Introduction
The OM System OM-5 Mark II is a brand new Micro 4 Thirds mirrorless digicam that replaces the 3-year-old OM-5 mannequin. It sits under the flagship OM-1 Mark II and the not too long ago launched OM-3 within the OM System vary. The OM5 II is a classically styled digicam that has precisely the identical 20.4 megapixel Stay MOS sensor and TruePic IX processor discovered within the earlier OM-5, and the identical twin phase- and contrast-based auto-focus system, with 121 cross-type AF factors for each. The OM-5 II presents numerous AI-driven options together with Focus Stacking, HDR, A number of Publicity. Stay ND, Starry Sky AF and Handheld Excessive Res Shot modes. There is a new devoted CP (Computational Pictures) button, as beforehand seen on the costlier OM-3 step-up mannequin, which makes it a lot simpler to entry the varied modes. On the video aspect, the Olympus OM-5 Mark II continues to supply Cine 4K recording at 24p and 4K 30p recording, plus Full HD 120p slow-motion, with a devoted 3.5mm Mic jack for higher sound recording. It additionally presents limitless recording instances, the flexibility to create vertical movies for social media, OM-Log400, OM-Cinema 1 and a pair of profiles for simpler color grading, and a purple body and tally lamp throughout recording. It has a redesigned grip that’s barely greater on the entrance. The brand new USB-C port permits the digicam to be charged from an influence financial institution. The OM-5 II makes use of the latest menu system that debuted on the O-M1 mannequin for extra intuitive management. It presents a really efficient efficient 5-axis picture stabilisation system which is rated for as much as 6.5-stops of compensation with any lens that is fitted to it, and seven.5 stops when utilizing the stabilized M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4 IS PRO zoom lens. Within the Excessive Decision mode, the 5-axis picture stabilisation system can create a 25 or 50 megapixel JPEG or an 80 megapixel JPEG or RAW file, both handheld or on a tripod, by transferring the sensor between every shot and merging eight single exposures into one in the course of the course of 1 second. Different key options embody a 3-inch touch-sensitive, vari-angle LCD display screen, 2.36 million-dot OLED digital viewfinder with eye-detection, 10 frames per second burst capturing with AF/AE monitoring, a sensitivity vary of ISO 64-25600, and Stay Composite, Professional Seize and Focus Stacking. The OM System O-M5 is out there in silver, black and new limited-edition sand beige priced at £1199 / $1199 body-only, and in addition in several lens package variations. It’s designed in Japan and made in Vietnam.
Ease of Use
At first look you would be hard-pressed to identify any variations in any respect between the brand new OM-5 Mark II and 2022’s O-M5 mannequin.
The truth is, that is as a result of there have been only a few vital modifications made to the digicam’s exterior and controls.
The OM System OM-5 Mark II is nearly equivalent to its predecessor – “if it ain’t broke, do not repair it” appears to have been the design crew’s mantra.
It is honest to say that homeowners of the earlier mannequin will really feel proper at dwelling utilizing the brand new OM-5 Mark II in the event that they resolve to improve.
The Mark II has a redesigned grip that’s barely greater on the entrance, with the brand new digicam measuring 125.3 x 85.2mm x 52.0mm and weighing in at 370g body-only, making it ever so barely greater and heavier than the unique.
Word that there is not any longer an non-obligatory handgrip accent obtainable from OM System as with the OM-5, so you will must depend on third-party choices if you wish to additional improve your grip on the digicam.
Identical to its predecessor, the OM-5 Mark II is rated mud and splash-proof to the IP-53 commonplace, which makes it finest at school for this particular characteristic on the time of writing.
Olympus say that it could possibly safely be utilized in a heavy rain storm with no hostile results, and it additionally presents freezeproof safety right down to -10°C.
The brand new USB-C port permits the digicam to be charged from an influence financial institution while additionally complying with EU rules., however sadly it would not additionally help energy supply and quick charging.
Fortunately the OM-5 II does now use the latest, a lot clearer menu system that debuted on the O-M1 mannequin, one thing that we have been dissatisfied to not see featured on the unique OM-5.
The brand new mannequin introduces a devoted CP (Computational Pictures) button, as beforehand seen on the costlier OM-3 step-up mannequin, making it a lot simpler to entry the varied modes.
Sadly this has come on the expense of the publicity compensation button which has been exchanged for the CP button on prime of the digicam, so it isn’t all excellent news.
The one different bodily change is the relabelling of the AEL/AFL button to the brand new AF On button, though once more you may customise it to fit your approach of working.
Ranging from the entrance, the OM System OM-5 Mark II has a re-programmable depth-of-field preview button positioned to the bottom-left of the lens mount, a spherical lens launch button to the appropriate, plus an AF help lamp above.
The marginally bigger handgrip encompasses a protruding design and using a leather-like texture, with sufficient room vertically to accommodate three fingers.
The OM System OM-5 Mark II presents 6.5-stops of compensation full with auto panning detection, with Olympus claiming that handheld shutter-speeds as little as 1/eighth second are simply obtainable.
Even higher, by synchronizing the in-lens IS of supported lenses, such because the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4 IS PRO zoom, with the digicam physique’s sync IS, the OMD EM5 Mark IIII presents as much as an unimaginable 7.5 shutter velocity steps of compensation.
The OM System OM-5 Mark II can create a 50 megapixel JPEG or an 80 megapixel RAW file within the Excessive Decision mode. That is achieved by shifting the sensor in half-pixel steps and capturing eight pictures over a interval of 1 second.
As its identify suggests, the Handheld Excessive Res Shot mode lets you hand-hold the digicam and create both a 25 megapixel JPEG or a 50 megapixel JPEG or RAW file, though it is nonetheless finest suited to stationary topics.
The brand new mannequin continues to make use of precisely the identical twin phase- and contrast-based auto-focus system with 121 selectable AF factors that are all cross-type because the OM-5.
There are not any subject-detect AI modes on this digicam, simply the newest model of OM System’s Face/Eye AF, which options higher detection of smaller faces within the body and if the face is turned sideways away from the digicam.
You may as well rapidly swap between a number of detected faces within the body and you may toggle face detection on and provide by way of the push of a button.
The continual capturing velocity is identical too, providing 10fps capturing with full time AF/AE monitoring or 30fps with out.
The Mark II additionally inherits the Professional Seize mode from the earlier mannequin. On this particular capturing mode the digicam takes a 30fps burst, with 15 of these frames saved earlier than you truly pressed the shutter, serving to to make sure that you do not miss that important second.
Handbook focus fans shall be delighted to study that the Olympus OM-5 Mark II has a spotlight peaking characteristic, which allows exact focusing even with out magnifying into the stay view feed, with a number of choices obtainable for the define color.
On prime of the digicam, there is a an influence swap and customizable drive and show buttons on the left.
The ability swap continues to be positioned on the left-hand aspect of the flash hotshoe. The position of the on/off swap would possibly properly increase just a few eyebrows because it means you’ll virtually all the time want to make use of your left hand to activate the digicam, which is hardly an excellent resolution.
Really, it is a design nod to the Olympus OM-1 movie digicam that had its energy swap in nearly the identical location – which is all properly and good, however we’d nonetheless favor it to be ready the place you may simply attain it together with your proper thumb or forefinger.
There are two raised semi-circular buttons which give fast entry to 2 units of settings.
Press the highest one and you may regulate the digicam’s drive modes and self-timer settings with the rear and entrance management dials, respectively. Hit the underside button and you may cycle via the varied show modes supplied by the digicam.
Additionally on the highest of the digicam is a vacant flash hotshoe that sits immediately above the lens. There is no such thing as a pop-up flash on this digicam.
There is a capturing mode dial on the appropriate hand-side when seen from the rear, full with a lock button within the centre.
On most different cameras which have a lockable dial, you could maintain down the centered button whereas turning the dial – on the OM System OM-5 Mark II, the mode dial locks with one press of the locking pin and unlocks with a second press, which is a intelligent thought.
The capturing mode choices stay the identical as the unique O-M5’s, being program, aperture precedence, shutter precedence, handbook, video, Artwork Filters, scene modes, and – essentially the most clearly highlighted of all in inexperienced – iAuto mode.
There are additionally two different modes on the capturing mode dial – Bulb for Stay Composite lengthy exposures and Customized for rapidly accessing your individual customised settings.
Additionally over on the the appropriate of the exterior flash hotshoe are a small-ish shutter launch button, with the OM System OM-5 Mark II readying itself for motion in a second or so.
Squeeze down midway on the shutter launch and the OM-5 Mark II in a short time responds due to the TruePic IX processor, with the AF level flashing up in inexperienced with an accompanying bleep of affirmation (if AF is enabled).
The shutter launch is encircled by the primary of two command dials. This new mannequin inherits the 2×2 Twin Management system first seen approach again on the Pen E-P5. This contains two top-mounted management wheels and a operate lever on the rear that’s simple to succeed in together with your proper thumb.
The operate lever has two settings. Within the first place, transferring the management dial on the entrance of the digicam adjusts the aperture whereas the dial on the again adjusts the shutter velocity.
On the second setting, the dials change the ISO worth and white stability respectively. You may as well configure the swap’s operation too – for instance, you may flip it right into a useful AF/MF toggle if that makes extra sense to you.
The native sensitivity vary of the Mark II and the unique OM-5 is equivalent – ISO 200-25600, which could be expanded right down to ISO 64.
Finishing the top-plate are the beforehand talked about CP (Computational Pictures) button and a purple video report button.
The OM System OM-5 Mark II can report cine-standard 4K movies at 24fps with a bit fee of as much as 237Mbps within the DCI 4K mode (4096 x 2160 pixels) or UHD 4K footage at 30fps and a 102Mbps bit-rate. Full HD 1080p and HD 720p recording can also be supported, plus Full HD 120p slow-motion.
It could use its glorious 5-axis sensor-shift picture stabiliser which interprets into surprisingly clean hand-held footage, even when utilizing a medium telephoto lens.
Handbook publicity could be enabled for movies, though you do must rotate the mode dial to the Film place to make the most of this. You can begin filming in virtually another capturing mode too, however in that case, movies will all the time be recorded with auto publicity.
It additionally has a devoted 3.5mm Mic jack on the physique for higher sound recording for vlogging, a really welcome inclusion, and you may as well use it as a webcam straight out of the field just by connecting it to a pc by way of USB, with no extra software program required.
The Mark II now moreover helps the OM-Cinema 1 and a pair of profiles for video from the OM-3. It additionally provides a purple body and tally lamp throughout recording.
Shifting to the rear of the OM-5 Mark II, there is a built-in digital viewfinder full with diopter management to the left.
The Olympus OM-5 II has a fairly first rate OLED viewfinder providing a 2.36-million-dot decision, 1.37x magnification and a 27mm eyepoint. The magnification is just a little low, though the eyepoint is bigger, making it higher for glasses-wearers.
There’s the identical 3-inch articulated rear LCD display screen as seen on the unique mannequin, with a decision of 1037K dots and capacitive touchscreen expertise.
Because the monitor is side-mounted, it is a absolutely articulated vari-angle show that may be rotated to the entrance for simpler selfies and closed towards the rear of the digicam to guard the display screen.
The OM5II options contact display screen operation, though should you’re not a fan you may for essentially the most half get away with out utilizing it a lot in any respect, as there are a plethora of bodily buttons that are both devoted to particular capabilities or could be custom-made to go well with.
Dragging a finger to maneuver the AF level across the display screen is a fast and simple approach of following the topic, although inadvertently subsequently tapping it can trigger the shutter to fireplace. This facility could be deactivated by prodding the related shutter button icon on the contact display screen, but it surely’s simply as simple to by accident flip it on once more.
There’s a devoted ISO button simply above the rear thumb-rest, together with the Mode 1/2 swap that comes with an AF On button inside it.
Just under this management and the usefully protruding, textured thumb-rest are devoted and self-explanatory Menu and Information buttons, the latter toggling via the varied LCD views.
Beneath once more is a option-less 4-way navigation controller with a central OK button – urgent this accesses the OM-5 Mark II’s fast menu system, a useful onscreen grid of icons that present fast entry to a lot of the digicam’s principal settings.
At the side of the digicam’s plethora of exterior controls and its customisable buttons, this makes the OM-5 Mark II straight-forward to make use of. The ultimate controls on the rear are the Delete button and Playback buttons.
Chunky lugs for attaching the provided shoulder strap dangle at both aspect of the digicam, fortunately out of the way in which of fingers and controls.
On the left hand flank, when viewing the digicam from the again, are three lined ports for the standard 3.5mm stereo microphone jack, distant management, and a shared cowl for the mini HDMI output and new USB-C ports.
You may cost the digicam on the go by way of the USB-C port, an important characteristic that’s showing in most new cameras.
On the appropriate is a sliding plastic cowl defending the one UHS-II reminiscence card slot, which helps the digicam sustain with all these high-speed bursts.
On the underside of the EM-5 Mark IIII is a screw thread for attaching a tripod, with the lockable battery compartment alongside.
The BLS-50 rechargeable lithium-ion battery provided with the OM-5 Mark II is sweet for round 310 pictures or 60 minutes of video recording, the identical as on the OM-5.
Picture High quality
The entire pattern pictures on this evaluate have been taken utilizing the 20.4 megapixel Tremendous Advantageous JPEG setting, which supplies a median picture dimension of round 8Mb.The OM System OM-5 Mark II produced pictures of fantastic high quality in the course of the evaluate interval. It produces noise-free pictures at ISO 64 as much as 1600, with restricted noise beginning to seem at ISO 3200. ISO 6400 displays fairly seen noise and lack of superb element, and the quickest settings of ISO 12800 and 25600 are even noisier however nonetheless usable for small prints and internet use. The corresponding uncooked recordsdata are inevitably extra noisy at decrease ISOs.The picture stabilisation system works excellently for each stills and video, even when hand-holding the digicam at very sluggish shutter speeds. The Excessive decision mode can create a 50 megapixel JPEG or an 80 megapixel RAW file, both hand-held or on a tripod, though it solely actually works for non-moving topics.The varied Artwork Filters and Image Types produce particular results that will in any other case require you to spend so much of time within the digital darkroom.
NoiseThere are 9 ISO settings obtainable on the OM System OM-5 Mark II. The bottom sensitivity is ISO 200 however there’s an expanded low sensitivity setting equal to ISO 64. Listed below are some 100% crops which present the noise ranges for every ISO setting, with JPEG on the left and the RAW equal on the appropriate.
File QualityThe file high quality settings obtainable on the OM System OM-5 Mark II embody Regular, Advantageous and Superfine for JPEGs, and you may as well shoot in Olympus’s proprietary ORF uncooked file format.
Excessive Decision ShotThe OM System OM-5 Mark II can create an 80, 50 or 25 megapixel JPEG or RAW file within the Excessive Decision Shot mode, achieved by shifting the sensor in half-pixel steps and capturing eight pictures over a interval of 1 second.There’s additionally a handheld 50 or 25 megapixel Excessive Decision Shot mode, so you do not have to mount the digicam on a tripod or different secure floor to acquire sharp outcomes.OffOn / Tripod / 80M On / Handheld / 50M
HDROffHDR1HDR2
A number of Publicity
Image ModesOlympus’ Image Modes are basically pre-set mixtures of saturation, distinction and sharpness, aside from the i-Improve mode that goals to optimise every photograph individually. You may tailor every Image Mode to your wants.i-EnhanceVividNaturalMutedPortraitMonochromeUnderwater
Artwork FiltersThe OM System OM-5 Mark II presents 16 ‘artwork filters’, some with a number of modes, which let you rapidly apply a creative impact to a photograph earlier than taking it.OffPop Artwork IPop Artwork IISoft FocusPale&Gentle Coloration IPale&Gentle Coloration IILight ToneGrainy Movie IGrainy Movie IIPin Gap IPin Gap IIPin Gap IIIDiorama IDiorama IICross Course of ICross Course of IIGentle SepiaDramatic Tone IDramatic Tone IIKey Line IKey Line IIWatercolor IWatercolor IIVintage IVintage IIVintage IIIPartial Coloration IPartial Coloration IIPartial Coloration IIIBleach Bypass IBleach Bypass IIInstant Movie
Pattern Photos
It is a choice of pattern pictures from the OM System OM-5 Mark II digicam, which have been all taken utilizing the 20.4 megapixel Superfine JPEG setting. The thumbnails under hyperlink to the full-sized variations, which haven’t been altered in any approach.
Pattern RAW Photos
The OM System OM-5 Mark II allows customers to seize RAW and JPEG format recordsdata. We have supplied some OM System RAW (ORF) samples so that you can obtain (thumbnail pictures proven under are usually not 100% consultant).
Pattern Films & Video
Product Photos
Conclusion
The brand new OM-5 Mark II from OM System (previously Olympus) is a really modest improve of the three-year-old OM-5, which was itself a mild evolution of 2019’s EM-5 Mark III.OM-5 homeowners could also be asking themselves if there any causes to improve to the shiny new mannequin, and the reply is “not that many”.If you happen to discovered the grip on the unique to be too small, the brand new model is barely bigger and simpler to make use of, while the brand new CP button gives fast entry to all the nice computational images options, albeit on the literal expense of the publicity compensation button.The upgraded USB-C port is a will need to have on any digicam launched in 2025, if solely to adjust to EU rules, though it is disappointing that it would not help quick charging.The Mark II model lastly makes use of the latest, a lot clearer menu system that first debuted on the O-M1 mannequin, bringing it in step with the opposite OM System fashions and due to this fact making it simpler to modify between them.On the video aspect, the not too long ago launched OM-Cinema 1 and a pair of profiles are current for simpler color grading, whereas the purple body and tally lamp are useful reminders throughout recording.In any other case, the Mark II and unique OM-5 are basically equivalent, providing the identical core picture high quality, video efficiency, class-leading weather-proofing, efficient Excessive Decision mode and glorious picture stabilisation system.It is most likely honest to say that the OM-5 II is a way more attractive proposition for would-be OM System homeowners slightly than upgraders from the earlier model. It nonetheless makes a superb selection as a rugged, transportable, go anyplace digicam that may be a pleasure to shoot with, however do not count on too many surprises from this 2025 iteration…
Scores (out of 5)
Design
5
Options
4
Ease-of-use
5
Picture high quality
4.5
Worth for cash
3.5
Essential Rivals
Listed under are among the rivals of the OM System OM-5 Mark II.
The Canon EOS R50 is a super-compact mirrorless digicam with an APS-C crop sensor that may shoot at 15fps and report 4K/30p video. Can the R50 compete with the likes of the Fujifilm X-S10, Nikon Z30 and Sony ZV-E10? Discover out now by studying our in-depth Canon R50 evaluate with full-size pattern images and movies.
The Fujifilm X-M5 is a tiny, stylishly retro and attractively priced digicam for vloggers, content material creators, smartphone upgraders and stills photographers alike. Can it actually meet the wants of all these customers? Discover out now by studying our Fuji XM5 evaluate, full with pattern pictures and movies…
The Fujifilm X-T5 is the successor to the very talked-about X-T4 which was launched in 2020, principally including a brand new 40 megapixel sensor, 160 megapixel Pixel Shift Multi-Shot mode, 6.2K video recording and higher auto-focusing. Can the brand new XT5 enhance on what was already an excellent digicam? Discover out now by studying our in-depth Fujifilm X-T5 evaluate…
The OM-3 is a brand new mirrorless digicam that mixes a stunning retro design with the very best specs that OM System have to supply. We take an in-depth have a look at what this new Micro 4 Thirds digicam is all about in our OM System OM-3 evaluate…
OM System have simply up to date their fanatic mannequin for 2022 with the launch of the brand new OM-5, however is it any good? Discover out now by studying our evaluate of the OM System OM5 mirrorless digicam, full with full-size pattern images and movies…
The A6700 is the brand new premium mannequin in Sony’s in depth vary of APS-C mirrorless cameras, however can it beat each its principal rivals and its cheaper siblings? Discover out now by studying our in-depth Sony A6700 evaluate, full with full-size pattern pictures and movies.
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