Japan 1972 – Compact – 35 mm – Infrequent.
The Olympus OM-1 was presented in 1972 and was then called the Olympus M-1.
Since Leica’s flagship rangefinder cameras are known as the M Series, Leica complained about the name of the M-1, forcing Olympus to rename it OM.
Nikon had made the 35 mm SLR the standard choice for professionals accustomed to Leica and other rangefinders, but it had driven the market towards heavy and bulky cameras. The Olympus OM-1 changed this and with it began a reduction of size, weight and noise of the 35 mm SLRs.
The Olympus OM-1 introduced a compact, lightweight design that prioritized portability and ease of use without sacrificing performance. Its impact can still be felt in the many small and versatile SLR cameras that have followed in its footsteps.
The Olympus OM series is among the most successful SLR cameras ever built and is extremely popular nowadays among the new generation of analog enthusiasts. It is not a rare camera but definitely deserves a special spot as it was the camera of choice of many professional and amateur photographers.