Olympus launching E-M1 Mark II at Photokina 2016

Olympus is allegedly planning to release three prime lenses with a bright maximum aperture of f/1 for Micro Four Thirds cameras in the fall of 2016.

The rumor mill has mentioned in the past that Olympus is working on lenses with an f/1 maximum aperture. The company has even patented such optics for Micro Four Thirds cameras, but it has failed to launch one of them on the market.

A source, who has provided information about these products, is claiming that the Japanese manufacturer is still planning to release these lenses. They consist of three optics with prime focal lengths, all featuring a maximum aperture of f/1, which will be designed to offer cutting-edge image quality alongside the upcoming OM-D E-M1 Mark II camera.

Three f/1 prime lenses to be unveiled at Photokina 2016 along with E-M1 Mark II camera by Olympus

Three Olympus lenses will be launched in September 2016. The timeline coincides with the Photokina 2016 event and it fits the idea of the show: to bring out the best of the best from the digital imaging world.

In this case, the best means three prime lenses with a maximum aperture of f/1 and with a high quality. The source is claiming that these optics will take image quality to the next level when used in combination with the OM-D E-M1 Mark II camera.

This means that Olympus will also announce a new flagship mirrorless camera sometime next year. The original E-M1 was revealed in September 2013, so it would make perfect sense for its replacement to be introduced in September 2016 at world’s largest digital imaging event.

Olympus E-M5 Mark II camera captures 40-megapixel photos from a 16-megapixel sensor thanks to a high-res mode. This action can be done from a tripod, but it will be possible to do it handheld with the upcoming Olympus E-M1 Mark II.

The E-M1 Mark II will employ the next-generation high-resolution mode, which has been launched in the E-M5 Mark II this year. The mode only works from a tripod and for non-moving subjects, but the next step is to allow users to capture handheld photos regardless if the subject is moving or not.

Getting back to the lenses, they will offer the following focal lengths: 12mm, 25mm, and 50mm. The optics will provide a 35mm focal length equivalent of 24mm, 50mm, and 100mm, respectively.

Olympus is aiming to use this combination in order to lure people away from Canon and Nikon DSLRs to Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. The perfect way to steal professional photographers is to offer superior image quality. We will see if this works at Photokina 2016!

Source: 43rumors.