Olympus just issued a new firmware update for the E-M1 and E-M10. It fixes soem quirks on both cameras:

E-M1 firmware Ver.1.4 (May.21 2014)

• AF response when using four thirds lenses has been improved.
• Stabilization of shooting in C-AF has been improved.
• Shooting images when using the remote control function of the smart phone application “OLYMPUS Image Share” now supports Art Filter, custom self timer, zoom operation when using the electric zoom, Digital Tele-converter, and Release mode.
  • * It is necessary to update to the latest version of OLYMPUS Image Share.

E-M10 Ver.1.1 (May. 21 2014):

• Image stabilization compensation while shooting videos has been stabilized.
• A 0 second setting has been added to Anti-Shock mode.

BMCC vs BMPC4k | Detail Comparison (Updated) from bradbell.tv on Vimeo.

E-M1 review at NeoCamera.
TowerJazz on Panasonic CIS Process Availability (Image sensor world).
Olympus Magazine May Edition at Olympusmag.

Eric: “Apparently my Olympus 12-40mm lens is fated to be a durability proof for the lens (thought by some to be fragile). I have another story of its surviving a near-death experience on my blog: http://www.seldomscenephotography.com/2014/05/18/denvers-union-station-architecture-and-how-not-to-treat-a-nice-lens/”

Justin: “Hi, I live in Melbourne Australia.  You can buy the Olympus O-MD E-M1 with 12-50 lens here at the moment and get $300 cash back from Olympus via redemption.  Plus, on top of that I received an email from a store called JB HI-FI today offering another $400.00 off!!  This is an email only offer and you need to print out the voucher and present it at the store.  I can’t find the $400.00 offer on their website, only via the email.  Ends Sunday 25th of may.  If you have an email address I can forward you the email they sent me.”

Heather: “I thought this list of 10 professional photographers who use the E-M1 for work might be of interest to those readers who are considering making the switch but are still on the fence. :- Bestmirrorlesscamerareviews.com”

Johannes: “Video Project for my University, recorded on the Panasonic G6:  http://macromedia-future-award.com/feiern-gehen-im-jahr-2039/ Please vote for us, we can win up to 5000€!“

A brand new Olympus patent discloses a small surprise. Olympus designed a 12-150mm f/4-6.3 Micro Four Thirds lens with in lens stabilization! It’s likely that Olympus plans to release this as a perfect Powerzoom lens dedicated for video that could work fine on both Olympus and Panasonic cameras.

Source: Egami.

Olympus disclosed the full financial report for the year 2013. You can find plenty of documents here: http://www.olympus-global.com/en/ir/. The most important file is that pdf (download here).

While the good news is that the company as a whole is doing just fine the main problem is their Imaging Business. They failed to achieve their goals and showed a new loss in 2013. Furthermore Olympus now expects a loss for 2014 too. A great analysis has also been posted by Thom Hogan at Sansmirror. Here are a couple of key points:

– Olympus main loss is due the decreasing compact camera market. Also mirrorless system camera sales weren’t as high as expected.
– Olympus plans to reduce investment in the compact camera business (V-line is dead for example). They will focus on high-end mirrorless system cameras.
– Focus is on OMD models rather than PEN
– Olympus expects a small growth in mirrorless camera sales this year.
– Good news: Olympus didn’t make major cuts in Research and Development. It means they keep pushing MFT! Olympus also says that resources from the compact camera division will be used for the MFT system development.
– Olympus wants to streamline their sales line too (more direct sales and focus on cities).

So it’s not a surprise that we will get one new PEN “Only” (the E-Pl7). And I expect some high end MFT products at Photokina.

Here is the full report: