Just a short note to keep E-M1 owners happy. I now am 100% certain Olympus will release a great E-M1 firmware update in two weeks from now. It will be announced along the Silver E-M1 and new PRO zooms. Will let you know as soon as I get the very long list of improvements.
P.S.: There is definitely no 4K video recording coming.
For European readers: Olmypus now gives a free HLD-7 battery grip with the [shoplink 48005 ebay]E-M1 body (Click here)[/shoplink] or [shoplink 48004 ebay]E-M1 with 12-40mm lens kit (Click here)[/shoplink].
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Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct
123 Responses
yay! (and fist btw…) haha. Looking forward to this one. Hope there will be some video improvements on it, but it looks exciting anyway.
OK, so I was 2nd. That’d be the story of my life. 😉
Thanks Admin. Yes, I will be happy & will stop checking the Olympus site everyday. 😉 🙂
But FT5 only goes up to 99%…
lol nothing is sure in life,,,even when its 100
24/25p, no?
I hope they fix the small sensor issue.
small sensor issue?
You must be new here, he’s one of the best trolls on this site! 😉 (welcome!)
That’s like saying athlete’s foot is one of the best fungi.
Right SD 🙂
Exactly the same thing. 😉
I hope you fix your small peni$ issue…..
Sid you are a sad person
Not half as sad as a chronic troll.
If only someone could fix you… 😉
I heard from a source deep inside Olympus Japan that a new “FF art filter” will be included in this update with clean, highly detailed and highly saturated ISO100,000, 16 stops of DR in RAW and DOF so shallow nothing at all will be in focus.
LOL, good one!
LOL
If you think that’s funny you should see me with my trousers off. Which happens to be the case right now.
Sid you are a sad person.
No need to see that LOL.
that was the anti-climax for today
No photos = never happened.
We’re waiting.
Yes, the new firmware update will unlock the hidden Tardis architecture (bigger inside than outside), so the actual image will look like it was take with an big 6×6 MF sensor. 🙂
Viezevure, usually I don’t care for trolls.
But that was quite funny.
Hope admin fix the troll issue.
Amen, but then SD, I mean ‘Viezevure’ can’t come here any more.
Instead of posts with a third grade mentality, why not share some of your work with us. Show us why you think a bigger format is better.
Lead by example: show us your masterpieces. Then you can ask someone else to do the same.
You see, I have the opposite problem: I still need to see enough good m43 pictures, which convince me to buy one.
Most shots I have seen are bad because they are taken by bad ptotographers, as usual with any system. However, a few are bad because the system does not cut it – in other words, the user expected too much of the camera. Other shots are OK but there seem to be a few caveats to get top notch quality. The prices are up there instead, which has always put me off.
Harry: I’m not the one getting a user forum only to bash the subject of the forum. How about being a little more grown up, eh?
As for great m43 photography check out
http://lindsaydobsonphotography.com/blog/
and
http://simplyrobinphotography.blogspot.com/
If you don’t like m43 why do you spend time reading m43 blogs?
The solution to your ‘problem’ is easy.
If your current system allows you to achieve ‘top notch quality’ then why are you even looking at other formats?
Continue to shoot your photographic gems with your system of choice and we don’t have to listen to your continual blather..
Win-win.
I guess you used to only shoot medium and large format then? Photographers have been taking great shots with whatever they have, for a long time. Current m43 sensors “technically” outperform FF sensors from a generation ago. So, I guess all those thousands of shots made on those old digital FF cameras are garbage? At least it’s good to know modern FF sensors have finally caught up to your standards, so now you can begin to take some pictures with something other than MF and LF gear. In another few years maybe m43 will be up to your standards too.
Meanwhile, photographers will continue to take great photos with whatever they have, even in the future when people like you will be complaining that the latest camera release only has 21 stops of DR and 80 MP.
“Current m43 sensors “technically” outperform FF sensors from a generation ago. ”
This is the sort of nonsense that attracts trolls.
Real photographers and pros who use m4/3 don’t whine about perceived shortcomings. They already know it produces superior image quality to what we got back in the days of 35mm film, and that at lower ISO values it’s almost indistinguishable from “full frame” for enlargements up to 13″x19″. For things like fast action sports, or astrophotography, or low contrast low light shooting, then sure, they’ll reach for a bigger sensor. But it’s only at the edges of the envelope that a “full frame” sensor offers advantages. Meanwhile, the emerging technology and weight savings of m4/3 are hugely advantageous for many applications, enthusiast AND professional.
To wit >>
http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/8/e/highres_403201422.jpeg
http://500px.com/SeanArcher
http://fotomax.pro/portrait
http://buchangrant.4ormat.com/
http://lindsaydobsonphotography.com/blog/
http://www.damianmcgillicuddy.com/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/etude_photography/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/109222734@N07/11373597583/
Then read this >>
http://blog.mingthein.com/2014/08/24/can-you-tell-the-difference/
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/best_new_camera_of_2013.shtml
The “emerging technology” is new lingo for “does not work very well yet”, right? Those pics are decent amateur stuff, with their distracting highlights and their excessive dof. Enlarge them and you will see many technical blemishes, too.
The whole point is, it’s too much money for a crippled system.
Another measurebating fauxtographer crawls out from under his rock. Tell ya what, put your money where your whining mouth is, poseur: show us YOUR work. Then we’ll all enlarge it to 400% to determine its “real” quality.
HAHAHAHAHA!
Here are thousands of pictures and noone are as good as the superstar Harry’s pictures?
http://gpc.olympus-imaging.com/
Maybe they can fix your small penis issue, too. lol.
Looking forward!!
The fact there there would be no 4K is hardly surprising to most people here.
But is there any other improvements on the video side?
Codec, frame rates, formats? Anything?
Considering the coming news from Panasonic, the Olympus contribution to this years photokina is very weak. I thought Tom Hogan had an excellent post on this matter.
http://www.sansmirror.com/newsviews/olympus-e-pl7-announced.html
I could Imagine Olympus comes with a 2,5k upgrade, but since many are fixed on numbers, it would prob be a disappointment for them folks again
Ulli, you may be right.
I think 1080p with decent codec and frame rates should be sufficient.
Olympus cams will never be best in class video, and that is ok, their strength is still.
That being said, even with slight improved video quality, Olympus cameras will be better than most platforms (for non-pros users), why?
– 5 axis
– Great glass suitable glass for video. (12, 25, 45 and 75mm)
– SEMA-1 mic input system, small, easy and good quality audio
I realize many Olympus user only shoot still, but by making the “tent” bigger you will benefit as well.
The problem with video enthusiasts is they are never satisfied.
Give them a better codec and they will demand 4K.
Give them 4K and they will want a larger sensor.
Give them a larger sensor and they will whinge about IBIS.
Give them everything they ask for and they will want it for $1000 max.
they almost sound like stilll enthusiasts yikes
So to avoid this problem, let keep crappy video quality a la 2005 and the Olympus tent as small as possible.
No suprise the company has not made any profits the last 10 years.
You guys must be closet panny users…..
I didn’t say that. The E-M1 should offer competitive video to, say, Canon 70D / Nikon D7100. Not being able to shoot properly in most of the world is a shortcoming that should definitely be fixed.
Oly’s problem is Panasonic: it will always be compared to its closest competitor / partner, which happens to be the industry leader for video.
What about the E-P5 update, any word on that?
What E-P5 update? …I have not heard of a rumor like thatsince the shutter shock fix update.
What about the E-M5 “0 sec antishock” firmware update? I know it is sitting in Olympus JP waiting for sufficient amount of requests from customers. I hope they fix it as there are plenty light lenses that may suffer in particular shutter speeds. Send your requests to Olympus! They do check and consider them.
Just remember if the E-M5 “0 sec antishock” firmware update arrives you will be depriving users of an excuse for “duff” shots
don’t worry about new firmware,but why oly do not release support PDAF zoom lens,
ON-SENSOR PD is a joke that for old 4/3 lens,look around Sony,Fuji and Samsung use 2nd os-pdaf which native lens support,panasonic send DFD advance contrast – detect ,and Oly do nothing for native lens but interest 4/3 lens through MMF adapter,
yeah cdaf algorithm on m4/3 still very good today but not proof for next year.
Admin also forgot to say:
“There is definitely no 24/25 fps option coming either.”
Typical Olympus is sure to again neglect video upgrades despite being the only ILC line capable of 5-axis IBIS during video. Wasted opportunities.
Ancient Chinese proverb say, “Best horse win the race but that horse not taste very good in the Kung Pow”.
English translate is mean “Horses for courses”. It is mean the EM-1 is the best Photography machine money can buy for u43 system but for video I think you better look at Panasonic because EM-1 not make very tasty video dish.
LOL, Gx7 is the best value m43 currently, better video, better af and better iq than the over priced, too big and ugly EM-1. How can they make the EM-5 and then the EM-1, incredible! The EM-1 is way overrated a EM-5mk2 way overdue.
try to hold Ming’s nice comment you cannot Yoda would say
Too big – have you actually used one? I bet not.
Yes, owned and dumped EM-1, its no.1 over rated m43, big, black and ugly monster, especially with the 12-40 and new 40-150(massive)! good luck. EM-10 is nice but Oly dumped the 5 axis, af is so so and the video, well lets not go there, oh and btw neither have silent shutter mode which after you’ve had it you can’t go back, bit like the 12-35/35-100 combo too make IBIS a but irelevent but the 2 stop ibis in the gx7 comes in handy too, wonder what the gm5 will have.
It doesn’t prove that GX7 is superior or inferior to EM1. It only proves that GX7 suits you better than EM1.
That’s fine and I think everyone here is glad you found your mate 🙂
Congratulation and have fun taking pictures 🙂
Well, the EM-1 feel faster reflexes compare with EM-5. Shots I missed with EM-5 I catch with EM-1. Also shooting with flash the EM-5 has more lagging compare with EM-1. (although EM-1 also lagging I admit). My feeling EM-1 rush to market and much fine tuning needed (if even possibility).
Lately I shoot 50-200SWD with EM-1 and I get many good shots with moving subject. Although it is still weak comparing to Nikon D7000 with 70-200VR. On the Nikon AF is much faster but many missed focus. On EM-1 you get either no shot or perfect focus. That is benefit of CDAF/PDAF hybrid.
I have also GX7 and for street shoot it is my first choosing now. The touch pad AF is dream come true, the excellent focus peaking make using old Leica lenses reality. Yes, GX7 better than EM-1 in many area but EM-1 also have strength. EM-5 still good for things that not moving but my dollar don’t buy EM-5 now. There are better things now.
I was invited to take photographs this past weekend at Lime Rock Park in CT. They had a legends automobile racing series. I used my 50-200 SWD and had no missed shots anything blurry was user error. I even took some videos of the race. I believe the E-M1 worked great and the auto club that invited me to take the photos was very pleased with the results.
@Limonata, I didn’t know that objective commenting based on reality was allowed ? 😉
I’ve also been very happy with the E-M1 for sports (rugby mainly), and am looking forward to the firmware upgrade, and the 40-150/2.8.
That said, almost all modern cameras are more than fit for purpose, and unhappy users need to work on their skills a bit.
GX7 has better value and better video definitely. But the Gx7 should be compared with E-M10. Is has no weather sealing, and has no PDAF support, it’s grip is lacking for big lenses and has overall less useful features. Maybe not important for you, but it’s just apples and oranges.
Nonsense. The much better viewfinder alone is a reason to attest the E-M1 a much better value than the GX7. The E-M1 is so good that it will be overdue not before two years. If anything is overpriced, it is the GX7.
We know your position from dpreview, so no reason to repeat this nonsense everywhere.
Er, having used both for a long period of time, E-M1 is the superior to E-M5 in basically every way.
E-M1 just happens to have best functionality from any camera. All controls under fingertips that allows not to miss a shot because photographer was required to move finger from shutter to adjust small dial, or loosen grip so thumb can adjust other small dial or large wheel under palm.
Usability before design. When there is quick moments, E-M1 allows full manual control without compromises.
That is one reason why DSLR shooters use A/S modes or even P mode because camera body usability is bad and it is hard to operate those cameras in fast situations.
In short time E-M1 is like a though, no thinking or guessing but just getting shots photographer wants.
I already have 4 Panasonic cameras for video and NONE of them, I mean none of Pana cameras in general not just the ones I have, has IBIS working with video. That’s the problem.
I understand you pain and I sorry for your loss. Yes, video with no IBIS is paining. This is terrible dilemma for video shooter. Perhaps if video is your priority you consider GH4.
typical Olympus like you said; doing what they think is priority to them . each of us does it in their own way.
How often do we need to reiterate, that video is not that important. Most whiners here, probably don’t shoot video that often, or shoot it on a level, where E-M1 video capabilities are good enough anyway.
The video would be good/great if just Europeans and Australians could shoot video under lights without serious flicker. Only way to minimize the flicker is to shoot 1/50 or 1/80 shutter speeds but lights will flicker even then.
The 25fps mode would fix that.
Are the light bulbs different there?
Is the electricity grid frequency modulation same there as here?
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity_by_country#Table_of_mains_voltages_and_frequencies
Every country that use 50Hz is place where you can’t shoot 30fps video without all lights (even common light bulbs) flickering seriously.
Not that important to YOU. I have a GH3 for video but what is so wrong with getting decent video from the E-M1?
Yes listen to this guy.
He knows what you need.
In fact he told me that if I need to shoot video I should use a smart phone and PAL….whatever …..
You can’t make this up.
Not even asking for GH4-like 4K video, but it would be nice to see Olympus at least MATCH the tiny GM1 with the EM1’s video. Is that too much to ask?
E-M1 video is not good enough for the other half of the world who have the PAL TV system and need/use 25p shutter speed. A simple switch to give both 30 or 25 frames per second is all that it would take.
So what happened to the Video improvements? Not even 25p frame rates! Surely that would be an easy update.
Very welcome good news. EM-1 right now one of best if not the best photography machine for u43. But it have many many weakness and hurry-burry feature implements. It feel like a rush to market machine. EM-1 hold great promise and now I hope with the new firmware the promise delivered.
I counting the days…
“I counting the days…”
You & everyone else! 🙂
In two weeks… That pretty much means that they’ll announce it at Photokina. If true, then that update better be good.
But frankly, I think that silver editon of one year old camera and a firmware update announcement will just get buried in an avalanche of more interesting announcements from the floor. So if Olympus does not have some kind of ace down their sleeve, they’ll probably barely register on the radar (media coverage wise).
The big news from Olympus should be the high grade lenses. Hopefully a fresh road-map will be presented with more of then on the horizon.
The E-M1 new firmware may render it one of the best cameras to buy in 2015. Innovation seems like a precious rarity across the industry these days. The Canon 7D replacement will reveal how little has really changed in the past five years.
The 7D II is 2 years late and the nikon 750 is just going to confuse their lineup. Olympus is overdue with the same lenses they keep showing and pre announcing.
The only thing I’m truely looking forward to is the GF5 and Oly 9mm
Yep, I expect that the big thing for Olympus at Photokina will be the new pro lens announcements.
And even if the firmware update is gonna be great, probably no one outside MFT world will be paying any attention.
That will depend on the new features included. A couple of examples:
Using the “5 axis” for tilt-shift effects would surely attract some attention.
A richer video codec is something many videographers have been waiting for.
We shall have to wait and see.
Olympus has been bringing Pro line objectives. 12-40mm as kit. 40-150mm now in photokina and later a 7-14mm and 300mm and 1.4 tele-converter.
That is everything what professional needs in daily tasks. Three or four for everything.
Then there are couple extra objectives like 45mm f/1.8 and 75mm f/1.8 and 60mm f/2.8 macro.
You really don’t need anything more.
Could that ace be….follow me here…..the full frame EM1! Still a lot of rumors out there speculating an Olympus e-mount camera.
Where are these rumors?
Rumors, or wishful thinking?
Electronic shutter is going to be one of my favourite features to make phote where you need completly silence.
When do people think would be a good time to buy an EM1 – now or wait? Ebay sellers prices just went up a bit. Do people think silver edition will make the black one go down?
As a rule, the longer you wait the less you will have to pay. There will surely be some nice deals on the E-M1 around Christmas.
As a rule, the longer you wait, the more you are willing to buy the upcomming model 😉
Except when buying a Leica
When buying leica it’s kind of like buying fine china. Think of it as objects on display, never to be used. You simply transfer your money from your bank account to another “bank” account.
In your definition of Leica, are you including the cameras Leica relabeled from Panasonic and charged hundreds of dollars more for? Are they also fine wine?
More like funky wine those ones. The type you open up and notice it went rancid.
As a rule, there is never correct time to buy electronics…. Buy if you need it, or leave it to store permanently.
Wait for another 15% off promotion in the Olympus outlet.
Keep the good money, you don’t need that camera. Trust me.
I call it “the rule of thirds.” As in, I have to get it one third off the going price to justify the cost. Kind of fitting eh?
Then call it “two thirds” or as format means, “four thirds” that you need to get 1/4 off from price to justify cost.
As you see, DSLR/Small Format requires 1/3 off from price, while m4/3 requires only a 1/4 off. That’s why m4/3 system is better.
My suspicion is that “street” prices for E-M1s are firming up because people were getting used to Olympus replacing every model every year, and expected an E-M1 replacement soon. Now that they see an E-M2 won’t be forthcoming (in the next months, anyway), there’s less incentive for retailers to dump their inventory. The existence of the silver edition and upcoming firmware update just confirm the wait before a replacement, so likely won’t do anything to cut prices.
As for when to buy, it comes down to when you need the thing. Waiting increases the likelihood of price drops that tend to precede a new model, but also make it easier for *you* to wait for the new model.
Two weeks until new art filters! “Disappointment” and “Let Down” will be two of the most popular new filters.
Finally, I’ll be able to shoot lazers.
Can we possibly expect a E-M5 new firmware soon?
Why should we give you new Firmware for the EM-5? If we do give it to you, can you promise you’ll buy the new EM-5 replacement? Request for firmware Denied and that’s that! Have a good/bad day. You choose.
Why should phone manufacturers, for that matter?
But they do. The paradigm has changed and any company that doesn’t meet consumer expectations could well suffer lessened customer loyalty, sales and income. The only excuse for an E-M5 replacement would be an improved sensor.
If a manufacturer adds significant new features via firmware, then I think there would be a very good case for them to charge for the firmware and I think consumers would be happy with that.
Don’t listen to Zeus, he’s old school and basically a jackass. EM-5 firmware v2.0 will be released on 15 September 2014 by the power of Hercules!!!
Maybe no 4K video but how about at least 1080 60 P?
Agreed. I can live without 4k in this generation (though that would be an impressive feat if they could manage it, just for the marketing bullet).
Give me 1080p at 60 frame, and 25p/50p for the PAL world. I’d also love 24p, but I won’t be greedy. And how about even a slightly better/higher bit rate codec? ~50 Mbps would be swell.
I love my E-M1 as a photography tool, but as I’m starting to get into a little more video, I can see some of the limitations. Video is fine for most uses, but could be oh so much better without too much change.
Just got a e-m1. I see there’s several firmwares. To upgrade to the newest, do I have to download and install them all, or just wait two weeks and get the latest? Does the newest one include the older ones? Thank you in advance.
Just use the updater software that came on the CD with your camera. It will show you the latest firmware that can be installed on your E-M1, and do the install for you. After this, have the software check your camera again — the S/W will tell you if there needs to be a second round of update(s).
So, for illustration, let’s say your camera is on firmware 1.0 and the latest version is 1.4, but you have to upgrade to 1.2 first (I’m making all these numbers up, BTW).
When you first run the upgrader, it’ll tell you that you’re on firmware 1.0 and can upgrade to 1.2. Do the upgrade, and re-run the “check” — it’ll tell you you’re on 1.2 and can upgrade to 1.4. Do the upgrade, and re-run the check — it’ll tell you that you’re on 1.4 and no further upgrades are available.
Do the check / upgrade / check routine until there are no more updates, and you’ll be fine.
As to upgrading now vs. waiting two weeks — I can’t any big advantage to either approach. Upgrading now (if you even need to), though, will get your camera closer to its “final” behavior while you’re getting used to it. This will reduce the number of things you need to re-learn after the upcoming update.
OK, Thanks a lot!
In order to further enhance customer experience, new thrilling features will be delivered with he upcoming firmware upgrade. The new features include primarily new art filters which can not be turned off, as requested by many customers. In order to provide room on the firmware flash unit for the new extensions, and in response to many requests by customers as well as empirically conducted studies, less important features will be removed. Those features inlcude the custom menu, focus peaking and the upper dial functionality. Thanks to the new Art Filters in “always-on” mode, the Olympus camera E-M1 will transform to an even more advanced camera fulfilling the most ambitious customer needs.
(got a new job at Oly camera strategic product management department, yippie!)
Yep, you have way too much time on your hands. And, on top of that, you’re delusional.
all this banging on about video … if you want to shoot video, get a video camera. I’m a photographer and I shoot stills. I want twin card slots and the 40-150 f2.8. Couldn’t care less about 4k (whatever that is).
That’s fine, then stay with your only-good-at-stills camera and be happy. I am a hybrid stills shooter that also makes short films:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aT3p2sSrGs
I also carry a phone that also allows me to check my e-mail, make phone calls, check the weather, plays music, and runs other apps. Yet nobody today says “if you want a music player, buy an mp3 device”. I see absolutely no point in carrying a stills camera and a video camera around all day long and I certainly have no respect for a company that makes premium stills cameras, then adds video only as an afterthought. Do both well or do one well.
As a matter of fact, most mp3 player won’t drain batteries as fast as smartphones… Samething with dedicated e-book readers and many other things.
The swiss army knife is light, pocketable, versatile, can get you out of troubles, but you would probably use dedicated tools if available.
It’s always a matter of compromise I think and since we have choice…
I don’t follow how a swiss army knife has anything to do with being a hybrid shooter.
You can’t shoot video in same manner as take stills.
You need different camera angles, different composition, different timing… And you tell same story in totally different manner.
You can’t use one camera to take both, video and stills well. Even if you can export 8Mpix frames from 4K video or take full frame stills while recording video.
The camera that gives both in good quality, can be used often but in very limited situations where you have time to do both well. Like first shoot interview in video, then get to different locations to get stills.
Try to do both in time critical moments like weddings or sport or even just holiday and either other one fails or both fails. Technically you can get very good quality, but style for content isn’t.
So when doing normal events, you need one with a video camera and a other with still camera. And then try to keep photographer out of the video…. As photographer wants/needs to get often to video camera field of view.
At common situations, it is easier/better to use a tool that fits to task. A video camera for video shooter (like just announced Panasonic 4k video camera) and then a camera for photography.
I adapt to the best angle for video and photos. One camera, two lenses, hundreds of memorable photos and an amazing graduation video all in one package. It’s an antiquated idea that hybrid shooters should limit themselves to having two separate devices to suit the whims of non-hybrid shooters.
So if Olympus takes away the video, you will “respect it” more? LOL
No, hence why I sold my E-M1 and bought the GH4.