The Olympus OM-D E-M5 II has attracted a lot of attention, both for its technology and because it succeeds an already popular camera. We sat down with Product Manager Richard Pelkowski to find out more about the technology that went into the E-M5's successor and what might be possible in the future.
Our discussion with Pelkowski covered a broader range of topics, including the Olympus Air project and more about the E-M5 II's 40MP high resolution mode. We've also published the full half-hour discussion if you want to find out more.
Waffle – sorry – tells us nothing that we did not already know and sadly the questions (sorry did I miss them?) were pointless - DPR staff need to ask for real info and future vids should not simply be a showcase for the camera brands to parade their wares...
@ Richard Butler : thanks for taking notice of my comment. But reading speed being much faster than speaking and hearing speed, a video will never be as effective as a written text.. Hiwever, i understand that writing takes time, probably more time than creating a video ? Anyway, i'm sure it takes you a lot of effort too.. So i just wanted you to hear the voice of those that prefer reading to seeing videos.
You can see he's a product manager and not a PR pro. He was a normal honest guy. So not very concise. In this case it's better to go for gems of insider information or future aims, rather than facts about the new camera which, as we've been following it closely lately, we already know.
@rrr_hhh: lots of young folks out there prefer video over text tough. Some "kids" (18-28 years) these days don't read anything longer online than just a couple of lines. I see this all the time. So, video can help to get to those people. I guess a good mix is what is needed.
While Mr. Pelkowski seems quite well informed and honest, it would be nice to hold a more in-depth discussion on the potential of sensor movement in achieving various photographic goals. For example: * automatic horizon leveling * tilt and shift movements * Z axis travel to focus MF lenses * automatic panning while the camera is stationary
duckling wrote... "* Z axis travel to focus MF lenses"
I doubt that the Z-axis movement (sensor forward/backward) would be more than +/- 2mm. Probably not enough to fully compensate for the adjustment range possible with a helicoil lens focusing mechanism. Might help though to provide a final adjustment if you're already close to being in-focus.
I wonder how Olympus avoids tilting in the sensor as it moves forward/backward? This would manifest itself as one side of the sensor (L/R, T/B) having a different level of focus to the other side, with the centre of the sensor having the best focus.
Why is this concept so hard for people to understand? OMD refers to the product line. E-M5ll is the camera model name. There is only one Olympus E-M5ll -- no need to keep repeating OMD. People generally don't refer to the Canon EOS Rebel t5i -- they simply call it the Rebel t5i.
I like Oly's view on sensors' MP, and wish Oly can keep the MP low.
IMHO, Olympus is in the better marketing position than Pana b/c all Oly has IBIS, therefore Oly can use Oly and Pana lenses, but not other way around.
Also, Oly has full range of weather sealed zoom which FUJI does not have even FUJI has weather sealed T1 and larger sensor, but lack weather sealed OIS lenses. FUJI needs OIS.
Oly may/will be in the much better position if sensors are getting better in next few years.
Oly is on the right track comparing to Pana even FUJI.
A good interview that strikes a satisfactory balance between just trumpeting market spin and overly-guarded responses. I got the impression that Richard Pelkowski may be a genuine enthusiast.
It's interesting how Olympics, (and perhaps Ricoh with the GR), take firmware releases seriously, not just for bug fixes, but also to enable new features. And to seriously listen to owners and reviewers feedback about what should be changed or added.
With form-factor changers like the Ricoh Theta, Olympics Air, Ricoh WG-M1, and the Sony Action Cam range, companies are responding to the different ways that still & video cameras are being used. While the traditional form-factor best suits most users, it doesn't suit all users and the way they want to use their cameras.
And with programmable imaging systems with interchangeable lenses like the Air, the flexibility of how a camera can be configured, used and controlled is tremendously expanded.
I recognize these chops ! This is the guy who declared five or six years ago that "Two years from now Olympus will no longer build dslrs, only mirorless cameras", starting a bushfire and prompting official denials from Olympus :)
Listen carefully to everything will happen within the next couple of years, it will happen in the next six :)
You're right. What he actually said is that within a years no Olympus would have an optical viewfinder, because they had an amazing EVF. He got slaughtered for it. But essentially he had told people about the E-M1 before the E-M5 had been released. So it's worth listening to what he says.
Did he say the word customer? my goodness I think he did ...... ;)
Do I care the EM5 II is only 16mp ..... only a little. In the end its what comes out and for whatever reason what comes out of my EM5 stacks up pretty well until you get to full frame. But all my gear except a tripod fits in a small bag that I can actually take with me. FF is getting there but not yet.
Do I care the the EM5 II has a articulating screen that I can turn inwards when not using it? Yes .... then I don't need to baby the camera so much. My old EPL2 got a huge ding in the first week from my zipper.
Do I care about the better 5 axis? Yes, 2 stops, if it is real, really increases your options and allows reduction of ISO.
Will the EM5 II have the same or better dynamic range as the original .... I wish that question was asked ..... as dynamic range does make a visible tangible difference when shooting under some conditions? DR was one of the reasons I bought the EM5.
The 40mp mode ..... sounds interesting ..... the original 40mp images on DP review seemed like they were actually worse than the original EM5 16mp .... but I had a look and the 40mp clearly do have more resolution now ....
I just finished watching the full 30 minute interview and it's good to know that the E-M1's firmware updates (that have been coming fast and furious thus far) are going to continue this year and next. This already great camera continues to get better and better each time there is a new one!
And that prediction also hints at when the E-M1 mk II will be out. Probably announced at Photokina 2016 and in our hands before the holiday season. A three year product cycle, which is shorter than Oly models of the past, e.g. E-1, E-3, E-5... but I think Oly has to speed things up a bit. There are too many good cameras out there from the competition and technology is changing rapidly.
Oh and BTW, the E-M5 II looks like a great camera. :)
Before the EM5 II, the EM10 had a few features the EM5 lacked. And now the EM5 II fixed that, but has a few features the EM1 lacks.
You really can never have three discrete products that stair step beautifully, unless you release all three on the same date, then update all three on the same date.
And this is nothing new for Olympus. When the E30 came out, it had a better sensor and more features than the E3 had. Olympus always puts their latest technology into their latest camera, rather than holding it back for the "flagship's next upgrade" like Canon and Nikon usually do.
Marty4650: You know you gotta wait for the EM5 III cause Olympus have already stated that it will have a faster high resolution mode ;)
RichRMA: 'That hold-back is what has produce a "class system" in digital that never existed in film.' I don't think this is correct. There were overlapping models released by many brands with more/less features, and metal/plastic bodies, mechanical/electronic components, long/short shutter lifespans, faster/slower max shutter speeds etc...
If you always wait for the next model, then you end up never buying anything. Because there is always another model coming in the future.
Personally, I am waiting for the EM5 III so I can pick up an EM5 II at a very good price. I'm not that fussy. Used or refurbished works for me! By the time the EM5 III comes along, my EM5 will be around 5 years old and probably need replacement.
But if it doesn't, I will probably just keep it and wait for the EM5 IV to come along, so I can pick up an EM5 III cheaply!
Totally agree, after spending a lot of money on the latest computer tech I finally decided just to buy things that are 2-3 generations old. You find things at better value for money, more matured firmware and the market almost never demands the latest tech anyway.
The class-system in digital had more to do with sensors (FF sensored cameras being horribly expensive confining people to lesser sensors) versus film, where anyone of any means could use the same film as a pro. The camera and lenses made less of a difference since the film "sensor" was the same in each camera.
Ahh.. but perhaps not when you consider format sizes. I think the size was the main factor that determined how 'PRO' you were. To a degree this is still the case, but there is actual segmentation within format sizes with digital. I don't think it's as big of an issue as some people make it out to be though. Any camera in good hands can still produce good results.
Good interview. The resolution question caught off guard Mr Pelkowski. I also liked the part when he said that the m1 is better because it is bigger. I can't imagine holding one of those new kowa or zuico lenses on a m5 ii safely.
At the end of last year we asked you to vote for the best cameras and lenses of 2015. Across two rounds of voting in December and January DPReview readers did just that, selecting the top overall photography products of 2015. It was no easy feat, as 2015 brought huge advancements in stills and video technology, but with thousands of votes tallied it's time to declare a winner. See how the votes stacked up. Read more
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Olympus has announced that it is is producing a new limited edition 'Titanium' OM-D E-M5 II camera. The Titanium E-M5 II will offer all of the same features and specs of the regular version, with its top and bottom plates swapped out for dark metallic versions that match those of the OM-3/Ti from 1994. Worldwide, 7,000 copies of the Titanium model will be made, though how many will be available in the US is yet to be announced. The company is also readying firmware updates for both the E-M1 and E-M5 II, related mostly to underwater shooting. Read more
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