SINGAPORE — Here’s a bold move: Make a mirrorless camera so powerful, and able to accommodate existing DSLR lenses, that it makes DSLRs obsolete.

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 mirrorless camera, integrating the best of its OM-D mirrorless and E-series DSLR-class models, comes close to that dream. But Olympus is quick to say it’s not canning its E-series DSLRs — yet. In feedback sessions, many have said they want the E-series so they can continue using their existing Olympus Zuiko lenses, said the company. And with the E-M1, it’s provided that option in a smaller, lighter body.

While Olympus insists it is not canning the E-series, it said users might not see the need for it after trying the E-M1. Indeed, as I was handling the camera and playing around with the buttons, the mirrorless looked and felt like a DSLR, except it was smaller and lighter. It may take some getting used to for seasoned DSLR users, but add in the power battery holder with vertical shutter release and it will feel almost like a DSLR.

In fact, Olympus said a straw poll taken at its road shows revealed many professional photographers are already using the OM-D E-M5 as a secondary camera.

The E-M1 boasts a 16.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor that uses a new TruePic VII, which promises higher-resolution and sharper pictures with less noise and colour loss even at high ISO settings.

A Dual Fast autofocus (AF) system uses both Contrast AF and On-Chip Phase Detection AF to focus on the subject quickly and accurately. With support for the Zuiko lenses, you can also autofocus with non-native Four Thirds lenses using phase detection.

Olympus has included a built-in electronic viewfinder, designed for the OM-D range, that is said to rival full-frame SLR models in magnification and has a high-resolution 2.36 million-dot LCD panel.

With this camera, the buttons for every perceivable control are placed right at your fingertips. The well-conceived layout of the large buttons, further improved with a sure grip, ensures comfortable continued shooting.

Switching between four often-used functions — the aperture/shutter speed, exposure compensation, ISO speed and white balance — is done using the lever or two dials.

A tweaked 5-Axis Image Stabiliser helps eliminate camera shake in four ways: In-body stabilisation to correct motion blur; IS-Auto for panning shots; the Live View screen and viewfinder for checking image stabilisation; and a combination of 5-Axis Image Stabilisation and Multi-Motion IS for stability during video shoots.

Other features include 1080p/30fps video and built-in Wi-Fi. Besides being dust- and splash-proof, the device can withstand sub-zero temperatures of up to -10°C too.

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 will retail for S$1,948 for the body-only option, and for S$2,948 with the 12-40mm kit lens. Separately, the kit-lens is sold at S$1,388. The firm will take pre-orders from now till the end of the month (visit http://www.shopatolympus.com.sg), but the camera will ship only from November.