E-M1 owner will be happy to see that Olympus just released a new firmware (version 1.3) for their camera (http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/software/firm/e1/).
This is the full improvement list:
- Dynamic range has been expanded when using the external mic. The sound level adjustment has been changed to adjust to 21 levels in accordance with this. A function to turn the Volume Limiter on and off was added.
- * When it is on, it automatically limits the mic input volume if sound input volume exceeds the designated level.
- A 0 second setting has been added to Anti-Shock mode.
- The camera operation when the Frame Rate of live view is [High] have been improved.
2 Responses
Excuse any potential ignorant comments or questions, but I suppose it’s better to ask to understand than not.
First, I thought Anti-Shock mode was so you can press the shutter button for long exposures and it will add a delay to when the shutter actually opens and exposure starts so you do not introduce unwanted vibration. What does this have to do with first curtain necessarily?
And if this is the case (delay in shutter release to reduce vibration introduction as I stated), I’m curious why 0 second setting added to Anti-Shock? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of having a ZERO delay and will initiate shutter release exactly upon the press of the shutter button? Not sure why 0 second was added as this seems essentially the same as just pressing the shutter button without Anti-Shock (or isn’t this the same as turning Anti-Shock “Off”?) on to activate shutter release for long exposure such as Live Time mode.
Second, “The camera operation when the Frame Rate of live view is [High] have been improved.”
I’m not complete familiar with what this means exactly. What mode or setting are they referring to? Are they talking about continuous High shooting? Is this the same as “Live Boost”, which I also don’t understand… why does turning on Live Boost not allow any updates to the EVF when you change your exposure compensation setting?.. what benefit of this? doesn’t quite explain in camera or manual, so I’m curious… perhaps another discussion.
I’m glad any sort of frame rate improvement is made, but what or how does this apply to live view specifically?..didn’t realize there was even a setting to change live view frame rate to “High” or otherwise. What is this update suppose to do and where will you see the benefits of this improvement? Kind of vague, if you ask me.
I don’t use video rec much on my E-M1, but never the less glad to know Olympus considered improving some of their video rec option and ability.. in the sound rec department specifically with this recent firmware update. Keep up the firmware updates, Oly! Can we get 24fps next?
Speaking of next or new firmware upgrades for the E-M1 (and other Oly cameras), wasn’t there suppose to be some surprise improvement for the EVF as well? Where’s that?
The idea is to eliminate shutter shock by having the electronic first curtain start the exposure, not the actual opening of the mechanical shutter. Presumably in this mode, the mechanical shutter is kept open by default. I don’t know if that answers your questions or not.
Regarding the frame rate thing, with the E-M5 at least, with the FPS set high, some functions were less responsive (such as AF in dim light) and the viewfinder looked more washed out in bright sunlight. The high FPS simply means that the viewfinder is updated 120 times per second instead of the usual 60 times. This has nothing to do with burst mode high frame rates or video. Presumably they’ve actually improved the AF and viewfinder performance when using high frame rate.
I’m going to assume that even though they can read the sensor at this rate and display it on the EVF, that recording at this rate is much more difficult from a standpoint of codecs and data rate. I think it’s safe to bet, however, that Olympus is working on a new image processor that will support more video options. It’s just apparently a somewhat lower priority than it is for Panasonic, with Olympus focusing heavily on still imaging.