Upgrade Guide
OM System OM-5 Mark II→OM System OM-1
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the OM-5 Mark II. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the OM-1
-
StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
-
Battery life520 shots (CIPA) vs 310 shots (CIPA)
Unchanged or similar
-
ResolutionSimilar (20MP)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | OM-5 Mark II | OM-1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.8 | ||
| Street | -0.4 | ||
| Travel | -0.5 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +2.2 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | -0.1 | ||
| Filmmaking | +1.5 | ||
| Documentary | +1.3 | ||
| Sports & Action | +2.5 | ||
| Landscape | — | ||
| Wildlife | +1.6 | ||
| Casual | -0.5 | ||
| Food | +0.2 | ||
| Macro | — | ||
| Architecture | +0.1 | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.4 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | OM-5 Mark II | OM-1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £880 | £1,299 | |
| Released | 2025 | 2022 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Four Thirds Live MOS | Micro Four Thirds Live MOS stacked BSI | |
| Resolution | 20MP | 20MP | |
| Video | 4K/30p, OM-Log400 | 4K 60fps 10-bit | |
| Autofocus | Phase-hybrid AF (121 cross-type points) | 1053-point cross-type phase-detect, AI subject recognition | |
| Stabilisation | Up to 7.5-stop Sync IS (6.5-stop body-only) | 5-axis IBIS, 7.0 stops (8 stops with sync IS) | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps (AF tracking), 30fps (locked) | 10fps mechanical, 50fps electronic, 120fps Pro Capture | |
| Battery Life | 310 shots (CIPA) | 520 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 370g (body only) | 599g (body only) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 1.37x magnification | EVF 0.83× 5.76M-dot | |
| Screen | Fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M-dot | |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD (UHS-II) | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See OM-5 Mark II and OM-1 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the OM-1 against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the OM-5 Mark II
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Camera family history