Olympus OM-D E-M5 Pro Reviews

Both the Panasonic Lumix GX7 and Olympus OM-D E-M5 are capable of shooting extremely high quality images, delivering sharp results with low noise levels, as well as excellent colour. While the cameras use different sensors, with Panasonic using their own sensor, and the Olympus OM-D E-M5 using a Sony sensor, they both produce similar levels of noise, with a slight benefit going to the GX7 at the highest ISO settings of ISO12800 and ISO25600. With them both capable of delivering excellent image quality, high speed shooting, and fast focus, it comes down to what features you are looking for in a camera, as to which would be best for you. For example, if you are regularly shooting outdoors, then the weather sealed OM-D E-M5 will be best suited to you. If however you like the idea of using a tilting EVF, and want the latest Wi-Fi connectivity features, then the Panasonic Lumix GX7 would make an excellent choice, particularly if you would benefit from focus peaking for manual focus lenses. If you shoot video, the GX7 has more options and settings as well as a full range of frame speeds, however as the in-body image stabilisation isn't active in video mode, you would be best investing in optically stabilised lenses. The Olympus OM-D E-M5, with 5-axis image stabilisation, does an excellent job at stabilising the video, regardless of what lens is on the front. Choosing between the two is an extremely tough choice, as the cameras are extremely closely matched, and I think it would be difficult to be disappointed with either of them.

The Olympus PEN E-P5 is now one of the highest specification Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras available. The major differences between the two cameras, the internal electronic viewfinder, weather sealing and optional battery grip, on the OM-D E-M5 suiting the outdoor photographer more, while the small size of the Olympus PEN E-P5 would suit those looking to travel light without a compromise in image quality between the two.

Since its debut last year, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 has won many accolades and numerous awards – and it’s easy to see why: this is a camera with a wealth of features, catering to ambitious photographers who are looking to reduce the size and weight of their gear without sacrificing quality. For the most part, the E-M5 delivers. The 16 megapixel sensor captures vivid, detailed images that are well exposed and perfectly usable even at high sensitivity settings of up to ISO 6400 – which is quite a feat, given the relatively small Micro Four Thirds sensor. The innovative five-axis image stabilizer noticeably helps to reduce camera shake, which comes particularly handy when shooting videos. And the multitude of dials and buttons, in tandem with a flexible menu system, put many of the important controls at the fingertips of any experienced user. It may take a while to get there, but once you’re familiar with the E-M5’s capabilities and how to use them, this a camera that, for the most part, is fun to use and delivers professional-looking results.

Olympus raises the bar for compact system cameras, but this capable all-rounder fails to shine in the company of upmarket DSLRs

One of the best compact system cameras to date, but there are some weaker areas that we'd struggle to accept at this price

If I were in the market for a mirrorless, interchangeable lens compact digital and was not wedded to any particular manufacturer or system, the E-M5 would probably be it. Of all the other cameras in this class that I've already reviewed, I like this one the best. First and foremost, I love the viewfinder – now that reading glasses are a way of life, capturing images with a camera monitor is a pain the E-M5 lets me do without. The optional HLD-6 battery holder/grip pretty much negates the compact size advantage enjoyed by mirrorless interchangeables over the DSLR, but makes the E-M5 a much nicer handling camera.

With such knock-out features like 5-axis stabilization in such a tiny body as this, you’ve got one heck of a mobile-minded shooter on your hands. This device is great for those of you out there looking to amp up your game with your old OM, and with Olympus dedicated to the future of this line, as they always are, you can rest easy knowing you’ll be able to pick up accessories galore along the way. This camera certainly isn’t made for rough-and-tumble photographers as its display on the back being on hinges, but you’re a careful shooter, right – go for it!

The 12 month cycle of some of these cameras lets Panasonic and Olympus update and refresh their models much more quickly than the more usual 18-24 month life cycle for Digital SLRs, making the specifications and performance of these cameras very impressive in comparison. They are increasingly making a more compelling argument for themselves to the point where the additional bulk of a more traditional Digital SLR is no longer necessary. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 has moved forward the image quality of Micro Four Thirds cameras noticeably, and its design and near-professional level weather sealing has made it appeal to a new group of traditional Digital SLR users. It delivers extremely sharp JPEG images straight from the camera and has slightly easier to control white balance results (warmth, additional presets) compared to the G5. There is an impressive ISO range with particularly good detail even at the higher ISO levels. With less grip the E-M5 feels slightly more compact than the G5, although it lacks the built in flash.

The OM-D E-M5 is the best Olympus compact system camera to date, and also a strong contender for best compact system camera full stop. It delivers a compelling mix of classic looks, excellent image quality, an extensive feature set and immediate responsiveness, with the camera so well designed that it rarely gets in the way of the creative process. The E-M5 may hark back to a bygone era, but it's definitely bang-up-to-date in all the places that count. Auto-focus speed is one key area where the E-M5 promises to excel, and in practice it certainly doesn't disappoint. It's one of the quickest cameras that we've ever used in this regard, and importantly very accurate too, so if you've always longed for a camera that can keep up with all but the fastest moving subjects, this is the one for you. The E-M5 is also very responsive in terms of image processing times, never leaving you waiting around, and the continuous burst rates are fast enough for most situations, with or without focusing locked to the first frame.

Olympus' new Micro Four Thirds flagship has made quite an impression. Not just enthusiasts, but pro photographers are taking the OM-D E-M5 and the platform's latest optics quite a bit more seriously. Our time with the OM-D E-M5 was pure fun. There was quite a bit to discover in the new design, and it all just worked better than before. As a big fan of the Pen cameras, the main author of this story was quite bowled over by how much more the E-M5 appealed to him.

The OM-D E-M5 marks the beginning of a new strand in mirrorless CSC cameras that poses the strongest threat yet to the dominance of DSLRs in the higher-end of the consumer market. It cleverly combines a retro SLR design (which is still widely held in affection 40 years on) with the best that modern technology can offer. It looks good, handles beautifully, produces superb quality images and is great fun to take pictures with. It may have a tough rival in the form of Sony's NEX-7, but boasts a considerably broader native lens catalogue (31 vs 7 models at the time of writing), and all become stabilized thanks to the built-in sensor-shift system - and as my results show, the image quality is closer than you might expect.

If you can afford the EM-5 and you’re in the market for a MFT, yes, you should buy it. That might sound a little niche, but MFT cameras are becoming insanely popular and insanely expensive, so there’s real demand for what Olympus is offering here. The OM-D E-M5 is an incredibly capable, fun camera that you won’t easily tire of. Images are impressive, using it is (eventually) a breeze after determining your custom settings, and its shortcomings are comparatively small and easy to overcome. So if you’re eyeing this thing, there are a couple of things you need to do. You should definitely read up on the E-M5’s best competitors for your dollars (the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 and Sony NEX-7 stand out among the crowd) and weight some of the features that differ between them. How important is the viewfinder to you? A battery-pack accessory? Durable hardware? Sensor size? Price? Available lenses? Next to these two units specifically, the E-M5 is more affordable, arguably has the most durable hardware, a nice selection of lenses (it’s compatible with Olympus’ line of MFT lenses, which continues to grow), and produces comparable images. It’s not breaking sensor size records for an MFT camera or introducing new EVF/OVF technology, however. If you’re decided between this and a DSLR, however, that’s an entirely different story. The breeds are too different, so if a couple hundred dollars are what’s making you consider this instead of the Canon EOS 7D, then you should probably just save up.

You don't have a lot of choices if you're looking for something rugged under $1,000 that's better than most of the point-and-shoot alternatives. There's the forthcoming Pentax K-30 dSLR, but it's bigger and clunkier. While you don't get best-in-class photo quality with the OM-D E-M5, it's a not-unreasonable trade-off for the rest of the package.

Olympus has been a leader in the Compact System Camera revolution, and the OM-D E-M5 will solidify that position. It is a good-looking, well-designed, highly capable camera. I recommend the 12-50 mm zoom lens with the body, which currently lists for £1,149 for the kit.

Olympus has been a leader in the Compact System Camera revolution, and the OM-D E-M5 will solidify that position. It is a good-looking, well-designed, highly capable camera. I recommend the 12-50 mm zoom lens with the body, which currently lists for $1300 for the kit.

Simply put, we love the E-M5. It's a solid shooter -- literally, thanks to its "splash-proof body" -- with excellent image quality throughout the ISO range and a slick, versatile lens. That 5-axis stabilization is innovative as well, as is the incredibly fast focusing system. While powerful, that focusing system isn't perfect, often slipping with low-contrast sand and snow scenes. Still, that issue is arguably minor, considering that this camera isn't designed for sports-shooting pros, and, like the battery meter, it may be corrected with a firmware update. The $1,300 kit price will be a tad too much to swallow for some, but with a solid body and a diverse collection of lenses, there hasn't been a better time to hop aboard Micro Four Thirds.

Sleek, stylish and a classy performer – there’s not much to dislike about the Olympus OM-D E-M5. It’s not problem-free though: the battery life is, as per all existing compact system cameras, poor. Continuous autofocus won’t beat a DSLR and in dim conditions will struggle or fail entirely; an electronic viewfinder won’t suit all tastes; there's no pop-up flash; and, let’s face it, the £1149 price tag is serious money. But you do get a lot for the cash: the innovative image stabilisation system is excellent, autofocus is fast, the body is rugged and splash-proof and image quality is decent considering the sensor size. We like it, we like it a lot. But with a taller asking price than the Nikon D7000, and at just £200 shy of a Canon EOS 7D kit, there’s a lot to consider.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 does nearly everything right: it's fast, gorgeous, and takes great images and video. Its biggest setback is its price: at $1,099.99, you're definitely paying a premium for the E-M5's gestalt, even over Olympus's own PEN line of very good Micro Four Thirds cameras. At that price this camera is competing with shooters that have larger sensors, too, and if there's one rule of thumb worth following it's that larger sensors mean better pictures. At this level, though, we're only talking varying levels of greatness — the E-M5 is the best and most enjoyable Micro Four Thirds camera I've used yet. It's a much more novice-friendly camera than a DSLR or even the NEX-7 thanks to its size and control scheme, though NEX cameras and DSLRs will serve you more capably once you've gotten used to them. It also plugs into a large and ever-growing ecosystem of lenses, which is another advantage over Sony's NEX cameras. If you're willing to make a couple of very minor tradeoffs in image quality and manual control, most buyers will be very happy with the OM-D E-M5.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is a very impressive camera. The retro styling is very much a success, especially if you opt for the two-tone silver/black finish, while the materials and weather sealing deliver an excellent, high-end feel. There's plenty of features on offer to satisfy even the most experienced photographer, which is backed-up by a very decent performance. The AF is a noticeable improvement over the PEN series, while the new image stabilisation system works a treat. This would all be a waste if it didn't deliver the goods when it came to images, but the OM-D E-M5, with its new sensor, doesn't disappoint. There's plenty of detail on offer - especially if you opt for Olympus' growing number of prime lenses that we've already mentioned, while the ISO performance is strong. The OM-D E-M5 stays true to the original OM philosophy of a compact, high-performance, quality camera for enthusiast photographers and has to be one of the best Compact System Cameras we've seen.

For anyone doubting the ability of mirrorless / compact system cameras, this is the camera that should answer a lot of concerns. It has a weather-sealed compact body, an excellent range of lenses and most importantly excellent image quality - that is significantly improved over previous Olympus PEN cameras. The noise performance and detail in images is very good even at high ISO settings, comparable to cameras with APS-C sized sensors, despite the Micro Four Thirds sensor being smaller. The built in sensor based image stabilisation is excellent and works extremely well on photos and videos. Focus speed, shutter response and continuous shooting are all excellent with the camera shooting at a fast 9fps - the quickest of any Micro Four Thirds camera, only bettered by the Sony NEX-7 and NEX-5N with 10fps shooting. Additional lenses have been announced by Olympus, a 75mm portrait lens and a weather sealed 60mm macro lens and with Sigma and Tokina recently releasing and announcing new lenses, the appeal of the Micro Four Thirds system continues to expand. Now that we have tested a full production version of the camera, the camera continues to exceed our high expectations with better than expected noise performance even at high ISO settings! The sensor in the camera has more resolution, with 16 megapixel compared to the PEN cameras 12 megapixels, yet also offers lower noise results! The price of the camera is relatively high compared to other Micro Four Thirds cameras, however we feel that the added performance, handling and features of the camera make it easily justified.

The Olympus E-M5 is Olympus' eighth Micro Four Thirds camera and by far its most competitive. It combines the company's pleasing JPEG engine with a more modern sensor to create a photographic tool that lives up to the capabilities implied by its evocation of the fondly-remembered 'OM' name. Its retro design means it has a pleasantly traditional control layout which will be immediately familiar to most SLR and DSLR shooters. The E-M5 is also an extremely configurable camera, which means it can be tailored to your own preferred shooting style. The consequence of this customization is that its custom menus can get a little daunting. For the most part they're well arranged, meaning you can usually find the setting you're after. Sadly, some of the most useful features (such as the ability to stabilize a magnified preview for manual focusing lenses) are hidden behind combinations of settings that are sometimes obscurely-named. Like most interchangeable lens cameras from Olympus, the EM-5 is worth studying if you want to get the most out of it.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is the best Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested. It's got a top-notch stabilization system, is fully weather sealed, can shoot in all types of light, and ships with a sharp and versatile kit lens. Add it all up, and you have our new Editors' Choice for high-end compact interchangeable lens cameras.

Olympus has delivered a fantastic camera, which, along with its premium CSC cohorts, has the potential to be a game-changer, stealing focus from certain areas of the DSLR market. There's a lot to love about the OM-D, especially the great image quality and its retro appeal - it will be interesting to see how sales perform.