43 Rumors » news

More E-M5 tidbits, future Olympus primes and Four Thirds system support (and UK preorders)

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:44:54 +0000

After that long announcement night I want to focus a bit on the Olympus interview at Clubsnap, on some E-M5 tidbits from Pekka Potka and first image samples.

1) Mr. Terada from Olympus interviewed by Clubsnap (Click here).
Sensor: Mr Terada says: “The new 16mp Live MOS image sensor produces lower noise at High ISO and boasts Dynamic Range that is a 1/3 improvement over current sensors. Combined with an advanced TruePic VI image processor, the results ensure superb color fidelity , at high resolution, sensitivity and colour accuracy.”
Future lenses: When asked about fast prime lenses he answers: “we can consider the possibility of faster and wider prime lenses.” And when asked about pancakes he says: “No comment ha ha. Its under consideration“.
Four Thirds system: “We continue to be firmly supporting the E-system”

2) Pekka Potka (Click here) is giving us many small interesting info:
EVF: Compared to the current external VF-2 viewfinder the built-in E-M5 viewfinder has “new optics allows also a wider diopter adjustment range between -4 to +2 diopter. Eye point is 18mm at -1“. And he says “the EVF real difference is the 120fps giving you a lot smoother experience with moving subjects and while panning.” And “Another improvement with moving subjects is a markedly shorter refresh time of EVF. E-M5´s new TruePic VI image processor has separate processors for saving images and LiveView. Now EVF seems to be on almost all the time. According to Olympus, the lag is shortened to 29ms. Stabilized EVF is another real breakthrough. Viewfinder image is always stabilized when in body stabilization (IBIS) is on. Always means here also video and with every lens.”
Sensor: “It might be the same sensor as in Panasonic GX-1 or not. Olympus doesn´t tell. Olympus is now using a version of their ”Fine Detail Processing” technology which was introduced in E-5. That is an implication of E-M5 having a thin low pass (AA) filter which is good for sharpness. Olympus is using their ”Real Color” technology which is related to used RGB array. E-M5 is reading the sensor at up to double speed compared to previous cameras and that has benefits in fps rate, continuous autofocus and video quality.”

3) There are only a few image samples:
At Olympus Japan you can find a couple of images of the same scene taken at ISO 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600 (Click on the ISO number to open the image in a new tab/window). What do you think about those images?

P.S.: There is a X-PRo 1 versus E-M5 voting on MirrorlessRumors!

——

Check price, specs and Preorders (with first UK preorders)

OM history

The E-M5 is the first digital OM camera that will be added to the long list of OM film cameras. Click on the names to see them on eBay (ordered by first announced camera): M-1, OM-1, OM-1 MD, OM-1N, OM-2, OM-2N, OM-2S/SP, OM-3, OM-3Ti, OM-4, OM-4T/Ti black and chrome, OM-10, OM-20 (OM-G), OM-30(OM-F), OM-40 (OM-PC), OM-77AF (OM-707), OM-88 (OM-101), OM-2000.

And here is a list of top OM primes: 21mm f/2.0 and 21mm f/3.5 lens, 24mm f/2.0 and 24mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/3.5 shift lens, 28mm f/2.0 and 28mm f/2.8 and 28mm f/3.5 lens, 35mm f/2.0 and 35mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/2.8 shift lens, 40mm f/2.0 lens, 50mm f/1.2 and 50mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/2.0 macro and 50mm f/3.5 lens, 55mm f/3.5 macro lens, 85mm f/2.0 lens, 90mm f/2.0 macro lens, 100mm f/2.0 and 100mm f/2.8 lens, 135mm f/2.8 and 135mm f/3.5 lens, 180mm f/2.0 and 180mm f/2.8 lens, 200mm f/4.0 and 200mm f/5.0 lens, 250mm f/2.0 lens, 300mm f/4.5 lens, 350mm f/2.8 lens,, 400mm f/6.4 lens, 500mm f/8.0 lens, 600mm f/6.6 lens, 1000mm f/11 lens.

Official: New Olympus E-M5 announced (continually updated)

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:56:09 +0000

Important: I will continually update this post with new links to news/previews image samples and preorders. But please do not reload the page every 30 second otherwise the server will crash Latest additions are always on top of each category:

Check price, specs and Preorders

Reviews, previews, interviews…

Click on ISO number to see the image sample: ISO 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600
ThePhoBlographer
Adminringlights and Gakuranman thoughts on the E-M5
75mm and 60mm lens info at Photographyblog, Quesabesde (spanish) and DC.watch (japanese).
Hands-on at Quesabesde (spanish).
Hands-on at ePhotozine.
Hands-on review at Techradar. And E-P3 versus E-M5 again at Techradar.
Pekka Potka
Hands-on at Engadget (with video)
HOT! The official OM website!
HOT! Preview at Dpreview
Super HOT!Full interview with Mr. Terada from Olympus at Clubsnap.

Interesting info

Olympus Australia says the new 75mmf /1.8 and 60mm f/2.8 lenses will be available by end of the year. What the hell???
Mr. Tarada (Olympus) said “The new 16mp Live MOS image sensor produces lower noise at High ISO and boasts Dynamic Range that is a 1/3 improvement over current sensors” About a possible future peaking feature: “I feel that magnified focusing is still better“. About future lenses: “Yes, we can consider the possibility of faster and wider prime lenses.”
In Japan (Click here) yo can order the body or kit and get either a free MMF-3 or 32Gb Class 10 SD card.

Image samples

Super HOT! Official Olympus image samples at Olympus Japan.
Sexy pictures of the camera at Kineda.
Hands-on pictures at Cnet USA.
http://blog.bergencountycamera.com/wp-content/gallery/olympus-e-m5/b1112958.jpg
http://blog.bergencountycamera.com/wp-content/gallery/olympus-e-m5/p1020152.jpg
http://blog.bergencountycamera.com/wp-content/gallery/olympus-e-m5/p1130148-sm.jpg
http://blog.bergencountycamera.com/wp-content/gallery/olympus-e-m5/s2221124-sm.jpg

Videos

Attaching the grip on the E-M5 on youtube.
Hands-on video review by Dpreview.
french E-M5 presentation on youtube
Olympus OM-D E-M5 hands-on video preview at TheVerge
Hands-on by Photographyreview on youtube.
HOT!Hands-on and speed test by ThePhoBlographer on youtube.
First video hands-on on youtube (by RedDotPhoto).

Press release

Imaging Resource
DC.watch (japanese)
Focus Numerique (french)
Photographyblog
Sansmirror
Olympus Japan (japanese)
Letsgodigital
Photoscala (german)
Quesabesde (spanish)
Cnet US
Visual Science Lab
PDN Pulse
Amateur Photographer
Dpreview
Olympus Australia
Olympus Australia E-M5 press release (.pdf).
Olympus lens press release (.pdf)

Poll

Before to vote read carefully all previews and reviews. Don’t jump to a conclusion too early

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Camera images (Click on image to enlarge)

(FT5) Full E-M5 specs leaked (via google cache)

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:36:54 +0000

A couple of hours ago I told you that the new sensor-imaging processor produces 40% less noisy images (compared to previous PNE cameras). And Olympus uses a very weak Anti-Aliasing filter following the tendency to reduce Moire via software (the Fuji X PRO 1 and the just announced Nikon D800E (Click here) don’t use any AA at all).In a few hours (2am London time) we will finally see if the image quality is really that good!

And finally a north american website leaked the full E-M5 specs. I found it through google cache and copied and pasted the text as I found it:

Memory card: SD Memory Card (SDHC, SDXC, UHS-I compatible, Eye-Fi Card compatible)
Sensor: 4/3 Live MOS Sensor 16.1 million pixels (total pixel 16.9 million pixels)
Dust reduction: Supersonic Wave Filter
Recording format: DCF, DPOF compatible / Exif, PRINT Image Matching III, MPO compatible
File format: RAW (12-bit lossless compression), JPEG, RAW+JPEG, MPO(3D still)
IS system: Built-in (Image sensor shift type for movie & still, 5-axis image stabilization) -> yaw/pitch/vertical shift/horizontal shift/rolling. Effective compensation range maximum 5 EV steps
Shutter speed range: 60 – 1/4000 sec. (Not available when Bulb is selected)
Electronic viewfinder: Eye-level electronic viewfinder, approx. 1.44M
Eye point / Diopter adjustment range Approx. 100% / Approx. 0.92x*1 – 1.15x*2 (-1m-1, 50mm lens, Infinity) *1 : at Finder Style 1, 2 (aspect 4:3) *2 : at Finder Style 3 (aspect 4:3)
Approx. 18mm (-1m-1, Distance from rear lens surface) / -4 ~ +2m-1
Available with Live Preview function button [custom function]
Level Gauge 2-axis level gauge; horizontal /vertical
Finder Style Selectable from 3 types
Brightness / Colour temperature control ±7 levels / ±7 levels
EyeCup Removable, Optional eyecup EP-11 is available.
LCD screen: Live view 100% field of view, Exposure compensation preview, WB adjustment preview, Gradation auto preview, Face detection preview (up to 8 faces), Grid line, Histogram, Magnification display (x5/x7/x10/x14) OFF Grid/ Monitor Display Types, Normal Mode, Grid Line Mode(4 types), Histogram Mode, Magnified View Mode, Magnification Ratio x5, x7, x10 (Default) x14.
LCD information: Aperture value, Shutter speed, Auto Bracket, AE Lock, AF mode, IS, Shooting Mode, Battery Check, Myset, Internal Temperature Warning, Face / Eye Detection, Histogram, Number of storable still pictures, Record mode, ISO, Sequential shooting, Self-timer, White Balance, Metering Mode, AF confirmation mark, Exposure Compensation Value, Spot metering Area
Flash Mode, Flash Status, Flash intensity Control, Super FP Focusing length, Tone control, Eye-Fi condition Display of Face Detection Max 8 frames of face detection can be displayed.
LCD Specs: 3.0-inch tilting OLED monitor, Approx. 610k dots, Touch control in electrostatic capacitance Type, Touch control Touch shutter release, Touch enlargement, Touch Live Guide, AF area selection, AF area enlargement, Frame advance/backward, Enlargement playback, Touch Super Control Panel, Tilting angle Upward tilting angle : up to 80 degrees / Downward tilting angle : up to 50 degrees, Brightness / Color temperature control ±2 levels / ±3 levels Color tone select Vivid / Natural
AF system: High-speed imager AF
Focus modes Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF)* / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / AF tracking (C-AF + TR) *
Full-time AF Available
Maginified frame AF Selectable from over 800 AF points
Enlarged view check by magnify button
Magnification x5, x7, x10(Default), x14 selectable
Face detection AF / Eye detection AF Available / Available
Eye Detection AF mode : OFF / Nearer-eye priority / Right-eye priority / Left-eye priority
Focusing point / Focusing point selection 35-area multiple AF / All target, Group target area (9-area), Single target
AF illuminator Yes
Manual focus assist Live view image is magnified when the focus ring is rotated. (at S-AF+MF or MF mode)
AF tracking
Metering system: TTL Image sensor metering. Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control
Metering range EV 0 – 20 (at normal temperature, 17mm f2.8, ISO 100)
Exposure modes: i Auto, P: Program AE (Program shift can be performed), A: Aperture priority AE, S: Shutter priority AE, M: Manual, Bulb, Time, Scene select AE, Art Filter, Underwater wide / macro* * Selectable from menu as a function on Fn-1/Rec button
Scene Select AE Modes: Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv., Wide Conv., Macro Conv., 3D * * Still image only
ISO sensitivity: AUTO: ISO 200 – 25600 (customizable, Default 200-1600) / Manual ISO 200 – 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable. Exposure compensation ±3 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps selectable
AE lock Locked at 1st release of shutter button (can be set to Fn1/Rec button). Metering standard value adjustment 1/6 EV step, +/- 1EV range
Shutter: Computerized focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed 1/4000 – 60 sec. (1/3, 1/2, or 1EV steps selectable.). Bulb: default setting 8min. (1/2/4/8/15/20/25/30 min. selectable.)
Flash: TTL Auto, Auto, Manual, FP-TTL AUTO, FP-MANUAL
Built-in flash: No
Bundled flash (FL-LM2): TTL flash, GN=10 (ISO200・m) / GN=7(ISO100・m). Flash mode Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual（1/1（FULL）～1/64). Synchronization speed 1/250sec. or less* (using the bundled flash) * It depends on flash models or flash mode
FL-50R: 1/180 sec., Exept FL-50R: 1/200 sec., Super FP: 1/125-1/4000 sec.
Flash intensity control Up to ±3 EV in 0.3, 0.5, 1 EV steps selectable
Compatible external flash FL-50/FL-50R, FL-36/FL-36R, FL-30, FL-20, FL-14, FL-300R, FL-600R
Colour Temperature 5500±400°Ｋ
Compatible external flash FL-50R, FL-36R, FL-300R, FL600R
Control method: Triggered and controlled by bundled flash (FL-LM2) ** Available on FL-LM1/ FL-600R. (Olympus Wireless RC Flash system compatible). 4 channels. Group Number 4 groups (External flash 3 groups + a bundled flash)
Drive mode: Single-frame shooting, Sequential shooting, Self-timer. Sequential shooting　 maximum　speed [Sequential shooting H mode] 9.0 fps. [Sequential shooting L mode] 3.5 fps　/　4.2fps 　in case of “I.S. OFF”.
Max. recordable pictures: on sequential shooting [RAW] Max. 17 frames (in seq. shooting L), Max. 11 frames (in seq. shooting H)
[JPEG] Up to full extent of data strage capacity (in seq. shooting L),
Max. 17 frames ( in seq. shooting H)
(with TOSHIBA SDHC UHS-I card R95-W80 8GB model, under Olympus test standard)
Self-timer Operation time: 12 sec., 2 sec. (cancel available)
Wireless remote control Not Available
Bracketing: Exposure bracketing 2, 3 or 5 frames in 0.3/0.7/1.0EV steps selectable, 7 frames in 0.3/0.7EV steps selectable. White balance bracketing 3 frames in 2, 4, 6 steps selectable in each A-B/G-M axis. Flash bracketing 3 frames in 0.3/0.7/1.0EV step selectable Art Filter bracketing i-Enhance, Vivid, Natural, Muted, Portrait, Monotone, Custom, Art Filters selectable
Art Filter: Mode (Variation / Effect) Pop Art (I, II / a.b.c.d.e.). Soft Focus ( – / c.e.) Pale & Light Color (I, II / a.b.c.d.) Light Tone ( – / d.) Grainy Film (I, II / b.c.d.) Pin Hole (I, II, III / d.) Diorama ( – / d.) Cross Proscess (I, II / b.c.d.) Gentle Sepia ( – / a.b.c.d.) Dramatic Tone (I, II / b.c.d.e.) Key Line (I, II / a.b.c.d.e.) Art Effect a. Soft Focus Effect b. Pin-Hole Effect c. White Edge Effect d. Frame Effect e. Star Light Effect
Movie: Recording format MOV(MPEG-4AVC/H.264) , AVI(Motion JPEG) Movie Mode MOV（MPEG-4AVC/H.264 ），AVI（Motion JPEG）
[MOV] Full HD: 1920(H)x1080(V), 59.94i Recording *3 20Mbps（Fine) *4 / 17Mbps（Normal) *4 : Aspect 16:9 HD: 1280(H)x720(V), 59.94i Recording *3, 13Mbps（Fine) *4 / 10Mbps（Normal) *4 : Aspect 16:9 *3 : Sensor output 30fps *4 : bitrate [AVI Motion JPEG] HD: 1280(H)x720(V), 30fps *4, Aspect 16:9 SD: 640(H)x480(V), 30fps *4, Aspect 4:3 *4 : Except for some of the Art Filters
Maximum Recording Times Full HD : Approx. 29min(Fine) / Approx. 22min(Normal)
HD : Approx. 29min(Fine) / Approx. 29min(Normal)
Movie Effect : One shot echo / Multi echo
Art Filter Movie, Aperture priority Movie, Shutter Priority Movie, Manual Shooting Movie
IS for Movie Built in (Image sensor shift type image stabilization)
IS1. mode only
AE Lock Avarable
Exposure control （Movie）
P: Program AE, A: Aperture priority AE, S: Shutter speed priority AE, M: Manual, Art Filter
* S mode and M mode : Shutter speed is limited in less than 1/30 sec.
Compression ratio Motion-JPEG Format : 1/12(HD), 1/8(SD)
File size:
MOV Format : Max 4GB
Motion-JPEG Format : Max 2GB
Recording format Wave Format (Stereo linear PCM/16-bit, Sampling frequency 48kHz)
Micophone/Speaker:
Stereo/Mono
Microphone function Wind Noise Reduction, Recording Volume
Audio dubbing possible for still pictures (up to 30 sec.)
Picture with Sound: 30sec.
Noise reduction:
At High ISO setting Off, Low, Standard, High
At Slow shutter speed Off, On, Auto
On : effective when shutter speed is slower than 1 sec.
Auto : effective when shutter speed is slower than 4 sec. (at ISO 200 or higher) or 8 sec. (at lower than ISO200)
Multiple exposures:
Number of picture / Function 2 frames / Auto gain, Exposing on Recorded picture(RAW)
INPUT/OUTPUT:
USB/AV/Remote controller connector Dedicated multi-connector [USB: USB2.0 High Speed, Video: NTSC/PAL selectable, Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 can be used.]
HDMI connector Micro HDMI （Type-D)
Flash attachment Hot shoe
Accessory Port 2 Dedicated multi-connector [Available for VF-2/VF-3, SEMA-1, MAL-1 and PP-1.]
PC interface USB 2.0 High Speed
TV interface HDMI (HD/Stereo Sound), VIDEO-OUT(SD/Mono Sound)
DC-in – [Optional Power Battery Holder HLD-6 has DC-IN jack for AC-3.]
Power requirements:
Battery BLN-1 Li-ion battery (included)
Power battery holder (Option) Power Battery Holder HLD-6
AC adaptor (Option) AC adapter AC-3 *Optional HLD-6 has DC-IN jack for AC-3.
Sleep mode Available (1/3/5 min. off selectable)
Number of recordable pictures Approx. TBD shots [IS ON, CIPA test standard]
(with BLN-1 and TOSHIBA super high-speed Class 6 SDHC 4GB card)
Weights/Dimensions:
Dimensions 4.8 inch (W) x 3.5 inch (H) x 1.7 inch (D)
[CIPA guideline compliant, excluding protrusions]
Weight Approx. 15 ounces [CIPA guideline compliant, with BLN-1 battery and Memory card]
Approx. 13 ounces [body only]
Temperature 32 ~ +104 (operation) / -4 ~ +140 (storage) Farhenheit
Humidity 30 – 90% (operation) / 10 – 90% (storage)
Box contents Body, Flash FL-LM2, Li-ion battery BLN-1, Li-ion battery charger BCN-1, USB cable, AV cable, Shoulder strap, OLYMPUS Viewer 2 (CD-ROM), Instruction manual, Warranty card

—–

This is the first digital OM camera that will be added to the long list of OM film cameras. Click on the names to see them on eBay (ordered by first announced camera): M-1, OM-1, OM-1 MD, OM-1N, OM-2, OM-2N, OM-2S/SP, OM-3, OM-3Ti, OM-4, OM-4T/Ti black and chrome, OM-10, OM-20 (OM-G), OM-30(OM-F), OM-40 (OM-PC), OM-77AF (OM-707), OM-88 (OM-101), OM-2000.

—-

Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct