Reading mode: Light Dark

Crazy to sell my Lumix S5 for a OM-5?

Go to last post
Peteo

Peteo

Senior Member
Messages
2,103
Reaction score
647
Location
Upper Peninsula, US
I'm really contemplating selling my S5 and lenses for an OM-5 as I've really enjoyed the smaller form factor. For years when I did wedding and portraits I shot a Pentax K1, then switched over to the Panasonic S5 but I no longer do wedding and only do portraits for friends and family. My new challenge has been getting more into black & white, urban architecture and street photography. I picked up a Lumix GX85 with a 15mm f1.7, 20mm f1.7 and Lumix 35-100 f4 - 5.6 and love the smaller form factor. It takes great pictures and is a great take everywhere size. I find myself using my S5 less and less so I'm thinking it might be time to sell it off and look at a more capable micro 4/3 camera.

The new OM-3 looks to be a great camera but it may be overkill pricewise right now for my photography (I never shoot video). My thoughts are that the OM-5 can be purchased right now for a great price and I'd have enough to invest in a few more quality lenses.

Will I be disappointed with the OM-5 purchase? I'm assuming it's auto focus is better than my S5 which does not have phase detect. From what I've researched both have excellent monochrome profiles, I really like the L.Monochrom.D in my Lumix. Or is this a dumb move and should I just wait for the new OM-3 to come down in price later this year when they offer discounts?
 
Peteo said:
I'm really contemplating selling my S5 and lenses for an OM-5 as I've really enjoyed the smaller form factor. For years when I did wedding and portraits I shot a Pentax K1, then switched over to the Panasonic S5 but I no longer do wedding and only do portraits for friends and family. My new challenge has been getting more into black & white, urban architecture and street photography. I picked up a Lumix GX85 with a 15mm f1.7, 20mm f1.7 and Lumix 35-100 f4 - 5.6 and love the smaller form factor. It takes great pictures and is a great take everywhere size. I find myself using my S5 less and less so I'm thinking it might be time to sell it off and look at a more capable micro 4/3 camera.
The new OM-3 looks to be a great camera but it may be overkill pricewise right now for my photography (I never shoot video). My thoughts are that the OM-5 can be purchased right now for a great price and I'd have enough to invest in a few more quality lenses.

Will I be disappointed with the OM-5 purchase? I'm assuming it's auto focus is better than my S5 which does not have phase detect. From what I've researched both have excellent monochrome profiles, I really like the L.Monochrom.D in my Lumix. Or is this a dumb move and should I just wait for the new OM-3 to come down in price later this year when they offer discounts?
Click to expand...
The OM1 has a much nicer EVF.

The S5 will produce higher-quality images and will provide much narrower DOF for a given FOV if that is important to you ( it is to me).
 
Why not look at the Lumix G9 or G9II?

It would give yo way more of what you are used too.
 
Focus response will probably be an upgrade and it is a very capable small camera, also very customizable.

Whether to jump might depend on if m4/3 has the lenses that support your favorite shooting conditions. We have a big catalog to pick from in all sizes, speeds and FLs so your odds seem good.

Best of luck,

Rick
 
My OM5 is my most carried camera, then A7CR, then GM1, then OM1 mk I, then A7Riv.

Your logic makes perfect sense to me, provided that size is your priority. The OM5 is a very capable camera and MFT has a selection of small to medium size lenses. The new OM weather resistant primes fill an important gap. It has fast AF with fast lenses, excellent IBIS and various computational photography modes.

The S5 has better DR at base ISO and a different set of lens options, with more potential for subject isolation. If f1.4 (or even f1.8) is fast enough in MFT, then you should be OK.

For shooting static subjects where you need to stop down for DoF, then IS wins over sensor size.

For shooting action at short tele lengths, there are no 35-100/1.4 MFT zooms, and they would be too heavy and expensive anyway.

I can’t get my mind around a 24Mpix body that weighs 714g, that’s almost 50g more than my A7Riv and 300g more than the OM5.

TL:DR It depends.

Andrew

--
Infinite are the arguments of mages. Truth is a jewel with many facets. Ursula K LeGuin
Please feel free to edit any images that I post
 
Last edited:
ahaslett said:
My OM5 is my most carried camera, then A7CR, then GM1, then OM1 mk I, then A7Riv.

Your logic makes perfect sense to me, provided that size is your priority. The OM5 is a very capable camera and MFT has a selection of small to medium size lenses. The new OM weather resistant primes fill an important gap. It has fast AF with fast lenses, excellent IBIS and various computational photography modes.

The S5 has better DR at base ISO and a different set of lens options, with more potential for subject isolation. If f1.4 (or even f1.8) is fast enough in MFT, then you should be OK.

For shooting static subjects where you need to stop down for DoF, then IS wins over sensor size.

For shooting action at short tele lengths, there are no 35-100/1.4 MFT zooms, and they would be too heavy and expensive anyway.

I can’t get my mind around a 24Mpix body that weighs 714g, that’s almost 50g more than my A7Riv and 300g more than the OM5.

TL:DR It depends.

Andrew
Click to expand...
 
It might be worth considering the S9 particularly as you're probably looking at mainly using shorter focal lengths.
 
WorkshyLad said:
It might be worth considering the S9 particularly as you're probably looking at mainly using shorter focal lengths.
Click to expand...
A used Sigma fp l would be lighter and has an optional EVF-11 that is rather capable. It has PDAF too. Bit of a quirky camera.

Andrew
 
No EVF or usable hotshoe. If it has those I'd consider it but it a vlogging camera, not photo centric.
 
What other lenses are you thinking about purchasing?
 
Looking at the Panasonic G 42.5 f1.7 and a good sort range 12 - 35 or longer zoom. I love my Lumix 15mm f1.7, it's a great lens.
 
ahaslett said:
My OM5 is my most carried camera,

I can’t get my mind around a 24Mpix body that weighs 714g, that’s almost 50g more than my A7Riv and 300g more than the OM5.

Andrew
Click to expand...
Weight is something that many people ((FF'ers especially) to not understand. You carry around an extra few hundred grams all day and it adds up. You carry around that weight in humid weather....it really really really adds up. Long live Micro Four Thirds!
 
Jaime100 said:
ahaslett said:
My OM5 is my most carried camera,

I can’t get my mind around a 24Mpix body that weighs 714g, that’s almost 50g more than my A7Riv and 300g more than the OM5.

Andrew
Click to expand...
Weight is something that many people ((FF'ers especially) to not understand. You carry around an extra few hundred grams all day and it adds up. You carry around that weight in humid weather....it really really really adds up. Long live Micro Four Thirds!
Click to expand...
Umm, apart from the G100D, Panasonic don’t make light MFT cameras.

The A7CR is 515g, the G97 530g.

MFT has a great range of smaller lenses, but bodies are following the general trend of getting heavier. The OM3 is pretty functional and 496g, so that’s not too bad. I fear the OM5 is going to become a cult camera because it’s only 414g and has everything pretty much except CAF-Tr and subject detection.

Glad I got one, and one of these:

32b71197bcc846f8b974532c86e11597.jpg

Andrew

--
Infinite are the arguments of mages. Truth is a jewel with many facets. Ursula K LeGuin
Please feel free to edit any images that I post
 
Jaime100 said:
ahaslett said:
My OM5 is my most carried camera,

I can’t get my mind around a 24Mpix body that weighs 714g, that’s almost 50g more than my A7Riv and 300g more than the OM5.

Andrew
Click to expand...
Weight is something that many people ((FF'ers especially) to not understand. You carry around an extra few hundred grams all day and it adds up. You carry around that weight in humid weather....it really really really adds up. Long live Micro Four Thirds!
Click to expand...
This was my #1 camera before getting into m4/3 when the EM-5 finally showed itself. None of my several m4/3 cameras has approached it in heft and while I don't miss the bulk, I never let it get in the way either.



Passed on the grip, though.

Passed on the grip, though.

Still use some of the lenses, which is fun.

Rick
 
I recently picked up a GH5 again (okay, the price was too good to pass up as well) cause I miss L.Monochrome. Olympus B&W profile is not bad, and it's pretty nice, but Panasonic has a special sauce that just makes it so attractive. They really know how to do a contrasty look.

I also think when it comes to video colour, there is a pleasant panasonic look that I enjoy more over Olympus. That said, the Olympus natural profile is really nice too and I don't have any qualms with it.

Plus I miss the open gate recording... That said, this is the lowest video quality for open gate, don't judge the video quality here- for mostly social media use and not pixel peeping and I was curious about the file size.
Plus I miss the open gate recording... That said, this is the lowest video quality for open gate, don't judge the video quality here- for mostly social media use and not pixel peeping and I was curious about the file size.

One thing i've never enjoyed when I switched to Olympus is the downgrade in video quality. Their 1080P does not hold well to Panasonic, only when you shoot 4K DCI is when it catches up. With the OM-1 and OM-3 though regular 4K is pretty onpar now. My only annoyance is that you have to shoot 10bit to get the most out of it as 8bit seems to go to a different processing pipepline that is slightly more softer and has a slight sharpening effect to it.



That said, weight and size when it comes to your setup at the end of the day matters a lot. I rarely use my A7R III for my daily outings. It's only when I know I actually truly need it is when it comes out.

--
I like cameras, they're fun.
 
Last edited:
Peteo said:
dukeblue91 said:
Why not look at the Lumix G9 or G9II?

It would give yo way more of what you are used too.
Click to expand...
Looking for a smaller form factor. I believe the G9II body is the same size as my S5
Click to expand...
They are the same size as I just compared them at Best Buy.

As for the OM5, image quality is basically the same as my current G9 (older version). Smaller lens are perfect for the OM5 & OM just released two a 25/1.8 and a 17/1,8 weather sealed lens which would be perfect for the OM5. Larger lens feel better on my G9 but put a smaller lens on the G9 and it is not bad at all.
 
upptick said:
Yes, that would be crazy. Keep the S5 for indoor and low-light work. Add the OM-5 for outdoor daylight work. The S5 walks all over the OM-5 when the light is low.
Click to expand...


f953b4cdea494cdd964e7823a9ef7ac4.jpg



--
Infinite are the arguments of mages. Truth is a jewel with many facets. Ursula K LeGuin
Please feel free to edit any images that I post
 
OM5 is fine but are you sure you will not start to miss the more "organic" full frame look and shallower DOF after a while? I know I would! Why not keep both? Personally I like small cams too, but I have also kept the Canon 6D for landscapes. For macro I use MFT, the EM1.2. For ultralight and portable I use the brilliant EM10, that is still competitive with it's timeless beauty. Call me crazy but I now have also bought a Sony A7C to have a small body/platform to experiment with manual (and regular) small primes only. In fact they all are great: EM10, OM5, OM1, A7C. We should stop buying new things, with more and more overkill than we will ever need ;-) But I do want to reduce weight, I am pretty confident the A7C will outperform the 6D for IQ plus it's half the weight! The full frame A7C plus ultrasharp 28-60 is even much lighter and also smaller than my EM1.2 with 12-40PRO. At times I find the EM1.2 too heavy, and since I don't use heavy lenses on it, will probably get the EM5.3 in the end (400 against 600 grams with same IQ). To end up with a small FF and a small MFT set. Plus a dinosaur dslr and suitcase full of lenses that I use less and less.

But OM5 (or EM5.3 depending on the price difference, weight is equal) hits my sweetspot too I must say.

Bas


Peteo said:
I'm really contemplating selling my S5 and lenses for an OM-5 as I've really enjoyed the smaller form factor. For years when I did wedding and portraits I shot a Pentax K1, then switched over to the Panasonic S5 but I no longer do wedding and only do portraits for friends and family. My new challenge has been getting more into black & white, urban architecture and street photography. I picked up a Lumix GX85 with a 15mm f1.7, 20mm f1.7 and Lumix 35-100 f4 - 5.6 and love the smaller form factor. It takes great pictures and is a great take everywhere size. I find myself using my S5 less and less so I'm thinking it might be time to sell it off and look at a more capable micro 4/3 camera.
The new OM-3 looks to be a great camera but it may be overkill pricewise right now for my photography (I never shoot video). My thoughts are that the OM-5 can be purchased right now for a great price and I'd have enough to invest in a few more quality lenses.

Will I be disappointed with the OM-5 purchase? I'm assuming it's auto focus is better than my S5 which does not have phase detect. From what I've researched both have excellent monochrome profiles, I really like the L.Monochrom.D in my Lumix. Or is this a dumb move and should I just wait for the new OM-3 to come down in price later this year when they offer discounts?
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

the bluesman
Little Buddy, reasons to sell the OM-5
2 3
Replies
51
Views
52
Asherax
Asherax
D
A Month With the 50-200mm/f2.8 lens
Replies
2
Views
6K
DaveLBlack
D
M
OM-3 body or OM-3 body with kit lens ?
Replies
19
Views
529
tb06mar
T
Thomas Kachadurian
The M43 problem - It too good to abandon
6 7 8
Replies
149
Views
1K
DrHook59
DrHook59
Sam Bennett
OM-5 Mark II Impending?
6 7 8
Replies
149
Views
981
gary0319
gary0319

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top