OM System OM-5 preliminary overview: Digital Images Assessment

The OM System OM-5 is a mid-range 20MP Micro 4 Thirds mirrorless digicam primarily for stills, however with an honest set of video options as effectively. Though its exterior is a rehash of the older OM-D E-M5 Mark III, its processing has been boosted to unlock computational pictures options beforehand reserved for dearer cameras.

Key specs

• 20MP 4 Thirds sensor
• 121-point hybrid autofocus system
• 50MP handheld high-res shot mode
• 10 fps burst taking pictures with AF-C, 30 fps with digital shutter
• Cinema (DCI) and UHD 4K video with no time limitation
• As much as 7.5 EV of picture stabilization (CIPA-rating) with supported lenses
• 2.36M-dot OLED viewfinder with 60 fps refresh fee
• In depth direct controls and articulating touchscreen
• IP53-rated weather-sealed physique
• In-camera USB charging (micro-USB)
• 1/8000 sec mechanical shutter velocity
• UVC/UAC USB-standard video to be used as webcam

For the reason that exterior is nigh unchanged from the E-M5 Mark III, compatibility is maintained with all previous equipment together with the ECG-5 grip, which makes bigger lenses simpler to deal with for $169.99. The OM-5 will probably be accessible for $1,199.99 body-only and $1,599.99 with the 12-45mm F4 PRO lens as a package.

Bounce to:

What’s new | How it compares | Body & handling | Initial impressions | Sample gallery | Specifications | Press release

What’s new

A well-known face, with a brand new identify

What’s in a reputation? The primary prominently branded digicam from OM System is a useless ringer for 2019’s Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III.

OM Digital Options, previously the digicam division of Olympus, is in the course of rebranding its cameras to ‘OM System.’ Although it launched a flagship earlier in 2022, that digicam nonetheless says ‘Olympus’ on the fake pentaprism. The OM-5, then, is the primary mirrorless digicam to completely embrace the brand new identify and put it in a spot of prominence.

Whereas this large change spells hope for future cameras within the OM System, this mannequin is hardly a revolutionary new design. Actually, it seems to be a particularly shut relative to the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, the mannequin the OM-5 replaces. We actually preferred the E-M5 Mark III after we reviewed it in 2019, and it isn’t a horrible factor that this digicam is a drop-in alternative for the final one.

New silicon unlocks new potential

Upgraded processing offers an older 20 megapixel sensor a brand new lease on life.

Trying on the OM-5’s spec sheet reminds one of many Olympus E-M1 Mark III, the previous Olympus compact professional digicam. As such, you will discover that mannequin’s computational pictures options right here as effectively. The sooner TruePic IX processor on the coronary heart of the OM-5 is probably going liable for niceties just like the LiveND filter simulation mode, face detection AF enhancements, and for the primary time ever in a mid-tier OM digital mannequin, Starry Sky AF.

Starry Sky AF backs up OM System’s claims that this digicam is supposed for folks desirous to seize the good outdoor of their photographs. This distinctive function locks onto the celebs very reliably inside a couple of seconds while you press the AEL/AFL button – no eyeballing it with guide focus required.

Sadly, the additional processing energy hasn’t introduced the Olympus OM-D E-M1X‘s topic recognition modes to the OM-5. This may have made taking pictures wildlife (whether or not it is a housecat or a hen in flight) a lot less complicated for novices. For now, these superior AF choices are unique to the OM-1. It is value noting as effectively that LiveND remains to be restricted to 4 EV, as earlier than.

Handheld high-res mode

Whereas older Olympus fashions had tripod-based high-resolution taking pictures, solely a choose few have been in a position to compensate for hand shake whereas getting a high-res shot. This functionality has trickled right down to the extra reasonably priced OM-5, getting 50MP photographs whereas handholding and 80MP ones utilizing a tripod. Whereas it nonetheless takes round 16 seconds to mix the a number of photographs into one, that is nice for epic landscapes (assuming the wind is not blowing bushes round an excessive amount of – whereas the digicam can deal with shaky palms, there’s little correction of shifting objects).

Standard Olympus menus

With the OM-1, OM System made a giant step ahead with its menu system. The brand new software program has some really helpful options, even telling customers why sure choices have been greyed out and inaccessible. Sadly, OM System stored the earlier technology menu system within the OM-5.

It is not just like the look of the software program is a function that requires sooner processors or expensive Stacked CMOS sensors. That is an space the place OM might have really made the OM-5 really feel like a more recent digicam with the most recent and best interface.

As an alternative, we’re caught with the ageing, labyrinthine system that is been round for a very long time. Positive, the OM-5 does have the useful MySet possibility that lets customers decide extremely used choices for a fast menu. Seasoned customers will know their approach round, however miss out on the standard of life options that the OM-1 dropped at the desk.

Regardless of a radical revamp within the OM-1, the OM-5 sports activities the previous menu system.

UHS-II SD and no USB-C

The OM-5 has one side-mounted UHS-II SD card slot, which is conveniently situated for quick card adjustments. By placing this on the aspect of the digicam, customers will not need to unmount grips, rigging, tripods, or different equipment simply to swap playing cards.

Regardless of a premium worth, the OM-5 nonetheless sports activities a retro microUSB port as an alternative of USB-C.

One space the place we had hoped to see a change was with the best way this digicam fees. Latest high-end Olympus and OM System cameras have had USB-C PD charging, which is nice since so many different units now help this high-speed charging commonplace. Sadly, OM System saddled the OM-5 with an previous, unidirectional microUSB port, which might trickle cost from a USB energy provide or energy financial institution.

Minor video enhancements

Vloggers who like the outside would possibly wish to take into account the OM-5 for its video capabilities. Whereas there is not any headphone socket, OM System has eliminated the 29-minute cap of earlier cameras, making longer takes doable.

The OM System OM-5 additionally natively shoots vertical video at your chosen decision, simply by flipping the digicam’s orientation. You will not get a reshuffled onscreen interface whereas in vertical video mode (which may be irritating to some), however we are able to affirm that these information learn as vertical when transferred to a pc. Particularly if sharing instantly from the digicam, this might save customers a step when posting to social media.

Lastly, the OM-Log400 coloration profile is offered on the OM-5. This Log profile was solely accessible on higher-end cameras earlier than, nevertheless it joins the flat profile as an alternative choice for many who like to paint grade their very own video. We anticipate there to be a LUT made accessible for this digicam as soon as it ships.

Native USB webcam help

One nifty new function that the OM-5 brings is native USB webcam compatibility. Plug in a microUSB cable, choose Webcam within the USB immediate, flip the mode dial to video, and you’ve got a universally-compatible UVC/UAC webcam on this digicam. No further app or bizarre drivers are required to perform this. Easy as that!

Back to index

The way it compares

When purchasing for mid-range mirrorless cameras as of late, you may have a variety of spectacular choices to select from. The high-speed Canon R10 has an even bigger sensor and is probably going extra nimble for sports activities and wildlife taking pictures, and the Fujifilm X-S10 is a greater all-rounder for video and stills.

Each of those competing fashions have bigger APS-C sensors, seemingly higher excessive ISO efficiency, and extra trendy software program (albeit with out a number of the computational options that OM System has to supply).

For the cash, the place the OM-5 excels is when taking into consideration its small measurement in addition to its IP53-rated weathersealing. The place different producers declare a sure diploma of resistance to moisture, a certification like this often prices fairly a bit additional.

Back to index

Physique and dealing with

The physique of the OM-5 is just about an identical to the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, making it immediately acquainted to Olympus shooters. The collection has had twin management dials because the first mannequin was launched in 2012, and that custom continues right here as effectively.

OM System’s customizability is deep and lets customers reassign buttons to their coronary heart’s delight. Even the facility swap, often on the left-hand aspect, may be shifted to the 2-mode toggle to the suitable of the viewfinder that is simply reachable along with your proper hand.

The viewfinder and rear articulating display screen are carried over from the E-M5 III and are good to make use of. The articulating display screen now ditches the Olympus branding, making it a bit stealthier, and has the identical 3-inch 1.04M-dot LCD contact panel. The OLED viewfinder is contrasty and refreshes comparatively rapidly, sporting a decision of two.36M-dots (1024 x 768 pixels).

Being the midrange possibility within the OM lineup, this digicam treads a advantageous line between being svelte whereas providing grip. The rear flare and entrance protrusion make this deal with higher than one would possibly anticipate at first look.

Because it stands, whereas the OM-5 may not accommodate the largest lenses with ease, smaller zooms and the Micro 4 Thirds household of compact primes stability on this physique effectively. OM System is promoting this as being the best match for its F4 Professional lenses (together with the 12-45mm F4 accessible as a package lens) and we’re inclined to agree.

Battery

As a way to maintain the OM-5 compact and moveable, it depends on the small 8.46Wh BLS-50 battery. On a single cost, that is rated to round 310 photographs utilizing the CIPA standardized check methodology. Whereas this older battery is on the smaller aspect, at the least it is accessible in abundance, so selecting up spares is a cinch.

Back to index

Preliminary impressions

The primary digicam that OM Digital Options launched earlier this yr, the OM-1, was a closely reworked flagship with some actually glorious new additions that put the now-independent agency’s finest foot ahead. Sadly, the OM-5 is much less a mini-OM-1 and extra an E-M5 Mark III redux. As the primary digicam to flaunt the OM System identify, this makes it a little bit of a disappointment. Even at first look, there’s actually not a lot totally different right here.

Because it’s in the course of the OM System lineup, the OM-5 feels the pinch from the excessive efficiency OM-1 and the value-focused E-M10 IV, which has an analogous 20MP sensor. For these purchasing for a smaller companion to their beefy OM-1, having to change between two fully totally different menu techniques appears vastly inconvenient. For E-M10 III or IV homeowners trying to improve to one thing newer, it looks as if there’s simply not sufficient right here to justify the price.

Does that make the OM-5 a nasty digicam? No! It is as succesful as any current Olympus, and the added options are undoubtedly appreciated. The USB webcam operate works fairly effectively, and we have seen that the monitoring autofocus utilizing face detection appears to be a bit stickier than in earlier midrange Olympus fashions.

However there’s the sensation that even a few low-hanging additions might have made a much better first impression – USB-C PD charging and the swap over to the brand new OM-1 menu system would have made this really feel like a a lot totally different digicam. Because it stands, although it is a lot succesful, it feels older and creakier than a $1,000+ digicam ought to.

Taken for what it’s, the OM-5 feels good to make use of, has a variety of customizability, and works very effectively with smaller Micro 4 Thirds lenses. The OM-5 embodies a variety of what we like in regards to the Micro 4 Thirds system. It is nigh not possible to discover a compact, weathersealed, IP53-rated digicam at this worth, premium although it could be. Paired with the big again catalog of equally moveable M. Zuiko lenses, the OM-5 nonetheless stands out.

Back to index

Pattern gallery

All photographs shot utilizing a manufacturing OM System OM-5

Please don’t reproduce any of those photographs on a web site or any publication/journal with out prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals accessible for personal customers to obtain to their very own machines for private examination or printing (together with this overview); we achieve this in good religion, so please do not abuse it.

Back to index