Olympus Firmware Upgrades Version 4.0 for Olympus OM-D E-M1 Camera and Version 2.0 for Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II Camera Will Be Released for Late November 2015

The following video presents Olympus OM-D E-M1 – The Concept:
“E-M1: The whole package. In a perfectly-sized package.

The new E-M1 gives you more freedom to take the shots you want, with all the image quality you expect. The new E-M1 is the most advanced compact system camera ever produced. It is based on the Micro Four Thirds standard and comes packed with sophisticated technologies like the enhanced Live MOS sensor and TruePic VII image processor, the world premiere of DUAL FAST AF and extended WiFi controls from your smartphone — all delivering outstanding image quality and performance, raising the OM-D series to a whole new level. This superiority is matched by a body design that has the perfect dimensions with a portable weight. All things considered, it outperforms D-SLR cameras both in terms of its size and imaging excellence.”

September 15, 2015

PRESS RELEASE

Firmware upgrade, Version 4.0 for Olympus OM-D E-M1 provides Focus Stacking mode and Focus Bracketing mode for advanced macro shooting

Firmware Version 2.0 for OM-D E-M5 Mark II and Olympus Capture Version 1.1
to meet the demand from professional photographers will also be released

Olympus Corporation (President: Hiroyuki Sasa) is pleased to announce the latest firmware upgrades for two cameras, which will be released for late November 2015 – Version 4.0 for the Olympus OM-D E-M1, a flagship Compact System Camera and Version 2.0 for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II. This upgrade not only adds new functions found on the OM-D E-M10 Mark II announced on August 25, but also adds new features worthy of high-end models. At the same time, Version 1.1 of Olympus Capture will be released to meet demands from professionals, and the latest firmware update for M.Zuiko Pro and Premium lenses will also be released.

OM-D E-M1 Body (Black) + M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO

The OM-D E-M1 is the Olympus flagship Compact System Camera, with dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof performance. Not only are functions available on the OM-D E-M5 Mark II and OM-D E-M10 Mark II being added, but the latest function, focus stacking mode is being added for further advancement as a flagship model.

M-D E-M5 Mark II Body (Black) + M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 II

Functions available on the OM-D E-M10 Mark II and the latest functions will also be added to the OM-D E-M5 Mark II to achieve the further advanced OM-D Movie.

We have also incorporated advice and requests from professional photographers and customizable Super Control Panel on a computer, improved the data transfer speed, and supported the Keystone Compensation, making Olympus Capture more advanced for professional use.

Along with this latest firmware upgrade, the latest firmware for the M.Zuiko Pro and Premium lenses will also be released. Support for aperture control suitable for movie shooting and the ability to disable MF clutch and Snapshot Focus has been added.

Features and performance of the high-end models will continue to be upgraded through firmware updates.

New main features added in firmware upgrade

1) Focus Stacking Mode (OM-D E-M1 only)
Focus Stacking Mode let you shoot macro photos that are completely in focus at all depths. A single press of the shutter button captures 8 shots with different focal positions, automatically merging them into a single shot on the camera. Depth of field larger than that of minimum aperture and high resolution without diffraction can be achieved.

2) Focus Bracketing Mode
This function captures up to 999 shots with the focus position for each shot being changed, allowing you to use photo retouching software to merge the images with larger depth of field that cannot be achieved in focus stacking mode (8 shots).

3) S-OVF (Simulated OVF)
S-OVF enables a view that is similar to that of an optical viewfinder.
Exposure compensation and white balance are purposely not shown in S-OVF so that users who are comfortable with the optical viewfinder in DSLR cameras can use the camera in the exact same way.

4) Movie-Exclusive Picture Mode: Flat (OM-D E-M5 Mark II only)
Movie-Exclusive Picture Mode Flat provides beautiful post-editing or grading color by lowering the contrast to minimize highlight blowouts and loss of detail in shadows.

5) Synchronized PCM Audio Rec. with Movie Recording
Functions have been added for shooting movies when connecting Olympus Linear PCM Recorder LS-100 via USB cable. Slate Tone can be added to make it easier to synchronize the audio and image after recording is complete, and a function for synchronizing the start of audio recording with movie recording on the camera is also available.

6) Enhanced functions on Olympus Capture Version 1.1
You can customize the display of items on the Super Control Panel so that only the required functions are displayed, and you can change the layout for easier access of the most frequently used functions. Direct PC saving is also available and the transfer speed is made faster by saving images directly to a computer without recording to an SD card. Transfer speed is improved up to 4 times faster than before. Tether shooting capabilities are also expanded. Features such as Keystone Compensation are now available to operate via a computer by connecting the camera to a computer.

7) MF Clutch and Snapshot Focus Disable
You can change settings from the menu to disable MF Clutch and Snapshot Focus.

8) Latest firmware for M.Zuiko Pro and Premium lenses
Along with this latest firmware upgrade, latest firmware for the M.Zuiko Pro and Premium lenses will also be released. Aperture drive has been improved for smooth exposure control even when shooting movies in situations with sudden changes in brightness. It also supports for disabling the MF Clutch and Snapshot Focus.