I have been asked via a PM what are the differences and similarities between the EM1mk2 with FW3.0 and the EM1X as i own both. (Well that's the wording i will use)
FW3.0 has given the em1mk2 nearly all of the photographic functionality of the EM1X but not all.
Of course this has already been done by the pros as a quick google search turns up multiple comparisons with this one looking comprehensive with lot's of images showing the differences
Olympus OM-D E-M1X vs E-M1 II – The Complete Comparison
The following is my own thoughts and i compiled these before finding the comparison directly above, I'll be interested in what others with both cameras think as well.
These are only in the order they come to mind.
Size:
EM1X - yep it's bigger, it's wider, the grips are a little bit bulkier, enough that you notice it but they are still comfortable. the extra width gives clear space for your thumb and spaces buttons controls out to be more ergonomic, i have larger hands but short fingers so whilst the grips are great the buttons become just a slighter greater stretch than i'm used to. This is a camera that doesn't look out of place in a crowd of Canon/Nikon shooters if that means something.
EM1mk2 - With the grip on it's just more compact, note that we are not talking big differences but noticeable when you use both back to back but that compactness now feels less ergonomic, buttons feel cramped together. Take the grip off and you get a far less tall camera, it no longer looks like some pro body and becomes rather discreet, not em5/10 invisible just less obvious. Using the mk2 with the grip so often without the grip i find it too short, my little finger doesn't sit right.
If you coming from a small camera regardless of brand both of these may feel large but use and hold them for a bit and they will feel good. If you are coming from a larger DLSR body them these may feel just right or even compact. A side story, I handed my EM1X to a young guy shooting a basic Canon DSLR as he was interested ... he's comment ... "wow that is not heavy and it feels really good" then he fired of a couple of 18fps bursts and the look of surprise and pleasure was sort of priceless
Sensor:
The reviews call it the same. Olympus tells us the 1X has a better anti reflective filter. is there a difference, I can't quantify one though i do think the EM1X is better at ISO6400, just a little but enough to push the 1X into the hand first.
AutoFocus:
EM1X - major difference now is the AI modes. personally i've only tested the motosport mode and only on cars but the experience is it works! it works so that you can concentrate more on technique and composition. I briefly played with planes a couple weekends ago and it seemed the same. Trains? none around here that matter
EM1mk2 - missing the AI modes but so far the mk2 feels very similar to the 1X for CAF/TR and SAF. I don't use just CAF for what i shoot.
For both the addition of MF when in CAF modes is really good.
Ergonomics:
EM1X - the large size gives slightly larger buttons, fully mirrored control layout H/V, two joysticks and other subtle changes. I hate the menu button going to the left side.
EM1mk2 - this always felt great till the 1X came along, it still feels great just not as ergonomically nice.
At least for me this is a clear win for the EM1X.
People call out the power switch location on the left and for people coming from say nikon where it's around the shutter will find it inconvenient and a pain, i came from the other way with 15+ yrs using a Canon T70 film camera that had it's power switch on the left hand side. I find it better to let the camera just go to sleep when shooting somewhat consistently and just half press shutter to wake the cameras up. when treking around for a day i just flick the power off then back on every 30 minutes or so so the the camera is just sitting in sleep mode.
Battery:
EM1X - uses two batteries in a battery cradle that must be removed as a single unit to change even one battery. The fact i can change both without removing the grip is good, the bad is the camera must be powered down when doing so.
EM1mk2 - gripped, you get two batteries, the one in the grip can be changed on the fly with the camera powered up, even down it whilst shooting. It's an edge case i know but useful. However use both batteries up and you have to remove the grip to get at the camera battery.
Battery Life:
Despite the EM1X having the additional processor and sensors i'd say that in active sports shooting it's effectively a wash between them. Doing travel/trip day trip type stuff i actually feel the 1X is more frugal with it's battery use but haven't quantified it yet.
One thing with the ability to get into menus or review images whilst the card is still writing with both cameras now, you are likely to do more image review and hence impact your battery life.
Speed using the camera:
The two truepic8 processors give a clear win to the EM1X, it is significantly more responsive in reviewing images moving around images, menu access and use.
This doesn't make the EM1mk2 deadly slow, it's pretty damn fast compared to other cameras just not in the same league as the 1X
Viewfinder:
Olympus documents it at the same specs but with a larger view and progressive scan for the 1X, is it better? YEP it is. I can still follow action with the mk2 but like so many other things between the two cameras the 1X is just a bit better.
GPS and environment sensors:
EM1X - inbuilt and seem to have no real impact on battery life. the usefulness will depend on your needs, personally i like the GPS but i find the environment sensors to be not accurate or more accurately they should allow for local setup such as pressure requires adjust based on height.
EM1mk2 - need to geotag then you need to use the IO-Share app and do it afterwards, too hard too painful could never be bothered personally.
HI-RES
EM1X - you have both tripod based and hand held based
EM1mk2 - tripod only
Handheld works surprising well and people need to put their own value on this.
Weathersealing:
Definitely no issues with either in my experience but the unibody construction of the 1X should provide more confidence.
Video:
I do minimal to no video but reports have been very positive that FW3.0 has brought significant improvements and likely made the gap close to zero between the two cameras.
---------
Let's see if I can wrap a summary in any less words and no i won't be using a pros/cons table.
Summary thoughts:
Firmware 3.0 for the mk2 has actually made the decision harder in many ways as the camera's are closer in functionality than ever. Overall the EM1X is the speedier and more ergonomic option. It is nearly impossible to quantify but a host of little things give an edge to the EM1X when compared to a gripped EM1mk2. For me the generally instant response, mymenu and joysticks stand out for the EM1X.
Now remove the grip for any valid and logical reason on the mk2 and get a less obvious camera, lighter to carry all day and better balance with smaller lenses unit. If this is something that is a big factor then the mk2 becomes the better choice regardless of other things.
The EM1X is more than a professional camera for sports, it is ideal for any situation where you have a combination of portrait and landscape images.
With both camera's being similar it will come down to the remaining feature differences and what is important to you.
You have got this far and wonder why i haven't mentioned price...... well price considerations are for each and every individual to consider as part of their overall valuation. I personally think that even with FW3.0 coming out the premium paid for the EM1X has been worth it for my use.
Please lets keep the replies constructive and NOT price focused.
FW3.0 has given the em1mk2 nearly all of the photographic functionality of the EM1X but not all.
Of course this has already been done by the pros as a quick google search turns up multiple comparisons with this one looking comprehensive with lot's of images showing the differences
Olympus OM-D E-M1X vs E-M1 II – The Complete Comparison
The following is my own thoughts and i compiled these before finding the comparison directly above, I'll be interested in what others with both cameras think as well.
These are only in the order they come to mind.
Size:
EM1X - yep it's bigger, it's wider, the grips are a little bit bulkier, enough that you notice it but they are still comfortable. the extra width gives clear space for your thumb and spaces buttons controls out to be more ergonomic, i have larger hands but short fingers so whilst the grips are great the buttons become just a slighter greater stretch than i'm used to. This is a camera that doesn't look out of place in a crowd of Canon/Nikon shooters if that means something.
EM1mk2 - With the grip on it's just more compact, note that we are not talking big differences but noticeable when you use both back to back but that compactness now feels less ergonomic, buttons feel cramped together. Take the grip off and you get a far less tall camera, it no longer looks like some pro body and becomes rather discreet, not em5/10 invisible just less obvious. Using the mk2 with the grip so often without the grip i find it too short, my little finger doesn't sit right.
If you coming from a small camera regardless of brand both of these may feel large but use and hold them for a bit and they will feel good. If you are coming from a larger DLSR body them these may feel just right or even compact. A side story, I handed my EM1X to a young guy shooting a basic Canon DSLR as he was interested ... he's comment ... "wow that is not heavy and it feels really good" then he fired of a couple of 18fps bursts and the look of surprise and pleasure was sort of priceless
Sensor:
The reviews call it the same. Olympus tells us the 1X has a better anti reflective filter. is there a difference, I can't quantify one though i do think the EM1X is better at ISO6400, just a little but enough to push the 1X into the hand first.
AutoFocus:
EM1X - major difference now is the AI modes. personally i've only tested the motosport mode and only on cars but the experience is it works! it works so that you can concentrate more on technique and composition. I briefly played with planes a couple weekends ago and it seemed the same. Trains? none around here that matter
EM1mk2 - missing the AI modes but so far the mk2 feels very similar to the 1X for CAF/TR and SAF. I don't use just CAF for what i shoot.
For both the addition of MF when in CAF modes is really good.
Ergonomics:
EM1X - the large size gives slightly larger buttons, fully mirrored control layout H/V, two joysticks and other subtle changes. I hate the menu button going to the left side.
EM1mk2 - this always felt great till the 1X came along, it still feels great just not as ergonomically nice.
At least for me this is a clear win for the EM1X.
People call out the power switch location on the left and for people coming from say nikon where it's around the shutter will find it inconvenient and a pain, i came from the other way with 15+ yrs using a Canon T70 film camera that had it's power switch on the left hand side. I find it better to let the camera just go to sleep when shooting somewhat consistently and just half press shutter to wake the cameras up. when treking around for a day i just flick the power off then back on every 30 minutes or so so the the camera is just sitting in sleep mode.
Battery:
EM1X - uses two batteries in a battery cradle that must be removed as a single unit to change even one battery. The fact i can change both without removing the grip is good, the bad is the camera must be powered down when doing so.
EM1mk2 - gripped, you get two batteries, the one in the grip can be changed on the fly with the camera powered up, even down it whilst shooting. It's an edge case i know but useful. However use both batteries up and you have to remove the grip to get at the camera battery.
Battery Life:
Despite the EM1X having the additional processor and sensors i'd say that in active sports shooting it's effectively a wash between them. Doing travel/trip day trip type stuff i actually feel the 1X is more frugal with it's battery use but haven't quantified it yet.
One thing with the ability to get into menus or review images whilst the card is still writing with both cameras now, you are likely to do more image review and hence impact your battery life.
Speed using the camera:
The two truepic8 processors give a clear win to the EM1X, it is significantly more responsive in reviewing images moving around images, menu access and use.
This doesn't make the EM1mk2 deadly slow, it's pretty damn fast compared to other cameras just not in the same league as the 1X
Viewfinder:
Olympus documents it at the same specs but with a larger view and progressive scan for the 1X, is it better? YEP it is. I can still follow action with the mk2 but like so many other things between the two cameras the 1X is just a bit better.
GPS and environment sensors:
EM1X - inbuilt and seem to have no real impact on battery life. the usefulness will depend on your needs, personally i like the GPS but i find the environment sensors to be not accurate or more accurately they should allow for local setup such as pressure requires adjust based on height.
EM1mk2 - need to geotag then you need to use the IO-Share app and do it afterwards, too hard too painful could never be bothered personally.
HI-RES
EM1X - you have both tripod based and hand held based
EM1mk2 - tripod only
Handheld works surprising well and people need to put their own value on this.
Weathersealing:
Definitely no issues with either in my experience but the unibody construction of the 1X should provide more confidence.
Video:
I do minimal to no video but reports have been very positive that FW3.0 has brought significant improvements and likely made the gap close to zero between the two cameras.
---------
Let's see if I can wrap a summary in any less words and no i won't be using a pros/cons table.
Summary thoughts:
Firmware 3.0 for the mk2 has actually made the decision harder in many ways as the camera's are closer in functionality than ever. Overall the EM1X is the speedier and more ergonomic option. It is nearly impossible to quantify but a host of little things give an edge to the EM1X when compared to a gripped EM1mk2. For me the generally instant response, mymenu and joysticks stand out for the EM1X.
Now remove the grip for any valid and logical reason on the mk2 and get a less obvious camera, lighter to carry all day and better balance with smaller lenses unit. If this is something that is a big factor then the mk2 becomes the better choice regardless of other things.
The EM1X is more than a professional camera for sports, it is ideal for any situation where you have a combination of portrait and landscape images.
With both camera's being similar it will come down to the remaining feature differences and what is important to you.
You have got this far and wonder why i haven't mentioned price...... well price considerations are for each and every individual to consider as part of their overall valuation. I personally think that even with FW3.0 coming out the premium paid for the EM1X has been worth it for my use.
Please lets keep the replies constructive and NOT price focused.
