When SmallRig was working on a new cage for the E-M1 Mark II they visited some of the bigger Facebook Olympus groups and asked who wanted to be a tester of a prototype.
I didn’t even get to see the initial request before multiple people had tagged me as the guy to get to test this new piece of equipment.
Needless to say I wasn’t going to say no.
And so, after a few emails with SmallRig they sent me their very first prototype of the cage along with a few accessories for me to test and review.
I’d like to say in advance: This review is based on my honest, personal experience. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

SmallRig is a designer and manufacturer of DSLR camera rigs, camera cages, camera stabilisers and professional video shooting accessories.
The sweet thing about these guys? You can build out your rig into pretty much any configuration you can imagine. It’s sort of like Lego for filmmakers!
So when they decided to develop a cage for the E-M1 Mark II I was excited! The cage is the core piece of any rig. The piece that connects your camera to the rest of you setup. A well designed cage is crucial to a properly functioning rig.


Since I’ve been shooting more and more video with my E-M1 Mark II a cage (and a rig) is a natural progression. But why should you get a cage? Well… it’s simple:
If you’re into video… you should look at a cage.
If you’re into run-and-gun videography with minimal fuss… you should look at the E-M1 Mark II.
If you want to take your run-and-gun videography to the next level… well then the combo between the two is what you need.
A cage for example, allows you to add an external monitor (for better and more accurate focussing on monitoring you footage), you can add grips, arms and handles and many other accessories that will increase the stability of your handheld filming. Or add a light, multiple cold shoe mounts, rods, clamps… whatever you need. A cage will allow it.
Once you get going you’ll eventually add follow focus, matte boxes and shoulder support… before you know it you have a fully customised (and customisable) cinema rig that’s built exactly to your needs.
Personally, I’m building 2 rigs in one. The light/minimal rig I’ll use for everyday video shooting in the outdoors (APOL for example). And a rig that has the bells and whistles for proper, next level documentary style filmmaking on the go.


At the base of all this is of course my Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II.
I love how easy it is to create stable and high quality video with the E-M1 Mark II. No external stabilisers needed really. So if I can add a minimal amount of accessories to my camera while keeping it a small and versatile as possible all while increasing the stability and accuracy of my camera movements then I’m all-in!

This new cage is the perfect addition to my E-M1 Mark II. It extends it where I need it without making it more cumbersome or difficult to use. In fact, it makes it even more fun to use!
Comparing the footage of simple handheld filming and with the addition of a single/double grip it is clear that the grips add to the stability of the footage.
At what cost?
Size. Which is why I went as modular as possible and stuck to the NATO rail system. Easy on – easy off, but more about that later on.
In short: SmallRig has done great a job with this cage.
It’s TINY and fits perfectly onto the camera. No movement whatsoever.
You attach it with a single screw to the tripod hole in the bottom of the camera. Don’t worry, you gain around 9 new holes to attach tripod mounts to the cage.
In fact, It’s so small I just leave it on the camera at all times. Opposed to the Walimex Aptaris cage I used previously, which was a universal cage and was much larger and cumbersome you barely notice that the cage is even attached to the camera.
All buttons and wheels are still accessible and the screen swings and rotates and the camera battery door opens freely without the cage ever getting in the way. Perfect!
The cage, and all other SmallRig accessories for that matter, are really well built. Clean, well designed and thought through. Things just fit.


Downsides?
The HDMI cable clamp mine came with actually doesn’t quite reach the HDMI cable well enough to hold it. Maybe there’s a longer one… I haven’t checked.
I’d love to see the side holes line up with the top ones… but maybe that’s just me. And it doesn’t really change the way I can use the cage.
Accessory wise there’s plenty to chose from. The first thing I went for is an additional handle.
In general you can pick between two different way of attaching your accessories to a cage. Either directly screwed to the cage for a more permanent solution, or via a NATO rail.
I prefer the NATO rail solution as this mean I can easily add or remove bits and pieces to the rig and also have the choice to move things around much easier.
The thing I really like about the SmallRig NATO rails are the safety pins on either end. Your accessories will never just slide off, even after loosening the screws, which by the way don’t require any tools.
My favourite accessory is the top handle. It comes with a built in allen key that sits magnetically in the grip itself. The handle is designed so that you can change the position of the grip and has multiple cold shoe mounts as well as the option to add pretty much any accessory you want.



The cage is a great addition to the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and if you want to upgrade your camera with the ability to attach a multitude of accessories then this is the best cage out there.
Even for people who only occasionally film but would like to mount an external grip to get a better hold of the camera this cage is worth considering.
SmallRig has been an great company to work with and all the parts arrived super fast from China (to Europe) and the quality of the gear is excellent. Nicely finished, full metal and well fitting.
Like I said, Lego for filmmakers.
Thanks Chris – I’m going to get one!
regards
Graham
Awesome! I’m sure you’ll love it Graham!
Thanks for the great post, the interesting video and the list on kit. Just ordered the cage with accessories and I’m looking forward to using it.
Thanks! Enjoy the cage 😉
hi Chris
good reviews like yours are rare!
Is it possible to get a list of the accessories you have used as I have already bought a wooden handle from Smallrig which doesn’t fit but said it was universal
if theres any chance I would be very pleased
many thanks
christine
London uj
Hey Christine,
Thanks for the kind comment. You can see the entire list of SmallRig gear I use here: https://kit.com/chriseyrewalker/my-e-m1-mark-ii-cinema-rig
Thanks for the review. I love your site and truly appreciate the great information. I also have the Em1 mark ii which I am loving. I shoot run-and gun video for the my handicapped dog’s Facebook and Instagram pages , and this rig is a game changer. I often do not need to stabilize in post with the rig combined with the stabilization of the the new pro 12-100 camera. Check out this video (audio did not turn out how I expected on youtube…sorry) to see if you can pick which clips are stabilized: https://youtu.be/xUzHw374rok.
I do have a question though. Which external mics do you use and recommend?
Thanks Benjamin! Nice job on the video too 😉
I use Røde microphones. Mostly the VideoMicro and occasionally the VideoMic Pro. Always with a deadcat to avoid wind noise.
What do you mean by “warp stabilisation ” please?
It’s a digital form of stabilisation that you can add in post production software.
Hello
I’m in Europe
Can you tel me where cam I buy all the acessories for this RIG
Thanks
Carlos
Hi Carlos,
The best is to just go on the SmallRig website and Order the bits you want online. They are SUPER fast with shopping. Never takes more than 4 days for the bits to arrive.
Hey Chris,
thank you so much for this video. I‘m currently looking to get into filming and have the new OM-D E-M1 III.
Do you know, if the Mk II Rig also fits the Mk III of if they are producing a rig for the Mk III?
Thank you and stay healthy!
Marcel
Hi Marcel. I believe Smallrig no longer sells the cage. However, if you can find one it will fit the Mark III. Good luck 😉
Unfortunately this case is no longer available 🙁
What alternatives can you recommend?
unfortunately I don’t know of anything else for the Mark II / III
Hey awesome lense on that video too. What did you use if you recall? Thx!
I used the 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO