How to update the OM-1 via an update file on the SD card

Hey folks,

A couple of days ago, inspired by the excellent LightSnowDev website, I figured out how to manually update the OM-1 by copying the update file to an SD card. I've contacted the site's owner with the details if they want to update their site, but I see a few people struggling with the update so I thought I'd publish the details in the meantime.

I've published the instructions here on GitHub, including a direct download link for the 1.2 update from Olympus/OMS.

If your initial reaction is to post "But why wouldn't you just use the apps to update?!?" — this is just an additional option for those that might find it useful.

Just curious: what tool did you use to find the URL to the .bin file? I remember trying to find the E-M1 firmware location a long time ago using WireShark, but that didn't work (or more likely, I didn't know where to look).

Danielvr wrote:

Just curious: what tool did you use to find the URL to the .bin file? I remember trying to find the E-M1 firmware location a long time ago using WireShark, but that didn't work (or more likely, I didn't know where to look).

Yup, Wireshark! I spend a lot of time in it for work, which helps figure out what's going on 

dav wrote:

Very good….can you find version 1.1 also so we can rollback if need be?

Unfortunately, it looks like 1.1 isn't up any more — at least not where you'd expect. The updater service always gives back 1.2, and guessing the download URL by changing the version numbers in the URL returns a "not found".

Thank you so much. I received my OM-1 only yesterday. It needed a firmware update. My computer don't have any USB-C ports and I worried an adapter or using another cable might screw things up. You saved me.

Hope you'll find the time to do this for future updates too. It's worth a lot to us cowards.

Neat, glad it was useful!

I never got a reply from the owner of the original site and they haven't updated it for the OM-1, so I might as well continue keeping my GitHub page up-to-date.

Much appreciated for your effort!  Giving more options always a great thing to have.

iKenndac wrote:

Neat, glad it was useful!

I never got a reply from the owner of the original site and they haven't updated it for the OM-1, so I might as well continue keeping my GitHub page up-to-date.

And I'll love you even more. As if that was possible. 😄

Danielvr wrote:

Just curious: what tool did you use to find the URL to the .bin file? I remember trying to find the E-M1 firmware location a long time ago using WireShark, but that didn't work (or more likely, I didn't know where to look).

If you go to the firmware page for the 1.2 features, copy down the directory used by the firmware page (in this case: https://dl01.olympus-imaging.com/ww/ud2/ENU/0001/1430/index02a.html)

Remove the index* part, and substitute the name, combining:

• 'OLY_E_'
• <model number> (in this case, 143)
• '_'
• <version # * 1000> (in this case 1200)
• '_0000_0000.BIN'

meow wrote:

Thank you so much. I received my OM-1 only yesterday. It needed a firmware update. My computer don't have any USB-C ports and I worried an adapter or using another cable might screw things up. You saved me.

You won't be able to do high speed charging, but the basic updates and downloads will work using a normal A to C cable.

Hope you'll find the time to do this for future updates too. It's worth a lot to us cowards.

Michael Meissner wrote:

meow wrote:

Thank you so much. I received my OM-1 only yesterday. It needed a firmware update. My computer don't have any USB-C ports and I worried an adapter or using another cable might screw things up. You saved me.

You won't be able to do high speed charging, but the basic updates and downloads will work using a normal A to C cable.

Good to know, but that won't be needed now. I'd rather avoid that whole process.

OM_photog wrote:

I know this thread is getting pretty ancient, but I've been having trouble with updating my OM-1 to v1.2 (OM workspace keeps saying my camera isn't recognized, although I can manage pics with no problem), and would like to try the SD card method.

Unfortunately, the link you provided for the OM-1 v1.2 firmware on GitHub won't open for me... any tips?

Thanks,

Note, I haven't done this with the OM-1, but I did verify the file is there:

• Download: http://dl01.olympus-imaging.com/OLYMPUS_MASTER/FIRMWARES/0001/1430/OLY_E_143_1200_0000_0000.BIN
• Use a 32GB card or smaller (32GB and smaller uses VFAT partition, while 64GB and larger uses exFat, and at least in previous cameras, the load firmware code might have only supported VFAT cards.
• Create a folder called "DCOLYMP" on your SD card.
• Copy and rename the downloaded file to E1439999.BIN and put it inside this folder.
• Make sure your batteries are fully charged before starting this.
• The whole process will take a about 1-2 minutes.
• Make sure your camera is turned off. Now insert the SD Card with the firmware file.
• On my E-m1 mark II, the firmware SD card must be in the top slot.
• Start the camera while pushing the "OK" button.
• The screen will be black and the orange front LED will turn on.
• DO NOT TURN THE CAMERA OFF WHILE THE LED IS SOLIDLY ON.
• Wait until it blinks rapidly. This means the process is finished. You can now restart the camera like you would do normally.
• You may want to remove the "DCOLYMP" folder from your SD card, so you don't flash a new firmware by accident.