Comparing the OM System OM-1, OM-5 and Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III. Which One Should You Buy?

After much anticipation and speculation, OM Digital Solutions has announced the release of the OM-5 the second new camera that the company has released since the acquisition of Olympus’ Imaging Division.

Does the OM-5 stand up to the expectations? Is it worth buying / upgrading? Let’s dig into the specifications and features.

Notable New Features and Updates for the OM System OM-5

When you dig into the specifications and features of the OM-5, there are numerous updates from the OM-D E-M5 Mark III. However, three of the upgrades really stand out.

Improved Image Stabilization

An additional stop of image stabilization has been added to the OM-5 bringing it to 6.5 stops (body only) and 7.5 stops with IS Sync compatible lenses. This brings the image stabilization of the OM-5 up to the level of the OM-D E-M1 Mark III and the E-M1X.

Additional Computational Photography Features

OM Digital Solutions has added additional computational photography features that were enabled by the upgrade to the TruePIC IX process and improved Image Stabilization Handheld High Res Shot and Live ND up to ND16 were added to the OM-5.

Starry Sky AF and Improved Face and Eye Detection were also added to the OM-5.

Improved Weather Proofing

The upgrade to IP53 has put the OM-5 on the same level of Weather Proofing as the OM-1. This is a great feature for nature photographers who photograph out in the rain and snow.

Other OM-5 Features and Upgrades that I’m Excited About

Very similar look, feel, and ergonomics as the OM-D E-M5 Mark III. OM Digital Solutions kept the camera small and light which is perfect for nature and travel photographers.
Upgrade to the TruePIC IX processor. This is the same processor that is in the OM-D E-M1 Mark III.
No Time Limit on video recordings. The OM-D E-M5 mark III had a 30 minute recording limit.
Works with the new RM-WR1 Wireless Remote.
Includes MyMenu. The OM-5 now has a MyMenu feature to save your favorite / most used menu items so they can be located quickly.
Vertical video is also supported on the OM-5. Videos recorded in vertical orientation on the camera are saved as vertical files, making them easy to post on social media without the need for special editing software.
The Price. Not really a feature, but it’s good to see that OM Digital Solutions didn’t raise the $1,199 MSRP from the OM-D E-M5 Mark III.

Features I’m Disappointed that Were Not in the OM-5

New Menu System. OM Digital Solutions implemented a new easier to use menu system with the OM-1. It would have been nice if the OM-5 and future OM System cameras use the new easier to use menu system instead of keeping the old OM-D menu.
AI Detection AF. It would be probably difficulty to implement in a camera this size and at this price point but AI Detection AF (Birds, Dog and Cat Detection) would have made this a really nice bird and wildlife photography camera.
High Res Viewfinder. The 5.76M dot viewfinder introduced with the OM-1 really makes a big difference. The viewfinder is the same as the OM-D E-M5 Mark III. An upgrade to the viewfinder in the OM-5 would have been nice.

Am I going to Buy the OM-5?

In my opinion, the improvements in Image Stabilization and the additional computational photography features are the biggest upgrades in the OM-5. If you are an E-M5 Mark III user, it may make sense to upgrade to the OM-5.

Since I have the OM-1, E-M1 Mark III, and E-M1X with these features, I will probably skip buying the OM-5. Although, it is tempting to get these additional features in a smaller, lighter body.

The OM-1 has faster processor, new stacked sensor, AI Detection AF, and a much faster frame rate. However, the OM-1 comes at almost double the price.

Olympus OM-1 Specification Comparison with the OM-1, OM-5 and E-M5 Mark III

Feature	OM-1	OM-5	E-M5 Mark III
Image Processor	TruePIC X	TruePIC IX	TruePIC VIII
Megapixels	20.4 MP	20.4MP	20.4MP
Sensor	4/3” Stacked BSI Live MOS Sensor	Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Sensor	4/3 Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Sensor
ISO Range	200 – 102400. Expands down to 80	200 to 25,600. Expands down to 64	200 to 25,600. Expands down to 64
AF Points	1,053 Cross-type Phase Detection AF, 1,053 Contrast AF	121 Cross Type (Contrast Detection, Phase Detection)	121 Cross Type (Contrast Detection, Phase Detection)
WiFi	Built-in (IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac) + Bluetooth	Built-in 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth	Built-in 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth
Sequential Shooting Max Speed	Sequential Shooting: 10 fps Anti-shock Sequential Shooting – 10 fps Silent Sequential Shooting (with blackout) – 20 fps Silent Sequential Shooting SH1 – 120 fps (without blackout) Silent Sequential Shooting SH2 – 50 fps (without blackout)	10 FPS mechanical, 30 FPS electronic	10 FPS mechanical, 30 FPS electronic
Pro Capture Shooting Max Speed	Pro Capture – 20 fps Pro Capture SH1 – 120 fps Pro Capture SH2 50 fps	14-frame pre-shot buffer, 30 fps with the electronic shutter	14-frame pre-shot buffer, 30 fps with the electronic shutter
Shutter Speed	60 seconds – 1/8000 (mechanical), 1/32000 electronic	60 seconds – 1/8000 (mechanical), 1/32000 electronic	60 seconds – 1/8000 (mechanical), 1/32000 electronic
AI Detection AF	Formula Cars, Rally Cars, Motorcycles, Aircraft, Helicopters, Bullet Trains, Standard Trains, Steam Locomotives, Birds, Dogs, Cats	N/A	N/A
Image Stabilization	7 Stops (In Body). 7.5 Stops with Sync-IS	6.5 Stops (In Body). 7.5 Stops with Sync-IS	5.5 Stops (In Body). 6.5 Stops with Sync-IS
View Finder	Eye-level OLED electronic viewfinder, approx. 5.76M dots	OLED electronic viewfinder, approx. 2.36M-dot	OLED electronic viewfinder, approx. 2.36M-dot
LCD	3 inch vari-angle articulated LCD, 1,620,000 screen pixels	3 inch, fully articulated LCD, 1,040,000 screen pixels	3 inch, fully articulated LCD, 1,040,000 screen pixels
Weight (incl. Batteries)	21.13 oz / 599g	14.6 oz / 414g	14.6 oz / 414g
Size	134.8 x 91.6 x 72.7mm / 5.3 x 3.60 x 2.8 in.	125 x 85 x 50 mm / 4.92 x 3.35 x 1.97 in.	125 x 85 x 50 mm / 4.92 x 3.35 x 1.97 in.
Weather Proofing	IEC Standard publication 60529 IP53, Freeze proof -10c / 14f	IP53	IPX1
Battery	BLH-1 lithium-ion	BLS-50	BLS-50
Battery Life	?	310 shots	310 shots
Memory Card Slot	Dual UHS-II SD card slots	Single UHS-II SD card slot	Single UHS-II SD card slot
GPS	None	None	None
High Res Shot	Tripod – 80mp (RAW) Handheld – 50mp (RAW)	Tripod – 80mp (RAW) Handheld – 50mp (RAW)	Tripod – 80mp (RAW)
Video	4K: 60p, C4K: 60p. Unlimited Recording Times. OM-Log400 for color grading	DCI 4K: 24p, 4K: 30p/25p/24p. Unlimited Recording Times. OM-Log400 for color grading	C4K: 24p, 4K: 30p/25p/24p. 30 minutes max recording.
MSRP	$2,199	$1,199	$1,199 (reduced to $899 with the OM-5 announcement)
Other Features	Starry Sky AF, AI Detection AF, Eye Detection AF, Face Detection AF, Pro Capture Mode, In Camera Focus Stacking, Live ND (ND64) Mode, Live Composite, Handheld High Res Shot, Super Sonic Wave Filter Dust Reduction, In Camera USB charging	Starry Sky AF, Eye Detection AF, Face Detection AF, In Camera Focus Stacking, Live ND Mode (ND16), Live Composite, Handheld High Res Shot, Super Sonic Wave Filter Dust Reduction, Pro Capture In Camera USB charging, Vertical Video, MyMenu	Eye Detection AF, Face Detection AF, In Camera Focus Stacking, Live Composite, Tripod High Res Shot, Super Sonic Wave Filter Dust Reduction, Pro Capture, In Camera USB charging,

Written by Martin Belan

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