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Now reading: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review 12 comments

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review

Published Apr 30, 2012 | Richard Butler

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Olympus OM-D E-M5 specifications


Price
MSRP	EU: €1099.99 (Body only) EU: €1299.99 (with M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3) US: $999.99 (Body only) US: $1099.99 (with M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6) US: $1299.99 (with M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3) UK: £1149.99 (with M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3)
Body type
Body type	SLR-style mirrorless
Body material	Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution	4608 x 3456
Other resolutions	4608 x 3072, 4608 x 2592, 3456 x 3456, 2592 x 3456, 3200 x 2400, 3200 x 1800, 3216 x 2144, 2400 x 2400, 1824 x 2432, 2560 x1920, 2560 x 1440, 2544 x 1696, 1920 x 1920, 1440 x 1920, 1920 x 1440, 1920 x 1080, 1920 x 1280, 1440 x 1440, 1104 x 1472, 1600 x 1200, 1536 x 864, 1584 x 1056, 1216 x 1216, 864 x 1152, 1280 x 960, 1280 x 720, 1296 x 864, 960 x 960, 720 x 960, 1024 x 768, 1024 x 576, 1008 x 672, 768 x 768, 576 x 768, 640 x 480, 640 x 360, 624 x 416, 480 x 480, 384 x 512
Image ratio w:h	4:3, 16:9, 3:2, 1:1, 3:4
Effective pixels	16.1 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	16.9 megapixels
Sensor size	Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	TruePic VI
Color space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array	Primary color filter
Image
ISO	Auto (200 - 25600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600
White balance presets	12
Custom white balance	Yes (1)
Image stabilization	Sensor-shift
Image stabilization notes	5-axis IS
Uncompressed format	RAW
File format	• JPEG • DCF • DPOF compatible • MPO compatible
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	• Contrast Detect (sensor) • Multi-area • Selective single-point • Tracking • Single • Continuous • Face Detection • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes
Digital zoom	No
Manual focus	Yes (Live view image is magnified when the focus ring is rotated. (at S-AF+MF or MF mode))
Number of focus points	35
Lens mount	Micro 4/3 Lens Mount
Focal length multiplier	2×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Tilting
Screen size	3"
Screen dots	610,000 (VGA equivalent)
Touch screen	Yes
Screen type	Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100 %
Viewfinder magnification	1.15x (0.92x with settings bar switched on)
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	60 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Exposure modes	• i Auto • Program AE • Aperture priority AE • Shutter priority AE • Manual • Bulb • Time • Scene select • Art Filter
Scene modes	• Portrait • e-Portrait • Landscape • Landscape + Portrait • Sport • Night • Night + Portrait • Children • High Key • Low Key • DIS mode • Macro • Nature Macro • Candle • Sunset • Documents • Panorama • Fireworks • Beach & Snow • Fisheye Conv • Wide Conv • Macro Conv • 3D
Built-in flash	No
External flash	Yes (via Hot-shoe (FL-50/FL-50R, FL-36/FL-36R, FL-30, FL-20, FL-14, FL-300R, FL-600R))
Flash modes	Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels)
Flash X sync speed	1/250 sec
Drive modes	• Single • Continuous • Self-timer
Continuous drive	Yes (9 fps)
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Metering modes	• Multi • Center-weighted • Spot
Exposure compensation	±3 EV (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	(2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	Yes (3 frames in 2, 4, 6 steps selectable in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis)
Videography features
Format	• AVCHD • H.264 • Motion JPEG
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Resolutions	1920 x 1080 (60i from 30p output), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Storage
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (Mini HDMI type-D)
Wireless	None
Remote control	Yes (Optional (RM-UC1))
Physical
Environmentally sealed	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	Lithium-Ion BLN-1 rechargeable battery & charger
Weight (inc. batteries)	425 g (0.94 lb / 14.99 oz)
Dimensions	122 x 89 x 43 mm (4.8 x 3.5 x 1.69")
Other features
Timelapse recording	No
GPS	None

Tags: review, olympus

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Comments

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arser

Hello, is there anyone who would like to share video-film experiences about Olympus Om-T E M5? how is the possibilities to make short fiction and dokumantaires film and especially with different cinematic lenses in work..?

Jul 13, 2015permalink

User3713836241

I have been using the OM-D EM5 for two years now, as a hobbyist, and it has brought the joy back for me in photography. A beautiful, light, strong camera, easy to use and produces great pictures. However, I have had a few niggles - the rubber eye-cup has come off both bodies I own, as well as the dial cap on the right hand side. In one body, the mode dial keeps switching between Auto and SCN. Olympus needs to look into these and some other flaws mentioned by users.

Jan 31, 2015permalink

BobFoster

Great camera for travel and I have owned the OM-D E-M5 for already 3 weeks. I love the retro stye of it as it remind me of the OM4 which I still own.

Do note that the Lumix 20mm f:1.7 lens is not 100% comparable with the OM-D E-M5 when you leave the switch ON and the camera goes into sleep mode. It hang, Sometime It cannot wake up when you press the shutter button, you need to reset the camera by removing the battery for it to reset. Even when you OFF and ON back the switch is of no good.

Dec 17, 2014permalink

Henry Richardson

That was an early problem with the E-M5 and 20mm, but was fixed in a 2012 firmware update. I had the problem back then until the firmware was fixed and then no more problems.

Feb 10, 2015permalink

larryr

It is the only one listed in the camera feature search with a viewfinder as waterproof,but it appears to be only weather resistant, ie don't dunk it in water(or clipped to your life jacket while whitewater kayaking).

May 30, 2014permalink

saradindubose

OLUMPUS OMDE5 appears to be an interesting camera - I am specially attracted to its weathersealed body and lens ( which I think is very essential in a country like I NDIA) - that was the reason why I had purchased PENTAX K10D years ago. One thing which is bothering me is its made in China tag. I am an architect and basically interested in landscape and nature photography - I travel a lot . Can I am have some inputs from those who are using OLYMPUS OMD E5?

Jan 30, 2014*permalink

Vaqas

As a hobbyist, I have been using OMD EM5 for more than an year now and I love it. Here are some of my clicks. There are mostly landscapes and outdoors sports shots.
https://www.facebook.com/VaqasPhoto
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaqasmalik/

Feb 1, 2014permalink

Liberator

I recently got E-M5 and very happy with it. By no means I'm pro photographer but with my new 12-40mm F2.8 Pro lens is great combat and have been talking great picture. I use Toshiba Flash Air to use with my iPhone/ipad too. I mostly to landscape photos and it has not let me down.

Feb 5, 2014permalink

photohounds

It is an excellent little shooter.
THe EVF is quite good and KILLS OVFs in low light. THese were taken with one ..

http://http://photohounds.smugmug.com/Performing-arts

The CaNIKSon shooters told me that they got VERY few 'keeper' pics with their FF sensors. I get a few 'looks' while shooting, but they soon shut up when RESULTS are compared.

Anywhere it's really dark, you'll appreciate being able to SEE.

I also own the EM-1 and have yet to put it through its DIM light paces.

Feb 10, 2014*permalink

Chad Hogan

I'm on the hunt for a new camera and weighing up my options just now.. I'm fairly new to the game though and a bit naive in all honesty! Is the EM5 much better than the Canon EOS 7D as this comparison...

http://versus.com/en/olympus-om-d-e-m5-vs-canon-eos-7d

suggests? What features make this camera great and what one would you go for?

Thanks, Chad

Oct 14, 2013*permalink

TheRabbit

Hi, I didn't see any answer yet, so I asume nobody saw your post yet. I'll try to help you (maybe you didn't choose yet). This comparison isn't very good in my opinion (for example, it compares 9 fps vs 8, but you have to take in account that is with fixed focus. With continuous focus is much slower and less accurate...). I had a 60 D (same sensor, and image quality as the 7D with different features) and I have now the EM-5. I can tell you it has some advantages (if you think smaller and cheaper very good lenses are important advantages; for me, it is essential), but you will have to sacrifice some speed and easyness of handling. The best way is to read the full review of both cameras and to determine what are YOUR priorities. Don't forget to look at the sample images, as the two cameras have different outputs and it's important if you don't like to spend time in post processing. You will find very nice and helpfull reviews on this site (in my opinion, one of the best). Good luck!

Nov 2, 2013permalink

coroander

I sold my 7D and lots of expensive L glass after buying the E-M5. The E-M5 is much smaller, it's images are sharper (no anti-aliasing filter), while the 7D has a very strong anti-aliasing filter (much stronger than any of the other Canon cameras with 18MP sensors) and the E-M5 has more dynamic range. It's also not nearly as prone to banding as the 7D is when pulling details from shadows. The 7D is a bit more ergonomic, but it's much larger, and it's lenses are significantly larger. And the reason i sold it is because it's so heavy. The E-M5 is very fast focusing, but for indoor sports (subjects moving towards or away from the camera) the 7D wins. Both cameras are metal bodied and weather sealed. Both have 4 channel, 3 group remote flash triggering. The E-M5 also has tilt screen and touch screen (touch point to focus and take image.)

Jan 29, 2014permalink


Rumored Olympus OM-D E-M5 successor may offer resolution-boosting 'sensor shift' Dec 4, 2014	Olympus OM-D E-M5 rumored to be out of production Nov 15, 2014	DxOMark Mobile report: Samsung Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge Apr 27, 2015	Sony SLT-A77 II Review Apr 22, 2015

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63	Part 2: FF snobbishness takes a hit now MF accessible
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44	The mistake a thread makes that causes it to be locked....
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42	How many people here have ordered the A99II or plan to do so.
42	Goodbye Full-Frame Cameras
41	Panasonic Petition: Exposure Compensation w/ Auto ISO in Manual
40	Equivalence: Great Progress! remaining: Total Image Exposure (INPUT) vs Brightness
38	5DMk4 or 5Ds-R or Neither??
37	Disappointed with panasonic
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34	What do you use to quickly cull images?
33	Rumor of new menu system. (No public beta?)
33	Why not a square sensor?
32	New Nikon 1 lens
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30	Advise for China trip
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