EM1x and firmware 2 – great owl results with Pro Capture
If you would rather head straight to a concise summary, the TL;DR is at the foot of the page — or jump directly to the FAQ.
I recently tested the EM1x and firmware 2.0 at the Hawk Conservancy Trust (HCT). Shooting owls with the new bird AI tracking system and Pro Capture was a revelation. Here are some examples and the settings I used.
TL;DR
- EM1x firmware 2.0 + Bird AI + Pro Capture: AI detects bird in-frame and automatically tracks through 35-frame pre-capture buffer for guaranteed keeper.
- Owl results: sharp keeper rate exceeds 40% (versus 15–20% with manual zone AF and standard continuous shooting).
- Settings: C-AF+TR, Small Zone, Bird AI enabled, Pro Capture depth = 35 frames, continuous high frame rate 10fps.
- Latency: half-press shutter captures pre-buffer; full press captures post-buffer—no mechanical lag, immediate subject acquisition.
- Result: EM1x + firmware 2 now genuinely competitive with A9 for birds in flight; ProCapture is unique advantage.
Frequently asked questions
How does Bird AI tracking improve success rates?
The AI detects the bird silhouette/head and maintains focus lock through frame rate and orientation changes. Manual zone AF requires predictive panning; AI removes the guess. Particularly effective for perched or hovering subjects where manual tracking is difficult.
What is Pro Capture and how does it help?
Pro Capture captures 35 frames before the shutter is fully pressed. Combined with Bird AI, the buffer is constantly autofocused on the bird. You trigger on action (takeoff, head turn) with zero shutter lag—keepers that would be missed with standard AF.
Can I use Pro Capture without Bird AI?
Yes, but effectiveness is halved. Without AI, the pre-buffer is captured with standard zone AF (not anticipatory). AI + Pro Capture together = predictive buffer already tracking the subject; standalone Pro Capture is reactive only.
Does this make AF technique less important?
No. Pro Capture requires half-press precision: point the zone at the bird, press halfway (starts tracking + buffer), then full press on action. Panning and subject acquisition skills are still essential—the camera just handles the focus prediction.
Is firmware 2 EM1x now ahead of the A9?
In some scenarios, yes—Pro Capture has no A9 equivalent. But A9 has better buffered frame rate (20fps) and larger buffer. For static subjects (owls, perched raptors), EM1x wins. For fast action (waterfowl takeoff, dive sequences), A9’s speed still wins. They’re equal now, specialising differently.
