E-M6 - What and When?

[DLBlack]

C-AF and C-AF w/ Tracking is the reason for the PDAF on the sensor. Making the old FT lenses useable was a nice secondary by-product.

 

[peevee1]

I've probably decided to skip the E-M1 and just go for the 12-40 to put on my E-M5 (unless the camera + lens combo price is very good deal).

So this got me wondering what the E-M5's successor might be.

Hopefully, something along the lines of:

• Weather Sealing to E-M5 level
• Faster/Better AF tracking
• VF4 finder
• Control layout revision
• Truepic 7
• Sensor revision
• IBIS revision
• Optional Grip

But would this put it too close to the E-M1? Is there a chance Olympus could actually backtrack a bit from E-M5's features, to create a bigger gap between the 'Pro' and regular OM-Ds? I hope not.

Anyone seen anything in the rumour mills about what and when?

-Najinsky

All that plus WiFi. Well, OSPDAF - but probably you covered it with "faster/better AF tracking" and "sensor revision".

And yes, the difference to E-M1 would be very small.

I don't think there will be as many controls as on E-M1 (neither they are that much needed). And they could leave EVF the same.

They have missed the opportunity to make E-M1 real sports "10 fps with tracking" camera, and install bigger battery taking advantage of the big grip. So they have created real problem for themselves. What, just 1/4000 shutter (when even E-P5 has 1/8000) and smaller grip?

Even if they would update firmware for E-M5 to 2.0, including presets assignable to modes, autodetection of panning for IBIS, ISO Low, optimization of AF/tracking algorithms (E-P5 on the same TruePic VI is specced to 5 fps with tracking instead of 4), CA correction and lens-based sharpening, and better videocodecs, I would be willing to pay up to $50 for it. And they could have marketed it is E-M5 2.0 for all I care.

 

[peevee1]

There are only 3 things I would like to see in the "EM-6" to make me buy it instead of the EM-1, although I still plan on keeping my EM-5.

- viewfinder from EM-1

- improved sensor with PDAF

- 1/8000s

--
'Not all those who wander are lost.'
- J.R.R Tolkein

The first two things are unlikely as they could really kill the E-M1 sales. The reason for PDAF is to support the FT lenses and especially those of high grade, which are worth to keep for the owners. Those lenses were very expensive so that their owners would expect a high-end body. My guess is that amongst future E-M5 line owners the FT support motivation isn't that important.

--
Thomas

You forgot fast C-AF with tracking, and it is as much important for owners of $99 40-150/4-5.6 as for $6,000 300mm/2.8.

 

[peevee1]

There are only 3 things I would like to see in the "EM-6" to make me buy it instead of the EM-1, although I still plan on keeping my EM-5.

- viewfinder from EM-1

- improved sensor with PDAF

- 1/8000s

--
'Not all those who wander are lost.'
- J.R.R Tolkein

The first two things are unlikely as they could really kill the E-M1 sales. The reason for PDAF is to support the FT lenses and especially those of high grade, which are worth to keep for the owners. Those lenses were very expensive so that their owners would expect a high-end body. My guess is that amongst future E-M5 line owners the FT support motivation isn't that important.

PDAF support is not just to support 4/3 lenses but, equally importantly, also to provide useable CAF with m43 lenses which it has succeeded in doing, according to DPR's review, making EM1 the only m43 body that can track moving subjects. In fact PDAF support should be extended to all bodies, including future Pens.

And I am sure it will. Writing and supporting firmware for several different sensors does not make sense - they already integrated TruePic VII with the sensor from E-M1 with PDAF, why would they do it again for something worse?

 

[Acrill]

I think it will have:

1. The EM1 focusing system including pdaf
2. no weather sealing
3. lower price point

 

[Peter Del]

The EM-5 is brilliant, but a couple of changes are absolutely essential. A fully articulated screen. A more accessible location of the cable release socket.
These would be a bonus. 50ISO. A couple of customizable buttons on the front. Lighter weight. Same price as EM-5.

For me, weather sealing and video are unnecessary and if it is not in silver I won't buy it.

In my opinion, the EM-1 is just a slight upgrade on the EM-5.

Peter Del

 

[Najinsky]

I think it will have:

1. The EM1 focusing system including pdaf
2. no weather sealing
3. lower price point

No weather sealing = No sale for me.

My EM-5 was my 6th (I think) mirrorless, and I had three of those others fail within a six month period before being tempted by the OM-D thanks to the DPR samples and the weather sealing.

-Najinsky

 

[JeanLucX]

A smaller OMD will be the only logical choice for Olympus. EM1 is already a minor upgrade from EM5. There is no way Olympus would make a better EM6 to hurt the sales for EM1. Panasonic is already making the super compact GM1. A better built, more compact and perhaps better screen EM6 is the only logical choice. If Olympus needs another OMD camera, they could just drop the price of EM1. There is no point to make another OMD in between.

 

[boxerman]

Obviously everyone has their own priorities, but it is interesting to compare. My "wish list" for upgrade of E-M5 is somewhat modest, so maybe I'll get it. Start with Najinsky's list:

• Weather Sealing to E-M5 level

Sure. I don't need anything more. Might settle for less

• Faster/Better AF tracking

This will just happen, no doubt. How much is a mater of guesswork. The PDAF capability uses hardware to bolster CAF (and also tracking), but my theory is processor speed and algorithms (especially for tracking) are a pretty big deal, here. CAF just WILL be better, with an improved processor, so I wouldn't be SO unhappy if the sensor doesn't get PDAF. I don't care about compatibility with other than M4/3 lenses.

• VF4 finder

A very happy feature. No improvement might be a deal breaker, but I think it's very unlikely, even if it is not literally VF4.

• Control layout revision

Meh. I can live without it. Nice if the buttons were a bit easier to get to, and less mushy. Just not a major consideration. My E-M5 works well enough.

• Truepic 7

Yup. More than 2 years later, it'd better have a processor upgrade. And, that's one basis for better C-AF and tracking, even without PDAF.

• Sensor revision

I'd say almost certain to happen. Not necessarily PDAF, so that might be a distinguishing feature that Olympus can separate from E-M1 line. I'm OK with incremental improvements in dynamic range, etc. Yes, I want them. Yes , I expect to get them. I don't expect or demand major improvements.

• IBIS revision

Seems certain to happen. Any little crumb here is fine with me. IBIS is already very good. Might be cheaper to have same IBIS in E-M6 compared to E-M1, rather than the expense to keep two different versions.

• Optional Grip

I don't care. I don't find that I have any handling issues with E-M5.

What isn't mentioned, above, some in the category of little nigglies:

• smaller AF box (guaranteed to happen)
• auto IBIS mode (seems almost guaranteed; just a tweak in the algorithms and the possibility of the cam changing it's own modes. I don't like having to do IBIS mode changes when the camera can perfectly will know when I'm panning, or have the cam on a tripod)
• Time laps. (very likely to happen--it probably costs nothing; nice, no deal breaker if not)
• focus peaking (I don't care, but it wouldn't hurt, I suppose)

So, bottom line, I expect to get most of what I'd like for next-fen E-M5!

Oh,

• much smaller E-M6? Not at all likely. That's a different line, and a deal-breaker if they go that way. I rate it VERY unlikely.

--
The BoxerMan

 

[Valentinian]

First, IMO, the E M-1 is designed to use the 4/3 existing lenses in a micro 4/3 system (or, as someone in this forum said, it allows the owners of 4/3 lenses to sell them to some suckers).

So, now that Olympus took care of that, now it can go back to the E M-5, and improve it without concessions to the owners of 4/3 lenses.

How will the E M-5 successor be improved over the E M-5 ?

- better EVF

- 1/8000

- iso 100

- focus peaking

- a little faster contrast AF

Nothing else is (IMO) needed

 

[Advent1sam]

Who cares, I jut upgraded my EM-5 to GX7?

Silent shutter

NFC

Corner high res evf

Built-in flash

Better grip

Intervalometer

Proper video ;-), 24/25/50P and time lapse video.

Everything I wanted in an EM-1 never mind an EM-6

I've probably decided to skip the E-M1 and just go for the 12-40 to put on my E-M5 (unless the camera + lens combo price is very good deal).

So this got me wondering what the E-M5's successor might be.

Hopefully, something along the lines of:

• Weather Sealing to E-M5 level
• Faster/Better AF tracking
• VF4 finder
• Control layout revision
• Truepic 7
• Sensor revision
• IBIS revision
• Optional Grip

But would this put it too close to the E-M1? Is there a chance Olympus could actually backtrack a bit from E-M5's features, to create a bigger gap between the 'Pro' and regular OM-Ds? I hope not.

Anyone seen anything in the rumour mills about what and when?

-Najinsky

 

[Peter M Smith]

Lens correction would be good. Brings it into line with Nikon and probably Canon. It is available on EM1.

 

[honeyiscool]

EM6 will probably be a miniature EM5 like GM1 but with maybe better screen and better viewfinder. A sensor upgrade is very unlikely because Sony probably won't give it to Olympus and EM6 with better sensor than EM1 will probably hurt EM1's sales.

I just don't see any point of updating the EM5 unless the sensor is improved. The EM5 is still a wonderful camera, and EM1 has taken care of all the advancements any EM5 could have had (minus new sensor).

 

[Joseph Prawiro]

There are only 3 things I would like to see in the "EM-6" to make me buy it instead of the EM-1, although I still plan on keeping my EM-5.

- viewfinder from EM-1

- improved sensor with PDAF

- 1/8000s

 

[OM User]

I think we will see the OM-D "light" before the E-M5 II/E-M6. Firstly because Olympus have already mentioned a 3 tier range and secondly because, as already discussed, an E-M5 replacement would be too close to the E-M1 this early in the E-M1's life. I see that in 2 years time we'll get the E-M5 replacement and a year later the E-M1 replacement (improved and faster PDAF with cross type sensors). So next year is the year of the OM-D "light".

I think the small improvements for the E-M5 replacement when it comes will be:

No AA filter, processor from E-M1 (to process out any moire)

On/off switch on top plate (a la E-M1)

2x2 switch on the back

VF-4 style viewfinder

The image colour thing

Wi-Fi with PC connectivity

 

[boxerman]

Lens correction would be good. Brings it into line with Nikon and probably Canon. It is available on EM1.

Ah, good point! Personal choices, as always, but I would not buy the Panny 12-35 for my E-M5. I WOULD buy it for an E-M1.

 

[AndyGM]

I don't think there will be an E-M6. An E-ML6, an OM-D Lite certainly, but not a direct replacement for the E-M5.

What are they going to be able to remove from the E-M1 to have a differentiated product? Lets look at what the E-M1 has extra over the E-M5.

• The new sensor with on chip PDAF
• Fuss free Continuous AF
• TruePic VII processor
• EVF panel from the VF4
• Fine Detail Processing 2 (Dynamic AA/Sharpening, CA and diffraction correction)
• Focus Peaking
• Improved IBIS (autopan from E-P5, maybe even more improvements than that)
• New Shutter (1/8000s, 1/320s X-Sync)
• Faster burst mode
• In camera HDR
• WiFi
• Color Creator
• Lens IS Priority
• Big Grip
• Freezeproof (in addition to water and dust proof)
• All Magnesium case (instead of Half Magnesium case of the E-M5)

I think the parts I've marked in italics would make it into an OM-D Lite.

The AA filter would be back so no Dynamic AA. The slower, less complex shutter might be a easy cost saving (and would mean slower burst rate and no in camera HDR). The EVF could stay as the one from the E-M5 (again, that would put clear water between an OM-D Lite and the E-M1, and it's not so bad, no one complains that the E-M5 has a poor EVF).

And the case and weatherproofing would be simplified and reduced in cost too, no magnesium (although from some of Olympus' marketing, they see the OM-D range as a go anywhere camera for even the worst shooting conditions, so expect at least rainproofing).

 

[Ejvaccaro]

The biggest issue with the E-M5 is motion tracking. All other things are minor in comparison. So, if Olympus want's to make a better E-M5 they should fix the motion tracking (if that means PDAF on sensor than so be it), Put the better EVF in it. Allow us to use the current optional grip and be done with it.

If they want to put some separation between the E-M5/6 and the E-M1 eliminate the weather sealing and drop the price a bit.

 

[kwunyin]

The biggest issue with the E-M5 is motion tracking. All other things are minor in comparison. So, if Olympus want's to make a better E-M5 they should fix the motion tracking (if that means PDAF on sensor than so be it), Put the better EVF in it. Allow us to use the current optional grip and be done with it.

If they want to put some separation between the E-M5/6 and the E-M1 eliminate the weather sealing and drop the price a bit.

I agree. PDAF is the only way they'll get another $1000 from me to upgrade my E-M5. The 1/8000s shutter speed and bigger viewfinder and wifi are all nice and dandy, but I can't see myself buying another OM-D unless it has better motion tracking. I just feel the focusing is so essential for sharper images that I don't feel any of the other things put together would warrant an upgrade right now. Maybe the E-M7...

It would be so sad if they completely remove the weather sealing though. That would feel like a downgrade. If they kept the dust/splash proof and didn't implement the freeze proof, I'd understand that.

Would protecting the E-M1 really matter in April though? That'd be almost a year since the release of the camera. I like the ergonomics of the E-M5 much more than the E-M1, which I find too bulky, so I hope the successor to the E-M5 is going to be good.