Olympus have recently indicated that a mark II version of the brilliant Olympus E-M5 camera is on the way following on the heels of the “pro version” E-M1 and the “budget version” E-M10.

Clearly Olympus will want to distinguish it between these models, and most reasonably should keep the size and weight, and battery holder much the same as the current version as these are important – the E-M1 is great but it can be a bit big and intimidating for many, not to mention too expensive.

The E-M5 Mark II will almost certainly adopt all the new features in the E-M10 such as:

• improved touch screen
• improved EVF
• WiFi smartphone control
• focus peaking
• latest image processing engine
• auto HDR mode
• ability to assign MySets to the mode dial
• automatic lens IS priority for when using lenses with OIS
• 1st curtain electronic shutter
• color creator
• Live Composite
• improved HD video
• intervalometer
• cut-down version of the ‘2×2’ control system of the E-M1

And will almost certainly have the newer features of the PEN E-P5:

• 800 AF points
• Super Spot AF
• 1/8000th sec shutter (but please keep the nice shutter noise of the E-M5)
• flash sync 1/320th sec
• timelapse movies
• AE bracketing +/- 6EV at 9fps: 3 or 5 frames in 2.0/3.0EV steps, 7 frames in 2.0EV step
• movie functions: magnified focus view; change Picture Mode using Fn button; 4x one-push movie zoom
• PhotoStory

The big question is what features will make their way down from the E-M1?

It would be reasonable to expect to see the following as a minimum:

•  +/- 5 stop exposure compensation instead of +/- 3 stops so I can do spot metering adjustments better
• the improved IS
• phase detect AF – after all, the Four Thirds dSLR users need a more affordable camera to migrate to than just the E-M1
• improved movie functionality: audio level controls, etc

And some new enhancements to keep up with the latest:

• 4K video and 120fps 1080HD video as with the Panasonic GH4
• high ISO score must be BETTER than the E-M1 which was a little disappointing given the much better score of the cheap PEN E-PM2
• optional artificial shutter release louder SOUND so subjects can hear you take the shot

And PLEASE introduce a radio TTL wireless flash system

•  I am NOT a fan of the current visible light one and a radio TTL flash would be awesome indeed!
• Perhaps it could be based on WiFi technology given that the new cameras will already have this!