Olympus discloses details about their E-M1 and E-M5II firmware upgrade coming in November.

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Olympus unveiled that it plans to release a new firmware upgrade for the E-M1 and E-M5II sometimes in November. This is the official press text:

New main features added in firmware upgrade

1) Focus Stacking Mode (OM-D E-M1 only)
Focus Stacking Mode let you shoot macro photos that are completely in focus at all depths. A single press of the shutter button captures 8 shots with different focal positions, automatically merging them into a single shot on the camera. Depth of field larger than that of minimum aperture and high resolution without diffraction can be achieved.

2) Focus Bracketing Mode
This function captures up to 999 shots with the focus position for each shot being changed, allowing you to use photo retouching software to merge the images with larger depth of field that cannot be achieved in focus stacking mode (8 shots).

3) S-OVF (Simulated OVF)
S-OVF enables a view that is similar to that of an optical viewfinder.
Exposure compensation and white balance are purposely not shown in S-OVF so that users who are comfortable with the optical viewfinder in DSLR cameras can use the camera in the exact same way.

4) Movie-Exclusive Picture Mode: Flat (OM-D E-M5 Mark II only)
Movie-Exclusive Picture Mode Flat provides beautiful post-editing or grading color by lowering the contrast to minimize highlight blowouts and loss of detail in shadows.

5) Synchronized PCM Audio Rec. with Movie Recording
Functions have been added for shooting movies when connecting Olympus Linear PCM Recorder LS-100 via USB cable. Slate Tone can be added to make it easier to synchronize the audio and image after recording is complete, and a function for synchronizing the start of audio recording with movie recording on the camera is also available.

6) Enhanced functions on Olympus Capture Version 1.1
You can customize the display of items on the Super Control Panel so that only the required functions are displayed, and you can change the layout for easier access of the most frequently used functions. Direct PC saving is also available and the transfer speed is made faster by saving images directly to a computer without recording to an SD card. Transfer speed is improved up to 4 times faster than before. Tether shooting capabilities are also expanded. Features such as Keystone Compensation are now available to operate via a computer by connecting the camera to a computer.

7) MF Clutch and Snapshot Focus Disable
You can change settings from the menu to disable MF Clutch and Snapshot Focus.

8) Latest firmware for M.Zuiko Pro and Premium lenses
Along with this latest firmware upgrade, latest firmware for the M.Zuiko Pro and Premium lenses will also be released. Aperture drive has been improved for smooth exposure control even when shooting movies in situations with sudden changes in brightness. It also supports for disabling the MF Clutch and Snapshot Focus.

Review of the one good camera Canon doesn’t really push…. :)

The Canon EOS-M3 mirrorless is such a nice camera it is pity Canon doesn’t push it on a marketing level as other companies with their own mirrorless cameras. CanonWatch just reviewed the camera and writes:

The EOS M3 is powerful and well-made mirrorless camera. Everything works as advised, and it works really well. Image quality is excellent, build quality too, the AF is on pair with most competitors, it’s an EOS so it shares all the powerful possibilities of the system, and it is small and compact.
It’s a well made and powerful mirrorless camera. Nevertheless, you can’t avoid the feeling that Canon is not yet fully committed to the EOS M system. The most visible sign of this lack of commitment is likely the fact that the EOS M system has only four native lenses.

Come on Canon, just give us a strong sign and release a proper EOS-M lens roadmap! That would be something or not?

(High credibility rumor) Zeiss to expand the Loxia range with a new 21mm FE lens.

(High credibility rumor):

[shoplink 300350 ebay]Zeiss_21mm_f_2_8_ZM_Lens_361537[/shoplink]

The image on top shows you the nice [shoplink 300350 ebay]Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Biogon ZM lens (listed here on eBay)[/shoplink]. Well if rumors on SAR are correct than Zeiss will launch a new Loxia 21mm f/2.8 for the Sony FE system in mid October. Usually Zeiss uses the same basic design as their ZM version. So expect the Loxia to be similar in internal lens arrangement design, size and optical quality.

First video shot at 4,5 Million ISO with the Canon ME20F-SH FF camcorder!

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Canon Japan just published the very first video shot with their ME20F-SH Full Frame prototype camera. The camera records up to 4,5 Million ISO. Take that Sony A7s! But in Sony’s defense the Canon has a 2 Megapixel sensor only to make those amazing low light results possible. The image above shows you Zebras walking in the complete darkness. Below you can see one more image of the camera sensor and another 4.5 Million ISO image taken from the video. Full info about the protoype camera can be read at Explora BH.

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The ME20F-SH will ship in December and cost $30,000!

First posted on CanonWatch.

Sigma will soon launch a new 24mm f/2.8 ART lens for Sony E-mount and MFT.

(Medium credibility rumor):

24mm f/2.8 ART Sigma
Image on top shows the current Sigma ART E-mount lens lineup.

There is a rumor coming form the Sigma front. According to one source:

Sigma is readying a new 24mm f/2.8 DN Art lens for APS-C E-Mount. Expect higher sharpness when compared to the 30mm, about the same level of sharpness as with the 60mm. Autofocus is speedier too compared to the 30mm. Announcement will come very soon within September.

We also heard from another source the lens will be available for Micro Four Thirds too!