New Olympus OM-D and PEN Firmware Leaks!

This is outdated. Please have a look here if you want to up/downgrade your camera.

 

Today I present you firmware leaks for the complete Olympus OM-D series and the PEN line-up. The files are all from the Olympus server. A complete feature list will follow. Since I only have an E-M10 it's up to you to write the new features in the comments. Thank you for that! :)

The new firmware versions are:

• E-PL3: 1.5

• E-PM3: 1.3

• E-P3: 1.5

• E-P5: 1.6

• E-M1: 2.1

• E-M5: 2.1

• E-M10: 1.2

Only feature: Support of the new 40-150 2.8 lens and the teleconverter.

How to flash a firmware

First Download file and rename it:

• If you have an E-PL3  rename it to "E0861500.BIN"
• If you have an E-PM2 rename it to "E1011300.BIN"
• If you have an E-P3    rename it to "E0851500.BIN"
• If you have an E-P5    rename it to "E1081600.BIN"  
• If you have an E-M1   rename it to "E1092100.BIN" 
• If you have an E-M5   rename it to "E0972100.BIN"
• If you have an E-M10 rename it to "E1131200.BIN"
• Pay attention and rename the file right.

Put the file into a folder called "DCOLYMP" on your SD-Card.
Check if everything is correct and put the SD-Card into your camera. Now start the camera while pushing the OK button. The red LED will go on for about 1 minute. If it's flashing on/off you know, that the process is finished. You can restart your camera now and you're all done.

E-PL3: download link  
E-PM2: download link  
E-P3:    download link   
E-P5:    download link   
E-M1:   download link
E-M5:   download link
E-M10: download link

Is this save? Can this hurt my camera?
No, it will most likely not hurt your camera. This should be all save. Be aware of the risks, but don't be scared. Nothing is hacked here. Nothing modified. You wont loose your warranty if anything goes wrong.

Is this allowed?
Yes it is. 100%.

Will I loose my warranty?
No you will not. But maybe you want to wait for any claims after the firmware if officially released to be save.

Is this an official update?
Yes it's 100% official and made by Olympus itself. This firmware is not an development firmware, hacked or manipulated in any way. I found this file myself on the server. I'm not in touch with Olympus nor am I a beta tester.

Will Olympus know that I flashed it?
If you tell them or send them the camera before the firmware is released: Yes. Otherwise: No.
Even if you brick/break your camera with a firmware update, they will handle it as a normal defect.

I don't like the upgrade. Can I downgrade?
Yes you can. Download my Firmware Control Tool to restore your old firmware.

Other questions
Ask any other questions in the comments or you can contact me if you want.

Q: Will this break my camera? Is my warranty void?
A: No it will not break or brick your camera if you follow the tutorial. Even if something goes wrong your warranty should stay intact and you can contact your company to get a new camera.

Olympus Updater Query

The query from the official Olympus updater program is fairly simple. This example shows a standard one. The E-M1 in the example has the version 1.0 and the Olympus server shows the download link for version 2.0.

1. The tool reads out some variables from the camera (some are documented here).
2. The tool sends a HTTP POST request to the Olympus server:

• Olympus accepts the request under several urls: (IP: 118.67.89.154, Struts Java, HTTP/1.1)
• http://fw01.olympus-imaging.com/ww_inform/fcache.do
• http://fw01.olympus-imaging.com/ww_inform/firmware2.do
• http://fw01.olympus-imaging.com/ww_inform/firmware.do (not working, but exists)
• Needed head variables:
  a) Content-Type: text/xml; Charset=UTF-8
  b) User-Agent: Olympus
• Content: link to the file

3. The Olympus server sends a file back: link to the file
4. Program shows the result.

Showcase of the new Olympus E-M1 firmware

This is outdated. Please have a look here if you want to up/downgrade your camera.

This is a test of the new firmware @nabilfathi15 and I developed together.
You can download and install the firmware here: Olympus OM-D E-M1 custom video firmware

The firmware allows shoot better video. More dynamic range, better ISO and more...
But PLEASE test the firmware for yourself before you judge it.

We are working all day to improve this and other features.
Please respect the work, thanks for your support



Technical Specs of the video:
Shutter 1/4000 - ISO 3200 - No Grading - 40/150mm Lens
Camera : Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Custom Firmware

This is outdated. Please have a look here if you want to up/downgrade your camera.
Follow this blog to get news about hacking a Olympus camera.

New E-M1 Firmware with better video!

We/I developed 2 custom firmwares for the Olympus E-M1 together with Nabil Fathi. Both are tested and should be save to install. Please report any problems you have. If its a small one please use the comments, if it's a bigger one write me an e-mail (check my profile on the right).
You can also flash any official firmware you want. Check my Firmware Control Tool for that.

I would like to produce more, but the testing is up to you. I don't own a E-M1, but @nabilfathi15 does and we are working together to give you features. Also there is a certain risk for everything, so please read the description of each firmware.

 

 

The main feature of this release is, that is a bigger part of the sensor for the 1080p videos. This means that a resolution similar to 4k is read by the sensor and then downscaled to 1080p. You gain a lot of nice things like:

1. The Auto Focus in videos should be smoother.
2. Full Sensor read in video mode. No crop.
3. Better ISO performance in low light video situations
4. More Dynamic Range in video
5. This firmware is based on the official version 2.0.

This firmware is in development. The changes are sometimes only visible if you compare the firmware with he unhacked one side by side.
Please report your experience with the firmware.

Future plans:
Because the firmware Olympus designed is not very well developed we do our best to continue.
Next up would be a higher framerate, higher bitrate and of cause the 4k feature itself.
Stay tuned for new possible updates and check this blog on a regular basis. I can't promise these features, but nevertheless we are working to enable those.

Difference between the old and the new firmware : http://youtu.be/qZUUer2CVXQ
Day time test: http://youtu.be/UFVaJUzd-9k

Night time with ISO 3200:  http://youtu.be/M3mg2UsC_Cg

The last 2 videos are UPSCALED and not native 4k. It's done to show all the details of the video.

How to flash a firmware

Method 1:
Extract the file and put the whole folder "DCOLYMP" on your SD-Card.
Check if the firmware file is inside the folder and put the SD-Card into your camera. Now start the camera while pushing the OK button. The red LED will go on for about 1 minute. If it's flashing on/off you know, that the process is finished. You can restart your camera now and you're all done.

Method 2:
You can use my "Firmware Control" tool to flash any firmware.
Use the web page or in-program tutorial/help if you need.
Link: http://lightsnowdev.blogspot.com/2014/08/firmware-control-tool-to-flash-any.html

Download

Firmware 1: Mega.co.nz
This firmware was produced in cooperation with @nabilfathi15 - never-prod.com.
This firmware is save and has been tested. Though some users reported, that the WiFi is not working with the firmware. In this case please please flash back to the normal 2.0 firmware.
Sometimes there is problem with the output file. On some of our SD-Cards the video file would not want to save. But see for your self.

 

Firmware 2: http://gdurl.com/edAq/download
This firmware only has 1 feature.
Changed the INFO screen for the firmware button as seen here.
The firmware is based on version 1.4
This firmware should be save.

Q: Will this break my camera? Is my warranty void?
A: No it will not break or brick your camera if you follow the tutorial. Even if something goes wrong your warranty should stay intact and you can contact your company to get a new camera.

Q: My WiFi is not working any more.
A: Please use my Firmware Control Tool to download and flash the normal 2.0 firmware

Q: I don't see any difference. What did you change?
A: Look at this Showcase to see the benefits of this firmware. If you don't see a difference I can't help you. You will have to wait until we release a new firmware. If you really want to know what we changed and also want to help us with the coding you can contact me.

Please donate some money to ensure further development.
I would never force you to do that, but I spent many hours of developing and hacking.

OM-D E-M5 Firmware Experiment

I think its do dangerous, so I removed the links. I will have a look again.

I compiled a new firmware from the OM-D E-M10 firmware files and other modifications. This firmware is highly experimental and highly likely to brick your camera. Only test it, if you can do without it. If you want to test it nevertheless:

1. Download the firmware here
2. Follow this tutorial to flash the firmware

Alternatively you can create a folder called "DCOLYMP" on your sd card and put the file in there. Start your camera while pushing the OK button to flash it. If the LED blinks on/off the process is finished.
If you flashed the firmware, please let me know!

Tip: If you brick it, your warranty is not touched. You can get a new one from Olympus.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Firmware 2.0 !

This is outdated. Please have a look here if you want to up/downgrade your camera.

General information

You can download and flash the new official firmware Olympus made now. The new firmware contains these new features:

• Control your camera from your PC with a new Application Olympus will be available on the 15. September.
• New art filters: vintage and partial color
• Keystone feature (tilt/shift lens in the liveview)
• New DoF lock setting 
• Power Zoom speed setting
• New Olympus Image Share options (with an app update)
• no new video features

How to install the firmware - New Tutorial

1. Download the firmware: download link
2. Create a folder called "DCOLYMP" on your SD-Card
3. Rename the file to "E1092006.BIN" and put it inside the folder
4. Put the SD-Card back into your camera and start it while pushing the OK button
5. The red LED will go on. The screen should be totally black now.
6. This should take around 1-2 minutes. 
7. The red LED is flashing now on and off. This means the process is finished.
8. Wait a little longer (1-2 minutes) to be sure the firmware is completely flashed.
9. Restart the camera.

How to install the firmware - Old Tutorial

1. Download the firmware: download link
2. Download my application "Firmware Control" in version 0.5 here
3. Edit the "hosts" file inside the software
4. Start the server and select the firmware you just downloaded
5. Use the official Olympus Update Tool just like normal. More information here.

You are all done! Have fun with the firmware.

Questions

Is this save? Can this hurt my camera?
No, it will most likely not hurt your camera. This should be all save. Be aware of the risks, but don't be scared. Nothing is hacked here. Nothing modified. You wont loose your warranty if anything goes wrong.

Is this allowed?
Yes it is. 100%.

Will I loose my warranty?
No you will not. But maybe you want to wait for any claims after the firmware if officially released to be save.

Is this an official update?
Yes it's 100% official and made by Olympus itself. This firmware is not an development firmware, hacked or manipulated in any way. It is the original file Olympus will release at Photokina 2014.
Nabil Fathi confirmed it works: https://twitter.com/nabilfathi15
(we found each the firmware on ourselves)

Will Olympus know that I flashed it?
If you tell them or send them the camera before the firmware is released: Yes. Otherwise: No.
Even if you brick/break your camera with a firmware update, they will handle it as a normal defect.

I don't like version 2.0 Can I downgrade?
Yes you can. Download the 1.4 firmware inside the application and flash it.

Other questions
Ask any other questions in the comments or you can contact me if you want.



Please consider to donate. :) Have fun!

New Color and Setup Debug Menu

This was tested with an Olympus OM-D E-M5. It may also work on PEN devices.
If you follow this tutorial to get to the "Test Debug Menu" you can set various different modes. I clicked trough a lot of them and got 2 new debug menus to show up.

1. Color Settings

Prg: 26 Item: variable

I think OSD means OnScreenDisplay, but the thanges you make take no effect. Just a simple "OSD" text is shown, if you click ok.

2. Setup Screen

Prg: 245  - extends lens
Prg: 246  - ?
Prg: 247  - lens test
Prg: 249  - flash test
Prg: 250  - retract lens
Prg: 251  - sensor cleaning (?)
Item: Sets the number of repetitions. 0 is infinite.
The Item value sets the Limit. For example if you set Item to 1 the picture blow will show up.

How to start your own hacks

A lot of people asked me what I do and if they can reproduce what I've done. So I made a little tutorial how you extract, analyze and manipulate an Olympus firmware file.

1. Download all the files you need.

1. Firmware Control Tool. With this you can flash any firmware you want for your camera. Also you can download all the official updates which are available on the Olympus server.
   Link: Firmware Control Tool
2. Firmware extract tool. This tool allows you to extract different files out of the main firmware file. It also is able to extract most of the readable debug text of the firmware. After the whole process you can repack the firmware with this tool.
   Tool link: Olympus_fw_tools.zip 
   VisualStudio sourcecode: visualStudioCode.rar
3. You have to download an official firmware with the Firmware Control Tool of 1a). This is the firmware all your work is based on.
4.  Carving Tool. A tool that helps you to search for files stored inside the firmware.
   Link: carver-recovery

2. Extract the firmware

1. First open a command window (cmd) with the path of the tool. You can do this if you push SHIFT and right click on the folder. Select "Open command window here":
   
   
2. First take a look at all the commands. Type "oly_fw_manip.exe -?" to see them all.
   Then you have to extract the main firmware file. Type "oly_fw_manip.exe --unpack --in firmware_file.BIN --out firmware_output.xml". You can also find all commands as .bat files in the tools folder. You can edit them with any text editor and run them like a normal program. 
3. You will get up to 5 files with the E-M5 and 3 files with other cameras. The filename shows you what the file is about.
4. Now run the extract command on the "00.main-code-01.bin" file. This is the file where all the code is being stored and also our point where we have to edit the code. But first run in cmd: "oly_fw_manip.exe --analyze --in firmware_file.dissected\00.main-code-01.bin --out .\firmware_file.analysis". You will get all the readable text. This text shows you what part of the code has what purpose. If you find a lot of ISO debug text this part of the code is maybe about the ISO settings. 
5. You will find a lot of interesting strings about WiFi, HDMI, ISO, exposure etc. They are sometimes interesting, but only the fewest are useful because we are not able to execute these debug commands yet. (some SCSI commands worked, but thats not enough) If you have any specific idea how we could send them to the camera, please let me know: e-mail
   
   
   
   
6. If you want to extract all photos/images of the firmware you can run the file carver software. It extracts some images you can search for in the hex code as well. This means you can edit the picture and paste the code again into the firmware file.
   
   

3. Manipulate the firmware

1. Now edit the firmware file. I prefer to edit it with a HEX editor. I use this one: wxhexeditor
   You may have to find patterns that look similar and edit them. For example you can find the hex values for 100,200,250 etc which are the lower ISO values and edit them. This way I managed to enable ISO 80,125 & 160 values. Link: new-iso-values
2. You can also use IDA Pro to reverse engineer the code. The processor of the E-M5 is a "Matshi-MN103". The other cpus are unknown yet. If you want further information on this visit this link or ask me.
3. You can download multiple firmware files of different cameras and compare the code. For example the E-M1 firmware 1.1 has got the same resource files as the E-M10 1.1. 

 

4. Repack the firmware

1. Repack the firmware with cmd: "oly_fw_manip.exe --pack --in firmware_file.xml --out new_firmware_name.BIN". You will get a new file which should be ready to flash

 

5. Flash the firmware

1. Start the Firmware Control Tool again and start the server with the new file you just created.
2. Start the official Digital Camera Updater and run the update process like normal.
3. Wait for the OK sign and your all done! You just flashed a custom firmware.

New ISO-80, ISO-125 & ISO-160 Values?

Today I worked on the ISO values of the camera. The camera's lowest ISO is "LOW" (=100) but I read a few words that this is only a pushed ISO200.
Nevertheless I created a few new values which are in between those two.
I took a few pictures with the values 80, 100(not LOW), 125 and 160. The problem is: I am not sure if that changed anything in the real picture. The EXIF metadata could be wrong.

Since my experience as a photographer is not huge I ask for your opinion: Do you think the ISO values (screenshots & raw files) are effective and represent the right metadata tag?

How to enable

I created a custom firmware with some edited binary integer arrays. Put the camera in manual (M) mode and connect to a phone via WiFi. In the ISO dial there is a empty button witch enables the Auto-ISO mode even though the normal Auto-ISO mode is not available in manual mode. Then the ISO values go below 200 and down to a minimum of 80.

Android Olympus Image Share Screenshot

Photos:

RAW Files:

Link: http://gdriv.es/rawiso

 

Download firmware for the E-M10

Link for all E-M10 firmware downloads: http://lightsnowdev.blogspot.com/2014/08/olympus-om-d-e-m10-custom-firmware.html

Blog Updates & RSS Feed

Blog Updates

New updates will be on top of this blog from now on. This way you can see every update of the last week with one click. Expect a linklist with a short description for easy access.
I try to update my blog once a day.

RSS Feed

I also enabled a RSS feed if you want to follow me more easily:
http://lightsnowdev.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Firmware Control: Tool to Flash any Firmware

This is outdated.
Please have a look here if you want to up/downgrade your camera.

This method is outdated:

I rewrote the Firmware Control tool to make it easier to use and compatible for everyone.
With this program you can flash any firmware of the Olympus OM-D and PEN and Stylus series. It makes it more easy to upgrade your firmware and allows people to separate the download and flash process. There are many cameras being supported. If your's is not, tell me and I will add support for it as well.

Features

• Flash/install any firmware
• Flash official and unofficial updates/firmwares
• Upgrade and downgrade your firmware - no matter which version you are coming from
• Download any official firmware ever published for your camera
 

Screenshots:

How to use the program?

First choose your camera, then select your firmware and download it. Put the firmware in a folder called "DCOLYMP" on your SD-Card and start your camera while pressing the OK button.
Wait until the red LED is blinking on/off. This means the process is finished and you can restart your camera. Finished!

Any risks? 

This might void your warranty. If you flash an official update from Olympus you are most likely on the save side. But there is no guarantee I can give you.
If you flash a custom firmware you are never on the save side. Think about what you are doing and always consider that this can break your camera.

 

Download links - Version 1.0a

//links not working any more. see information on top
Link 1.0a : Firmware Control 1.0.zip
Link 0.5   : Firmware Control 0.5.zip
Link 0.4   : Firmware Control 0.4d.zip
Link 0.3   : http://gdriv.es/olyfirmwarecontrol03
Link 0.2   : http://gdriv.es/olyfirmwarecontrol02
Link 0.1   : http://gdriv.es/olyfirmwarecontrol01

Version History

Version 0.5 //02.10.14
    rewrote the program
    support for E-P2 and E-P3
    supports SD-Card method, which is easier to use
Version 0.5 //08.09.14
    fixed a bug with the E-M1
Version 0.4d //20.08.14
    support for E-P5, E-PL3, E-PL5, E-PM2 & STYLUS 1
    Verison d - more bug fixes
Version 0.3 //13.08.14
    support for official updates
    new design - more easy to use
Version 0.2 //07.08.14
    support for E-M5
    support for E-M1 
Version 0.1 //06.08.14
    initial release
    flash any firmware
    support for E-M10

Help

If you are having trouble editing the host file please got to the path "C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc" and open the file "hosts" with any text editor. Now remove those 2 lines:
127.0.0.1     dl01.olympus-imaging.com
127.0.0.1     fw01.olympus-imaging.com
If you want to access the Olympus server again, please remove the lines. This is necessary for version 1.0 to able to download a firmware.

 

Future plans

• Mac Version
• More in-app help/information
• List of available (modified) firmware versions

Tell me your thoughts and wishes in the comments!
If you need support for other cameras let me know.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Custom Firmware

//Update 15.08.14

 

3 custom firmwares for the E-M10!

Try it yourself! Read the description of the firmware you want to flash. You will have to decide for yourself what you want and therefore which file to flash.You can always go back to the original firmware if you want by using my Firmware Control Tool.

How to flash a firmware

Extract the file and put it in a folder called "DCOLYMP" on your SD-Card.
Check if the firmware file is inside the folder and put the SD-Card into your camera. Now start the camera while pushing the OK button. The red LED will go on for about 1 minute. If it's flashing on/off you know, that the process is finished. You can restart your camera now and you're all done.

 

Download

Firmware 1: http://goo.gl/SenwLB
    Changed the INFO screen for the firmware button as seen here.
    This firmware is save and has been tested.


Firmware 2: http://goo.gl/UN226d
    This firmware will do nothing but changing the internal name of the camera.
    This means the exif files you get are marked as "E-M5".
    Why should you do this?
    Because Windows does support the Raw files of the E-M5. You can preview it in the explorer
    and ind the standard image viewer application. Also if you have an older Photshop version like me
    you are now able to edit the raw files.

Firmware 3: http://gdurl.com/H8XV/download
    This firmware enables you to select ISO values of 80, 125 and 160 via the Olympus Image Share
    App. For more information check this post out.
    This firmware is save and has been tested.



//Original post date: 08.08.14
//Update 1: 10.08.14
//Update 2: 15.08.14
//Update 3: 22.08.14

First modified Olympus OM-D E-M10 Firmware!

I managed to manipulate the firmware.
Well it's probably less exiting in reality:

I managed to change a little string. (oh boy, I was scared to break my camera)

The information text af the firmware button was modified.

That's the lowest modification level I could think of. And it worked very well.
But I am not sure what's next. I might try a bigger string or a more core level string next. Little footsteps only! You would not want to break your gear either. ;)

You can download the firmware here: http://lightsnowdev.blogspot.com/2014/08/olympus-om-d-e-m10-custom-firmware.html

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Firmware Hack

Firmware Documents

//Update: 07.08.14

Because I only own an E-M10 this is all about the new OM-D camera. But the procedure for hacking an Olympus firmware is the same for all 3 OM-D cameras.

Firmware documentation can be found here:
http://dl01.olympus-imaging.com/ww/ud2/ENU/0001/1130/index01a.html

Firmware Update Document Olympus OM-D E-M10

This shows the internal "id" code for the E-M10: 1130. Every Olympus camera has one. For example E-M1's id is 1090 and E-M5's 0970.

The system behind the link: http://dl01.olympus-imaging.com/ww/ud2/[language]/0001/[camera id]/index[firmware number]a.html
Where the firmware number is an integer: Ver. 1.0= 1; Ver 1.1= 2; etc.

Firmware Bin

I searched for older firmware hacks for the OM-D series and found some people who downloaded and decrypted one for the E-M5: http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/2789/olympus-hacks/p2
On this page is a link to the binary firmware file of the E-M5 which is being downloaded by the "Olympus Digital Camera Updater" to update the firmware of your Olympus camera.

So I wrote an app to search(with the new id of the E-M10) the Olympus website for similar pages to get the firmware for the E-M10.
The link I found for the newest Version 1.1: http://dl01.olympus-imaging.com/OLYMPUS_MASTER/FIRMWARES/0001/1130/OLY_E_113_1104_0000_0000.BIN

Binary Decryption

So as described at "person-view.com" I extracted all the files with the "oly_fw_tools" and got 64 files (incl. resources). Now that is where the fun part takes place: Reverse engineering.
So far I only had time to look at the strings inside the language and main code files and can say: The camera does not support 25fps video. Or in other words: Olympus did not wrote any code for that yet.
Years ago there where some rumors that the E-M5 does support 60/120fps, but as confirmed by others that settings is only for the internal view finder, which indeed has support for up to 240fps.

So to get further: I decrypted the main_code.bin (binary file) of the firmware with the command:
"oly_fw_manip.exe --analyze --in OLY_E_113_1104_0000_0000.dissected\00.main-code-01.bin --out .\OLY_E_113_1104_0000_0000.analysis"
What you get is the file "00.main-code-01.addr_strings_all.txt" which contains a more readable version of all strings you would also find in the HEX file. Encrypted and progressed code is being ignored, resulting in a "fun to search through" file.

some findings: (there are many)

• The E-M10 supports Bluetooth, which i did not know before. Apparently there is equipment which uses Bluetooth, but can we use it also for our purposes? The strings show that a "OLYMPUS BlueSDK a4" is used to connect to the PENPEL.
• 0x00DF39C8:WIFI SHELL //can we execute commands over WiFi?
• 0x000D5CC4:USF debugging shell Version 1.10 //The debugging shell Olympus made?
• System running: uITRON 
• Broadcom BCM%04x 802.11 Wireless Controller with Broadcom SDPCMD CDC driver
• MAC address belongs to FUJITSU LIMITED

After I looked up almost the whole document I have to admit, that it's not as useful as I thought. It is basically a giant debug value text. It contains all kinds of debug strings for different situations like USB-, WiFi and SD-Card-debugging. If we get a shell to work, the possibilities are almost endless. Nevertheless it's also useful to get some cgi comands. Those are the commands send by the Olympus Image Share" App.

Well let's go on with the hex file.
(it's a time consuming process and the whole analysis takes time, so be patient :) )

Flashing the new Firmware

Flashing a manipulated firmware is not much of a problem. There is a pyhon script available to emulate the Olympus server. With this, a new (hacked) firmware can be flashed just like a normal one, no matter what version is installed.

The Server running with a python script. It detects the firmware as a file for the E-M10

It is German, but you can see, that the new firmware is detected as Version 1.2

This is not a manipulated firmware yet. It's just to test the update process before I risk anything else.
Result: It works like a charm! We can flash any firmware - check.

Next Step: scsi commands

Next up are commands you send by a usb wire to the camera. Because we have literally tons of debug commands I try to establish a debug connection.

//Original Publish Date: 29.07.14
//Update 1: 01.08.14
//Update 2: 04.08.14
//Update 3: 05.08.14

Olympus Commander Windows

If you want a perfect and fully working application to control your Olympus camera via WiFi you should try the "Camera Control" tool here:
https://rebs.biz/cc/en/index.htm
This is being developed by Andreas Rebs and is not related to any of my work.

The following program is developed by me:
I stopped any development on this because the other program is just perfect.

This program for windows allows you control your Olympus OM-D camera right from your PC. I also try to include new features like a 1/8000 shutter speed.


Features:

• take photos //done
• review last shot & others //done
• set exposure/ISO/mode/dial Mode/etc. //done
• exposure  1/8000 //in progress. OIShare protocol allows that, but the camera refuses that value
• live view //planned
• Maybe a live view where you are still able to use the camera

I looked at the protocol between the "Olympus Image Share" application and reversed engineered the buttons. Olympus made no effort to secure the connection. The commands are send in clear text and can be read easily with any sniffer program:

SmartSniff - traffic between the Olympus App and the camera

It took me like an of hour to develop a program which is now able to execute the commands captured in the sniffer program: Sometimes it was quite difficult to time the commands if you want to make more calls in a short period of time.
But the goal is more or less to extend the functionality of the Olympus App: I want to fully control my camera without any limitations! As Olympus is not willing to give us that freedom, we have to create it ourself. :)

Current development state:

InDev. Can take pictures an immediately show it.

//Original Post: 30.07.14
//Update 09.08.14

Hidden Test Mode - Olympus OMD

As I was searching for some existing information about the camera and its predecessors, I found the following web page: http://www.biofos.com/cornucop/hidden.html

Several debug modes were published in the past years, but this one is new for the OM-D series.

As I pushed the wrong buttons, the camera showed a screen only the E-series cameras had. I did not know that you can also access it on an OM-D. That mode is called "Test" and allows to edit two values. Prg. contains 256 values and item 501.

Follow these steps to enter the Test mode:

1. Shut down camera
2. Start the camera with the "MENU" button pushed
3. When the screen is fully loaded release it and push it again to access the menu
4. go down to the 5th setting (basic camera settings)
5. go to the Display brightness setting (push the right trigger one time)
6. push "INFO" and then "MENU" to access the general debug menu
7. now push in order: up - down - left - right - Shutter - OK

Why is this useful?

At the source's web page is a test with a custom ISO value. They managed to manipulate the top/low ISO values. Can we also enable a ISO-50 for example? Also I'm pretty sure, that the E-M10 supports shutter values below 1/4000. Maybe it can be unlocked that way. Other attempts to get information about the values: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/1601363 (6th post).

The Problem

All this is nice and maybe very useful, but: How do we shut down the "Test" app (I call it an App, because its labeled as a "Gui App" in the source code) and carry on with shooting without shutting down the camera? How do we see any changes?

Tip: If you push "OK" and therefore go back to the screen where "OLYMPUS E-M10" is written you can push and hold the "Review" button and shut down your camera. If you start the camera now while pushing the "Review" button again (Release it after a few seconds), the settings in the hidden menu remain intact. But I haven't seen any other effective setting to change.

more debug: http://lightsnowdev.blogspot.com/2014/09/new-color-and-setup-debug-menu.html