Is OM-5 vs OM-5 Mark II Autofocus different?

agc73 · Aug 11, 2025

After luggging the G9 around with 3 kids on a recent trip I’ve decided I want something smaller and am pretty settled on the OM-5 1 or 2.

One thing I’ve seen fleetingly mentioned in the reviews is that AF for people and eye focus has been improved. Can anyone who has used both OM-5s confirm an improvement in AF?

One of the videos I saw said it was just the indicator that was improved and didn’t specifically say AF accuracy or reliability.

In my country (NZ) the price difference is about $400 between the two cameras so it’s pretty significant.

Skeeterbytes · Aug 11, 2025

agc73 said:
After luggging the G9 around with 3 kids on a recent trip I’ve decided I want something smaller and am pretty settled on the OM-5 1 or 2.

One thing I’ve seen fleetingly mentioned in the reviews is that AF for people and eye focus has been improved. Can anyone who has used both OM-5s confirm an improvement in AF?

One of the videos I saw said it was just the indicator that was improved and didn’t specifically say AF accuracy or reliability.

In my country (NZ) the price difference is about $400 between the two cameras so it’s pretty significant.

Strictly from the perspective of an EM-1iii shooter: The face and eye AF detection should be identical between the two OM-5 versions. All three share the sensor and processor (TruePic IX). Oly re-engineered the feature for EM-1iii and it is much better than older models. I find it super reliable.

Face and eye even carried on to the OM-1. Only with OM-1ii did they expand it to human subject detection, now shared with OM-3.

For this capability I think it's safe to save the money and go with the original OM-5.

HTH

Rick

agc73 · Aug 11, 2025

I was thinking there can’t be too much difference because as you say they both use the same processor.

I was thinking since they replaced the menu system they could have added software improvements to the mark ii AF. Panasonic made significant AF improvements to the G9 via firmware. In hind sight if that was the case they would have put a lot more marketing effort into the AF improvements.

I could look at it as buy the OM-5 now for significant discount and then in a few years time when the AF gets Sony levels of magic AF upgrade again.

Rafael Rivera · Aug 11, 2025

E-M5 III for that matter shares the same AF capabilities if I'm not mistaken. Could save even more with that camera.

pabulum · Aug 11, 2025

According to perplexity.ai:

”The OM System OM-5 Mark II (OM5II) features face and eye detection autofocus (AF) with updates meant to improve performance, but it does not use the advanced subject detection AF available in higher-end OM System models like the OM-1 or OM-1 Mark II. This marks only a modest improvement over the original OM-5 and is mostly limited to reliability tweaks rather than a major overhaul.

The bottom line is that the OM-5 II’s people/eye AF is incrementally improved and reliable for most general use, but does not deliver a significant step up in subject tracking or detection capabilities compared to the previous OM-5.”

agc73 · Aug 11, 2025

I would look at the 3 but I want the computational improvements on the OM-5.

agc73 · Aug 11, 2025

I did a couple of those AI comparisons which I found interesting but I really want feedback from humans who have used the cameras.

ahaslett · Aug 11, 2025

agc73 said:
I was thinking there can’t be too much difference because as you say they both use the same processor.

I was thinking since they replaced the menu system they could have added software improvements to the mark ii AF. Panasonic made significant AF improvements to the G9 via firmware. In hind sight if that was the case they would have put a lot more marketing effort into the AF improvements.

I could look at it as buy the OM-5 now for significant discount and then in a few years time when the AF gets Sony levels of magic AF upgrade again.

The A6700 uses an NP-FZ100 battery, same as the latest FF models. I think an “OM5” with AI subject detection and better tracking will need a bigger battery. Battery life is relatively short with the current battery.

It’s not obvious that OM will ever release a body with subject detection that doesn’t have the stacked sensor and a bigger battery.

I think the OM5 is a classic body, unlikely to be matched in its size/cost/performance range. I got my OM5 new as a kit with the 12-45/4 for £950 when they were on deep discount. Smaller bodies seem to have risen in price since then. The OM5 feels like my open box GM1 - a purchase never to be repeated.

I’m more on the page of upgrading my OM1 mk i to a mk ii or adding an OM3 if used prices fall far enough.

A

agc73 · Aug 11, 2025

Good point about the battery, the G9 was the first camera that I really needed extra batteries for and that was due to all the extra processing. I noticed Fujifilm has also gone for a larger battery with XS20 so they must be required for the current powerful processors.

By the time I get the OM-5 i/ii replacement hopefully battery technology has improved enough along with processing efficiency to allow the same small battery size but with all the latest tricks.

ahaslett · Aug 11, 2025

agc73 said:
Good point about the battery, the G9 was the first camera that I really needed extra batteries for and that was due to all the extra processing. I noticed Fujifilm has also gone for a larger battery with XS20 so they must be required for the current powerful processors.

By the time I get the OM-5 i/ii replacement hopefully battery technology has improved enough along with processing efficiency to allow the same small battery size but with all the latest tricks.

I realise that the mk ii has the new menus, saves having a USB-A to USB-C adapter, and has a modified grip. Otherwise it’s a downgrade in ways that matter to me - burst speed and FL-LM3 compatibility.

A

agc73 · Aug 11, 2025

I’ve got a cord with USBC and Micro USB converter on it so I’m not too concerned about that, I’m unlikely to charge on the go too.

I’ll get used to whatever menus I get.

Interesting point about burst mode on the OM5, that really sticks out to me as it’ll be useful for kids sports. Thanks for pointing that out.

Photongraphy · Aug 11, 2025

Rafael Rivera said:
E-M5 III for that matter shares the same AF capabilities if I'm not mistaken. Could save even more with that camera.

I think you are mistaken. AFAIK the em5.3 has the same algorithm as the em1.2, the em1.3 was the only/first Olympus with the new face detect algorithm. It was a significant improvement. The om5 shares the same algorithm with the em1.3.

Possibly differences in processing power influence the performance of this algorithm between models.

As for OP's question: there is zero information that would suggest the mk2 performs different from the mk1. The menu system and USB compatibility are the sole 'improvements' of the mk2 (apart from color options).

Rafael Rivera · Aug 11, 2025

pabulum said:
According to perplexity.ai:

”The OM System OM-5 Mark II (OM5II) features face and eye detection autofocus (AF) with updates meant to improve performance, but it does not use the advanced subject detection AF available in higher-end OM System models like the OM-1 or OM-1 Mark II. This marks only a modest improvement over the original OM-5 and is mostly limited to reliability tweaks rather than a major overhaul.

The bottom line is that the OM-5 II’s people/eye AF is incrementally improved and reliable for most general use, but does not deliver a significant step up in subject tracking or detection capabilities compared to the previous OM-5.”

Interesting. I just went to perplexity and typed in the prompt "Did the OM5 II get any AF improvements when compared with the OM5? Or the E-M5 III?" The response differed somewhat from that listed above.

The above post implies there are some updates meant to improve performance, when below it says the core AF system is essentially the same and that the algorithm tweaks were minor. Note that it may be saying there were algorithm tweaks because a reviewer may have said that- whether it was true or not. The references are below in case anyone wants to double-check.

My two cents? This is marketing at work influencing what Perplexity may have said earlier. Personally I haven't seen anyone else describe any meaningful changes between the OM-5 and E-M5 III, and likely the same comparing the OM-5 I and II.

FWIW, here is the full text:

pabulum said:
The OM System OM5 II did not receive significant autofocus (AF) improvements compared to the OM5, and the core autofocus system is essentially the same as that found in the OM5 and the Olympus E-M5 Mark III.

OM5 II vs OM5
- **Autofocus System:** Both cameras feature a dual phase- and contrast-detect AF system with 121 phase detection points. This is the same hardware as seen in the OM5[1].
- **Face/Eye AF:** The OM5 II maintains the latest face/eye AF algorithms, which improve detection of smaller faces or faces turned sideways. This is also present on the OM5 due to shared firmware lineage[1][2].
- **Subject Detection:** Neither the OM5 nor the OM5 II includes advanced subject-detection autofocus (such as for birds or animals), a feature reserved for higher-end OM System models. Both are limited to face and eye detection[3][4][5].
- **Real-world Performance:** Reviews consistently note that AF speed, reliability, and focus tracking remain very similar to previous models, with no breakthrough AI or hardware improvements reported for the OM5 II[3][5].

OM5 II vs E-M5 III
- **AF Step Up (Mark II to Mark III):** The move from E-M5 II (older model) to E-M5 III was a big step—Mark III brought the phase detection system and much improved AF[6][7].
- **E-M5 III vs OM5/OM5 II:** The E-M5 III, OM5, and OM5 II all use the same 121-point hybrid autofocus hardware, so expect nearly identical autofocus performance among these three models[1][8].

Summary Table

| Model | AF Type | AF Points | Subject Detection | Key AF Improvements vs. Predecessor |
|--------------|------------------------------|-----------|--------------------|-------------------------------------|
| OM5 II | Phase & Contrast Detect | 121 | Face/Eye Only | Minor algorithm tweaks; same core system as OM5[1][5] |
| OM5 | Phase & Contrast Detect | 121 | Face/Eye Only | Improved vs. E-M5 II[1][8] |
| E-M5 III | Phase & Contrast Detect | 121 | Face/Eye Only | Major upgrade vs. E-M5 II (from contrast-detect to hybrid)[6][8][7] |

There are no significant AF improvements in the OM5 II over the OM5 or E-M5 III aside from minor algorithm tweaks—mainly in face/eye detection reliability. Anyone hoping for new AI-based subject detection or major AF leaps will be disappointed, as those upgrades are reserved for the higher-tier OM System models[3][1][5].

Sources
[1] OM System OM-5 Mark II vs OM System OM-5 - Which is Better? https://www.photographyblog.com/articles/om_system_om_5_mark_ii_vs_om_system_om_5_which_is_better
[2] OM System OM-5 Mark II review so far - Cameralabs https://www.cameralabs.com/om-system-om-5-mark-ii-review/
[3] OM System OM-5 Mark II Review - SheClicks https://www.sheclicks.net/reviews/om-system-om-5-mark-ii
[4] OM-5 Mark II first impressions review – your adventuring companion https://keithwee.com/2025/06/17/om-5-mark-ii-first-impressions-review-your-adventuring-companion/
[5] OM System OM-5 Mark II Review: I Think I've Reviewed ... - PetaPixel https://petapixel.com/2025/06/16/om...view-i-think-ive-reviewed-this-camera-before/
[6] Olympus OM-D E-M5 II vs OM-D E-M5 III - The 10 Main Differences https://mirrorlesscomparison.com/preview/olympus-omd-em5-ii-vs-omd-em5-iii/
[7] Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Review https://www.uwphotographyguide.com/olympus-em5-mark-iii-review
[8] OM System OM-5 vs Olympus OM-D E-M5 III - Photography Blog https://www.photographyblog.com/art...olympus_om_d_e_m5_iii_head_to_head_comparison
[9] OM System OM-5 II review in progress: three years late - DPReview https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/om-system-om-5-mark-ii-initial-review
[10] The OM-5 Mark II is Giving Me Deja Vu - YouTube

[11] OM-5 II review by Micro Four Nerds : r/M43 - Reddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/M43/comments/1ldfy3r/om5_ii_review_by_micro_four_nerds
[12] The OM System OM-5 Mark II In-Depth Review - YouTube

[13] OM System OM-5 Mark II Review: An Underwhelming Upgrade From ... https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/om-system-om-5-mark-ii
[14] E-M5 Mark III vs OM-5 autofocus and face detection performance
https://www.reddit.com/r/M43/comments/1je2rpg/em5_mark_iii_vs_om5_autofocus_and_face_detection
[15] OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II vs OM-5 - Les deux pieds dehors https://lesdeuxpiedsdehors.com/en/om-system-om-1-mark-ii-vs-om-system-om-5/
[16] OM System OM-5 II vs OM-5 Comparison - Camera Decision https://cameradecision.com/compare/OM-System-OM-5-Mark-II-vs-OM-System-OM-5
[17] OM-5 Mark II https://explore.omsystem.com/us/en/om-5-mark-ii
[18] Difference between E-M5 and OM-5 : r/OlympusCamera - Reddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/OlympusCamera/comments/1d5ky31/difference_between_em5_and_om5
[19] OM System OM-5 Mark II vs Olympus E-M5 Mark III Comparison https://cameradecision.com/compare/OM-System-OM-5-Mark-II-vs-Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-III
[20] OM-5 Mark II Hands-On Review: What's New + Real-World Test in ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzjyQStMhnE

Photongraphy · Aug 11, 2025

Don't trust ai

Rafael Rivera · Aug 11, 2025

Photongraphy said:
Rafael Rivera said:

E-M5 III for that matter shares the same AF capabilities if I'm not mistaken. Could save even more with that camera.

Click to expand...

I think you are mistaken. AFAIK the em5.3 has the same algorithm as the em1.2, the em1.3 was the only/first Olympus with the new face detect algorithm. It was a significant improvement. The om5 shares the same algorithm with the em1.3.

See my prior post.

Photongraphy said:
Possibly differences in processing power influence the performance of this algorithm between models.

Photongraphy said:
As for OP's question: there is zero information that would suggest the mk2 performs different from the mk1. The menu system and USB compatibility are the sole 'improvements' of the mk2 (apart from color options).

Agreed.

And don't forget the downgrades.

Rafael Rivera · Aug 11, 2025

Photongraphy said:
Don't trust ai

Don't trust AI...without confirming sources. It is nevertheless a very useful tool. And I trust it more than I trust some opinions on this site.

References are included for folks to check for themselves.

Don't see anything blatantly incorrect. If you do, feel free to point it out and of course provide supporting documentation.

Photongraphy · Aug 11, 2025

Rafael Rivera said:
Photongraphy said:

Don't trust ai

Click to expand...

Don't trust AI...without confirming sources.

That is a wise thing to do, because ai can't evaluate it's sources.

Rafael Rivera said:
It is nevertheless a very useful tool. And I trust it more than I trust some opinions on this site.

well, in time you learn who you can trust.

Rafael Rivera said:
References are included for folks to check for themselves.

Don't see anything blatantly incorrect. If you do, feel free to point it out and of course provide supporting documentation.

HicHic · Aug 11, 2025

Rafael Rivera said:
Note that it may be saying there were algorithm tweaks because a reviewer may have said that- whether it was true or not. The references are below in case anyone wants to double-check.

My two cents? This is marketing at work influencing what Perplexity may have said earlier. Personally I haven't seen anyone else describe any meaningful changes between the OM-5 and E-M5 III, and likely the same comparing the OM-5 I and II.

When it comes to OM System, it is quite simple to figure out.

The tell is - if it's not plastered all over their marketing material, then it's not there. Because if they did spend the effort and R&D to make that improvement, they'd promote it endlessly at launch. OM System is no stranger to making false and misleading claims to make a sale (like fixing OM-5 tripod base plate issue, or OM-1 2 stops ISO improvement), let alone a real improvement that they actually spent effort and R&D on.

What they will do is silently remove features from a camera, like removing flash compatibilities, or downgrading the mechanical shutter bursts. These are changes that they'll generally keep silent about - until you dig up their compatibility spec sheet to find out.

In essence:

Upgrades - don't worry, they'll make them known to you.

Downgrades - good luck finding them, be prepared to do some heavy investigation.

Earl Goodson · Aug 12, 2025

I had the OM-5 M1 before switching to the OM-1 M1. The Face/Eye Detection is very good on the OM-5 M1. Better than my Fujis of that sensor generation. I'm 99% sure the OM-5 M2 has zero improvements, autofocus-wise. Just the cosmetic changes.

If you need Face/Eye Detect, both have it. But neither one has full-body People Detection like the newer cameras do.

EZGritz · Aug 12, 2025

Agree. For this purpose I don't see a difference. The MKII does other things better and some the MKI does not do. If its worth $400 more, thats a personal decision. It was for me.

Is OM-5 vs OM-5 Mark II Autofocus different?

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