Olympus: New Firmware v 3.1 for OM-D E-M1 and v1.2 for OM-D E-M5 Mark II Cameras are Now Available at No Cost: More Vivid Starscapes for E-M1; Better Underwater Vivid Photography for Both Cameras

This is an update to these previous blogs:

• Olympus: New Firmware Version 3.1 for OM-D E-M1 (Micro Four Thirds System Standard Compliant) and Version 1.2 for OM-D E-M5 Mark II: Available in June 2015.

• Olympus: New Firmware Version 3.1 for OM-D E-M1 and Version 1.2 for OM-D E-M5 Mark II: Underwater Picture Mode for Both; LV Boost II – Assists Vision in Starscape Photography for E-M1: To Be Available June 16, 2015

Please note the OM-D E-M5 Mark II comes equipped with LV Boost II to begin with.

LV Boost II

LV Boost II helps you compose shots of dark scenes by brightening the scene in the display. …Without LV Boost II, the stars would have been invisible, making it impossible to recognize the true composition of the shot prior to shutter release. The settings should give you an idea of how dark the scene actually was:

OM-D E-M1 Ver.3.1 update features:

• LV Boost II which lets you display the Live View five EV steps brighter than the current LV Boost I, making it much easier to compose shots and confirm focus of darker scenes such as starscapes.
• Underwater Picture Mode when combined with Underwater White Balance, adjusts settings for “perfect underwater shots no matter what PASM shooting mode you are in.“

New Underwater Picture Mode for Both Cameras

• The new Underwater Picture Mode combines the wide and macro underwater modes available on previous models in one single function and makes them available in all PASM modes.
• In addition to white balance, exposure and flash compensation, demanding sealife photographers can now adjust aperture and shutter speed to capture stills with “the perfect balance of vivid colours and natural underwater blue tones without the need of further image editing.“

These firmware updates will further enhance the performance of the M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO and M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO lenses.

For more info about the LV Boost II, please visit https://www.facebook.com/OlympusOMD.Official.

The two firmware updates are available as a FREE download via the Olympus Digital Camera Updater.

• The Olympus Digital Camera Updater is available on www.olympus-europa.com/firmware.

Advantages of registering the camera via the MyOlympus online platform:

• Camera owners will be notified by e-mail that the firmware upgrades are available.
• A FREE six-month warranty extension**.

** Six months on top of the statutory warranty in the country of purchase.

PRESS RELEASE

New OM-D firmware boosts underwater and starscape photography

06/16/2015 • New firmware updates are now available for Olympus’ top-of-the-range OM-D E-M1 as well as the OM-D E-M5 Mark II. Owners of the E-M1 can look forward to more vivid starscapes thanks to Live View Boost II. New specialist settings add to the E-M1’s and the E-M5 Mark II’s already impressive underwater repertoire.

Frame starscapes better with Live View Boost II
The new firmware v 3.1 adds LV Boost II to the E-M1, which enhances the camera’s night vision capabilities. A decreased display frame rate enables a better control of even poorly lit subjects on the camera screen, making it easier to capture pin-sharp images of tiny bright points of light against dark backgrounds that are typical for beautiful starscapes. The new LV booster can be assigned to all PASM shooting modes selectively, which is particularly interesting for the studio photographer when working with a flash in M mode. Moreover, it is possible to apply Live Boost modes individually to a range of creative functions, including Live Composite and Bulb/Time modes.

Overachieve underwater with Underwater Picture Mode

Unbeatably lightweight and compact, both OM-D E-M1 and E-M5 Mark II system cameras are much more than dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof*. They take stunning images on land and, housed in their dedicated underwater casings, both of them are also the perfect gear for high-quality underwater photography. They can capture precision stills and movies with vivid colours down to fully 45 metres – thanks to dedicated modes. The new firmware v3.1 for E-M1 and v1.2 for E-M5 Mark II take this already impressive capacity to a new level. The new Underwater Picture Mode combines the wide and macro underwater modes available on previous models in one single function and makes them available in all PASM modes. In addition to white balance, exposure and flash compensation, demanding sealife photographers can now adjust aperture and shutter speed to capture stills with the perfect balance of vivid colours and natural underwater blue tones without the need of further image editing.

Availability
The two firmware updates are available as a free download via the Olympus Digital Camera Updater. Registered users of OM-D E-M1 or OM-D E-M5 Mark II will be notified by e-mail that the firmware upgrades are available. Another advantage of registering the camera via the MyOlympus online platform is a free six-month warranty extension**.

For a full list of OM-D features and accessories, go to OM-D website.

* According to Olympus test conditions.
** Six months on top of the statutory warranty in the country of purchase.

Product specifications are subject to change without notice. Please check the Olympus website at http://www.olympus-europa.com for the latest specifications.

The Olympus Digital Camera Updater is available on www.olympus-europa.com/firmware.