OM Digital Solutions has released details of its new flagship OM-1 Mark II camera, which introduces the world’s first Live GND (Graduated ND) photography function.


Angled view of the new OM-1 Mark II camera with the popular M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO lens, which boasts similar IP53-class weather-sealing. (Source: OM Digital Solutions.)

Due for release in early February 2024, the new second-generation model will replace the OM-1 as the flagship of the range and offers some significant improvements on its predecessor – without increasing body size or weight. The Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system has been retained and, like the OM-1 the Mark II model boasts an IP53-class splash and dustproof design and is able to withstand freezing temperatures down to -10°C. However, the OM-1 Mark II’s branding label has been updated to ‘OM SYSTEM’ in line with other recent releases from the company.

The stacked, back-side illuminated (BSI) sensor appears to be unchanged from the previous model, with resolution remaining at 20.4 megapixels (effective) from the CMOS chip, which has 22.9 million photosites. It’s also coupled with the TruePic X Dual Quad Core processor, which is the latest in the line. As before, there are five JPEG resolution settings (L, M1, M2, S1 and S2) and three compression levels (SF, F and M) plus a raw file option, which is now at 14-bit depth, including for the 50-megapixel Handheld High Res Shot and 80-megapixel Tripod High Res Shot modes.


The in-camera focus stacking and focus bracketing functions provided in the OM-1 have been retained in the second-generation model. (Source: OM Digital Solutions.)

 

The 3-inch vari-angle LCD monitor is also unchanged, with 1,620,000 dots, 3:2 aspect ratio and electrostatic touch controls. The only change to have been made to the 5.76 million dot OLED EVF is an increase in the magnification to 0.83x. It also has a minimal display delay of 0.005 seconds and a high-speed display performance of 120 fps for blackout-free continuous shooting, which were not defined for the previous model. However, the new camera provides the following improvements over its predecessor:

The Live GND (Graduated ND) shooting function is groundbreaking technology that utilises computational photography to replicate the effects of using half ND filtration to control brightness levels within the image. Photographers can also customise the effect’s position and angle and seamlessly adjust filter steps (GND2, GND4, or GND8) and types (Soft, Medium, or Hard) in real-time through the EVF or rear LCD. In addition, the OM-1 Mark II extends the range for Live ND shooting to ND128 to handle subjects with wider dynamic ranges.


Live GND allows photographers to apply a selective ND filter over part of the image frame. (Source: OM Digital Solutions.)

  • The 5-axis in-body image stabilisation delivers half a stop better shake correction, at up to 8.5 steps with the body alone. Additional stabilisation is provided through 5-axis sync IS with compatible lenses.
  • While the hybrid PD/CD High-speed imager AF system still uses 1053 detection points, AI Detection AF has been enhanced with deep learning technologies for faster, more accurate recognition of human and animal subjects (with specific settings for birds, dogs and cats) as well as land vehicles, airplanes and helicopters. Seamless integration with the existing Face Priority/Eye Priority AF significantly refines autofocus capabilities.
  • Sequential shooting has been improved, enabling the camera to support blackout-free, silent sequential shooting (SH2) with AF/AE tracking at up to 50 fps or with focus and exposure locked on the first frame at up to 120 fps, including with the Pro Capture mode.


Wildlife and sports photographers will gain from the faster burst recording times and higher buffer capacities that are now available for capturing both raw and JPEG images. (Source: OM Digital Solutions.)

  • The OM-1 Mark II also has a larger buffer memory than its predecessor, allowing retrospective capture of approximately 99 frames in Pro Capture mode (up from 70 in the OM-1). With sequential shooting, it can store approximately 219 frames in JPEG format or 213 frames in RAW shooting at approximately 120 fps, more than double the OM-1’s approximately 92 frames each.
  • The new camera has also gained improvements in usability through changes to subject detection settings within the Super Control Panel, which are now faster and easier to configure and give users greater control over adjustments. The trash barrel button on the right-hand menu has been re-assigned as a menu shortcut to improve operability, especially when using a telephoto lens.
  • Improvements have also been made to the finger grips on dial surfaces, which are now elastomer coated. The new camera also supports UVC (USB Video Class) / UAC (USB Audio Class) connection to a PC, allowing seamless webcam use. Vertical video capture is also available for posting to social media platforms and similar applications, although otherwise video capabilities appear to be unchanged.

Other unchanged features are the BLX-1 battery, which is the same as in the OM-1, where it was CIPA rated for approximately 520 shots/charge or 90 minutes of movie recording. No figures have been released yet for the new camera. This battery has a recharge cycle of approximately 500 times (based on CIPA tests).

The OM-1 Mark II body will be available early February 2024 with a suggested retail price of AU$3,799 ($4,099 NZD). Click here for more information.

OM Digital Solutions has also announced updates to three software applications. Version 2.3 of the Olympus Workspace image editing software offers advanced processing and editing capabilities in the form of new USB RAW Data Edit features like tone curve adjustments and dehazing plus an AI Noise Reduction function specifically designed for processing raw files from the new camera. Version 3.1 of OM Capture camera control software offers seamless image transfer via Wi-Fi, including within the 5 GHz band plus power supply via USB while controlling the camera. The OM Image Share smartphone app (OI.Share), which establishes a Wi-Fi connection to the camera, can now be used to update the firmware on the camera body and also allows users to back up and restore camera settings.