The OM-1 has developed a mini cult following in the two years since it became the first camera release from the new OM System camera brand (formerly Olympus).
What's New
The biggest promise of the OM-1 Mark II is an improved autofocus system. With more RAM and an improved AI-driven autofocus system, we expect there to be a boost in the subject recognition performance. While subject detection options don't yet include fish, it's likely that the improvements will help us out underwater.
The Mark II also claims up to 8.5EV image stabilization correction which is up from 7 stops for the Mark I version.
This is unlikely to mean that you can actually reliably shoot at 8.5 stops below the traditional 1/focal length shutter speed (with a 50mm equiv lens, that would be an exposure of around seven seconds), but it does leave the OM-1 II as the highest-rated camera on the market. - DPReview
The OM-1 Mark II now supports shooting vertical video which may seem like a throwaway feature to some, but will definitely help those of us that are trying to up our social media game.
What About an Underwater Housing?
The only published change to the camera body design is the addition of OM System branding and a new rubberized coating on the command dials. We're hoping that the new camera is a drop in fit to the original OM-1 underwater housing, but we can't confirm anything until we have our hands on the actual camera.
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Specifications
20 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor
4K Ultra HD Video at up to 60 fps
Flash sync up to 1/250 second
Up to 8.5 stops in-body image stabilization
Continuous shooting at up to 50fps with full autofocus
Fully articulating rear LCD screen
5.76m dot OLED viewfinder with 0.83x magnification
CIPA battery life rating of 520 shots per charge
Dual UHS-II card slots
Availability
The OM System OM-1 Mark II is expected to start shipping in late February 2024 with a US market suggested retail price of $2399.99 (body only).
OM System 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 II Lens
The latest version of this classic wide angle zoom lens appears to only change the color of the mount index (from silver to black) and offer more rugged looking textures on the focus and zoom rings. We'll also be testing it out soon to make sure that it fits with all the same lens ports and zoom rings.
Additional Reading
OM System OM-1 Underwater Photos and Review
First Reactions to OM System (Olympus) OM-1 Underwater [VIDEO]
OM System OM-1 Underwater in Croatia [VIDEO]
OM-1 OM System Underwater Housing Assembly // Ikelite 200DLM/B [VIDEO]
The Secret to Underwater Photography with Olympus and Panasonic Cameras [VIDEO]
