Review Date: September 28, 2015
Category: Entry-level
HANDLING & FEEL
Since the A01 is cylindrical in shape like a lens, it might feel a bit awkward at first figuring out how best to hold it. If you are pairing it with a smartphone, you can simply insert the latter into the AIR Coupling and the whole contraption then looks like you have attached a lens onto your smartphone. Your smartphone is then angled about 45° up so you can comfortably look down into the display screen instead of having to hold it up to your eyes all the time.
You wouldn’t, however, want to hold the contraption by the phone itself. The best way is to have one hand under the A01 and/or lens (depending on the size and weight of the lens you have attached) and the other hand tapping the display of your smartphone (like in one of those futuristic movies).
I’m not sure if (and I doubt that) the AIR Coupling contains any electronics and serves any other purpose besides holding your phone. It mounts onto the back of the A01 like a lens and even has an Accessory Release Lever. The included wrist strap attaches to the AIR Coupling.
To access the Radio Switch (to turn Wi-Fi ON) and the micro USB connector (to recharge the built-in battery), you need to remove the AIR Coupling. To access the microSD card slot, you need to further (carefully, using your fingertip,) pop out the Rear Cover.
To attach your smartphone, first determine if it is a “large” or “small” phone, large being the iPhone 6 and similar-sized phones. Open the AIR Coupling and switch the Adjustment Lever to “LARGE” or “SMALL.” Phones from 48.6 to 77.8 mm can be accomodated. (You may have to remove your phone case first; if your phone has a fancy shape, it may not attach securely.) The bottom latch is spring-loaded, so insert your phone into it, then pull back gently to extend the spring and until you can slide your phone under the top latch. If your phone does not fit, don’t force it. After all, you do not need to attach your phone to use the AIR A01. I used my iPad mini in one hand (or lying flat on a table) and the AIR A01 in the other.
To unmount and mount the AIR Couping correctly, make sure that you use the Accessory Release Lever (to unmount) and carefully align the AIR Coupling Mount Index (to mount).
Besides a Power button, the only other physical control button is a Shutter release button. All other features of the AIR is accessed via your smartphone. To do so, you need to download and install the free OA.CENTRAL app (iOS or Android) on your smartphone to give you the ability to wirelessly control all the settings and features of the A01.
The Shutter release button on the “top” is rather conveniently large and it is easier to use the thumb to press it. The two holes in front are for the stereo microphone. The Lens Release Lever and Accessory Release Lever are both on the “side” and a metal tripod socket is on the “bottom.” (Remember the A01 is cylindrical in shape, so “top,” “side” and “bottom” are relative terms.)
The A01 is not that big: it’s about 57 mm in diameter and 44 mm deep. Without a lens attached, it weighs only 147 g (which includes the built-in battery). If you want the most portable configuration, you’ll want to stick with the smaller lenses, but the sky’s the limit as far as what lens you can attach to it. [See the super telephoto lens this reviewer attached to his AIR.] If you already have an Olympus mirrorless camera and lenses, getting the A01 is almost a no-brainer.
Remember that using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth at all times will quickly drain your smartphone’s battery. Both the AIR A01 and your smartphone will get hot. The battery is built-in and is not removable, so you have to recharge it in-camera using the supplied USB cable. The battery is rated at approx. 320 stills on a fresh battery. A fully depleted battery in the AIR recharges in 4 hours 30 minutes unless you purchase and use the optional USB-AC adaptor (F-3AC) which decreases the recharge time to a more amenable 2 hours and 30 minutes. Something to keep in mind is that, since you can’t replace the battery, the life expectancy of the AIR is that of its battery—unless Olympus decides to provide a battery replacement service. [Olympus has not provided the life expectancy of the battery.]
TIP
The microSD card goes in with the connector surface facing toward the outside of the camera. Push in gently all the way until you hear a click. If you push it in only half way (as I did at first), the camera will complain there is no card in. The card slot is spring-loaded, so press and let go to eject the card.
The 14-42 mm EZ kit lens that came with my review camera also came with a nifty Auto Open Lens Cap.
Next: Olympus AIR A01 User’s Experience
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