Perhaps Olympus was right when it declared, “A new era in Micro Four Thirds technology is about to begin.” With the combination of mirrorless camera functionality and SLR professional quality, Olympus seems to be aiming to make history repeat itself with the innovative OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera. With the body design similar to that of a certain OM 35mm SLR film camera from the 1970s, the technology beneath this familiar exterior is far newer in the mirrorless digital OM-D E-M5.
Getting the jump on earlier mirrorless cameras such as the Olympus PEN series, it captures much higher 16.1Mp images in JPEG or RAW format, shoots full HD 1920 x 1080 video, and features both an electronic viewfinder and 3.0-inch tilting OLED display. Its construction is literally airtight, keeping dust and moisture out, thanks to the multiple seals around its panels and button openings. Going beyond the expected, it also offers one of the fastest autofocus systems around, and unlike many other mirrorless cameras it has an electronic viewfinder that allows you to view image adjustments in real time.
This video will continue to explain and demonstrate to you the many added benefits and features of the Olympus OM-D E-M5. From the variety of available Micro Four Thirds lenses, to the great low-light performance and ISO sensitivity, you’ll see and hear it all in our hands-on video review.
| Memory | SD, SDHC, SDXC, UHS-I compatible, Eye-Fi Card compatible (Class 6 is recommended for Movie shooting.) |
| Screen size | 17.3mm (H) x 13.0mm (V) |
| Sensor type | 4/3 Live MOS Sensor |
| Number of pixels / Aspect ratio | Number of effective pixels: 16.1 million pixels Total number of pixels: Approx. 16.9 million pixels Aspect ratio: 1.33 (4:3) |
| Dust reduction | Supersonic Wave Filter (dust reduction system for image sensor) |
| Filter array | Primary color filter (RGB) |
| Recording format | DCF, DPOF compatible / Exif, PRINT Image Matching III, MPO compatible |
| File format | RAW (12-bit lossless compression), JPEG, RAW + JPEG, MPO (3D still) |
| Recording image size | RAW: 4608 x 3456 pixels - JPEG: 4608 x 3456, 640 x 480 pixels |
| File sizes | RAW: 4608 (H) x 3456 (V) (approx. 1/1.5 lossless compressed) Approx. 17MB Set1 (LF): 4608 (H) x 3456 (V) (1/4 compressed) Approx. 7.5MB Set2 (LN): 4608 (H) x 3456 (V) (1/8 compressed) Approx. 3.5MB Set3 (MN): 2560 (H) x 1920 (V) (1/8 compressed) Approx. 1.1MB Set4 (SN): 1024 (H) x 768 (V) (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.3MB |
| Type | Built-in Image sensor shift type for movie & still, 5-axis image stabilization (yaw/pitch/vertical shift/horizontal shift/rolling) |
| Modes | 3 modes (IS1, IS2, IS3), OFF |
| Manual Focal Length Setting | Input focal length 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 24, 28, 30, 35, 40, 48, 50, 55, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 100, 105, 120, 135, 150, 180, 200, 210, 250, 300, 350, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000 |
| Effective compensation range | maximum 5 EV steps |
| Shutter speed range | 60 - 1/4000 sec. (Not available when Bulb is selected) |
| Eye-level finder type | Eye-level electronic viewfinder, approx. 1.44M |
| Eye point / Finder styles | Approx. 100% / Approx. 0.92x*1 - 1.15x*2 (-1 m-1, 50mm lens, Infinity) *1: at Finder Style 1, 2 (aspect 4:3) *2: at Finder Style 3 (aspect 4:3) |
| Diopter adjustment range | Approx. 18mm (-1 m-1, Distance from rear lens surface) / -4 ~ +2 m-1 |
| Preview | Available with Live Preview function button [custom function] |
| Level gauge | 2-axis level gauge; horizontal /vertical |
| Finder style | Selectable from 3 types |
| Brightness / Color temperature control | ±7 levels |
| Eye cup | Removable, Optional eye cup EP-11 is available |
| Live view | 100% field of view, Exposure compensation preview, WB adjustment preview, Gradation auto preview, Face detection preview (up to 8 faces), Grid line, Histogram, Magnification display (x5/x7/x10/x14) OFF |
| Grid/ Monitor display types | Normal Mode, Grid Line Mode(4 types), Histogram Mode, Magnified View Mode, OFF |
| Magnification ratio | x5, x7, x10 (Default), x14 |
| Monitor information | Aperture value, Shutter speed, Auto Bracket, AE Lock, AF mode, IS, Shooting Mode, Battery Check, Myset, Internal Temperature Warning, Face / Eye Detection, Histogram, Number of storable still pictures, Record mode, ISO, Sequential shooting, Self-timer, White Balance, Metering Mode, AF confirmation mark, Exposure Compensation Value, Spot-metering Area, Flash Mode, Flash Status, Flash intensity Control, Super FP, Focusing length, Tone control, Eye-Fi condition |
| Display of Face Detection | Max. 8 frames of face detection can be displayed |
| Monitor specs | 3.0" tilting OLED monitor - Approx. 610k dots |
| Touch control | Touch shutter release, Touch enlargement, Touch Live Guide, AF area selection, AF area enlargement, Frame advance/backward, Enlargement playback, Touch Super Control Panel |
| Tilting angle | Upward tilting angle: up to 80 degrees Downward tilting angle: up to 50 degrees |
| Brightness / Color temperature control | ±2 levels / ±3 levels |
| Color tone select | Vivid / Natural |
| AF Type | High-speed imager AF |
| Focus modes | Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF)* / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / AF tracking (C-AF + TR) * |
| Full-time AF | Available |
| Magnified frame AF | Selectable from over 800 AF points - Magnification x5, x7, x10 (Default), x14 selectable |
| Face detection AF / Eye detection AF | Eye Detection AF mode: OFF, Nearer-eye priority, Right-eye priority, Left-eye priority |
| Focusing point / Focusing point selection | 35-area multiple AF / All target, Group target area (9-area), Single target |
| AF illuminator | Yes |
| Manual focus assist | Live view image is magnified when the focus ring is rotated (at S-AF+MF or MF mode) |
| AF tracking | Yes |
| TTL Image sensor metering | Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control |
| Metering range | EV 0 - 20 (at normal temperature, 17mm f/2.8, ISO 100) |
| Exposure modes | i Auto, P: Program AE (Program shift can be performed), A: Aperture priority AE, - S: Shutter priority AE, M: Manual, Bulb, Time, Scene select AE, Art Filter, - Underwater wide / macro (Selectable from menu as a function on Fn-1/Rec button) |
| Scene Select AE Modes | Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv., Wide Conv., Macro Conv., 3D (Still image only) |
| ISO sensitivity | AUTO: ISO 200 - 25600 (customizable, Default 200-1600) / Manual ISO 200 - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable |
| Exposure compensation | ±3 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps selectable |
| AE lock | Locked at 1st release of shutter button (can be set to Fn1/REC button) |
| Metering standard value adjustment | 1/6 EV step, +/- 1EV range |
| Type | Computerized focal-plane shutter |
| Shutter speed | 1/4000 - 60 sec. (1/3, 1/2 or 1EV steps selectable.) - Bulb: default setting 8 min. (1/2/4/8/15/20/25/30 min. selectable.) |
| Flash intensity control method | TTL Auto, Auto*, Manual, FP-TTL AUTO*, FP-MANUAL* (* Available on the external flash) |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Bundled flash (FL-LM2) | TTL flash, GN=10 (ISO 200・m) / GN=7 (ISO 100・m) |
| Flash mode | Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync. (1st curtain), Slow sync. (1st curtain), Slow sync. (2nd curtain), Manual（1/1)（FULL～1/64） |
| Synchronization speed | 1/250 sec. or less* (using the bundled flash) * Depending on flash models or flash mode FL-50R: 1/180 sec., Except FL-50R: 1/200 sec., Super FP: 1/125-1/4000 sec. |
| Flash intensity control | Up to ±3 EV in 0.3, 0.5, 1 EV steps selectable |
| Compatible external flash | FL-50/FL-50R, FL-36/FL-36R, FL-30, FL-20, FL-14, FL-300R, FL-600R |
| Color Temperature | 5500 ± 400 K |
| Control method | Triggered and controlled by bundled flash (FL-LM2) (Available on FL-LM1/ FL-600R--Olympus Wireless RC Flash system compatible) |
| Number of channels | 4 channels |
| Number of groups | 4 groups (External flash 3 groups + a bundled flash) |
| Drive mode | Single-frame shooting, Sequential shooting, Self-timer |
| Sequential shooting maximum speed | [Sequential shooting H mode] 9.0 fps [Sequential shooting L mode] 3.5 fps / 4.2 fps in case of "I.S. OFF" |
| Max. recordable pictures on sequential shooting |
[RAW] Max. 17 frames (in seq. shooting L), Max. 11 frames (in seq. shooting H) [JPEG] Up to full extent of data strage capacity (in seq. shooting L), Max. 17 frames (in seq. shooting H) - (with TOSHIBA SDHC UHS-I card R95-W80 8GB model, under Olympus test standard) |
| Self-timer | Operation time: 12 sec., 2 sec. |
| Wireless remote control | Not available |
| Exposure bracketing | 2, 3 or 5 frames in 0.3/0.7/1.0EV steps selectable, 7 frames in 0.3/0.7EV steps selectable |
| White balance bracketing | 3 frames in 2, 4, 6 steps selectable in each A-B/G-M axis |
| Flash bracketing | 3 frames in 0.3/0.7/1.0EV step selectable |
| Art filter bracketing | i-Enhance, Vivid, Natural, Muted, Portrait, Monotone, Custom, Art Filters selectable |
| Mode (Variation / Effect) | Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Cross Proscess, Gentle Sepia, Dramatic Tone, Key Line |
| Art Effect | Soft Focus Effect, Pin-Hole Effect, White Edge Effect, Frame Effect, Star Light Effect |
| Movie Recording | MOV (MPEG-4AVC/H.264) - Full HD: 1920 (H) x 1080 (V), 20 Mb/s Fine, Approx. 29 min.17 Mb/s Normal Approx. 22 min. - HD: 1280 (H) x 720 (V), 13 Mb/s Fine, 10 Mb/s Normal, Aspect 16:9, Max 4GB. - AVI (Motion JPEG) HD: 1280 (H) x 720 (V), 30 fps, Approx 29 min. Aspect 16:9. SD: 640 (H) x 480 (V), 30 fps, Approx 29 min. Aspect 4:3, Max 2GB. Motion-JPEG Format: 1/12(HD), 1/8(SD) |
| Effects | Movie Effect: One shot echo / Multi echo - Art Filter Movie, Aperture priority Movie, Shutter Priority Movie, Manual Shooting Movie |
| IS for Movie | Built in (Image sensor shift type image stabilization) - IS1. mode only |
| AE Lock | Available |
| Exposure control (Movie） | P: Program AE, A: Aperture priority AE, S: Shutter speed priority AE, M: Manual, Art Filter - * S mode and M mode: Shutter speed is limited in less than 1/30 sec. |
| Recording format | Wave Format (Stereo linear PCM/16-bit, Sampling frequency 48 kHz) |
| Micophone/Speaker | Stereo/Mono |
| Microphone function | Wind Noise Reduction, Recording Volume, Audio dubbing possible for still pictures (up to 30 sec.) |
| Maximum recording time | Picture with Sound: 30 sec. - Movie: depend on Movie Recording Time |
| White balance mode | Auto WB, 7 Preset WBs, 2 Capture WBs, Custom WB (Kelvin setting) |
| White balance compensation | ±7 steps in each A-B/G-M axis * Except for Custom WB |
| Auto WB system | Live MOS sensor |
| Preset white balance | Sunny (5300K), Shadow (7500K), Cloudy (6000K), Incandescent (3000K), Fluorescent (4000K), Underwater, WB Flash (5500K) |
| CWB (Kelvin setting) | 1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature, 2000K to 14000K |
| Capture white balance | 2 custom settings can be registered |
| Color matrix | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Mode | i-Enhance, Vivid, Natural, Muted, Portrait, Monotone, Custom, Art Filters |
| Gradation | Auto, Normal, High key, Low key [except fot Art Flters] |
| Adjustment parameter | 4 levels (Auto, Normal, High key, Low key) |
| Filter effect (B&W filter) | Neutral, Yellow, Orange, Red, Green for Monotone |
| Picture tone | Neutral, Sepia, Blue, Purple, Green for Monotone |
| At high ISO setting | Off, Low, Standard, High |
| At slow shutter speed | Off, On, Auto On: effective when shutter speed is slower than 1 sec. Auto: effective when shutter speed is slower than 4 sec. (at ISO 200 or higher) or 8 sec. (at lower than ISO200) |
| Number of pictures / Function | 2 frames / Auto gain, Exposing on Recorded picture (RAW) |
| Aspect Ratio | 4:3 (Default) / 3:2 / 16:9 / 1:1 / 3:4 |
| Post Processing | RAW: Aspect ratio is recorded as Exif data, JPEG: JPEG image is produced based on the aspect ratio |
| Detection | 2-axis |
| Magnification | x2 |
| Playback mode | Single-frame, Information display, Index display (4/9/25/100 frames), Calendar, Enlargement (2x - 14x), Movie (with sound, FF/REW/Pause), Picture rotation (auto), Slideshow* (with BGM/BGM+Sound/Sound) - *Slideshow: Still/Movie/Still+Movie; When a camera is connected to HDTV with HDMI cable, 3 new slideshow effects can be selectable. (Still) |
| Information display | Histogram (independent luminance / RGB available), Highlight/Shadow point warning, AF frame, Photographic information, OFF |
| Languages | 34 languages selectable: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Czech, Dutch, Danish, Polish, Portuguese, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Croat, Slovenian, Hungarian, Greek, Slovakian, Turkish, Latvian, Estonian, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Rumanian, Indonesian, Malay, Thai |
| Reset and custom settings (My mode) | 4 settings recordable |
| Editing function | RAW development, Gradation auto, Monochrome, Sepia, Red-eye fix, Saturation, Resize (1280 x 960, 640 x 480, 320 x 240), Trimming, Aspect, e-Portrait, Image Overlay, Post-recording |
| RAW picture editing | RAW development based on settings of the camera (including Art Filter) |
| JPEG editing | Shadow adjustment, Red-eye fix, Cropping, Aspect, Black & White, Sepia, Saturation, Resize, e-portrait |
| Image Overlay | Up to 3 RAW images |
| Erasing function | Single frame, All, Selected frames |
| Protect function | Single frame, Selected frames, Release protect |
| Print function | Print reservation (DPOF), Direct print (PictBridge compatible) |
| USB/AV/Remote controller connector | Dedicated multi-connector [USB: USB2.0 High Speed, Video: NTSC/PAL selectable, Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 can be used] |
| HDMI connector | Micro HDMI (Type-D) |
| Flash attachment | Hot shoe |
| Accessory Port 2 | Dedicated multi-connector [Available for VF-2/VF-3, SEMA-1, MAL-1 and PP-1] |
| PC interface | USB 2.0 High Speed |
| TV interface | HDMI (HD/Stereo Sound), VIDEO-OUT (SD/Mono Sound) |
| DC-in | [Optional Power Battery Holder HLD-6 has DC-IN jack for AC-3.] |
| Battery | BLN-1 Li-ion battery (included) |
| Power battery holder | (Option) Power Battery Holder HLD-6 |
| AC adapter | (Option) AC adapter AC-3 *Optional HLD-6 has DC-IN jack for AC-3 |
| Sleep mode | Available (1/3/5 min. off selectable) |
| Dimensions | 4.8 inch (W) x 3.5 inch (H) x 1.7 inch (D) [CIPA guideline compliant, excluding protrusions] |
| Weight | Approx. 15 ounces [CIPA guideline compliant, with BLN-1 battery and Memory card] Approx. 13 ounces [body only] |
| Temperature | 32 ~ +104 (operation) / -4 ~ +140 (storage) Fahrenheit |
| Humidity | 30 - 90% (operation) / 10 - 90% (storage) |