Olympus has released firmware updates for its OM-D E-M1 mirrorless camera, XZ-2 enthusiast compact, and 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 lens. Version 1.1 for the E-M1 promises improved autofocus and image stabilisation operation, and better image quality in Live Bulb mode. Meanwhile version 1.3 for the XZ-2 should improve autofocus in low light. Click through for full details.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Olympus has thrown its hat into the premium superzoom ring with the Stylus 1. It combines a larger-than-average 1/1.7″-type BSI-CMOS sensor with a 28-300mm equivalent, F2.8 zoom lens, high resolution EVF, ‘hybrid’ control ring, and Wi-Fi – and packs it all into a compact body that strongly resembles the OM-D EM-5. Other notable features include a built-in ND filter, tilting touchscreen LCD, in-camera Raw processing, and 1080p movie recording.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
The Stylus 1 is Olympus’s latest high-end compact camera. With ‘mini-DSLR’ styling and a constant-aperture F2.8 28-300mm (equivalent) zoom lens, the 12MP Stylus 1 has a lot to offer the amateur and enthusiast photographer. While our Seattle and London teams were busy preparing a detailed preview, editor Barnaby Britton got his hands on the new model at last week’s Photo Plus Expo show in New York. Click through for a gallery of hands-on pictures and his initial impressions.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Up until recently, the only ‘real’ premium superzoom camera was the Panasonic DMC-FZ200. Two weeks ago Sony made a big splash with their pricey Cyber-shot RX10, which features a 1″-type sensor. The Olympus Stylus 1 slots in nicely somewhere between the two, offering a 1/1.7″-type sensor and constant F2.8, 28-300mm equivalent lens in an OM-D-style body. If that sounds appealing, then follow the link to read our First Impressions Review of the Stylus 1.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
With a rugged, weather-sealed body, hybrid AF system, 5-axis image stabilization, Wi-Fi, and seemingly endless customizable controls, the Olympus E-M1 is arguably the most enthusiast-friendly Micro Four Thirds camera on the market. We’ve put Olympus’ latest OM-D through our usual battery of tests – follow the link to see if the ‘Pro’ Micro Four Thirds camera has finally arrived.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Olympus UK has teamed up with exhibtr.com to launch a completion for student photographers, and in the process teased an upcoming ‘premium compact’ as one of the prizes. The Student Photography Competition 2013/14 has a theme of ‘People & Portraits’, and the overall winner will receive an OM-D E-M5 12-50mm lens kit, while two runners-up will receive the soon-to-be-announced camera. UK-based photographers will be able to get an ‘exclusive preview’ of the new model at London’s Covent Garden from November 2nd to 9th. Click through for more details.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
I got the feeling the opposition was spooked by the news that this one was coming. Suddenly, major makers all over town announced press chats to bellow their wares from the heights.
Olympus has a disturbing habit of delivering tasty morsels resembling full-on meals (!) in a manner far beyond its size. In the past companies such as Nikon and Canon have been justifiably wary of the O company and its moves on the market. This looks like another one.
The retro-styled, magnesium alloy bodied E-M1 is Olympus’ flagship compact system camera and, in some very obvious ways, announces that Micro Four Thirds has well and truly arrived. Farewell Four Thirds!
The review camera was supplied with the f2.8/12-40mm lens which has the same type of sealing as the camera body. The E-M1 was loaned to me for only a few days, so this review will have to be a tad cursory … but, please forgive me if I lean on the hyperbole a bit!
First up, as far as handling goes, we see the benefits of the Micro Four Thirds system: the camera and lens are not a bulky package.
The first (and still current) model in the OM-D series was the E-M5 … don’t you just love the numbering system!
At first, the camera appears to have a crowded control layout: but this is only because the whole kit is so modest in size!
Flanking the lens mount are a pair of buttons that offer instant, one touch white balance (targetting a white card) and a preview button that gives you an idea of the scene when stopped down. These buttons are devilishly hard to activate too!
The first — and only — shock is that the power lever is located at the left of the camera’s top deck, tucked in between two buttons which access AF options and HDR/sequential shooting. It takes some adjusting to feel relaxed with this location!
Off to the right is the mode dial. This has something I have never seen before: a two way lock to set or release the dial.
This dial gives access to auto, PASM, Art Filters (13), Photo story (in this mode you can shoot multiple shots, then combine them into one image and then add handwritten text), Scene Filters (24), video.
Nearby are the shutter button, a front and rear control dial, Function 2 button and the familiar video record button. Tucked awkwardly into the far right corner is the Function 1 button.
On the brow of the top deck and rear panel are the top/LCD viewfinder button and a two position lever that swings from AE to AF options.
Rear: buttons for Info (screen display options) and menu plus replay and trash.
The four way jog dial has a central OK button that quickly gives access to ISO, AF/MF, flash choices, image sizes,single/continuous shooting, white balance, etc.
As you can see, there is a whole forest of choices with often more than one way to get where you’re going.
It’s worth mentioning there are three options for the touch screen: off, tap and shoot, tap to display a resizeable AF target — then tap to shoot!
Only at ISO 6400 is noise slightly noticeable. At ISO 12800 noise is up a little more but still useable. Surprisingly, ISO 25600 would be useable for certain subjects, ie those with no large areas of continuous tone.
The viewing setup is to to die for: while the rear screen is excellent, the top finder is superb, sharp and bright, while seeming so close to an actual optical finder. Remember this is a mirrorless camera!
And note: there’s an underwater case for the Olympus OM-D E-M1, allowing shooting down to 45 metres. It’s equipped with a wireless flash control function and a waterproof lens port can be attached.
Quality: truly superb quality with tons of access to image management.
Why you’d buy the Olympus OM-D E-M1: excellent stabiliser for video shooting; arguably the best Micro Four Thirds camera on the market.
Why you wouldn’t: you don’t have the expertise to drive it!
And now a confession: in my rush to get shooting I found myself with a lens that was determinedly manual in operation. No way could I get it onto AF. Then I found a tiny leaflet in the lens box that imparted the secret: slip the focus ring forward and you enter auto focus; reverse it and you’re in manual.
So I ran the E-M1 for a while in manual focus and can’t rave enough about the focus peaking approach which gives a superb confirmation in the viewfinder that you’re on the right spot.
A truly remarkable camera. Want one!
Image Sensor: 16.28 million effective pixels.
Metering: Multi pattern, centre-weighted averaging, spot.
Exposure Modes: Auto, Program AE, shutter and aperture priority, manual.
Effective Sensor Size: 17.3×13.0mm (22.5mm diagonal) Live MOS.
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds.
35 SLR Lens Factor: 2x.
Shutter Speed: 60 sec to 1/8000 second, Time, Bulb. Internal/external flash sync: 1/320/250 sec.
Continuous Shooting: up to 10 fps.
Memory: SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and Eye-Fi.
Image Sizes (pixels): 4608×3456 to 640×480. Movies: 1920×1080, 1280×720, 640×480.
LCD Screen: Viewfinder (2,360,000 pixels), 7.6cm LCD (1,040,000 pixels).
File Formats: JPEG, RAW, JPEG+RAW, MPEG4.
Colour Space: sRGB, Adobe RGB.
ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 200 to 25600.
Interface: USB 2.0, HDMI mini, AV, flash, mic, WiFi.
Power: Rechargeable lithium ion battery, DC input.
Dimensions: 130.4×93.5×63.1 WHDmm.
Weight: 497 g (inc battery and card).
Prices: Get a price on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 (Body Only) or the Olympus Om-d E-m1 with 12-40mm F2.8 Lens.
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Review
The post Olympus OM-D E-M1 Review by Barrie Smith appeared first on Digital Photography School.
We’ve been shooting with the Olympus PEN E-P5 for some months now and have just completed our review. The arrival of the E-M1 may have grabbed the limelight in recent weeks but the latest PEN deserves its share of the attention. Although it continues the classic PEN look, it shares most of its specifications with the E-M5, which should make it pretty special – but what’s it like to use? Read our review to find out.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
The week is up, and my trip to Paris and testing of the new Olympus OM-D E-M1 has drawn to a close.
The full report is now online.
"Having been to Antarctica with Michael and Kevin, I would say after having traveled the world and shot nearly my entire life as an exhibiting photographer, it was one of my highlights in my life and I talk about it, all the time. The images and experience of seeing something visionary and nearly extinct from the world, to see and experience the wildlife and scenery that does not fear humans is amazing. The images I shot there won me two Smithsonian awards and nearly 18 other international awards". – Tim Wolcott
Find Out More Now
These Expeditions Will Sell Out Quickly. They Always Do
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The Luminous Landscape – What’s New
My field report on the Olympus OM-D E-M1, in the form of a daily blog, has just been updated.
"Having been to Antarctica with Michael and Kevin, I would say after having traveled the world and shot nearly my entire life as an exhibiting photographer, it was one of my highlights in my life and I talk about it, all the time. The images and experience of seeing something visionary and nearly extinct from the world, to see and experience the wildlife and scenery that does not fear humans is amazing. The images I shot there won me two Smithsonian awards and nearly 18 other international awards". – Tim Wolcott
Find Out More Now
These Expeditions Will Sell Out Quickly. They Always Do
…
The Luminous Landscape – What’s New