OM System/Olympus cameras, lens and news - and other Micro Four Thirds cameras

[editor]

Given the doom around their recent sale, this is a bit of welcome if surprising news. it is a cracking camera, mind.

OIympus E-M10 Mark III is Japan's Top-Selling Mirrorless Camera of 2020

BCN+R has published its final sales numbers of interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras sold in Japan in 2020, and the winner is likely to surprise: the

petapixel.com

 

[editor]

So I splashed out £300 for the ludicrously fast Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 25mm f/0.95 Lens. It's just arrived. Build quality is incredible - it feels like a 'proper' lens from the 35mm era. Just blasted out a couple of test shots and it's a definite keeper.



(taken in a fairly dark hallway)



Bokeh/Toneh ahoy!

 

[editor]

Love the old-school look and weight too.

 

[editor]

It really is a lovely lens - and now that I've (belatedly) learnt about focus peaking and assigning custom buttons it's pretty easy to quickly get the focus spot on (also using magnification as backup for the tricky pics)

 

[Nikkormat]

It really is a lovely lens - and now that I've (belatedly) learnt about focus peaking and assigning custom buttons it's pretty easy to quickly get the focus spot on (also using magnification as backup for the tricky pics)

That looks really nice, suits the camera. Are the previous two photos (cat and flower) wide open? If so it looks considerably sharper than my Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 (which is great at F/2 and smaller, but soft at F/1.2).

 

[editor]

That looks really nice, suits the camera. Are the previous two photos (cat and flower) wide open? If so it looks considerably sharper than my Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 (which is great at F/2 and smaller, but soft at F/1.2).

Yes, both at 0.95

 

[editor]

This is how narrow the depth of field is at 0.95 (on a MFT camera!) .

 

[editor]

M43 not quite dead yet, then:

According to Panasonic and OM Digital Solutions Corporation, Micro Four Thirds was the best-selling lens mount type in the Japanese interchangeable lens digital camera market in 2020.

Despite only four new Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens cameras being introduced in 2020, the standard managed to account for a 21.7% share in the Japanese market. This was good enough to make it the top-selling lens mount on the market.

The may seem surprising given the relatively few M4/3 cameras that were announced in 2020. Given the industry push towards larger sensor sizes, many people have questioned the future of the M4/3 format.

56 companies make up the Micro Four Thirds consortium, so it is doubtful that they are all just going to abandon it. Both Panasonic and OM Digital Solutions have publically said that they will continue to develop and enhance their Micro Four Thirds product line-ups.

Micro Four Thirds looks to be far from dead - Newsshooter

According to Panasonic and OM Digital Solutions Corporation, Micro Four Thirds was the best-selling lens mount type in the Japanese interchangeable lens

www.newsshooter.com

 

[editor]

Some more pics taken with the 0.95 lens. I'm loving it!

Street scenes, shadows, reflections, rain and graffiti – Brixton photos, Feb 2021

Here’s a selection of 30 photos taken around Brixton during the last few damp and chilly days. We sometimes get asked what gear we use, so can tell you that all these pics were either taken o…

www.brixtonbuzz.com

 

[editor]

Anyone convinced?

he Alice is designed to be coupled with a Wi-Fi connected smartphone that mounts on its rear and which acts as the camera’s screen and control point via a dedicated app. The camera will use a MFT 10.7MP Dual Native ISO Multi-Aspect Ratio sensor that will be able to record C4K/4K 30p video in 17:9, 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, and which can provide still shooters with DNG RAW and JPEG files. As the camera will be connected to a phone it will also be able to be used to live stream video content directly to social media.


The key difference between Alice and other regular cameras though is that it will use AI learning to adjust images as they are being recorded in the same way that smartphones do, to brighten shadows, to increase saturation in blue skies and to use multi-shot techniques to reduce noise and improve dynamic range. AI will also run exposure, AF and White Balance, while computational photography techniques will optimise noise and dynamic range.

Photogram says the algorithm it will use is being trained to understand what processing adjustments need to be made to an image to make the picture look as though it has already been worked on by the photographer, the algorithm

Users will be able to let the camera work automatically in the Quick Mode or by switching to Pro Mode will be able to take full control of the camera and image settings themselves. A series of slides will also allow users to accept varying degrees of input from the AI algorithms, while open source software will allow them to customise their camera and to write new applications for features that can be shared with other users. Photogram promises constant updates to the camera as the AI algorithm

Alice MFT camera combines smartphone AI with interchangeable lenses, now live on Indiegogo

A Micro Four Thirds camera that uses the same AI photo trickery as smartphones to improve the way pictures look promises open-source access for custom applications and live streaming video direct through your phone

www.dpreview.com

 

[editor]

Interesting video from a pro user. I've not regretted dumping my full frame set up.

 

[pseudonarcissus]

My Olympus Canon DSLR camera seems to have died. It’s been back to an authorised Olympus repair place a couple of times, but there seems to be an intermittent fault on the power side of things that they can’t fix. It’s only about 8 years old.
I can’t claim to be a serious photographer, but I’ve always had an SLR since I was a kid (I wonder where my Exakta is?) and I used to develop the film in the cupboard under the stairs.
editor seems to have persuaded me on this thread to go for an Olympus four thirds, which, I understand to be smaller, rather than 33% bigger, than a 35mm.
Só, the options seems to be this, available on-line in Brasil:

at about £770 in local money, and I can pay on the never-never. I rarely used the 150mm zoom on the old camera, but would I miss it? Are focal lengths different on these, for me, 28mm is wide angle? What is a sensible lens..is bog standard sold with the body ok?

My alternative is to hang on for a while. A friend is now vaccinated up and desperate to visit from the USA, so I have the option of buying in the states in a few months, pandemic permitting. It looks like there is a mk IV out there in the 1st world. Amazon reviews don’t seem to indicate it’s a huge improvement and I can’t see it would be substantially cheaper.

My birthday is in august, so I’m going to enjoy pondering this for a while..

 

[editor]

My Olympus DSLR camera seems to have died. It’s been back to an authorised Olympus repair place a couple of times, but there seems to be an intermittent fault on the power side of things that they can’t fix. It’s only about 8 years old.
I can’t claim to be a serious photographer, but I’ve always had an SLR since I was a kid (I wonder where my Exakta is?) and I used to develop the film in the cupboard under the stairs.
editor seems to have persuaded me on this thread to go for an Olympus four thirds, which, I understand to be smaller, rather than 33% bigger, than a 35mm.
Só, the options seems to be this, available on-line in Brasil:
View attachment 266546
at about £770 in local money, and I can pay on the never-never. I rarely used the 150mm zoom on the old camera, but would I miss it? Are focal lengths different on these, for me, 28mm is wide angle? What is a sensible lens..is bog standard sold with the body ok?

My alternative is to hang on for a while. A friend is now vaccinated up and desperate to visit from the USA, so I have the option of buying in the states in a few months, pandemic permitting. It looks like there is a mk IV out there in the 1st world. Amazon reviews don’t seem to indicate it’s a huge improvement and I can’t see it would be substantially cheaper.

My birthday is in august, so I’m going to enjoy pondering this for a while..

Because of the sensor size, those zooms will be in fact 28mm-84mm and 80mm to 300mm which is plenty of range!

Note that the Olympus R-M10 mk vi has just come out....

 

[editor]

This is really sad. I've always enjoyed his MFT videos which were almost zen-like:



Here's one of his recent reviews - you might be interested pseudonarcissus

 

[pseudonarcissus]

Because of the sensor size, those zooms will be in fact 28mm-84mm and 80mm to 300mm which is plenty of range!

Note that the Olympus R-M10 mk vi has just come out....

Thanks.

Looking at U.K. prices, less than 800 quid seems like a good deal, particularly as most stuff here is multiples of the U.K. price. Amazon br even sell a nice brown leather case for it…can you buy reversible lens hoods?

this will give me food for thought while I’m working offshore

 

[pseudonarcissus]

Well, it's done...purchased in black without the long lens as the deal advertised didn't really exist. 28 days for delivery, so I assume t's being dispatched from Japan.

 

[editor]

Here's the DPreview for the E-M10 Mark IV

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a handsome entry-level camera with some helpful aids for new users, but with enough controls to provide room to grow. While its autofocus and burst speeds lag the competition, its stand-out feature is an effective in-body stabilizer, especially handy for low-light stills and handheld video shooting. In all, the E-M10 IV is a fine photographic companion for a variety of users.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV is an entry-level mirrorless camera that's feature-packed, and will appeal to beginners as well as more experienced users. Read about the ins and outs of this image-stabilized, low-priced camera here.

www.dpreview.com

 

[pseudonarcissus]

Here's the DPreview for the E-M10 Mark IV

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV is an entry-level mirrorless camera that's feature-packed, and will appeal to beginners as well as more experienced users. Read about the ins and outs of this image-stabilized, low-priced camera here.

www.dpreview.com

 

[editor]

The differences aren't that big and I'd doubt worth the extra you'd have to pay!

 

[pseudonarcissus]

The differences aren't that big and I'd doubt worth the extra you'd have to pay!

Thanks; I did read a review that said it was maybe worth upgrading from a mk II to a mk IV, but not from the mk III to the IV. With my photography I don't think you'll notice the difference in sensor size.

I'm at the delayed gratification stage at the moment, hoping not to haver an attack of buyer's remorse. (arrives 16th June)



The leather case looks very stylish...that will probably arrive a few weeks before the camera.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

I'm pretty sure you wouldn't notice a difference between III and IV. I'd definitely recommend it for a compact, high-quality camera with interchangeable lenses. They're tiny compared to full frame cameras by the way - I was shocked when I first held one, but not too small to use at all. It's great being able to hold all the kit you need in a small part of a backpack.

 

[weltweit]

What is the logic behind Olympus's camera naming codes?

I can't seem to get my head around it, it seems the Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV is an entry level camera, while the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is much more sophisticated ..

I would have thought a Mark 9 would be developed while a Mark 3 might be less so. Perhaps because one is a M10 and the other an M1 ..

Nope, I don't get it.

 

[editor]

Interesting comparison here - the Olympus 45mm 1.8 lens really is an amazing bargain.

 

[editor]

Lumix GH6 announced;

Panasonic Develops the LUMIX GH6 Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless Camera The Flagship of the LUMIX G Series for Innovative Video Expression Expected by End of Year

May 25, 2021

Newark, NJ – Panasonic is proud to announce the development of the LUMIX GH6 that combines the new Micro Four Thirds sensor and a new image processor. This flagship camera of the LUMIX G Series will be commercialized for its release to world markets by the end of 2021.

After establishing the LUMIX brand in 2001, Panasonic introduced the world’s first digital single lens mirrorless camera in 2008*1. Since then, it has produced a host of innovative cameras and interchangeable lenses by taking advantage of the outstanding mobility and high video performance which are unique to the mirrorless camera system. These cameras and lenses were originally used for photography but have also been used for film creation. After 20 years of innovative contributions to the imaging culture, LUMIX cameras and lenses have earned a solid reputation with a wide range of users, including professional photographers and film creators.

As the next milestone in the evolution of the legacy of LUMIX cameras, Panasonic is proud to announce that the development of the LUMIX GH6 is underway. The flagship of the LUMIX G Series and the latest model of the GH line, it is renowned for its stunning mobility and innovative video performance. Combining the high-speed sensor and Venus Engine image processor, the new GH6 realizes next-generation video expression. Providing 4:2:2 10-bit DCI 4K/60p recording capability*2, the LUMIX GH6 achieves unlimited video recording when the camera is used under the certified operating temperature*3. It is reliable enough to record continuous footage for a desired duration. It also provides a 10-bit 4K 120p High Frame Rate (HFR) and Variable Frame Rate (VFR) for high resolution slow/quick motion video. Moreover, the GH6 records 10-bit 5.7K 60p video by taking full advantage of the newly developed Micro Four Thirds sensor. Accommodating a variety of recording modes and shooting assist functions, the GH6 enables photo/video hybrid-use for various purposes including films, music videos, documentaries and short clips for social media to meet the creators’ needs. The GH6 will retail for approximately $2500.

In addition to the camera, the new interchangeable lens will be added to expand the G Series lineup, and the LEICA DG 25-50mm F1.7 is also under development. It covers from 10mm to 50mm (35mm camera equivalent:20-100mm) together with the LEICA DG VARIO-SUMMILUX 10-25mm / F1.7 ASPH. (H-X1025) which is currently available and has been met with high acclaim. These two lenses have common aperture, high descriptive performance, shape and operability so that it is easy to make the creator’s own unique image product using these two lenses with minimal workflow.

While the LUMIX G Series based on the Micro Four Thirds standard boasts high mobility, the LUMIX S Series offers high descriptive performance made possible with the full-frame sensor. With these two series, Panasonic demonstrates its commitment to further providing maximum product value as a tool for users to unleash their creativity and challenge the ever-changing photo/video culture in the digital era.

Panasonic really underscores it's serious with MFT and announces the GH5II, GH6 and 25-50mm f/1.7 lens! - mirrorlessrumors

Well, I think this makes it very clear: Panasonic isn’t going to fade out the MFT system! Preorders: GH5II at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon. Calumet DE, Park Uk. GH6 at BHphoto. 25-50mm f/1.7 MFT lens at BHphoto.

www.mirrorlessrumors.com

 

[editor]

Another interesting comparison here

 

[pseudonarcissus]

Well, my Olympus arrived nearly a month earlier than expected. I just need to find time to take some pictures.

 

[editor]

Well, my Olympus arrived nearly a month earlier than expected. I just need to find time to take some pictures.

Well that's not a bad start!

 

[editor]

The new Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4.0 PRO lens is picking up rave reviews



The new Olympus PEN E-P7 seems to be a hit too. Maybe Olympus isn't dead after all?!

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL7 Full Review

Read our full review of the new Olympus PEN Lite E-PL7 with built in Wi-Fi and Selfie touch-screen.

www.ephotozine.com

Olympus PEN E-P7 review

The Olympus PEN E-P7 is the first camera from new owner, OM Digital Solutions – does it live up to the Olympus pedigree?

www.digitalcameraworld.com

 

[editor]

Still loving this £300 lens Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 25mm f/0.95 Lens.

In photos: live Irish folk music at the Whiskey Tumbler, Brixton

It’s great to see a new venue offering live music in Brixton, and last night Brixton Buzz enjoyed an acoustic set by Molly’s Chambers at the Whiskey Tumbler bar.

www.brixtonbuzz.com

 

[what]

Still loving this £300 lens Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 25mm f/0.95 Lens.

View attachment 275282

In photos: live Irish folk music at the Whiskey Tumbler, Brixton

It’s great to see a new venue offering live music in Brixton, and last night Brixton Buzz enjoyed an acoustic set by Molly’s Chambers at the Whiskey Tumbler bar.

www.brixtonbuzz.com

Do you have to work fully manual, not just manual focus, with this lens?