Let's talk about OM-System and the OM-1 II

Last update:- 14th February 2024

Introduction. 

How do you rate the past 3 years with OM-System? For example, do you expect to find engine parts in the Doctor's consulting room or a history lesson in math class? What do you like to see as you walk through the offices at OM-System? How will it compare to the previous Imaging Activity at Olympus? Do you expect to see a proper R&D facility or a marketing office with software experts? Considering the latest deliverables from camera manufacturers like FujiFilm, Sony, Nikon, and Canon, did your experience with or perception of OM-System change over the past 12 months? 

Did AI create a reasonable reality of a typical marketing area for cameras..?

I have no inside knowledge of OM-System or whether their employees prefer Olympus or OM-System cameras. For example, should we view OM-System as a global distributor of photography gear, or do they share similar technology KPIs as the previous Imaging Business from Olympus? Shouldn't that be our top-of-mind awareness as we navigate and review different camera manufacturers?

Why the OM-System label on Olympus cameras?

It's uncomfortable to think of future OM-System products and questions like, why is your priority an OMS label on Olympus products? Didn't you negotiate brand equity and transitions from short-, mid-, to long-term? I also question the 25% premium customers will incur when selling their cameras for the new OM-1 II. Does the new price plus 25% justify the OM1 II  "improvements" and new label?

It reminds me of the iconic Olympus 12-40mm and 40-150mm f2.8 Pro lenses. It took one decision from OM-System to lose 20-30% of its resale value. Why not a simple strategy of adding a premium to the improved dust and splashproof ratings of the "new" OM-System lenses?

I also smiled when I saw the new 150 to 600mm f5.6-6.3 lens. Social media experts couldn't wait to remind us the full-frame version of this Sigma lens is 45% less expensive. Why is the OM-System version more expensive? Did OM-System request a series of obstructions inside the OM-System version because M43 lenses deliver less light to the sensor than FF lenses?😏

Imagine the counter-marketing dollars that will be spent on this beauty...

Why don't FF promoters see the benefits? Because it's time to have a new conversation about sensor formats. Olympus photographers with the EM1 II/III, EM1X, and OM-1s get an equivalent reach of 1200mm at f6.3 and up to 8.5EV camera/lens stabilization. Compare this to FF cameras and the ISOs plus cropping in post-processing to capture wildlife and birds at 1200mm. Chances are they will have more image noise with less than 20MP after cropping to an equivalent M43 view...

Fuji is a strong competitor with a long history in photography...

What about the OM-System 9-18mm f4.0-5.6 MZuiko lens? It's good to inject new life into this lens. However, there must be a reason why it received so much social media criticism. Full-frame competitors seemed OK with a Micro Four Thirds offer for bird and wildlife photography. Loyal "size and capture" consumers seem happy to spend thousands on huge FF lenses. Was the risk higher if FF consumers compared the tiny 9-18mm M43 lens to its full-frame relatives? How does one recognize a fanboy or promoter? They ALL repeat phrases with "cropping" or "it's a Kit" lens...

Study the types of lens elements Olympus used for this absolute gem...

One of the risks OM-System created is a small bird and wildlife segment. While the unique benefits of M43 lenses are undisputed, will the OM-1 II be as popular amongst influencers, events, street, travel, landscape, and portrait photographers? What if OM-System did the anticipated firmware update on the Olympus OM-1? Wouldn't that free their R&D team to design a new OM-System camera? These are valid concerns because traditional M43 or Olympus photographers increasingly purchase full-frame and APC cameras. That simply means OM-System gave other brands a huge opportunity...

Graduated ND filters and the new OM-1 II. Those working with gradients in Photoshop will appreciate my concern. Photographers do not want dark mountain tops, trees, buildings, or strange halos. This is why Adobe created better ways of separating critical objects from the sky. Why not GND filters or bracketing, advanced AI selections, and the final image in the OM-1 or Workspace?

Olympus EM1 III with 12-45mm f4.0 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/640. I applied my new Fuji Color Chrome effect to the Enhanced Raw File.

What could a real OM-System camera be like?

OM-System should assume a leading role and exit the sensor size and autofocus cycle. The new OMS camera should be like the Pen F, EP-7, and Fuji X100V with a new User Interface and a 20MP high-sensitivity BSI MOS sensor with the smallest M43 noise floor. The target segment should be street, family, travel, event, and hobby photographers. Focus on creative AI features versus AF AI. The new camera's AF system should be a clever derivative of the EM1 III (OM-5) AF system.

See this article for more about a new OM-System camera.

The focus should be creativity, flexibility, IQ, profiles, and a Workspace App for tablets and Mobiles. Study the unique needs of the target segment with new AI, computational, and creative features. You will be surprised to see which of my articles are most popular and by what margin...

Olympus EM1 II with 12-40mm f2.8 Pro lens - ISO200, f7.1, 1/800. My new Fuji Color and FX-Blue Chrome effect with the Enhanced Raw Format.

There is no reason why OM-System shouldn't excel...

Olympus EM-1 MKI with 60mm f2.8 macro lens - ISO100, f10, 1/50. My new Fuji Color Chrome effect with the Enhanced Raw Format.

Let's talk history and compare older OMDs to the OM-1 II.

Most of the features manufacturers rave about are unused statistics for most. For example, many don't care if the camera does 120fps with C-AF or videos in 6K 10-bit for more than 30 minutes. These features are designed for niche applications like Pro Photographers and Videographers working for corporate clients, and only promoters like reviewers track a bird's eye hiding in the trees.

I posted many examples in the past showcasing the high levels of unique and creative freedoms older OM-D and PEN cameras offer street, hobby, and travel photographers in 2024. Study examples like the EM10 II and EM1 MKI with the Enhanced Raw Format. That's not even mentioning the EM5 II or Pen-F. Just imagine the loyalty OM-System would enjoy if they celebrated the Olympus label.

With the correct pricing, which of the Professional cameras below matches your needs for 2024..?

Olympus OM-D E-M1 MK3

I never considered the MKIII being influenced to think it's a minor upgrade. I used my MKII for +4 years before reacting to a special on the MKIII. What a surprise when I learned just how different it was. It felt like Olympus guarded this BIG surprise until the improved features and IQ of the EM1 III.

I updated this OM-System slide for the Olympus EM1 III.

Olympus OM-1

The Olympus OM-1 was the final building block or R&D achievement of the Olympus Imaging Business. It reminds me of top designs like the EM5s, EM1, EM1 II/III, and Pen-F. It takes an effort to go back in time and remind myself how Canon and Nikon continued to sell DSLRs. Olympus assumed a winning role, became a trendsetter, and achieved fascinating mirrorless results in a DLSR world. 

It took large sums of counter-marketing dollars to smear these achievements.

OM-System used these slides during the launch of the Olympus OM-1 in 2023.

OM-System OM-1 MKII

Should one expect similar functional and IQ gains as the previous EM1 III? You won't find honest and factual information about the OM-1 II on social media. For example, I am so grateful that all my Oly lenses are "good copies."😏 According to social media experts, having 3 Olympus lenses without one flawed copy is nearly impossible. Guess what the first OM-1 II AF videos will be like? 

This is one of the best video presentations on the OM-1 II. It's in German but worth watching for our English-speaking friends because the presenter used OM-System slides. The OM-1 II improvements might be similar to the Olympus EM1 III in overall performance and Image Quality..?

This is the slide OM-System Ambassadors used for the OM-1 II launch.

Conclusion

One of the more troubling changes in the past years is dishonest marketing. This has become one of the most rewarding research activities for those seeking accurate info. How should one navigate this landscape? The best option is to question social media statements, learn more about the subject, and create personal references like testing products before buying them.

All the above slides are copies except for the EM1 III slide. I created it for this article. This OM-1 II presentation (12:15) from OMS showed 7EV IBIS for the OM-1. The original slide from 2023 shows 8EV. Here is the original 2023 OM-System video (3.54). The OM-1 specs confirmed 8EV...

Best Regards

Siegfried

A few casual photos from my Olympus Pen EP-7

 Last Updated:- 14th April 2023

Everything changed as I uncovered more technical information about digital cameras. I spent months searching and studying credible information about cameras. Did my image quality benefit from this learning curve? For example, how much does a new camera or fine-tuning my exposure with the SNR to ISO ratio improve my results for 2023? My first reaction is not much. The correct answer is not a fixed improvement because most image quality improvements vary from case to case.

Pen EP-7 with 75mm f1.8 - ISO250, f2.0, 1/160 - Raw edited with WS - Pop ART filter adjusted + soft focus. 

We also need to consider the technical aspects of image quality. A basic description of image quality should always include things like shadow, midrange, and highlight data. The next step is optical variables like DOF, focusing, and composition. Most cameras capture good tonal data in the midrange and highlight areas. A common challenge is capturing good shadow data.

You will find my overview/review of the Pen EP-7 here.

This is the most exciting configuration for the Olympus PEN EP-7. The 17mm f2.8 lens is fantastic...

The critical part of studying digital cameras is finding creditable info while staying focused on the fun part of digital photography, image editing, and the camera. For example, always keep a camera with you? It's a simple measure of having a healthy passion for photography. It's sometimes difficult, but people appreciate discretion, and nothing is as rewarding as sharing your results.

The Olympus PEN EP-7 captures good shadow details and is small enough to always keep with you. I like the above configuration with the 17mm f2.8 or f1.8 Zuiko lenses and the Olympus Optical Viewfinder. The Zuiko 17mm f2.8 lens oozes creativity and is almost always on my Pen EP-7. I have an older black/gray Olympus shoulder bag for my Olympus Pen F or EP-7. The 17mm f2.8 is also one of a few M43 lenses that are excellent for recording 3D-looking images.

Many photographers like a "3D look" or a sense of depth in their images? How does one create this 3D look? With the lens, composition, background blur, leading lines, or shadows?

The combination between Workspace, the Enhanced Raw Format, and Olympus cameras benefit the look and feel of our final images. It also improves the photographer's creative process while editing with WS or photographing the "edited" version of the photo with the camera. Practice these skills in the camera and Workspace. This process should be an integral part of your photography.

The EP-7 has just enough features to stay focussed on photography. How many knew 90% of the Pen F or EP-7 and Workspace settings are the same? For example, the highlights and shadows function is part of the camera's exposure calculation. Neutral gray changes as we set the highlights, shadows, or exposure compensation. We can adjust or correct this in the camera or Workspace.

For more about Workspace and the Enhanced Raw Format, study this article.

How many of you saw the ART filter upgrades in Workspace or some of the newer Olympus cameras, like the EP-7? They are great for tweaking these final ART filter effects. Target primary or secondary colors or any opposite combinations in the scene. See the examples below and study this link.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Color Creator 9:0.

EP-7 with 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 - ISO200, f6.3, 1/60 - DxO PhotoPack Generic Fuji Provia filter.

Olympus EP-7 w 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO400, f5.6, 1/80 - Raw edited in WS - Partial Color ART Filter

The above image is an interesting example. I used the Partial Color ART filter twice and combined the 2 results in Photoshop. I applied the Soft Focus Effect in the ART filter and adjusted the intensity with the Clarity and Dehaze sliders. I used a Color Filter in Workspace and duplicated the background layer in Photoshop to add a Soft Light Blending effect. It is possible to edit or adjust the intensity of each step. I used DxO FilmPack to select a frame for the image.

Pen EP-7 w 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO250, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Instant Film ART Filter w Soft Focus.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/400 - Raw edited in WS - MonoChrome Profile.

Pen EP-7 w 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/250 - Raw edited in Workspace - 1020 Color Profile.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO60, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - My own FujiFilm Velvia 100 Color Profile.

Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/1000 - Raw edited in WS - MonoChrome Profile + Color Filter.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Instant Film ART Filter.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Instant Film ART Filter.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/320 - Raw edited in WS - Pop ART Filter w Soft Focus. (Nice 3D Look)

Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Grainy Film ART Filter.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Color Creator 2:-1 - DXO PhotoPack Frame.

Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Diorama ART Filter.

This image was taken in South Africa. The EP-7 is a great little camera...

The new OM-5 signals the end of an era...

 Last Update: 20th November 2022

While watching the OM-5 launch videos, my first reaction was too little information or storytelling. My experience and perception of the launch changed when I realized the OM-5 is only a scaled-down version of the EM1 III. Clearly, the E-P7 and the OM-1 were the last R&D projects for Olympus, and the illustration below is an example of OM-SYSTEM "designing" the new OM-5. I couldn't help to picture the EM10 IV (OM-10) in this illustration.

MyOlympusOMD is a small photography blog with less than 200K views. My articles are a window into the information photographers want most. For example, more people read my color and Pen F series than any other subject. Another trend is the high interest in the E-P7 with its 4K video. Photographers like good image quality from the right technology and camera features.

See this link for more about the OM-SYSTEM strategy and THE OM-SYSTEM WAY...

Is the new OM-5 a good camera?

The answer is YES because we know the 2 cameras OM-System used to "design" the OM-5. If you like to learn more about the OM-5, study the EM5 III and the EM1 III. 

It's always good to also consider these 4 points:

1. The image sensor (study the type and specification of the sensor, not size)
2. The camera/lens combination (standard lenses, premium lenses, pro lenses)
3. The Image Processor (version and anything special about the Processor...)
4. Camera Firmware and Editing Software (critical aspects for any solution)

The OM-5 has the same Truepic IX processor as the EM1 III. The difference is a scaled-down version of the EM1 III firmware in the OM-5. Study this article for more on the 20MP sensors from Olympus.

Handheld High-Res image with the EM1 III and the 12-40mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/400 - Enhanced Raw File converted in WS.

Let's review a few questions from the YouTube launch videos.

1. Will we have better image quality with the OM-5?

The answer is NO. The OM-5 is based on the already good IQ from the EM5 III and EM1 III. The OM-5 might be the first camera with a unique OM-System color "science" or image look...

2. Will we have less noise from the OM-5?

There is no quick answer to this question. The OM-5, EM5 III, EM1 II, EM1 III, and EM1X all use the same image sensor. Improvements like the Truepic IX Processor increased the image processing power of the OM-5. Manufacturers use this processing power to replace some of the camera's hardwired features with new software solutions. This is how Olympus improved the EM1 II (V3) noise with a 1/3 stop. The EM1 III sensor also received an anti-reflective coating. 

Is it safe to say the OM-5 received all these improvements? This is important because we cannot say the same sensor is the reason they have the same image quality. One needs to review all the variables discussed in my articles between two cameras.

For example, DxO said the EM1 II sensor is the best M43 sensor they tested. Olympus said the Truepic IX processor has the same processing power as the 2 Truepic VIII processors in the EM1X. This enabled them to refine the EM1 III image quality and the high ISO + shadow noise control. Sensor sensitivity and the noise floor stayed similar for the EM1 II & III, EM5 III, EM1X, and OM-5.

We also know the default noise floor of the original EM1 20MP Live MOS sensor was relatively small. Sadly, only some photographers learned how to control image noise. For example, visible noise is a function of the camera's Exposure Mix and how well we Saturate the Image Sensor.

This example shows how little reflected light reached the sensor at ISO6400 - link.

In summary, manufacturers use the 7 steps below to improve IQ, and informed photographers use these steps to evaluate cameras. Only uninformed photographers follow "experts" and rely on the size of the sensor. The OM-5's image quality improvements are summarized in steps 4, 7, and maybe step 2. Did the EM5 III receive any additional anti-reflection sensor coatings..?

Study this article for more on the Exposure Mix and this article for more on SNR...

3. Is the OM-5 a good camera?

As discussed, the OM-5 is based on the older EM-5 III platform and the "new" EM1 III Truepic IX image processor. They are from the same factory as the EM5 III and probably the same manufacturing line. This is why it's safe to assume the OM-5 is a good "Olympus" camera.

4. Should we buy the OM-5?

The OM-5 will be a safe and inexpensive purchase. You should also consider the EM5 III, the EM1 II, or the EM1 III. The EM1 III is the most exciting Olympus camera I owned in years. It has all the upgrades one could wish for, from a 2016 camera. Olympus also "fine-tuned" the EM1 III image quality to a level I have never seen from any Olympus camera.

Olympus EM1 III with 12-200mm lens - ISO640, f6.3, 1/80 - Enhanced Raw converted in WS

Conclusion

OM-System took a few unique risks with the OM-5. Peter Forsgard mentioned a new OM-5 customer. Watching the launch videos, I recall thinking OM-System was targeting vloggers with the OM-5. It's easy to picture corporate marketers presenting smiling vloggers leaving their mobile phones behind to tell their stories with the new OM-5 in a vertical red box...

Timing is also a risk with the current low consumer confidence, supply chain problems, health crises, and events questioning global leadership. Is the Olympus brand robust enough to survive another crisis? What would happen if existing customers think they were neglected by OM-System?

My EM1 III and iMovie on my iMac. See my Instagram

Relaunching a 2016 platform is a considerable risk. This is why I decided to introduce Fuji as an alternative to Olympus. Fuji is the closest brand to match Olympus's color and IQ philosophy, and Fuji shares many of the unique benefits we appreciate with Olympus and the M43 format. Please watch this excellent video from the RED35 YouTube channel about Micro Four Thirds.

See this link for more about the OM-5 and the "corporate" slide below...

An interesting "corporate" slide with the new corporate triangle and "making the OM-5 look advanced" strategy. - Source

One final thought. The competition moved on while OM-System repurposed and printed its logo on the EM-5 III. The result is a fascinating selection of technologies and innovations from the Sony A7R5, Sony FX30, Fuji X-H2S, Fuji X-H2, Fuji X-T5, Canon R6 II, and the Leica M6.

It's also possible to determine if manufacturers value customer feedback. Counter-marketers like to partner with camera reviewers and large photography forums. It's easy to list the priorities they are pushing on social media. Examples are camera menus, fully articulated displays, pro video features, and headphone outputs on "photography" cameras.

I respect Fuji for launching the new X-T5 as a photography camera. A clear separation between photo, hybrid, and video is long overdue. Olympus was good at having just enough video features while focusing on photography. A clear separation between photography and video will prevent camera reviewers from scoring headphone outputs on photography cameras or "grassroots" (staged) forum discussions pushing for fully articulated displays on all cameras. This excludes the absolute confusion on autofocus and what photographers and videographers prefer...

It looks like OM-System will keep the focus on photography with just enough video.

For more about marketing and social media, see this link.

Fuji X-T4 with XF18mm F3 R lens - ISO320, f5.6, 1/25 - The jpeg was prepared in Photoshop.

The Pen F is an example of two marketing realities. One is a popular creative camera with a large following, and the other is a counter-marketing campaign bashing the Olympus Imaging Business. Counter marketers used undisclosed promoters to target Olympus and spread rumors on photography forums. The Pen F became one of many arguments to discredit Olympus. 

Studying this review, the thought crossed my mind, who does more damage, and which of the above realities influenced the OMDS marketing team most as they created the OM-System product strategy? Taking Fuji.., does OMDS have the right D&A to be a genuine camera manufacturer?

Which one will be more popular in 2023, the OM-5, Fuji S10, or the new X-T5?

See this interesting report on the new X-T5.

Take care & God's Bless

Siegfried

This is an exciting camera for photographers, and the X-T5 description explains the SNR stayed the same. What does that tell us?

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 MZuiko Lens

 Last Updated:- 29th May 2022

I was interested in the 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 lens from the day it was first introduced. My wife has the 14-150mm f3.5-5.6 II which is almost permanently on her EM10 III. I tried the 14-150mm and while it's a fine lens, it's that extra reach and specification of the 12-200mm that kept me searching for a secondhand copy. What also kept me interested is the excellent images from this photographer.

The reason I prefer the more practical Standard and Premium MZuiko lenses is the size versus IQ ratio. Even though the 12-200mm reach a higher resale value, the general interest in this lens is high. I guess others like me saw the construction and specification of this lens are better than anything else in the 24-400mm zoom range. This made it easy to realize this is a serious lens.

Here are some of my thoughts after spending some time with this lens:-

• This lens has the potential to change my photography in terms of reach and framing
• It is a slowish "daylight" lens and it should be tucked away in my camera bag at night
• It's a great match for my Pen F or my  EM1 III, not too big, too heavy, or too obvious
• I tried ProCapture with our little dog and the AF system (AFC) was fast and accurate
• The lens is very sharp throughout its zoom range and its color, and definition is good
• This lens will definitely benefit from a fully saturated sensor, I need to work on this
• I like the close focusing distance as it's good for close-ups or distant framing options
• I like the unique 3D or spatial look you can achieve with this lens. This is interesting

As you see I have much to learn about this lens, and many more images to take before I can say I fully mastered the MZuiko 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 lens. 

I also thought the positive feedback from the German photography press is encouraging. You will find the original Olympus press release here. You know I don't trust supplier info, right?

You will see I have a wooden bottom plate for my EM1 III. This is the best option for my MKII and like so many other options, it's fully compatible with the MKIII. It's lightweight and extends the grip area just enough to make the camera and the 12-200mm lens a more comfortable combo.

I added a few images from my Pen F using this lens. I used the Olympus bottom plate to support the lens. It's not as comfortable as my EM1 III setup, but the Pen F more than makes up for that with its excellent color and image quality. You have to test it yourself, but from what I can see, the Pen F with the 12-200mm lens is one of those rare creative photography combinations.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 - ISO200, f7.1, 1/160, FL 200mm.

Another great combination is Workspace, the 12-200m lens, and the Enhanced Raw Format. The jpegs from this lens are sharp, the colors are strong, and the subject separation is excellent. No matter what, I found this lens is consistently sharp across the frame. I trust you are familiar with that one-dimensional image look from some lenses? I used to see that with Canon EFS lenses. The images from this lens are life-like and they have this kind of 3-dimensional look.

The Enhanced Raw Format also helped me to find the best camera settings for the 12-200mm. For example, it helped me to experiment with different Picture Modes and that's how I discovered the iEnhance Picture Mode is a good match for the 12-200mm. I use iEnhance "Low" for some of my lenses and Standard for others like the 12-200mm. The iEnhance "Standard" option helped me clean up the backgrounds and it also helps me create smoother backgrounds with great bokeh circles where possible. Let's allow Canon to explain bokeh...

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/160, -0.3EV, FL 200mm - Raw edited with WS - 3D look & great background.

I thought the 12-200mm will not be a low-light lens. This is a lens for daylight photography and I was more interested in the size benefit and the extra reach of this lens. In fact, I tried ISO200 with a fixed aperture of f7.1 for one full day and never had any issues with slow shutter speeds. 

This gave me the freedom to experiment with new focussing options and new framing angles. This lens could easily be the inspiration photographers are looking for. A good example is our little dog because I no longer need to go low down, all I do is take a few steps back and zoom in.

I think the above image is also interesting. The Panasonic LX1000 was made for general-purpose photography. The challenge with the LX1000 is its size and weight. I think the EM5 III with the 12-200mm lens is more flexible than any fixed lens camera like the Panasonic LX1000.

The 12-200mm has the same 400mm FL as the LX1000 plus we have the option to select smaller and faster lenses. If you study APC or full-frame cameras with the same FL range, then you will see there's no equivalent for the high specification of the 12-200mm lens.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO200, f7.1, 1/400, FL 100mm - Raw edited with Workspace.

It looks like Olympus did their homework when they planned and designed the 12-200mm. The design is good and the glass elements are some of the best. Add to that weather sealing, close focusing distances, and the more advanced autofocus mechanism and you are looking at a serious lens. It wouldn't surprise me to learn this lens is targeted in counter-marketing actions.

What are typical filters or so-called  "fact" statements one could expect to see?

• The lens is soft at this or that focal length
• For sharp results, up the aperture w 2 stops
• The manufacturing quality is not consistent...
• Example of cementing the "M43 diffraction issue"

Innocent forum discussions never give any proof or examples to support their "fact" statements. See the video in the article (link) below for more about these "grassroots" discussions.

If you're new to Counter-Marketing, any terminology, and how it's done, see this article.

Goto link1 and link2, to download two old brochures. See how real life is different from what we see in these "innocent" grassroots talks. See what camera settings (apertures) Olympus visionaries use when they photograph with the excellent and timeless MZuiko lenses...

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO200, f7.1, 1/500, FL 80mm - Raw edited with Workspace.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO200, f7.1, 1/125, FL 200mm - Raw edited with Workspace.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO200, f7.1, 1/400, FL 200mm - Raw edited with Workspace.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO1600, f6.3, 1/60, FL 200mm - Raw edited with PhotoLab 5.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/800, FL 200mm - Raw edited with Workspace.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO200, f7.1, 1/200, FL 90mm - Raw edited with Workspace.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/400, -0.3EV, FL 200mm - Raw edited with Workspace.

As you can see the 12-200mm has no problem with pointing it into the sun. I always use my lenses with a lens hood. I experimented with a few images like the one above and the extra reach of the 12-200mm made it possible to try new and different views using only the available light. I always found this kind of photography frustrating with shorter FL lenses.

Olympus 12-200mm lens - ISO200, f7.1, 1/320, FL 56mm - Raw edited in PhotoLab 5 and Photoshop.

I think the viewfinders on Olympus cameras are good. I tried the Panasonic G9 and found the view is just too big for my comfort. It felt like I had to step into the viewfinder to see it all. Comparing the EM1 III and the XT4 viewfinders are also interesting. The X-T4 is far better on paper but in normal use. I thought both the EM1 III and the X-T4 viewfinders are great and their visibility good.

The reason I think one needs a more capable viewfinder for the 12-200mm, is when pointing it into the sun or working with longer focal lengths. I think almost any EVF is good as long as you regularly use the camera. It's mostly a process of setting up the EVF and getting used to it.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO200, f7.1, 1/160, FL 200mm - Raw edited with PhotoLab 5.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO250, f6.3, 1/250, -0.3EV, FL 149mm - Raw edited with Workspace.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/100, FL 178mm - Raw edited with Workspace.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO1250, f6.3, 1/1600, FL 200mm - Raw edited with PhotoLab 5.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO1250, f7.1, 1/40, FL 149mm - Raw edited with PhotoLab 5.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/125, -0.3EV, FL 200mm - Raw edited with Workspace.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO1250, f7.1, 1/50, -0.3EV, FL 87mm - Raw edited in PhotoLab 5.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens, ISO1250, f7.1, 1/2500, -0.3EV, FL 200mm - Edited in PhotoLab 5.

The above image will benefit a saturated image sensor. As you can see I did the opposite by decreasing the exposure by -0.3EV. In fact, the EM1 MKII auto-exposure algorithm uses a bigger safety margin than the MKIII. It's safe to set a permanent "Exposure Shift" of +0.5EV for the MKII. This improves the tonal data and shadow details of the MKII. It does take a little more effort to check the histogram while photographing or correcting your 18% grey values in Workspace.

For more on the ISO versus SNR ratio or Saturating the image sensor go to this link.

Olympus 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens, ISO1250, f7.1, 1/1250, -0.3EV, FL 149mm - Jpeg out the camera.

Olympus 12-200mm lens - ISO200, f7.1, 1/400, FL 200mm - Raw edited with Workspace.

Olympus 12-200mm lens - ISO200, f7.1, 1/500, FL 12mm - Raw file edited with PhotoLab 5.

Olympus 12-200mm lens - ISO1250, f7.1, 1/125, FL 12mm - Raw edited with PhotoLab 5.

Olympus 12-200mm lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/400, FL 200mm - Edited in PhotoLab 5 and replaced the sky with Luminar 4.