LIGHTEST Wildlife Cameras: Canon R7 vs OM-1!

Tony & Chelsea Northrup
Tony & Chelsea Northrup
53,035
0
Published 2023-10-31
Visit our sponsor Adorama at sdp.io/adorama to buy your cameras, lenses & more! Buy the Canon R7 ($1399 at SDP.io/R7 ) & Canon 100-400 ($650 at SDP.io/RF100400 )
Buy the OM-1 ($1,999 at SDP.io/OM1 ) & Olympus 100-400 ($1,399 at SDP.io/O400 )

Chelsea & Tony Northrup search for the LIGHTEST possible wildlife photography camera. They found two camera and lens combinations that came in under 4 lbs that still offered at leats 20 megapixels at an equivalent 800mm: the Canon R7 with the RF 100-400 f5.6-8 ($2050 total, 2.75 lbs/1.25 kg) and the OM Systems OM-1 with the Olympus 100-400 f5-6.3 ($3,399 total, 3.79 lbs/1.72 kg).

They compare the two cameras in the real world, photographing birds from a kayak. They consider handling, weather proofing, sharpness, frames per second, silent shooting, dynamic range, background blur, autofocus, and viewfinder quality.

0:00 Introduction
1:14 Canon R7 vs OM-1 Design Comparison
1:45 Olympus OM-1 Weatherproofing
2:02 Viewfinder comparison
3:36 Canon R7 vs OM-1 Sharpness comparison
4:05 Crop factor & equivalency comparison
4:37 Dynamic range comparison
5:04 Animal autofocus: Canon R7 vs OM-1
5:40 Shutter Noise and Frames per Second
All Comments (21)
  • @HokKan
    The OM-1 shoots 25FPS with no black out in SH2. (with specific lenses, it does 50FPS, but with the 100-400 that you tested, 25FPS). You got 20 because you were not using SH2. You were using the slower burst electronic shutter with black outs. Please pin this comment so your viewers will not be misinformed. SH1 = 120FPS, S-AF, no blackout SH2 = 25FPS or 50FPS (depending on your lens), C-AF, no blackout High Speed Sequential = 20FPS (what you were using), C-AF, yes blackout
  • @pankajnjoshi9673
    You can not miss pro-capture feature on OM-1. That makes bird action photography so much better.
  • @michaeldensley6175
    Pro Capture should have been mentioned. It can almost guarantee the right moment vs much less likely without it. I wouldn’t have glossed over the weather sealing so quickly. The OM1 is built like a tank and sealed up well. This can really matter at times. As for weight, the OM1 with the 75-300 II is 225g lighter (it’s smaller too) than the R7+100-400 and the reach is the same; price wise the Olympus kit is only $350 more. The Olympus setup does cost more but that’s because they put so much into the OM1: Hand Held High Resolution Mode, Starry AF, Live ND, Pro Capture, Stacked Sensor coupled with a very fast processor, IP53 rated weather sealing, 50fps with AF, and more.
  • @DavidL5star
    I have just moved from Nikon (D6 &D850) to OM mainly due to the weight of the FF gear and getting older. I have to say I have been pleasantly surprised and will be getting the OM-1 mkii in a few days. The lens quality is excellent and I can now carry all the lenses Andes bodies in one backpack.
  • @stevearita3267
    Great review and thank you for taking the time and producing these comparison videos.
  • @user-my7ml5om4t
    As an owner of both cameras I found this to be a totally fair review. It sounds like Tony has finally forgiven Olympus for claiming its 300 f4 to be the equivalent of the Canon 600 f4. I did buy the 300 anyway and love it. It also stabilizes better than the 100-400 I believe.
  • @simplyawesomephoto
    I love to see some Micro four-thirds love. The OM-1 is such a great camera. I love the live comp, ND filters, and focus bracketing just to name a few. In your testing, I think the Canon was better on IBIS because the Olympus 100-400 is not a PRO lens and you are unable to use both in-camera and lens dual image stabilization. Many bird photographers have noted that choosing the lens IBIS rather than the in body IBIS in the menu system resulted in sharper images at lower shutter speeds. When the new Panasonic G9 II is released, it would be great to revisit this comparison as the Panasonic 100-400 II has OIS that allows the G9 II to have dual IBIS. It also has 60fps with focusing. Great review.
  • @LenMetcalf
    I have been using micro four thirds since it was four thirds… I have tried so many other cameras in that time. I have wasted so much money doing so. And I always, always come back to the Olympus. Now it’s an OM1 om systems. I have the 300mm lens and love it. I always return to it. It’s my go to camera. Always. I think it’s highly underrated. I don’t have any noise issues ever…. One thing the latest one has changed Is the control dials being recessed, and are significantly harder to use than they used to be. It’s nice to see you being objective with the OM-1, OM Systems camera. Olympus is no more. And am sad about the brand name going, but pleased it’s going to be kept going…
  • @LarryFasnacht
    You guys are awesome! Thanks for making this video.
  • @spanksen
    Great Video and I love to see more MFT/OM Content from you ❤
  • @marvinlovenfeldt
    R7 have electronic first curtain shutter that works perfect. 1 year R7 owner. Best camera I have owned in 50 years with this photography hobby.
  • @martlet530
    Enjoyed your comments on Olympus. Very useful.
  • @movieman2009
    Enjoyed the review. Tony, would love to see a comparison to the Sony A6700 with the Sony 70-350 4.5-6.3 lens !
  • @mikestewart6669
    I recently bought the Olympus 100-400 for my OM-1. But it doesn’t have a built in lens hood like yours; it came with a large hood that attaches bayonet style. Perhaps the UK stock has a different spec? My lens replaced a 300 F4 Pro, because I found the prime lens too restrictive. Surprisingly, my 100-400 lens is almost as sharp as the prime.
  • @Nehallad
    Thank you for this video. Please compare Fuji Xh2s and OM 1 both stack sensors.
  • @tomremisoski135
    Very informative. I really enjoy these comparison videos. Thanks for all you do to educate and inform!