Introduction.
A small group of Olympus visionaries at the Imaging Business introduced the Olympus E1 in 2003 with a new 4/3rds sensor format. In the years following, we saw how competitors formed a collective full-frame DSLR community with the promise of having "superior" image quality. Oversimplified "size and capture" theories followed while the M43 format was targeted in counter-marketing campaigns.
It's exciting to learn more about this digital 4/3rds format, the general evolution of image sensors, and the vision the Olympus engineering team had as they pioneered and developed the future of M43 mirrorless cameras. It's also exciting to see photographers break from the collective FF mediocracy and discover Olympus M43 cameras like the Pen F, EM5 II/III, EM1 II/III, and the OM-1.
Why a collective FF mediocracy? Because every FF talking point applies to all digital cameras. For example, the FF mediocracy cannot explain the unique differences between the technical and optical characteristics of two sensor sizes because the "size and capture" theory assumes the bigger one is better. In fact, the "size and capture" theory became so charged on social media that it's impossible to take anything serious full-frame promoters and fanboys say. Consider the absurdity of saying the "bigger one is better" without having a credible technical paper supporting your theory.
More about an almost-perfect photography solution...
The Imaging Business refined its photography offer before Olympus closed it. For example, they optimized their 16MP and 20MP digital Live MOS sensors with new sensors, FW updates, and the first Stacked M43 BSI sensor of the Olympus OM-1. They created an advanced Image Processing typology with dedicated Image and Art Processors. The same processing topology is embedded in Workspace and the Enhanced Raw Format. It's possible to summarize the evolution of this advanced solution in 3 R&D phases. The result is an M43 camera that will record the image and process the final JPEG in the camera, the OI Share App, or Workspace (16-bit TIFF) via the Enhanced Raw Format.
Did you know it's possible to tweak your camera's tonal adjustments (highlights, mid-tones, shadows, and Gradation) in Workspace? This is possible with the Enhanced Raw Format from Olympus...
Development Phase 1
Olympus introduced their ART filters with the new E-30 in 2008. Cameras like the E-30, E-620, E450, E-P1/2, and E-M5 had the first generation of ART filters. Olympus also introduced new features at the end of this phase like Live Time, Live Composite, and Photo Story with the Olympus E-M5 II. Did you know that one can apply almost any aspect ratio to the image (frame) below with Workspace..?
Development Phase 2
In this phase, Olympus introduced improved Tonal Adjustments, which included the "Auto" Gradation option, Highlights/Shadows & Midtones, and the Workspace Tone Curve function. The Color Creator lets photographers add a "chrome" or "global" color effect, and the Monochrome and Color Adjust Profile functions let us focus on individual colors with the Pen F, the E-P7, and Workspace...
Development Phase 3
This was an exciting phase for M43 photographers. Olympus introduced the next-generation ART filters plus more control for the E-M1 II/III, E-M10 III/IV, E-P7, E-PL9/10 E-M5 III, and the OM-1. Workspace improvements enabled M43 photographers to apply MonoChrome and Color Profiles (Color Adjust) to almost all Enhanced Raw files. This phase also introduced new computational features like Pro Capture, handheld High Ress Mode, advanced AF, Starry Sky AF, and ND-Filters...
The 6 steps to unlock your creativity with Olympus cameras...
Your creative photography with Olympus cameras will radically improve if you:
- Learn to walk away from all counter-marketing or dumb-down fanboy statements.
- Accept that the Olympus Imaging Business was part of the Olympus Corporation.
- Break away from the hold and negative programming effect of counter-marketing.
- Improve your knowledge and experience of photographing with digital cameras.
- Work hard to rediscover the M43 format and your Olympus or new OMS camera.
- Be part of the discussion and constructive criticism of OM-System and the future.
Imagine what if... Fuji photographers had access to these features...
Fuji developed a wide range of mirrorless cameras plus firmware upgrades to support a community of photographers who appreciate their "Color Science" and the community's Color Profiles. It's interesting to see what Fuji photographers do with only a few camera settings. For example, study the camera settings in this Color Profile (recipe) from a well-known Fuji photographer.
One can indeed do much with Fuji cameras and Fuji's Raw Studio. Knowledge and experience are equally important when working with Olympus or Fuji cameras. I like Olympus photographers to see what Fuji photographers achieved with only a few camera settings. The following illustration is only a snapshot of what M43 photographers can do with Olympus M43 cameras and Workspace...
Conclusion
Olympus created an M43 digital camera solution that lets photographers enjoy unique photography styles. Workspace and the Advanced Raw Format are an integral part of this complete solution. This includes a comprehensive lens offer and cameras like the older E-series (E-30, E-620, E-450) plus M43 cameras like the E-M1, E-M5 II/III, E-M1 II/III, the EM10 series, the Pen series, and the OM-1.
Thank you for a great time discussing Olympus cameras.
Siegfried
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