Olympus CP+ 2015 Refreshes

2015.02.05

Olympus just announced updated version of 3 digital imaging products: a member of the OM-D line, a super-zoom lens and tough ultra-compact digital camera.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, replaces the original E-M5 reviewed here. This update keeps all the features and main specifications of its predecessor and adds WiFi plus a few surprises. The Mark II model is now freezeproof to -10C, like the flagship Olympus OM-D E-M1 reviewed last year. It offers a new hybrid-shutter with 1/16000s maximum electronic speed and 1/8000s mechanical speed.

Completely unique to the E-M5 Mark II is a first built-in pixel-shift mode which produces 40 megapixels images from 8 blended exposures. This works using the shift movement of the 5-axis stabilization system, taking multiple photos at half-pixel increments. The in-camera blending takes a few seconds, producing a 64 MB RAW file and 40 MP JPEG image. This is limited to ISO 1600 and 8 second exposures at most. A tripod is highly recommended.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II is expected to ship this month for $1099 USD. Adorama is already accpeting pre-orders. B&H Photo too and currently offers free shipping even to Canada.

There is also a new 10.7X optical zoom lens, the M.Zuiko 14-150mm F/4-5.6 ED II. Its specifications are extremely similar to its predecessor except that this is the first and only weather-sealed Micro Four-Thirds super-zoom. This one is even freezeproof down to -10C, like the OM-D E-M5 Mark II and OM-D E-M1.

The M.Zuiko 14-150mm F/4-5.6 ED II is scheduled for availability next month for $599 USD. Adorama are taking preorders as are B&H Photo.

The new rugged ultra-compact is the Olympus Tough TG-860. This sturdy camera features an exceptionally wide 21-105mm optical zoom lens and an LCD that tilts up 180°. This model is waterproof down to 15m, freezeproof to -10C, crushproof to 100kg, shockproof to 2.1m drops and, obviously by now, dustproof.

The Olympus Tough TG-860 is expected this April for $279 USD. B&H Photo is ready to take pre-orders with free shipping to the USA and Canada. Adorama takes pre-orders for the TG-860 too and ships to the US and abroad.

• Digital Camera