GEAR TESTS: Olympus OMD EM1-MKII

Carlos Quilichini Olympus Team Member

The OM-D E-M1 Mark II is a versatile weather-sealed mirrorless camera, positioned toward a professional image-maker or advanced diver. This camera is a great travel companion because of its size and weight. The PT-EP14 underwater housing is made of polycarbonate to reduce the weight of this underwater camera system. This has been one of our highest priorities as we try to meet the needs of customers who are often travelling with their gear, and who are faced with ever-decreasing carry on luggage policies from airlines. We take pride in offering a solution that fits comfortably in a professional camera bag.

The OM-D E-M1 Mark II offers great benefits to divers due to the amount of custom functions that can be programmed. For example, the Lever Function switch out-of-the-box will allow the user to switch ISO and White Balance. However, this switch can be programmed for video without switching the main mode dial to the video mode, giving the user full control of the video mode. A new function added to this switch is the option to power On and Off the camera with just one hand. The top mode dial now has 3 custom mode settings where you can program any of your favorite shooting settings and have them handy.

• 5 Axis Image Stabilization technology prevents hand shake and allows for slower shutter speeds, lower ISO and improved image quality in low light.
• World's fastest AF; can track focus at up to 18fps with silent electronic shutter.
• Dual SD Card (UHS II compatible Slot 1)
• 20MP with a 50MP High Resolution mode
• 4K video
• 121pts cross type on chip Phase Detection
• Has won several awards including DP Review Gold Award and the Imaging Resource 2016 Camera of the Year award.

Hergen Spalink Nauticam USA UW Photography Ambassador

When I tested the Olympus EM1MKII earlier this year in our NA-EM1II housing I was blown away by the autofocus' ability in low-light macro conditions.  Able to track the face of a moving pygmy seahorse without a focus light and very little ambient light was an incredible feat.

The EM1MKII, in addition to being one of my new favorite macro rigs, it also shoots stunning wide angle and can be paired with our WWL-1 and CMC-1 wet-mate conversion lens system to allow for switching from wide angle to macro underwater.

With the flexibility of the Micro-Four-Thirds open source system, the camera can also use lenses from other manufacturers such as the Panasonic 8mm Fisheye allowing for even more freedom.

If flexibility and portability are at the top of your list, the Olympus EM21MKII might be the rig for you.

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