Firmware upgrade for OM-D E-M1 Mark II, OM-D E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F provides TTL and HSS compatibility with Profoto AirTTL^*1 flashes

May 8, 2017

Olympus Corporation (President: Hiroyuki Sasa) is pleased to announce the latest firmware upgrade for Compact System Cameras, Ver. 1.2 for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Ver. 3.0 for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, Ver. 2.0 for the Olympus PEN-F and some lens firmware upgrade, all scheduled to be released on May 8, 2017. This firmware upgrade enables compatibility with the new Profoto Air Remote TTL-O^*1, allowing users to seamlessly integrate Profoto AirTTL flashes with these cameras. It also enables the latest functions on the E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F, such as "Save Setting/Mysets" included on the E-M1 Mark II.

*1 Profoto is the leading company in light shaping tools for image creators around the world. Please contact Profoto for more details on the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O.

The E-M1 Mark II is the latest flagship model designed to withstand the rigors of professional use and the E-M5 Mark II is a high-performance Compact System Camera that features 5-axis image stabilization. The PEN-F with its Monochrome and Color Profile Control functions is a high-performance PEN series model perfect for creative photos.
Upgrading to firmware Ver. 1.2 for the E-M1 Mark II, Ver. 3.0 for the E-M5 Mark II and Ver. 2.0 for the PEN-F enables true compatibility with the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O, making TTL and HSS available for Olympus photographers. This upgrade also makes the latest functions included on the E-M1 Mark II, such as "Save Setting/Mysets", available on the E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F. By releasing firmware upgrades such as this, Olympus is dedicated to providing improvements of product functionality and performance, and delivering cameras that users can enjoy for a long time.

New main features added in firmware upgrade

1) Compatibility with Profoto Air Remote TTL-O

(New feature for E-M1 Mark II, E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F)
Profoto Air Remote TTL-O wirelessly integrates the Profoto AirTTL Flash with these selected cameras. Simply attach it to the hot shoe for quick remote control of all functions. This firmware upgrade delivers compatibility between the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O and the E-M1 Mark II, E-M5 Mark II, and PEN-F models. For more information, please see the Profoto website on which functions can be used.

Profoto Official Website: http://profoto.com/int/

2) "Save Setting/Mysets" for saving camera settings on a computer

(New feature for E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F)
The “Save Setting/Mysets” function has been added for saving customized settings on a computer and restoring them on the camera when necessary. This feature is useful for applying the same settings to multiple cameras and saving detailed settings when upgrading the firmware.

3) Midtone adjustment function added to Highlight & Shadow Control

(New feature for E-M5 Mark II)
A midtone adjustment function has been added to Highlight & Shadow Control, a feature that provides individual control over bright and dark sections of subjects. This new function provides fine-tuned control, enabling better expression of subject details that is not always possible by adjusting the exposure compensation.

4) "AF target spot metering" provides spot metering at the focus point

(New feature for E-M5 Mark II)
"AF target spot metering" has been added, which links the AF Target position and spot metering area, making spot metering available at the focus point.

5) Touch to select Art Filters while viewing sample images

(New feature for PEN-F)
Sample images that demonstrate the effects of Art Filter are shown at the bottom of the screen as a way to view the effects of each Art Filter. Simply touch the sample Art Filter image on the screen to instantly activate that option.

6) Set the shutter speed to begin raising the ISO sensitivity in ISO AUTO

(New feature for PEN-F)
It is now possible to set the "Lowest shutter speed setting" that automatically begins raising the ISO sensitivity when using ISO AUTO. Lower the shutter speed that starts raising the ISO speed to make it possible to shoot at low ISO speed settings.

7) Improved AF Targeting pad on the rear LCD monitor

(New feature for PEN-F)
The AF Targeting Pad provides the freedom to move the AF point on the rear LCD monitor using touch operations while keeping your eye on the viewfinder. The firmware upgrade makes it possible to use touch pad operations even if your nose touches the rear LCD monitor while looking through the viewfinder.

8) High Res Shot and Focus Stacking mode compatibility on non-Olympus flashes

(New feature for E-M1 Mark II)
Shooting with 50M High Res Shot and Focus Stacking mode are not only supported on Olympus flashes, but are now available with non-Olympus flashes.

9) Automatic switching to rear LCD monitor when shooting with the viewfinder

(New feature for E-M1 Mark II)
While shooting with the viewfinder and moving your eye away from the viewfinder during Rec View, the camera automatically switches to the rear LCD monitor for image playback. (Same as E-M1).

10) AF HOME settings saved when camera is turned off

(New feature for E-M1 Mark II)
Previously, AF HOME settings were reset after the camera was turned off. However, this firmware upgrade saves AF HOME settings even if the camera is turned off. (Same as E-M1).

Other changes

• Improved viewfinder color reproduction during shooting
  (New feature for E-M1 Mark II)
• Improved stability for battery level display
  (New feature for E-M1 Mark II)

Improvements with lens firmware upgrade

• Combination with M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO firmware Ver. 1.1 and M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO firmware Ver. 1.2 improves silent sequential shooting performance when image stabilization is active.
  (New feature for E-M1 Mark II)
• Combination with M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO firmware Ver. 1.1 improves 5-axis sync IS performance.
  (New feature for E-M5 Mark II and E-M1)

Compatibility table for new functions and improvements (✓ indicates a new function)

New functions and improvements	E-M1 Mark II Ver.1.2	E-M5 Mark II Ver.3.0	PEN-F Ver.2.0
Compatibility with Profoto Air Remote TTL-O	✓	✓	✓
"Save Setting/Mysets" for saving camera settings on a computer	Already available	✓	✓
Midtone adjustment function added to Highlight & Shadow Control	Already available	✓	Already available
"AF target spot metering" provides spot metering at the focus point	Already available	✓	Already available
Touch to select Art Filters while viewing sample images	-	-	✓
Set the shutter speed to begin raising the ISO sensitivity in ISO AUTO	Already available	-	✓
Improved AF targeting pad on the rear LCD monitor	Already available	-	✓
High Res Shot and Focus Stacking mode are available on non-Olympus flashes	✓	Already available	Already available
Automatic playback on rear LCD when using Rec View in the viewfinder	✓	Already available	Already available
AF HOME settings saved when camera is turned off	✓	Already available	Already available
Improved viewfinder color reproduction	✓	-	-
Improved stability for battery level display	✓	-	-

Compatibility table for new lens function improvements (✓ indicates a new function)

New lens function improvements	E-M1 Mark II Ver.1.2	E-M5 Mark II Ver.3.0	E-M1 Ver.4.3 (Latest version)
Combination with M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO firmware Ver. 1.1 and M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO firmware Ver. 1.2 improves silent sequential shooting performance when image stabilization is active	✓	-	-
Combination with M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO firmware Ver. 1.1 improves 5-axis sync IS performance	Already available	✓	✓