Olympus Master
Encyclopedia
Olympus Master is a program that is used with Olympus
digital cameras and optical accessories. It can be installed and used on PCs running Windows 2000
, Windows XP
or (in the case of the Olympus Master 2 software) Windows Vista
, and also on Macintosh
computers.
One extremely useful feature of the Olympus Master software is the ability to upgrade the firmware
of the users Olympus digital camera when it is linked to the computer via the USB cable. Olympus compact digital cameras, Olympus digital SLRs (E-System cameras), Olympus Zuiko Digital lenses and Olympus flash units are currently supported. Currently, this method is the only way of updating firmware within Olympus equipment. Many other manufacturers such as Nikon
or Canon use a different method, which allows the user to temporarily save a patch file to a memory card
. Once the user has placed the memory card into the camera they wish to update, the camera will install the new firmware directly from the memory card. Both methods have their advantages, as well as their disadvantages.
Olympus Master 2, which has been received by consumers as a much better program than the original version, is available free from Olympus via their website. It has also been included with Olympus cameras since mid 2007, replacing the original version. Since February 2008, the original version of the software has not been able to detect newer digital cameras (such as the E-420
digital SLR). This means if users of the older version who purchase a new product wish to continue using Olympus software or wish to update the firmware within their new equipment, they must first update from the original Olympus Master to the newer version.
Olympus Corporation
is a Japan-based manufacturer of optics and reprography products. Olympus was established on 12 October 1919, initially specializing in microscope and thermometer businesses. Its global headquarters are in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, while its USA operations are based in Center Valley, Pennsylvania,...
digital cameras and optical accessories. It can be installed and used on PCs running Windows 2000
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops, laptops, and servers. Windows 2000 was released to manufacturing on 15 December 1999 and launched to retail on 17 February 2000. It is the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and is the...
, Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
or (in the case of the Olympus Master 2 software) Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
, and also on Macintosh
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
computers.
Overview
Olympus Master allows users to transfer, browse, print, share and backup images they have taken with their Olympus camera, or other pictures found on the computer. Images are downloaded from the camera via a USB cable or by using a card reader, and are then put in to a gallery. From here, images can be selected and transferred to a CD or a file to be stored on the computer. It is useful for converting Olympus digital (ORF) files, which many software packages cannot open. Images can also be edited using the program. Rotate, crop and red-eye are some common functions in the editing menu. Images can also be printed directly from the software if the user has a photo printer connected to their computer.One extremely useful feature of the Olympus Master software is the ability to upgrade the firmware
Firmware
In electronic systems and computing, firmware is a term often used to denote the fixed, usually rather small, programs and/or data structures that internally control various electronic devices...
of the users Olympus digital camera when it is linked to the computer via the USB cable. Olympus compact digital cameras, Olympus digital SLRs (E-System cameras), Olympus Zuiko Digital lenses and Olympus flash units are currently supported. Currently, this method is the only way of updating firmware within Olympus equipment. Many other manufacturers such as Nikon
Nikon
, also known as just Nikon, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include cameras, binoculars, microscopes, measurement instruments, and the steppers used in the photolithography steps of semiconductor fabrication, of which...
or Canon use a different method, which allows the user to temporarily save a patch file to a memory card
Memory card
A memory card or flash card is an electronic flash memory data storage device used for storing digital information. They are commonly used in many electronic devices, including digital cameras, mobile phones, laptop computers, MP3 players, and video game consoles...
. Once the user has placed the memory card into the camera they wish to update, the camera will install the new firmware directly from the memory card. Both methods have their advantages, as well as their disadvantages.
Olympus Master 2, which has been received by consumers as a much better program than the original version, is available free from Olympus via their website. It has also been included with Olympus cameras since mid 2007, replacing the original version. Since February 2008, the original version of the software has not been able to detect newer digital cameras (such as the E-420
Olympus E-420
The Olympus E-420 is a 10 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera made by Olympus. The camera conforms to the Four Thirds System standard, and together with its siblings in the E-4XX series it is marketed as the smallest DSLR in the world.-Features:As with the E-400 and E-410 before it, the...
digital SLR). This means if users of the older version who purchase a new product wish to continue using Olympus software or wish to update the firmware within their new equipment, they must first update from the original Olympus Master to the newer version.