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Question :
How do I update the firmware of the cameras that have the backup function?

Answer:
You can update your digital cameras to the newest firmware using OM Workspace image editing software. Follow the steps below:

The OM Workspace software is available as a free download. If the software is not installed on the computer, download and install it referring to the following question:

How do I download the free OM Workspace software?

  * Olympus Workspace was renamed OM Workspace.

This page explains how to update the firmware of the OM-1 Mark II, OM-5, E-M1X, E-M1MarkIII, E-M1MarkII, E-M5 MarkII (firmware ver. 3.0 or later) and PEN-F (firmware ver. 2.0 or later) camera that have the backup function.

Click the following question to see instructions for updating the OM-1:
How do I update the firmware for OM-1?

Click the following question to see instructions for updating other cameras without backup function:
How do I update the firmware of the camera?

Refer to the following web page before updating the firmware of E-M1X and E-M1 MarkIII on a Mac with Apple M1:
Notice for E-M1 Mark III and E-M1X users when connecting the camera to a Mac with Apple M1

Check the software version for OM Workspace:
Depending on the OM Workspace version, you cannot update the firmware for your camera after April 1, 2024.

If updating the firmware for your camera is not available because you are using earlier OM Workspace versions, update the software to the latest version, or download the latest version from the download page and install it again. Refer to the following page for more information.

Updates for our application (OM Workspace / OM Capture / OM DVR Updater)

To check the software version for the Windows OM Workspace, select Help in the menu bar and then About. For the macOS OM Workspace, select OM Workspace in the menu bar and then About OM Workspace.


Firmware update on a Mac with Apple M1:

Refer to the following page if you cannot update the camera on a Mac with Apple M1 because the message "The operations of the applications are limited." or "Failed to communicate with the camera." is displayed:

How to enable camera drivers on Mac with Apple M1


Procedure for Updating the Firmware

- Saving the camera settings to the computer (Step 7)
- Updating the firmware of the camera (Step 7 to 8)
- Reloading the camera settings (Step 9)

Camera settings are reset depending on the camera model and current firmware version. When updating the firmware of the camera that have backup function using OM Workspace, the camera settings are saved to the computer before the updating starts and reloaded to the camera after the update.

Caution:
  • - Update the firmware of the camera using the latest OM Workspace.

  • - Remove the memory card (SD card) from the digital camera.

  • - Do not disconnect the USB cable from the camera during the update until the OK icon is displayed. The writing icon is displayed on the camera monitor during the update.

  • - Log on to your computer using an account with Administrator privileges.

  • - Make sure the camera has sufficient power to complete the operation. Use freshly charged batteries or the optional AC adapter. (Adapter not available for all models.)

  • - Connect the computer to the Internet. We recommend using a hard-wired connection, if available, to limit the risk of service interruption during the firmware update. A wireless connection may also be used.

  • - A camera's firmware cannot be returned to an earlier version once it has been updated.
Precautions when updating firmware in OM-1 Mark II and E-M1X
  • It takes time to complete the update depending on the internet speed due to the large file size for the firmware.
  • Do not disconnect the USB cable during the update until the OK icon is displayed. The writing icon is displayed on the monitor of the camera during the update. It takes about 5 minutes until the OK icon is displayed.
  • The USB cable included with OM-1 MarkII is CB-USB13. Both connector ends are Type-C. Use the CB-USB11 (sold separately) if the USB port on your computer is Type-A. The connector end of CB-USB11 is Type-C for the camera side and Type-A for the computer side. The cable is included with E-M1X, E-M1 Mark III and E-M1 Mark II.
To update the firmware of your camera, follow the instructions below:

< step 1 >

Connect your digital camera to your computer using the bundled USB cable.


Your camera may display a selection menu on the LCD.
Select Storage and press the camera's [OK] button to continue.




< step 2 >

Double-click the "OM Workspace" icon.




< step 3 >

In Camera, click Update.


* If the User Account Control window is displayed, click Yes to proceed the installation.


< step 4 >

The update window starts.
The updater checks via Internet if newer firmware versions are available.
Click Next to proceed.




< step 5 >

If newer firmware versions are available, they will be displayed in a dialog box.
To see what will be changed by applying an update, select it from the list and click Details.
To apply a selected firmware update, click Update and then, on the next screen, Yes.
(If you click No, the update will be canceled.)



Note:

If the latest version is already applied, you will see the following message: "You are already using the latest firmware. There is no need to update."



< step 6 >

Carefully read the Software License Agreement. If you accept the terms, click Agree to proceed.




< step 7 >

The current settings of the camera will be saved to the computer, and then the new firmware will be transferred to your camera to start the update.

< 7-1 >
Click OK to start saving the camera settings to the computer.
Once the update starts, check the progress of the OM Workspace window (PC side) and the status of the camera monitor.

Caution: Display on the camera monitor during update

No information is displayed on the camera monitor while saving the camera settings and transferring the firmware. This is not a malfunction or freeze. Please wait for a while until the camera displays the updating screen (screen in step 7-5). Never turn off the camera or disconnect the USB cable.
Firmware update for OM-1 Mark II and E-M1X:

It takes time to complete the update for OM-1 Mark II and E-M1X.
Do not disconnect the USB cable during the update until the OK icon is displayed. It takes about 5 minutes until the OK icon is displayed on the camera monitor.

< 7-2 >
The current settings of the camera will be saved to the computer.
The OM Workspace window will automatically change to the next when the settings have been saved.



< 7-3 >
The new firmware is transferred to the camera.
Please wait without any operation. The display will automatically change to the next.



< 7-4 >
The new firmware is transferred to the camera.
Please wait without any operation. The display will automatically change to the next.



< 7-5 >
After the firmware is transferred to your camera, the update starts in your camera.
The display changes as in the following image.
Please wait without any operation until the digital camera's LCD displays "OK".


Caution:

Do not disconnect the camera from the computer until the LCD on the camera displays "OK". The firmware update is not complete until the camera displays "OK".
Disconnecting the camera before the firmware update completes may render the camera inoperable.

< 7-6 >
The firmware update is completed when the camera's LCD displays "OK".
Do not disconnect the USB cable and leave it connected to the camera and computer.
Although the OM Workspace still displays the following window, proceed to step 8 without any operation.




< step 8 >

Make sure that "OK" is displayed on the camera's monitor.
Leave the USB cable connected to the camera and computer, and turn the camera to Off, and then to On again.



* If power ON/OFF is assigned to the Fn lever, you may have to turn the power Off and On using the Fn lever. If you cannot turn on/off the power using the power lever after firmware updating, try using the Fn lever.


< step 9 >

The camera settings, saved in step 7, are reloaded to the camera.
Select the check boxes in the OM Workspace window ("Confirmed that update is complete.", "Camera has been turned off and back on again."), and then click Next (*). The camera settings are reloaded from the computer to the camera.
* Next can be clicked after the two check boxes are selected.



< step 10 >

Firmware update is complete. Click Close



Note:

  • Date and language settings will be reset when you update the firmware of the OM-1 Mark II to version 1.1. Set them again after updating.
  • Date and language settings for cameras other than OM-1 Mark II may also be reset depending on the firmware version. Set them again after updating.


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