The OM-5: Reasons for Choosing & First Impressions From a Beginner's Perspective

After many years of relying on point and shoot cameras, I decided to upgrade to a micro four thirds camera with interchangeable lenses in order to improve my photography skills. In this video, I share why I chose the OM-5, show a bit of unboxing, and share my first impressions and some of my favorite photographs from the first few months.
Disclaimer: I'm not a professional photographer or industry insider, and this is not a comprehensive product review. It's just some reflections on how the OM-5 fit my particular priorities. All opinions are my own and not based on any paid sponsorship.
More info on the OM-5 camera here: explore.omsystem.com/us/en/om-5
Most images are mine.
Stock photos are from:
Pexels: www.pexels.com
Pixabay: pixabay.com
Music is from Artlist: artlist.io/
#photography #camera #om5 #naturephotography #birdphotography #omsystem

[@lovethevideos]

Thanks for the honest feedback

[@jpsteiner2]

I had a similar reaction to the reviews of the OM-5. Surprisingly negative for what seemed to be a quite capable camera. I have a much older Olympus Pen E-PL6. Great little camera. I purchased the OM-5, and I really enjoy it. Lightweight, weather sealed, lots of lens choices. I mostly shoot city scapes or curiosities when I go for walks or hikes. I tend to pair the camera with 20mm or 12-45mm lenses, which work nicely. I have couple non-weather sealed 17mm and 25mm lens, which are great for street shooting or everyday capturing of interesting moments. I also like the OM app and the OM Workspace software. Easy to use.

[@thewildwonderer]

Good to know that someone more experienced with Olympus cameras had a similar reaction to the negative reviews. Hope you continue enjoying your OM-5. Sounds like you have a great collection of lenses.

[@sop1193]

Thank you for your video, it was very useful to me ! I wanted to get an OM5 because I thought it would be the right camera for me but because of some reviews I didn't... then I watched your video and order the OM5 right away !!! I've had it for 2 weeks and I love it, thank you for sharing your experience with this camera

[@thewildwonderer]

I'm so glad to know that this was helpful and that you're enjoying your OM-5. Thanks for your comment!

[@jpdeardenphotography]

Well done. Enjoyed your video I am disabled and in a wheelchairso lightweight is imperativefor me. . I have the OM EM-1 mk3, OM SYSTEM OM-1 AND ALSO THE OM-5. It's as powerful as the e-m1 mk3 in a smaller lightweight body. I use it for filming my ^outside videos and also some photo's too. Fantastic system.

[@thewildwonderer]

Thanks! I can see how a lightweight camera like the OM-5 would be excellent for those who are disabled and/or in a wheelchair. I'm thrilled that so much technology can be packed into such a lightweight system to enable more of us to get out and take photos.

[@jpdeardenphotography]

I couldn't agree more. I love Olympus/ OM SYSTEM'S. the were the 1st camera I hot when I took up photography in 2019 after breaking my back. Such amazing quality. Anyway I've subscribed to your channel. Again a really great video. I've just got 9-18 to go on my OM-5 with wireless mic for filming but nit been able to get out. I'm currently bedbound ill with my condition so will watch some of your videos. Have a good week

[@Euonym.]

I am so so glad for this video! It is exactly what I needed to see and hear. Your photos and video of the hummingbirds are wonderful as well.

[@thewildwonderer]

Thanks! I'm so glad it was helpful.

[@johncourt6434]

Have recently brought the OM-5 after years of Canon DSLRs. Also brought an extra battery and external charger . Can't get over how light it is . Fantastic photos.

[@thewildwonderer]

Thank you. I hope you enjoy the OM-5. I've had it for a year now and am still loving it.

[@user-lb4bd1go9o]

Excellent User Review, thank you! Yes OM5 is a great camera, so many features for this price point. Live Composite for Astrophotography is brilliant - I captured nice shots with Starry Sky AF too. Negative reviews are mostly from people who have Not used the camera....! Bizarre they comment without trying it out in the field.

[@thewildwonderer]

Thank you. It truly is a great camera for the price. I still need to try out the Starry Sky AF. It looks like a lot of fun.

[@johnstephen2869]

Thanks for your video, great first up with your OM-5. I’ve just upgraded from my old mark 2 to the new OM-5 and I love it. I’m 76 now and I feel re-generated. Lighter and better and with world’s best sealing and stabilising. I’ll be following your progress as we love similar things. Take care.

[@thewildwonderer]

As I slowly learn how to use the various features, I love the OM-5 (and photography in general) even more. It's good to know that the camera is regenerative even for experienced photographers who had older models. Thanks for your comment.

[@mitchellwnorowski6747]

I am an OM-5 user which was a huge upgrade from my EM1 ii. It is an amazing camera.

[@thewildwonderer]

It really is. Glad you're enjoying it.

[@gmnty13]

Nice summary. I too thought the negative reviews were a bit strange. it is basically the former pre-OM1 flagship the EM1 mk3 (which was well received and is still a great camera) in an EM5 body. Also has the additional computational features (which I don't think are appreciated until you have them) over the Em5 mk3. Im sure you'll enjoy this camera and lenses for quite some time.

[@thewildwonderer]

Thanks! I'm still loving it. I agree that the computational features are amazing and under-appreciated.

[@NorthBorneoLights]

You're quite right I think. In a pocket - the feature set of the OM5 is actually amazing. Couple that with the compactness of the body, it's amazing. 15 years ago, my macro rig consisted of a 5D, 100mm macro, and a 580ex speedlite with DIY macro diffuser. The whole kit when fully loaded up was a staggering 2kg or 4.5 lbs. Nowadays a competent m43 kit, set up for macro work, would be about 900grams or 2lbs - less than half of what I used to carry about daily before. We're quite spoilt for choice these days. It contributes a lot to the problem of reviewers and consumers demanding world-shaking, groundbreaking upgrades with every step up. Back in the day, if we wanted to focus stack, we had to manually adjust for every. single. frame. And my camera literally could not even shoot video! Now you get 4K crisp video out of a camera no larger than a pack of cards. As my mentor used to say: "Some of these kids need to be taken out back for a good belting they're so spoilt." I'm not advocating for corporal punishment - but I agree with the sentiment hah! Anyway, I really appreciated your point of view. It was thought-provoking.

[@thewildwonderer]

Thank you. And I agree with you about our being spoiled. Cameras these days are amazing!

[@Memoriesdevida]

Awesome video 👍🏽 I'm looking for an upgrade from Rebel T7 and I think this is it.

[@thewildwonderer]

Thanks! I hope whatever upgrade you choose works out for you.

[@alangamble3236]

Well done, great to hear something positive about this camera. I have the 5 mkiii but do see the benefits of the newer model. I have several lenses including the 75-300 and get very pleasing results ( as an amateur). Hoping you have great fun with your purchase.

[@thewildwonderer]

I'm still having a great time with the camera. Thanks!

[@gordon3988]

Most of harsh reviews as you noted, were largely based on expectations of something evolutionary rather than a minor upgrade to a good camera. DP review gave it 83% in a fairly positive review (silver award) and most MFT users probably didn’t disagree. MicroFourThirds Nerd gave a fun review just yesterday. Enjoy your new camera and getting about in those woods!

[@thewildwonderer]

Yes, I think you summed up the objections well. Thanks for letting me know about the review from MicroFourThirds Nerd. I'll check that out.

[@JanAnton]

You rock! Thanks for this delightful story! Please do share some more bird images, love those.. Cheers, Jan

[@thewildwonderer]

Thanks so much. I do hope to share more bird images and stories soon.

[@hendrikvanderlinde9680]

Good choice! I choose this camera for almost the same reasons you had. I was upgrading from a 10 year old Olympus e-pl5, so I was able to keep using my old lenses (although I bought a new lens along with the camera to be fully weather proof). I think for nature lovers there are no camera’s that beat this one at this price point. You say you want a larger zoom lenses. I think that will be positively surprised how relatively small large zoom lenses are for these cameras compared to other systems. You will be able to carry it around for longer hikes!

[@thewildwonderer]

I hope you enjoy it as much as i enjoy mine. It's great that you can use your old lens.

[@MyPhotoJourney]

OM-5 Is ideal for a photographer who needs a smaller and lighter camera though maintains the excellent quality - great choice!

[@thewildwonderer]

Thanks for commenting. I agree. It really is ideal for what I like to do. I love it!

[@guy3206]

clear ! that's the word.

[@thewildwonderer]

Thanks!

[@laurentyarp514]

Great video. I don't have an OM-5. I think you made a wise decision with this camera. You have plenty of modern features to play with and the camera is weather sealed (didn't know that).

[@thewildwonderer]

Thanks! The weather sealing was a big issue for me.

[@kulilipan4250]

I wanna be there in your journey :). Quite hard to find honest youtuber this days :)

[@thewildwonderer]

Thanks!

[@ItsfreakyDB]

It’s a great high end camera with features that you can’t find on any other camera.

[@thewildwonderer]

Exactly!

[@allenschneider1847]

Great review and photos. This camera should serve you well.

[@thewildwonderer]

Thanks! It is serving me very well.

[@mden2490]

Thanks for a great video. Sorry I’m a little late to the show as they say you were spot on about the negative reviews, that they were from individuals who were already in the OM system. I know what times we all suffer from wanting more when a camera is upgraded. Maybe OM wanted this camera to be more for individuals who were new to the OM system and micro 4/3.’s in general. How well does the auto focus/continuous auto focus, and tracking work with wildlife? Does it stick on lock on its target. I have Panasonic GX85 coming today, and I’m having some second thoughts about the camera since it’s a little older made back in 2016? I think the OM-5 may be a better camera to start into the 4/3 system. I think the Panasonic GX 85 for a stills or landscape photography would work well, but I think if you do more wildlife & bird photography with things moving more, one may have more issues. Also, with the GX 85 being a bit older, I really don’t want to have to upgrade a year from now whereas the OM-5 I think you’ll be good for 2 to 3 years I think.

[@thewildwonderer]

Thanks! I'm still learning how to use all the focusing options, so I'm not an expert on that aspect. My understanding is that the OM-1 is excellent for tracking birds and other movement. The OM-5 has continuous AF but no tracking, so you have to manually track birds in flight (not easy!). The Pro-Capture option on the OM-5 is another way to capture movement of birds and other wildlife and has been fun to use.

[@mden2490]

@@thewildwonderer thank you

[@user-lb4bd1go9o]

Try Continuous Auto focus C-AF and 10 fps for birds in flight, works well in decent light:). Image stabilisation is so good on the OM5 too.

[@pitstop_calvin]

I'm trying to decide if I want to purchase the new iPhone 15 or get an OM5? I know that's like comparing Apples to Oranges but I have my reasons! LOL ;)

[@thewildwonderer]

Sounds like the new iPhone is great for photography. Whichever you choose, I hope it works out for you.

[@wuming9151]

i really like these birds

[@thewildwonderer]

Thank you!