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Do Micro Four Thirds cameras have a future?
For years, photographers and industry pundits have predicted the demise of the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera system. Many believe that the smaller sensor has been superseded by APS-C cameras and the ever-growing lineup of full-frame mirrorless shooters. "Not suddenly, but slowly over the course of the next couple of years," photographer and author Tony Northrup said in a YouTube video last October. The upload, which attracted more than 200,000 views, triggered a wage of counterarguments from prominent MFT users like Peter Forsgård, Joseph Ellis and others. Six months later, there's still no consensus.
With video in mind, Olympus introduces the E-M5 Mark II
The original OM-D E-M5 has had a great run since being announced roughly two years ago, but it's time for an upgrade. Accordingly, Olympus is taking the wraps off of the E-M5 Mark II, a Micro Four Thirds camera that aims to go head to head with the likes of Sony's recently released A7 II and other similar mirrorless shooters. Olympus says that the second-generation E-M5 isn't here to replace its flagship OM-D camera, the E-M1 -- though it very well could, at least on paper. And even though it is very similar in looks to its predecessor, the E-M5 Mark II brings enough internal changes to make it a worthy successor. For starters, it packs a redesigned 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor, coupled with a TruePic VII image processor, an upgraded 81-point autofocus system, a 40-megapixel high-res shot mode, a 3-inch (articulating) touchscreen and WiFi.
Olympus' E-M1 camera gets a silver hue and a slew of pro features
Olympus' OM-D E-M1 may still be hot stuff as far as high-end mirrorless cameras go, but it's easy to point out flaws: it's missing a few big pro features like tethering, and that businesslike black exterior isn't very charming. Well, consider both problems licked. The company has just unveiled both a retro (and fairly stylish) silver edition of the E-M1 and, more importantly, a big 2.0 firmware update that could help you make a living from your photos. To begin with, tethering has arrived; like with other camera systems, you can both send photos to your PC as you shoot and control the camera from the computer's screen. It's now easy to use the E-M1 for studio shoots or live events, where you often need to put your photos on a computer as quickly as possible. The refresh also lets you correct lens distortion in-camera, and preview long exposure shots like you can with the E-M10. Olympus' smartphone app is more useful, too, offering support for self-timed photos, timelapses and speed-sensitive panning shots.
Olympus' small and mighty E-M10 is priced to sell (hands-on)
It's been more than two years since Olympus unveiled its OM-D E-M5, but that camera's retro-inspired design is clearly here to stay. The latest model in the series, the E-M10, is priced more like a step-up camera than a flagship, but it hardly skimps on features, with the same 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor and classic good looks as 2012's flavor. There's also a very nice collapsable 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens with an integrated cap, a sharp 3-inch tilting touchscreen, an integrated 1.44-megapixel EVF and built-in WiFi with a unique QR-code interface for easy pairing with the Olympus Image Share companion app. You also get an 8 fps (single autofocus) burst mode, 1080/30p video shooting, a 25,600 top ISO and 3-axis sensor-shift image stabilization (down from the 5-axis version included with the E-M5).
Olympus' tiny OM-D E-M10 mirrorless camera arrives next month for $700
Olympus has just made an offer that may be too good to refuse for those who couldn't afford the $1,000-plus OM-D EM-1 or EM-5 mirrorless cameras. It just launched the much more compact, but equally good-looking OM-D EM-10 Micro Four Thirds model for $700 (body only) or $800 with a 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. For that, you'll get many of the features from the higher-end cameras: the EM-5's 16-megapixel sensor with the TruePic VII image processor from the EM-1, 25,600 max ISO, built in WiFi, a 1.44-megapixel electronic viewfinder from the EM-5 and 8fps high-speed sequential shooting with 81-point AF (or 3.5fps with continuous autofocus). Unlike the EM-5 or EM-1, there's only 3-axis image stabilization instead of 5-axis, and the body also lacks the weather sealing of its pricier siblings. To go with the new camera, Olympus also announced another 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 power zoom lens that shrinks to nearly pancake proportions for $350, and a lightweight 25mm f/1.8 lens for $400. If less weight, less money and only slightly fewer features are sounding good, it'll arrive by the end of February -- check the source for more. Update: The article originally said the OM-D EM-10 had the EM-1's sensor with no optical low-pass filter. In fact, it has the EM-5's sensor and the image processor from the EM-1. The post has been updated to reflect that.
Olympus hangs $57 million loss on austerity, strong yen and declining compact camera market
Olympus is reporting a $56.7 million loss for its first quarter of 2012. While its coveted medical imaging arm remains profitable, its life-science and industrial unit suffered thanks to corporate belt-tightening. Unsurprisingly, its low-end compact camera market is shrinking, but sales of its OM-D E-M5 ILC increased by 50 percent, offsetting some of the losses and reducing operating losses from $89 million last quarter to $19 million in this one. Like many of its Japanese rivals, it's also found a strong yen has stifled its return to productivity, a trend that isn't likely to change soon.
Olympus scales back, shifts focus to turn around fortunes
Beleaguered camera maker Olympus vows to shed around 2,700 jobs and heavily restructure its business following a major accounting scandal. That works out that around seven percent of its total global workforce will be cut, with Olympus also aiming to sell unused property and close its Philippines plant over the next two years. The Japanese manufacture will also refocus on profitable imaging, medical and life-science departments -- presumably fields that would-be suitor Panasonic's also interested in. Update: Or perhaps not.
Panasonic gearing up to offer $635 million bailout to save troubled Olympus (update)
Panasonic is reportedly putting the final touches to a 50 billion yen ($635 million) bailout package to save Olympus. Panasonic will become the largest shareholder of the scandal-ridden camera maker, reeling from a $1.7 billion accounting fraud uncovered last year, with an eye on getting a foothold in Olympus' profitable medical imaging business. It gives us hope that the current range of blockbuster shooters including the OM-D won't be sacrificed in a last-ditch attempt to make the books balance. Update: Outgoing Panasonic president Fumio Ohtsubo has strongly denied the reports, saying that there's no company plan to invest. That clears that up, then.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera review
More Info Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera preview (video) Cameras, Olympus OM-D E-M5 five-axis sensor-shift image stabilization hands-on (video) Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera to ship on March 31st? (update: now April) Stepping across the great DSLR divide into the land of mirrorless cameras always requires some compromise. Focusing speed, image quality, lens compatibility and battery life are frequent casualties, but for everyone except professional shooters, the size and cost benefits of swapping a full-grown beast for a compact ILC surely help soften the blow. The latest Micro Four Thirds model from Olympus, the OM-D E-M5, adds functionality that expand that list of betterments even further, allowing more versatility than larger DSLRs have to offer. These perks include a water-resistant design, for starters, along with a nifty lens that offers macro shooting and both manual- and powered-zoom in one compact package. One area where the 16-megapixel E-M5 does match the footprint of its full-size brethren is in price: you'll drop a cool grand for the body alone, while the 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 lens kit will bump that tag up another $300. Make no mistake, the E-M5 is a fantastic camera, but $1,300 is mighty steep for any mirrorless model, especially one with a Micro Four Thirds sensor. This, however, is no ordinary MFT camera. As the first model in Olympus's OM-D line -- taking design cues from the company's popular line of OM film cameras -- the E-M5 is in a class of its own, at least as far as Olympus's portfolio is concerned. Besides physical appearance, perhaps, the most notable selling point is its focus speed: press the shutter release, and your subject comes into clarity with rapid-fire precision, whether you're shooting in bright sunlight or a dark restaurant. But though the E-M5 has already received accolades for its powerful focusing, you might be wondering how the whole package performs. Meet us past the break to find out.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera to ship on March 31st? (update: now April)
If a ship date pops up on Amazon for a date in the not-so-distant future, we're typically inclined to listen up -- after all, the world's largest e-tailer probably has a fairly good idea of when its products will first leave the warehouse. This time, it's the Olympus OM-D E-M5, which just appeared on the distributor's Japanese site with an estimated release date of March 31st. There's no mention of a date on the company's U.S. site, however, so it's still unclear whether or not the Micro Four Thirds cam will hit North American shores on the 31st as well. Still, unless a trip to Japan is in the cards for the end of Q1, your best bet for getting early access to the highly-anticipated mirrorless cam would probably be to get your pre-order on at our coverage link below.Update: We're now seeing US retailers listing the device with an April 10th release date. Check the More Coverage links below.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera preview (video)
Olympus has embraced the camera designs of yesteryear for several generations, from its first Micro Four Thirds models to last year's E-P3. But now the Japanese camera maker is stepping up its retro game, announcing a brand new line of Micro Four Thirds cams. Meet the OM-D. A dramatic departure from the more modern-looking PEN cameras, this new line of mirrorless models, specifically the E-M5, in many ways duplicates the design elements of the 1970s-era OM System. The first consumer camera in that SLR lineup, the OM-10, served as clear inspiration for the slightly boxy, black or silver and black magnesium alloy digital model we have today. We were able to spend some time with the Olympus E-M5 before tonight's announcement, and were very impressed with what we saw. Jump past the break for our impressions and an Olympus-guided video walkthrough, and thumb through the gallery below for a detailed look at the company's answer to the Fujifilm X-Pro1.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 leaks continue, 'super fast' AF and 3D tracking system on the way?
A certain purported Olympus Micro Four Thirds shooter has been anything but shy prior to its official unveiling (whenever that happens). Now, 43 Rumors is keeping the intel flowing with tidbits it received from a "super European source." The fresh bits suggest the E-M5 could sport a "super fast" autofocus and 3D tracking system, an external "weather-sealed" GN10 flash and additional filters. And, if rumors are to be believed, you'll be able to see the effects of the image stabilization through the electronic viewfinder. Though your skep-alarm should be on high alert, we can't keep you from believing, so hit up that source link to find the rest of the alleged details.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 shots orchestrally maneuver out of the dark
Would you look at that? According to PhotoRumors, that chunk of retro beauty is purportedly a full-on snap of Olympus' new OM-D Micro Four Thirds shooter (from an Amazon Japan listing that's since been pulled) affixed with its optional battery grip (adding what appears to be a secondary shutter button). That, or someone knows exactly what makes us go "Oooh." The chunky '70s stylings make us fear we'd abandon our career to go become a war photographer if one of those was placed in our hands. 43Rumors believes the unit will hold a 16.1 megapixel EDR CMOS, beefier than the 12.3 sensor inside the PEN E-PL3, but we hope this new body (however beautiful it is) doesn't spell the end for the dinky PEN series. If that wasn't enough, that Amazon listing we mentioned also pointed out a 1.44-megapixel electronic viewfinder, a tiltable OLED display on back and a total weight of 454 grams with its kit lens attached. We've got a few more shots in the gallery below, with others rocking some serious cropping, but each is more deliciously teasing than the last. Joe Pollicino contributed to this report.
Olympus teases with leaked image of OM-D camera, saves the best for last?
Some would say that "one picture is worth a thousand words," but all we're visualizing here are a few camera-driven buttons and a small portion of Olympus branding. Though, 43 Rumors is claiming that this is indeed the soon-to-be new addition to the OM series, which is expected to get unveiled next month. Olympus is no rookie in the Micro Four Thirds game, so it shouldn't come as a surprise for the rumored specs to be a decent upgrade in comparison to its PEN shooters. Allegedly, the rig may sport a magnesium chassis, 16 megapixel sensor with HDR optimization, up to 25600 ISO and a 3-inch OLED swivel display (because Olympus knows you love gadgets with rotating screens), amongst other features. Tickle your fancy? Well, best start saving now, as word on the web is that it'll set you back a cool $1,100 when it's revealed.
