Mark III is the perfect MFT camera for intermediates. And the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is the best for beginners. They also have the Pen E-PL10 for travelers. And Tough TG-6 is perfect for thrill-seekers. They don’t have the biggest catalog. But there’s an Olympus camera for everyone.
