Olympus’ latest offering in their Micro Four-Thirds camera lineup takes it cues from the venerable OM line of SLRs instead of the more compact PEN series. The result is a small easily handheld camera that feel solid in the hand and is light enough to be used all day. Coupled with a brand new sensor, weather-sealing, an optional (but really necessary) battery grip, the OM-D E-M5 scores a home run for Olympus.
Today Olympus announces the release of new firmware for the OM-D E-M5 which offers the following improvements:
Additionally, there is an Olympus Viewer 2 application update for both Windows and Mac that delivers the following:
Here are the updates:
Firmware Version 1.2 for the OM-D E-M5
Firmware Version 1.4 for Olympus Viewer 2 Software
There are two options for updating the firmware:
With each method, users can choose to display information related to what the update will apply, prior to performing the update.
The ability to update the firmware of Olympus digital camera components, bodies, lenses, accessories, and take advantage of some of the latest technologies is one of the key advantages of Olympus’ 100% digital design.
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., May 24, 2012 – Today, Olympus adds to the Micro Four Thirds family of lenses with the release of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8 High-Grade Portrait Lens (150mm equivalent), a high-speed, single-focal-length telephoto lens that is optimized for studio, stage, indoor sports and portrait photography, encased in a high-quality, compact, stunning metal body.
SECAUCUS, NJ (May 21, 2012) – Today, Panasonic announced a new digital interchangeable standard zoom lens, the LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. (H-HS12035). The newest addition to the company’s premium lens brand “X,” which is compatible with the Panasonic LUMIX G Series and complies with the Micro Four Thirds™ system standard, this lens offers a versatile zoom range of 12-35mm (35mm camera equivalent: 24-70mm) and features constant F2.8 aperture brightness at entire zoom range. Suitable for professionals and enthusiasts, this new lens captures a wide range of scenes from dynamic landscapes to available light and studio-lit portraits and features superb image rendering for lifelike textures and crisp edge-to-edge contrast.
I got an e-mail yesterday that my camera dealer has an Olympus OM-D E-M5 + Grip with my name on it! The camera will be winging its way to me very shortly and I will be able to start testing this little puppy. Based on a lot of shots and videos that I already have seen, this camera may well meet my rather stringent needs.
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., May 8, 2012 – Olympus draws on its heritage of creating rugged, durable cameras that take the worry out of life-on-the-go shooting with the new Olympus TG-1 iHS. Marking a revolution for the Tough Series of Waterproof, Shockproof, Freezeproof, Crushproof and Dustproof compact cameras, the Olympus TG-1 iHS combines incredible durability with iHS technology, the world’s first high-speed bright f2.0 lens on a Tough camera and converter-lens compatibility to create a versatile system camera. The combination of durability and outstanding image quality make it possible to shoot in even the harshest conditions. Capture beautiful underwater scenes and aquatic life, snap photos of dusk-lit peaks or record your ride down the rapids in dazzling 1080p Full HD Video.
Sony has finally started shipping its NEX-7 compact system camera. Not being one of the big fish, I got mine the old fashioned way: I got on a waiting list and waited.
Patience paid off and I was graced with a UPS box a week ago containing a Sony NEX-7 body and a spare battery. No lens. I am still waiting for this to arrive. Fortunately, I had planned for this and acquired a couple of lens adapters allowing me to fit legacy glass on my shiny new NEX-7.
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., December 14, 2011 – Olympus adds to its powerfully simple and growing PEN family with the first fully-compatible interchangeable Micro Four Thirds lens to incorporate an electronic motorized zoom. The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ (35mm equivalent 24–100mm) delivers smooth, quiet zooming that gives you versatility, portability and maximizes the performance of the Olympus PEN® compact system cameras.
The sophisticated new lens has a zoom ratio of approximately 4.2x, allowing photographers to capture anything from detailed, wide-angle group shots to medium telephoto-range images so you can get up close and personal for intimate portraits of children and pets – even indoors. The photographer can control the zooming speed by turning the barrel – slowly for drama, quickly for performance, or at an intermediate rate. Manual zooming is also available for those looking to take full control.
In macro mode, which can be set by pushing the zoom ring forward while depressing the macro button on the side of the lens, focusing is possible between 8 and 20 inches for close-up shooting with a maximum image magnification of 0.72X (35mm camera equivalent). The L-Fn (Lens Function) button suspends the autofocusing operation temporarily to avoid unintended focusing on obstacles that appear suddenly between the camera and the subject.
Perfect for brilliant still images and high-definition (HD) video capture, the Movie & Still Compatible (MSC) M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ has also been enhanced with a linear motor that drives smooth and quiet autofocusing for stress-free shooting.
New lens elements and glass materials ensure the clearest possible imaging performance, and the proven dust and splashproof mechanism originally featured in the Four Thirds SHG (Super High Grade) series lenses is now incorporated for the first time in a Micro Four Thirds System lens. Multiple sealing rings, fitted throughout the lens body, prevent water splashes and dust from penetrating, making the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ a versatile zoom lens for the toughest conditions.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ: Available Mid-January 2012
Estimated Street Price: $499.99
For a complete list of specifications, visit: http://olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1582
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., July 27, 2011 – Imaging enthusiasts will rejoice knowing that they can finally get their hands on the desirable Olympus PEN E-PL3 – a powerful camera designed for photographers craving a portable camera with pro quality and point-and-shoot simplicity. The PEN E-PL3 is an interchangeable lens camera offering a sleek, metal body packed with versatile controls and lenses with professional image quality.
Available in September, the Olympus PEN E-PL3 will be sold at the affordable price of $699.99 and will deliver amazing image quality and lightning fast speed for brilliant still images and high-definition (HD) video. It will ship bundled with either a wide-angle zoom M.Zuiko 14-42mm lens (28mm-84mm equivalent), optimized for fast autofocus (AF) and silent AF operation, or the M. Zuiko 17mm ultra-compact and portable wide-angle pancake lens (34mm equivalent).
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., September 20, 2010 – Since 1936, photographers have appreciated Olympus’s critically acclaimed Zuiko® lenses for their innovative design, high quality and superior reliability. Today, Olympus is pleased to announce that it is developing a new flagship compact camera that will be its first digital compact camera with a built-in Zuiko® lens. Olympus expects to introduce the camera in the first quarter of 2011.
Like the Olympus PEN® E-P2 and E-PL1 cameras, the new camera will include an accessory port so photographers will be able to expand its versatility by attaching optional accessories like the SEMA-1 external microphone adapter set.
A prototype of the camera will be displayed this week at Photokina 2010, the world’s largest trade fair for the photographic and imaging industries held September 21-26 in Cologne, Germany. It will also be on display from October 28-30 at the 2010 PDN PhotoPlus Expo in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City
