Summary
- OM System has released firmware 1.1 for three M.Zuiko telephoto lenses.
- The update adds up to 50 fps in SH2 and Pro Capture SH2.
- A compatible camera and the correct lens combination are required.
- The update is particularly useful for wildlife and action photographers.
Three existing OM System telephoto lenses can now reach 50 frames per second after a firmware update, potentially giving bird and wildlife photographers more frames from a split-second movement.
Firmware 1.1 applies to the M.Zuiko Digital ED 40–150mm f/4 PRO, 100–400mm f/5–6.3 IS II and 150–600mm f/5–6.3 IS. OM Digital Solutions lists the release date as 8 October 2026. The new support is for High-speed Sequential Shooting SH2 and Pro Capture SH2 on compatible bodies, not every continuous-shooting mode.
What changes for these three lenses
The 40–150mm f/4 PRO is the most compact option here for action closer to the photographer. The 100–400mm f/5–6.3 IS II provides greater reach for birds and other wildlife, while the 150–600mm f/5–6.3 IS is designed for distant subjects. All three gain access to the same 50 fps ceiling when used with the appropriate camera and settings.
The update does not change the optics, maximum aperture or focusing hardware. It expands lens compatibility with the camera’s fastest burst functions. A higher percentage of in-focus frames is not guaranteed: subject motion, light, tracking and body performance still matter.
For the 40–150mm f/4 PRO, more information here.
For the 100–400mm IS II, more information here.
For the 150–600mm IS, more information here.
Why SH2 and Pro Capture SH2 matter
Compatible cameras include the OM-1, OM-1 Mark II and OM-3. SH2 provides dense bursts during fast action. Pro Capture SH2 temporarily buffers frames after a half-press of the shutter, allowing images from before the full press to be saved. This is particularly useful when the exact moment a bird takes off cannot be predicted.
The quoted 50 fps is a maximum under the appropriate conditions. It does not mean unlimited bursts or remove camera-buffer, card or setting constraints. The OM-1 Mark II was highlighted for wildlife photography in a National Geographic assessment; wider telephoto support gives photographers using the system more practical options.
Official firmware pages and precautions
The following official model pages are in English. Warning: the downloadable file on the 40–150mm English page is for Panasonic bodies only, not OM System or Olympus: firmware 1.1 for M.Zuiko 40–150mm f/4 PRO, firmware 1.1 for M.Zuiko 100–400mm f/5–6.3 IS II and firmware 1.1 for M.Zuiko 150–600mm f/5–6.3 IS. Check the exact model name: the second-generation 100–400mm IS II is not the original IS lens.
OM Digital Solutions describes updating through OM Workspace with the camera and lens connected. Use a fully charged battery and do not interrupt the connection during installation. Be aware that separate firmware files intended for updates through Panasonic camera bodies are not the correct update method for OM System or Olympus camera bodies.
Before an assignment that cannot be repeated, confirm that the camera recognises the new lens version and test SH2 and Pro Capture SH2 using your intended settings. Long bursts consume storage quickly and create considerably more work during image selection.
What we think
The interesting part is not simply the number 50. OM System is allowing photographers who already own these lenses to make better use of a compatible body’s fast burst features without replacing expensive glass. That is a meaningful improvement for wildlife photographers who have invested heavily in long lenses.
Pro Capture SH2 may matter even more than the frame rate. By the time you react to a bird spreading its wings, the crucial instant may have passed. Buffering frames before the shutter is pressed fully addresses that specific problem, although it cannot replace anticipating the animal’s behaviour.
There is also a workflow cost: 50 fps generates large collections of near-identical frames. Culling, card capacity and actual autofocus behaviour remain as important as the headline burst rate. A clearer official matrix of camera-lens combinations and limitations would help users assess the benefit more confidently.
Frequently asked questions
Does the camera body need a firmware update too?
This release updates the lens firmware. Check your body’s current version and requirements separately in OM System’s official instructions.
Does this include the original 100–400mm IS?
No. This particular firmware 1.1 release adds 50 fps SH2 support to the M.Zuiko Digital ED 100–400mm f/5–6.3 IS II.
