VideoPic Blog: May 2024

Last update:- 14th June 2024

Introduction.

I found several Press Releases with "new" firmware updates while working on my next article. Paging through the updates and improvements, I was reminded of the changes we saw over the past 4 years. A new world enfolded where people celebrate when paying the equivalent of a new camera for a firmware update or a rebranded product. It's a different world where marketers and repetition know no end, as they govern our personal spaces, certitude, and collective values.

Source: Olympus Europe

Transforming from a technological leadership position to rebranding means previous Olympus products are as relevant as before but at a much lower price. They can be had for a fraction of buying a new camera, and many used Olympus cameras are "like new." Most Olympus mirrorless cameras were also years ahead of larger competitors, which only started selling mirrorless cameras in 2018.

How many megapixels is enough? Some say we need high-resolution sensors, or 16MP sensors cannot compete with newer 24MP cameras. Image quality is the sum of sensor sensitivity, lens quality, and the image processor. Sensor sensitivity (IQ, DR, & noise) plus Image Processing (features) are the main differences between cameras like the E-P3 (12MP), E-M5 II (16MP), and the OM-1 (20MP). We also know that 16MP cameras like the E-M10 II and E-M5 II deliver excellent image quality. Some have good arguments in favor of 8MP. Imagine the sensitivity benefits of a modern 8MP BSI sensor...

The OM-1 closed a decade of innovation excellence with the Olympus Imaging Business...

The posted Press Releases are linked to the cameras below. Olympus enjoyed excellent customer loyalty with its commitment to innovation, listening, and responding to customer feedback. For example, the E-M1 was launched in 2013 and received its final FW upgrade 6 years later in 2019.

Here is more info about the current firmware versions: (Also, see this list - link)

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 II firmware version V4.1 from January 2019.
The Olympus Pen F's current firmware version is V3.1 from January 2019.
The Olympus OM-D EM-5 III firmware version V1.7 from January 2023.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 II firmware version V3.7 from January 2023.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 III firmware version V1.6 from January 2023.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1X firmware version V2.4 from January 2023.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 firmware version V4.6 from February 2019.
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 II firmware version V1.4 from March 2019.

This OM-System page has a summary of some cameras and firmware updates.

The Olympus EM1 III sells for as little as $650 on the used market.

Transferring years of know-how resulted in a loss of available documentation. Fortunately, Olympus kept its pre-2020 Press Releases, and OM-System created a new library of Olympus information. I am always looking for new documentation. Let me know if you have camera brochures, technical papers, or any camera-specific information you could share with me in PDF format.

Always keep a copy of the latest user manuals and FW information. For example, Olympus released a separate E-M1 II Video Manual with its V3 firmware update. Also, download any information covering video features, tethering, LOG, and LUT profiles for the different Pen or OM-D cameras.

Press releases about new cameras are always a good read. See this example.

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X with the 40-150mm f2.8 Pro lens.

One has to go back to 2012/13 and study the original E-M5 and E-M1 to appreciate the technological leadership position the Olympus Imagaging business enjoyed. Three years of rebranding reveal much about the future of this once-innovative brand. See this E-M1 Manual for its FW updates.

Olympus photographers had good reasons to be optimistic...

A history of new features and incremental improvements

Olympus used firmware to improve and add new features to its existing cameras. The press releases below are only a partial account of improvements done on the above cameras. One has to study each camera to appreciate the extent of each camera's improvements. An achievement of particular interest is the evolution of the Olympus OMD and PEN autofocus algorithms.

For example, this video shows the Cluster Autofocusing function, and this example shows the final CAF for the EM1 MKI with firmware V4.6. My experience with the EM1 MKI is similar...