Real-world sample images from the Olympus OM-D E-M1X, the big dual-grip Micro Four Thirds flagship — including where its sensor holds up and where it shows its size class.
I’ve recently had the chance to go out shooting with the new Olympus OM-D E-M1X. It’s a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera, but unlike most of the others in that category, this one isn’t what you’d call small. That’s mostly because it has a built-in (ie. non-removable) vertical grip that also serves as a battery pack. It brings the whole thing up to not much smaller than a full-size pro DSLR with a grip attached. And it’s not a pretty camera, but it’s not meant to be. What they’re going for is a rugged workhorse.
Some of the camera’s standout features include very fast photo framerates, super-responsive controls, and excellent autofocus tracking and speed. Those kinds of features lend themselves much more to sport and wildlife photography or even photojournalism than travel photography, so it wouldn’t be a traditional choice as an everyday travel camera (and, frankly, at the price point, there are better options if you don’t need the high-speed features). But I still thought it’d be interesting to put it through its paces as a general travel camera, in part as a useful test of its image quality under variable lighting conditions and different types of detail.
I’ve posted a more detailed hands-on review separately. I’ve also posted some examples shot throughout the E-M1X’s ISO range. But I wanted to include some sample images to go along with it. These were shot in RAW and have only been lightly processed in Lightroom. You can click on each image to open a full-size version for a closer look.
Sample images taken with an Olympus OM-D E-M1X
Taken at ISO 2000 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 20 mm (40 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 16 mm (32 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 38 mm (76 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 12 mm (24 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 64 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 17 mm (34 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 250 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 12 mm (24 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 2000 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 40 mm (80 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 2500 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 17 mm (34 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 15 mm (30 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 13 mm (26 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 14 mm (28 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 64 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 40 mm (80 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 16 mm (32 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 34 mm (68 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 125 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 17 mm (34 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 1000 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 17 mm (34 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 64 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 40 mm (80 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 12 mm (24 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 12 mm (24 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 6400 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 12 mm (24 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 23 mm (46 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 6400 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 12 mm (24 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 35 mm (70 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 24 mm (48 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 1250 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 32 mm (64 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 40 mm (80 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 1250 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 20 mm (40 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 2000 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 40 mm (80 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 34 mm (68 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 27 mm (54 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 2500 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 38 mm (76 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 1000 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 12 mm (24 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 4000 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 22 mm (44 mm in 35mm equivalent).
Taken at ISO 200 with an Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens at 19 mm (38 mm in 35mm equivalent).
I take photos for a living. Now based in Washington, D.C., I have spent the last 30+ years shooting across seven continents — from underwater environments to mountain peaks. My images and time-lapses have appeared in major newspapers, magazines, museums, professional sports stadiums, and even on massive architectural scrims covering world-famous buildings.
I started this site in 2009 to field-test gear, share problem-solving solutions, and share what I've learned in shooting around the world. I only review gear and services I have personally used. No armchair opinions — just real-world experience. Because, for me, the fun is in the making of the photo.
