Olympus releases OM-D E-M1 Mark III camera at the end of February for 1799 euros
Olympus will release its OM-D E-M1 Mark III system camera at the end of February for 1799 euros. The successor to the three-year-old OM-D E-M1 Mark II includes a new image processor, improved sensor stabilization and an autofocus mode for focusing on stars without a tripod.
With the OM-D E-M1 Mark III, Olympus makes a number of innovations of the high-end E-M1X system camera released last year available in a more compact housing. For example, the device gets the Live ND function, which simulates the operation of an nd filter and allows photos with slow shutter speeds without overexposure. According to the manufacturer, the five-axis stabilization is good for a gain of 7 stops, or 7.5 stops in combination with stabilized lenses. There is also a multi-shot mode that combines multiple images without a tripod into a raw file with a resolution of fifty megapixels.
Olympus has also added the so-called Starry Sky AF function. Users of the E-M1 III can thus focus on stars from the hand. Astrophotographers generally use manual focus for star photos, but Olympus says it has developed an algorithm that allows users to focus on the smallest stars in the night sky using autofocus. This function has two modes. The first, Speed Priority, is about the speed of focusing. The second mode, Accuracy Priority, is all about precision and, according to the manufacturer, allows the use of telephoto lenses to capture specific stars.
Starry Sky AF uses the stabilized sensor. According to a preliminary judgment by DPReview, this feature causes a delay in the autofocus system, probably combining multiple shots to reduce noise and distinguish the tiny bright spots in the night sky from the noise. According to the photo website, focusing with Accuracy Priority takes about ten seconds and this mode is especially recommended in combination with a tripod. The Speed Priority mode takes about two to three seconds and relies heavily on the stabilization of the sensor. Olympus does not say anything about a function where the sensor can also compensate for the rotation of the earth, so that the function seems mainly suitable for wide-angle lenses. Starry Sky AF only works with most Olympus lenses and the aperture should be open further than f/5.6.
The OM-D E-M1 III has a microfour-thirds sensor with a resolution of 20.4 megapixels and can shoot at 18fps in raw format including autofocus retention, all of which are identical to the E-M1 Mark II. Apart from the addition of a joystick and charging via USB-C, the body of the new camera is almost identical to its predecessor. Internally, a new image processor has been added, the TruePic IX, which partly forms the basis of the improved stabilization and the multi-shot mode. Also, the algorithms for tracking faces and eyes have been improved. Like the E-M1X, the new camera has 121 cross-sensitive phase-detection autofocus points on the sensor and videos can be captured in 4k resolution at up to thirty frames per second.
The camera will be available from February 28 for a suggested retail price of 1799 euros. There will also be a kit with the 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens for 2499 euros and . A kit with 12-100 mm f/4.0 Pro zoom costs 2899 euros.