Olympus announced that it will launch a new firmware update for the E-m1 by end of February. Here is the press text:
OLYMPUS ADVANCES FLAGSHIP CAMERA WITH INCREDIBLE SEQUENTIAL SHOOTING SPEED
Olympus Announces Firmware Version 3.0 for the Award Winning OM-D E-M1 with Improved Capabilities for Sequential Shooting
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., February 5, 2015 The award-winning flagship Olympus OM-D E-M1, featuring 5-axis image stabilization, TruePic VII image processor and tethered shooting, is now more impressive than ever before. With the introduction of new firmware Version 3.0, the weather-resistant camera is now capable of an impressive maximum 9 fps in the C-AF sequential shooting mode when using a Four Thirds or Micro Four Thirds lens, improving the ability to capture moving subjects.
The newest firmware upgrade features an enhanced algorithm for phase-detection, raising the former C-AF sequential shooting speed of 6.5 fps to a maximum high speed of 9 fps. With this update, AF tracking performance is improved when using continuous-AF (C-AF) Sequential H mode. When set to C-AF, 37-point on-chip phase detection AF is used. Now, when capturing a quick-moving subject, photographers never need to miss the shot. A maximum 10 fps remains available when set to single-AF (S-AF) Sequential H mode.
The update also adds support for the latest Version 2.5 of the Olympus Image Share Android and iOS app. Users can now select Movie as a shooting mode, and record movies while viewing the Live View screen on a smartphone.
The Olympus firmware Version 3.0 will be available in February 2015.
23 Responses
25p,25p,25p,25p,……..please
24p,24p,24p,24p,……..please, oh and higher bitrates.
Right? Bit underwhelming this. Guess I’ll be moving on to the E-M5II then…
Whole number update (3.0) – all your settings will disappear?
I thought they said they were going to fix that problem the next time around
I just wish Panasonic did firmware updates like this for their cameras.
They don’t have to. GH4 (their flagship) is ahead of EM1. The focusing speed and accuracy is better than EM1. I still prefer EM1’s JPEG. Video- let’s not even go there. Panasonic app is pretty advance already.
The only thing GH4 doesn’t have is IBIS and that’s big deal if you have olympus lens.
Olympus is catching up here.
What about firmware 2.1 for Olympus OMD-EM5.
Awesome. AF performance is the area which needs work, and 9 fps is quite cool.
My thoughts exactly. I bought this camera because it had capable C-AF. It works OK for me, for sports, but improvements are very welcome.
I’m also happy about the upgrade to the OIShare app. Yep, nothing wrong with being able to control it from my phone for “home” movies!
Anyone thinking a petition to Olympus to get better video frame rates would get them to give us a proper video firmware update.
Yup, it is disappointing that they didn’t add the better video. I might sell my em1 and get em5 m2 or wait to see if Pany comes with gx8 and better stabilization.
The only encouraging thing is that they are starting to pay attention to video now.
I am so pissed I purchased into the Olympus system. I have two E-M1’s and there is no logical reason that many of the video features of the E-M5 II could not be added to the E-M1. At least give us exposure compensation while filming. These cameras have the same processor so there is no reason not to add to the E-M1 endless Olympus is trying to drive sales of the E-M5 II. Pathetic way to treat your customers. Thinking it’s time for a sell off and a move to Panasonic or Sony.
Olympus video is at least three generations behind. I guess the E-M1 is no longer a “Pro” model or flagship.
Damn. No pixel-shifting? That’s what I was hoping for more than anything.
A welcome update, for sure! Lets hope 3.1 brings some lovely sensor shift and new video modes.
Not gonna happen..
Sad day for EM1 owners spending $1600 bucks and feeling like left out… i know how it feels.
well, i guess the “EM10 – entry, EM5 – video, EM1 – stills” thing is what they are going for. This update seems a bit light on features, compared to 2.0. I feel there are a lot more areas they can try to improve on. Although the thing that pisses me off the most about EM1 (the inferior sensor to EM5, that noise with long exposures is a bummer) can’t be fixed with updates 🙁
By the way – it was unreasonable to expect a software update that would bring pixel shift thing. It seems like a neat new-ish feature, mostly mechanical. I doubt EM1 has the same about of control of the sensor position as the new EM5II.
It is possible if the IBIS has the capability to that adjustment. What was really changed was the gyros in E-M5 II IBIS, to sense far more accurately the movements. That is of course disabled in HR photo mode and IBIS is used just to movement.
I don’t care about HR photo, while it would have lots of use. But the 25fps and 50fps is what I need.
I very much doubt that they used exactly the same IBIS mechanism. I remember reading somewhere that IBIS was also improved in EM5II compared to EM5/EM1, that is probably related to high precision control of the sensor shifting in the HR photo tech. That doesn’t sound like it would be possible to add via software update.
I’m a bit surprised there are no mods similar to magic lantern for canons for video options. I think they won’t add the video stuff to EM1 for now, they need EM5II to be the “videographer choice” in oly lineup. Before EM5II came out oly lineup was a bit weird, as its basically 3 very similar cameras, very minor differences overall. They were probably competing with each other, which oly doesn’t want.
If I break it down
Firmware 3.0 reworks the E-M1 Continuous AF algorithm for phase-detection.
When set to (C-AF) Continuous Auto Focus using a Four Thirds or Micro Four Thirds lens:
-Sequential H mode AF tracking performance is improved
-Sequential shooting speed increase to a maximum of 9 fps
Added support for the latest Version 2.5 of the Olympus Image Share Android and iOS app.
– Enabled ability to select Movie as a shooting mode
– Record movies while viewing the Live View screen