Beginner’s Guide to Computational Photography with OM System Cameras

Computational photography uses advanced software and camera processing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in your images. With OM System cameras, these tools are built right in—making it easier than ever to capture scenes that would be challenging or impossible with traditional techniques. In this guide, we’ll explore what computational photography is, the powerful features available on OM System / Olympus cameras, and how you can use them to create stunning photographs.

What is Computational Photography?

Computational photography combines traditional camera hardware with advanced software processing to produce images that go beyond what the camera sensor can capture in a single shot. Instead of relying only on lens and sensor performance, the camera takes multiple exposures, analyzes the scene, and uses algorithms to enhance detail, expand dynamic range, reduce noise, or create special effects. OM System camera features like Live ND, Focus Stacking and Hi Resolution Shot are all examples of computational photography. 

How to Access the Computational Tools in OM System Cameras

In OM System cameras, these tools are built into the menu system, allowing photographers to create creative and technically complex images right in the field—no complicated post-processing is required.

These features can also be assigned to a camera function button or a custom mode for easier access.  The newest OM System cameras (OM-3 and OM-5 Mark II), have a CP button that provide quick access to the computational photography features.

Tip: When a Computational Feature is assigned to a button, Press and hold the button while turning either the front or rear dial to get to the selections for that feature.

In this blog, we will cover the following OM System Computational Photography Features:

• Live ND Filter
• Live GND Filter
• Focus Stacking 
• Focus Bracketing
• High Resolution Shot
• Live Composite

Live ND Filter

The Live ND Filter is one of OM System’s most creative computational photography tools. It simulates the effect of a physical neutral density (ND) filter by blending multiple exposures in-camera, allowing you to achieve long-exposure effects without carrying extra gear. With Live ND, you can smooth out waterfalls, blur moving clouds, or create silky waves even in bright daylight.  Check out my blog on Creative Ideas and Tips for Using the Live ND Filter.

One of the things I love about the Live ND feature is that I don’t always need a tripod to use it. The impressive image stabilization in OM System cameras means I can shoot long Live ND exposures handheld, especially when I pair the camera with a Sync IS lens like the M.Zuiko 12-100mm f/4 Pro Lens. With the combined stabilization of the camera and lens working together, I can capture silky waterfalls, blurred clouds, or smooth ocean waves without a tripod.

Live ND is available on most OM System and Olympus OM-D cameras.  However, the ND strengths vary across camera models. Only the OM-1 Mark II has the highest level of Live ND 128.

Live GND Filter

The Live GND (Graduated Neutral Density) filter in OM System cameras is a powerful tool for taming high-contrast scenes—such as sunsets, bright skies over darker landscapes, or sunlit horizons. It simulates the effect of a physical graduated ND filter by blending multiple exposures in-camera. What makes it even more impressive is that you can preview and adjust the gradient in real time using the EVF or LCD, letting you precisely dial in how the brightness transitions across your frame rather than guessing in post.

Using Live GND

• Choose the right strength: Live GND offers GND2, GND4, and GND8 settings, equivalent to 1, 2, and 3 stops of darkening respectively. Begin with GND2 for soft light transitions and move to GND8 when balancing a very bright sky with a dark foreground. 
• Select your filter style carefully: There are three gradient types—Soft, Medium, and Hard. “Soft” will create a gentle, gradual shift (great for uneven horizon lines), while “Hard” delivers a sharp boundary for straight, well-defined horizons. 
• Adjust on-the-go with precision: Use your camera’s dials and arrow pad to rotate and shift the gradient boundary precisely; the front dial adjusts in 15° increments and the rear in 1° increments.

Currently only the OM-1 Mark II and the OM-3 have the Live GND feature.

Focus Stacking

Focus stacking is one of my favorite computational photography tools in OM System cameras. It captures a series of images at slightly different focus points, then merges them in-camera into one photograph with greater depth of field. This is perfect for macro photography, where depth of field can be razor-thin, but it’s also useful for landscapes when you want everything from the foreground to the distant background tack-sharp. The beauty of OM System’s implementation is that you get both the final stacked JPEG and the individual RAW files—so you can let the camera do the work in the field or re-stack later in your computer if needed.

Tips for Using Focus Stacking

• Choose the right number of shots – Most OM System cameras let you select between 3 and 15 frames. For macro work, start with 8–10 shots; for landscapes, 3–5 may be enough.
• Adjust the focus differential – This controls how far the focus point shifts between shots. A smaller differential works for close-up subjects, while a larger one suits distant scenes.
• You Can Use it Handheld – With the image stabilization of OM System cameras, you can do Focus Stacking handheld.  You may need to brace yourself or lean again a stable object to achieve a good stack. For higher magnification macro shots you will probably want to use a tripod.
• Mind your aperture – You don’t need to stop down to f/16 or f/22. Using a wider aperture like f/5.6 or f/8 reduces diffraction and keeps your image sharp.
• Watch for movement – Wind, moving insects, or swaying flowers can cause ghosting. Wait for still conditions or shield your subject.

Focus Stacking is available on most OM System and Olympus OM-D cameras.  The OM-D E-M10 series and original OM-D E-M1 and the OM-D E-M5 do not have focus stacking.

Focus Bracketing

Focus bracketing in OM System cameras lets you capture a sequence of images at different focus points so you can stack them later in post processing. Depending on the camera model, you can capture anywhere from 3 to 999 shots in a single bracketed sequence where Focus Stacking only allows up to 15 images. You can also adjust the focus step size to match your subject just like in Focus Stacking. Focus Bracketing does not stack the images in camera like Focus Stacking.

Focus Bracketing is available in most OM System and Olympus OM-D cameras.

High Resolution Shot

The High Resolution Shot mode in OM System cameras uses sensor-shift technology to capture multiple exposures in quick succession, moving the sensor slightly between each shot. These images are then combined in-camera to create a single, ultra-detailed high-megapixel photograph with improved sharpness, reduced noise, and more accurate color. It’s perfect for landscapes, architecture, still life, and any subject where you want maximum detail. The mode comes in two flavors: Tripod High Res Shot, for absolute precision in stable conditions, and Handheld High Res Shot, which uses the camera’s powerful image stabilization to compensate for small movements so you can create massive resolution images without a tripod.

Tip: While the High Res Mode is optimized to reduce motion artifacts, wind-blown leaves, waves, or fast-moving subjects may still cause blurring or “ghosting.”

OM System Cameras with High Resolution Shot

• OM-1 & OM-1 Mark II – Handheld High Res (50MP) and Tripod High Res (80MP)
• OM-3 – Handheld High Res (50MP) and Tripod High Res (80MP)
• OM-5 & OM-5 Mark II – Handheld High Res (50MP) and Tripod High Res (80MP)
• E-M1 Mark III – Handheld High Res (50MP) and Tripod High Res (80MP)
• E-M1X – Handheld High Res (50MP) and Tripod High Res (80MP)
• E-M1 Mark II – Tripod High Res (50MP) only
• OM-D E-M5 Mark II – Tripod High Res Shot: 40MP JPEG / 64MP RAW
• OM-D E-M5 Mark III – Tripod High Res Shot: 50MP JPEG / 80MP RAW

Live Composite

Live Composite is one of OM System’s most creative computational photography features, designed for capturing scenes that build over time—like star trails, light painting, fireworks, and car light streaks—without overexposing the rest of the image. Instead of taking one long exposure, the camera starts with a base exposure, then only adds new light in subsequent frames. The result is a perfectly exposed image where bright areas remain controlled, and moving light sources are recorded as they appear. You can watch the composition develop live on the LCD or in the viewfinder and stop the exposure exactly when it looks right.

Using Live Composite

• Set your base exposure first – Dial in the shutter speed for the base frame (up to 60 seconds), ensuring the ambient light looks natural.
• Use a tripod – For this feature you will more than likely need a tripod, especially for night scenes.
• Monitor in real time – Keep an eye on the LCD/EVF preview to avoid overdoing the effect.

Most of the OM System and Olympus OM-D cameras have Live Composite.  Many of the Olympus Tough cameras (TG-4 – TG-7) also have Live Composite mode.

OM System Computational Photography Wrap Up

OM System cameras make advanced photography simple, with built-in tools that let you create images once only possible in post. Master features like Live ND, Live GND, High Res Shot, Focus Stacking, and Live Composite, and you’ll be ready to capture creative, high-impact shots right in the field—no extra gear or complicated editing required.

Written by Martin Belan

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