Last Update:- 20th October 2024
Introduction.
I invite all Olympus photographers who enjoy Creative Color, and Monochrome profiles to come and dream with me about a future OM-System Pen F II. I discussed my preliminary reasons for a real OM-System camera in my OM-1 II overview. OMS has a unique opportunity to follow the visionary design achievements of Olympus while designing the Pen F II and a new User Interface. The user interface of cameras stagnated in the past 12 years because manufacturers focussed on the analog feel of digital cameras. We mainly saw higher-resolution flippy displays with new and different menu displays.
Imagine digital photographers using cameras with flippy displays and basic Aperture, Shutter, and ISO display data. Imagine digital photographers using the analog Exposure Triangle and treating digital camera sensors like old film cameras. Imagine this is the status quo in 2024 because photographers are told sensor size is everything and they should only rely on the "best" Sony image sensors.
The Olympus SCP was a great idea from the 4/3 DSLR days. Picture source.
Have you ever wondered why reviewers rejected the Olympus Pen F in 2016? One of the many "size and capture" myths is larger sensors produce "more" colors. Global marketing departments pushed back when Olympus introduced the Creative Dial and access to the TruePic ART Controller. The Pen F was the first consumer camera that adjusted individual colors versus creating global color effects.
For example:
- The Color Creator creates global color effects like a chrome effect,
- The Adjust Color function targets individual colors on the color wheel,
- Saturation, Tones, and Contrast are simplified global adjustments.
The rangefinder Olympus Pen F is a popular day-to-day and street photography camera with access to small compact lenses, and unique MonoChrome plus Color Profiles. Many M43 photographers never used Workspace to improve their Pen F skills or create personalized monochrome and color profiles because social media advisors are either ignorant or simply provide incorrect information.
It's fascinating that camera manufacturers never used sensor and CPU data to give us more options like calculated hyperfocal distances, Aperture plus Shutter effects, focus stacking, and fill-in flash info on the camera's display. Modern motorcars are great examples of using available processed data to enhance the driving experience. For example, how often do we increase our ISO without knowing it's possible to drop the ISO with 1EV when changing the focus and exposure combinations?
The Pen F II user interface should display more processed data from the sensor and TruePic Processor. Please design a new user interface with a Sensor Performance Meter and more advanced features, like hyperfocal focus distances and a DOF meter. Focus on giving the photographer control while using the camera. Study this article for more about the next generation of OM-System cameras.
The Sensor Performance Meter is based on the following:-
- Keep the Aperture, Shutter, and ISO displays but add more sensor control.
- All image sensors have a Noise Floor. This is a known technical limitation.
- We control the image signal SNR and the visibility of the sensor's noise floor.
- Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO are part of the Exposure Formula, BUT:
- The Aperture and Shutter control the light to (exposing) the sensor.
- The ISO amplifies the image signal. Sensor sensitivity is factory set.
- Sensor Saturation and IQ improve with more Reflected Light on the sensor.
- The reverse happens (more visible noise) when the sensor receives less light.
- The ISO function does NOT create noise. The sensor received too little light.
- The camera's Auto Exposure (default) settings focus on Good Image Quality.
- The synergy between Enhanced Raw Files, OMS cameras, and WS is critical.
Study this article for a detailed explanation of the DxO "Good Image Quality" ratings.
Study this article for more info on exposure and how to use ISO "Image Brightness."
Olympus photographers will benefit from a new Sensor Performance Meter because it will improve the general understanding of sensor saturation and image noise. It will also enable OM-System to take the lead by proactively managing repetitive "sensor size" and the "best" AF promotions after each M43 camera launch. See my OM-System OM-1 II overview for more about a new OMS camera...
How would Sensor Saturation and SNR "exposure" data benefit us? Because it's possible to manage the sensor's performance separately from the ISO. It lets us think differently about the ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed, while opening new creative opportunities, like using a saturated sensor at a lower ISO (image brightness) to control highlights. We can correct the image brightness in Workspace because a saturated sensor lets us lower the ISO and re-adjust it with the Workspace EC slider. This is why the Sensor Performance Meter has an A/B display option. See this article for more...
What more could we expect from a new OM-System Pen F II?
The quality of the new Pen F II should mirror the current model. It should have a high-sensitivity 24MP (Live MOS) BSI sensor with a smaller noise floor and an advanced User Interface. The target segment is street, family, travel, event, and hobby photographers. The focus should be creative computational features. The AF system should be a clever derivative of the EM1 III (EM1X) AF technology.
The focus should be creativity, flexibility, IQ, profiles, and a Workspace App for tablets and Mobiles. Please study the needs of your target segment for new computational and creative features.
Here are some additional suggestions for a new Pen F II:-
- Go back to high-quality metal camera bodies. Pls not like the Pen EP-7.
- New Hue and Luminance options for the camera's Color Adjust function.
- Add new Clarity and Dehaze sliders (Workspace) to the camera's menu.
- Create a function to copy and paste color information from Workspace.
- Rethink the ISO function by expanding its link to the Workspace EC slider.
- This camera should have a high-res EVF and display with advanced features.
- The new Sensor Performance Meter simplifies sensor Saturation and SNR.
- A graphical DOF slider and new AF options to optimize aperture selections.
- Flexible Tonal Profiles with new options to tweak the Tonal Response Curve.
- If a brand thing, focus on the following AI "application" features:-
- Landscape DOF automation (AI) plus control.
- Unique AI features for street photographers.
- People, family events, and children AI features.
- I am no macro guy. Do they have any AI ideas..?
- Focus AI on applications and NOT image processing or autofocusing.
- ANY new TruePic image processors should NEVER use AI to process images.
- Build new creative communities to discuss and share info and color profiles.
- The focus should be flexibility, image quality, color, and wifi communication.
- 8EV IBIS, more Multi-Aspect Ratios, and quick handheld 50MP High Ress.
- The TruePic IX or X image processor with a vertical social media video option.
- Design selective improvements for the Workspace video editing function.
- Add a basic version of a Layers function to Workspace with Blending Modes.
- The video capabilities of this camera should be tailored to the target segment.
- This is NOT a high-speed Pro Camera for bird and wildlife photographers.
- This shouldn't be another hybrid. Make it a photography camera with video.
- The simplicity of the Pen EP-7 is perfect. We only need more creative features.
- Label this new OM-System camera a Pen-F II to accelerate its growth potential.
Why don't "size and capture" promoters accept this illustration? This information counters the "sensor does everything" myth...
Conclusion
Every digital photographer should get the opportunity to learn more about digital cameras, especially the link between Image Sensors, Saturation, SNR, Exposure formula, and ISO amplification. In fact, it's disappointing to see YouTube presenters using the old Analog Exposure Triangle as a tool for planning and adjusting the digital camera's Optical, Exposure, and ISO adjustments. I can't help but question the seriousness of people ignoring the unique benefits of having advanced digital cameras...
A helicopter overview of the Image Signal Path, Exposure Controller, and Workspace. Study this link.
