(UPDATED) Olympus releases the E-M5 firmware update!

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Today Olympus announces the release of new firmware for the OM-D E-M5 which offers the following improvements:
1) Improved sleep recovery operation
2) AF target indication when using C-AF+TR while shooting sequential images using Sequential L setting
3) Added function to automatically move focus to the following zoom positions when underwater macro mode or underwater wide mode is selected. (Only when M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50 mm F3.5-6.3 EZ is attached)
-Underwater wide mode: Wide setting
-Underwater macro mode: Telephoto setting

Additionally, there is an Olympus Viewer 2 application update for both Windows and Mac that delivers the following:
1) Added the function to edit movies taken by the camera (mov, mp4)
2) Added the function to upload images to “My Photos” on (ib on the net). ib on the net is available in Japan and the U.S.A — http://www.ibonthenet.com/ns/service/serviceOutline

Here are the updates:
>> Firmware Version 1.2 for the OM-D E-M5
>> Firmware Version 1.4 for Olympus Viewer 2 Software

There are two options for updating the firmware:
1) Simply launch the included Olympus camera software and connect the camera via USB cable to an internet connected computer. Choose the Update function from the Camera menu in the software to apply available updates for camera bodies, lenses and accessories.
2) Download the software updater from the following link:
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_downloads_updater.asp and follow the installer instructions.

With each method, users can choose to display information related to what the update will apply, prior to performing the update.
The ability to update the firmware of Olympus digital camera components, bodies, lenses, accessories, and take advantage of some of the latest technologies is one of the key advantages of Olympus’ 100% digital design.

UPDATE: Official apology to Ming Thein for the image I used without to write an appropriate text under it (although the image contained the link to his blog). Please understand that I am doing my best and mistakes can happen. In hurry I copied and pasted the image from an old blog post (not from Ming) and the text link wasn’t included. As you know I usually link to all blogs, so I am pretty upset for myself if a mistakes happens.  P.S. Would have fixed everything the much faster but had no Internet to see it. Hope it will be fine now!

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E-M5 preorder links:
Amazon, Adorama, B&H, Jessops, Amazon UK, Amazon Germany, Amazon France, Amazon Japan and Digitalrev.

Case:
There is the official [shoplink 31898 ebay]CS-36FBC Olympus case[/shoplink]. A [shoplink 31899 ebay]leather half case from Hong Kong[/shoplink]. A full [shoplink 31900 ebay]leather case with strap from Cina[/shoplink]. Than we have half cases from two well known producers, [shoplink 31901 ebay]Zelenpol[/shoplink], [shoplink 31906 ebay]Kaza[/shoplink] and [shoplink 31902 ebay]Gariz[/shoplink].

Batteries, and other things:
The [shoplink 31905 ebay]Olympus GS-4 strap[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 31903 ebay]DSTE E-M5 batteries[/shoplink] you have to use with an extra charger. There is an [shoplink 31903 ebay]E-M5 car charger[/shoplink] a [shoplink 31908 ebay]new E-M5 LCD screen[/shoplink] and a [shoplink 31909 ebay]Front Cover+ Top Panel[/shoplink].

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French Notes for 43rumor readers…

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I am sharing a bit of my current life experience also because it has a great influence on my daily 43rumors work. I arrived at my tiny little spot in the middle of the Pyrenees. And in these days it has been a challenge for me to get connected with my mobile Internet provider. Anyway, I am now working on a solution to get a faster and more reliable access. This is just to say that I am sorry if I don’t answer most of your mails. Right now when I am connected the only people I go in touch with is my family and the rumor sources :)

Regarding rumors: You may think this is a quit time in terms of rumor work but it is the quite opposite. Panasonic will announce new stuff next week (July 18th) and real BIG announcements from Olympus and again Panasonic are coming by end of August.

Regarding my little tiny life here: Since the first day I came here I am playing songs of Eddie Vedder almost every day. Feeling really free now, it’s nice to enjoy such a peace.

P.S: My friend Elena keeps posting the daily life experience in Greece at Greekdiaries.me. Check it out if you are interested to learn more.

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USA: All E-M5 kits to be available on July 30th (may be better to wait for the GH3)

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Five months after the E-M5 presentation it’s still hard to find the E-M5 in Stock in US stores. According to BHphoto (Click here) all kits will be avialable on July 30th. And I guess this is just a rough estimation. At that point you may wait until mid-August to see how the new GH3 will look like :)

Yesterday I told you that the GX1 with 14-42mm kit lens sells now for less than $500 at Amazon (Click here) and that’s exactly $38 cheaper than the body only version! Today also the price of the GH2 with kit lens (Click here) is matching the price of the body only version (Click here). Sometimes marketing is a real mystery!

E-M5 preorder links:
Amazon, Adorama, B&H, Jessops, Amazon UK, Amazon Germany, Amazon France, Amazon Japan and Digitalrev.

 

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(FT4) Only two PEN cameras at Photokina (FT3) E-Px line to be discontinued?

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[shoplink 23568][/shoplink]

According to two sources Olympus will announce two new PEN cameras at Photokina in September. And I am still not sure but it sounds like the E-Px line will be discontinued. The E-Px series started with the glorious [shoplink 28308 ebay]E-P1 (which I still use daily)[/shoplink] and now is represented by the [shoplink 23568]E-P3[/shoplink].

Basically the [shoplink 23567]E-PL3[/shoplink] and [shoplink 23568]E-P3[/shoplink] will merge into one camera. The [shoplink 23565]E-Pm[/shoplink] series will continue to be the cheapest of all Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera series.

Anyway, I don’t think that is all what’s coming from Olympus at Photokina. There may be some other camera suprise…

UPDATE: The author of the.me contacted me to say that actually he thinks the E-PX will get an overhaul next year. My info is that the E-Px system as you know will completely disappear.

Links to all PEN models:
E-P3 at [shopcountry 23568].
E-P2 at [shopcountry 14830].
E-P1 at [shopcountry 28308].
E-PL3 at [shopcountry 23567].
E-PL2 at [shopcountry 18844].
E-PL1 at [shopcountry 14832].
E-PM1 at [shopcountry 23565].

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

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Damian McGilliCuddy is already testing the new generation of PEN cameras!

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Damian MCGilliCuddy just “confessed” that he is testing the new Olympus cameras. He writes: “I know its an age since my last update… simple fact is we have been VERY busy working on a few “secret” projects for Olympus and Ephotozine… August will see these start to come to light ;0) ”

I can tell you that he is for sure testing the new PEN cameras and the info he got us is that very likely the announcement will be made in late August, a few weeks before the Photokina event. I am right now working on the PEN camera rumors and hope to share some reliable FT4-FT5 rumors as soon as I can.

 

P.S: I am working in unusual conditions with slow connections form the Pyrenees. Please excuse me if I am not answering all your emails :=)

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Reminder: Two Four Thirds cameras prototype specs (maybe a hint for an innovative new viewfinder)

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Over one year ago a top source sent me the info about two Four Thirds camera prototypes. It may be useful to repost it to discuss what of the mentioned features could be implemented in the future E-7. I doubt both prototypes cameras will ever get on market:

“1) The E-P3 prototype (fake name) has a new 15 Megapixel sensor produced by Panasonic. It has a new focus-system with 19 points in continuous mode and 11 points in single mode. The eight new points are just assisting and cannot be selected manually. The new autofocus is very good, but not as good as the professional Nikon or Canon cameras. It has 8fps (frames per second). The viewfinder is the same us the [shoplink 15032]E-3[/shoplink] but it has a kind of “translucent overlay”. That makes it possible to see the histogramm, gridlines and the digital level. The Design of the camera is an evolution of the E-30 design. There is also a new HDvideo mode.

2) But there is also a second FourThirds prototype that he is testing. The name is E-P330 (again a FAKE name). It is be very similar to the current E-330. It has a similar technology to the Sony A33/55, but it does not have a translucent mirror, it has some kind of liquid chrystal mirror. The advantage is that you have no light loss when you take the real picture. The mirror can electronically change between 50% translucent and 100%. When you don’t take pictures it uses 50% of the light for the AF-system and 50% for the sensor. When you take the picture it uses the full 100% alight source. The disadvantage is that it is not as fast as the Sony technology and you do not have any AF if the mirror is at 100%. The prototype iuses the same E-620 AF-system. The viewfinder is integrated in the body and has the same specs as the VF2 for MicroFourThirds. The LCD can be tilted and it uses the same [shoplinkshoplink] sensor. It takes movies with 720p. You can use an external microphone. [shoplink 14826]Panasonic GH1[/shoplink]”

 

That second model sounds particularly intriguing. Early this year Olympus chiefs unveiled that one of the key technologies they are working on is the Viewfinder.

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