If you really need need the much larger files, slightly better exposure range or low-light performance of a full-frame camera, or if you can't live without 1024p or 1060p video, then the E-M1 may not be for you.

Rugged body with excellent ergonomics; Best-in-class five-axis in-body image stabilization; Highly configurable

Video format options lacking by comparison to competing cameras; Mediocre battery life; Rich configurability of E-M1 makes for steep learning curve

In addition, the image can be seen forming on the screen of the smartphone during long exposures captured using Live Bulb and Live Time mode.

Small camera body; Plenty of direct controls; Excellent EVF; High quality images; Weather sealed

LCD not variangle; Some features hard to find; High price

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 is "the best Olympus camera ever", says its maker. Can it possibly live up to the hype? The Olympus OM-D E-M1 compact system camera is a compact system camera that also works with DSLR lenses. Could this be Olympus's best camera yet?

Solid chassis; High-res tilting LCD and EVF; DSLR-esque images; Solid chassis; High-res tilting LCD and EVF; DSLR-esque images

Could be more intuitive; Fiddly controls; Could be more intuitive; Fiddly controls

The OM-D E-M1 takes over as the flagship camera for Olympus. It's a Micro Four Thirds-based camera with a stack of features that's aimed at those of...

Strong build quality; Excellent controls; Excellent image quality; Fast performance

Shutter button too squishy for our liking; Some noticeable LCD and EVF flickering under fluro lights

The OM-D E-M1 is the best mirrorless camera ever from Olympus, and it's attracting interest from serious photographers who had, up until now, ignored Olympus and Micro Four Thirds technology. But the E-M1 deserves all the attention--it's the new champ in the "lightweight heavyweight" class.

It was only a year and a half ago when Olympus showed that a small, stylish camera with no mirror and a little sensor could hang in the big leagues. Many photographers instantly fell in love with the OM-D E-M5 .

Back in 2012, when we reviewed the Olympus OM-D E-M5 we called it the "best Olympus compact system camera to date, and also a strong contender for best compact system camera full stop.

Really enjoying this camera. Right of the box it felt good. Image sharpness better than any of my previous cameras. Camera has too many features to mention, but the most important is the images look great and the camera works flawlessly.

We were pretty much enamoured with the Olympus E-M5 (quick review) when we tested it in 2012. The E-M1 takes the best from that camera and further ups the game. Here are three things to love about this camera (and a few to hate). There is truly a lot to love about the E-M1.

Great build quality; Excellent specs; Customization is incredible; EVF is excellent

Very expensive; Battery life not that great; EVF takes a bit of time to start

Taking over from the first OM-D, the E-M1 delivers nearly impeccable performance worthy of its flagship status. This model features a state-of-the-art 16 megapixels CMOS sensor with built-in Phase-Detect autofocus while keeping its predecessor's 5-axis image-stabilization and super-sonic...

Low image-noise up to ISO 1600; Impressive dynamic-range; Reliable Automatic White-Balance; Superb built-in stabilization; Virtually no shutter-lag; Fast contrast-detect AF; Great shot-to-shot speed; Great EVF resolution and refresh rate; Unique Live-Bulb mode; Extremely customizable; Excellent...

Below average color accuracy; More over-exposure than usual; Not always Exposure-Priority and frequently wrong Live-Histogram; Poorly placed tripod mount; Low battery life; Video cuts last second