Olympus Corporation (President: Hiroyuki Sasa) is pleased to announce that the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, the flagship model of Compact System Camera (launched in December 2017) has received two prestigious Camera Grand Prix 2017 awards, “Camera of the Year” and “Readers Award”. In addition, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO (35mm equivalent focal length: 24-200mm), a compact, high-magnification interchangeable zoom lens (launched in November 2016) was selected for the “Lens of the Year” award.
The Camera Grand Prix considered one of the widely recognized camera and lens award in Japan, is sponsored by the Camera Press Club, and is managed by the Camera Grand Prix Committee. The “Camera of the Year” and “Lens of the Year” awards are presented to the best still camera and the best lens introduced in the Japanese market within the past year. The “Readers Award” was selected by general readers’ votes.
About the Camera Grand Prix Japan
The Camera Grand Prix (started in 1984) is recognized as one of the historical and leading camera awards in Japanese camera industry and its products. The “Camera of the Year” is awarded each year to the most excellent model of camera released during the year, while the “Lens of the Year” awards the excellent lens. These two awards are determined and voted by Camera Press Club members, the chief editors or representatives of member magazines, learning and experienced personnels nominated by the committee, photo technology writers, and also by noted professional photographers (the 2017 awards were voted by a committee of 49 judges).
In addition, the “Readers Awards” is voted by general magazine readers, and the “Editors Awards” is chosen by the Camera Press Club members among all photo related equipment and not limiting to cameras or lenses.
Reason for selection: OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Comments from Camera Grand Prix 2017 Executive Committee
“As three years passed since OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1, a Camera Grand Prix 2014 Editors Award winner, was first launched in 2013, this new flagship model OM-D E-M1 Mark II has marked another development and further expanded the concept of the mirrorless camera. It shows us an exciting future vision. Its sequential shooting performance exceeds that of single-lens reflex cameras, with the maximum fps at 18 in continuous AF/AE tracking and even 60 fps in single AF/AE on the silent sequential shooting mode. Its autofocus performance is such that you can readily capture even fast-moving subjects. It is amazing that its 5-axis in-body image stabilization system provides up to 6.5 shutter speed steps when paired with a compatible lens. The image quality and credibility are great enough for professionals and amateurs alike, with its good portability allowing them to use it quite casually. As the dust-proof and splash-proof body gives a comfortable grip, you can use it for a wide variety of photo opportunities.
In recognition of these features, we have selected OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1 Mark II for Camera Grand Prix 2017 Camera of the Year.”
Camera Grand Prix 2017 Readers Award
A selection of comments from users
Reason for selection: M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO
Camera Grand Prix 2017 Lens of the Year
Comments from Camera Grand Prix 2017 Executive Committee”Although classified as a high magnification zoom lens, its performance goes beyond what is expected for the class. It provides not only standard but also telephoto zooming, with its constant f4.0 aperture. This is quite an all-rounder you can rely on for every type of subjects and locations. It boasts superior resolution in all the zoom range with suppressed aberration. The image quality is so excellent that you might doubt it is really a zoom lens. When combined with OM-D E-M1 MarkII, the image stabilization goes up to surprising 6.5 shutter speed steps of compensation (based on CIPA standards), which enables your handheld shooting for 1 second or longer. You might say you don’t need a tripod anymore.
“Although classified as a high magnification zoom lens, its performance goes beyond what is expected for the class. It provides not only standard but also telephoto zooming, with its constant f4.0 aperture. This is quite an all-rounder you can rely on for every type of subjects and locations. It boasts superior resolution in all the zoom range with suppressed aberration. The image quality is so excellent that you might doubt it is really a zoom lens. When combined with OM-D E-M1 MarkII, the image stabilization goes up to surprising 6.5 shutter speed steps of compensation (based on CIPA standards), which enables your handheld shooting for 1 second or longer. You might say you don’t need a tripod anymore.
In recognition of these features, we have selected OLYMPUS M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO for Camera Grand Prix 2017 Lens of the Year.”
Camera Grand Prix Japan Awards for Olympus
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO
34th Camera Grand Prix 2017, Lens of the Year
Via Olympus