Olympus OM-D E-M5 Olympus M Zuiko 12 50mm F 3 5 6 3 EZ Digital ED Review | 108 Data compared

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is a highly configurable Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera praised for its state-of-the-art 16-megapixel sensor, which delivers high resolution, accurate color reproduction, and impressive noise control up to ISO 3200. A standout feature is its highly effective 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) system, which works across both stills and video and allows any mounted legacy lens to be stabilized. The camera boasts an unalloyed shooting experience with ultra-fast autofocus, a bright 1.4MP EVF with a high refresh rate, a sharp tilting touchscreen OLED LCD ideal for low-angle shots, and blazing continuous shooting speeds of up to 9 frames per second. Furthermore, its extensively customizable interface features 86 menu options and multiple custom "Myset" memory banks to map functions to physical buttons. Despite its stellar performance, the camera has notable ergonomic and functional drawbacks due to its small form factor and retro design aesthetic. The shutter release and power switch are awkwardly placed, and the off-center tripod thread complicates panoramic shooting. For maximum comfort and handling, users are almost required to purchase the optional $299 HLD-6 vertical...

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is an exceptional mirrorless stills camera that stands out against heavy full-frame and APS-C competition due to its outstanding build quality, portable form factor, and rich color science delivered by its 16-megapixel Sony CMOS sensor. Its defining feature is a revolutionary 5-axis in-body image stabilization system that acts like "alien technology," effectively eliminating camera shake even when hand-holding telephoto zoom lenses or fast primes like the Voigtlander Nokton 25mm F0.95. Additional photographic highlights include an excellent articulated OLED screen, a weather-sealed body, quick response times, intuitive menus, and compatibility with the affordable and compact Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem. Conversely, the camera severely falters as a primary filmmaking tool due to a highly restrictive and poorly optimized video mode. The video recording codec is prone to sudden compression breakdowns (referred to as "mud" or macro-blocking), and it lacks a cinematic 24p frame rate. Because the camera only records video in 30p, users shooting in 50Hz PAL countries will experience unavoidable light flickering in their footage. Other video-centric drawbacks include an autofocus system that hunts excessively during...

The review highlights the Olympus OM-D E-M5 bundled with the M.Zuiko ED 12-50mm F:3.5-6.3 EZ lens as a highly capable, travel-friendly mirrorless alternative to traditional DSLRs. The reviewer notes several key advantages, emphasizing the camera's lightweight, compact form factor and its overall ease of setup. Performance-wise, the fast electronic viewfinder (EVF) stands out for its lag-free tracking of moving targets, outperforming competing models like the Fujifilm X-E1. Additionally, the kit lens delivers impressive versatility with its straightforward, built-in macro capabilities and robust image output that offers vivid colours and strong contrast, rivaling the image quality of an APS-C sensor DSLR. Despite these strengths, the reviewer outlines notable drawbacks regarding the system's overall ergonomics and power efficiency. A major criticism is directed at the subpar battery life, which was completely exhausted after shooting only about 100 images—a performance that falls significantly short of standard DSLR stamina. Handling is another weak point, as the body feels too small and lacks an integrated grip, making secure one-handed shooting difficult. Finally, while the lens performs well for macro photography, it locks in at a...

Rob Knight’s field review finds the Olympus OM-D E-M5 paired with the 12-50mm kit lens to be a versatile, capable, and weather-sealed option for outdoor macro photography. The combination boasts fast autofocus, a useful touch-screen interface, and excellent sharpness at f/8, offering a practical single-lens solution. Rob Knight Photography While impressive, the setup’s Micro Four Thirds sensor has limitations regarding shallow depth of field compared to full-frame, and the kit lens cannot match the magnification of dedicated macro glass. Consequently, for professional-tier results, the review recommends investing in a dedicated prime lens like the Olympus 60mm macro. Rob Knight Photography

The DPReview review of the 16MP Olympus OM-D E-M5 highlights the mirrorless camera for its robust, weather-sealed magnesium alloy chassis and the revolutionary 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS). It is lauded for exceptional single autofocus speeds, a 9 fps burst rate, and a high-resolution tilting OLED touchscreen, serving as a versatile, compact alternative to DSLRs. Conversely, the review identifies ergonomic drawbacks, specifically tiny, crowded buttons that can be difficult to manage, along with subpar continuous autofocus (C-AF) performance for action, and aggressive noise reduction that can obscure fine detail. Overall, the camera is recommended for its performance and build despite these handling limitations.

The Amateur Photographer review highlights the Olympus OM-D E-M5 as a compact, weather-sealed, and beautifully designed camera that blends retro aesthetics with modern performance, featuring an incredibly fast autofocus system. Its standout features include a robust magnesium-alloy body, a responsive touchscreen, and excellent ergonomics driven by dual control dials for seamless exposure adjustment. However, the review notes that writing simultaneous RAW and JPEG files causes a bottleneck, introducing noticeable lag. Additionally, while the tilting screen offers creative flexibility, a higher resolution would better suit its premium position, though the extensive lens system makes it a highly desirable, albeit expensive, option. YouTube ·

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is a highly capable 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera praised by reviewer Steve Huff as a major milestone that matured the format through exceptional real-world usability and high-speed performance. Built with a rugged, weather-sealed, and splashproof magnesium alloy body, the camera features a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with an automatic eye sensor and a tilting 3.0-inch OLED touchscreen. The primary pros highlighted in the review are its revolutionary 5-axis image stabilization system—which delivers remarkably steady hand-held video and low-light stills—and an industry-leading, blazing-fast autofocus system. Furthermore, its new sensor yields excellent dynamic range and vastly improved high ISO performance, making images shot at ISO 3200 or 6400 sharp and highly usable even with noise reduction turned off. Conversely, the camera suffers from several ergonomic and functional cons related to its ultra-compact size. The body can feel uncomfortably small and cramped in the hand unless users purchase the optional, expensive $299 external battery grip accessory. The physical buttons on the rear interface, particularly the playback button, are notably tiny and difficult to press for anyone without...