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Olympus Announces OM-D E-M1 MK II – 4K 30p 20MP Sensor

September 19^th, 20165

Olympus Announces OM-D E-M1 MK II - 4K 30p 20MP Sensor

by Graham SheldonSeptember 19^th, 2016

Camera manufacturer Olympus announced the new OM-D E-M1 MK II camera today complete with a 4K 30p 20 megapixel sensor in a small “weatherproof” form factor. Details below.

The new OM-D E-M1 MK II camera seems to be aimed at the adventure shooter group. With a small 1.3 pound body and weatherproofing that Olympus says will withstand dust, splashing and freezing, this is a camera that is meant to survive more than just those little “oops” moments.

Olympus Rear

With the addition of the MK II, the OM-D E-M1 now includes 4K video recording options up to 30fps in 4K mode (3840 x 2160) and up to 24fps in Cinema 4K (4096×2160). Recording is available in .mov or .avi at a maximum bit rate of 237 Mbps. The 5-axis internal stabilization should also make for very steady handheld shooting. You can also internally shoot timelapses at 4K/5fps without a remote shutter trigger.

Main Features of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 MK II at a Glance:

New 20 Megapixel Live MOS Sensor
4K Video up to 30fps (3840×2160) and Cinema 4K upto 24fps (4096×2160)
.MOV or .AVI Codec
3.0 Articulating Touch Monitor
121 Point Dual Auto Focus
Pre-Record Feature
5-Axis Image Stabilization
Dual SD Card Slot (UHS II Compatible)
Weatherproofing: dust, splash and freezeproof
Weight: 1.3 pounds.

For stills shooters, Olympus has clearly prioritized auto focus features during the last two years of design and R&D work. This time around, Olympus promises very speedy 18 frames per second sequential shooting in RAW while in continuous AF mode.

The “Pro Capture” feature is similar to other pre-record features we’ve seen on more video focused cameras, and Olympus promises you’ll be able to capture up-to 14 frames prior to fully pressing down the shutter button.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5LXNHnbOew&feature=youtu.be

The only feature that doesn’t seem quite in line with their adventurer focused design is the 3.0″ touch screen. Having a touch screen out in the wilderness seems problematic and a recipe for a very dirty screen.

No new camera announcement is complete without at least a few additional lenses to round out your kit, and Olympus did not disappoint. Three new pro lenses were also announced today:

New Lenses: