Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II – Firmware 2.0 with Gavin Hoey

Robin Wong writes:

Firmware 2.0 for E-M1 Mark II was a minor upgrade. There was no rework of features or huge improvements. Unlike the multiple firmware upgrades for the original 2013 E-M1 that fixed the shutter shock issue, better burst sequential shooting from 6.5 fps to 9 fps, silent shutter option, better video functions (options to shoot at 24 and 25p) and the introduction of important game-changing features like live composite.

Personally, my wish-list of improvements for the E-M1 Mark II in future firmware upgrades are as follows:
1) Ability to group the burst sequential shots together in a folder, and enable quick selection during playback to decide which images to keep, and an option to delete the entire lot of unwanted batch of images at once.
2) Improved in-camera software correction and image optimization for non-Olympus Micro Four Thirds lenses. Come on, show some love for Panasonic lenses!
3) A quick shortcut for Live View Boost ON/OFF as a customization option for the Fn buttons on camera. I found myself switching back and forth from live view boost on and off from time to time, especially when I deal with flash photography.
4) Automatic switch to use of electronic shutter for shutter speed faster than 1/8000 sec. It is troublesome having to manually set this when needed. Now that there are plenty of F1.2 prime lenses available, to make full use of these lenses shooting wide open, higher shutter speed up to 1/32000 using electronic shutter can make a huge difference.

Something 43rumors readers like to add on that list?

45mm at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama and GetOlympus.

Lenstip published their full Olympus 45mm PRO lens review

A long list of assets with only one more serious flaw (bit high longitudinal chromatic aberration) and a record-breaking resolution performance – we don’t doubt that the Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 45 mm f/1.2 PRO deserves our ‘Editors’ Choice’ badge. Our summary is exceptionally short but there’s really nothing to talk about. It’s another excellent Micro 4/3 lens.

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Thanks Speeding and Tom!

Imaging Resource added the E-PL9 shots to their comparison database. As expected the E-PL9 performs just as well as any other MFT with the same sensor.

GH5s at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, FocusCamera and Panasonic

Image courtesy www.photobyrichard.com

Richard writes:

“In this short video, I’ve compared the two Leica telephoto lens for micro four thirds cameras: Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.4 Leica DG 200mm f/2.8 Review with both 1.4x TC and 2.0x TC Which one is the better lens? which lens is sharper? Check out the video to find it out yourself. For 100% crop photos (all shot on a Lumix G9), please check my website: http://www.photobyrichard.com/reviewb… Camera equipment used to film this video: Panasonic Lumix G85 | Lumix 12-60mm Sennheiser MKE 400 microphone”

Street Photography with Panasonic Lumix GX9 & Leica 15mm f/1.7

Lumix GX9, death of the GX line? (Tysonrobichaudphotography).
GX9 sample gallery at Dpreview.
Toma de contacto de la Panasonic Lumix GX9 – Un cruce entre la GX8 y la GX80 (AlbedoMedia).

Georg: “My thoughts on the GX9:
First of all…i am not a professional photografer. I learned on a fully mechanical camera, a Practina from former east germany with Zeiss Jena lenses, which my dad gave to me. Then I moved to Contax and my first digital exchangable lens camera was a GF1. At the time I was convinced that m43 would become a big success because of the form factor. In short: no mirror, smaller sensor, smaller lenses, less weight. And I can still use my legacy Zeiss lenses, wich is great (I can highly recomed the Zeiss/Contax Olympia Sonnar 180mm with the 1,4 converter as an affodable version of the new Leica 200mm). Why do I say all this? I believe I am typical for the main m43 target group. While there are professionals using the system, many still argue they get better pictures with bigger sensors wich is hard to dispute, especially if you want really large pictures. 
And here we come back to the GX9. While being one of the prettiest cameras I have seen from Panasonic so far, I think it somewhat missed the target, unless you guys at Panasonic have an ace up your sleeves. 
I do like the thinking along the rangefinder-(Leica)style. They look toned down and generally have a smaller form-factor. The fake prism somehow draws attention and “rangefinder” is the format, that in my opinion takes the most advantage of the mirrorless m43 physics. But why skim back on the quality? This gap between the G9 and the GX9 is just too big. If I could I would wish for a camera the size of the GX9 with more of the “bells and whistles” associated with the G9. 
If you give us a more functional battery grip for bigger lenses and more power that doesnt cover any important orifice, I think everyone could be happy. Please keep the weather sealing of the G9 and give it the same “tank like” construction. Use the same sensor and IBIS of the G9, no flash needed. Oh…. and please be nice with the viewfinder!  A few more contols like those on the G9 would be nice as well. Personally I really like the wheel, the joystick and the function lever. 
All that said, I know, it is personal preference…but you do leave an entire slice of the cake for Oly. 
So in sumary, what would be great, is a Pana rangefinder version of the OLY EM-5III ;).”

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Preorders:
GX9 at BHphoto. Adorama. Amazon. FocusCamera.
ZS200 at BHphoto. Adorama. Amazon. FocusCamera.

Preorders: GX9 at BHphoto. Adorama. Amazon. FocusCamera. ZS200 at BHphoto. Adorama. Amazon. FocusCamera.

Let’s hear from reviewers what they think about the new GX9:

Imaging Resource.

“Overall, the Panasonic GX9 is a fun, lightweight and solid little camera. The image quality observed so far is quite nice, with the camera’s new OLPF-less sensor capturing lots of fine detail, pleasing colors and good dynamic range for a Four Thirds chip. Its performance is quite nimble, as well, making it an ideal companion for the street or travel photographer needing something quick, discrete and speedy.”

Photographyblog.

“The GX9 looks and feels most like the GX80, though there have been several tweaks to the body design. Our first impressions are that these changes are very welcome and the GX9 handles really well.”

ThePhoBlographer.

“I’m pretty pumped for the Panasonic GX9. It’s packing a lot of great autofocus algorithms, a tilting LCD screen, a tilting viewfinder, a touch screen, buttons that feel good, a new Venus engine, and of course that new L Monochrome D feature. Look out for it!”

Dpreview.

“Though I’ve only used it for a few days, I’ve found the Panasonic GX9 to be an easy-to-use tool to bring along on my weekend trips, as long as I bring a battery or two to spare. The camera is quick enough so I don’t miss a shot and the photos that I’ve taken thus far look very good.”

CameraJabber.

“I was extremely pleased when I saw that for the latest GX camera, Panasonic had decided to use the smaller form factor. Having used it for a few days, I can also confidently say that it’s a great little camera to use.”

Also don’t forget to check out the video review by Photo Richard.