Olympus Firmware to EM1 and EM5 MK II Upgrades the Autofocus

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Olympus OMD EM5 Mk II first impressions product photos (8 of 10)ISO 1001-30 sec at f - 4.5

Olympus announced a brand new firmware update for their OMD EM5 MK II and OMD EM1 cameras. The OMD EM1 is getting a new focus stacking feature that is found on the new EM10 Mk II–the more entry level option in the OMD lineup of cameras. This feature will shoot up to eight images and then stitch them together into a JPEG; though the camera will still keep the RAWs on the SD card–which means that this is excellent for macro shooting. It’s also going to feature the new simulated optical viewfinder setting, advancements in the focus peaking and new movie functions.

Meanwhile, the new EM5 Mk II that was announced earlier this year is getting new video features, tethered shooting enhancements, and a 4K time lapse mode.

With these new movie enhancements comes flat color profiles for video shooting; and the company’s PRO lenses are getting a smooth aperture change update for shooting video.

The press release is after the jump if you’re interested in more, but the firmware updates are coming this November.

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Olympus Parodies How Heavy DSLRs Are in DSL-Arm Commercial

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Do you suffer from DSL-Arm? We’re positive that photojournalists and wedding photographers surely do. To parody how heavy DSLR cameras are, Olympus has created a whole series of new videos mockumenting a syndrome known as DSL-arm: the sad lengthening of one arm over the other as a result of holding a DSLR for too long.

Olympus’s solution is the new OMD EM5 Mk II: which offers the same image quality and power of a DSLR in a smaller form factor. While in terms of features, it can easily outdo a DSLR, the image quality we’re not 100% sure about since APS-C and full frame sensors can outdo a Four Thirds sensor but not by leaps and bounds.

If you’re looking for a laugh this morning, then hit the jump.

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Check Out the Olympus OMD EM5 Mk II’s Sensor Shift Stabilization

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Olympus OMD EM5 Mk II first impressions product photos (3 of 10)ISO 1001-160 sec at f - 2.8

The Olympus OMD EM5 Mk II has some incredible image stabilization with its five way axis control. It sure helps with the image quality and shooting in extremely low light; which adds to our rating in our review. But while this is all good to know, what’s really interesting is how the image stabilization works when you actually look at it. The folks over at 43Rumors found a video of what it looks like in action. As you can see in the video after the jump, the imaging sensor moves back and forth over and over again to compensate for the movement of the camera.

This shows you how the camera tries to keep the image stabilized by using motors and movement to keep the sensor in relatively the right place.

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Review: Olympus 14-150mm f4-5.6 II Weather Sealed (Micro Four Thirds)

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When Olympus first showed us their 14-150mm f4-5.6 II, we weren’t incredibly impressed. Wide zoom range, weather sealing, minimal change of an aperture: okay, it’s got a lot going for it. But we’re always skeptical until we get the unit in our hands.

Olympus chose to recreate the 14-150mm f4-5.6 II, and they did so with the incorporation of weather sealing, sharper optics, and a new body overall. Yes, it’s sharp–but if you’re spoiled by the higher end offerings from the Micro Four Thirds world like we are, there is absolutely no looking back.

But if you’re someone that needs an all in one option, then this lens will probably become your best friend.

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