GH4 Olympus E-M1 to go 4K with firmware upgrade

[roxics]

It looks like there is a rumor that the Olympus E-M1 is also going to get a major firmware update soon. An update that will give it 4K recording (with in body image stabilization) and a new codec with multiple frame rates including slow motion.

Apparently the E-M1 uses a Panasonic sensor.

This is a cheaper camera body than the GH4 ($1399). If that's true then Olympus is finally gong to join the video parade in a serious way.
This could be some serious comeptition for the GH4 if done properly.

Being that it is an m43 camera, I thought some of you here might be interested in this.

 

[mcbob]

I've been watching this since the EM1 emerged. Always enjoyed the look Olympus m43 cameras rendered. With the EM1, the IBIS and its ability to use excellent 4/3 lenses to their fullest are convincing features, unfortunately hampered by its limited codec and lack of headphone jack. Fix the codecs and we're halfway there.

 

[yslee]

Crappy battery life and overheating are issues I'd worry about. I've tested an EM1 and it didn't like being left on continuously.

 

[Rowy]

And today's rumor is that 4K isn't happening!

 

[roxics]

And today's rumor is that it's back on. lol

They are just rumors. But like wish lists they can be fun to think about. Rumor is we'll know for sure next week.

 

[yslee]

Well, I'll admit, if there's any kind of improvement on the video end, I might pick up an E-M1 body. The parallel import prices on them are crazy low right now.

 

[ralfmouth]

I doubt it myself, maybe next model. But Andrew Reid posted some thoughts:

 

[Darktide Media]

I cant stand Andrew Reid anymore, the guy i swear just does things to get people to see his page and get mad. Nothing he writes means anything. Now on the topic of this EM1 update, I dont see why not. The slow motion would be amazing but I dont see that happening from a company that has never really cared about video just coming out of left field and putting this new update for free.

 

[ralfmouth]

If the GH4 has been selling well (and I think it has?) I don't see why Olympus would not get on the 4K bandwagon at some point. Call me Naive but Andrew Reid really opened my eyes to camera manufacturer's marketing strategies. I think it takes a certain amount of anger and/or ego to bring that stuff to light. Amiable sheep won't do it, so it's like take the good with the bad and hope the first outweighs the second. There's some George Bernard quote about that.