Olympus E-M5II to capture 40MP shots using sensor shift tech

Olympus E-M5II is rumored to be the name of the Micro Four Thirds camera replacing the E-M5 in early 2015, which will feature a sensor shift mechanism allowing users to capture 40-megapixel photos.

A lot of words have been written about the next-generation Olympus OM-D camera. The company’s president says that this is the E-M5 replacement, while the rumor mill has just found out that it will be referred to as Olympus E-M5II.

Although it has recently been said that the shooter will come with a higher-resolution sensor, trusted sources are back with more information, claiming that this is not exactly true. Actually, the mirrorless camera will employ the same or a similar 16-megapixel sensor. However, it has learned a new trick, called sensor shift, that allows it to move along the X and Y axes in order to be capable of capturing photos of up to 40 megapixels.

This is the Hasselblad Pixel Shift technology. The sensor moves alongside the X and Y axis to allow its pixels to grab more information. The Olympus E-M5II will employ a similar system.

Olympus E-M5II will feature 16MP sensor which captures 40MP photos using sensor shift technology

The technology could sound confusing as a lot of people will wonder how a 16-megapixel sensor can capture 40-megapixel photos. Well, this is quite easy, as the technology seems to resemble the Pixel Shift mechanism found in some Hasselblad cameras, such as the H5D-200c.

According to the source, the sensor found in the Olympus E-M5II will shift during shooting. The movements of the sensor will be limited to 1 pixel per frame. In total, the sensor can move for up to 8 frame for a single photo.

This helps the sensor to grab more information per pixel, therefore the resolution could reach up to 40-megapixel. The 8-frame limitation comes from the fact that the sensor can shift by 1 pixel for 4 times per axis.

Micro Four Thirds fans could be disappointed by the Olympus’ inability to increase the base resolution of the sensor, as this sensor shift technology cannot be used in all scenarios. When the subject is not moving, it will come in handy, but if the subject is moving, then it will probably not work as intended.

Announcement is scheduled to take place in early February 2015

Previous sources have “warned” us that the Olympus E-M5II will be different from its predecessor and that it will offer a higher image resolution. Usually, this means that the sensor has more pixels, but the sensor shift technology is the one doing it, in this case.

The mirrorless camera will also come with a distinct design and we will be able to see it officially during the first week of February. Stay tuned for more!

Source: 43rumors.