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Olympus has announced major firmware updates for its E-M1 Mark II, E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F, as well as a pair of lenses. The camera updates add support for Profoto’s TTL flash system and provide plenty of new features, detailed below.
The first new feature is support for the Air Remote TTL-O (‘O’ for Olympus) radio trigger from Profoto. Pop it on the hot shoe and you can use a simple interface to control off-camera Profoto Air TTL flashes in both TTL and HSS modes.
Other major features include AF Target Spot Metering (E-M1 II only), the ability to set a minimum shutter speed in Auto ISO (PEN-F only), improvements to the AF touchpad function on the PEN-F for left-eye shooters, the ability to use High Res Shot and Focus Stacking modes when shooting with non-Olympus flashes, improved color reproduction on the E-M1 II’s EVF, and more.
Two lenses also receive updates: the 12-100mm F4 IS Pro and 300mm F4 IS Pro. The updates boosts sequential shooting performance when IS is turned on when using the E-M1 II and also improve 5-axis Sync IS with the E-M5 II and the original E-M1.
The updates are available immediately from the Olympus support website in your region. See the press release below for all of the changes in these updates:
Press Release:
PLUG IN AND POWER UP: OLYMPUS® FIRMWARE UPDATE DELIVERS NEW CAPABILITIES FOR OM-D® AND PEN® CAMERAS
Expansive New Performance Updates for the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, OM-D E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F Include TTL and HSS Compatibility with Profoto AirTTL Flashes
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., May 8, 2017 — Today, Olympus announces a series of powerful new firmware updates that enhance the performance of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, Olympus PEN-F and select M.ZUIKO® PRO and PREMIUM lenses. The updates are available immediately and are designed to bolster Olympus cameras and lenses with the latest functionality, including true compatibility with the new Profoto Air Remote TTL-O, to strengthen the performance for the professional and enthusiast photographer.
Olympus is dedicated to providing ongoing product functionality and performance improvements to expand the capabilities of their cameras. The E-M1 Mark II, Olympus’s latest flagship camera designed to withstand the rigors of professional use and deliver outstanding images, is upgraded to Version 1.2. The E-M5 Mark II, a high-performance compact system camera that features Olympus’s advanced in-body 5-Axis Image Stabilization, is upgraded to Version 3.0. And the PEN-F, a beautifully crafted camera with creative functions ideal for street shooters and those with an affinity for sophisticated industrial design, is upgraded to Version 2.0.
The recent updates are comprehensive and go beyond compatibility with the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O. The E-M5 Mark II has been enhanced with features that include “Save Settings and Mysets” for saving camera settings on a computer, and a midtone adjustment function has been added to Highlight & Shadow Control for even greater control over the tonal quality of images. The PEN-F now offers touch-to-select Art Filters while viewing the effect in real time, and users can set the slowest shutter speed allowed before the camera raises the sensitivity in ISO AUTO. For the E-M1 Mark II, High Res Shot and Focus Stacking Modes are now compatible with non-Olympus flashes, and AF HOME settings are saved when the camera is turned off.
Firmware Version 1.1 for the M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO and Firmware Version 1.2 for the M.ZUIKO Digital ED 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO improves silent sequential shooting performance when image stabilization is active on the E-M1 Mark II. Firmware Version 1.1 for the M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO also improves 5-Axis Sync IS performance when paired with the E-M5 Mark II and the E-M1 Mark II.
Main Features
- Compatibility with Profoto Air Remote TTL-O
The latest firmware upgrade delivers compatibility between the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O and the E-M1 Mark II, E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F models. The Profoto Air Remote TTL-O wirelessly integrates the Profoto Air TTL Flash with these cameras, providing Olympus users with seamless integration with products from one of the leading manufacturers of lighting and light-shaping tools.
Simply attach the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O to the hot shoe for quick remote control of all functions. For more information on which functions can be used, please see the Profoto website: http://profoto.com
- “Save Settings and Mysets” function saves camera settings on the user’s computer
The convenient “Save Settings and Mysets” function has been added to the E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F to easily save the user’s customized settings on their computer and restore them on the camera when necessary. This feature is useful for applying the same settings to multiple cameras and saving complex settings when upgrading firmware.
- Midtone adjustment function added to Highlight & Shadow Control
The new midtone adjustment function has been added to the Highlight & Shadow Control on the E-M5 Mark II to provide control over bright and dark sections of a subject and to give users complete control over the tonal properties of the image.
- AF Target Spot Metering provides spot metering at the focus point
AF Target Spot Metering is now available on the E-M5 Mark II to effectively link the AF Target position and spot metering area.
- Touch to select Art Filters while viewing sample images on the screen
Sample images that demonstrate the effects of the Art Filter are now shown at the bottom of the PEN-F’s screen. Users can simply view and touch the sample Art Filter image on the screen to instantly activate that option.
- Set the shutter speed to begin raising the ISO sensitivity in ISO AUTO
It is now possible to control the lowest shutter speed setting on the PEN-F. This allows users to predefine a minimum shutter speed so that the ISO sensitivity increases in low-light situations rather than slowing down the shutter speed. This is convenient for handheld shooting in low-light environments.
- Improved AF Targeting Pad on the rear LCD monitor
The firmware update makes it possible to use touchpad operations on the PEN-F even if your nose touches the rear LCD monitor while looking through the viewfinder. The AF Targeting Pad provides the freedom to move the AF point on the rear LCD monitor using touch operations while keeping your eye on the viewfinder.
- High Res Shot and Focus Stacking Mode compatibility on non-Olympus flashes
The E-M1 Mark II’s powerful 50MP High Res Shot and Focus Stacking Modes are now supported with both Olympus flashes and flashes from other manufacturers.
- Automatic switching to rear LCD monitor when shooting with the viewfinder
When shooting through the E-M1 Mark II’s viewfinder during Rec View, the camera now automatically switches to the rear LCD monitor for image playback when the eye is moved away from the viewfinder.
- AF HOME settings saved when camera is turned off
Previously, AF HOME settings were reset after the E-M1 Mark II was turned off. The firmware upgrade saves the user’s AF HOME settings even if the camera is turned off.
Additional Improvements
- Improved viewfinder color reproduction during shooting for the E-M1 Mark II lets users compose their image while viewing color more accurately.
- Improved stability for battery level display for the E-M1 Mark II.
- Lens firmware upgrade improvements:
(1) M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Version 1.1 and M.ZUIKO Digital ED 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Version 1.2 improves silent sequential shooting performance when image stabilization is active on the E-M1 Mark II.
(2) M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Version 1.1 improves 5-Axis Sync IS performance when paired with the E-M5 Mark II and E-M1 Mark II.
Camera Bodies – New Functions and Improvements
| E-M1 Mark II Ver 1.2 |
E-M5 Mark II Ver 3.0 |
PEN-F Ver 2.0 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Compatibility with Profoto Air Remote TTL-O | X | X | X |
| “Save Settings and Mysets” for saving camera settings on a computer | Already available | X | X |
| Midtone adjustment function added to Highlight & Shadow Control | Already available | X | Already available |
| AF Target Spot Metering provides spot metering at the focus point | Already available | X | Already available |
| Touch to select Art Filters while viewing sample images | – | – | X |
| Set the shutter speed to begin raising the ISO sensitivity in ISO AUTO | Already available | – | X |
| Improved AF Targeting Pad on the rear LCD monitor | Already available | – | X |
| High Res Shot and Focus Stacking Mode available on non-Olympus flashes | X | Already available | Already available |
| Automatic playback on rear LCD when using Rec View in the viewfinder | X | Already available | Already available |
| AF HOME settings saved when camera is turned off | X | Already available | Already available |
| Improved viewfinder color reproduction | X | – | – |
| Improved stability for battery level display | X | – | – |
M.ZUIKO Lenses – New Improvements
| E-M1 Mark II | E-M5 Mark II | E-M1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Ver 1.1 and M.ZUIKO Digital ED 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Ver 1.2 improves silent sequential shooting performance when image stabilization is active | X* | – | – |
| M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Ver 1.1 improves 5-Axis Sync IS performance | Already available | X | X |
* E-M1 Mark II must be upgraded to firmware v1.2
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)