PetaPixel: OM System Considering AI Upscaling for Low-Resolution Sensors

PetaPixel had a chat with OM System’s Kazuhiro Togashi, Vice President of Brand Strategy and Product Planning at OM. Here are some tidbits:

OM System has carved out a strong niche in the world of photography, particularly among travel, adventure, and birding enthusiasts. Its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras (Amazon) are lauded for their portability and advanced computational photography features — but they’ve also faced criticism for lagging behind the competition in sensor resolution.

In a recent interview with Petapixel, OM System executives revealed they are exploring artificial intelligence (AI) upscaling as a way to deliver higher-resolution images without compromising speed or other performance metrics. The move could represent a clever solution to the hardware limitations inherent in the compact MFT format.

The Resolution Trade-off
OM System’s engineers have long prioritized speed and computational performance over raw megapixel count. Increasing sensor resolution would require a completely new sensor and faster processing hardware, which could risk slowing down autofocus and advanced software features that are central to OM cameras (Amazon)’ appeal.

Computational Photography at the Core
OM has been at the forefront of in-camera computational tools, such as Live ND and Live Composite, which allow photographers to capture creative effects without post-processing. However, these features rely heavily on fast data pipelines — and higher-resolution sensors would significantly increase the data load.

AI to the Rescue?
Rather than overhauling hardware, OM is evaluating in-camera AI-driven upscaling techniques similar to those found in software like Adobe’s Super Resolution or DxO’s DeepPRIME. This technology would allow photographers to shoot at the camera’s native resolution and let the camera intelligently upscale files, enhancing detail and reducing noise.

This approach mirrors Canon’s recent inclusion of AI upscaling in the Canon EOS R5 Mark II (Amazon) and Canon EOS R1 (Amazon), though OM System believes its own implementation can deliver even better results thanks to its expertise in computational imaging.

The Future of OM Photography
Beyond AI upscaling, OM continues to invest in new computational tools, like the recently demonstrated “Live GND” feature for landscape photographers, and promises to roll out more innovative software features that maximize the MFT platform’s strengths.

For photographers who value speed, portability, and cutting-edge in-camera processing, OM System’s AI ambitions might strike the right balance between resolution and performance — and help keep MFT relevant in an increasingly full-frame world.

Explore OM System Gear:
OM System OM-1 Mark II (Amazon)
OM System OM-5 (Amazon)
OM System Travel Photography Kits (Amazon)