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Olympus issues OM-D E-M5 firmware v1.2

Jul 11, 2012 at 11:28:52 GMT

UPDATE FIRMWARE OLYMPUS

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Olympus has announced a firmware update for its flagship OM-D E-M5 mirrorless camera. Firmware v1.2 promises to improve the camera's performance at re-waking from sleep mode and display the tracking focus point when shooting in low-speed continuous drive mode with continuous focus tracking enabled. Other listed fixes include the addition of features for use in underwater mode with the 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ lens. The update can be downloaded and installed via the Olympus Camera Updater software.

Click here to find out more about the Olympus E-M5 firmware update

Comments

Total comments: 41

Bravo~v 1.5 firmware update finally released!!!
Just updated it w/Olympus Digital Camera Updater Utility.

0 upvotes

Olympus has no v.1.5 released yet. There is only v.1.1 and of course v.1.2 which while suspended, I downloaded without any problems. So, if there is a v 1.5, where and when is it?

0 upvotes

YIKES. . . have decided to buy the OM-D, but it seems that there seems to be quite a few 'issues' that I'm reading here as well as other places on DPReview. Sounds like this Camera was released a bit to early... does Oly include updated firmware on cameras produced after the released firmware is out. . .????

Anything else a buyer ought to know ahead of time??? Intend to buy in about 2 weeks and it will be my first Digital with interchangeable lenses.

0 upvotes

Like all cameras there are periodic firmware updates.Some to fix flaws and some to imporve performance. I've had mine since June and I'm very happy with it. If you think a barely audible hum of the image stabilization system is a fatal flaw then you shouldn't get the camera. A new camera should have the most recent firmware. The v1.5 update "removed" the hum. I just updated the firmware to version 1.5. It required an update to v1.4 first and then allowed the v1.5 to install. I used the Olympus Digital Camera Updater utility and it worked flawlessly. I also was able to update v1.2 when it came out and had no problems with that.

0 upvotes

I upgraded my E-M5 to version 1.5 using the olympus updater SW.

0 upvotes

It has been 1.5 months and we are *still* waiting for this. Olympus released firmware 1.2 a long time ago to fix the lockup problem with Panasonic lenses (must remove battery to unbrick camera), but a few days later they pulled the release so we can't get a fix. :-( I am *still* waiting for a fix to this serious lockup problem. Anyone know what is going on? Does anyone at dpreview know what is going on? Since you posted this news about the release of 1.2 you really should post that Olympus pulled it a few days later. Olympus seems to be abandoning us E-M5 owners. I have this lockup problem.

0 upvotes

This post says that Olympus has suspends the 1.2 firmware update because of problems. I was going to update in the next few days, but now I can't. I have the problem where the E-M5 locks up sometimes with the 20mm f1.7 and I have to remove the battery to get it to come back to life.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=42127965

Why does Olympus use such a strange, inconvenient, hard for the camera owner firmware update system? I have updated Panasonic, Sony, Canon, Konica Minolta, and Minolta digital cameras and all of them just had me put the firmware on a memory card. It was so simple. With Olympus I must use their special software (which seems buggy) and their cables and a computer. If I am traveling I can't just download the software at an internet shop to a memory card and be good to go. The Olympus update system sucks.

1 upvote

Flawless update process. Nice, simple.
Love this camera too ... so small, so capable

0 upvotes

A breeze... the OLY app took a few minutes, and then the camera just a couple. Nice process OLY.

0 upvotes

Updated to 1.2 No problems took about 5 mins over ADSL

0 upvotes

Call me stupid but the link for the updater for the 12-50 lens takes me to the same page as the E-M5 updater - only cameras are listed. Anyone got an explanation?
BTW does the update reset everything to defaults? (noooo, please....)

Comment edited 4 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Setings is not reseted...

0 upvotes

The Olympus Camera Update software also updates the firmware of whatever lens is attached to the camera.

0 upvotes

Updated to 1.2 without any problems on my Macbook Air. It took a while but after a few minutes the "OK" appeared on the Oled screen.

1 upvote

Same thing - in fact it said OK before the software appeared to be finished on my MacBook.

0 upvotes

How many is a few? I have been sitting here for over 8 minutes after the warning screen flashed; now the OLED is blank, and nothing says OK. I am petrified to disconnect the camera.

0 upvotes

Am I missing something or is this an update just for Windows. The Mac link has no equivalent update.

Seems an odd way to issue firmware.

0 upvotes

I updated using my Mac just fine. Just install the Olympus Updater and go.

It's the same process as Windows. Software came on disc, and I also found a link to download online if you misplaced it.

0 upvotes

I connected my Mac as instructed, opened the Olympus Installer, I'm connected to a Wi-Fi network. I follow the instructions. After the first pane, the camera can not connect to the computer "Check for a network connection". Several times. Restarted Mac, changed USB port, nothing. Running Lion 10.7.4

0 upvotes

Excellent, I have had several occasions where I had to turn the camera off and on to wake it up, and one time where a battery removal was required. Minor problem in the scheme of things, but annoying when it happened.

Interesting that the updater says it won't work with more than 2 lenses mounted. How does one mount more than two lenses?

0 upvotes

i think it means not to use adaptor with the lens

0 upvotes

I appear to be the only one here who has a near bricked OM-D - the buttons (except the shutter) stopped working after the update!! Tried everything, reset, hard reset, leaving the battery out for a day.. to top it all my new 75mm lens arrives today :(((( Annoying.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Wow! Amazing what they can do in firmware these days. This update will turn a water resistant camera into one that will work "underwater". ;-)

5 upvotes

Seriously, I can imagine some people misinterpreting this!

Reminds me of when I got the wonderful Oly E-1 and 14-54 - they were sealed enough to rinse under a gently running tap. Someone heard about this from the forum and rinsed theirs with the battery door open 'to get all the sand out of the door groove'!!!

Comment edited 37 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Here is a link to the DPR announcement of the E-M5, 20mm lens banding issue.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/06/12/Olympus-acknowledges-OM-D-E-M5-banding-with-panasonic-20mm-f1-7-lens

0 upvotes

What shutter speed is supposed to cause or contribute to the issue?

0 upvotes

There are a number of threads in the m43 forum covering the banding. Some include references to various conditions other than ISO including shutter speed. Here is one such thread.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=41451383

0 upvotes

OM-D and 20 mm at 6400 ISO: only the noise that you would expect at this sensitivity. Quite usable results.

0 upvotes

The problems with the 20mm lens on the E-M5 are somewhat exaggerated based upon these comments. I used the 20mm very successfully on a trip to the Four Corners a couple of weeks ago. Images of Monument Valley made with the 20mm are well rendered without obvious camera based defects.
I'm sure there are problems with the body/lens combination at high ISO and perhaps certain shutter speeds as reported. For general outdoor use I don't think there is much of an issue.

1 upvote

I own the OM-D and the Panasonic 20 mm. Great results - at 1600 ISO there is no problem at all.

2 upvotes

Well if you don't have a problem, I guess there isn't one.

1 upvote

Agree with you René, same here.

0 upvotes

Right Cane, likewise just because one person (or even a few people) has a problem means every one will.

Comment edited 19 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

the problem does exist at 6400 for me, i am using faster shutter speeds.

Comment edited 18 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Rather disappointed that the Video hasn't been looked at in this update too...24p please....

1 upvote

It is disappointing but even more disappointing that it prevents you buying and owning a truely amazing camera.
I still use my 20mm on my G1 but it hardly gets a look in now I have the E-M5.

1 upvote

There is no mention of fixing the 20mm lens issue. That is disappointing. I won’t buy this camera if it doesn’t work with my favorite m4/3 lens.

0 upvotes

"Firmware v1.2 promises to improve the camera's performance at re-waking from sleep mode". I think this will fix the issue. It's not isolated to the the 20mm lens. Others have had problems with other lenses too.

0 upvotes

What "issue" are you talking about?
I have the OM-D and the 20mm and it's absolutely FINE!

This whole "banding" thing is way exaggerated, I NEVER had it, and when it happends, it does on ISO 6400 or higher.
Olympus will fix that soon as they promised. So I really don't see any reason why you should not buy this great combo.

3 upvotes

I agree with Oli4D - I have the 20mm on my E-M5 and I've had ZERO problems with it waking up or the banding issue. Admittedly, I rarely shoot above 1600 and don't usually shoot above 3200 at all.

1 upvote

The whole banding thing was exaggerated? I have an example (see my gallery) at ISO 3200 using the Panasonic 14mm. If they fix it, great, but until then I'm not a happy customer.

Comment edited 9 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Total comments: 41


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