Center Valley, PA—The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II is a compact, interchangeable-lens hybrid engineered to produce both extremely high-res stills and cinema-quality movies utilizing its 40 megapixel high-resolution shot mode.
The dustproof and splashproof model features 5-axis image stabilization (IS), integrated Wi-Fi, a variable-angle 3-inch, 1.04M-dot touch screen, and a 2.36-million dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a 100% field of view, a 1.48x magnification and Adaptive Brightness technology, which automatically adjusts the backlight brightness in accordance with environmental lighting.
Weighing 14.7 ounces, the E-M5 Mark II pairs a redesigned 16 megapixel Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor with the Olympus TruePic VII processor to achieve image quality in bright and low-light conditions alike. The camera can capture 40MP using a pixel-shift technique facilitated by the voice-coil motor IS unit. The 40MP high-res shot mode captures eight sequential images, moving the sensor by 0.5-pixel steps between each shot. Then, the camera compiles those images to produce a super-high-resolution shot. (Olympus recommends that a tripod and an M.Zuiko Digital Pro or M.Zuiko Premium lens are used with the 40MP high-res shot mode.)
Additionally, a 1/8,000 mechanical shutter allows photographers to shoot using a large aperture for maximum bokeh, even in daylight. And users can capture RAW images at 10 frames per second with S-AF, or 5 fps with C-AF tracking enabled. Additionally, an antishock mode utilizes electronic first-curtain shutter to reduce shutter shock during sequential shooting, and a new silent mode enables a full-time 1/16,000-second electronic shutter, eliminating the mechanical shutter noise for silent shooting.
Leveraging its in-body 5-axis VCM image stabilization system, the camera’s sensor shifts horizontally, vertically and on the X (pitch), Y (yaw) and Z (roll) axes in order to provide 5.0 EV steps of compensation performance. This allows the E-M5 Mark II to capture sharp images at shutter speeds as low as 1/4-second without the use of a tripod, while the sensor shift on the X and Y axes also assist when photographing close-up subjects. Image stabilization extends to the rear touch screen and the EVF to provide a full image stabilization preview when the shutter button is pressed halfway.
The OM-D E-M5 Mark II records 1080p video at 60p with up to a 77 Mbps bit-rate possible. It also supports 50p, 30p (29.97p), 25p and 24p (23.98p) frame rates. Its integrated microphone jack supports external audio input, while a headphone jack positioned in the optional HLD-8G external grip enables real-time audio monitoring. Also provided is focus peaking with four color choices (red, yellow, black, white) and three selectable intensities. Settings can be adjusted while recording using the touch screen, including AF-point selection, exposure, electronic zoom and movie tele-converter (which enlarges an area of the screen when touched), microphone sensitivity, headphone volume and art effects. And an OM-D movie function supports time code settings and connection to an external HDMI monitor during recording.
Other features include: an 81-point Fast AF system with an expanded focus area and small target AF; art filters that include pop art, soft focus, pale and light color, light tone, grainy film, pin hole, diorama, cross process, gentle sepia, dramatic tone, key line and watercolor; a clips tool for short clip capture, allowing users to combine footage and effects; creative controls to provide freedom of control over color, tone, focus and aspect ratio; when shooting in RAW+JPEG mode, the camera saves a 40M JPEG file, a 64M RAW (ORF) file and a 16M RAW (ORI) file; and integrated Wi-Fi for remote shooting, geotagging and image sharing via the Olympus Image Share app and a smartphone or tablet.
OM-D E-M5 Mark II Accessories
The OM-D E-M5 Mark II includes a dustproof, splashproof bundled flash, the FL-LM3, with guide number 9 (ISO 100) and tilt-and-swivel positioning to light subjects directly or by bouncing the flash off of a ceiling or wall.
The HLD-8 is a dustproof, splashproof power battery holder designed to enhance both the camera grip and power supply. The HLD-8G non-powered grip combines a camera grip with a headphone jack for monitoring audio during video capture. The HLD-6P power grip, which attaches directly to the camera or to the HLD-8G, provides additional battery power for extended shoots.
An EE-1 External Dot Sight, compatible with any camera with a hot shoe, makes it easier to frame subjects during super-telephoto shooting. The EP-16 large eyecup is also available, which blocks sunlight, making the EVF easier to use.
Olympus is also offering the PT-EP13 dedicated underwater case, which permits the E-M5 Mark II to be used at depths of roughly 150 feet. The case is equipped with a pickup viewfinder and can be used with the camera’s bundled FL-LM3 flash and a variety of lenses.
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, available in black or silver, retails for $1,099.99 body only. The PT-EP13 dedicated underwater case has an SRP of $999.99. olympusamerica.com
