Jordan Drake: Most of the new OM-1II features are possible thanks to the new updated RAM

February 1, 2024
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Preorders:
OM-1II at Amazon US&CA&EU, BHphoto, Adorama, Om Digital,
FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK. OM Germany, OM UK, OM, Italy, OM France.
150-600mm at Amazon US&CA&EU, BHphoto, Adorama, Om Digital,
FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK. OM Germany, OM UK, OM, Italy, OM France.
9-18mm at Amazon US&CA&EU, BHphoto, Adorama, Om Digital,
FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK. OM Germany, OM UK, OM, Italy, OM France.

There are many that do claim that the OM-1II is basically a OM-1 with a major firmware update. So let’s hear two of those comments:

ThePhoBlographer has been quite harsh on the OM-1Ii and wrote:

The new OM System OM1 Mk II is more or less the same camera that the orignal was. Ergonomically speaking, a few of the buttons where shifted around. The company also rubberized the dials to make them easier to turn and manipulate when you’re in the cold or rougher conditions. Aside from that, OM System packed a few new updates to the camera on the inside. Quite honestly though, these updates sound like they could’ve been firmware updates. And that’s why we’re saying that the OM System OM1 Mk II is the world’s most expensive firmware update.

It’s time that we as a photo community mourn the loss, remember it, and move on.

German Pen And Tell writes:

Apart from the larger buffer (hence the 128 ND filter) and the rubberized dials, all the “features” [of the OM-1 Mark II] could of course also be added to the OM-1 via a firmware update. According to my information, this FW update is also available, they just prefer to sell the OM-1 II. There will only be a firmware upgrade for the OM-1 if the shitstorm from long-time users gets too big, otherwise it will remain stowed in a drawer.

But now let’s come to the official OM Digital explanation that Jordan shared in this video you can watch from minute 13:40. Basically he says that most of the new features are only possible thank to the new RAM module. So these software updates could not be added on the OM-1 anyway:

It’s a bit hard for me to ascertain what’s the truth. Of course it sounds reasonable that more RAM will allow you to deal with more data. And maybe that was a bottleneck on the OM-1 to improve autofocus, add complex AI features, improve the stabilization and add video features.

But I guess we will never REALLY now for sure what’s the final truth behind all of this…