Oh My, Eeeeeee! - The OM-D E-M1

I always wanted to own an M-1. I was never able to locate a Leica camera of this name and every time I asked for an M-1 Garand I got funny looks at the police station. It has been most frustrating.

My prayers are answered - the Olympus company have introduced their flagship micro 4/3 camera body with this model number. I can now take perfect pot shots legally...

Gavin, our Olympus expert, has been testing the new body - as have a number of our customers who pre-ordered this new camera. His verdict is a resounding Yes. When I asked why...

The number of configurable controls that have been put on the outside - apart from the pro-quality front and back thumbwheels  - that allow the user to program the thing to their particular workflow. Note on the images the two front panel buttons, the two Fn buttons, and the video button that is assignable as well. There is a two-way switch just near the eyepiece that switches you into two menu streams, and even on the left hand end - where the film rewinder used to live - there are two rapid access buttons.

I noted that the on-off switch has returned to the traditional Olympus location at this LHS. Gavin was noncommittal about this but I like it - less chance of knocking the thing and turning the camera on just before you put it away...

Another great ergonomic decision also lives in the center of the mode dial - there is a lockable button that will allow you to set the mode and then not knock it out of alignment with your thumb. You can free it and spin it as much as you want but if you want it locked it will stay put.

The section of the camera that gets artistic...the art filters and the retouching...seems amazing. he showed me the watercolour mode and it is charming - pastel and freely flowing. There is also a section that builds up multiple exposures side by side for a story-telling effect. I thought that the "instant-film-like" section that puts an image into a heavy paper frame and then writes a date under it was good for social photos.

The good part about this report is the bit where I tell you that we got 'em in stock now. Like, you bring us money and you take one home. Today.