Verdict
A lightweight , reasonably affordable yet reassuringly durable mirrorless camera that offers an enticing Libra the Scales of portability , creativity and , moreover , lineament . The OM-5 is notable in being the first camera from the former Olympus to bear its new ‘ OM System ’ branding . It would be a disgrace if it ’s overlook due to this unintelligible stigmatisation as this is a capable contender for anyone looking to trade up from smartphone snapping to more considered photography . The OM-5 is a mid - range , casual photographic camera that offers everything all but the most fastidious of photo enthusiasts might want .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
While the link might not be immediately obvious to anyone who has not previously owned a film - epoch OM series SLR , ‘ OM scheme ’ is the former Olympus camera partition under new ownership . The rather unintelligible re - branding occurred a match of years back , yet happily the products that have come forth since have maintained the same quality and operation we ’d have carry from its former owner .
Whichever trading name they ’re now being resign under , these mirrorless compact system camera – the OM-5 here admit – have always been some of the most lightweight and portable standardized lens model available . That ’s largely due to the incorporation of a Four Thirds sensor that is physically smaller at 17.3x13 mm than the APS - C or Full Frame sensors used by rival manufacturers .
Though the rule of thumb is the bigger the sensing element the more pixels can be competently jam onto it , and so theoretically the good the ensuant range , the set - up here has enabled a shorter distance between the sensor and electron lens mount . A quirk ( or benefit ) to this system is that whichever lens is attach provides a 35 mm equivalence of two-fold whatever is inscribed on the lens barrelful . For deterrent example , attaching the OM System 12 - 40 mm f/2.8 II Pro rapid climb lens we had in for test alongside our OM-5 camera body gives us the combining weight of what would be a 24 - 80 mm extend to on a 35 mm tv camera .
This , in theory , ensures that our photographic camera and lens combining should be as adept at shooting wide angle landscapes as it is portraits and close - ups . While it ’s not quite the A-one telephotograph zoom for dedicated sport or wildlife picture taking , the focal stove very much make it a jack - of - all - trades .
The OM System OM-5 appears a sound choice for anyone merchandise up from shooting on their smartphone to a consecrated digital tv camera for the first meter . The heavy flip - out screen at the back should declare oneself familiar , intuitive military operation for anyone who does n’t want to shirk around with this camera ’s otherwise enticingly tactile operational push and dials . That ’s the possibility , but how about in pattern ?
Design and Handling
With an attractively retro exterior resembling a withered old - shoal SLR , the OM-5 is recognisably smaller and more realizable when held in the palm than competing manufacturers ’ cameras trapping physically larger APS - C and Full Frame - sized sensors .
Here the OM System camera ’s physically more lilliputian Four Thirds sensing element is encased within a full-bodied - to - the - contact dead body . Potential purchaser have the option of ash grey or all black exterior .
As noted in the presentation , the build and performance quality of Olympus mirrorless cameras has always been gamey . Though the OM-5 now has ‘ OM organization ’ etch above its genus Lens mount , this weatherproofed splash- , dust- and block - immune tv camera proves no exception .
Picking it up , the ribbon - sized body feels unusually lightweight at 366 g without the lens attach – so much so that I thought I must have draw a blank to infix the battery when I had n’t . That say , the OM-5 exterior is of gamey - quality grammatical construction .
It has no give to it and feels reassuringly solid in use , with the busy raiment of top plate dials , in lieu of any control telephone dial on the handle , get just the proper amount of ‘ give ’ to them .
As well as helping avoid neck injury or back strain , the jacket crown pocket - sized design and low weight of this model make it a perfect companion for landscape , travel and street picture taking ; I ’m simply more likely to take it out and about with me as an ‘ everyday photographic camera ’ than a heavy or bulkier alternative .
There ’s a little compromise to be made when compare the OM System OM-5 to an SLR or higher - end mirrorless rival , as well . Operational answer times are swift enough that once I ’ve imagine an signify composition in my nous ’s centre , I am more than likely get to be able to quickly redact and capture it before my depicted object has moved on .
Yes , it is potential to just place and shoot with this camera and achieve first-class result . And yet the rangefinder - like top crustal plate dials and switches on the OM-5 will carry extra appeal for those who require to get hands - on and exert a degree of manual mastery over their image - making as their confidence and acquisition Seth mature .
If I have one unfavorable judgment that may put off absolute beginners it ’s that the tv camera ’s top dental plate is jolly crammed , with not a circumstances of room for the fatty tissue - fingered to turn dials and changes .
As this photographic camera John R. Major on its compactness overall , the OM-5 ’s handgrip is n’t peculiarly prominent either . I found that there ’s just enough way to get a couple of fingers around it at the front , while a index finger hovers over the lift shutter release clitoris and my thumb rest period on a leather effect promontory at the back . I was therefore able to hold the camera steady enough for my liking .
sequester the lens tally to overall heft , while the bring home the bacon neck shoulder strap also can help steady the camera if held at full stretching .
Sticking with the positive , the television camera is attractively tactile and once gripped , it ’s hard to keep fingers from wandering over to a particular dial or push to effect some change in setting or other .
The camera feel comfortable in the palm tree when walking around capturing subjects and , if and when you do want to move beyond pointing and shot , the OM System OM-5 is not a camera to get bored of too quickly or well .
Features
Like other cameras in the OM System range and the outwardly near - identical Olympus mirrorless model that amount before it , the 20 in effect megapixel OM-5 features the power to boost its settlement further .
The television camera can construct up to 50 - megapixel images from a composite serial of shots via its Handheld High Res Shot choice – a feature article that at one clock time would have definitely necessitate a tripod in support .
Here the photographic camera offers up to the equivalent of 7.5EV steps of eubstance - integral prototype stabilisation with a compatible lens thanks to the competence of its build - in five - bloc range of a function stabiliser . This intend that any electron lens , such as the one we were using , becomes straight off stabilised and protects against the blur effects of camera trill when bind .
With a nod to those who bid to share footage between a photographic camera and a smartphone , support for perpendicular television playback on smartphones is render , as it is on the OM-1 Mark II high up the range .
Otherwise , the OM-5 supports up to 4 K resolving power video shot and compatibility with separately available accessories , including an ECG-5 External Grip for power users plus a RM - WR1 Wireless Remote Control , should one be demand .
Of course , investing in an OM-5 if you do n’t own any of the old similar good example to bear the Olympus branding , let in its once popular PEN orbit , is n’t just about investing in the television camera physical structure itself but is really about clothe in a system . That ’s one thing the new OM System name does at least successfully allude to .
The fact that the OM-5 is more of an fancier ’s camera than a professional - ground level example is indicated by the fact that there is just a single memory card one-armed bandit for the normally used SD card .
ease up the horizontal surface of specification on fling and the achievable price point , that ’s dead fine by us . business leader drug user who like the look and auditory sensation of the OM system are rather direct to the two slots provided by the very adequate to flagship OM-1 Mark II in the same maker ’s compass , even if that does inescapably ensue in a price wage hike .
Image Quality
I am used to image from OM System / Olympus cameras being photo - realistic from the get - go , with rarely any adjustments required , save for perhaps a tweak to counterpoint and , very occasionally , to colour intensity .
That said , there is the option to dial in more vivid and striking tones in - camera as regards the latter . On - plug-in digital Art Filters can be deploy here , give their own setting on the large and obvious shot mode telephone dial .
This include the ego - explanatory pop music Art filter . I rule that when used in relief , this filter can give a fond more saturated boost to what otherwise might resemble slow colours , specially on an overcast day .
Whereas when it comes to the robotic compression of JPEGs , most digital cameras will offer Small , average or Fine alternative .
While the latter scene is on the face of it the default here , the OM-5 pass ‘ one louder ’ in practice , offering a maximal quality , least compression Super o.k. JPEG option . This is just one step below the option of going for a non - flat maximal file size Raw . If you want optimal mundane resultant without quickly fill up your card with more data - thirsty Raw files , then Super Fine is the way to go , delivering richly elaborated solution with plenitude of naturalistic colouring tones .
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Should you buy it?
The OM-5 is a creatively herculean , portable and visceral - to - use television camera with the ability to interchange lenses for optimum capture of any subject , and one that will neither soften your back nor the bank . It ’s a very capable everyday , change of location or sightseeing companion .
If you want a large array of options from third - party manufacturers when it comes to affordable electron lens and accessory the likes of Fuji , Sony , Nikon and Canon are better ways to go .
Final Thoughts
The OM System OM-5 has two jobs to do : be approachable enough to tempt smartphone user to seat in a mirrorless tv camera system and meet partisan lensman ditch a DSLR by offering much the same feature set and operation they ’re already used to . On both counts , I think this camera mostly come through .
It ’s a shame then that , with the loss of Olympus branding from the front of these cameras , the ‘ OM System ’ has fall back decades of heavily - won brand recognition and profile . This puts them at a disadvantage in comparison with close competition , including Fujifilm ’s X - series mirrorless range ( such as theX - S20orX - T50 ) , which are also reasonably compact while featuring a large APS - C - sized sensor . you may find more swell alternatives in our guide to thebest cameras .
Still , for those uncoerced to go against the grain and investigate further the OM-5 is a capable all - rounder that should reward and fulfil singular user with years of close enjoyment .
Trusted Score
How we test
We try out every television camera we review soundly . We use ready test to liken features decent and we use it as our principal gimmick over the review full point . We ’ll always tell you what we find and we never , ever , take money to refresh a merchandise .
FAQs
The OM-5 include a 20.4MP Micro Four Thirds sensor .
The OM System OM-5 includes one Coyote State card slot .
Full Specs
