OM System OM OM-1 Mark II Black 2024

The OM-1 Mark II is an absolute speed demon with class-leading stabilization and autofocus that rarely blinks. The 20MP sensor is its Achilles' heel, but for wildlife and action, it's one of the best tools around. At around $2,000 it's a solid buy, but watch for overpriced bundles.

Strap in: the burst shooting hits 120fps with full autofocus, which puts it in a league of its own. We saw it chew through sequences of swallows in flight without a hiccup. Autofocus is ridiculously good, with subject detection that snags eyes and animals almost telepathically. The stabilization is so effective you can hand-hold multi-second exposures, no tripod needed. The EVF is bright and lag-free, easily top of the charts. Where it stumbles is sheer resolution. The 20MP sensor lags behind most competitors, so fine detail and aggressive crops fall apart faster than we'd like. Video specs are solid with 4K 60p and 10-bit log, but it's not the standout feature here. Battery life is a strong 520 shots, though real-world burst shooting will stretch that much further.

Stacked against the Fujifilm X-H2 or Sony a7 V, the OM-1 II trades resolution for speed and build. The 40MP Fuji and 33MP Sony will deliver much cleaner, croppable files, but neither can touch the OM's burst rate or IBIS. The Canon R6 III matches it more closely in speed but still has a bigger sensor, though it costs more. Against the Nikon Z9, the OM is lighter and nimbler but obviously lacks the pro video features and resolution. If you're all about video, the Panasonic GH7 is the MFT champ, but for stills action, the OM-1 II is the one to beat.

The price on this camera varies wildly, from a sensible $2,000 to a laughable $59,110 that has to be a data error. At the low end, you're getting a whole lot of speed and ruggedness for the money, especially if you find the Best Buy bundle that includes a lens. We say stick to vendors near that $2,000 mark and you'll feel like you got a bargain. Pay a cent more than $2,500 for the body alone and you're being taken for a ride.

The OM-1 Mark II is a camera built for rough days and split-second moments. It feels like a tiny tank in your hands, ready to shrug off rain and dust while you chase birds or track bikes. That 120fps burst rate is just bonkers, and the autofocus sticks to moving subjects like gum on a shoe. But let's be real: it's still a Micro Four Thirds sensor, so if you're expecting medium format detail, you're shopping in the wrong aisle.

This is a tool for outdoor shooters who value speed over megapixels. The 5.8M-dot EVF is huge and crisp, the 8.5 stops of IBIS make handheld shooting feel like a cheat code, and the computational features like Live ND add creative flexibility. It won't replace a high-res full-frame body for studio work, but for action in the wild, it's one of the most capable bodies you can grab.

If you need high-resolution files for commercial print work or fine art landscapes, look elsewhere. The 20MP sensor just doesn't have the detail for big prints or extreme crops. Studio product photographers will also find the sensor limitations frustrating, as the product photography score suggests.

Buy this if you photograph fast things in messy weather. Birders, wildlife pros, and sports shooters will adore the speed and toughness. It's a dedicated action tool that makes you feel like you can't miss, even when the conditions are against you. Just know that you're trading pixel count for that performance, so don't expect to crop deep or print billboards.