The Olympus E-M5 Mark iii, would I buy this again?

[@WhoIsSerafin]

I actually enjoy using that camera for fun or pro jobs more than my G9. Have been considering getting a second one and just put my G9 away for a back up. I like using two focal lengths for 90% of my fun and paid work so that’s why I like carrying two cameras. They sell a fantastic grip extension for it that blends well with the camera and gives you access to the battery without having to remove it. I actually prefer the plastic body that has a magnesium inside that the plastic body covers. It handles the bumps and and bangs better than metal because it’s a tough high quality plastic. And living in Florida it never gets hot to the touch like the G9 when you leave them in the car. Yes I’ve come to appreciate the plastic body quite a bit.

[@matt_mkv]

The E-M5 iii works much better as a camera to use with small primes and the 12-45 f4 pro… For anything more serious the E-M1 ii/iii work much better. I’m glad I own both, as I primarily use the E-M1iii w/ 12-40 f2.8 for product, advertisements and social media at work, and use the E-M5iii for street/travel stuff. To me, they serve different purposes but are both great when leaning into their niche.

[@fgauer1]

Bart - the photos you show in this video are absolutely brilliant. Just really good. Thank you.

[@ridealongwithrandy]

Another good video. This camera is my prime KZbin video camera that I mount upside down inside my windshield with a suction cup. Works great on dirt roads and such. It is also my go to ultra light weight cam for hiking instead of my EM1X, Cheers!

[@prose4ever]

I had high expectations when the E-M5iii first came out, but have been skeptical with the plastic design. Now my E-M5ii is aging out, and I am contemplating between the Panasonic G9 or the G95/G90.

[@dzeng]

I didn’t “upgrade” my em5ii to the 3 because there’s no battery grip. I love my 2 with the battery grip and the metal construction. Hope OM systems brings back those features for their next version.

[@MikeC2K10]

If there's no battery grip for the Mk III then I think I can quit GASsing for it. Thanks for the info.

[@Iorndealer]

Your thinking is right on mind. Yes the camera is a lower cost version of much what E-M1 mk2 is but it’s build regardless is cheap they more lower cost n min then lighter weight. I kept my E-M5 mk ii though I use both my E-M1 MK III and E-M1X. I sold my E-M5 Mk III for a LUMIX G9 which is at the same price point but far superior to the E-M5 MK III

[@gordon3988]

Thanks Bart. Generally it seems this camera is often preferred by vloggers and others where weight and and size is (smaller) important. I’m considering for that reason (long hikes and paddles), as I find other models a bit too big. APSC could work nicely too perhaps with a smaller lens, but the IBIS in an Oly would be nice, especially for video. Action cameras work OK though. I can see how having both this and the OM 1 Mk 3 would work well!

[@bartjanverhoef]

Yeah this is pretty much how I use it nowaways. The E-M1 iii as my main body and the E-M5 iii as a video/backup body. Pretty happy with it as such.

[@davebellamy4867]

8:30 I'm thinking of EM1 mk ii secondhand versus the EM5 Mk iii. I would like an EM1 Mk iii but too expensive. Secondhand itcis still more than the EM5iii is new if you get a good deal on the EM5iii. A new EM5 iii can be got for 649 GBP and I prefer the compactness of the EM5 iii and you get a 2½ or 3 year warranty from Olympus or the dealer. Also I want the FL LM3 flash. I'm kind of leaning towards a new EM5iii but not sure. I'm going to look at your reasons why you like it video now! ... Oops! That was actually someone else's video but with a similar thumbnail.

[@davebellamy4867]

By the way, I got one. The on/off power switch feels really cheap. They should have made a better feel switch for a couple of extra grams. However, the mode dial and adjustment dials feel great. Still wondering if a secondhand EM1ii would be nice. I think I would prefer the EM1 iii though for the extra features. The EM5iii is a really nice upgrade to the EM10 mark ii for instance because the compactness and form factor are very similar but is has more features, better continuous AF, etc.

[@davebellamy4867]

1:50 Comparing the metal EM5 original with its battery grip with the EM5 mark iii makes me wonder if the EM10 series will disappear. I would probably buy mine again but the secondhand EM1 Mark ii still calls me. The EM5 iii is very compact and light though and has plenty of functionality.

[@HH60gPaveHawk]

As much as I also love a tiny metal feeling camera, after shooting the A7 series for a while now I actually think the finish on the EM5.3 is an upgrade over the older models. My A7iii has been around the world and still looks new, despite many knocks. Good plastic built around a metal chassis seems like a far more durable actual material, despite it feeling cheaper.

[@bartjanverhoef]

Yeah I guess the plastic is less likely to scratch. And I suppose that’s not so bad for a weather sealed camera meant to use outdoors either. Still, I do prefer the look and feel of metal. I don’t think scratches have been much of a thing on any of my OMD’s either, but perhaps with the black finish it’s not as visible. I recall with the silver E-P1 I did get some more visible scratching on that beautiful silver metal body.

[@HH60gPaveHawk]

@@bartjanverhoef yeah don’t get me wrong, I do love a nice metal camera, but all of my pro Nikon and Sony bodies since the AF age have been plastic shells over magnesium frames, and so I’ve come to expect that from pro cameras. Of course all plastic isn’t created equal, but I don’t automatically ding a camera for plastic anymore.

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Agreed, I’m really beginning to appreciate high quality plastic on a magnesium shell. I love this camera so much I’m considering a second since I just don’t enjoy using my G9 as much as my em5 for fun and paid work.

[@davebellamy4867]

I'm glad you loke the finish. The others look too rough in texture - except the EM10 mark ii that has a sublime black finish that is also really durable.

[@catherinejoanpiazza420]

Appreciate your honesty about the camera. I don't own it but rather have the EM1 mark iii but was considering adding the E-M5 iii. I might at some point as I wouldn't miss having a battery grip. I would prefer for the camera to feel like solid metal. Thanks!

[@cornerofthemoon]

There are some great deals on the E-M5 on Amazon right now, I presume OM Systems is trying to clear inventory now that the OM-5 is out. Weighing the pros and cons I decided to take the plunge and order an E-M5. I heard one can get almost full frame quality if one uses a speed booster attachment and Canon EF lenses. Since I have plenty of Canon lenses I get the best of both worlds.

[@BillHundson]

Thanks for sharing your experience Bart. In regards to the build quality, you only mentioned how it "feels". You've had the camera for quite a few years now and I'm curious how well it has help up. Has the exterior condition lasted any good despite the plastic build?

[@bartjanverhoef]

Mine has lasted very well, it is still in very good condition. I’ve read various accounts of mounts tearing and such, but I have no such experience. In general I also wouldn’t say the exterior ages more quickly than the non-plastic ones or anything.

[@karikaru]

I got the mkii as a compact daily driver to throw in my bag and document daily life abroad (and have a bigger cannon DSLR for more dedicated shooting). And I'm kind of kicking myself for not springing for the em1.2. the 5s are just a bit small in hand to me and the mk ii lacks 4k which could have been a nice bonus. The 5 performs great, but I find the ergonomics a little tricky coming from a full frame DSLR. Sometimes I also wonder if I should have gone the other way too of a pen 9 for slightly lighter/smaller camera. The 5.3 looks like a tempting proposition too with cinema4k but realistically, I don't need that. It would just be nice.

[@thierrygraphie5521]

Bad joke I wanted to re-glue the thumb rest rubber and unfortunately some glue slipped into the rear dial and front dial. They can be reused, is it worth repairing ? The repair will be expensive !

[@clarkejones8090]

Very good video. Well done. You explain things clearly. No need for you to have doubts about your English, I think. May I ask a question? There were reports of tripod mount failure. I wonder if Olympus covertly corrected this build quality fault (assuming there really was a generalised fault with the tripod mount/base ) on later em5 mk3 bodies they manufactured. Have you put the camera body on a tripod or quick-release plate? Have you noticed any untoward flex or potential problem with the base plate/tripod area ? Cheers.

[@bartjanverhoef]

Thanks for kind words Clarke! As for your question; I have read various reports of tripod mount failure too. I have used mine on a tripod too but haven’t noticed any flex or issue otherwise. I’ll sometimes have the ECG-5 grip on it though, so that’s a bit different. And I only use it on a tripod with light lenses (for video) like the 17mm f/1.8. The heaviest I’ve had on it while mounted on a tripod is probably the 12-40 f/2.8 pro (I have used it with the 100-400mm as well but then the tripod was on the lens mount). However, although I haven’t experienced it myself, I wouldn’t just dismiss the issue either. There’s several other known issues that I have had too (loose screws in the 100-400mm, thumb rest rubber on the E-M5iii coming of, etc) so I realise their not just anekdotal.

[@clarkejones8090]

@@bartjanverhoef Thank you for your detailed reply, I appreciate it.

[@ttbirds1082]

For me the EM-M5 Mark iii is excellent since it is still the smallest Oly/OM with PDAF. However the weak tripod mount and flimsy battery cover let it down. Would I buy this again ... probably not due to build quality.

[@kennynvake4hve584]

I have a mark ii and I would buy it again...of course I always buy used gear, and have NEVER paid full price for any camera...I have the G95 on order, waiting on it now...

[@davebellamy4867]

Subbed. Nice honest commentary.

[@davebellamy4867]

6:10 I really loke the feel of the EM10 Mark ii which is magnesium alloy but not weatherproof. So the EM5 Mark ii will be a fairly major upgrade but might feel physically a bit like a downgrade? I must say that I don't feel a need for the grips because I like the smaller sized cameras.

[@LEVUAProduction]

Hi! Please tell me, can I put LOW ISO (64) when I record 4k video? Because the lowest iso in this mode is 200 but sometimes it's too much😞

[@MorkusReX]

In your photos, what do you use for this orange/chrome look?

[@casagracia]

What is your opinion about OM-D E-M1 Mark III?

[@bartjanverhoef]

I love the E-M1 Mark III! It is my main camera at the moment and I love using it. It’s such a solid, fast and ergonomically pleasant camera (even more so with the additional battery grip, which I often use. Does add quite a bit of size and weight though). Are you considering getting one?

[@casagracia]

@@bartjanverhoef yes, I do. What is your opinion about the 3/4 frame vs FF?

[@bartjanverhoef]

@@casagracia coudn’t really give a honest comparison between the two. I’ve been shooting m4/3 exclusively since 2010 and have no hands-on experience with digital FF cameras. All I can say is that I have very few issues with the supposed downsides of the m4/3 system (ISO, resolution). It depends on what you want and what you’d use it for, I guess.

[@kuronekowalk]

NICE VIDEO Thank you for sharing! Have a nice weekend!　 .....kuroneko🐾🔔OK

[@Topper_Harley68]

"No contact points" ?? Well you better have a look again pal.

[@bartjanverhoef]

Some contact points, yes; 7 to be precise. They’re for the electronical shutter that’s on the ECG-5 grip. OMD’s that have the option of a HLD battery grip have a lot more, like the original E-M5 for example, which has 22.

[@davidsilva8695]

I stopped watching after less than two minutes. Some advice-get to the point.

[@bartjanverhoef]

Thanks for the honest feedback David. Being to the point isn’t one of my strenghts I guess😊

[@davidsilva8695]

@@bartjanverhoefRe-reading my comment I sound like a total dick, and I apologize. I watched the entire video, and found it informative-thank you. From the all-too brief view of your photos, you look like an exceptionally talented photographer. Best wishes to you.

[@bartjanverhoef]

@@davidsilva8695 thanks again, apology accepted and appreciated. Still helpful feedback though, it doesn’t hurt to try and be a bit more to the point in future videos😊.