If you’re looking for a travel camera to accompany you on some post-pandemic adventure, the new OM System OM-5 is one of the best options out there – and a great upgrade for your smartphone too.
Micro Four Thirds camera is an upgraded version of Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III As of 2019. We have considered this camera as one of the The best travel cameras around thanks to the combination of a compact body, impressive stability within the body and a wide range of lightweight lenses.
The OM OM-5 system, which has a different name after Olympus’ decision to sell its imaging division in 2020, does not interfere with this formula, instead offering a set of improvements that resonate with the new company. OM OM-1 . system Main.
These materials include a weatherproof rating of IP53, an official standard that few mirrorless cameras match. This rating means that while dust can still get into the camera, it won’t damage it. The number “3” in IP53 also means that the OM-5 is protected against water splashes, even if it cannot be considered completely waterproof.
Another improvement on the E-M5 Mark III is the in-body image stabilization from the OM-5. Our review considered its predecessor to be “class-leading” in this regard, but the OM-5 offers an additional mount stop bringing it as high as 6.5 stops (or 7.5 stops with compatible lenses). In other words, you can get slower shutter speeds when shooting handheld to keep ISO sensitivity low, reducing the need for tripods.
picture 1 From two
The main reason the OM-5 is about half the price of the OM-1 is due to its older sensor and Truepic IX processor. Unlike the new “stacked” OM-1 sensor, the OM-5 has the same 20.4MP Four Thirds chip as the one on the E-M5 Mark III. This means that the OM-5’s continuous shooting speeds (10fps with AF tracking) and AF are lower than the OM-1’s, but still an improvement over its predecessor.
The OM-5 also has some significantly increased computational shooting modes compared to the E-M5 Mark III. Useful modes like LiveND, which slows down the shutter speed to allow you to create long exposures without filters, and Starry Sky AF for astrophotography, were previously reserved for the flagship E-M1 line. Both appear on the OM-5, along with a handheld HD shot mode to increase resolution to 50MP when shooting still scenes.
These modes are great for photographers, but filmmakers may find OM-5 video more limited. The only changes from the E-M5 are the inclusion of a vertical video option, an OM-Log400 flat profile for color classifiers, and unlimited recording time. I’m still limited to 4K/30p and it’s not yet clear how well the OM-5’s autofocus works in video mode, despite the improvements to face/eye detection.
However, overall, the OM OM-5 is shaping up to be a fun camera, one that you can take anywhere and one of the Best cameras for beginners. You’ll be able to buy it from late November for $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$1,899 for body only, or $1,599/£1,499 / AU$2,499 with the 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro kit lens. In the UK and Australia, there will also be a lens kit with a 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6 II lens for £1,499 / AU$2,399.
Analysis: Better than your smartphone?
These days, OM System OM-5 competitors are as much smartphones as they are traditional competitors like Canon EOS R10And the Fujifilm X-S10 And the Nikon z fc. Is it really worth spending the price of a flagship smartphone again on a separate camera, when it Google Pixel 7 Pro And the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Is it really so good?
If you value image quality, versatility, and creative control, the answer will definitely still be yes. The OM-5 still has a much larger Four Thirds sensor than any smartphone, but it also provides the lenses crucially to help you get shots that are simply not possible on phones.
For example, pair the OM-5 with a 40-150mm f/4 Pro lens and you have an 80-300mm equivalent setup that will be ideal for travel and wildlife, while also being lightweight with IP53 weather resistance. Since the OM System has inherited arithmetic modes from Olympus, you can also enjoy long exposures or astrophotography without the need for any other accessories.
In this sense, the OM-5 could occupy an alluring place between the fun of smartphone photography and its larger and more serious cameras like its competitors from Canon, Nikon, Sony and Fujifilm. On the other hand, if you’re not always on the go and want an omnidirectional camera for stills and video, the Canon EOS R10’s impressive autofocus might give it the edge.
Find our full verdict on the OM System OM-5, and how it compares to the more focused OM System OM-1, very soon.
