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Firmware upgrades for Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II OM-D E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F

Today, Olympus announced some major new firmware updates for their OM-D E-M1 Mark II,OM-D E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F mirrorless cameras. But before we delve into what benefits these updates give you, let’s take a quick look at what firmware is, and why it is important - plus find out how you can get your firmware updated for free, in store at Park Cameras!

Firmware is the computer code which operates your camera and is vital to correct operation of your camera and maximum performance. The firmware is stored in your cameras ROM (read only memory).

Some manufacturers issue firmware purely to resolve minor issues flagged up by users or found in testing, whereas others are more proactive in introducing new features and functions to cameras already in the market - Olympus are in that camp!

Firmware version 2.0 for the OM-D E-M1 II, version 3.0 for the PEN-F and version 4.0 for the OM-D E-M5 II are all now available.

All three models gain the new 'bleach bypass' art filter. Art filters are a very neat way of giving your images a 'look' and with art filter bracketing you can choose one or how ever many you wish and the camera will take a normal shot and then produce the art-filtered images and write them to your memory card.

The Bleach Bypass Art Filter reproduces the bleach bypass effect used when processing film. With this effect you can give cityscapes a sharp edge and make the metallic texture of cars or aircraft more impressive. Select from Type I and Type II with type 1 adding a cool shining silver metallic feel and type 2 offering a gentle refined effect like an old movie.

The OM-D E-M1 II gets the most changes including improved AF performance and image stabilization when shooting video.

Watch this short video as professional photographer Gavin Hoey guides you thought the main improvements that this latest update provides, or see below for a summary of the changes for each model.

Version 2.0 for the OM-D E-M1 II has the following features and can be downloaded here:

  • New art filter [Bleach Bypass] has been added. 
  • Possible to use focus stacking photography with "M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-100mm 
  • Small targets have been added to AF target mode. 
  • Possible to set a maximum of 35 pre-shutter frames for Pro Capture shooting. 
  • Display has been improved to show that Pro Capture shooting is recording. 
  • "Flicker Scan" has been added so it is possible to reduce flickering by fine adjustment of shutter speed while looking at the live view when using electronic shutter. 
  • Fisheye compensation photography has been added for use of M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO. You can view the effects in live view while shooting images. 
  • Possible to set zoom ratio during playback. Also, added pixel equivalence display
  • Pro Capture shooting is available for additional lenses. 
  • Display of remaining battery power has been improved. 
  • Response when assigning AF to AEL/AFL button has been improved. 
  • Stability of camera operation when using OLYMPUS Capture has been improved. 
  • Stability of image stabilizer operation when shooting video has been improved. 
  • Performance of C-AF when shooting still images has been improved. 
  • Colour reproduction of photographed images has been improved. 
  • Stability of operation when shooting still images has been improved. 
  • Corrected issue of autofocus (AF) function not operating correctly when using the "LEICA DG ELMARIT 200mm F2.8 / POWER O.I.S. (H-ES200)" interchangeable lens produced by Panasonic. 

Version 4.0 for the OM-D E-M5 II adds the following and can be downloaded here:

  • New art filter [Bleach Bypass] has been added.
  • Corrected issue of autofocus (AF) function not operating correctly when using the "LEICA DG ELMARIT 200mm F2.8 / POWER O.I.S. (H-ES200)" interchangeable lens produced by Panasonic. 
  • Possible to use focus stacking photography with "M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO".

Version 3.0 for the PEN-F adds the following and can be downloaded here:

  • New art filter [Bleach Bypass] has been added.
  • Corrected issue of autofocus (AF) function not operating correctly when using the "LEICA DG ELMARIT 200mm F2.8 / POWER O.I.S. (H-ES200)" interchangeable lens produced by Panasonic.
  • Possible to use OLYMPUS Digital Camera Updater to save monochrome profiles and colour profiles of images you like to the camera's monochrome profiles and colour profiles. 

Updating the firmware on all Olympus cameras is easily accomplished using the Olympus Camera updater - the latest version is available for download here. You will need the USB cable that came with your camera and as well as upgrading the camera firmware, it is worthwhile checking if the lens firmware is up to date - simply attach the lens you want to check and click update firmware - if an update is available it will be shown, and you have the option to install it.


Want help getting the firmware of your Olympus camera updated? If so, then visit us at 53-54 Rathbone Place, London on Friday 9th March, or at York Road, Burgess Hill on Saturday 10th March and a technical expert from Olympus UK will be on-hand to update the firmware for you. Upon visiting the store, you’ll also get the chance to test out the latest range of lenses and accessories to add to your camera! 

For directions & opening times, visit www.parkcameras.com/contact-us. 

Steve Marley

Park Cameras

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By Park Cameras on 28/02/2018

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