Olympus has announced the macOS version of its OM-D Webcam Beta utility is now available. Like the Windows version, released back in June, the macOS version enables select OM-D cameras to be used as webcams with compatible videoconferencing and streaming software over USB.
The utility is free to download from Olympus’ website. Once installed, the process is as simple as plugging one of the compatible Olympus cameras and selecting the OM-D Webcam Beta as an input in the conferencing or streaming program of your choosing. Below is the limited list of compatible cameras:
OM-D E-M1X
OM-D E-M1 Mark III
OM-D E-M1 Mark II
OM-D E-M1
OM-D E-M5 Mark II
Olympus notes the utility won’t capture audio from your camera, so plan on having another microphone nearby (or just use your computer’s built-in microphone). Olympus also says streaming quality will be lower if there isn’t a memory card inside the camera.
We have contacted Olympus to see if any other cameras will be compatible in the future. You can find out more information and download the utility on Olympus’ website.
Installed it and had a play. The 2 big problems are (1) no support for on-camera microphone (I have a Rode VMGO) and (2) video is only 720p. Yep, 4K-capable camera and they choke it to 720p in the 21st century! So I bought a £20 HDMI-to-USB adapter from Amazon - that works much better!
The problem now is - how do I uninstall the OM-D webcam driver on my MacBook (Catalina 10.15.7) - there's nothing in Applications to drag to the Trash can.
I used Finder to search for "webcam" and found "OM-D WebCam.plugin" in /Library/CoreMediaIO/Plug-Ins/DAL. Deleted the file and the webcam has disappeared, even when I connect my EM1ii via USB and select the webcam setting from its menu. Did I get everything or is there something else to clean up?
Looks great when I first connect to OBS but then when I connect it to zoom it freezes frequently in both OBS and zoom. Is it working flawlessly for any of you other users, and if so what's your secret?
"Olympus notes the utility won’t capture audio from your camera, so plan on having another microphone nearby (or just use your computer’s built-in microphone)."
It worked with my early 2011 MacBook Pro running Mac OS High Sierra 10.13.6 with the ZOOM video conferencing app but not with my 2019 iMac running Mac OS Catalina 10.15.6.
Very interesting, I don't know many camera manufacturers developing new advanced software for zombie divisions. Perhaps the whole "sale" thing is overblown?
Anybody got this working yet? I have an EM-1 (first gen) and an iMac 5K running Catalina. I installed the software, restarted, connected the camera per Olympus' instructions. I turned it on, selected the "computer connection" icon. Launched Zoom and FaceTime and don't see any options for other cameras besides the built-in iSight.
I'm running Mac OS 10.13.6 on my early 2011 MacBook Pro and it works great using ZOOM. Also I'm using and Olympus OMD EM-5 Mark II. I also have 2019 iMac running Catalina but unfortunately it did not work with.
I got it to show up in Zoom by updating Zoom. Embarrassing I didn’t think of this sooner but I got it working. I’ll do more testing tomorrow and report back.
How well does this webcam work when recording classical musicians taking their places before a performance while the lights are low? You know, Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark?
It sounds like Olympus is searching for a new customer-fields, giving up on competing with APS-C or Fullframe vendors. It's not a good sign and maybe a serious directionchange after the change of ownership.
I was waiting for this, but I ended up buying an Elgato CamLink 4K to pair with my EM1 ii. So far the results have been stellar (Zoom conferences / webinars). Might test Olympus' beta software to compare.
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