Jake Sloan tested the OM-1II in Alaska
Jake Sloan recently took the OM System OM-1 Mark II out for a serious field test in the rugged conditions of Alaska — and came away genuinely impressed. Paired with the incredible M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens, Jake calls it possibly the best wildlife setup he’s ever used for under $10,000.
From the outset, he makes it clear: the OM-1 Mark II is a photography-first camera. While it does have solid video features, its true strength lies in stills — especially wildlife photography. Coming from no prior OM System experience, Jake was initially skeptical about Micro Four Thirds. But the test quickly changed his mind.
Micro Four Thirds offers distinct advantages over APS-C and full frame: smaller, lighter gear, lower cost, and the ability to pack industry-leading stabilization into the body. In wildlife shooting, the 2x crop factor turns the 150-400mm into a staggering 300-800mm equivalent, with a built-in 1.25x teleconverter pushing it to roughly 1000mm — all in a package far lighter and cheaper than full-frame equivalents.
Image quality is another highlight. The 20MP stills are sharp, detailed, and offer excellent color. OM’s autofocus system, combined with subject detection, proved highly effective at locking onto fast-moving wildlife. For high-resolution needs, the OM-1 Mark II includes a pixel-shift mode that produces up to 80MP images, even handheld (with slightly reduced resolution). This mode works best with static subjects, but delivers stunning detail and RAW file output.
The camera is built for the outdoors, boasting an IP57 rating for dust and splash resistance. In Jake’s rainy Alaska test, it performed flawlessly. Computational photography features like Live ND and graduated ND filters expand creative possibilities without extra gear. Other advanced tools include Pro Capture, focus stacking, HDR, and multiple exposures.
On the video side, the OM-1 Mark II offers 4K up to 60p in 10-bit 4:2:0, producing clean, detailed footage with the same excellent autofocus found in stills mode. Switching between photo and video is seamless, allowing quick transitions in the field.
For photographers wanting a lightweight, durable, and highly capable wildlife or nature setup, Jake sees the OM-1 Mark II as a top contender. Even with the flagship 150-400mm PRO lens, the total investment stays around or under $10,000 — significantly less than comparable full-frame kits.
Jake’s time with the camera left him reluctant to send it back, praising its ease of use, outstanding performance, and portability. For those looking to enter or upgrade in the wildlife photography space without the bulk and expense of full-frame, the OM-1 Mark II with lenses like the 150-400mm PRO might be the perfect solution.
