Olympus Introduces OM-D and Lenses

Featuring a 16 megapixel LiveMOS image sensor and integrated 1.44 megapixel electronic viewfinder (EVF) the E-M5 has a weatherproof magnesium-alloy body and is equipped with the world’s first five-axis image stabiliser. The body of the new camera is reminiscent of the early Olympus OM-series film cameras, although a little smaller and lighter. The EVF is located in what was the pentaprism housing of the original camera and the overall handling of the new camera is a cross between the older film style and a recent DSLR.

There’s a shallow (but adequate) grip moulding on the front panel and a large thumb grip on the back. The shutter release button is in the same position as on PEN-series cameras . It’s surrounded by one of two control dials, the second being slightly further back on the top panel. A dedicated movie button is also located here.
The 3-inch OLED monitor on the rear panel has a 3:2 aspect ratio and touch panel overlay plus a resolution of  614,000 dots. It tilts up through roughly 90 degrees and down through about 45 degrees, making it easy to shoot with the camera held above the head or at waist height. The TruePic VI image processor is the same as in the PEN E-P3.  Sensitivity ranges from ISO 200 to a maximum of ISO 25,600, with the Auto setting capped at ISO 1600.  It’s adjustable in 1/3 or 1EV steps.
The high-resolution EVF and real-time digital interface are complemented by proprietary FAST-AF (Frequency Accelerated Sensor Technology Auto Focus) technology, which combines the high drive speed of the new LiveMos sensor, the latest MSC (Movie & Stills Compatible) lens technology, and a very short release lag. 3D subject tracking is a new feature in continuous AF mode for enhanced focusing accuracy of moving subjects.
The E-M5 comes equipped with Olympus’s multi-shot 3D Photo mode, which enables users to produce MPO  files containing stereo pairs of JPEG images.  3D video doesn’t appear to be supported. However, a new Movie Echo function allows users to ‘freeze’ the scene briefly while recording, after which the scene fades away into the next bit of footage. Two modes are provided: One Shot Echo (which freezes a single frame) and Multi Echo (which freezes frames at set intervals.)
Connectivity options are as expected for a DSLR type of camera, with a combined USB/AV  port, HDMI and Olympus’s proprietary Accessory Port 2 as well as a socket for the RM-UC1  remote controller. Images are stored on SD, SDHC or SDXC memory cards. The E-M5 is scheduled for local release in April. Pricing has still to be determined. For details visit www.olympus.com.au.
Concurrent with the announcement of the E-M5, Olympus also released details of two new prime lenses: the M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro and the M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8. The M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro features a dust- and splash-proof body and provides a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:1 at 19 cm. The M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8 is designed for low-light photography and high-speed indoor sports as well as indoor portraiture. For details visit www.olympus.com.au.

Image sensor: 17.3 x 13.0 mm Live MOS sensor with 16.9 million photosites (16.1 megapixels effective)
Image processor: TruePic VI
A/D processing: 12-bit
Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds 
Focal length crop factor: 2x
Image formats: Stills -.RAW, JPEG (Exif 2.3), RAW+JPEG; Movies – MOV(MPEG-4AVC/H.264), AVI(Motion JPEG) 
Image Sizes: Stills – 4:3 aspect ratio: 4608 x 3456, 2560 x 1920, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480; Movies: 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480 at 50i, 50p, 30p
Image Stabilisation: 5-axis image stabilisation (pitch, yaw, roll, horizontal and vertical tilt)
Dust removal: SSWF (vibration of low-pass filter)
Shutter speed range: 60 – 1/4000 second plus Bulb
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3 EV steps
Exposure bracketing: 2, 3 or 5 frames in 0.3, 0.7 or 1.0 EV steps; 7 frames in 0.3, 0.7 EV steps across 7 EV
Self-timer: 2 or 10 seconds delay
Focus system: High-speed Contrast-detect AF with 35 AF points, AF-assist light; Face detection 
Focus modes: 35-area multiple AF/All target, Group target area (9-area), Single target, Manual focus 
Exposure metering: 324-area Digital ESP metering (multi pattern), Centre weighted average, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control 
Shooting modes: iAuto, P, A, S, M, Scene select AE (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv., Wide Conv., Macro Conv., 3D Still), Art Filter, Underwater wide / macro) 
Picture Style/Control settings: i-Enhance, Vivid, Natural, Muted, Portrait, Monochrome, Custom plus Art Filters 
Colour space options: sRGB, Adobe RGB
ISO range: ISO 200 to ISO 25600 (default  ISO 200-1600) selectable in 1/3 or 1 EV steps
White balance: Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Custom WB, One-touch WB  
Flash: External flash only via hot-shoe
Flash exposure adjustment: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Sequence shooting: Max. 9 frames/second
Storage Media: SD, SDHC, SDXC memory cards
Viewfinder:  Eye-level EVF with1.44 million dots, 100% FOV, 0.92 -1.15x magnification;18mm eyepoint,  dioptre adjustment
LCD monitor: 3-inch tilting OLED monitor with Touchscreen panel
Data LCD: No
Playback functions: Single-frame, Index (4 or 9 frames), Enlarge (7.2x  to 14x), Slideshow, Picture rotation (auto mode available), Histogram (independent luminance/RGB available), Shooting information
Interface terminals: USO 2.0 & A/V out (PAL/NTSC), HDMI (Type C Mini); Accessory Port 2; remote control
Power supply: BLN-1 rechargeable lithium-ion battery; CIPA rating unknown 
Dimensions (wxhxd): 121 x 89.6 x 41.9 mm
Weight: 425 grams (body + battery)