Rob from MU43 claims to have some news about the future E-M1 Mark II:

I visited the LCE (London Camera Exchange) PRO CAMERA Show this morning in Southamton (UK). Both Olympus and Panasonic had stands and I had a chat with the reps from both camps to see if I could glean any news on upcoming models ! Lo and behold – Speaking to one of the Olympus Reps I was told that the EM1 Mk2 is definitely going to be launched at Photokina and will be on sale in October 2016. The new camera is said to be vastly (and this was reiterated) improved compared to the EM1. Several aspects of performance will be much improved including video which ‘ may’ include 4K ?

What will definately be improved is the ability of the new camera to be used for sports photography Olympus are said to be trying to further penetrate the PRO market and improving performance for sports photography is seen as an important goal to achieve increased PRO level recognition, sales and use. I mentioned that I enjoy motorsports photography and was told that the Mk2 would DEFINATELY be much improved for that type of fast moving capture. The rep advised that Olympus were going to put a lot of effort into a much bigger launch of the EM1 Mk2 and staff were already working on and towards the launch

With regard to 4K or no 4K on the new model I was told that there were hidden barriers to adopting this technology as Panasonic and other companies held ‘rights’ to some aspects to the technology involved and were more able to implement 4K at reasonable cost compared to what Olympus would have to pay in order to use it. It wasn’t clear whether 4K would be included but it certainly wasn’t ruled out . If true this perhaps explains (at least partly) why Olympus has been slow to adopt the technology.

With regard to the pricing of the new model I was told that despite the newer version being a huge improvement over the Mk1 there was no intention to increase the price significantly over the price of the EM1 – I would expect this to be with regard to pricing at launch – the EM1 being approximately £1300.00 (UK) at launch if I remember correctly.

Obviously much of this should be taken with a pinch of salt but from what was being said I think we can definately expect sales to commence before the end of the year and a launch at Photokina

Regards

Rob