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Now reading: Olympus firmware boosts 12-50mm compatibility and macro performance 20 comments

Olympus firmware boosts 12-50mm compatibility and macro performance

Published Mar 29, 2012 | dpreview staff

Olympus has announced a firmware update for its M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ power-zoom macro lens. Firmware v1.1 improves image stabilization performance in Macro mode, when shooting with the Olympus E-M5. It also adds support for the 'Zoom Resume' function when used with Panasonic cameras - meaning the zoom returns to the previously-used focal length when the camera is switched on.

The updates can be added either by plugging an Olympus camera into your computer and running the associated software, or (for Panasonic users) by downloading updater software from the Olympus website.

Press Release:

Firmware Version 1.1 for the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ

Today Olympus announces the release of new firmware for the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ lens that improves performance of the image stabilizer in macro mode when used with the OM-D E-M5 and supports the Zoom Resume (similar to Olympus' RESET LENS OFF) function for electric zoom lenses when used with Panasonic cameras.

Click here for the Olympus joint update page

Tags: micro-four-thirds, olympus, update

Comments

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Dr Aref

Can anyone update how a Panasonic 20mm F 1.7 performs on a Olympus Pen camera. It has a high uncorrected barrel distortion of >3%. Can Olympus Pens correct the distortion of JPEG and RAW files like Panasonic cameras?

Apr 29, 2012permalink

OneGuy

This lens is a part of a kit for the new Oly E-M5. By itself this isn't much except that it is weather proofed to go along with the body.

Panasonic is working on a sub F2.8 (pre-announced) m4/3 zoom and it would be nice to know if the Pana lens will have weather proofing.

The kit pricing tends to discount the lens and then the Oly 12-50mm F3.5 is likely a good choice to go in the kit.

With the sensor sensitivity vs noise ratio improving on all cams (okay, except Fuji), it would make sense for dpr to devise a dynamic test to see if, for example, a moving subject at lower (indoor) light could be captured without smearing while using the standard kit lens and without flash.

Apr 1, 2012permalink

snake_b

Cool. Everyone is frothing over more slow lenses for mirrorless.

Amazing how the manufacturers got people to stop looking at the f-stop number and then raised the prices as the perceived value on small-aperture lenses went up.

Apr 1, 2012permalink

JMichaelsPhoto

No, what's amazing is the freedom people can have when they stop looking at f/stop numbers. Your comment precludes the notion that you don't have a bias for fast lenses, and their perceived value. Of course, you're entitled. But take note of the fact that as sensitivity improves (the inevitable result of Moore's Law), the need for lenses faster than f/3.5-5.6 solely for the purpose of retaining high image quality in low light becomes unnecessary, allowing manufacturers to put less emphasis on overall lens design to accommodate a faster max. aperture, and more emphasis on better optical design, higher refractive index glass, and better/faster focusing capability. Should that technology be cheap, or free because it's housed within a "slow" lens? I think not.

Apr 10, 2012permalink

citizenlouie

Yes, 17mm remake.... 35mm equivalent focal length is a very useful, and it's a shame 17mm f/2.8 was so awful I returned the entire E-P2 kit. The speed issue is not as important as IQ to me.

25mm f/1.4 Leica is already an option, so if you need one that is the one to get. No need for another 24mm f/1.8 (inexpensive option for that focal length is Panasonic 20mm f/1.7).

Mar 31, 2012permalink

ManuelVilardeMacedo

I read somewhere Olympus has filed a patent for a 17mm/f2.8 Pancake lens. I hope they'll build it and that this new lens overcomes the current pancake's shortcomings.
The Panaleica 25mm is certainly very good, but I'd really like to see a Zuiko lens anyway - a sort of 12mm/f2.0 on steroids!

Mar 31, 2012permalink

steveh0607

How about a set of fast primes?! I'm going to get this camera in due time but Olympus needs to flesh out the m43 lens lineup.

Mar 30, 2012permalink

Andy Crowe

We've got fast 12mm 20mm 45mm and now 75mm lenses, what more do you want, an enormous fast 150mm?

Mar 30, 2012permalink

mister_roboto

There are fast primes, with more coming. What's lacking is a fast zoom.

Mar 30, 2012permalink

ManuelVilardeMacedo

As for me, I'd love to see a 24mm/f1.8 and a heavily revamped 17mm Pancake lens (which could be a little faster than f2.8). This 12-50 holds no interest to me.

Mar 30, 2012*permalink

coroander

@mister_roboto: Panasonic have shown 12-35mm and 35-100mm f/2.8 X-grade lenses (which will be weather sealed) with an indication they will be available later this year.

Mar 31, 2012permalink

ljmac

I wish Oly would add zoom resume to the E-M5 - a genuinely useful feature for power zooms.

Mar 30, 2012permalink

Andy Crowe

I thought it does (RESET LENS OFF) ?

Mar 30, 2012permalink

inorogNL

this is a strong system!

Mar 29, 2012permalink

shaocaholica

Is there a way via a FT camera to check the version of the FW on the lens?

Mar 29, 2012permalink

Richard Butler

On Micro Four Thirds, yes. I think the 'Firmware' options in the menus of both Panasonic and Olympus cameras show both body and lens f/w versions.

I think there are full instructions linked from the Olympus page linked-to in the story.

Mar 29, 2012permalink

sglewis

By the way, the link in the actual article above included the same updates. I have a feeling BJN didn't really try to find out before posting.

Mar 29, 2012permalink

BJN

I take it you can't update an Olympus lens via a Panasonic camera body. Sounds like Micro Four Thirds compatibility is far from complete beween brands and products.

Mar 29, 2012permalink

sglewis

Sure you can.

http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/software/fourthirds_olylens.cfm

Mar 29, 2012permalink

toscha_seidel

Yes you can, they do provide alternative ways to do so.
http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/software/fourthirds_olylens.cfm

Somebody obviously jumped to conclusion too early...

Mar 29, 2012*permalink


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