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

Having come from a SLR and Dslr background, this camera I believe will be a first model in the dominance of DSLRs in the enthusiast/pro sector. It is amazingly fast, sharp, bright and versatile. Just allow a lot of time to adjust to the menu system and controls.

Compact; Build quality; Screen size

Battery life

The most advanced technological improvement on the E-M1 is the on-sensor phase detection element, which gives the camera two distinct focus modes. The OM-D E-M1 can connect wirelessly to Android and iOS devices to transfer images, and with an app, your smartphone can act as a remote control.

Excellent stills quality; Lighter than DSLR cameras; Superb electronic viewfinder

"Kludgy" interface; Disappointing video

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

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

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.

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.

Since it launched the PEN E-P1 way back in 2009, Olympus has been a leading light of the compact system camera world.

Olympus put a great deal of effort into producing a flagship mirrorless camera that can match up against all but the most powerful DSLRs. While the EM-1 is slightly more expensive than comparable DSLRs, its weatherproofed body means enthusiast shooters need not fear adverse weather.

Great image quality; 10 fps burst shooting mode; Sharp; informative electronic viewfinder; Fast autofocus; Large number of customizable controls; Weatherproof magnesium alloy body

Steep learning curve; Mediocre video; Short battery life

Olympus also launches two new lenses ahead of Photokina