The official E-M5 commercial. (P.S.: I don’t like it that much)
Next week our friends at Nexthardware.com will be able to interview someone very(!) important manager from Olympus, in a few days. And they kindly asked me to collect your questions so that he can use them to “torture” the Olympus manager 🙂 Please comment this post to add your questions. Please try to reduce your questions to a maximum amount of three or four. And try to make some smart questions!!!
The guys over at Nexthardware will filter and sum your questions. The answers from Olympus will be posted here after February 18/19th! I highly suggest you to participate because it’s a unique chance to get in touch with a very important person from Olympus (he is not a no name marketing guy!).
Updated Preorder list (with Redcoon Deutschland):
1) Black E-M5 body at
Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Warehouse UK (Click here), Redcoon Germany (Click here) and Amazon Japan (Click here).
2) Silver E-M5 body at
Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Warehouse UK (Click here), Redcoon Germany (Click here), and Amazon Japan (Click here).
3) Black E-M5 body with 14-42mm lens at
Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Redcoon Germany (Click here), and Amazon Japan (Click here).
4) Black E-M5 body with 12-50mm lens at
Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Jessops (Click here) and Amazon Japan (Click here).
5) Silver E-M5 body with 12-50mm lens at
Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Jessops (Click here) and Amazon Japan (Click here).
6) FL-600R wireless flash at
Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
7) MMF-3 Four Thirds adapter at Amazon (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).
8) HLD-6 power battery holder at
Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and Amazon Japan (Click here).
567 Responses
1. E-5 successor, ovf or evf?
2. HG/SHG for m43 from Oly?
3. Pen’s positioning going forward
What do you mean with your third question exactly ?
What gengen is asking is: Will the pen be positioned in the right hand or the left hand when Olympus signs the contract with Sony to supply new, fuller-dynamic-range, MFT sensors?
LOL. (Naughty.)
1. E-5 successor, ovf or evf?
The only way they could manage an EVF on a DSLR is with a translucent mirror tech similar to Sony. Otherwise AF will be just as slow as the adapted m43 lenses, making the whole point of the camera rather moot.
Is olympus planning to offer a solution for people that dont like the big hump of the em5 and would love to have a micro43 version of the nex7?
Will the advances of the EM5 find their way in a 43rds body?
How accurate will the auto focus be when tracking a fast moving (running dog for example) subject compared to other m43 bodies?
1. When: New 4/3 body and lenses?
2. When: Fast focus of HG and SHG 4/3 lenses in OM-D body?
3. Fast zoom lenses for m4/3?
> 3. Fast zoom lenses for m4/3?
*Bright* zoom lenses for m4/3?
That means the same thing.
+1000 on #3. I would like to see the µ4/3 version of the 12-60mm, although I know that – after the release of the slow 12-50mm – this is not very likely…
Right questions, well put. Awesome.
1. Given that the hybrid viewfinder concept of Fuji suffers from the weaknesses of non-TTL-OVFs (limited ability to adapt to different focal lengths, parallax issues and generally poor correlation between frame and actual picture, no DOF preview – unless switching to EVF only), may we expect a hybrid DSLR (i.e., EVF overlaying in an optical DSLR finder) in the future?
2. Would Olympus see a market for such a hybrid DSLR technology and -if so- see itself as a possible provider or is their future set to be a dichotomy of EVF and OVF? Or even EVF only?
1.Did Jack Norris invented the hump?
2.Is Jack Norris the producer of the new sensor?
3.Could we have some Raw´s from Jack Norris, taken with the new OMG?
Happy weakend.
+1 🙂
just … CRIMINAL questions!!! anyway, will get a next episode? Norris deserve it.
Who the hell is Jack Norris?
He prolly meant CHUCK Norris…
Thanks, Sherlock.
Nah… I’m not Sherlock… I am Captain Obvious 😀
What? 9gaggers here? Impossibru!
The unknown big brother of Chuck…
1. Special bundles for rest of the world as well (free SD card or 43 adapter)?!
2. silver (!) 12-50mm lens as part of the silver kit?!
(Pretty much all the other important questions I had on my mind have already been asked 😀 So these are the questions that remain.)
“who makes this f#cking sensor in the E-M5?” (if its’s not Chuck Norris)
squeeze this information out of them please… 🙂
Why no sony sensor
Why no fast primes for ft
Why no fast af primes for mft
Why no higher res evf
Why no 1/8000
Why no 1/500 flash sync
Why oh why no fuulframe, are there any plans for fullframe, om-5???
I think you should look for a fat Canikon DSLR rather than loose your time with mft cameras !
Lol 🙂
Exactly!
> Why oh why no fuulframe, are there any plans for fullframe, om-5???
That was a stupid question 2 years ago. That was very stupid question 1 year ago. Now it is a plain dumbass question. As if Nikon D800 price wasn’t a sufficiently huge, in-your-face clue…
Your best shot at FF, my friend, is ebaying a film camera.
I m actually serious, given the euphoria around the om-e5 shows clearly they are on the right path they just need a ff pro sensor to compete with leica and fuji. They could run this separately besides m43 as they buried four thirds in 2008
> they just need a ff pro sensor to compete with leica and fuji.
Compete with whom??? This is all niche stuff.
Leica is barely making it financially. And is being privatized right now.
Fuji’s Imaging is in decline since 2008. ( http://www.fujifilmholdings.com/en/investors/annual_reports/2011/segment/imaging.html )
I’m not sure you really want it. If I were serious into the Oly gear, I wouldn’t the company to follow the path of decline and bankruptcy.
You’re seriously deluded.
I don’t think that Olympus has the ressources to issue a whole new system in short or middle term. The main reason of their success is the size diminution which was possible given the smaller sensor.
The design of performant EVF are now finally allowing companies to manufacture smaller and lighter cameras but for a mirrorless FF or APSC, I’d look elsewhere.
Yes, I have lot of full frame Olympus cameras. All are high quality and the best. Many of them are OM series as well. Btw, you can get a medium format Olympus as well. I got an olympusflex.
1. Can they FINALLY make a firmware update to provide focus peaking AND a better magnification system (à la Panasonic G3, with only the central area magnified)?
2. When they have done that, could they also provide a firmware update for Pens E-P1/P2 to give the Fn button the ability to be assigned to magnification
3. Can they release a fast 25mm with the build quality of the 12mm and an aperture of at least F/1.2?
If they could do all of that, I would definitively give up any view on the X-Pro 1…
Focus peaking by firmware update is a good thing.
+100. I would also like to have the peaking function for my manual lenses. Besides, to have an internal flash is also helpful in case needed.
Germany preorder for 1099.- EUR body only???
That’s 1450.- US$ and really sucks… 🙁
Taking VAT into consideration, the German price equals to US$ 1220. As opposed to US$ 999 at B+H. Maybe I’m going to order there.
I’m used to the same price $=EUR. But a higher EUR price feels just not right!
Yes very good question : why are the prices always higher in the EU and the rest of the world than in the US ? And don’t answer it is just the VAT, because we do still have to pay more after VAT subtraction !
I read long time ago is that many manufacturers, due to low price expectations in US, have very thin margins there. Thus they try to compensate for it in the rest of the world, specifically Europe and Japan.
But honestly, though MSRPs are far apart, at least in Germany (where I live) street prices get very fast to the sane level. Add here the consumer protection I enjoy, and the deal becomes not so bad. But in UK I heard you have it rather hard…
It is mostly the VAT. The rest is other taxes, but you have it way better lifestyle-wise in Europe than in the US, so I don’t see why people are complaining. Also, some models are actually cheaper in the EU if I compare to BHPhoto.
Absolutely not true…and in the US you can easily forego the TAX by buying on the internet
I claimed several things. What exactly isn’t true?
that it is mostly the VAT and that we have other taxes. I make comparisons since well two years, both on newly issued gear and older models and after VAT substraction and the price differential remains. When prices sink here, they are sinking in the US too, so the difference is always there.
How is that different than what I said? I said it is >mostly< VAT and it is.
Currently I am in Finland. Here's a place where you can buy a Nikon D7000 for 999euros:
http://www.rajalacamera.fi/nikon-d7000-runko-/39VBA290E/dp?openGroup=411
At BHphoto it is out of stock, but it is listed for 1299US.
Using this website for the conversion: http://www.xe.com/, it is 20US more expensive to buy it in Finland (and here I am comparing to the US price without any tax)
Here's the price for a Pentax K-5 body:
http://www.pixmania.com/fi/fi/7191567/art/pentax/k-5-vain-runko.html
850 euros and I can buy it for 890 euros from a local shop. At BHphoto it is listed for 1199US. Actually cheaper in Finland. (again compared to the price in US without tax)
Canon 5DII:
http://www.rajalacamera.fi/canon-eos-5d-mark-ii-runko/132764B018/dp?openGroup=410
1799 euros. At BHphoto – 2157US. That is a 10% difference. Doesn't even cover the VAT.
Olumpus Pen EP3 with the kit lens:
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/10430126/art/olympus/pen-e-p3-ez-m1442-ii-r-le.html
704GBP. At BHphoto it is 899US.
704GBP=1109US. Take out 20%. 924US. So in UK you pay 25US more. So mostly VAT. (and again compared to the price in US without tax)
So, where am I wrong?
The question is maybe Olympus Europe so need give answer on.
That’s really expensive…
Q1 : When can M4/3 / Olympus can deliver image quality that is on par with famous DSLR ?
Q2 : is there any forecast by Olympus to acheive a Pro standard with M4/3 ? Comparable with fullframe like the X Pro .
Q3 : what is next breakthrough / innovation technology Olympus is working in it’s next product ?
To my knowledge, the Fuji X Pro is an APSC, not a FF sensor.
Well, Fuji says it’s comparable to fullframe. Olympus should just say that the EM-5 is comparable to fullframe too, then they’ll be equal.
(For those not versed in marketing, “comparable to” = “not as good as”.)
no AA filter i hear
Yes but they have the sensor tech to come close
Yes.
I thought we have lot yet see the raw output of the E-M5
Be ready for e-p1 raw quality
Will there be more OM-D camera on the roadmap? Why start a new line with number 5? Will there be EM-1, EM-3 and EM-7?
+1
Will there be other OM-D cameras coming out soon?
Because the last OM was the ‘4’ – so the ‘5’ carries on from that (my guess anyway)
Contrary to Panasonic m43 cameras, the PEN cameras don’t correct CA in m43 lenses. Is that feature missing with the E-M5 also?
Good question. If they’re not going to fix their cameras, maybe they could at least add CA correction coefficients to their lens’s firmware so those with Panasonic cameras can benefit.
Who cares, they’re corrected by Lightroom 😛
😉
Are they automatically corrected if you use a PEN camera?
No CA is not corrected for Olympus gear, only for Panasonic gear. But yes, the other problems (distortion and vignetting) are automatically corrected, either in the jpegs, or in the raws; this correction is transparent to the users even using raws converters like Lightroom etc.
Yes but this is boring, it’s a lost of time…
E-M5: Can you activate live histogram, level gauge and green AF square simultaneously?
If not, why not?
+1 to this.
+1 to this.
1) I need a wide angle shift lens to shoot architecure (between 10-12 mm or so). Will Olympus make one for mft ?
2) if yes, when is it planned.
3) if no, why ? Are there any limitations due to the format ?
I don’t need tilt, which is a more complicated design, but shifting either horizontally or vertically second needs.
I ask because if Olympus makes such a lens, I could give up my Canon DSLR and I’d stop looking for a Nex solution (there are shift adapters for Nex and the crop factor of 1.5 makes it easier to find legacy glass).
>Nex solution (there are shift adapters for Nex and the crop factor of 1.5 makes it easier to find legacy glass).
Wouldn’t the crop factor also reduce the amount of shift possible? I see your point about the range of glass (since you can get much wider FOV without breaking the bank), but something like the Sigma 8-16 in Nikon mount (possible to stop down) with a shift adapter for m43 should do the trick nicely.
You can find good legacy Nikon glass of 15mm they are not fast, but I don’t need fast on a tripod. There are also short and light Voigtlanders with M mounts.
On a Sony sensor, a 16mm becomes a 24mm and is all what I need.
I don’t want a zoom. I want something small and with manual controls. I will have to look at that zoom.
If you need tilt shift, then surely you need a tripod. So at that point your kit isn’t very compact anyway, so what difference is it going to make? If you need tilt, presumably you are photographing buildings. Wouldn’t you want shift to put the plane of focus going up the building? If not, you could just use a wide lens and un-converge the lines in photoshop. (not trying to be a smart-ass, just trying to help.)
– If not, you could just use a wide lens and un-converge the lines in photoshop –
If you used the 7-14 + leveled camera with this approach (as opposed to the shifted Sigma 8-16 with stacked Nikon-Canon, Canon-shift adapters) you would be working with 1/2 sensor resolution (crop the bottom of the image out) to match the framing, or forced to get creative in PS with the missing parts of the frame (from un-converging the image).
I do already have the 7-14mm and the 12mm which I try to correct in PS, but it is nt the same because in mft the corners are already not that great and your corrections are adding blurr and degrading the corners even more.
Although a shift lens may also get more degraded corners too, this is why I asked about the limitations
Yes I’d need a tripod, but the whole kit would be much lighter than my Canon gear and the both the tripod and tripod head would be smaller and lighter too.
You could tell the same for big zooms and long teles : in a sense, they defeat the purpose of mft. Yet the 100-300mm zoom weight around 500gr, that is a lot for an mft lens, but that is still only 1/3 or 1/4th of what an equivalent Canon or Nikon outfit would weight.
My guess is that the image circle isn’t large enough for tilt/shift lenses. The mount and rear glass of the lens is also very close to the sensor so there is probably very little margin until the angel of incoming light will be too steep when shifting!? Architecture and interior photography is a delicate matter and I don’t think this is not what m43 was meant for.
what do you mean ? By definition a shift lenses would have a coverage greater than the sensor. This s part of the design of any shift lens and ths s what I’m asking for an mft lens.
+1: An µFT equivalent of the 24 shift would be great. A full PC lens would be even better, but I’m not holding my breath.
I believe (but have not tried) that using “legacy” full-frame (Canon, Nikon) lenses for tilt/shift on MFT would be the best solution here, and here’s why:
The full-frame lenses have a bigger image circle (i.e., full-frame is 2x uFT), so those lenses have the image area to shift to. Even if it’s not a Tilt-Shift lens!
Plus, you can use ANY legacy full-frame lens as a tilt/shift since their image circle is so big (twice the radius for MFT).
So, what we really need is a tilt+shift adapter for Canon/Nikkor/etc full-frame lenses. I have a tilt adaptor already (but no shift) from Lensbaby. I do not know if anyone makes a
tilt+shift adaptor
for the various legacy lens systems (Canon, Nikon, etc.), but I believe that would be amazing. You could turn any superb legacy full-frame lens into an amazing and superb MFT tilt-shift lens on such an adaptor. I also suspect Olympus would not be so interested in making such an adaptor… but it would be a great boon for MFT tilt-shift.
i believe Fotodiox makes a shift adaptor for m43 so you could use legacy wide FF lenses succesfully. Around $80 US at Amazon
1. Who is the manufacturer of the sensor in E-M5?
2. Is it possible for them in the future to have a sony sensor in their cameras? *Sony sensors have currently the best dynamic range, so it would make sense to work with them, if they promote dynamic range in their cameras*
Fast primes are awesome, but if I want to use them in the daytime, what can I do.
– Will they implement low iso in future ie 50, 80, 100. Or can they have an inbuilt ND filter.
– Will we be seeing android in phones or other operating systems.
– Will there be Apps for your camera.
– modular sensor units, in the future?
+1 to this
+1 on ISO
+1
1. When can we expect to see more weather sealde lenses? And which?
2. Are there any fast tele primes coming?
1.Panasonic sensors receive the lowest scores in tests, OM-D latest sensor does add 0.5 stop dynamic range improvement, but its competitors like NEX-5 or NEX-7 provide whole “3” stops (according to dxo, and others) which is a very big deal for true photographers,
my question is: why olympus insists on using only Panasonic sensors?
2.Why no pancake lens? they make most sense on a mini-system.
1. Olympus’ plans for a higher pro m43 camera. (Something that can compete with 5D / D800 level cameras.) Will Olympus concentrate on stills and Panasonic on videos? Panasonic’s video is already at par with the best in DSLR video and they are still improving it. Will Olympus make a stills camera which would be comparable to the best in stills? Or will they stick to cameras between Amateur and Prosumer levels?
2. Lens strategy? Prime oriented or Zoom oriented? Why no 17mm f1.4 or 25mm f1.2 to go with OM-D. These are the most used and popular focal lengths, rather than 75mm and 60 macro. HG and SHG lenses for m43?
3. When can they finally have a completely new sensor? Not tweaked not reworked.
What is a “higher pro m43 camera”? 16Mpx in m43 sensors already means much higher pixel density in the E-M5 sensor than in the 5D/D800. To get better sensors, it would be crazy to raise the resolution! To improve the quality, the resolution should preferably be *reduced* to get better DR.
BLI wrote, “To improve the quality, the resolution should preferably be *reduced* to get better DR.”
That is a seemingly ineradicable internet myth which is just wrong. You may want to have a look at this discussion:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=40549641
The 36mp D800 will have higher DR than the 12mp D700, and going by the first preliminary measurements, it will also have less noise when scaled to the same image size.
If this is true medium format is dead but i doubt it tbh
When did I talk about the resolution? I mean real pro level. I said higher pro because Olympus call E-M5 or E-5 also as pro cameras. Now in terms of build and handling the E-5 is Pro camera. I wouldn’t consider the E-M5 as a completely pro camera even in terms of handling. But in terms of Image quality and other specs, both camera still have a lotttttt to catch up. What also matters is the lens line up.
Strong words from someone who’s never seen the output from the camera.
As usual, I refer people who raise this bugaboo to Reichmann’s “You’re Kidding!” essay, particularly the discussion of image quality. What was said there still applies.
What makes you think I have not seen the outpout from the cameras? What I said is my opinion. I had the questions, I asked them. Why don’t you go ahead and ask your own questions rather than just trolling here and commenting on others?
“Why no 17mm f1.4 or 25mm f1.2?”
Because we have 17.5mm F0.95, 17mm F2.8 pancake, 25mm F0.95, 25mm F1.4 and 4/3 25mm F2.8 pancake. Don’t you think that’s enough?
Both the Voigtländers don’t have autofocus. They might be suitable for some but for me, not so much, atleast not for stills. 25mm f2.8 is a 4/3 lens as you said. Do you really think someone is going to buy it now to use on a m43 camera? Even if you already have it you still need to buy an adapter and it will still focus slowly. More of all 25mm f2.8 is NOT equal to 25mm f1.2. Same goes for 17mm f2.8 and 17mm f1.4. The only remaining option is the 25mm f1.4 which still has the compatibility issue where in it make this scratching noise in bright conditions on Olympus cameras. I have also read mixed reviews about it.
1) Will you make a Penpal accessory with Wifi instead of Bluetooth ?
2) will you make an iPad app to allow tethering shooting with Olympus camera ? That would be great one could shoot still life or portraits with a live view of the results !
3) why no GPS tracking in camera or with an accessory ? It is great for travelling !
All that fits well in the social sharing features you advertise, but is still missing.
Ditto x 3.
What about a developer SDK for tethering to OM-D cameras, or E-M5 specifically?
Yes!
+1 for tethering. That’s also nice for table top macro shooting.
Dear Olympus:
1. What is the ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) for the new 60mm macro lens? Any pricing?
2. And ETA for the new 75mm lens? Any pricing?
3. When can we expect full speed AF support for FT lenses on MFT bodies?
4. Will full speed AF for FT lenses be possible as firmware upgrade to E-M5 body in future?
5. Will the rumored E-7 have a mirror or will it migrate into the OM-D camera line?
Thank you.
++ on ETA for the new lenses.
For #3 and #4, you can assume “never”. If it’s important to you, find something else that suits you instead of waiting.
Given more connection pins on batt grip, and only one batt in vertical grip, can we expect vertical grips in future with additonal functionality (like WiFi, GPS etc…)?
Will PDAF technology on sensor, or PDAF technology as patented by Olypus be implemented in further OM-D models (meaning fast AF with 4/3 lenses will be possible)?
Please no WIFI through the grip, better to leave it for the accessory plug. I want WIFI but not the grip.
Well, that may work for you. But WiFi on accessory port prevents usage of remote controlled flashguns.
Why there is still no serious HDR support in mft and FT? Pepople are begging for years to include +2EV in the firmware.
Not something I personally care about, but a good thing to poke them on. Why is the design of the bracketing still geared to those shooting slide film?
+1000
Yes, 3 frame bracketing -2EV, 0EV, +2EV should be made possible.
Why not two step also? Say -1.5, +1.5 or -2, +2. If you want to throw it into some HDR software, isn’t it going to be mostly the ends the matter? Anything to speed up the shot sequence seems like it would help.
It s there for years just switch brand
Are there any plans to allows external flashes such as the FL-50R to be used as a master for wireless control?
Dear Flick, the new FL-600R is also able to be the master for wireless flash control.
So we’re going to have to replace all our older flashes with the fl-600R? Damn.. 🙁
Why no 24/25/30p support?!
+1
Can 24/25p be added thru firmware update?
That should be a no brainer. Didn’t Panasonic do that with GH-1?
+1, firmware! don’t make us wait for the e-m7 or whatever they call it
+1 This is like the only dealbreaker for me
Bingo. Is 24p impossible with this sensor? If not, do they realize how important it is to serious video users. Also if not, what’s the possibility of a firmware update?
+4 24/25P please.
1) When will Olympus deliver a sensor with better DxO Dynamic Range than Canon’s tiny S100 (DR=11.6 EV)
2) When will Olympus deliver a sensor with better DxO Signal/Noise (at Base ISO) than Canon’s S100 (36.4 dB)
The Olympus MTF sensor has over 4 times the area of Canon’s S100, so should have 6dB better DxO Signal/Noise (42.4 dB).
At S/N=42.4 dB, Olympus MTF image quality would be competitive with Nikon’s “Advanced Amateur” D700 and D7000 (S/N=41.1)–But not quite up to Nikon’s “Pro” quality D3x (S/N=43.9)
Until Olympus S/N performance catches up, our MTF images will continue to be unacceptably shabby compared to the rest of the world’s “Advanced Amateur” and “Pro” images.
Answer: when Olympus gets enough volume to be able to get a good price on sensors from Sony.
You’re question should be “When will Olympus manufacture their own sensors?” You DO know that they don’t produce their own, right?
When will we get in-camera GPS tagging? Which model will be first to have it?
“Can you recommend a good hotel in the Cayman Islands?”
“Will there be a 9 or 10 mm prime?”
“Will my 12-60 ever focus quickly and accurately on any m4/3 body?”
“Why is the manufacturer of the E-M5 sensor a secret?”
“Can you recommend a good hotel in the Cayman Islands?”
LOL. That’s a 6.25 billion dollar question 😉 ?
How much is the yearly rent for permanent holiday appartment in waikikki?
My questions: Are any more high-quality lenses planned that are weather-sealed and matched to the E-M5 body design-wise such as:
1. standard zoom with constant 2.8 aperture or at least 2.8-3.5 like the old 14-54
2. telephoto zoom with at least 2.8 – 3.5 aperture
3. standard lens with 20 or 25 mm and f/1.4
This camera just SCREAMS for such lenses to become a versatile and powerful, rugged system camera!
I support the first & second point for fast zoom, and could we expect to see a a m43 of their famous 12-60mm?
New 17mm comes to mind.
Now that Olympus has released a weather sealed micro four thirds camera, will it ensure all future micro four third lenses are weather sealed? Specially in relation to the planned 75mm 1.8, is there an opportunity to delay its release so that it can be redeveloped as a weather sealed lens?
How important is video to the future of camera companies, and specifically to Olympus?
Has Olympus looked into adopting open standards for its software, so that 3rd parties could develop enhancements for their cameras (eg, like Android/iOS for cameras)?
What does Olympus think of the “mega pixel race” and how does Olympus intend to focus on “quality over quantity”?
Does Olympus think it is more important to have high quality resolution and dynamic range at base ISO, or minimal noise at high ISO? How do you plan to strike the right balance?
Why doesn’t Olympus default the Super Control Panel to “On”? Why not make it the standard menu control for PASM modes?
Will Olympus commit to maintaining the Pen Mini range (the E-PM1 is fantastic) and will Olympus try to make a silent shutter?
Thank you and best regards
We all want the new weathersealed E-M5 (which I have preordered already) to be fully compatible with Olympus’ vast collection of weathersealed glass.
So what’s the firmware upgrade roadmap for HG and SHG 4/3 lenses, such that they all become native for CDAF?
* is there a roadmap for sensors with improved dynamic range, e.g requiring at least 14bit A/D converters? Even if this would imply reduced resolution, e.g to 14 Mpx?
* what is the limiting element in AF with tracking (4.2 fps in E-M5, as compared to 9 fps without tracking)? If it is the servo motors in lenses, would it be possible to combine the new IBIS system with the servo motors? In other words: can the magnetic actuators in the IBIS system also be used in a CONTAX manner to shift the sensor position somewhat — to allow for faster AF with tracking?
* what is the AF speed of the existing 43 lenses on E-M5? (Could the mentioned CONTAX method of the previous question help)
* are there plans for tethering support for E-M5? E.g something to put in the hotshoe? What about GPS support?
* any plans to support time lapsing? If yes: why not make it possible to automate the process of generating a (high resolution or HD) movie *in camera*? What about high speed movies like in the Nikon 1 series?
* for Manual Focus: it would be nice if only the center part of the picture was magnified — to allow for quicker re-composition.
Any plans for a 400/4.0 for 4/3?
similar but for a zoom 200-400mm f/4 or 150-300mm f/4
why no 50, 100 iso and 1/8000th fps?
where did the exposure compensation button and thumbwheel go? This is my favorite from the PEN series.
m4/3 is already at a disadvantage with a slightly smaller sensor – why not compensate with a top of the line sensor?
Why did it take so long for a slightly better sensor? 3 generations with the same sensor is really a handicap when compared to the competition – its too conservative and it must hurt sales.
Will there be integrated EVF in Pen series?
Will 5 axis IBIS and this sensor come to PEN series?
Will there be EM at lower price point, without weather sealing and magnesium body for instance?
Will there be also tele lenses for mft?? 2,8/200 ; 4,0/300 ;5,6/400, any plans for a 1.4 or 2x TC?
The exposure compensation button is totally useless since you have direct access to expcomp from one of the wheels
My question: The viewfinder in the original OM-1 had a magnification of over 0.9x. The equivalent number in the O-M5 is 0.58x. This is not quite as terrible a case of tunnel-vision as some APS-C DSLRs, but not so good either. For many people (well, at least for me), a large viewfinder is the single most important missing feature in most modern cameras (the Panasonic G and GH series and the Sony NEX-7 are the closest we can get to it, all at around 0.7x). What’s keeping Olympus from doing a large-magnification viewfinder, and is there any chance we will see one anytime soon?
+1 large viewfinder like G & GH put them in the same level than PRO DSLR viewfinder for the mag.
1. Whatis the roadmap, if any ,for 4/3 and m4/3 converging to One/ modular system?
2. Any new accessories being planned for 4/3 or m43 ?
3. Is the 12EV DR a cieling for Oly and how soon can we reach it?.
1) When is the E-7 coming out?
2) Are the rumours of a new 4/3 lens true? If so, is it the infamous 100mm macro lens?
3) Will Olympus finally manage to get a sensor that offers dynamic range competitive with entry-level compact cameras? There has been no improvement in DR since the E-1, which was introduced in 2003. It’s 2012 now, and the DR is still 10-10.5 EV. The Sony sensors have a base ISO of 80 and can pull over 13 stops easily, whereas the Panoly sensors have a base ISO of 200 and struggle heavily.
Front illuminated sensors with cooling.
Waveguides for UV/IR blocking (Panasonic talked about this a while back).
Getting rid of the thick glass stack on the sensor.
Oh, make that back illuminated sensors.. 🙂
Is the ‘E’ system still an honest option???
Why are there so many 43 questions on a m4/3 rumors site??? We’ve got plenty of OM-D questions that might actually be answered. I doubt this is the interview they’re going to drop a new 4/3 bomb in.
Do you like Gladiator movies?
Have you ever been in a cockpit before?
Have you ever been in a Turkish prison?
(sorry I just watched “Airplane” last night….LOL)
Will Olympus implement manual focus peaking through a firmware update?
Only one question. Are there plans for a new four-thirds camera, a successor to the E5 and if yes appromiate time scales.
1. Weather sealed 14-42mm and others, or stuck with very few options ?
2. f/1.4 ,,normal,, prime, or stuck with Leica ?
What about E-5 successor?
Does Olympus plan fast zooms like 12-60 and 50-200 for m43?
I support the question for the zooms
1. Is the new sensor manufactured by Panasonic?
2. Does Olympus have a contractual obligation to use Panasonic sensors?
3. Any future plans to talk to other sensor manufacturers?
4. Is Olympus working on a PDAF-CDAF combo or any other solution that would allow 4/3 lenses to focus faster on m4/3 bodies?
1- when m4/3 sensors will be able to match APS-C DR?
2- when they will release a new 17mm faster and better optically?
thanks.
Only 3 questions? Hm… 😉
– When will be there the first serious reviews and full size image samples of the E-M5?
– Why are there no fast zooms like 14-54 2.8-3.5 or 50-200 2.8-3.5 for mFT? Will there be some zooms like this in future?
– How long will it go until FT lenses are working on mFT like they do on FT cameras? Is this still the ambition for you?
Ft lenses are dead end get over it
When shooting RAW, can we have a histogram and highlight blinkies based on the RAW values, not the embedded JPEG?
The ideal case for me is blinkies that show clipping in ANY channel.
They should upscale the body by 40 percent, include a fullframe sensor a throw it on the market like it is for 2,5 grand, it would sell faster than om-d and all camera with an x in the name together
what lenses would you use with it?
Make it om compatible, and 4-5 new primes premium with latest tech and af…
Why make a pro modell without remote shutter? It makes no sense… A big enough reason not too buy it.
1. Is Olympus considering a faster, sealed 17mm lens?
2. Is it technically possible to make a mirrored 4/3-m4/3 adapter with a built in PDAF sensor? It’s a pity HG 4/3 glass is still not fully compatible with m4/3 after 3.5 years.
3. Any chance for on-board PDAF in the near future?
Or 30mm F2.8 pancake.
Big +1 to question number 2 – The Zuiko 35-100 F2 and 150 f2 are the two lenses I want most of all.
Neither of these have SWD motors, so I seriously doubt that they have any hope of working well on µ4/3’s w/out true PDAF sensors.
1. Any plans to finally release the long promised m43 replacement for the entry level 43 cameras like E-620? Even recent E-M5 still lacks in some aspects (e.g. price is double of the E-620, no swivel LCD). Alt form: any plan to release a competitor to Panasonic G3?
2. Any plans for a bright standard zoom? (This I gather was already answered in recent interview: they focus on primes atm.)
P.S. This two can be formulated in a simpler form: Olympus, why stay irrelevant to me?!
What level of commitment do you have to delivering top quality video in your products?
The E-M5 offers image stabilisation which is promising for smooth handheld video, but will Olympus offer a firmware update delivering all frame rate options, non interpolated frames, and a 50mbps data rate as Panasonic have done with their GH2?
+1 support in full!
+2
Will olympus add sweep panaroma to their m4/3 cameras anytime soon? What about something like the sony multi picture nightime noise reduction mode.
Please give us black versions of the metallic-look primes!!! Is that possible in near future?
1) Is it possible to include Australia as part of the greater Asian marketing zone? So that it won’t be the last country on the planet to see the new products on shelf? Even after Europe and US…
2) How come Australia is always more expansive compared to the US and Asia?
3) Is it possible to release more cheaper weather sealed internal zoom lenses? I’m not a super professional shooter but still need a small package for live outdoor concert or sport event with small zoom up to around 150mm? Something like Oly version of X 45~175 with weather sealing would be appealing.
I guess these might be feature requests rather than questions…
1. Any thoughts for future PENS or OM-D’s to have a multi-aspect ratio sensor? Some of us are coming from the Nikon/Canon SLR world and 3:2 is a desired ratio. (Before anybody replies to this, I know that some people think that 4:3 is the only possible ratio that anybody would want to shoot with and I respect that, but many of us landscapers prefer 3:2.)
2. Any plans to make some sort of m43-equivilent to the 12-60mm f/2.8-4 and the 9-18mm? Many m43 lenses have poor corner sharpness (like the new 12-50mm and the m43 9-18mm); it seems that Oly’s goal was to make the smallest lenses possible at the expense of the corners. It would be great to have a pro-ish high-end lens like the old 12-60mm. I’d stick with the old 43 classic lenses if autofocus could be on par with m43 offerings.
The realtime bulb view is very cool, but…
…does E-M5 work together with Olympus RM-1 Remote Control or exists a new wireless RC from Olympus?
1. What is Olympus plan on 4/3 system now after they release “hi performance capable” camera in m4/3? Are they going to treat it as niche segments and leave it with E-5 and it’s successor like camera which mean no E-XX and E-XXX model anymore?
2. We know that design wise it would be hard for Olympus to design compact zoom with fix or fast aperture in m4/3 system, will Olympus just let m4/3 with fast prime lens and average zoom or are there any plan to duplicate the fast zoom from 4/3 or at least create system or adapter for 4/3 HG and SHG lens that can perform as fast in m4/3?
3. Now that Olympus gain substantial market in mirrorless, beside announcing new innovative camera and lens will Olympus broaden the service in International market for example by give global warranty and more widespread availability of new product as soon as possible like Apple?
Wy Olympus underwater housing are limited to 45 meters ? In some countries divers need housings for 60 meters.
Thank’s for answer.
1. Is in the medium-term future an equivalent zoom 14-35/2.0 SWD from Olympus planned for the OM-D?
2. Will there planned a fixed focal length by 130 .. 150mm f/2.8 (2.0) or 300 mm f/4 f.e. for MFT?
Thanks.
i need fast prime lenses
17, 25, 35 mm f/1.4-1.8
with new fast af
Why only a tilting instead of a tilt and and swivel LCD (as on your DSLRs) on the E-M5?
What are your plans for non-Micro 4/3rds?
1. Почему Olympus не ищет других производителей матриц, например Aptina?
2. Возможен ли выпуск 43 камеры с комбинированным видоискателем OVF/EVF?
3. Когда появятся объективы класса 12-60 и 50-200 аналогичной светосилы и качества для m43?
4. Когда появятся камеры с мультиформатной(аналог GH2) матрицей?
A little bit translation with google 😉
1. Why did Olympus not looking for other manufacturers of matrices, such as Aptina?
2. Is it possible to release the camera 43 with a combined viewfinder OVF / EVF?
3. When will the class lenses 12-60 and 50-200 of similar luminosity and quality for the m43?
4. When will the camera with multi-format (similar to GH2) matrix?
我不知道哪些語言的傢伙在Nexthardware將能夠理解。 🙂
Why is so hard for Olympus to get a good sensor from manufacturers other than Panasonic, whose sensors lag behind. I’m just curious about this.
+1
Does the distortion correction of the OM-D function with panasonic lenses?
+1
Olympus applies distortion and vignetting corrections, but not color aberration corrections. This is valid for all Olympus lenses and all Olympus bodies. So
Panasonic body plus Panasonic lenses : distorsion, vignetting and CA corrected
In all other cases only distorsion and vignetting are corrected because Olympus doesn’t handle the information of Panasonic lenses concerning CA.
1. What importance does Olympus give to video?
2. Is focus peaking ever coming to an Olympus camera in the future?
Obviously none, buy a proper video tool
My exact same top 2 questions. We want HQ video in m4/3. I want peaking for my legacy OM glass!
Wouldn´t it have been better to stay at 12Mp and take the full advantage of a new sensordesign to improve IQ in Detail and high-isoability, instead of jumping on the stupid train of megapixel-insanity?
Normalized for a given print size, more MP doesn’t matter to first order (of course, if you want to look at individual pixels, 16 will look a tad noiser). And in any case, the move from 12 to 16 is so small that it doesn’t really make much difference either way.
perhaps you are right, but I don’t see any resolution benefit from having 16Mpx images compared to even 10MPx from Nikon 1. But I do see that Canon’s 14Mpx sensor (same format as m43) is just better.
I really would be all over the new OM-D if it would come with 10MPx sensor. Extra few hundred pixels in image dimensions is nothing compared to clean images on a pixel level whn I hit the “show in original size” button in my image viewer.
question could be:
“Will Olympus go down to 10 or 12Mpx in their future cameras for even better high ISO performance?”
+1. Detail is the least of your problems with the 12mp pen sensors, so in my opinion 16mp is the wrong choice. Better stayed with 12 with improved high iso and most importantly increased DR.
I hope the next pen sensors will do just that. It should be possible by now to make 12mp D700 quality in m43 format.
Will be next E-System (FT) camera and lenses? Yes or no? Please don’t ask “we will support in the future …etc”. I would like to hear a YES or NO only. Thank you. 🙂
E-7 comming out YES or NO !
1. can we have custom aspect ratios and gradient maps?
2. can we have built in timelapse and wireless remote?
3. can we have a panoramic function along with apps?
I think E-M5 has time lapse function but I am not sure.
E-M5 does not have time lapse. This evidently was an error in the original dpreview announcement, and has since been fixed.
As I mentioned elsewhere, you already have wireless remote via 3rd party solutions for all Pens and OM-D’s, except for the E-PL1 (look for olympus rm-uc1 on ebay and you will see wireless solutions).
All Pens, OM-D’s, and most of the DSLRs have a panoramic function, where the camera gives you guides to get the overlapping, marks the images with an EXIF field, and then using the supplied software, it will glue them together.
rather panaromas were stitched in camera…
yeah dpreview also made a custom white pre-sets mistake, as well as the timelapse…
Is there pdaf ft adapter in the plan? I am thinking if I should sell off my SWD lens.
Yes, MMF-3 (Four Thirds Lens Adapter to Micro Four Thirds Lens Adapter)
This dust- and splashproof lens mount adapter makes it possible to mount any existing Four Thirds lens on a Micro Four Thirds standard-compliant digital camera, including Olympus OM-D Series and Olympus PEN Series models.
He wants an adapter that will allow fast AF with old 4/3 lenses. The MMF-3 isn’t such a beast.
you have obviously not seen the AF speeds with the two most recent cameras http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR6dP7fQXRI
You should look at the video more closely. The camera has full time AF on. When he moves the camera he waits for a second while the camera is all the time focusing. Then he presses the button and, wow, fast AF. Also the nature of 12-60mm (I have one) is not to be always actually ready when you hear the beep, it is not focused yet. You can see this a few times if you pay attention to it.
-p-
Would that help speed up the focus time at all? I don’t use continuous AF that much but I’m pretty sure that when he pushes the shutter, the lens would begin the AF process all over again, regardless of whether or not it had been focusing automatically. ?
Is that for real? That looks like a big improvement over over my old E-P1 when I tried it with the 12-60mm. Maybe I shouldn’t have sold the lens : (
And the 14-54mm should be even faster!
Yes, I’ve seen them. Perhaps you haven’t seen the same lens on a PDAF camera?
this other testing aint that impressive… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT8dWtJ3hb0
I was asking PDAF adapter, not CDAF adapter. The CDAF adapter works bad with SWD lens and I heard will kill the motor drive must faster due to faster wearing out.
I was asking PDAF adapter, not CDAF adapter. The CDAF adapter works bad with SWD lens and I heard will kill the motor drive must faster due to faster wearing out.
+100000
unless oly confirms FT support, with clear products, i am not investing a single penny in oly anymore, instead change the system.
Times change. Grow up, arthur65.
Four Thirds has been superseded and improved on. The new bodies are better adapted to the sensor size, the new lenses focus faster (and are prettier).
I have a 12-60 (two years old) and an E-520 (five years?), so I’m really not losing anything here. Time to upgrade.
Improved in terms of margin for olympus, they save the mirror and pentaprism, and material and still command same price. The evf revolution is manufacturer driven, no really consumer demanded, this is esp the case with olympus
Bald barkler, they still see better margins on a $1700 E5 than they will a $1000 OM-D.
Dana, there is a concern that if Olympus ends 4/3 now–as they did with the original OM mount–that they won’t hesitate to end m4/3 if sales slump a little…leaving people to reinvest in new systems. Nikon, Canon, and Leica have NOT done this to their customers in the past and they have maintained a large and loyal following.
And just because the om-d is better than your old e520, doesn’t mean the 4/3 system is dead.
.
Dear Nexthardware.com,
1. Please try to get a clear answer to Original Poster’s question:
Will Olympus produce an OM-D mirrorless body and adapter that fully supports classic 4/3 lenses? Fully support means at minimum fast accurate autofocus. It might also include easy manual focus for classic 4/3 lenses.
If NOT, so be it. But let us know one way or the other.
2. An Oly guy said the new OM-D does NOT provide focus peaking. And will NOT provide it in the future because magnified view manual focus is better. Well, Oly can build whatever they want to build, but it sure would be nice if they would give their loyal users focus peaking. Please.
He did not say they will not build it in the future. I am sure they will see the light on Peak Focusing, it will take them a while as it is not that good for still shots (in their and my opinion), or even HD video. They will give what the customer wants, so send them a nice worded email to help your cause; I would use it occasionally mostly in video, which I do not like to do.
Focusing like the Panasonic with the center magnified is much better, but harder to implement.
I read that same interview and he didn’t say never, he was just smug about it. I sent an email to Katie Roseman about it, who was present during that interview. She didn’t respond, but forwarded the email to a product specialist and he did. He didn’t give me a yes or no, but said it would be forwarded to R&D. Maybe do what I did and email them: DISTec@olympus.com
1 Is a new underwater strobe more powerful, with a wide beam and with 4 batteries (UFL-3 ?) coming ?
2 Is a m4/3 olympus fish eye coming ? Could it be a zoom like Tokina 10-17 zoom ?
3 Is a PT-E08 port for 60 mm macro coming ?
And again, all underwater accessories should be made for 60 meter deep.
Rv
+1! a smaller compact UW flash would be nice!
I agree with the necessity to have interchangeable ports for the PT-E08 and have all rated to 60m! Ports for the 9-18 and for the 60mm macro as a minimum.
That would be a big plus.
As for the flash, try Inon if Oly does not want to improve…
Why is much of the marketing material focused on the design of the camera? The chat log from the Facebook Q&A actually seemed surprised that people want to know who makes the OM-D sensor. How is your marketing staff so out of tune with what photographers want? It could be the most attractive camera ever; if there is not a remarkable improvement in the sensor (the weak area in m43 land these days), the backlash will flop down on the camera the same way it did on the Fuji X100.
I’d also like to know the question the other person asked about CA adjustments in camera. Is Olympus plan on adding this and if not, could they at least add the data to their lenses. I won’t buy an Olympus lens without it.
Ok, that was a little “harsh”. When these are actually asked of Oly, feel free to adjust tone and whatnot. Or tie them down and put a hot spotlight on them when they answer. Whatever works!
Oly is only out of touch with European and American consumers. Their strategy is actually working very well in Japan. That seems to me to be the most likely disconnect that is hurting them.
I believe they need to sell the benefits of their system vs camera phones, compacts , DSLRs. Why is their size better? What does better optics give? Why is it fun to use their cameras?
While you, and I really want to know what the sensor is, how the stability system works, how many FPS, etc. It does not sell many cameras. What they need to show is that have a fine camera, that will take pictures that you will want to share, and KEEP. That the camera can take a little abuse. It is something when you use it around you will like. This camera will be augmenting a camera on most peoples smart phones, they need to show what is $1,500 better in the advantage of buying it.
Please support the IR Remote Control (front/back IR photodiode) via the *RM-1 Multifunctional Remote Control*
http://asia.olympus-imaging.com/products/dslr/accessories/other/
* Why still no GPS in the MFT cameras?
* Why no WiFi support in the MFT cameras?
* Update the PENPAL PP-1 to Bluetooth v3.0 + HS.
* Still waiting for an E-6 Four Thirds camera to support the HG/SHG SWD lenses!
IMHO, you really don’t want the RM-1. I find the range on the RM-1 (on the cameras that support it) to be very low, in that I could not use it to take a normal family picture, and I had to use the 12 second timer. In addition, compared to pressing the shutter or shutter release, there is a pause using the RM-1 before the picture is taken that makes it almost useless to photograph somebody in motion. All of the Pens except for the E-PL1 support the wired shutter release, RM-UC1, and there are various 3rd party RM-UC1 clones that support radio with much better range and does not need line of sight than the RM-1. Now, having the PenPal2 be modified so that you can do remote viewing on your smart phone and take the picture, that would be nice.
The Dynamic Range of the Olympus / Panasonic cameras performs subpar to other DSLRS, sometimes even worse than P&S cameras. This is not a welcome prioritization, where the current sensors have a base ISO of 200, in order to on the specifications brag with high ISO settings. (Eg. now the new flashes have their GN specified at ISO 200, previously always at ISO 100).
Rather, I like to see a sensor with base ISO at ISO100, and optimize the sensor for better Dynamic Range. Let’s have the ISO 100 setting back with future sensors, please.
Only one thing: why they stick to 12-bit RAW?
People on russian forum olympus.ourlife.ru/forum demands higher DR, lower noise, more bits in RAWn, not megapixels! 12 megapixels more then enough..
They stick to 12-bit RAW because their A/D converters give less DR than 12-bits worth.
Who was it that first dreamt about this RAW bit-depth, A/D converter, DR nonsense? Yes it’s related but come on, if slapping a 14-bit pipeline in there would help, they would!
Bit-depth is to do with range of colour (representation) and as far as I’m aware that’s what the 12-bit is referring to.
JPGs support 8-bit, assuming an sRGB colour space that nets you about 11 stops DR. Then you can start talking about gamma curves et al which is where RAW development does come into it, you’re basically tone-mapping!
So a 14-bit converter wouldn’t do anything if the DR isn’t there to begin with, it would simply make the gradient smoother.
12-bit RAW is not related to DR directly. It´s only the number of steps in staircase and does not tell the distance from floor to ceiling. Using 12-bit AD only tells that read noise in than sensor is greater than quantization noise in 12 bits. Using a 14-bit RAW would not help at all.
-p-
False, move on
Using a 14-bit A/D converter would not boost DR, 14-bit RAW files would give you greater colour range (in theory) but again, DR unaffected.
When they finally get a sensor that captures greater DR then we’ll undoubtedly see a move to 14-bit A/D converters but not before, it’d be a waste of money!
About US vs EU price discrepancies:
1- vat included vs not included
2- vat very high in Europe
3- each country market is smaller than the whole american market, so there are more internal costs for olympus
4- and not least important, guarantee in Europe is 2 years vs 6 months in US.
5.- all companies make some kind of calculations derived from currency fluctuations
6.- higher taxes and also higher import taxes in Europe than US
1. and 2. Even when you subtract the VAT, the prices are still significantly higher. But of course the difference is less than it looks at first glance.
3. I seriously doubt that this is a reason for the higher price. The amount of units sold e. g. in Germany should be pretty high.
4. True, the guarantee in Germany is 2 years, however, after 6 months the customer has to unambiguously prove that the fault was within the camera from the beginning, and that is almost impossible to prove. So that usually doesn’t make a difference.
5. The currency conversion was rather stable for the last few years.
6. see 1. and 2.
You are wrong on most counts. Even after subtraction of the VAT, the price remain higher. In my country, there are no import fees (well only for agricultural goods and alcohol), yet the prices are still higher. Concerning the size of the market : this sword as a double edge, since your country is so big, transport csts will be higher and there will be more employees to satisfy a bigger number of customers. As for currency are you using yens in the US ? Not that I know, so there are currency fluctuations for the US market too. Last but not least, even the Japanese are paying more than the Americans. There is no workaround, the rest of the world is paying more so that the Americans can pay less. This is not fair, especially now that your dollar is getting weaker and weaker, nothing justify it anymore.
My only question is about macro:
Olympus has historically had very strong macro offerings with the OM and Four Thirds systems. Micro Four Thirds on the other hand seems to have received little macro attention thus far. Olympus is now going to sell a macro lens, but when will we see other essential macro accessories, such as extension tubes and macro twin light and ring flashes?
Isn’t there a new macro light coming with this? See the accessory tab on the official OM page
Any EM-50 or E-50 plans?
Zeds dead baby, zeds dead
Can we expect to see all the technology (new sensor, new imaging processor, new stabilisation, tilting screen) in a more compact camera (a camera without the big viewfinder+ accessory plug, but only a small embeded tilting flash as the Pana GX1?).
I’m still looking for my “dream compact camera” to spend between 500 to 1000 euros in a high quality cam. Olympus have now all the required technology to build the camera i would consider as “perfect for me”… So Olympus just have not to design this camera. EM-5 is wonderfull, but to big for me (because of it’s viewfinder+accesory plug “big head”), and a little bit too expensive, so i won’t buy it.
Question: When can we expect weather sealed pancakes for the Om-D?
+1
I’d like to know why Olympus doesn’t offer lens profile information to Adobe to use in their Camera RAW/Lightroom/Photoshop lens corrections?
Every major lens manufacturer participates in this program (even Sigma and Tamron), allowing users to download ‘official’ profiles – but Olympus doesn’t, meaning that Olympus users are stuck with user-created profiles of dubious quality. It makes Olympus seem like a third-rate lensmaker.
+1.
Further, I think that it would be of great benefit to Olympus to find a way to get their raw processing into the hands of Adobe and Apple, so that our cameras would be better supported in Lightroom/Camera Raw and Aperture.
+1
Lightroom makes lens profile corrections automatically for m4/3. Not CA correction for Olympus bodies though. In LR4 CA correction it is semi-automatic.
-p-
The question was about 4/3 lenses. There’s a lens profile for everything + the kitchen sink, *except* for Zuiko glass. That’s just pathetic.
Both Panasonic and Olympus are correcting their lenses via software. The needed information is transmitted in the raws and applied in camera to the jpegs. Both Panasonic and Olympus have an agreement with the main software producers to apply that automatically when the raws are converted. You don’t have the possibility to apply corrections by choosing a lens profile, because the corrections are already applied.
Three types of corrections can be applied : distortion, vignetting and color aberrations. Panasonic applies all those corrections. Olympus has chosen not to correct color aberrations. So you could transform your question into : why Olympus doesn’t transmit information concerning color aberrations ?
Can we expect Olympus to add correction parameters for the classical Four Thirds HG and SHG lenses as well?
Either in each lens firwmare, or handled separately by Apple/Adobe in sidecar files stored in a library file by each vendor (lookup table).
Apple/Adobe, could even create a library file with correction parameters of profiled lenses not having a chip, eg the Cosina/Voigtländer bright primes, as well as for those using Leica M lenses on CSC cameras. It would add value to the software, and increase the performance of old antique lenses.
What is the REAL reason for the base 200 ISO in the e-m5?
Same question, with an additional hint: Why no 100 ISO, because under the sun’s African even ISO 100 f/22 is to high sometime for an Olympus, 1 stop can do a huge of difference. Unless to have neutral filter integrated inside the camera as some products …
-100
This topic has been covered ad nauseum by Thom and others.
iso 100 + f/22 and still too bright? I guess its very unhealthy then to expose yourself to the sun in Africa lol
Diffraction caused image softening is already going on at f/11 so problem is bigger.
Besides lower base ISO bright envinronment like snowy landscapes need good dynamic range which is another minus for higher than competition base ISO.
1) Does the E-M5 autofocus work with my 12-60mm 4/3 lens ? If not, who from Olympus may I throw this lens at his head ? I am so annoyed that in real life the good and expensive 4/3 lens from Olympus is totally useless at my Olympus EP2 camera although on paper it is claimed that one of the advantages of m4/3 is to be able to use the 4/3 lenses.
2) How many letters, numbers, and names does Olympus want to introduce with the next camera. OM-D EM-5 – why not add another set of three letters/numbers like OM-D EM-5 XYZ-007. Does not make life easier if you google for accessories, prices, compatibilities.
3) Why is the 45mm prime lens not available in black ?
Pls throw at my head, i ll catch it… Hehe, kiddin
A 100 mm macro lens appeared on the 4/3 road map for many years but was never produced. Any plans for such a lens in micro 4/3?
Vaporware
1. Why such a crippled video mode? 1920×1080 only interlaced, low bitrates and no 50Hz formats (which is the greatest problem for people outside Japan and the USA) would be substandard even for a much cheaper camera. Any chance that these shortcomings will be corrected before first delivery of the E-M5 or at least with a firmware update coming very very soon?
2. If I’m not mistaken, the E-M5 needs an adapter (to be purchased separately and blocking the hot shoe mount) to get a microphone input. Will this adapter have a headphone output, too? Without one, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense because you can’t monitor the recording. And someone who pays 80 Euro extra just to be able to use a mic, would certainly want to check the recording!
3. Does the FT-mFT lens adapter MMF-3 have an integrated tripod mount? It was rumored to have one and it would be very useful indeed, but now I can’t find any reliable source confirming it.
60i is just a container for 30p data. It is NOT interlaced. On TV it will look identical to 30p and it can be converted for 30p without artefacts.
That’s good to know, but it’s hard to understand why Olympus doesn’t call it “30p in 60i” then. All official documents say “60i” without further explanation. Anyway: Make it 25p instead of 30p for customers in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa and one big deal breaker is gone.
…and 24p.
Will be the next PENs (E-P4, E-PL4 and E-PM1) use the new sensor and IBIS of the E-M5? I really like the rangefinder form factor (without viewfinder) and at present they seem very stale (especially the E-P3 with its high price and its jurassic sensor)
Lets see some of my questions are:
1) Is Olympus going to support HDMI live view output? Many of the DSLRs and the Panasonic G-H2 already support this, and there are various HDMI monitors such as the Lilliput LCD that would be useful to use in the context of making movies and other applications. True the camera supports analog video but that has its own limitations (being old technology, supporting only QVGA 320×240 resolution, and not allowing use of the shutter release).
2) Is Olympus going to come out with a tethered solution that allows full control of the camera from a distance, using bluetooth, wifi, or a USB support? I would prefer either bluetooth or wifi controls that I can control from my smartphone. Look to the Samsung SH100 as an example of what can be done.
3) Why did you need to change batteries? I have something like 6 or 8 different battery types and the chargers that go with them, and it is a hassle. In addition, I felt that unlike some of your competitors, the fact that you used the same batteries for multiple meant that I could find batteries down the road after the next generation of gear comes out. I have had several older cellphones and laptops that I had to stop using because the batteries were no longer available. Having multiple battery types means that given shelf space is fixed, it is less of a chance that a store might actually have any random battery I need.
4) Why didn’t you put a pop-up flash instead of including the clip-on flash? I tend to fear that such a small flash will soon get lost, and if I buy the E-M3 (or E-PM1/E-PL3) that I will continually have to replace it.
5) Speaking of flash and accessory port, have you ever thought of putting a second hot-shoe and accessory port on the camera on the left side? This would avoid the problem of wanting to use an accessory and flash at the same time (which happens to me from time to time), and it also would better support for flash in portrait orientation. If a second hot-shoe and accessory port is out the question, how about providing an accessory port extension cable, so I can move the VF-2, SEMA-1, PenPal, etc. to a different location and still use external flash.
As someone trying to decide whether he should move to mft or stay with 4/3 and wait for improvements…
1 – Will future 4/3 models be in the E-5 form factor (ie. large), or might the ‘E-7’ be closer to the size of an E-30, or (dare I dream) Exxx?
2 – Given the slow speed of the 12-50 mft zoom, is there a faster weather sealed version coming down the pipe? (And a weather sealed option for the 70-150 range?)
3 – Any chance that 4/3 lens focusing on EM-5 might be improved with a future firmware update, or would that only be possible with a later mft body.
Thanks
From the Oly Press Release:
“with the launch of the Olympus E-M5, the first of the new Olympus OM-D (OM Digital) Series of Micro Four Thirds™ products”
Pls. ask what the OM-D series of products will consist of…
Maybe further slightly different bodies? , (like PEN range) or ‘just’ accessories? If so, what / when?
Cheers!
Will Olympus consider making a 8mm or 9mm rectilinear (non-fisheye) prime lens? The only m43 lenses at that focal length are zoom lenses and having a prime lens that shoots at f4 with weather sealing and higher quality optics would be a great benefit to landscape and architectural photographers looking to adopt a smaller more compact camera system.
This would be a great addition to the current prime lens line up of olympus. If they could manage to create a 8mm or 9mm ultra wide angle lens with an aperture of 2.8 then I will certinly be one of those people who will be on ordering one of this lens.
No, we don’t really need wider lenses, we need a shift lens in the 10-12 range ! That would solve all the problems of architecture photography better than wider primes.
Also, fisheyes are really a niche product and there are already two available in mft mounts.. There are also two wide zooms, one starting at 7mm and the other at 9mm, so these focal length are already covered. No need of fast wide angle : motion blurr is less a problem with short lenses.
So we really need shift lenses !!
Please explain to me why we can’t have both.
As an underwater photographer i would like to see a fisheye zoom lens similar to the Tokina 10-17… so I do not agree that all the needs are covered in terms of fisheye or WA!
1) Are there plans for a WiFi module? The Eyefi has too many limitations and problems and something better is needed.
2) Does olympus have an open specification for its accessory port so 3rd party can develop products? If Olympus is in the business of selling cameras, why would they not open this up to for others to create products?
3) Will we ever have full tether support similar to Nikon/Canon so that once again 3rd parties can freely create software for smartphones or tablets that can interface with the camera?
4) The OM-D has a base ISO of 200 and only a shutter of 1/4000 which makes very difficult in many very bright situations, is this due to a hardware limitation? Or will there be a firmware update? Will an extended ISO 50 ever be considered?
5) Presently, there is no fast m4/3 zoom lenses. Will we see fast SHG zooms like we have with FT (e.g. Zuiko 14-35, 35-100, etc). If no, what is Olympus doing to make focusing with FT glass better?
6) Many 3rd party companies signed up for the 4/3 mount, yet, we have seen very little new lenses from them and whatever we have seen is fairly slow and difficult to find — is Oly talking with these lense companies? What is the delay in seeing 3rd party lenses available?
2) +1000!
4) -1000: Get used to it. ND filters are plentiful, and some are very good indeed. (although 1/8000 would be handy).
Existence of ND filters is bad excuse for substandard high sensor base ISO when every modern APS-C DSLR sensor has at least one stop lower base ISO.
And neither is stacking filters good thing (ND doesn’t do the job of polarizer) and taking filter of when going into shadow would be another annoying step.
Neither does ND filter do anything to lower DR than other sensors.
+10
(snooty comment deleted by user)
As for that number 4 software ISO’s are useless because overexposing saturates highlights completely, solving too high base ISO needs change of sensor to better modern design sensor.
Future video frame rates… 24p, 60p, slow motion options?
I know many people ask this question already, but may I?
Could you please consider to implement a fuction to better assist the manual focus process? Magnification at the focus point is good but, in comrison with other brands, it is not that good. Moreover, once the focus point is magnified, we cannot do the composition.
For example, NEX has a focus peaking which helps a user to focus very well. Nikon, as another example, can confirm once a subject is in focus. If not, it will tell how to turn lens (i.e. clockwise or counterclockwise).
They(Toshiyuki Terada) have recently answered that they still think magnification is better. http://www.43rumors.com/last-minute-leaks/ 🙁
My Question would be:
“Is Olympus marketing aware that magnification and peak focusing solve different problems? These are complementary solutions, not competitors. Why not give us both?”
Magnification is fantastic in a static situation, where you can move the magnified area around to examine each important part of the composition. Normally when I use a tripod I find it great.
Magnification is useless when the situation is fast changing. Street photography with magnification is very impractical. There peaking would shine
They do not want to copy NEX. I wrote about this year and half ago:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=36142128
Probably the do not want to use sensor stabilization as AF helper too:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=40525355
It would be feasible, since they have experience with advanced stabilization.
Or they want to wait till Pentax or Sony introduces it.
They don’t want to copy NEX?… and Ricoh…. and Pentax… The demand is strong, they need pony up the licence for peaking (if that’s the holdup) or develop their own.
First and second generations PENs have startup times of around 1.8-2.2 seconds, which is marginally alright. The third generation of PENs, like the E-P3, start up at around 2.7 seconds, which is monumentally slow. (“startup” time means the time it takes between you power on and you can start to change the settings on your camera, NOT the time it takes for the screen to come on, or “first shot” time, which is frankly meaningless). How long does the E-M5 take to start up? Is Olympus going to introduce a “quick startup” (like Fuji) function in the firmware?
Where does the E-M5 sit in the OM-D lineup, is it at the top or will there be a more “professional” OM-D to follow? (not to imply that I think it is not professional enough)
Will the Olympus Software Developers Kit be upgraded to support the E-M5?
+ 1 on hints about future OM-D line releases.
When can we expect:
– 14 bit raw processing
– multi aspect ratio sensor/s
– lenses like mZD 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 or 10mm f/4 pancake
– next official lens roadmap
– an option to turn off noise (chroma/lumi separetely) reduction
– agreement with Panasonic on exchanging lenses data, so we could benefit from CA, shade removal, not only on G bodies but also on PEN/OMDs.
– pricing and availability of 75mm f/1.8
+1 on exchanging lens data with Pana to get in camera CA and vignetting correction!
1) Olympus have been alway ahead for innovation and interesting feature like Creative Filters, I’m a little surprise that in this body we don’t find something for HDR, create a Panorama inside the camera with assitance, or Astronomic Shooting Stars, while Pro camera like D800 are starting to add similar things?
2)Why no USB 3?
3)Tilt LCD is a progress over PEN series but it’s behind tilt&pivot like G & GH series, when could we expect to see it?
If they wants to add creative filters maybe they would use film simulating filters from Kodak.
Or they should implement filters people actually are using:
http://www.lightroompresets.com/products-page/acr-presets/fall-in-love-collection-duplicate/
@ Grzegorz.
If you like actions I think you better check out stuff from Totally Rad.
http://www.gettotallyrad.com/products/
I know Olympus started the creative filters that other companies have copied but I consider it a fad. I’ve a E-30 and E-P2 and have never touched any artfilter. Better to tweak images in post with something like Totally Rad or the more simple/less expensive solution you mentioned. Infinite more possibilities.
It’s like all the Hipstamatic/Instagram/Vignette(android) pictures. They all start to look the same. It gets stale.
Now if Oly would offer the same number of videorates. That would be killer.
I wouldn’t buy a camera based on the art filters it has.
Agree, the art filter thing has got to go. I’d trade it for just about anything else, ie 24p, peaking, etc….
I’m not impressed with what demo presets offer. In general, you are right that they all looks the same. But, you can tweak them to your needs. I have to use presets because plain images from digital cameras looks simply boring, and current possibilities offered by PS are not enough, or takes too much time. I’m again and again being drawn to film, it’s unique, hard to copy look.
I think that Olympus should try harder to find more unique filters. In current form they are pretty lame – it is true for every manufacturer, even like instagram would be better.
Anyway my most used preset is here:
http://www.iixn.pl/log/MG.xml (save it as .xmp)
I’m using Photoshop Elements, which can handle only ACR presets(.xmp), but Lightroom presets can be converted to .xmp, since Lightroom uses JSON as data container while ACR presets are XML
I wrote app for managing presets for PSE (and converting lightroom to acr):
http://www.iixn.pl/dev/d012/
I would like to know about the future of the E system. I have an E-5 and have heavily invested in the lenses and other accessories. I would like to know if there will be an E-6 which will be a full frame camera along the lines of the new Nikon D800. That is the kind of camera that Olympus needs to stay competitive and that is what I’d like to see. Also, there was a hint of a new lens for the E system. Can we know more about it?
We need a wordpress theme that filters out posts like this automatically. If you want 135 format, either go Canikon or shoot film. Your lenses simply cannot project a larger image circle than 4/3’s.
Oh, and Olympus will likely sell more E-M5’s over the next year than Nikon will sell D800’s: The 135 format cameras don’t sell the volume of the smaller cameras.
You re completely right
One is selling to soccer moms
One is selling to bread and butter professionals
Wow, I never knew that soccer mom’s were buying so many D800’s.
Question about focus peaking (for next firmware update) is a must have!
+10
With regard to newer technologies……how about an App for the iPad which would allow E system and OM-D users to preview and edit their images in RAW format as well as JPG on their iPads? Android tablets too! How about a free app which lists all of the available hardware and lenses? This would be good self promotion and a valuable tool for those who are shopping for Olympus cameras and lenses.
Will there be a OM-adapter with a 0,5 converter so I can use my old Zuiko lenses?
+1
Will olympus offer an affordable OM in the future. I am really interested on the new OMD EM-5 but I think the price range is beyond my budget. I don’t need the weather sealing. All I need is the built in viewfinder, better noise handling which is present on the EM-5 and the new 5 axis IS.
My other question does olympus have any plans on offering new lenses on the four thirds system. It would really be great if they offered the prime lenses 45mm f1.8, 75mm f1.8, and 12mm f2.0 on the four thirds mount. If they will make a four thirds mount on these primes I bet these lenses will really be a hit among the E series users.
Will Olympus release the 12mm/2.0, 45mm/1.8 and 75mm/1.8 is black and will they ever be weather-sealed?
+1
One question that I didn’t see answered in the published spec’s (unless I missed it): How is cold weather performance? Its -12C outside this morning, and while my film cameras will work fine, it’d be great to use an E-M5 (when I can get one!).
Why shouldn’t your cameras work? The only thing that could be problematic is the batteries discharging faster because of the cold
Olympus “Tough” cameras are rated for “cold” whatever that might mean: turns out to mean 14F, slightly warmer than it was this morning when I went out ;-). I wonder about battery discharge rates, and what “freeze-proofing” entails, and if E-M5’s have it.
My E-P1 has always worked perfectly at those temperatures (and even lower). I don’t think you need to worry. And the E-M5 is usable with gloves on, I’ve been told.
I spent some 15-20 minutes taking photos with my E-PL1 at around -7°C last week. The camera did quite good, but my fingers didn’t, so I gave up :).
Hi everybody,
sorry for possible duble-posting, but I haven’t read all commies.
Three things:
1. Will there be a black 45mm 1.8?
2. Why is the lowest possible ISO setting 200 (and not 50 or even 25 😉 )
3. Last and most important: From reading exif-data I know that MFT-lenses know their actual focal distance – but no body/firmware is able to show the distance on the LCD or viewfinder. Will this feature ever be added?
I really miss the little window on lenses (compared to DSLR or 4/3) showing the distance and the depth of field!
Regards from Germany
+10 for 3.
I loved Minolta Dimage prosumers showing focus distance in manual focus mode which made photographing darker sky very easy because you didn’t need to do any wild ass guessing with focus but just turn it into infinity.
+1 to #3 too.
The one thing I want to know is what’s so funny about peace, love and understanding. If you could ask that I’d appreciate it.
Okympus has lately made some great mFT lenses, e.g. the 12mm, the 45mm). Could Olympus please make these lenses in black, as well?
One more question: Olympus seems to have more than a certain focus on design and camera/lens esthetics, – which I find great. Would it be an idea to let me and other camera buyers chose from a few numbers of different house ‘leatherettes’?
[Sorry, – I didn’t notice David’s post until just now]. 🙂
1) Another vote for the 17mm (f1.4 weather-sealed) question.
2) Wireless remote not working on PEN was a real pain. Is there one for OMD?
3) Low ISO boost (ISO 100,50) would make sense for very bright daylight situations while trying to achieve narrow DOF on bright lenses. Any chance of a software update for this? (PENs and OMD, more important for the ISO200 OMD)
Admin for each question you may want to count requests, hence seeing which question is most popular – but much more work then 🙁
3 should be forgotten.
Software can’t fix deficiency in sensor.
But if anyone wants to imitate software based low ISO +1EV exposure compensation gives you ISO 100 performance and +2EV compensation ISO50 when using ISO200.
Just watch out for multimegaton nuke bombed highlights…
1. Why no manual focus peaking?
2. Is focus peaking feasible as a firmware update?
3. Is there an audio line/mic input?
4. Is there audio input level metering?
5. Is audio input volume manually adjustable, AGC, or both (switchable)?
6. How does the 4/3 lens converter affect focusing speed as compared to using a comparable focal length m4/3 lens?
+1 on peaking as firmware update.
4. via accessory only
5. I believe only as 3 selectable preset input levels
1. Would you make ISO 50, 25 available to PEN, OM-D, the E-System through firmware update?
2. Would you consider making the i-Speed cameras part of the FourThirds/Micro FourThirds system? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFDS0ZP7RXk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T872Vesgf08&feature=related
WOW..half of the posts above are a gargled mess and don’t include a clear sensible question. WOW!
..deep breath….
Will Olympus make a MFT camera in the near future that is built around a sensor that has 11.5-12.5 EV of Dynamic Range????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
And the other half contain questions on future products, which they will NEVER disclose in advance.
….um…WHAT was your question..I think I missed that part?
1) Are there any plans to release longer telephoto lenses e.g., 400mm for nature and sports enthusiasts? And what about 1.4x or 2x teleconverters?
2) Will all future high-grade micro 4/3 lenses be weathersealed? And conversely, why was a recently released high-grade lens such as the 12mm/f2 not weathersealed?
3) Can we expect a high-speed standard pancake lens (e.g., 25mm f/1.8) in the near future?
Why isn’t there a in-camera HDR feature? Would love to take hdr images with the OM-D and the 12 mm 2.0
I’d much rather do HDR correctly in post, than with limited control in camera.
I´ll ask the following questions:
1. We all have seen the Michael Woodford vs Olympus never-ending battle during the last months and obviously the E-M5 camera is the perfect drug for Olympus´ flu but I wonder if this “tech timeline” will continue at this rate or the next Olympus OM-D camera will tweak the sensor and add two extra buttons again like the past years.
2. I really like the idea of continuing the OM legacy. If something really works why does it need to be changed? I have worked with OM cameras for a long time and it´s the first time I feel really excited with this new camera after E-SYSTEM era. A lot of people is comparing the E-M5 with the OM4 but in fact the heart of OM4 was the metering system for calculating the right exposure using sophisticated multi spot metering. Using curves for shadows/highlights are fine in the new E-M5 but using multi-spot metering will calculate the right curve assigning priorities to the areas you want to keep inside the dynamic range. It will be even better than highly praised Olympus Advanced Shadow Control. Please can you give us some reasons why did you decide not to add this feature in the camera? Are we going to see the OM4 metering system again?
3. It has been said that the main problem of MFT has always been the sensor but in fact the problem was the lack of bright, lightweight and affordable prime lenses. In terms of 35mm focal lengths where is the 50 f1.2? I am going to buy the E-M5 and I need an standard super bright lens, where is it? Panasonic! with the noise problems of aperture control! It´s imperative to see an Olympus lens roadmap for 2012 of prime lenses! E-M5 is focused on enthusiast market, do you think M.ZD 12-50 f3,5-6,3 is the right solution for this market? or the M.ZD 14-42 f3,5-5.6? We need affordable prime lenses now! Where is the OM line of f2 and f2.8 lenses? M.ZD 45 f1.8 was great! It is a super sharp, lightweight, bright and affordable lens. No one is going to buy a 25mm f1.4 at $600. Do you think enthusiast market will pay $999 for a body camera and $600 for a standard bright lens? No way!
4. Olympus is well known for their color rendition. No one is able to render images so beautifully. For getting an accurate color is imperative to get a perfect white balance. We have seen in Olympus PRO bodies a hybrid solution for getting an accurate WB? Why do E-M5 no longer has it? Are you using any new technology? Why is not possible to modify color temperature in the camera and export a JPG image? Using the touch screen with a slider will be very easy. In my opinion this is one of the main reason of having to shoot raw and the need of a computer to process the images. You always need to correct color temperature. I will give you a clear example! These images were taken with an E-P1 in a Pierre Cardin NY show! I had to correct color temperature in all of them because it was really inaccurate with an orangish color cast. Setting the perfect WB makes color become charming and superb!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/72635775@N02/sets/72157629149877741/
5. Why does Olympus haven´t included yet in their bodies a reversal film emulation, like Velvia, Kodachrome, Ektachrome, or several B&W profiles? Are we going to see this feature in a near future?
+1 concerning the multi spot metering of the OM4 that was a great way to expse to the right (or to the left for negs).
The tweaking of the shadows/highlights curve may be nice fr jpegs shooters, but is not what raw shooters need.
We need a way to make perfect exposures and to use the dynamical range in the best way. So please, allow us to take several spot readings for shadows details and white details then compute the exposure starting from these points.
Om 4 allowed exactly this to take up to 9 readings, perfect for zone system. It wasn t just to over underexpose as you put it
Isn’t the custom WB setting what you’re looking for?
Carry a Whibal might help too.
My question to Olympus is this.
Sir: Would you conceive another version of E-M5 without HD video? I’m about one precent whom perfer still camera in present form.
Why? It would cost more and give same IQ
dear victor, HD video is something that sells dslrs/mirrorless even more than they should be .. it´s easy to implement and it doesn´t influence the still quality.. so stop acting like a kid.. if you don´t want HD video don´t use it
I’d ask about:
– Peaking
– Bit rate in video mode (why so low)
+1 on both
Olympus: Can you make a m.Zuiko 300mm F4 or 400mm F5.6 in the future?
Could you please produce a Pen version of the E-M5? I mean with the same technical specifications, but without the big hump and without EVF.
I am using M4/3 as a second system next to my big Canon full frame. So, a small camera body is very important to me.
Thank you,
Olof
Will there be any m43 cameras from Olympus with leaf shutter (like in fuji x100)?
Will Panasonic M43 and standard 43 lenses be compatible on the EM5? What about the Panasonic DMW-MA1 43 to M43 adapter as well? I can bet many folks with Pany glass are interested to know this….
At this point, all I care about is the sensor.
Is Olympus still under contract with Panasonic? I thought that the contract was done. Why are they still buying their sensors from Panasonic when EVERY other company on the planet that is buying sensors for their products is buying them from Sony.
Why didn’t they use the superior GH2 sensor? Does Panasonic still have it under wraps?
Will 43 and m43 be merged?
(Mirror less PDAF in body, or adapter with PDAF.)
Ditto…
When will Olympus unify FT lenses with MFT lenses with MFT body(s), so a single MFT body can fully utilize FT PDAF (Four Thirds lenses’ Phase Detect Auto Focus) at full pro-level autofocus speed as well as all the lighter, slower MFT lenses?
One of the latest rumors is that Oly is going to release a new FT lens. Is that a sign that a unifying MFT/FT body is imminent (or at least certain)? Is that body OM-D’s E-M6?
Can we expect any speed-ups in the E-M5 for FT PDAF lens support? Firmware updates?
Thank you.
Hi Occam, I don’t know what you mean by ‘Unify’ and its implementaion whatever it is, 4.3rd and u4/3rds are different mounts, the back focus differs by the thickness of the MMF-*, so unifyling in my interpretation of the word is not possible to use the 4/3rds lenses on a u4/3rds body has to have the MMF-* to get correct focus, ad to create a body with both mounts as I’ve seen some peeps suggest is a farsical, you just could not get a u4/3rds lens inside the throat of the 4/3rds mount.
Right. The MMF-3 (or whatever is necessary). The unification relates to the full performance of PDAF (autofocus) of the FT glass which is currently missing on the MFT bodies. A “unified” body would serve both (M)FT lens systems equally well for autofocus speed (modulo any adapter necessary for FT glass).
Thanks for forwarding the questions:
– How fast do FT-lenses autofocus work with the E-M5? Exspecially the fats zoom lenses as 12-60mm 2,8 would be intersting to know.
– Can we expect new faster mFT zoom-lenses? Of sure bigger and more expensive.
Why isn’t the silver body available with the 14-42 kit lens?
I’ve come to the conclusion that most photo blog posters will be looking for something newer, faster, and different right up to the day of the Zombie Apocalypse, when they will, hopefully, all be eaten by zombified blue-shirt camera salesmen from Best Buy.
1. after the big panasonic GH2 succes in video industry, why oly didn´t included an advanced videofunctions like (1080/60 and 50p) higher bitrates, focus peaking, uncompressed HDMI and ND filter for professionals?
2. why the fastest olympus flagship doesn´t use some HDR processing sticked in 1 photo (raw not jpeg) for increased DR when it´s allready capable of it
3. is olympus planning to announce some superfast below f1.4 or fast pancake lenses?
Will Olympus ever release a bright 25mm prime for M43? An affordable classic 50mm equivalent is imperative in a lens collection and Olympus doesn’t have one yet for their “classic” digital cameras. And the Panasonic 25mm lens is still too expensive and over-sized…
1) Can we expect F/1.4 lens for m43 in the near future?
2) How well AF of OM-D work with 4/3 lens like ZD 50? Can we expect improvements in the future?
3) Should we wait for E-7 and can we expect it will have mirror inside?
Why does E-M5 have a double-ungood minimum ISO 200 and max shutter speed 1/4000? This poses serious creative and photographic limitations for bright daylight photography and in the studio.
What kind of plans do you have for helping focus with MF legacy lenses? Zoom function on Olympus MFT cameras is very fiddly and difficult handheld. How do you plan on improving upon implementing focus peaking or Panasonic’s system, or better yet, beating them?
1. Does the camera over heat during a three hour interview in a hot jungle?
2. Is there unlimited continuous video for the USA cameras?
3. Does the camera have a EX Tele Conv mode like the Panasonic GH2? When shooting in 1920X1080 HD (including 24P Cinema mode) and when ETC mode is engaged, the GH2’s 4608 x 3456 sensor is “cropped” to 1920X1080. In other words, only the central 2 Megapixels of the sensor’s overall 18 Megapixels is recorded.
ETC mode — yeah! Good question. Does Oly support center video crop for extended zoom of center of lens (a la 10x optical zoom via lossless sensor crop for video of Panasonic GH2 “ETC” video mode for any lens).
1 – we want focus peaking, on top of magnification, and be able to select either or both, can Olympus add this to next firmware ?
2 – we want our iso 100 back or even iso 50. Why such a high base iso ?
3 – will Olympus make the same body, with 5 axis IS, but without the EVF ? Pen EP5 maybe ?
1).Will Olympus introduce a standard Lens Like Panny’s PZ14-42XLens? a Ultra Slim Standard Zoom Lens are always welcome and will be a very good match with E-PL3 (Or it’s successor, also the other type of M4/3 camera)
2).The 43-to-M43 Adapter seems just a simple adaptor adding the weather seal on it , the Focusing speed is seems still not very good(I didn’t test the new one, just guess). NEX’s Mirror Adapter is somewhat funny but useful thing to let their A-mount lens usable at their NEX , will Olympus introduce a adaptor which let the 43 Lens could fully functional with M43 body?
3).Will Olympus try to use the CMOS sensor from the party other then Panasonic?Although Olympus will tweak the CMOS, but i just think there’s will be some better CMOS outside other then panny’s….Sony…? Canon? Or….. will try the Foveon’s X3 sensor? Although it is just daydreaming and seems a impossible mission , but Panny’s sensor is seems not very promising…. if Sigma will co-operate with Olympus and introduce a camera with it’s X3 sensor , i think it will be able to making a heavy effort to C & N’s APS-C camera even the FF camera….Sony’s CMOS are very good also….
My selfish wish list to put to Olympus:
I’d like to see something a bit smaller, lighter than the e-pm1 with:
– vastly better high ISO (6400) performance – don’t care much about the megapixels.
– 2 fully customisable dials – one as is, the other inset next to the video button
– 2 to 3 stop ND filter
– focus peaking
– OLED high res touchcreen which works with scp.
– can lose the accessory port to keep the weight down
– please! keep to the same battery as all the other PENS.
– 25mm ish f1.2 pancake in the same series as the 2/12
– better review/delete functionality
– WIFI on board
Can lose:
– video
– scenes / art filters
I think that’s about all 🙂
already pity the manager…seeing the maaaaaaaany wishes LOL!!
Umm, yeah. The site could help if we could vote up/down the various questions. That could help filter out repeats (i.e., crowd would vote down repeat questions, not just irrelevant ones (like: when will you release full 35mm frame MFT camera!-)).
Good idea, but wouldn’t wish it on the Admin. Many of the posts are pure junk and should just be discarded, some others so long-winded no one will bother wading through them to get to their kernel of “brilliance.”.
I hope E-M5 will have minimum same GH2 DR on DXOmark.
Rv
I d prefer the gh1 specs, but much more should be possible, there are some years in between
To make the most of this opportunity, I had hoped that people would be mature and restrain themselves from asking questions that aren’t about the E-M 5 (e.g. “Will you make a new Four Thirds camera?”) or that Olympus already has declined to answer (e.g. “Who made the sensor?”) or questions that are nothing more than disguised complaints (e.g. “Why does the E-M 5 have ________?” [insert feature questioner doesn’t like] or “Why doesn’t the E-M 5 have _________?” [insert feature questioner covets from NEX-7, Fuji Pro X-1, etc.]) Alas, no such luck.
But here are my questions anyway. I’m already confident that the E-M 5 will work well for the kinds of documentary and action photography I do, but I still want to know more about its suitability for studio photography and video:
1) Will there be support for tethered still shooting? (as offered on E-series via Olympus Studio 2)
2) Will the HDMI connector output “clean” video suitable for capture on field recorders such as the Atomos Ninja?
And a technical question:
3) The on-screen curves adjustment capability looks interesting. Does this adjustment affect only JPEG files, or does it alter the tone values of raw files as well?
Thanks…
Preface unnecessary. Even non E-M5 questions tell us about OM-D and E-M5. The E-M5 begs all sorts of questions about FT lens support and future of FT, so I say people are asking many of the right questions.
Q3 is strong. Do the on-screen curve adjustments affect RAW files (or just JPEG)?
25mm f1.2??
Love the camera. Probably won’t buy it, but it certainly adds breath to the m4/3 format. What I really am excited about is that 75mm f1.8. I want it, I want it, I want it.
I hope Olympus start up and produce the lens in April in year, like the 12mm F2 last year. But i hope anyway. 😉
Hi!
There are 2 reasons stopping me from upgrading to the M5:
1. The present kits are not attractive for customers interested in upgrading their old MFT system. Normally they do have already similar (slow) zoom lens like the two in the offered OMD M5 kits. Are further kits planed for this market?
2. With the articulated mechanism of the nice display is is only possible to tilt the display upwards and downwards in a limited range. Not useful for portrait mode and it is not possible to flip the sensitive display to inside for better protection while the display is not in use. Can we hope to find a more flexible articulated mechanism in the M6?
I’ve heard of the zoom function when manually focusing, is there a way to disable this?
Will there be teethering support, other can Penpal which can directly show images on computer ?
Just one question:
Having the option to display all shooting information in the bottom of the viewfinder (Finder Style 1 & 2) is brilliant. However, the large settings bar and black frame decrease the image size by 20% in each direction. The resulting viewfinder magnification of 0.92x (640×480 out of 800×600 pixels) is disappointing.
Will you consider adding a ‘Finder Style 4’ with a smaller settings bar and without the black frame, so that the image magnification remains larger than 1?
Thanks.
Did you forget the 3 style with the info superimposed over the image filling the whole vf? Beside if there was a 4th style it would be called vf style 5 remember the japanese dont like 4
Not at all. I personally abhor the ‘style 3’ (normal on the Pens), because the info interferes with my view of the scene. That’s why I’m delighted with the *concept* of Styles 1 and 2. I just think they went a bit overboard with the size of the info bar and black border around the image. Especially considering the relatively modest starting magnification of 1.15x (0.58x 35mm-equivalent). One could easily increase the size of the main image by 10% and still present the basics (mode, speed, aperture, ISO, compensation, focus, flash) in the bottom.
It’s the Chinese, not the Japanese who have an issue with the number 4. And I don’t think it goes as far a banning all uses of ‘4’ (otherwise, why have the number at all?). It just means it’s unlikely you’ll try to market a product with a prominent number 4.
Did you forget the 3 style with the info superimposed over the image filling the whole vf? Beside if there was a 4th style it would be called vf style 5 remember the japanese dont like 4 😉
Will the AF point b smaller. If it s still as huge as ep3 then it ll b quite hard to get spot on focus. How do olympus plan to inprove on that? Fast AF is one thing but is it spot on? It s better to b slower n more accurate than faster but less accurate since the fast primes like 45/1.8 75/1.8. The shallow depth of field can mean somethin, or nothin
will there be a FF OM-D? (and without autofocus, no weather sealing, no tilt screen)
just a photo camera 🙂
ingredients:
1 x OM camera
1 x lens of choice
1 x slide or negative film
1 x good quality film scanner
Stir & Shake
and voila: the alternative OM-D
you forgot to add some OM lens and chemicals.
Dear Oly:
Are you working on (R&D) or planning to introduce a _global_shutter_ on your OM-D line? Global shutter would (presumably) address the high speed shutter requests (for very bright scenes), movie frame rate requests (25p, 50p, 60p), as well as candid and street photography issues (silent shutter).
Thank you.
Global shutter would be nice, but is not strictly necessary. But, Olympus does not have good video support. I want to buy this camera for its in-built image stabilization, metal chassis, and sealed construction. What stops me? Video modes that are clearly inferior to GH-1 and GH-2. If this is top of the line camera, then it should have more video choices. So, questions to Olympus:
1) Why do you not implement full range of video frame rates? We want 24, 25, 30, 50, and 60 fps in one camera. Why only 30 fps? You could at least implement 24 and 25 in addition. Please do this in a firmware update.
2) Base ISO of 200 is a real deal breaker for video when you try to lock shutter speed at 1/2 the frame rate to get nice motion blur. Motion blur goes away if we decrease shutter speed to 1/4000 sec. in bright light. This is even worse for video than for still photography. Can you please implement an ISO 100 and/or ISO 50, even if it means reduced dynamic range? Please do this in a firmware update.
3) This is too late for the E-M5 as the hardware is frozen, but related to 2), if you are not going to provide lower ISO numbers, then please incorporate a built in ND filter. One filter to cut light down by 3 or 4 f-stops would be a world of help. I think still photographers would appreciate it also for shooting wide open in bright light. Can you please incorporate this into future models?
Thank You for moving micro 4/3 forward into the professional photography realm. Please now consider moving it forward into the professional video realm as well.
Wouldn’t a global shutter make it possible to (extremely) rapidly fire e.g 3 or 5 shots and combine these into one picture with increased DR? And to get a dead silent shutter?
if it is dead client, then Olympus will not be alb to show off the frame per seconds speed like in this commercial.
Will Olympus actively work with Apple to make sure we have RAW support in Aperture fast for the E-M5? It took ages for the E-5.
That is not Olympus’s fault or problem. Other software companies are much better than Apple at supporting Olympus cameras and they don’t have any help from Olympus.
you mean they do have help; they have exactly the same help as Apple.
+10 that would be very very nice! Though the Pen 3 and family showed up in Aperture sooner that previous releases. Im hoping that Apple’s RAW updates are getting more frequent
The main missing information for me right now is:
How many stops of dynamic range is the new sensor capable of?
Also do they have any plans for a focus peaking feature?
This information is available, more or less.
1. On Olympus’ own presentation page for E-M5:
“New 16.05-megapixel Live MOS Sensor with halved noise compared to the previous model
The new camera incorporates a new High-Speed Live MOS Sensor with 16.05 megapixels. This sensor not only boasts high resolution, but also features image quality improvement with significantly less noise than the previous sensor. The dynamic range has also been expanded to provide superb gradation reproduction across a wider range of brightness.”
Here, the “previous model” could in principle refer to either (1) the E-P3 sensor, or (2) a previous iteration of the 16 Mpx sensor (G3/GX1?). Both of these have about the same base DR (ca 10EV), but the GX1 supposedly has one stop better performance wrt ISO. At the same time, the DR can max be 12 EV due to using 12 bit A/D converter. Assuming they did not mess uo the DR etc in the “previous model”, the DR lies in the interval 10-12 EV, probably around 10.5 EV or so. I would expect the high ISO performance to be equal or one stop better than the G3/GX1 and the high ISO DR to be somewhat better (1.5 EV?) than than that of the GX1. But most of these are guesstimates, based on indications here and there.
2. One of their managers have stated that they didn’t find focus peaking sufficienly developed/useful (?) to include it. They of course have not ruled out future support of it, but surely they will not promise it.
Conceptually, focus peaking sounds very useful. But I am definitely not convinced that it is/will be accurate. If it is not accurate, the usefulness disappears.
deleted
My questions are.
1. Why is a mFT photo and camera better then using an Iphone? That is my question, if Olympus or Panasonic can answer that in 60 seconds to most people they will sell a lot of cameras.
2. What are the advantages of mFT compared to entry level DSLR from the big two?
3. Can you give us another 43 body? The E-5 is nice, but it needs a refresh for its sensor, and with the new 5 axis stability system, and a switchable Optical to Electronic viewfinder it will be exciting.
Logic says:
1. Lenses
2. DSLRs are dead
3. 43 is dead
What would Oly say?
Olympus says:
They are looking at an E7 43 camera and one new 43 lens already. That came out in an interview a couple of days ago.
Technically, what the interview said was that they are “considering” a new 4/3 camera.
Likewise, I am “considering” accepting offers to become President of the United States.
But the issue of ‘consideration’ is based on the credibility of the offerer. If I offered you the Presidency it means one thing. If Wall St offers you the Presidency it is entirely different.
spot on, nothing more to ad here 🙂
Answer No 1 is false: iPhone has prime lenses
http://www.macworld.com/article/163414/2011/11/ipro_lens_system_for_iphone_4_4s_bundles_valuable_accessories_into_a_well_integrated_package.html
I think you are right about logic in question 1, but logic does not sell. They need to convince people that taking a picture with a OM camera means they care more, are more interested in quality, more interested in style then a Iphone picture. They tried something on a small scale in Australia when they first marketed the PEN. It is something Olympus needs to answer to the potential camera buying public. They need to sell to more then current DSLR and mirrorless owners.
The DSLRs may have a cold right now, but they are far from dead. The cold can develop into pneumonia, but it is far from even that now. DSLR have a certain cache with people thinking they are getting a superior product to mirrorless, even when the bargain DSLRs are not that good. They need to show why their product is better, maybe some nerd using a clumsy large DSLR and a pretty girl using the Olympus OM, is Cheryl Tiegs daughter (do not even know if she has one) available? 😉 It worked 30 years ago.
43 E-? cameras are incredibly productive in the right hands, it is much to early to drop them. For some of us it is about getting the picture right, and it does deliver. I think with the truly next generation of sensors the E-? superior lens and registry will make it even better. Olympus does know how to make mirrors and prisms; it is not a problem for them.
Easy questions (1-2):
1. Much better image quality and the possibility to change lenses to fit the subject.
2. First and foremost small high quality lenses, secondly smaller bodies, thirdly a complete system. In summary: even professional photographers find the system of good quality for 90-95% of their jobs, at a third of the size/weight of DSLRs. This doesn’t mean the worlds best image quality, but perhaps the ultimate compromise.
🙂
1. iPhone? Why not use a crayon and a piece of paper?
2. entry level DSLRs have terrible viewfinders; with u43, you can do without one entirely (so long as you aren’t old)
3.we have killed the E1, E3, E30, E400, E300, E330, E410, E420, E450, E600, E620… how many corpses do you want?
Rest in peace E-system cameras…. And also, the FT lens are half dead. While surprisingly, OM lens seems like they are half living again in mFT.
Re 3
I think the list is much smaller than the skeletons in the Canon & Nikon cupboards!
Older models will pass….thats law of nature, but the system should continue….
Please bring back ISO 100 on EM-5 ASAP. Why make it harder for a photographer to get a longer exposure when needed?
+1000
ISO 100 or a built-in ND filter would be a great feature.
Both!
Agree totally, why not go to ISO 50.
When is E-30 class controls, ergonomy and features mirrorless body coming?
This retroish E-M5 with P&S style oversize rear display for body size is at most (with landscape grip) at the level of E-xxx.
Instead of another film era retro design+P&S mix style it should be modern design more like E-1 or about roughly eight years old Minolta A1/A2 and your C-8080 WZ prosumers which had lot more innovation in design than current mirrorless bodies and used flexibility of digital tech for increasing ergonomy. (without film roll there’s no reason for body to continue so much left from lens mount)
I could see also other DSLR makers than Nikon seriously researching in sensor PDAF solutions just for simplifying mechanical construction of their system cameras so how long m4/3 has to wait for it?
Besides better focusing compatibility with excellent 4/3 lenses hybrid AF would benefit fast moving target tracking ability by giving focus algorithms direct information about how much and to which direction focus is amiss lessening need for CDAF’s trial and error iterating.
Panasonic has been unwilling to give you sensor with their best dynamic range (+multi-aspect capability) so is anything being done to improve this situation for getting sensor tech to level of competitors?
How about finally offering video frame rates also for Europeans?
If sensor read out circuitry and processing can do NTSC frame rates (60p probably becoming standard bar this year) having also PAL framerates is just question of settings in software. At the same time offering selectable better bitrate would help, something like 30 to 40mbps like in GH2 firmware hacks would be good as Panasonic gets lots of free PR for good video quality. After all nowadays stills and video aren’t separate but complimenting and with hardware capability there rest is just software and doesn’t hinder camera’s photographic aspects.
Ingredient for mirrorless E30.
1) E30
2) whatever tool that allow you to break the mirror.
3) set the camera to always use the liveview AF.
IMO, why make a camera any bigger than the OM-D. Eversince I started shooting film with my OM-1 and OM-2, I stopped shooting digital format and left my E-3 in the closet. I actually think that the OM size is better than E-30 and E-3/5. Further, EM5 also has additional grip that gives you vertical shooting as well and the grip is modular.
Will there be a modular version, like the MDN prototype? That would be a very interesting camera body, especially for 3D work, to minimize the interaxial when shooting in side-by-side configuration.
After 300+ posts, there are not many things left to ask, but here’s my four:
1. Why is no Olympus m4/3 camera offering proper ( GH2 or NEX-7 style ) grip? Addon grips for E-M5 make it too large.
2. Why is automatic white balance on PENs so poor when artificial lightning is not white? Will there be an improvement in E-M5 or future OM-Ds?
3. Will Olympus offer a body with viewfinder in the top left corner, like Sony and Fuji?
4. Will there be OM-D or PEN kits with other lenses, for example with the 12mm?
I also wanted to ask these questions, but others beat me to it 🙂 :
Can Oly make a firmware update to provide focus peaking?
When can we expect full speed AF support for FT lenses on MFT bodies?
Why no 1/500 flash sync?
Are you planning to introduce a global shutter on your OM-D line?
Will there be more OM-D camera on the roadmap?
Does Olympus think it is more important to have high quality resolution and dynamic range at base ISO, or minimal noise at high ISO?
Will there be integrated EVF in Pen series?
Will 5 axis IBIS and this sensor come to PEN series?
Will there be OM-D at lower price point, without weather sealing and magnesium body?
Any plans for a 1.4x or 2x TC?
Any plans to finally release the long promised m43 replacement for the entry level 43 cameras like E-620?
Any plan to release a competitor to Panasonic G3?
Can we have a panoramic function along with apps?
What about something like the Sony multi picture nighttime noise reduction mode?
Is it possible to give us black versions of the metallic-look primes in near future?
Will future PENs or OM-Ds have a multi-aspect ratio sensor?
Will there be an equivalent of 14-35 F2.0 SWD for the OM-D?
Why only a tilting instead of a tilt and and swivel LCD (as on your DSLRs) on the E-M5?
Why didn’t you put a pop-up flash on OM-D instead of including the clip-on flash?
The OM-D has a base ISO of 200 and only a shutter of 1/4000 which makes very difficult in many very bright situations, is this due to a hardware limitation? Or will there be a firmware update? Will an extended ISO 50 ever be considered?
Where does the E-M5 sit in the OM-D lineup, is it at the top or will there be a more “professional” OM-D to follow?
Will there be an adapter with a 0,5 converter so I can use old lenses?
No body/firmware is able to show the focal length on the LCD or viewfinder. Will this feature ever be added?
Why isn’t there a in-camera HDR feature?
Will Oly support center image crop for extended zoom?
Good job wading through and summing up the earlier questions. Maybe now the Admin can boil them down a bit further and put it out for people to select their 3 highest priority questions.
Good list. I would like to add:
Would you consider putting dial-in ND filters into future video-centric lenses?
How do the built-in ND filters work? Are they simply a special way of over-exposing?
ND filter as an extra lens feature. If lens has it, allow to control it via camera, e.g. toggle with a Fn button.
Do you mean that it needs to be built into each lens? That is not particularly realistic…
Thanks. Note that these are only things that interest me. I just didn’t want to repeat what others have already asked. There are many other things I’ve skipped, for example countless questions on who produced the E-M5 sensor, what is the future of 4/3, when they’ll make an FF camera and if there’ll be an Oly 25mm prime.
And rightfully passed over (they’d never answer the first so why waste the time, the second is simply an open question, third plain nonsense, the fourth irrelevant given the excellent Pan/Leica 25mm).
For myself, the primary questions from your list in order of priority:
1) When can we expect full speed AF support for FT lenses on MFT bodies?
2) Will there be a more affordable OM-Dxx (i.e., the long promised m43 replacement for the E-620) without weather sealing and magnesium body to compete with the G3?
3) Will (not can) Oly make a firmware update to provide focus peaking?
4) Is Olympus working on a hybrid CDAF/PDAF approach similar to Nikon’s for action photography?
5) The OM-D has a base ISO of 200 and only a shutter of 1/4000 which makes very difficult in many very bright situations, is this due to a hardware limitation? Or will there be a firmware update? Will an extended ISO 50 or even a true ISO 100 ever be considered?
6) Similar question but of interest: Does Olympus think it is more important to have high quality resolution and dynamic range at base ISO, or minimal noise at high ISO?
I can sum up the answers to almost every question: We cannot comment on future products.
They will not comment on most questions as well. Because, if they say they will release a PDAF FT adapter, their sales of mFT lens will decrease.
If they say there is black version of prime lens coming soon, their current sales of silver lens will decrease.
I think they want to see good number in sales sooner than later, especially their financial situation is not too bright.
I’m not expecting release dates, I would just want to hear the reasoning behind some design decisions and product features, like the one that they think magnified live view is better than focus peaking.
@Miroslav
2. White balance is the photographer’s responsibility as it is part of the composition, try using a custom white white balance off a grey or white object in the scene or use one of the available tungsten/fluorescent pre-sets.
Personally I use Auto white balance for about 0.1% of shots on any of my cameras.
If you shoot RAW it makes less of a difference, at least when using Lightroom 3.
That said, I still use a WhiBal grey card to set white balance, especially in odd lighting conditions, where whatever light bulbs being used and their color/tone/Kelvin rating is unknown.
@Mr. Reeee
in mixed lighting conditions doing the white balance on camera and as close to your final output while you are there aids your composition and you get a better feel for the colours.
illustrated here http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewlockie/6818373585/ not my photo
…more and more Micro Four Thirds shooters are realising this 😀
adjusting the white balance in RAW just isn’t the same…
I’m aware of all that, but I find it time consuming to go manually through Kelvin scale each time lightning conditions change. I was using white balance lens cap for determining correct WB, but found that unreliable as well. Some Canon and Samsung P&S have better auto WB than Olympus PENs and I find that unacceptable.
When will Olympus join the 21st century and add 24p, full bitrate video? Many of us prefer Olympus for photos, but buy Panasonic because of the pedestrian video offerings in Olympus cameras.
My main question will there be any sort of intervelometor or time-lapse function built-in? and if not, will there be support for third party intervelometor’s and wired or wireless tethered shooting such as the Promote system? This camera would be ideal for time-lapse situations because of the weather proofing and its ability to stand up to moisture in difficult situations such as early morning fog, mist, rain…but without that intervelometer ability, the E-M5 is essentially rendered useless.
If Olympus ever made another 4/3 camera, it’ll have to sell for as much as a D800 which defeats the point of 4/3. E-5 is already more expensive than D7000 and K-5 and how is that working out for Olympus?
D800 is going to outsell E-7 at least 100 to 1 and Olympus has to restart mirrorbox and pentaprism production just to hand builds a few hundred cameras. How expensive would it be? 4/3 system is dead dead dead. No lens production, no camera production and no R&D.
The 2nd smallest of the big 5, Pentax, has sold more than 25 million K-mount lenses. The entire 4/3 lens production is probably way under a million. Why would Olympus catering to that niche market?
@pei: “4/3 system is dead dead dead.” – ! showmanship !
what is your question to oly?
My question to Oly would be why is the marketing department keep telling old users a camera is coming when they have no plan to make one? Just so those user don’t switch to another DSLR system?
Is you a Canikon Troll, Pei 😉
So that is why Olympus have already stated they are looking at a E7 43 camera and one new 43 lens. As they stated before the halt on 43 lens development was only temporary.
Also Pentax K mount lenses have been made for several decades so that is why the figure is high. Perhaps you are too young to know or don’t know Pentax’s history fully but all their manual focus lenses were K mount. KM and KX were two of their first K mount lens bodies and those were made in the 1970’s. A modern K series lens won’t even work fully on earlier K series mount cameras. You would need to add all OM mount lens sales and 43 lens sales together to compare sales figures correctly.
Well, they should just release a PDAF FT adapter once and for all. Then they can close down FT all together. Will they not just leave it alone and stop giving us FT user false hope?
And also, Olympus having to stuck at this situation with FT and MFT, like us who have spent couple thousands dollars in FT, is not helping all of us at all. Look at all the Zoom Lens from mFT, why can’t they make some higher quality zoom comparable to FT zooms? Will they ever make up their mind, so that we, FT user, can make up our mind more easily too?
At least IMO.
Maybe because technology is not quite there yet to let it be developed. Also EVF technology has a long way to go before it is good enough. Until then there will be a 43 camera. Olympus have said this for quite a while.
An OM to 4/3 adapter is required….no go. 4/3 is dead just like OM. The whole 4/3 business strategy was flawed from the start.
BTW, are you going to look forward to a camera whose development was stopped for 5 years? It would be about as advanced as a E-3 is now.
Don’t change the subject, we were not talking about adaptors. You were talking about how many more Pentax K series mount lenses have been sold compared to Olympus E series mount lenses and completely failed to mention the very logical reason why that was. The fact being you were including all Pentax K series film lenses as well in your figures (including millions of manual focus only lens sales) from the 1970’s onwards. The figures were very misleading.
The E-5 is not 5 years old. It had new technology in it when it was launched. 43 development has never been on hold for 5 years at any point since it’s launch. Yes it is the same body form as the E3. A bit like the Nikon D3 series has used the same body form.
On the nose. There is no business case for another 4/3’s camera. It would be nice if Olympus would just admit that 4/3’s classic is dead.
Yes there is. Olympus have already stated that until EVF’s are as good as prism based viewfinders and 43 lenses work just as fast on a M43 camera they will continue to bring out a new flag ship 43 camera. At present neither of those two things have been achieved. That is why they have stated that they are working on a E7. It can’t be any clearer than that… Olympus have stated that there will be a new 43 camera.
But I think E-7 will probably be the last one or might come as a mFT with a PDAF adapter.
Look at the EM5 design, it is a combination of OM, E, and EP series in one. I think it is intended to be a bridge already.
What missing for this bridge is the PDAF adapter for FT and the .5x converting adapter for OM. I believe the Viewfinder of EM5 might be very good enough to match E5 already, maybe I am wrong here. Anyhow, the E5 viewfinder is no match of OM anyway. Olympus should aim to make EVF as good as their OM viewfinder for future OM-D, not to aim at E-system VF.
The improvements to the EM5 viewfinder are very small. It’s still way off being as good as the E5 viewfinder. If it was as good Olympus would have tried to bring out a pro product now rather than develop a E7.
Consider 4/3 cameras’ poor OVF, EVF is already better. EVF replacement for FF OVF is not there yet but it doesn’t seem like 4/3 care much about OVF.
4/3 lenses will work as fast as m4/3 lenses on m4/3 body if Olympus use a PDAF sensor or invest in a SONY LA-EA2 type adapter. They are not doing that because there are so few 4/3 lenses and users out there.
Clearly you have never used a E3 or E5 for any length of time otherwise you would know the viewfinder is superior to Olympus EVF ones at present.
The SONY LA-EA2 adapter is laughable large. Olympus would want to develop a product like it much more before bringing it out rather than bring out a product like Sony that should still be in the further development stage.
I have an E-3 and I think the OVF can’t be compared to OM OVF. That was what I was saying. And EVF is totally possible to be build like an OM OVF size more easily than a ft OVF to an OM OVF size. After all, wires are smaller than a prism.
I want to know why Olympus is too cheap to include lens hoods with their lenses.
…and even more: lens bags!!!
I agree. Every lens should include a hood and a bag/case. It is not a matter of expense (the costs are trivial); it is a matter of professionalism.
HG and SHG lens in FT always include them. I have never purchased any mFT lens yet, so I do not know.
I think their next move is to differentiate their lens into S, HG and SHG.
I agree strongly. For a $600 lens it is not right to have no protective case or a hood. Oly doesn’t even make any bags that actually fit m4/3 lenses, let alone protect them. Please provide hood and a custom-fit case.
A tilt & shift 12 mm ! My kingdom for a tilt & shift 12 mm !
I was ready to buy the camera until I found out that there was no 60/24p option. When will Olympus match Sony and offer 60p on their cameras?
Why would you let something that small stop you from buying the camera when you can just do it in post production. It’s straight forward to do.
You can’t reconstruct 60p from some lower frame rate any more than you can reconstruct a still at taken at 1/60 of a second from one taken at 1/30.
Cause it is tough. As you can’t stop thinking that maybe the next camera will include all the features that I want but this one missed.
Look at the history, I and many other who purchased the E-P1, would likely regret for not waiting for the E-P2, which was not long later. And now, we all left with a camera that has slower AF speed lens and without an accessory port, which means no EVF…. sucks!
Thinks twice before buying E-M5, cause they might release something new later that the E-M5 might have missed. Especially they released the E-M5 with a deadline for the OM anniversary. Just like last time for E-p1, which they aimed for the Pen Anniversary and totally screwed up.
It is possible that they have a PDAF adapter for FT and a .5x converting adapter for OM in the plan. But these solutions might require additional port or electric that the design is not finalized. But they got it 1/2 year later and released a E-M5B, then we are all screwed up…..
In last Thursday’s Q&A, I asked (and was unanswered) a question of a technical nature.
getOlympus said that the sensor on the E-M5 is a new sensor with a much faster readout which is used for contrast focusing. Is it technically possible to exploit the sensor’s faster readout to enhance the camera’s video feature? Video features that would be great to add are 1080p60/50, 1080p24 video recording, and slow motion video capture (like the Nikon V1/J1).
If so, could this be done through some future official firmware release?
I tried to focus the 12-60mm lens with the E-PL3 and it did a lot of hunting before locking on. Is the OM-D any better?
Amen to the desires of better video. It would be great to have 1080p instead of 1080i. Any reason why this is not available?
Here are my questions to Olympus:
(My wish list for the OM-D System and the E-M5)
– Splash/dust-proof (black!) versions for the High Grade m.Zuiko lenses
(12mm/f2.0, 17mm/f1.4[?], 45mm/f1.8, 75mm/f1.8 …Perhaps more expensive
than the silver versions + 100 to 150 € or $)
The silver “Lady-design” is beautiful – but nothing for outdoor adventure
and wildlife photography.
– I like the new m.Zuiko 12-50mm very much and will buy it.
But I would also buy a very fast and heavy (!) 12-75mm/f2.4-3.3
m.Zuiko power zoom lens (splash/dust-proof – black!) .
Not small, expensive but with an ultimate performance in a relatively
compact design. Target group: Pro-Reporters for the press and news
media / Enthusiasts. It would be no problem to balance this lens
with the new “two levels”-external battery grip which is outstanding
for the use with different lenses – especially for the balance of 43-
E-Zuikos and perfectly feeds different needs.
– A GPS module connecting via accessory port, Bluetooth or WI-FI to the E-M5.
I fully agree with 43rumors-member “reverse stream swimmer”
(Thank you for your comment!)
– A second new flash FL700R (FL-50R successor) in addition to the new
amazing FL-600R (FL-36R successor).
There is a further need for a better power supply – FL-700R could be
supported by the existing FP-1 Flash Power Grip or a new accessory
or the existing HV-1 High Voltage Pack, BN-1 (Battery Pack) and
AC-2 (AC Adapter) .
This is a necessary tribute to the E-M5 9 fps fast sequential shooting and fastest autofocus (CA).
But I have to admit that these wishes and those who lament are those already enjoying the new highest standards of the OM-D Series and the E-M5.
In my opinion the new OM-D E-M5 is the best camera tool on the market!
The splash and dust proof zoom lens so Olympus will come by first is a ca. 50-180mm in same size so 12-50mm F3.5-6.3.
Thank you for the interesting information!
You, only have a good time. 😉
A 50 – 180 will be f/5.6 – f/16? 😉
My question: will Olympus use the new features of the OM-D in a E-5 successor?
1. Why is it so much easier to get my images to where I want to publish it on my smartphone.
2. Why don’t you implement an open platform (across all your cameras) for programmers/companies to add features to your camera (regulated of course).
3. Or add native wireless connectivity to our existing smartphones.
Olympus, you’ve got it so right with the hardware of the EM-5. Now please make it easier for us to use the images the way we frequently use our images. Please don’t go the Nikon and Canon way where tyey try to make us use their proprietary image hosting services. You and Fuli are masters of jpegs and should understand we often want to quickly publish the image results you’ve work so hard on tweaking the jpeg
Sony in particular has been winning amateur/prosumer buyers with in-camera hand-held HDR and panorama modes. Canon, Nikon, Pentax, and others have all now brought in-camera HDR to some of their cameras. Can we expect in-camera HDR and panorama stitching to Olympus cameras in the near future?
Many prosumer users are not interested in cumbersome workflows on the computer.
Thank you
+1000, I didn’t like the added process in the flow for HDR. And I think that mFT with the smaller sensor should benefited most from the built in HDR. I am surprised for not seeing it in the current body.
+1
You have probably all seen this nice walk-through of the E-M5; I hadn’t seen it:
http://www.olympus-global.com/en/news/2012a/nr120208em5e.html
The current manual focus aid in micro four-thirds cameras is to zoom-in to the selected focus square. this makes it impossible to compose the picture while focusing and really limits the usability of manual focus.
Many video cameras and some still cameras use a technique called “focus peaking”, where an edge detection kernel is employed to help identify the areas of the scene that are in focus.
Can Olympus please implement this feature in it’s micro four-thirds cameras?
My questions for Olympus:
Exactly what do you mean when you say that the sensor is “all new”? Is it a modified version of the Panasonic G3/GX1 sensor? Is it manufactured by a different company? What are the technical changes that enabled your claimed improvements in dynamic range and high-ISO performance?
What plans do you have to improve AF performance with SWD lenses? I’ve read rumors of an adapter like the one for the Sony NEX; personally, I hate the idea of such a big, clunky adapter with mirrors or other glass elements. I was hoping that the E-M5 would have something more like the on-sensor phase detection AF like the Nikon V1 and J1.
Related to the AF question . . . are there plans for any large-aperture zooms? My biggest reason for staying with Olympus is the wonderful 12-60 and 50-200 SWD lenses, and I plan to keep using these on the E-M5. (If the Fuji X-Pro1 had a complete lens lineup, I would seriously consider switching systems.) I would be willing to replace my beloved SWD senses if you produced native micro-four-thirds equivalents with comparable apertures and image quality. The ideal solution for me, however, would be a micro-four-thirds body that provides great AF performance with my existing lenses.
Thank you.
– Hal –
Will the sensor be used also for the next generation of E-5?
What is the maximum sustained shooting rate in RAW Format?
11 (?) pictures at 9 fps; 17 pictures at 4.2 fps.
Yeah, but Olympus need not tweakking on sensor in a camera so use PDAF, so dissolution will be highest difference like so E-5 vs E-P3.
Not sure if anyone brought this up yet, but apparently the Silver kit with the 12-50 comes with a black lens, not silver. I’ve seen photos of the silver body with the silver 12-50 and it looks great- but that combo does not seem to be available as a kit. B&H makes that very clear, but you would never know that from the Amazon site- not even from the pics they show. B&H not only says black lens, but has a side shot showing it. Oly should bundle the silver/silver also!
Hi everyone,
glad to see that Olympus back with a great model as what i felt from the E-1.
1/ If there is one option that is really missing is clearly the rotative screen, this is to me by far the best useful tool you can find on a camera. It’s absolutely great for self portrait. This camera was kinda close to perfect as a M43, so why not has done the same as the pro E-5?
2/ Will there be in the future a sealed tool as the actual one to plug microphone on the top? If possible more pro version to be able to put on it tools like voice-recorder or special microphone for video.
3/ Users like and want the focus peaking, there is no reason for Olympus to deny it’s usability just because they haven’t develop it yet.
4/ Is it a really a trouble to bring lenses like the 14-54 or the 50-200 to get a f2.8-f3.5 aperture? I don’t think so, Panasonic shows it with the new f2.8 line. We want fast aperture with sealed lenses definitly. As others says before me, give us black version lenses with sealed elements (if it’s possible…seeing the nice way to enable the manual function on the lens, maybe it’s a problem for sealing?)
5/ Why the dynamic range is still that low, i just can’t get it, it’s not a problem of sensor size first but more of quality of sensor.
6/ To sell product a lot, just bring to people what they are willing for, it’s that simple, see Fuji. So thanks to Olympus to take people’s desires into considerations.
Message from a french still happy user of E-1.
Any improvement of AF speed with Four-Thrid lens? (Not M-43)
I have 3 questions:
– When can we expect a higher class kit/standard zoom like the 12-60 from the 43 series? The new 12-50 is not fast but very big for the speed. A 4/12-60 could be relatively small and be a good solution for 90% of all pictures…
– Why is the bracketing function of the Oly MFT so poor? You can only select steps up to 1EV between each picture (sometimes only 0,7EV), which is not enough for good HDR series. A difference of 2EV with a series of 2,3,5,7 pictures would be great, then you don´t have to touch the camera for manual setting. Just one press to the button of the cable release would do it.
– Why this poor display movement on the OM-D? The Pana G3 can flip and rotate which is also useful with portrait format shots, not only for landscape format.
how will manual focus work?
what support and focus confirmation for manual focus lenses?
what support for OM legacy lenses and lenses requiring any adaptor?
is the screen touch sensitive for shooting and selective focussing like the PEN?
1. With the OM-D presumably being a continuation of the OM series, why was peak focusing not included? Many OM lens owners want this feature to assist manual focusing with legacy lenses. We want peaking in addition to mag; one shouldn’t exlcude the other.
2. Will firmware updates address the many concerns with video robustness? Look at what the hacking community did with the GH2, and the number of camera’s sold to amateur videographers because of it. Full featured HD video must be the future for m4/3. Where is ISO 100?
Lack of Peaking and strong video capabilites will hurt sales of this camera, both of which can be addressed in a much anticipated early firmware release.
Why did you use/abuse the om name for a m43 consumer sensor camera? Maitani san s grave must be trembling
ADMIN – you need to go into the embed settings when loading a YouTube file and change it to a width that fits your sites left content column, the YouTube video is being cut-off on the right because you didn’t set the width correctly. You left the width too wide. Simple fix.
On pictures you should adhere to the same rules…
As a GH2 user, my Questions (repeated) are Specific for E-M5 with POV of a guy considering this for Video Shooting only. All the “Why” questions first…
Why Video has such Low Bitrate?
… are you sure it’s the Latest Camera?!!! …at least rise it to 35mbps.
Why Video FrameRate is limited to 30fps?
…for god’s sake… why not 24fps?!!! we don’t want to repeat the 5Dm2 saga again. do we?
Why base ISO is 200? and shutter speed limited to 4000?
…you don’t want us to shoot in Sunlight?!!! Please boost it to ISO 50.
Why not Focus Peaking Function?
…It does help shifting Focus while Recording.
Does 3D AF tracking work same on Panasonic Lenses too? like on 20mm Pancake?
Does it have Overheat Problem? like in those Canon DSLRs?
For those who don’t know:
Is Sensor Crop mode (2x Extender) available?
…YES! …Yippee!
When shooting square with an info overlay in the viewfinder, particularly with the histogram showing, much of the image is blocked. Why can’t you put this information in the black areas beside the square image. Why does the histogram have to be so large? It would be helpful if it was transparent when shootin in the native format.
Will the OM-5 have variable speed video, in particular, 50% slow motion?
If not, can this be implemented in a firmware update?
BLACK LENSES PLEASE on ALL the HIGHER END LENS MODELS including the wonderful 12mm f/2.0. The silver is pretty, but when shooting in more sensitive areas around the globe, it’s way too ‘noticeable.”
+1
One question only:
Can you please implement AVCHD or at least 24p via firmware update?
the argument they use on their web page for dropping AVCHD relates to the simplicity of editing MOV files compared to AVCHD files.
Fine, just give me 24p. I can’t own this camera without it.
One question on battery capacity:
* With the standard battery and the battery grip, Olympus indicates ca 650 pictures before recharging. For D4, Nikon indicates more than 2000 pictures before recharging.
* By buying extra batteries, we can obviously switch batteries and continue working. But I assume that with either the landscape grip or the battery grip attached, these must be removed before tha battery in the camera itself is changed??
Anyway, in total this indicates only ca 325 picture with the built-in battery.
Question: is it possible to advance battery technology and achieve a higher capacity in the (now) defined form factor of the E-M5 battery? Or would it be necessary to use a physically larger battery to achieve a desired battery capacity such as e.g that of D4 when working “in the field”?
Is the end of the world really going to take place in 2012?
cani mount a 50mm f2.0 macro on the om-d and how will it work compared to any of the e-model series(e-5 etc.)?
Can the user manual/guide be made available for download as soon as possible prior to the camera’s release, as that is the best source of information to help us decide whether to pre-order it.
Do you have any plan to produce the 4/3 Prime lens since 4/3 was missed the Prime lens with large aperture lens after PEN came out ?
In fact most of 4/3 user need the Prime lens with large aperture below than F2.0, for example F1.4, F1.2 or F0.95, this will help their job very well in low light situation such as wedding ceremony. Also help to blur out the background as the same as Full Frame.
If the Prime lens with large aperture come out with the future plan so this will bring the all new customer to join the 4/3 system as well.
Here’s the list of lens that most of 4/3 user need.
– 35mm or 40mm with F1.4, F1.2 or F0.95
– 45mm or 50mm with F1.4, F1.2 or F0.95
Thank you
Will the new camera do tethered shooting? Please!
My question, like others, would also focus on the assistance for focusing manually.
There are lots of AF M4/3 lens out there. Why do we need such function?
One of the strengthes of M4/3 is that M4/3 has short lens registration, thus allowing you to mount a wide range of mount type (i.e. Leica M mount, Nikon F-mount, C-mount). Carl Zeiss and Voigtlander are two big names for creating nice manual-focus lens. Using these great manual-focus lens on M4/3 is absolutely a joy.
Today, Sony, Nikon, Canon offer the efficient manual focus system in their camera bodies. Sony understands their weakness of creating smaller lens for NEX, therefore implementing a feature called “focus peaking” which greatly supports the use of manual lens on NEX bodies. It is true that Sony’s focus peaking is not 100% accurate but at least it’s much better than having nothing.
100% magnificationing is generally a good idea, but it’s kinda impratical due to the impact about the re-composition
@Pete_McKen
compose first then bring the magnified view over to the area you want sharp then magnified and fine tune focus…………………………………
? how do you “bring the magnified view over to the area you want sharp…”? Sounds slow and totally impractical to fiddle with the “joystick/directional arrows”. Unless you use a tripod and have still subjects…
I toggle to MF, put the part of the subject to be in focus in the center of the viewer/screen, rotate the lens which turns on magnification – until the chosen part is in focus, move my hand off the lens = magnification disappears within ca 0.5 s, recompose, and take the picture. This works relatively ok, unless the subject moves after focus is achieved — there is a 1 s delay. In my view, the Pana solution to only magnify the center of the view is considerably better.
@YouDidn’tDidYou
Thank for your suggestion. I already tried it.
However, it is very inconvenient and ackward when you want to change the focus point or want to try to shoot at other focus points often.
Moreover, for shooting people & life, children, or insect macro, subjects don’t stay still. With the focus assisting system in Sony or Nikon, you just change focus points around and do the composition, look at the focus indicator in your viewfinder (or LCD), and just follow the instruction by turning lens clockwise or counterclockwise. All of these can do at the same time. That’s it.
Note that I’m not talking about AF lens. This is about genuine manual-focus lens like Voigtlander, Carl Zeiss, Leica M, etc.
Why no focus peaking?
New PENs!!!
When????
Olympus, люди любят вас.
Вас ценят за оптику, дизайн камер, оригинальную обработку изображения, НО: скорость обработки информации в OM-D такая же, как в камерах FZ150 и TZ30 – процессор TruePic VI это Venus Engine? Матрица – это матрица Panasonic?
Что мешает вам использовать матрицу Aptina и обратиться к Nikon за процессором обработки изображений?
Что мешает вам купить лицензию на качественное видео, о котором вас так просят, любящие вас люди?
Или в компании так ничего и не изменилось в связи с известными событиями и деньги идут на другие цели?
Olympus, люди, пока еще, любят вас…
I wish my Russian is as good as yours. I am still learning conjunctives.
> Что мешает вам купить […]
Ёпрст. Тут уже давно обсуждалось что Оли дешевит. Они даже Паносный сенсор по дешевке покупают – что никак за все годы не отразилось на цене камер. С ихней точки зрения, это чистая прибыль. Но куда она девается…
> Или в компании так ничего и не изменилось в связи с известными событиями и деньги идут на другие цели?
Благодаря слабой защите инвесторов в Японии, этого мы никогда не узнаем. Но другое объяснение сложно подобрать.
> Olympus, люди, пока еще, любят вас…
Я сделал легкий, почти НЛПшный рефрейминг самого себя и решил что моя следующая камера будет не Оли. Да, Олю люблю – но любить проще с расстояния. Может на какой Самсунг НХ20 раскошелюсь – или GH3 еще подожду. Выбор систем то на текущий момент весьма скудный.
In their english press release, they mentioned the MMF-3 has a detachable tripod mount, but we cannot see it, is it an option item? what is the model number and how does it look?
Yes , someone mentioned about Zuiko lens , also my favourite lenses .
Q4 : Any plan to release 35-100 F2 & 150 F2 in M4/3 version ? Or at least offer something like what Canon did for certain lenses , build to order option . This are the lenses will definitely put M4/3 further more . The current Zuiko lenses no AF if mount to M4/3 bodies .
Pei, – your written English seems quite fine, though! Maybe, your “I wish my Russian IS . . . ” would be better off, with the use of ‘hypothetical conjunctive’: “I wish my Russian WERE . . . “? 🙂 But, then again, I’m not English, or British, – so I might be wrong.
Made me look up the dictionary again. 🙂
My black E-M5 with 12-50mm is on pre-order at B&H. I signed into B&H through you, so you should get a commission. I wanted you to get the commission because you were the only site aggressively on top of things at CP+…every other site was getting their info from you. Thank you 43rumors!
1. I’ve got a photo shoot in China this fall, and I’ll need extra batteries and chargers. When will these become available?
2. I have very strict restrictions in terms of weight and height for what I’ll be shooting (lots of g-force in a cramped space). Can I buy the extended “super grip” without having to also buy the unnecessary (for me) battery module as well? And will high g-forces make the IBIS magnetic sensor placement system go crazy?
3. Is their any provision in the camera for stitching panoramas together?
4. Is Olympus going to have a matte box with french flags made available for precise flare control? When? And when will the 12-50mm’s normal lens shade be available. According to the info on the Olympus site, no lens shade is included in the box. Huh?
5. When will the short-shotgun external mic for connection to the port above the eyepiece be made available? Or will you make an adaptor for the port and hot shoe so I can plug somebody else’s mic in?
And finally, there was a question above as to why Olympus had to use white light only for white balances. There’s no such thing as white light. 3200k is red, 5600k is blue, fluorescent is discontinuous green.
What will be next Olympus FLAGSHIP Camera?
Now that the E-5 is history.
E-7 naturally 😀
Would Olympus plan to release even brighter (and still affordable) prime lenses, say F1.4 or F1.2 (speaking especially about normal and small tele primes)?
Here’s my question.
What would their future products look like? Do they have some sort of ideas on what will be the size or weight of the future DSLRs?
Why left and up navigation buttons are not customisable on E-M5 body (just right and down ones)?
Is the black one painted over metal and will the paint come off?
Is the silver one actual metal or silvered plastic
Dear Olympus,
Will you introduce a silent mode in your next OM and Pen cameras (similar to the silent modes proposed by Leica M9 or Canon 5Dm2)?
That would be very useful in classical concert halls or in conferences.
Right now, my E-P2 is much too noisy for that so I have to use instead a small compact camera.
Thanks in advance.
Re OM-D & video…
+1 on 24p for video! Also, when can we expect a body with an external mic connection that is separate from the hot shoe? And how about a first for DSLMirrorless bodys – a plug-in for audio monitoring!
+1, were are we supposed to mount a shotgun mic with the hot shoe occupied by the mic input accessory?
Are you working on supporting third party apps and an app store? If not, why?
I miss the 14-54 I used with E-410 for my PEN and the E-M5 I will buy.
Will there be a similar lens for MFT in 2012 or 2013?
I also would buy a 12-54, 12-60, 14-60 – it just have to start with 2,8 and must have a 1A quality.
Am I the only underwater photographer here ?
Rv
@RV
only for the meantime…. 😀
No, you aren’t 🙂
Does RV want to waste his one question to Mount Olympus on that?
Wait.. that wasn’t my question…!
Does Olympus have any plans to increase the bit depth of its sensors from the 12 bit standard they’ve embraced, to the 14 or 16 bit range being used by some competitors? If not, why not?
Does Olympus expect that its four-thirds sized sensors will at some point be as capable in terms of Dynamic Range, ISO range, and resolution as its competitor’s full-frame sensors. If not, does Olympus have any plans to develop a larger sensor-sized system that could compete directly with the “Pro” cameras from Nikon, Canon or others?
The new 16Mpx sensor has considerably higher pixel density than e.g the Nikon D800. The best way to instantly enable better image quality, would be to *reduce* the number of pixels to, say 14.7 Mpx and use the NEX-7 wafer, or to around 9.5Mpx and use e.g the NEX-5n(?) wafer or the D800 wafer.
Your proposed alternative — to increase the sensor size — would help. But I am 99.9% it will not happen: I doubt it is a good business idea.
Another alternative could be to introduce a global shutter (in the sense that all pixels are read at exactly the same moment). One advantage is that (I assume) they could then take, e.g, 3-5 image samples in extremely rapid succession and pipe them into a very fast buffer, make an average of the pixel values, and this way dramatically reduce the effect of noise. They could also change e.g the sensitivity in between each sample and automatically get some HDR effect.
what justifies the pricing relative to the M4/3 competition, specifically GH2 / G3
I am talking about colour precision not pixel density. For example 8 bit colour would be 2x2x2x2x2x2x2x2=256 discrete tonal levels. 12 bit as used on all of the Olympus sensors allows for 4096 discrete tonal levels. Some manufacturers have 14 or 16 bit sensors allowing for, I believe, 16,384 and 65,536 discrete tonal levels of colour at each pixel location respectively. While this level of precision is lost when raw data is converted to jPeg format or displayed on a monitor, I can’t help but think that the extra precision at the sensor level should allow for better conversion algorithms and thus better dynamic range in the final print. Perhaps bit depth is a contributing factor to the typically low DNR scores we see for our cameras at DxO?
Olympus are using 12-bit A/D converters most likely out of cost but using a 14-bit converter wouldn’t help them regards DR – because that’s solely down to the sensor. In fact they can get away with a 12-bit converter because of the limited DR!
I’d like to see 3 things:
1. Teethering support.
2. Intervalometer.
3. One click to initiate the whole bracketing process.
If I could get them to comment on those, it would be great.
I’d like to know some details about Olympus and their u/w dedication:
.) When will the announced u/w housing PT-E08 be available for the new OM-D in Europe?
.) Will it support other viewfinders (made by Olympus?) to be mounted like a 45° or 180° enlarging viewfinder Inon or Nauticam has.
.) Will there be options for the announced electrical flash connectors like Olympus TTL connector, S6-connector, Nikonos connector?
.) Will the housing/ports offer options for manual focusing?
.) Will there be various ports (wide, fisheye, macro) for the new housing? Especially the newly announced 60mm macro will be very interesting under water!
.) What about making fast/very fast and sharp zoom lenses? Something like a 12-30mm f/2 or f/1,4 would be very interesting.
.) Will there be changes in the ORF raw format?
.) Will Olympus contribute to other raw converters (like Adobe or Apple?) to improve them?
And I’m very
Oh, it seems that I clicked “post” too fast 🙂 I wanted to add the following:
“And I’m very curious about the new housing and appreciate it very much!
While I’m at writing the wishlist, I’d like also another feature added to a “PRO”-Housing: a leak warning system instead of some not very useful target light.”
br
holzstock
Question to Olympus:
Do you plan to make an OMD with a slightly larger body, more akin to the OM bodies? IMHO i think for a system camera that maybe used with all types of lenses the E-M5 is a little bit too small. The grip just adds height, not width and effects the operation because the index finger is moved away from the tone and fn bottons on the top plate.
I have 4 requests/questions…
1)Focus peaking & picture in picture zooming – why not provide all methods for focus using MF.
2)Video modes – Why in this day and age do we not have:
24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p, 50i, 60i. in both 720 + 1080.
3)On board HDR, Timelapes, Image stacking. where are they?
4)Are they going to release an SDK or ability to control from PC? (a function we had 8yrs ago with the consumer c740uz & now missing in all m43 cameras, why?)
+1 on all of the above!
Forget questions about the workings of the camera, I want to know how a woman’s brain works. Surely the gods of olympus know.
easy:
chocolate, pampering, complements, fuck off… in a monthly cycle…
Yes, why can’t we have more video modes, especially 24p. Seems like its just a software adjustment
IMHO, this, along with with why don’t your premium lenses come with hoods are some of the best questions here.
Oh, and any plans for 1.4 primes?
Why not use variable aspect sensor like Panasonic does in some models (GH2, LX3, e.g.). That is the only reason I use some Panasonic cameras, as I like to shoot 16×9 without so much cropping. I would pay extra for that feature.
Greetings and thanks for taking questions. It shows your commitment to the customer. Here are my questions.
1. How long is the battery life with vertical battery pack.
2. How do you plan to show commitment to the customer who has 4/3rds lenses and want to use them on the OM-D sized body (along with native Micro lenses)? Are you still striving for the ideal of “one beautiful system.” If so, what steps were taken to improve AF with 4/3rds lenses in this release? Furthermore will the EM-7 be realize that ideal? What are the chances that the E-5 is a mirrorless camera and compatible with all the 4/3rds lenses (your crown jewels if you didn’t realize it).
3. Is focus peaking a no go because of patent issues or technological issues. Could something like that (besides magnified view) be introduced in the final camera or in a firmware update?
4. Is it possible to give the video people 24p/25p in a firmware update to expand the video pallet?
Thanks again for entertaining our questions. Thanks admin for posting this thread.
I second #2 as my third question.
And I second #4 as my fourth question.
Well, I already asked 3 questions, but this one comes to mind, and you can either ignore one of the earlier ones or call this a Request rather than Question…
Could Olympus (or 43rumors or Nexthardware) compile and post a nice simple table of which 4/3 lenses (and which versions when there are multiple versions of a given lens) are CDAF and which are PDAF?
On a similar note, could we have a table of which of the mft lenses are compatible with the new ‘3D’ focusing?
Thanks again
Thanks Guys&Gals for your feedback! We’ll start to sum up and filter all your questions/suggestions/ideas/requests ASAP! Ciao,
Emanuele Chiocchio
Nexthardware.com
Don t forget to ask for the next big thing in offshore banking possibilities.
lol – help with my taxes maybe 🙂
How true the rumors of a new pro DSLR 4/3 (E-7) with SLT technology?
I am a professional photographer. Olympus is not able to convince the profession because of strategies unclear, it may not fall in your goals to increase the ranks of professionals who use your E-System?
When you resume the development of E-System DSLR with many new models?
How can I do to get into your club VIP E-System photographers? Once it was possible to register upon payment of a membership card but now I do I do?
SLT on FT that will not be to good. Olympus knows how to make mirrors, so no need not to.
More DSLR good. 🙂
wrong reply button. Meant to comment on the post above.
I second #1 as my second question.
Just a question:
– Is the E-M5 a final solution to all people having native 4/3 lenses ? I mean, is that the “switcher cam” from 4/3 to µ4/3 ?
Kind Regards,
Flo
Could a firmware update bring sensor shift for star tracking to the OM-D? This is available in some Pentax models and is very useful for astrophotography.
yes big +10000 for this feature….
Will Olympus come by special OM-D bag, for E-Mx camera series.
(water proff and solid)
Why Olympus lenshood are optional usually since a lens is delevering the best with i? Panasonic are able to produce their lense with stabilisation and a lenshood at the same price than Olympus, giving the lenhood seem the right thin to do, no?
Previously I’ve head it said a fast telephoto didn’t make sense on the small PENs (such as the 35-100 f2 and/or 50-200 f2.8-3.5) and Olympus has been making lots of (lovely) primes.
Now the OM-D line is announced, which is targeted at enthusiasts, do you see the market for a fast telephoto? If so, how high a priority is making one for Olympus?
Will Olympus provide the OM-D with chromatic aberation correction for panasonic and olympus lenses?
I second this as my first question.
I’d like to know if all future m4/3 lenses will be optically compromised. Since I am a RAW shooter it matters to me.
Why was an integrated flash not included for the EM-5?
They didn’t want to make a DD-sized hump?
I want to know when the noisy appeture blade sounds when used with panny lenses issue will be solved
why don’t you make an E-7
Sod it I know you said 4 things but hear is everthing we need/want: (based on an EP3) – but you can add software CA correction and GPS astro tracking using IBIS!
Relativly easy to implement: i.e. no extra processing probably possible with just a F.W. update, as most of these are menu changes or very simple counting options.
1)Exposure Bracketing 1-99 shots 0.3ev-3.0eV
2)Apature Bracketing 1-99 shots 0.3ev-3.0ev
3)ISO bracketing 1-99 shots 0.3ev-3.0ev
4)Focus bracketing 1-99 shots 1% from focus point to 100% of focus range.
5)Hyper focal switch (automaticly detecting and correctly setting for any FL & apature).
6)Distance to focus point (m/cm switchable to ft/inches).
7)Display of zoom in mm.
8)Ability to set a goto (user set) focus point.
9)Ability to set a goto (user set) zoom point (motorized zoom lenses only).
10)Ability to set Focus range (user definded from/to, in m/cm & ft/inches) to any range of distances.
11)Intervalometer 1-999 frames (0 for infinate) delay set from 1sec to 365 days i.e. Sec/min/hr/days.
12)Build in bulb exposure times/timer (i.e. allow the camera to expose upto 30min without the need for relese cable).
13)MF checking zoom view, configrable zoom ranges 2x 3x 4x 5x 6x 7x 8x 9x 10x 11x 12x 13x 14x (programable so you just add as many of these zoom factors (from 1 of them to all of them) as you want to the “use these” menu).
14)Real time veiw of highlight/dark area clipping in VF.
14b)Half press shutter cancles zoom focus mode.
14c)Definable shutter speeds that IBIS or OIS works in.
14d)Option for adjustments and metering in 1/3ev, 1/6ev, 1/24ev 1/100ev (smooth sunset transitions with timelapse).
14e)Apature priorety meatering upto 60sec exposure.
14f)When in bracketing mode camrea will cahin off automaticly the required number of images with just a single press/activation of the shutter.
More complex to implement: i.e. some hard core software progremming – probably no need for a change of HW but would require a large amount of software reprogramming.
15)Trigger shutter or video (for definable duration) by sound (with a variable frequency and volume sensativity).
16)Trigger shutter or video (for definable duration) by movement/change in frame (with variable % of change to set trigger point).
17)Trigger shutter or video (for definable duration) by brightness (user set level camera will take pics in, either when cirtain brighness is reached or when cirtain darkess is reached).
18)Focus peaking. (ability to also combine this with 14)
19)Auto panorama stiching (allowing full 360° and from 2-10 images – I assume mem requirments would limmit the maximum images to buffer size)
20)Auto Image stacking (form 2-10 images, same limmitation as in point 18)
21)auto cha’ cha’ 3D method (using tilt shift sensor to guage distance (menu difinable from 10mm – 1m) and initiate 2nd shot) auto photo rotate & align + composite and storage as JPS (jpeg stereo) (keeping full 4k res per eye).
Specificly video related features – some might be hard to implement without new tech… although GH2 probably has the HW for the job right now!
22)3 video modes, MJPEG video codec, AVCHD format and MP4 unlimmited codec.
23)Bit rate switch form 17mbit/s, 24mbit/s, 36mbit/s 50mbit/s. (obviously AVCHD will only have the 17+24 settings).
24)Frame rate selectable from 0.1fps to 60fps in all video modes.
25)Over crank video mode 120fps at reduced res (maybe 1280×720 HD?)
26)1920×1080, 1280×720, 768×576, 640×480.
27)all video p mode no i… you can take 60p and make 60i form it should you need to.
28)Digital video zoom (a la GH2) allowing 1:1 sensor output.
29)Digital IS – working on an image larger than 1080HD – so output remains pure 1080 but input to stabalizer algorythem is 10% biggger. (i.e. 2200×1200 ish).
These options will need new design/chage of H.W.
30)3 rotary controls on camera (like EP3 but with one extra at front by fore finger rest)… Shutter/apature/ISO.
31)Camera trigger and sync option (via infared and cable) camera can be set to master or slave. Master will trigger slaves in perfict sync (0 delay time). Master could also trigger multiple cameras with a variable delay from 1/1000 sec to 99sec. Also master can send all exposure and camera settings to slaves, or slaves can be independedntly set, each camera can be setup as a number for sequence fireing mode (0-999… 0 being the master) – if 2 cameras have the same number they will fire at the same time! Obviously all camera 1s fire first then 2s then 3s ect ect as defined by the delay set in master. Total number of cameras in seqence/chain is automaticly sent to master so setup is easy.
32)Top quality 921k Organic LCD. (swivel like GH2, so can face in to protect screen if required).
33)Built in EVF OLED 3Mpix.
34)All cameras at least GH2 sensor, probably nessasery given video requirments!
35)A.C. power input!
36)SDK for compleat control of camera via usb on a PC (also this SDK avalible for android).
37)Not just SDK but also a manufacture made application like SLR remote pro for PC+Android (shipped with cam).
38)Camera OS supports 3rd party apps so compleat cusomization is achivable.
39)Mini jack for 2 channel mic input.
40)4:2:2 1080 60p HDMI out.
41)Weather sealed.
42)Electronic shutter.
43)Assuming 42) 1/50,000 sec max shutter speed.
44)Burst rate (for 10 frames/untill buffer fill) shooting upto 100fps (light allowing and assuming electronic shutter), burst speed defined by user in fps.
45)Removable I.R. filter.
46)Removable Brayer filter? (may not be possible).
47)swopable sensor – A)6Mpix no bayer, Astro king. B)6Mpix low light/high DR. C)12Mpix as is balance. D) 24Mpix low ISO landscape king.
48)PDAF ability/support – either via adaptor or nativly.
49)Wifi conetability for data and control (also for chaining cameras using camera sync option point 31)
50)GPRS logging (and direction pointed)
51)Bluetooth for data and control (also for chaining cameras using camera sync option point 31)
52)Mini jack for headphones audio monitoring.
53)Assuming 42) 1/50,000 flash sync speed.
54)Camera treated with NEVERWET nano tech.
55)Built in apps like Stelarium and Google earth…(could wifi/bluetooth to your phone for data)???
You forgot the much wanted crotch function.
OM-D E-M5 – Interview with Toshiyuki Terada, Olympus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Uf2N-aJRf4