Since late last year, Olympus has been teasing out the release of the OM-D E-M1X, a professional mirrorless M43 camera designed for sports shooters. It will be announced on January 24. How do we know? They’ve pre-announced the announcement of course! Update: 23/1/2018: The full specs have been leaked, which can be seen at the bottom of this article.
While having a dedicated following in the enthusiast market, Olympus has until now had the least focus on professional photographers of all the Japanese camera companies. The advanced specs, such as seven and a half stops of image stabilisation, and chunky built-in battery grip on the E-M1X – not to mention the US$3000 body-only price – indicates it’s now seriously looking at the pro market.
So what do we know about the camera?
Here’s the facts taken from the 19-second teaser video.
The camera launch will be accompanied by new telephoto zoom lenses. There are guys splashing around in a pool and volleyball players kicking up sand, which many are taking as indicating that the camera will also be rugged and weatherproof.
Here’s the rumours taken from 43Rumours:
– Sensor: 20MP (not global shutter);
– Frame rate: 18fps;
– 7.5+ EV stabilization;
– 2x TruePic VIII processors for twice the processing speed of the E-m1II;
– Autofocus: Adaptive and expandable focal points. Two examples. If you are shooting a person, then shift to shooting a car, the number of focal points will automatically expand. If you are shooting a basketball player, you will get a vertical series of 5 focal points;
– Body Size: 144 x 147 x 75mm (body with built in vertical grip);
– High Res: Can shoot handheld high res images (around 80MP) at 1/60s – via pixel shift we assume;
– Photography focus: Sports and Wildlife shooters;
– Same batteries as E-M1 Mk II;
– Live electronic ND filter;
– Larger EVF;
– Price: Close to US$3,000 .
It’s also possible that Olympus will announce three lenses, two tele zooms and a wide-angle, along with a speedlight. Oh, and some Zuiko binoculars.
Here’s a video by YouTube erm, photographic comedian, ‘Camera Conspiracies’ which, in an affectionate kind of way, takes the Michael out of the somewhat steroidal Olympus E-M1X. We think it’s amusing, but the PR people at Olympus might find it harder to raise a smile. On the other hand, if those specs are f’real, they have plenty to smile about…
Yesterday 43Rumours posted the E-M1X spec sheet. Judging by the buzzwordy PR-style writing, the information seem ‘almost certainly correct!’
Olympus E-M1X camera specifications:
High-speed performance and excellent image quality
Speed and image quality of the new E-M1X are fueled by a 20.4 MP Live MOS sensor with a new coating in order to deliver improved sensitivity as well as two TruPicVIII high-speed image processors improving fundamental performance factors such as start-up time and recovery time from sleep mode. The dual processor design not only contributes to a faster camera, but also allows the support of two high-speed UHS-II SD card slots and enables the latest shooting functions such as Handheld High Res Shot, Live ND, and Intelligent Subject Detection AF.
Advanced Image Stabilisation
Olympus have introduced a redeveloped gyro sensor – the camera allows for the world’s best compensation performance. In combination with a M.Zuiko IS PRO lens, this technology enables the 5-axis sync IS to compensate for approx. 7.5 shutter speed steps1, eliminating the need for a tripod and enabling free-hand shooting in various conditions.
Super-fast AF
With locked AF, the E-M1X features high-speed sequential shooting at a maximum of 60 fps to capture split-second moments that the human eye cannot see. With AF/AE tracking, a maximum of 18 fps may be reached. The camera’s Pro Capture Mode records up to 35 frames retroactively from when the shutter button is released during shooting.
High-Res Shot functionality
In addition to high-resolution maximum 80 MP images that can be captured in Tripod High Res Shot, a Handheld High Res Shot functionality is now available on the OM-D E-M1X: designed for photographers who don’t want to be limited by using a tripod, this function generates a single high-resolution shot equal to that captured with a 50 MP sensor – without any signs of blur caused by handshake.
Live ND functionality
A new Live ND functionality incorporates slow shutter speed effects as though using an ND filter. The scene can be reviewed in the viewfinder and the effect edited before users take the photo. Effects can be set in five levels: ND2 (equivalent to one shutter speed step), ND4 (2 steps), ND8 (3 steps), ND16 (4 steps), and ND32 (5 steps).
Movie capabilities
In addition to professional-quality photos, the new E-M1X is a master at movie-making. It features all the extras videographers need to capture moments as they happen. With the ultra-high Cinema 4K (C4K, 4096 x 2160) movie format, videographers not only have the highest recording resolution to date, but also more flexibility when it comes to post production. 120 fps high-speed movies are also now supported in Full HD resulting in the capability to shoot cinematic movies with slow-motion perception.
The powerful 5-axis IS and electronic stabilization enable refined handheld 4K and C4K video recording with three selectable levels of movement compensation depending on the photographer’s posture and movement.
Log shooting
To counteract changing lighting conditions typical during documentary and nature shooting, the E-M1X supports log shooting. OM-Log400 delivers movies without loss of details in shadows or highlight blowouts, and greater freedom over video creativity through colour grading.
Anti-flicker shooting feature
With an anti-flicker shooting feature, the camera detects the flicker frequency of artificial light sources and activates the shutter at peak brightness to minimize uneven exposures and coloring between sequential frames (via PR). Flicker scan suppresses striped patterns that can occur when using Silent Mode (electronic shutter) and when shooting movies, so that users can fine tune the shutter speed.
Connectivity
A new Wi-Fi capture allows tethered shooting without a cable and makes it possible to transfer images wirelessly to a computer with the “Olympus Capture” camera control software.
GPS
The OM-D E-M1X contains a built-in GPS sensor, temperature sensor, manometer and compass, collectively known as ‘field sensors’. In addition to location information such as longitude and latitude, these sensors detect and record the temperature, elevation, and direction of the camera for adding detailed shooting information to images.
Weight 997g
Body (WxHxD) 144.4 x 146.8 x 75.4mm
Effective Resolution 20.4 megapixels
Continuous Shooting Speed 18 fps
The Olympus E-M1X features world class image stabilisation and stand out new capabilities including 50mp Hi-Res Shot handheld with new built-in ND filters. A new vertical grip houses two batteries for extended use and a deep finger rest for both horizontal and vertical positions gives a more comfortable grip. New twin processors take high-speed performance to another level for both image processing and a re-developed intelligent autofocus system. The magnesium alloy body is fully IPX1 weather resistance tested.
New features include:
– World’s best Image stabilisation: In combination with a M.Zuiko IS PRO lens, this technology enables the 5-axis sync IS to compensate for approx. 7.5 shutter speed steps;
– 50 MP Handheld High Res shot functionality. Building on the HiRes innovation on the E-M1 MK II where a tripod was required, the E-M1X can now take a 50mp HiRes shot hand held. Using a tripod it can now produce 80mp images;
– Totally Re-developed AF system with various AF target modes and settings and intelligent subject tracking;
– Live ND feature for slow shutter effects without external filter;
– Dust, splash, & freezeproof. Weatherproofing maintained even when connecting microphone, earphone or remote control cable;
– Integrated field sensors to add detailed metadata to pictures and video;
– Two UHS-II SD card slots for high speed responsiveness;
– Two batteries in innovative cartridge system and USB charging capabilities;
– Key “OM-D Movie” video capabilities: 4K and C4K, OM-Log400, Different levels of IS, 120 fps high-speed shooting in Full HD;
– Anti-flicker shooting capabilities;
– Integrated field sensors to add detailed metadata to pictures and video;
– The sensor dust reduction system now features an improved Super Sonic Wave Filter (SSWF) with special coating which vibrates 30,000 times per second further reducing the possibility of dust or dirt ruining photos and equipment by factor 10;
– Capture up to 2,580 images before having to recharge. Featuring USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) from up to 100 W power sources, both batteries in the camera body can be fully charged in approximately two hours;
– With locked AF, the E-M1X features high-speed sequential shooting at a maximum of 60 fps to capture split-second moments that the human eye cannot see. With AF/AE tracking, a maximum of 18 fps may be reached;
– A new Wi-Fi capture allows tethered shooting without a cable and makes it possible to transfer images wirelessly to a computer with the “Olympus Capture” camera control software.
I havd to say that I loved the video…..and I am a professional sports shooter who shoots Olympus. There is a difference between mirrorless and csc. Sony, Canon, Panasonic ff and Nikon are Mirrorless, Olympus is csc and that is down to combined lens and body weights, not just bodies. Lets take an Olympus body and their 40-150 f2.8 Pro – so 80-300 f2.8 ffe. If the video is right at 900 g for the new body, the combined body and lens weight is 1,780 g and price around $4,100. Compare this to a 1dx ii with the 70-200 2.8 and a 300 2.8. Here we are at 5,210 g and a whopping $13,697.
Putting it bluntly, the Olympus system is 1/3 of the weight and 1/3 of the cost. Maybe the “big” comments need to be rethought to include lenses and prices!!
Hard to argue against those facts on weight and price, Mike, but it does look big for an M43. Thanks for the input.
The pudding’s proof will be in low-light action. Image stabilisation won’t help much with fast-moving subjects in low light, nor will very fast lenses when a modicum of depth of field is needed. Low light action (sports and wildlife) needs high I.Q. at high ISO. That’s the challenge for Oly.