Olympus OM-D E-M5
Announced February 8, 2012
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is a highly capable mirrorless camera that provides excellent image quality and a robust, weather-sealed design. While it offers impressive responsiveness and a sophisticated 5-axis stabilization system, it is hampered by a convoluted menu structure and limited performance when tracking moving subjects.
Weighted from 13 reviewer scores
Pros
- Fast and accurate autofocus performance
- Excellent image quality and high ISO performance
- Effective 5-axis in-body image stabilization
- Durable, weather-sealed magnesium alloy construction
- Highly customizable controls and interface
Cons
- Ergonomic issues including button placement and tactile feel
- Limited video options and lack of external microphone support
- Confusing and poorly organized menu system
- Unreliable continuous autofocus and tracking
- Launch price $999.99 (USD)
- Sensor 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS
- Stabilization In-body IS
What the Reviewers Say
All 13 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 80/100
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is certainly the most capable Micro Four Thirds camera we've reviewed and arguably the most likeable mirrorless model yet.
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It only took me a week with the E-M5 to realize that it was exactly the camera I had been longing for.
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The bottom line on the Olympus OM-D E-M5 (other than its convoluted name) is that it’s the best Micro Four Thirds cameras yet, and highly competitive with the current mirrorless segment market leader, the Sony NEX-7.
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The OM-D E-M5 is the best Olympus compact system camera to date, and also a strong contender for best compact system camera full stop.
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The Olympus E-M5 E-M5 is an enthusiast-level compact system digital camera that impresses.
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As I already revealed at the beginning, I love this camera. Some small things can be improved, but purely in terms of image quality, it continues to surprise me the more and more I use it.
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The OM-D E-M5 (an unfortunate naming scheme) is solid, well-designed and customizable. It's the first compact camera I've used that I felt could truly replace my Canon DSLR without serious sacrifices.
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I'm a fan, not a fanboy, but I think most people, if you have the budget and it fits the specifications and the general requirements of what you need, that you're going to be really impressed with the image quality and performance of this guy.
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[T]he Olympus OM-D E-M5 original really is a special camera in my eyes and it kind of really put Olympus into the map of a lot of people [...]
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I think this Olympus OM-D E-M5 was the future and this Olympus OM-D E-M5 was truly a wow camera and it showed the future of what mirrorless cameras can be.
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If you're the impatient type, the E-M5 might not be the camera for you [...] But there's a reward for spending time decoding the manual and decrypting the strange terminology and studying the options: the E-M5 is highly configurable.
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[I]t’s an exciting time to be a photographer. For the vast majority of my work, this is more than enough camera; I just need a solid macro option [...] and a good wireless flash system, and I’d be seriously tempted to switch over.
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Olympus has done a fantastic job with this camera, especially since the original OM1's shoes are so big to fill.
