The Olympus OMD EM1 Mk III continues to be one of the most durable cameras that we’ve ever tested.
We have this running thing that we do with the most robust Olympus cameras: we abuse them. They’re designed for it, and photographers who buy them often put them through rough usage. Previously, we stress-tested the OMD EM1 and the OMD EM1 Mk II, and with Olympus’ permission, we put the Olympus OMD EM1 MK III to one of our most notorious tests: we ran it under a faucet. While some of you may think this isn’t practical, we’d disagree.
Gear Used
The Test
Here’s the truth: there are times that we shoot in the rain. Whether it’s landscapes, street photography, documentary work, or even just testing the cameras out, there are solid reasons to need weather resistance on your camera. There’s a significant need for major weather resistance. And even if you’re not putting them through what we are, we’ve seen lots of people do very questionable things with cameras. So, if it can resist the torture we’re putting it through, we’re positive it will resist your efforts too.
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Olympus tested the Olympus OMD EM1 MK III to IPX1. And you can learn more about that in the video above. For this test, we took a whole lot of precautions.
“We took the Olympus OMD EM1 III into the sand, saltwater, and this product shoot. It survived and kept clicking. We’re very impressed with the build quality of the camera. It’s also rated to IPx1. If you’re curious about what an IP rating is, then know that this camera can take dripping water vertically, and it’s protected from impact with objects more substantial than 50mm.”
Our review
Close All the Ports
The first big thing we did was closed all the ports. Photographers who want to make the most of the Olympus OMD EM1 MK III in harsh weather should do this: it will prevent any debris or moisture from getting in and messing with the circuitry. So, close the SD card port and ports on the side. Make sure the battery door is closed securely: we’ve encountered cameras where the battery door opens unexpectedly. Luckily, that isn’t the case with Olympus. But, if you’re going to try to do anything like this, be careful and exercise sound judgment.
Cover the Hot Shoe
This one is questionable. The Olympus OMD EM1 MK III has ample weather sealing around the hot shoe, but to really make the most of the camera, cover the port. Most of you may never remove the hot shoe cover anyway, save to use flashes. When you cover the hot shoe port, there is less of a chance of the moisture getting in. Better to prevent it altogether, right?
Use a Weather Resistant Lens
This is the biggest precaution of all. We’re using the Olympus 7-14mm f2.8 PRO lens with the Olympus OMD EM1 MK III. This is one of the company’s highest-end lenses that provides a whole lot of weather resistance to the package. We made sure the camera and lens were sealed entirely and mounted. This is essential.
