Key Takeaways
1. OM System is focusing on computational photography to enhance creative expression, even with lower-resolution sensors.
2. The new OM System OM-1 II and OM-3 models feature advanced computational photography tools like handheld high-resolution mode and a software ND filter.
3. OM System believes their innovations complement Micro Four Thirds sensors and challenge the notion that higher megapixels always mean better quality.
4. Increased megapixels necessitate more powerful processing engines to handle computational tasks effectively.
5. OM System may revive the Pen camera series, incorporating computational photography features into future models.
Micro Four Thirds has long been a hotspot for new ideas, consistently providing advanced photography and videography capabilities at a lower price than full-frame and APS-C models. OM System appears eager to bring this trend back, emphasizing computational photography as the next big thing.
Focus on Computational Photography
In a recent chat with PetaPixel, leaders at OM System expressed their commitment to focusing on computational photography, even if that means using sensors with lower resolutions. The aim is not to simply replace pixel count but to enable users to fully express their creative ideas through the camera.
Innovative Features in New Models
The newly launched OM System OM-1 II and OM-3 (currently priced at $1,999.99 on Amazon) come packed with various clever computational photography features. These include a handheld high-resolution mode and a software ND filter that employs bracketing techniques similar to those found in top smartphone cameras, merging multiple exposures into a single image.
OM System clarifies that these innovations are not about making up for the lower resolution of Micro Four Thirds sensors. They claim that by combining computational photography capabilities with these sensors, the cameras can operate more swiftly and “serve complementary roles, empowering users to truly realize their creative vision using the camera.” This approach stands in contrast to the ongoing marketing battle in the camera industry, which often leads consumers to think that higher megapixels are always superior. This trend mirrors the smartphone market, where sensors frequently exceed 50 or even 100 MP.
The Need for Speed
Presently, as we increase the megapixels, we also have to ensure our processing engine is much more powerful and faster to handle the computational photography tasks. If the processing speed is inadequate, it won’t meet users’ expectations. Therefore, we would need to create a new engine along with a new sensor.
Most critically, these computational photography capabilities might enable brands like OM System to distinguish themselves among a plethora of retro-style cameras and compete with the user-friendliness of smartphones.
Future Directions for OM System
This “experience-first” approach aligns with recent comments from OM System about possibly reviving the Pen camera series, which utilized the Micro Four Thirds system to create compact cameras without losing essential features. This indicates that OM System will likely incorporate computational photography features in any future Pen cameras they choose to release.
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