Why Olympus
My first proper Olympus camera was one that I received for free, with two lenses. A 45mm and a 17mm, on a body of the original OM-D EM-5. As someone who was a “point and shoot” type of person with absolutely no knowledge of framing, F stops and any sort of experience digitally developing, from then on, I was in love.
This camera accompanied me on many adventures and from being a complete novice, I took some cracking shots (if I do say so myself) the art filters alone got overused. Particularly the grainy black and white filter and the dramatic filter. I then began to learn how to use Lightroom and with time, felt confident to not have to ask questions!
With time though, the camera itself began to fall to bits. It was then time to retire it. I was absolutely devastated as it always just felt right to use. The design fit any bag, stood up to the weather on my hikes and when I went to work.
When the time came, once again to get another camera – for the purpose of taking pictures as memories, after my grandmother got diagnosed with terminal cancer – I knew exactly which one I would invest in. So here she is, my beauty:
An EM-5 Mark 2.
Why? It is fast. A definite improvement on the original EM-5, larger flip around viewfinder (useful for being about to see yourself and others’ if you do a group shot) CMOS-family sensor (better shots), better resolution, more focal points. The design feels more solid, which, after having parts break off, it is definitely a welcome feel. Being someone who enjoys portrait, landscape and artistic shots. This camera fit everything that I wanted. If I was going to take moving subject shots, I probably would have gone for an EM-1 Mark 2. But for what I wanted, the EM-5 range will always be a winner. There is just so much about this camera that I love. Too much to list.
Currently, I am using a 40-150mm 4-5.6 M.Zuiko lens and a 14-42mm 3.5-5.6 M.Zuiko kit lens. With the kit swivel flash (fantastic for changing the bounce of the light)
Hopefully, though, I will upgrade to Sigma 30mm 1.4, Samyang 12mm 2.0, M.Zuiko 12-40mm 2.8 and M.Zuiko 40-150mm 2.8 – these would absolutely cover everything that I wish to do with this system.
Specifications (taken from site)
Type
-
Body material
Magnesium alloy body
-
Lens mount
Micro Four Thirds
Image Sensor
-
Type
4/3” Live MOS sensor
-
Effective pixels
16.1 Megapixels
-
Filter array
Primary colour filter (RGB)
-
Aspect ratio & area
4:3 / 17.3 x 13.0mm
-
Full resolution
17.2 Megapixels
Engine
-
Type
TruePic VII
Filter
-
Dust reduction filter
Supersonic Wave Filter
Viewfinder
-
Type
Electronical Viewfinder
-
Pixel number
2.360K dots
-
Diopter adjustment
‑4.0 ‑ +2.0 diopters / built‑in type
-
Field of view
Approx. 100%
-
Magnification
Max. 1.48x with a 50mm lens set to infinity at ‑1 dioptre (depending on selected viewfinder style)
-
Eye point
21mm at ‑1 dioptre from eyepiece lens
-
Style
3 styles selectable
-
Displayed information
- Aperture value
- Shutter speed
- AF frame (super impose)
- AF confirmation mark
- AF lock
- Auto bracket
- Battery check
- Exposure compensation indicator
- Exposure compensation value indicator
- Exposure level indicator
- Exposure mode
- Flash
- FP flash
- IS activating mode
- Metering mode
- Number of storable sequential pictures
- White balance
- Level Gauge
- Highlight & Shadow
- Live Pre-view function
- Histogram
-
Brightness adjustment
Adaptive Brightness Technology / Manual settings: +/‑ 7 levels
-
Correction of colour temperature
+/‑ 7 levels
-
S-OVF
Expands the Live View dynamic range
- *Available in the EVF when in P, A, S and M modes. Art filter, WB and exposure are not reflected in EVF.
Live View
-
Displayed information
- Aperture
- Shutter speed
- Auto bracket
- AE lock
- Focus mode
- Shooting mode
- Battery check
- IS activating mode
- Face / Eye detection mode
- Record mode
- ISO
- Sequential shooting mode
- White Balance
- Metering mode
- Exposure compensation value
- AF frame display
- AF confirmation mark
- Shooting information
- Spot metering area
- Super FP
- Flash status
- Touch Panel Condition
- Focal length
- Flash mode
- Histogram
- Level Gauge
- Highlight & Shadow
- Focus peaking
- Number of storable pictures
- Custom
- Face detection
- Flash intensity
- WiFi
-
Field of view
Approx. 100%
-
Magnification levels
3 / 5 / 7 / 10 / 14x
-
Dynamic range expansion
When in HDR1 or HDR2
Image Stabiliser
-
Type
Sensor shift
-
Modes
Five‑dimensional, vertical or horizontal activation, automatic
- Up to 5 EV steps (CIPA)
Focusing System
-
Method
Contrast Detection AF system
-
Focus areas
81 points / All target, Group target (9‑areas), Single target (normal), Single target (small)
- 800 points / Manual selection in Magnified View Mode
-
AF lock
Yes; Locked by first position of shutter release button in single AF mode, AE/AF lock button (customised)
-
Modes
- Manual focus
- Single AF
- Continuous AF
- Single AF + MF
- AF Tracking
-
AF illuminator
Yes
-
Full time AF
Yes
-
Manual focus
Yes; With enlarged focusing area or focus peaking
-
Face Detection extension
- Eye Detect AF: Off
- Left side priority
- Near side priority
- Right side priority
-
Predictive AF
Yes
-
AF tracking
Yes; Available in continuous AF mode
-
Focus peaking
-
Colour selection
White, black, red, yellow
-
Intensity
High / Normal / Low
-
Back light effect
On / Off
-
Focus Bracketing Mode
-
Number of images
3 – 999shots
-
Step size
10levels
- Compatible with: All Micro Four Thirds AF lenses
Exposure System
-
Modes
- Programme automatic
- Aperture priority
- Shutter priority
- Manual
- Bulb
- Time
- i-Auto
- Scene Modes
- Art Filter
- Photo Story
- Movie
- HDR
- My Mode
-
Exposure compensation
+/‑ 5 EV (1, 1/2, 1/3 steps)
- Note: Monitor and EVF displays only up to ±3 EV.
-
Exposure bracketing
2 / 3 / 5 frames (+/‑ 1/3, 2/3, 1 EV steps)
- 7 frames (+/‑ 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 EV steps)
-
ISO bracketing
3 frames (1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps)
-
AE lock
Yes
-
My Mode
4 settings storable
-
Enhancement function
Digital Shift
- Shadow Adjustment Technology
-
HDR bracketing
3 / 5 frames (+/‑ 2 / 3 EV steps)
- 7 frames (+/‑ 2 EV steps)
Scene Modes
-
Number of scene modes
24
-
Modes
- Portrait
- e-Portrait
- Landscape
- Landscape with Portrait
- Macro
- Sports
- Night Scene
- Night Scene with portrait
- Children
- High key
- Low key
- Digital Image Stabilisation
- Nature Macro
- Candle
- Sunset
- Documents
- Panorama
- Fireworks
- Beach and Snow
- Fisheye converter
- Macro converter
- 3D
- Wide converter
- Hand-held Starlight
- Panning
Multi-Exposure
-
Max. number of frames
2 frames (shooting)
- 3 frames (editing)
-
Auto gain control
Yes
-
Frame assistance
Live View
Light Metering
-
Method
TTL open aperture light metering
-
Zones
324 zones Multi‑pattern Sensing System
-
Detection range
‑2 ‑ 20 EV (17mm f2.8, ISO 100)
-
Modes
- ESP light metering
- Spot metering
- Centre weighted metering
- Highlight
- Shadow
Art Filter
-
Modes
- Pop Art
- Soft Focus
- Pale & Light Colour
- Light Tone
- Grainy Film
- Pin Hole
- Diorama
- Cross Process
- Dramatic Tone
- Gentle Sepia
- Key Line
- Water colour
- Vintage
- Partial Colour*
-
Variation / Effect
Available
-
Art Filter bracketing
Art Filters selectable
Photo Story
-
Modes
- Fun Frame
- Standard
- Speed
- Zoom in / out
- Layout
Sensitivity
-
Auto
(customisable, default ISO LOW ‑ 1600)
-
Manual
ISO LOW ‑ 25600 in 1/3 or 1 EV ISO steps
Shutter
-
Shutter type
Computerised focal‑plane shutter
-
Self timer
2s / 12s / Custom
Shutter Speeds
-
Shutter speed range
1/8000 ‑ 60s (in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps)
-
Bulb mode
Up to 30 minutes (selectable longest time in the menu, default: 8 minutes)
-
High res shot
-
Shutter type
Electronic shutter
-
Shutter speed
1/8000 ‑ 8s
-
Start delay
0, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15. 30s
-
Resolution
JPEG: 7296 x 5472 / RAW: 9216 x 6912
- Equivalent to 40M pixel sensor (8 shots combined into a single JPEG using sensor shift)
- Available in P/A/S/M mode
-
Anti shock mode
-
Shutter type
Electronic first curtain shutter
-
Shutter speed
1/320* ‑ 60s
-
Start delay
0, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30s
- * For speeds over 1/320 sec., mechanical shutter will automatically be selected.
-
Silent mode
-
Shutter type
Electronic shutter
-
Shutter speed
1/16000 ‑ 60s
-
Start delay
0, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15. 30s
White Balance
-
AUTO WB system
Advanced detection system with Live MOS sensor
-
Manual White balance (One-Touch)
Yes
-
White balance bracketing
3 frames / +/‑ 2, 4, 6 mired steps
-
One-touch white balance
2 custom settings can be registered
-
Custom WB
1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000K ‑ 14000K)
-
Preset values
- Tungsten
- Flourescent 1
- Sunlight
- Flash
- Overcast
- Shade
- Underwater
-
Auto Flash adjustment
Off / Auto WB / Flash
-
Keep warm colour
On / Off
Sequence Shooting
-
Speed (H)
Approx. 10fps
-
Speed (L)
5fps
-
Max. number of frames
16 frames (RAW)
- Up to card capacity (JPG / Large Normal mode)
-
Conditions
Memory card: TOSHIBA SDHC UHS‑II R95 W90 EXCERIA™
- When using the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12‑40mm f2.8 Pro
Image Processing
-
Colour space
sRGB / AdobeRGB
-
Sharpness + Contrast
5 levels
-
Contrast
5 levels
-
Saturation
5 levels
-
Black & White filter
Yellow, Orange, Red, Green
-
Black & White toning
Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green in Black & White mode
-
Picture mode
- Natural
- i-Enhance
- Vivid
- Art Filter
- Monotone
- Portrait
- Muted
-
Gradation
4levels (auto, high key, normal, low key)
-
Engine
TruePic VII
-
Art Filter bracketing
Available
-
Tele converter effect
2x
Internal Flash
-
Modes
- AUTO
- Manual
- Manual (Full, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64)
- Red-eye reduction
- Slow synchronisation with red-eye reduction
- Slow synchronisation
- Slow synchronisation 2nd curtain
- Fill-in
- Off
- TTL-Auto
- FP Manual
- FP TTL Auto
-
Type
Detachable flash with bounce capability (bundled)
-
Flash compensation
+/‑ 3 EV / 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps
-
Guide number
12.9 (ISO 200)
-
X-sync speed
1/250s / 1/8000s (Super FP Mode)
External Flash Control
-
X-sync speed
1/250s / 1/8000s (Super FP Mode)
-
Type
TTL AUTO, AUTO, MANUAL, FP TTL AUTO, FP MANUAL
-
Modes
- Auto
- Red-eye reduction
- Slow synchronisation
- 2nd curtain and slow synchronisation
- Fill-in for exclusive flash
- Manual
-
Intensity
+/‑ 3 EV (1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps)
- Note: Some functions are only available if they are supported by the external flash.
Wireless Flash Control
-
Number of channels
4 channels
-
Compatible external flash
FL‑36R, FL‑50R, FL‑300R, FL‑600R
-
Control method
Triggered and controlled by bundled flash
-
Group setting
4 groups
- Available when used together with cameras compatible with the Olympus wireless RC flash system.
Monitor
-
Monitor type
Vari‑angle LCD ‑ Touch Panel
-
Monitor size
7.6cm / 3.0” (3:2)
-
Resolution
1037K dots
-
Brightness adjustment
+/‑ 7 levels
-
Colour balance
+/‑ 7 levels Vivid (default) / Natural
-
Touch Control fucntions
- AF area enlargement
- AF area selection
- Art Filter
- Enlargement
- Enlargement playback
- Frame forward/backward
- Live Guide
- Scene Modes
- Shooting mode
- Shutter release
- Super Control Panel
- Wifi connection
Level Gauge
-
Detection
2‑axis
-
Display
Rear display and viewfinder
Recording Formats
-
RAW
12bit
-
RAW & JPEG
Yes; parallel recording
-
JPEG
Yes
-
Aspect ratio
4:3 / 3:2 / 16:9 / 6:6 / 3:4
-
MPO (3D)
Yes
Image Size
-
RAW
4608 x 3456 compressed / 17MB / frame
- 4608 x 3456 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 7.5MB / frame
- 4608 x 3456 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 3.5MB / frame
-
Middle
3200 x 2400 / 1.7MB / frame
-
Small
1280 x 960 / 0.4MB / frame
Still Image Recording
-
EXIF
2.2
-
PIM
III
-
DPOF
Yes
-
DCF
Yes
Movie Recording System
-
Recording format
MOV(MPEG‑4AVC/H.264), AVI(Motion JPEG)
-
Time code
Rec run / Free run
- Drop frame / Non‑drop frame
-
Image Stabilisation Mode
Yes; Sensor shift
- M‑IS1 (Image sensor shift and electronic image stabilizer with multi motion IS)
- M‑IS2 (Image sensor shift with multi motion IS)
-
HD Movie quality
Full HD 1920 x 1080 (16:9) / 30p, 25p, 24p / ALL‑I(A‑I), IPB(SF, F, N) (MOV)
- Full HD 1920 x 1080 (16:9) / 60p, 50p / IPB(SF, F, N) (MOV)
- HD 1280 x 720 (16:9) / 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p / ALL‑I(A‑I), IPB(SF, F, N) (MOV)
- ALL‑I (A‑I: ~ 77Mbps)
- IPB (SF: ~52Mbps, F: ~30Mbps, N: ~18Mbps)
- HD 1280 x 720 (16:9) / 30p (MOV)
-
Movie quality
640 x 480 / 30p (AVI Motion JPEG®)
-
Maximum Recording Time
29min (MOV)
- 14min (SD) / 7min (HD) (AVI Motion JPEG®)*
-
Max. file size
4GB (AVCHD)
- 2GB (Motion‑JPEG)
-
Exposure Modes
- Aperture priority
- Art Filter
- Manual
- Programme automatic
- Shutter priority
- * Frame rate may drop when using certain art filter
- Class 10 or higher SD card is recommended for movie shooting
- UHS‑II or UHS‑I U3 card is recommended for ALL‑I shooting
Movie Specialties
-
Time lapse
4k, 1080p, 720p (AVI Motion JPEG®)
-
Fast motion
Yes
-
Slow motion
Yes
-
Movie clips
1, 2, 4, 8s
- (Extension up to 16s by pressing record button before clip ends.)
-
Movie effects
- Multi shot echo
- One shot echo
- Art fade
- One push tele-converter
- Old Film
-
Art Filter
- Cross Process
- Diorama
- Dramatic Tone
- Gentle Sepia
- Grainy Film
- Key Line
- Light Tone
- Pale & Light Colour
- Pin Hole
- Pop Art
- Soft Focus
- Vintage
- Partial Colour*
- * 18 colours selectable
- Frame rate limited to 30fps or lower
-
HDMI Live View
Yes (GUI* is shown on connetced device only and peaking is not available)
- * GUI can be hidden for recording on external drive under following condition. Movie type: YCbCr 4:2:2 / Frame rate: as set / Sound: no
Sound Recording System
-
Internal microphone
Stereo
-
Recording format
Stereo PCM/16bit, 48kHz, Wave Format Base
-
Image footage
30s
-
Speaker
Yes
-
Microphone functions
- Wind Noise Reduction
- Recording Volume
- Volume limiter
- Audio Dubbing
-
Linking Olympus PCM Recorders
-
Functions
Slate Tone / Synchronised Audio Rec‑Movie Rec
- Compatible with: LS‑100
View Images
-
Modes
- Index
- Calendar
- Zoom
- Slide show
- Movie
- Single
-
Light box
Yes
-
Histogram in playback mode
Yes
-
Shooting information
Off / On
-
Highlight/Shadow point warning
Yes
Erase / Protect / Copy Function
-
Erase modes
Single, All, Selected
-
Image protect mode
Single frame, Selected frames, All Frames, Release protect (Single/All selected)
Menu
-
Menu languages in camera
English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Czech, Dutch, Danish, Polish, Portuguese, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Croatian, Slovenian, Hungarian, Greek, Slovak, Turkish, Latvian, Estonian, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Serbian
Customisation Options
-
Fn Button
Yes
-
My Mode
4 settings storable (Can be set to mode dial.)
-
Factory reset
Full / Basic
-
Programmable button
Yes
Interface
-
Hot shoe
Yes
-
Media
SD Memory Card (SDHC, SDXC, UHS‑I compatible) Class 6 is recommended for Movie shooting
-
HDMI™
Yes; Micro connector (Type D) *
-
USB 2.0 High Speed
Yes
-
Combined V & USB output
Yes; NTSC or PAL selectable
-
Wireless connectivity
WiFi
- * “HDMI”, the HDMI logo and “High‑Definition Multimedia Interface” are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.
-
Tethered control
Yes
-
Microphone jack
3.5 ø mm mini‑jack
-
Earphone jack
3.5 ø mm mini‑jack (HLD‑8G required)
Wi-Fi Functions
-
Easy Connection
QR code setting
-
Wireless Shooting
- Live View
- Power off
- Rec View
- Self timer
- Touch AF & Shutter
- P/A/S/M exposure modes
- Bulb mode
- Zoom
- Movie recording
- Live Composite
Power Supply
-
Battery
BLN‑1 Lithium‑Ion Battery
-
Sleep mode
1, 3, 5, 10 min. and off selectable.
Environment
-
Temperature
‑10 ‑ 40°C Operating temperature / ‑20 ‑ 60°C storage temperature
-
Humidity
30 ‑ 90% operation humidity / 10 ‑ 90% storage humidity
Leave a Reply