Olympus is the one manufacturer that refuses to send press releases to Macfilos. Predictably we didn’t get an invitation to this evening’s press conference at Photokina. So I am left to cobble together information gleaned from the internet. As a former PR professional, handling the press relations of several companies larger than the photo division of Olympus, I cannot understand why the UK press office cannot even be bothered to send a release. It’s not for the want of trying. Perhaps the PR department doesn’t like bloggers. In my day, we nurtured every one and every outlet that would write about our clients’ products. It makes sense. Rant over.
Anyway, here goes, despite the attitude of Olympus.
Cameras
The new E-M1 Mk II is here with a host of improvements, a superb new EVF, new TruePic VIII image sensor, two SD card slots, improved autofocus performance. I suspect the new 20Mp sensor must be similar to that already seen in the PEN-F.
In addition, the company has introduced the PEN E-PL8, an entry-level system camera with a 16Mp sensor and in-body stabilisation. While most of the hardware is shared with the E-PL7, the body has gone through an extensive resign, with new grip and top plate.
Lenses
The m/43 lens lineup from Olympus, particularly the range of four Pro zooms, is already impressive. Today the company announced three new lenses. They are the M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 Pro, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS Pro and the M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro. Double all those focal distances for the 35mm full-frame equilenance. The fast 50mm-equivalent prime is particularly interesting and will pair well with cameras such as the GX8 and the new E-M1 II.
More on all this when I’ve had hands on at the show tomorrow.
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