PHOTOKINA: After unveiling a new compact mirrorless interchangeable camera, the EPL8, yesterday, Olympus added one more announcement just as Photokina was about to open: A new flagship camera. The Olympus E-M1 Mark II boasts a 60fps silent shutter, 4K and C4K video, dual phase/contrast AF, a 50MP “high res-shot” option, and a top shutter speed of 1/32,000. Scheduled to officially launch on November 2, the E-M1 Mark II is claimed to deliver performance that rivals pro-level DSLRs.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Key Features:
• 60fps silent motor
• 4k and C4K video
• 5 axis IS
• Dual phase and contrast AF w/121 point
• 20mp sensor
• Dual memory slot
• 50mp high res-shot
• Tethered shooting possible
• 1/32,000 max shutter speed
• Weatherproof
• 37% longer battery life
The Olympus E-M1 has a new image processor, the TruePic VIII, which they claim is 3.5 times faster than its predecessor, and a newly designed Four Thirds 20.4MP Live MOS sensor. There’s a dual quad core system and four CPU cores and four image processing cores–in non-technical terms, it means it should be able to process images with blazing fast speed. 18fps in RAW? That’s fast.
Focusing on Focus
There are 121 focus points with cross-type on-chip phase detection and autofocus. An electronic shutter, rather than a mechanical one, means the camera is capable of race car Autofocus functions such as AF Target-fast burst rates, up to an unprecedented 60fps in AF and AE lock, and 18fps with continuous AF and AE tracking. The focusing system automatically selects between contrast and phase-detection AF, depending on which lens you’re using, as well as the camera setting and lighting conditions. A new tracking algorithm is said to improve continuous AF tracking performance. 121 cross-type on-chip phase detection focus points are claimed to improve focus accuracy.
AF Target Mode, AF target position, and face/eye priority AF will be easily set with a single action. AF operations will be enhanced with a new cluster display, which illuminates active sensors to assure the user of focus subject accuracy. The AF Targeting Pad feature will allow users to select the AF point by sliding their finger on the rear touch LCD while looking through the viewfinder.
Photography Features
The camera has a 60-1/8000 maximum shutter speed and a 1/32,000 sec electronic shutter speed, a modest built-in flash, a hot shoe for external flash, flash sync at up to 1/250 sec, and exposure compensation to +/- 5 stops.
Viewfinder
The EVF is a high-magnification (1.48x), high-resolution variety that is said to rival full-frame DSLRs in brightness and magnification. It 2.360 million dot resolution and a 128fps frame rate for nearly flicker-free performance. The camera also has a 1.037 million dot resolution, 3-inch articulated LCD monitor
Other features include a Pro Capture Mode, which Olympus says is lag-free; a 50MP High Res Shot Mode, in-body, 5-Axis Image Stabilization which seems to be all the rage this year; Olympus claims 5.5 stops of shake compensation—and an incredible 6.5 stops when used with the newly announced M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO. The camera offers a Silent mode when shooting with the electronic shutter, as well as focus stacking and focus bracketing. Live Composite and Live Bulb modes, keystone compensation, and tethered shooting using Olympus Capture software is also available.
Image Quality
According to Olympus, the new 20.4 megapixel Live MOS sensor will offer 25% higher resolution than the predecessor model, and the absence of a low-pass filter further enhances image quality. A higher dynamic range will improve the reproduction of highlight and shadow detail, and an anti-reflective coating on both sides of the sealing glass over the sensor will further enhance contrast performance. The normal sensitivity ISO (ISO AUTO) range will be expanded to ISO 6400. The ISO LOW setting will be equivalent to ISO 64, providing greater flexibility to shoot at wider apertures even in brightly-lit situations.
A High Res Shot Mode will utilize the Voice Coil Motor (VCM) system of the 5-Axis Image Stabilization System to precisely shift the sensor in half pixel increments while capturing eight shots in rapid succession. The camera will then automatically composite the shots into a single 50-megapixel equivalent ultra-high resolution image. This unique Olympus technology is well-suited for still life photography or any other photos that require ultra-fine detail reproduction. The new TruePic VIII Image Processor will effectively suppress blur due to subject movement, making it possible to utilize High Res Shot Mode in a wide variety of shooting conditions, such as gently-blowing grass, tree leaves, or ocean waves. In addition to 80 megapixel RAW and 50-megapixel equivalent JPEG images, it will be possible to select a smaller 25 megapixel equivalent file size.
Digital Cinema Standard 4K videos
The OM-D E-M1 Mark II will support Digital Cinema Standard 4K (4096 x 2060 pixels) video capture at a 24P frame rate and a bit rate of up to 237 Mbps for movie production. The 20.4 megapixel Live MOS sensor will provide a read speed three times faster than that of the original E-M1 for effective suppression of movement distortion, resulting in sharp, clear image quality. The video-specific picture mode “Flat” will be ideal for color grading.
The 5-Axis image stabilization is said to reduce camera shake for video to the point where 4K video capture is possible handheld. The HDMI monitor connection will provide the ability to view live video output live on a larger display while shooting. Users will be able to select from Monitor Mode for an external monitor and Recording Mode to capture uncompressed video directly from the HDMI port. The OM-D E-M1 Mark II will be equipped with a synchronization signal so that video recording to an external device may be started or stopped from the camera. A 4:2:2 external output will be provided to meet a wider color correction range. An audio synchronization function will make it easy to synchronize audio recording when using Olympus’ Linear PCM Recorder LS-100 while recording video, and a Slate Tone function will facilitate the syncing of recorded audio and video.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II will be available in November, at which time pricing will be announced.
