Olympus’ latest Tough camera, the Olympus Tough TG-5, dials back the resolution while adding some features that will appeal to fans of this series.
As Photokina 2016 winds down in Cologne, Germany, it was another annual show that attracted thousands to see the latest photographic products.
There were some new bodies, plenty of lenses and a surprise from Fujifilm.
Here’s a quick rundown of the major announcements.
CANON
Canon defied the critics and released the EOS M5, its latest mirrorless camera that has an integrated electronic viewfinder and a new 18-150mm kit lens.
Photokina was a busy event for Olympus. In addition to two new bodies for two different target markets: OM-D E-M1 Mark II and the Pen E-PL8, the company also announced three new lenses in the Micro Four Thirds mount.
Two of the three are M.Zuiko Pro lenses while the third is a macro.
M.Zuiko ED 25mm f1.2 PRO, US$1,199.99
Olympus has built a strong niche with its Pen cameras.
The latest model, the Olympus Pen E-PL8, shifts its attention to style rather than bringing any groundbreaking features.
It doesn’t mean that it’s a bad camera. Far from it. It has plenty to attract any photographer:
The OM-D E-M1 Mark II should be one fast shooter.
The new model has slightly higher resolution: 20.4-MP Live MOS sensor, compared with 16.3-MP for the previous model. The ISO range is 200-25,600.
However, it should be able to record images quicker, thanks to the TruePic VIII quad-core processor.
The so-called action camera market continues to get more crowded as traditional camera makers show up with their own products.
The latest is Olympus, which announced the Tough TG-Tracker, a small feature-laden video camera that is available in black or neon green. The action cam mimics the design of Olympus' Tough cameras.
The TG-Tracker adds a number of features that reflect its "Tough" branding:
Olympus has reached into the past for the design and branding of its latest digital camera.
The Olympus PEN-F, which was announced on its U.K. site, is a link back to its highly regarded half-frame film camera of the same name that was popular in the 1960s.
The digital PEN-F, however, isn't just a warmed-over E-PL model. It brings with it some very strong specifications.
The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev., is where major manufacturers, including camera companies, announce new products. It covers everything from cars to computers to the latest technology to fitness products to online services.
When it comes to photography, there were several announcements worth noting from this year's even held Jan. 5-8, 2016.
With a sensor that is half the size of a full-frame DSLR, the Micro Four Thirds format can offer a real advantage for those who enjoy shooting with a telephoto lens when you take into account the 2x crop factor.
Olympus' new M.Zuiko ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO gives its photographers (and those who shoot with Panasonic's G series) extra reach at 600mm full-frame equivalent and a significant weight savings, compared with their full-frame equivalent counterparts.
Olympus is making no bones about it. Its successor to the OM-D E-M10 is aimed squarely at those who favor convenience first. With this model, the OM-D E-M10 Mark II, Olympus has come up with a name that only aficionados will remember.
That is a good thing for those who are looking to move on from a smartphone or point and shoot.
Its 16.1-MP 4/3 Live MOS sensor can capture images in the RAW and JPG formats, as well as HD video.
