Olympus OM-D E-M5 Hands-On Preview

Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification

Olympus OM-D E-M5

Olympus has an interesting and somewhat sad story to tell about the Olympus OM-D - the digital version of the classic Olympus OM camera: The designer of the original Olympus PEN film cameras, Yoshihisa Maitani, was alive to see the digital version of the camera, the Olympus PEN E-P1. He was also the designer of the original Olympus OM film cameras, but unfortunately he didn't live to see the new digital version come into existence. But from the first look at the Olympus OM-D it does look as though the same design and style is carried over.

The camera is called the OM-D E-M5, with the OM-D being the Digital version of the OM series, but we wonder why it's called the E-M5, and instead why it's not called something like the OM-D1, with it being the first model in the range? Perhaps the E-M5 is in homage to the Olympus E-5 Digital SLR, with this being a "Mini" version of it? Or perhaps this is the 5th Olympus PEN, coming after the Olympus PEN E-P3, as Olympus and many other Japanese companies avoid using the number 4 in product names.

Read our full Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review here.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Features

This is the first Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus with a built in viewfinder, previously if you wanted a viewfinder, you would either need to buy an optional electronic viewfinder from Olympus, or look at the Panasonic Lumix G series of cameras. The viewfinder features 1.44 million pixels, eye-detection, and dioptre correction.

Key Features

• 16.1mp Live MOS CMOS sensor
• EVF 1.44million with eye-detection  dioptre adjustment, vignetting correction
• 3inch OLED tilting capacitive touch-screen 610k dots (equivalent to VGA)
• World’s fastest*2 FAST AF auto-focusing system plus 3D tracking
• World’s first*1 5-axis Image Stabilisation
• 9fps shooting, 4.2fps continuous shooting with AF
• ISO25600
• Full HD Video, MPEG4
• Flash Hot Shoe
• AP2 - Accessory Port
• 2 Function buttons
• Front and Rear Dials
• Dedicated video button
• Weather-sealed magnesium alloy body
• Focus assist lamp
• AV/HDMI Out
• SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card
• Lithium Ion Rechargeable battery
• New “Key Line” filter

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Handling

Olympus OM-D E-M5

Handling - The mode dial is on the left and the camera has front and rear dials on the top, plus top function and video buttons. It feels more compact than the Olympus PEN E-P3, but is larger than the E-PL3. There is a large rear thumb grip and a textured leather effect front grip, as well as side access to the SD memory card - this is weather sealed.


Olympus OM-D E-M5

Menus - The menu system is said to be the same as the Olympus PEN E-P3 with some tweaks. When we get our hands on a full production model we will be able to give a complete overview.


Olympus OM-D E-M5 - Weather sealed battery compartment.

Battery Life - The camera's battery life is expected to be similar to that of the Olympus PEN E-P3 at around 330 shots which is similar to other mirrorless cameras, for example the GX1 has battery life rated at 310 shots, while the Sony NEX-5N has battery life rated at 400 shots. Battery life can be extended to 650 shots with the optional battery grip.


Olympus OM-D E-M5

Speed - We were not able to test the cameras speed, however Olympus has said that the focusing and shutter response is quicker than the Olympus PEN E-P3, which was very quick, so we expect to see good results when we do test the cameras speed.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Performance

When we have a chance to take sample photos with the camera we will post them, until then we can assume that the camera will be using the same (or similar) sensor to the Panasonic Lumix G3 and GX1, so image quality should in theory be as good as these cameras.


Olympus OM-D E-M5

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Hands-On Photos of Equipment

Value For Money

The OM-D is available from April 2012 as a kit with the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 for £1149.99. This puts it into the premium mirrorless camera market, although this is the only model to feature a weather resistant body making it somewhat unique. Alternatives include the 24 megapixel Sony NEX-7 and 16 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix X-Pro1.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Verdict

The new Olympus OM-D E-M5 takes the mirrorless market into a new area, with a weather sealed body the camera brings another new feature to the market, making it more useful for outdoors photographers and those looking for a professional level camera that's (much) smaller than the typical weather sealed Digital SLR. With the new camera, Olympus has also introduced two new lenses, a 75mm portrait lens and a weather sealed 60mm macro lens, further expanding the appeal of the Micro Four Thirds market. This brings the total number of lenses available for the Micro Four Thirds mount to nearly 30 lenses and this is just from Olympus and Panasonic with a number of other lenses from other third party manufacturers.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Specifications

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