Truly A WOW Camera - Olympus E-M5 Original

[@robinwong]

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[@AguilaDeOnix85]

The EM-5 and EM-1 Mark II, to me, are two of the most revolutionary MFT and mirrorless cameras ever. Maybe the EM-5 even more so because you have a rugged camera for street photography for the first time where you can shoot in any weather. It's still great.

[@robinwong]

I personally think E-M5 is a gamechanger, a pioneer for mirrorless system, but E-M1 was the one that made it to the legendary status.

[@nickcrispe1321]

I agree, Still using my first-generation EM-5. I also love the EM-1 Mark ii, although I have a newer OM-1 I think the EM-1 Mark ii is just as good in almost any situation. I took OM-1 and EM-1 Mark ii to Antarctica, and I can't find any difference in the images.

[@bouncinghedgehog]

It was the Olympus 5 axis stabilization that made me switch from Canon after 40 years and I've not regretted it. I've never owned the E-M5 as I started with an E-M1 II but I might just have to get one to add to my Olympus gear.

[@robinwong]

E-M5 was the first introduction of the 5-Axis IS, and the E-M1 Mark II kicked it up 2-3 notches higher. Yes, I agree, image stabilization is critical for my photo-taking, I am not going back.

[@MikeC2K10]

@@robinwong It had the first mirrorless 5-axis IS but the Olympus EVOLT E-520 4/3 DSLR had it first. :)

[@MikeC2K10]

Oh, one more fun fact: the E-520 used the same battery BLM-1 as the E-M5.

[@robinwong]

@@MikeC2K10 E-520 only had 2-Axis IS for yaw and pitch compensations. It was E-M5 that first introduced 5 Axis IS for yaw, pitch, roll, vertical and horizontal translation corrections.

[@林沅慶-i9h]

@@MikeC2K10 em5's bettery is bln1

[@bvista58]

it's been my everyday camera for the last 2 years or so...couldn't be happier when considering the availability of top notch glass at reasonable prices....my Nikon's dslr's and Fuji's are are getting jealous for not getting picked up that much anymore :)

[@ThePipton]

I got this camera a month ago to try out photography as a hobby and WOW for just 150 euros body only second hand it is a steal. I now make pictures of student life and people around me are amazed with the quality, even requesting me to make pictures for them. Using the sigma 30mm f1. 4 lens. So happy to have come across your channel, bought the camera, and having found an amazing new hobby. Thank you! ❤

[@robinwong]

The E-M5 and Sigma 30mm is a great combo! Glad you found my content useful, more to come for sure.

[@gogogeegee76]

Hey I got this, body + 12-32 pana lens for exactly the same amount (€150).. Was missing the viewfinder cover though. Still I feel I should be in prison.

[@odinson364]

I got this camera recently out of nostalgia for the older film camera that my father had. I wanted something that would emulate the beauty of those older ones. As you said, it pays homage to those earlier Olympus cameras of yesterday while still being a great camera twelve years after its release. Thank you for the video and for shedding some light on this beautiful little camera!

[@philiphtse9415]

I purchased my E-M5 Mk I brand new back in 2012. I traveled all over the world with it and it captured many beautiful memories and major life events. It has performed flawlessly all these years. The original E-M5 has served me so well that I am still using it today as my primary camera. I really do not feel the need to upgrade. It is a true classic.

[@robinwong]

It is amazing how the E-M5 can still perform so well today!

[@estraume]

I bought the original E-M5 in 2013. I used Olympus cameras and M4/3s lenses since that time.

[@robinwong]

That was a good introduction to the system

[@lukes5533]

Great overview Robin , love my EM - 5 MK 2 . Fantastic cameras.👍

[@robinwong]

Awesome

[@kwchalky02]

Great video. Love your enthusiasm. 🙂 It's a cracking wee camera. Looks great, and definitely took things to another level when it came out. 👍

[@jwang2900]

Love this camera. Traveled around the world with it for many years with 45mm 1.8. now I can't live without IBIS from any brand..

[@k.h.cheung4454]

謝謝！

[@robinwong]

Thank you so much! Appreciate the support.

[@RAMZI_FILMS]

I'll always admire your positive attitude. Thanks Robin! I have this camera myself and really enjoy it

[@gogogeegee76]

Dear Robin, I agree with you. Just got mine 2nd hand about a year ago, and since then I carry it everywhere with me. Since then I just refuse to take photos with my phone. My tip to you all: Em5 + 14mm f2.5= killer street photography combo

[@AbbasBinYounas]

Hi robin, i got my first Olympus M43 camera in 2017 thanks to your videos. It was a toss up between the Em5 and the em10. The em5 was silver just like yours, but i ended up buying the em10 because of the pancake kit lens for it's compactness. I now have a 6D, a D3s, D300s and the little Oly, and i think i love it so much it's going to stay even if it ever stops working... Thanks for introducing me to M43

[@robinwong]

Smaller camera does encourage you to pick it up more often! If it still works, keep it and do bring it out more

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

You always have some lovely pics to share. Thanks! & yes, em5 & em 5 m2 plus many others here.

[@robinwong]

Thanks! I think a photography content is useless without meaningful photographs, so I always so my best to shoot a lot. I need to practice what I preach - go out and shoot more photographs!

[@seaeagles6025]

Hi Robin, this camera is ageless and will be talked about for years to come. Nice presentation of the Specs details, nice memories. Thanks Robin 😊

[@seaeagles6025]

@@robinwong Great advice Robin to photograph more. Thanks 😊

[@V0idFace]

I aspire to be as happy and upbeat as this dude.

[@jjmarz1001]

I have two of these. One black, one silver. Just picked up the Ttartisans 25mm f2. Love it!! I consider the Em-5 the perfect every day carry photographic tool.

[@alangamble3236]

I have just got both the 25mm and 50mm TTArtisan f2 lenses to ‘have fun’ with. They are super compact and ideal for the OMD5 and OMD10 series.

[@jjmarz1001]

​@@alangamble3236 What's your opinion on the 50? I might go for that as well. I'm just loving the 25!

[@robinwong]

Yeah, so small, solidly built, and still can pack a punch today.

[@MrVara411]

I've owned the E-M5's cousin the *PEN E-P5* for a few weeks and... wow, I just love it. I also own the Panasonic LUMIX G9M2 and it's a far superior camera in just about every way to the E-P5, BUT... the E-P5 is far more FUN and is no slouch. I have already taken multiple amazing shots which I'll enjoy for years to come. I sincerely hope Olympus (OM Systems) and Panasonic always remember the formula got them on the map.

Love your passion, Robin; thanks for sharing this - a truly remarkable camera. :)

[@robinwong]

Thanks, glad I can share

[@chairunnisaanindita]

I bought it a month ago and it's already a perfect match for my beloved vintage Minolta lenses. It's even prettier than I expected.

[@KienTran]

Bought this back when it came out and it was spectacular! 12 years later I now also have the Mk2 and daily drive the Mk3. All three just helped me capture the North American Solar eclipse! I hope OMD continues the line!

[@robinwong]

Yeah they have the OM-5 which is basically a rebadged E-M5 Mark III. Hope they do more

[@carlkristensen8398]

I love your exitement and enthusiasm. And you are right, the E-M5 is a beautiful camera!

[@juanwaj]

I love the video and the pictures!! I wish I switched to mirrorless much earlier. I'd have taken the camera with me in many more trips. Now I own a E-M5 III and I love it.

[@robinwong]

Thanks for the kind words, appreciate it. Yes the E-M5 Mark III is just so small and versatile!

[@JezdziecBezNicka]

My first was E-PL5 and I loved it to bits, but changed pretty quickly to E-M10ii - which stayed with me for about 8 years :D

[@wheelli1051]

Agree. I still keep one in my collection and it has been functioning great over all the years

[@Boromodlife]

The Olympus Om systems 1 mark 2 is phenomenal I have used Olympus cameras since film photography and then stuck with them till now. I have tried Sony, canon and Nikon and Olympus in my opinion is still better than all of them combined. The omd e-m5 was a phenomenal piece of tech behind a lens I still have mine and still use it daily along with my om-1 mark 2. Great review brother keep it up.

[@1957PLATO]

Amazing pics as usual. I agree, a stellar little gem.

[@robinwong]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@devonstable9913]

I bought a barely used E-M5 black a year ago together with the twin grips set. Love it! Great jpeg colours. A good heft but above all a joy to use. Thanks for the review Robin.

[@robinwong]

The E-M5 introduced the innovative grip design, which was copied by Fuji!

[@jaspersjasper6989]

just picked up an em10 3s brand new. so excited.

[@textcentric]

I just bought one with a 9-18mm lens for urban landscape photography. It's been great so far. I feel like I've come a full circle because my first SLR was an Olympus OM10 back in 1993! Love your videos Robin!

[@chrismiller4863]

Great video. I have just purchased a used Em-5ii as an EDC. With the 9, 14,25,and 45 primes I can choose to take one or two and still fit them in a tiny sling and go scratch the creative itch. Keep up the great work Robin.

[@chrismiller4863]

@@GrimYak I do have the Panny 12-36 2.8 that I got when I bought the G9ii. I was on the fence going with Oly/OM lenses or Pan lenses, but thought I would try the pan zooms. I had an old EM-1 when it was still Olympus and had the trio of 2.8 lenses. They were great. Will see over time if the Panny lenses are good enough while being smaller.

[@robinwong]

Those ae some really cool primes you have!

[@MikeC2K10]

I've owned my E-M5 Mk II since 2017 and am only now reaching the limits of what this camera can do. It is so much like my Olympus OM-1n and OM-2n film cameras. Even the power switch is in the same place. I only wish is was a little larger, but only as large as the original OM film camera. It is a bit smaller, and for that reason I use my PRO zooms with the grip. I will probably be upgrading to a E-M1 Mk II or III soon because the small sequential buffer on my E-M5 is too small for what I want to do next. Great video! Thanks for showcasing the E-M5. edit: I owned a E-520 before the E-M5 and it had 5-axis image stabilization in the 4/3 DSLR format.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Mike, appreciate the comment and sharing of your experience. Yes, the E-M5 was perhaps a bit too small, so Olympus came up with their first PRO mirrorless camera, the E-M1! Definitely, the E-M1's much beefier grip makes a huge difference. If handling is important to you, maybe you can look into E-M1 Mark II, it is about the same as the E-M5 Mark III in asking price, but has some cool tricks in its sleeves!

[@StarrysLostandFound]

Awesome little camera and excellent piece of camera history. 👍👊✨

[@robinwong]

Agreed! We need similar WOW today

[@zoltanvarga1967]

❤❤❤❤❤ Hi Robin, the colors are amazing quality of the em-5!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@robinwong]

E-M5 was truly ahead of its time

[@swissjim4633]

I got myself a 2nd hand E-M5 as an upgrade from a E-P1. Loved it from the start. Have since migrated to Fuji as main kit (which I find v. inexpensively here in Switzerland) but I still have E-M5 for travel and hiking etc. Size and weight compared with an X-T4 is a real plus. I seriously hope that OM Systems can make a go of MFT and keep innovating. It’s a brilliant system that deserves to thrive and succeed.

[@robinwong]

Yeah the E-M5 is a nice small camera to keep around, even if we have other systems.

[@tofino12]

I remember the lead up to the release and when this camera came out and how big of a deal it was. Beautiful little camera.

[@tynova4672]

The OM-D E-M5 is still my daily driver, it's been that good!

[@TheRip72]

Me too. I also have an E-M5 MkIII but I mainly use that for photographing small objects because it has a good focus bracket feature. My default camera is still the Mk1.

[@robinwong]

Yeah amazing how it still can shoot so well today

[@alangamble3236]

Hi Robin, great look back on this groundbreaking camera. Although I now have the EM5 mkiii I recently purchased an EM5 mkii at a great price. It’s my favourite camera at the moment as I also bought the ‘battery hand grip’ which not only helps the handling when legacy lenses are attached but also adds the second battery.

[@robinwong]

Yeah the E-M5 series was really something

[@GreySectoid]

I have three of these Olys, M5, M5 II and M10 II, they all are just excellent.

[@sebastianop.3052]

I bought a second hand m5 and I love it, in al aspects you mentioned, I recently sold bit I miss a lot and after this video you make me more nostalgic 😢

[@robinwong]

Go find another one in the used market!

[@dedclownsRfunny]

I wish I’d kept both of the EM5m2s I bought… absolutely fabulous underrated camera. Size and capabilities exceedingly hard to beat

[@robinwong]

Yeah the E-M5 series cameras are truly something

[@thilobraun3440]

I have used Nikon and Canon Cameras for years. I stumbled over mirrorless with the EM 10 III and was astonished by the size and image quality. When the EM 5 III was released, I bought it and that was and is my Wow-Camera combined with the 12-45 f4 Pro. Recently got hold of a used EM1 II and am very happy with it. Your channel along with that of Peter Forsgard taught me a lot about using these little gems. Thanks for that. What I absolutely love about Olympus EM5 and EM1 combined with the Pro lenses is the weather sealing. No need to panic in bad conditions, but just continue with "shutter therapy".

[@ulfjonsson2122]

Nice video, it really is a "wow" camera

[@FDMedic78]

I have this camera and it is an amazing camera for sure. Mine is from 2014. Came with the 12-50mm lens. Great camera!

[@robinwong]

Yeah even the 12-50mm lens is a gem.

[@leckywoznicki5393]

Thank you :)

[@robinwong]

Cheers

[@fabioarodrigues]

I have the E-M5 original since mid 2014, bought brand new. Also travelled all over the world with it, capturing great photos. Another major benefit from the E-M5, especially when travelling to places were the risk of theft is high, is that the vintage look makes it safer to use. You can use it on the streets with the LCD screen off and paired with a small lens (i love to pair it with the Lumix 20mm f1.7), and people think you are using an old film camera, rather than a modern mirrorless. Because of that, thieves will not bother stealing it. I'm originally from Brazil and enjoyed this benefit multible times when visiting my country.

[@georgvonrechenberg2217]

I got the E-M5 Mk2 3 years ago and it made me love photography out of nowhere. It also serves me as a great webcam via camlink since it features a clean HDMI output which is outstanding for a camera of that time.

[@christinecoughlan4699]

Thank you Robin 👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼👌🏼😊☘🌾🌹.

[@robinwong]

Cheers

[@klaustomasini]

I have the E-M5 Mark III and I use it for street photography with my vintage lens Zuiko Auto-W 1:2/24 mm 😀

[@robinwong]

Great introduction to M43 system

[@Digital_Photog1995]

I purchased the OM D E-M5 second hand and It’s a great camera in my opinion. I still own Canon and Nikon cameras but I find this camera easy to use and lighter than my other cameras. The Canon R8 is the lightest DSLR I have. Thank you for these videos. It makes a difference to me, as I chose the Olympus camera based on your earlier reviews.

[@robinwong]

Canon R8 is mirrorless, unless you are referring to other models. For mirrorless, E-M5 is lighter!

[@Digital_Photog1995]

@@robinwong Close according to DP Review. Olympus OMD E m5 mk1 425 g w/battery and Canon EOS R8 461 w/battery and card. The Olympus feels heavier in my hands as the build quality is better.

[@BeingWolfy]

Yes, everything you said.

[@robinwong]

Thanks

[@yvestomasi8943]

Finally a camera that I won't buy after seeing one of your videos. I own it, bought it in 2015, 2016 ?, new at a discount price when Mk II was launched, cheaper than the E-M10. Since then a PM1 and a PL8 joined the herd, maybe you are in part resonsible... Expecting a used E-300 to arrive this week. And I promised wife I would stop bargaining. Yes, I have to stop collecting and "go out and take photos" ! Thanks for your never ending enthousiasm and your pictures ok KL people

[@highlandphotography6231]

Thank you for this flashback. I owned an E-M5 and sold it to go to the E-m1ii. I did really like the camera and miss the compactness. However, I don't think we will get a WOW camera from OM Solutions. It's not the Company, but we have almost reached, I think, the pinacol. Unless there are major advances in sensor technology these cameras from OM Solutions could be mostly the best since there isn't much more to advance from any manufacture. I hope I'm wrong. My E-M1x and E-M1iii already focus as fast as I can expect, give me superior color, size is amazing, lenses are superior, handling is amazing, my clients are happy, what else can I say. I'm traveling tomorrow and I guess I wish I had the E-M5 for it's size. Thanks Robin, Best Wishes.

[@robinwong]

I believe we havwe not reached the peak yet, and Micro Four Thirds can still have a tech breakthrough.

[@tiagodegaspari]

I like this camera.

[@robinwong]

Same

[@paperback10]

Hi Robin, great video. I'm just getting into mirror less MFT photography, I started with the EM5 original. It's an awesome little "funera".. I am lucky enough to own several great but super heavy and large Nikon DSLR bodies with an assortment of lenses: I can witness how liberating it is to shoot with these almost weightless and tiny MFT cameras. Keep your helpful and entertaining videos please!!

[@mattsadventureswithart5764]

I'm still using my original e-m5, and I'm still loving doing so.

[@robinwong]

Great that it is still working fine!

[@waynecox5138]

I purchased one to go with my EM-5 MK2 specifically to use the tilt up screen for street photography.

[@robinwong]

Yeah, the tilt screen works so much better for street photography.

[@numbersix8919]

Absolutely Robin. My EM-5 overheats during the brutal summer, but other that it's is a true beast of a camera, I've frozen hummingbirds in flight with it, hand-held. I wish Olympus had stuck with the original concept and treated the M5 as a flagship camera.

[@robinwong]

Wow, never knew the E-M5 was capable of overheating. Your summer must be much hotter than Malaysia. We are constantly hot all year long.

[@numbersix8919]

@@robinwong The poor thing has had a lot of love (hard use) over its life. But it really is on the most humid sunny days that push 40!

[@danielchill3240]

16MP is a sweet point. It's gorgeous 😍

[@leonarddaneman810]

One of my finest portraits was taken, handheld, with an EVolt-300. I took a couple quick shots of a model lit by only one modeling light off a 5-light studio strobe system. 8mgpxl, kit lens, and great color and sharpness on a 26x21 inch print. Since then I've had the E-500 and then moved up to the EM5Mkiii, with adapters to use my old 4:3 f2 50mm Macro and f4 7-14, plus legacy glass telephotos on up to the 600mm f6.5. Got to love the IBIS keeping those big tele's relevant when handheld. I found a 1000mm at a good price, but it was not sharp . . . maybe just needed an overhaul, but the seller was good enough to accept a return. Last week I bought the EM1Mkii, just to have the extra memory and not have to switch lenses on the fly, just switch cameras. That extra grip makes it the 'go to' for telephoto handheld, and that big 7-14 f4. While I favor 4x5 and my 50mgpxl MF digital, that EM5Mkiii with the 14-42 pancake allows me to take a great camera anywhere, anytime.

[@trishf29]

I have the EM5iii and the EM1iii. Due to a bad back, I recently returned to the EM5iii and enjoyed using it. My only beef about it is that you can’t see the histogram through the viewfinder, only on the Live View. Otherwise it works a treat and was certainly lighter than my EM1iii, and smaller!

[@robinwong]

You can enable the histogram to display on the EVF! Need to go to the settings a bit.

[@trishf29]

@@robinwong Found it! Under Setting I: Info Settings. Hadn’t ticked the Custom boxes. That did it! Only had the Basic Info box ticked. Thanks Robin. Couldn’t understand why it didn’t appear. Regards from Oz. You’re a gem!

[@takuan650]

When it came out I was fascinated, when I tried it out in the shop I was shocked by the terrible ergonomics. I ended up buying the Pentax K5IIs with a number of some compact ltd. primes.

[@demarestk]

Haha my second hand EM5 mkii arrived today to replace my EM5 which has a sticking shutter. Really in a class of their own

[@robinwong]

Yeah, E-M5 was truly a legend

[@prose4ever]

Never had or owned the original E-M5, but I think the Mark 2 would be my WOW camera. I recently took mine all across New Zealand for 2 weeks, and it was the best camera I took with me. The weather sealing has yet to fail me, High Res mode does really well with the right tripod, live bulb and live composite mode to capture the aurora and stars. I've used it for as long as I owned it (6 years) and I've only had to have it serviced twice.

[@KirstenBayes]

I love the original E-M5: as a small platform with great IBIS and Autofocus combined with weather sealing it is hard to beat. It does need, shall we say, careful technique to get the most from it in low light / high dynamic range: it is not as forgiving as newer cameras. But that is the fun! If you push it to its limits, it can do everything.

[@robinwong]

It is a 12 years old camera, of course if you compare it to newer cameras, it loses out. But if you compare to any camera from its days, you will be surprised how much it can stand up to even the big boys.

[@KirstenBayes]

@@robinwong for sure: it was great then and it's still great now. I use newer cameras for work, and they work fine. But they are not my E-M5.

[@4mooncheese]

I didn't think much of the E-M5 when I first bought it, and even considered getting rid of it as I was using other MFT cameras. Although I have been using the Pen-F quite a lot, I decided to give the E-M5 a shot and have to say I was quite impressed. It was way ahead of it's time, and in 2024 at the right price is a great option to have.

[@robinwong]

It is amazing how E-M5 is still quite a capable camera today.

[@davidcooper6704]

I've still got mine and can't see the point of selling it for what little money I would get. I have since bought the EM5 Mk2 and that too is a great camera. However I still find myself taking the old EM 5 out just because. I agree with you, Robin.....a true legend.

[@robinwong]

True, rather keep it as it is still a great camera today.

[@TheFamedwarrior72]

I just got this camera a few months ago and I love it. I would prefer a fully articulating screen. One of the dials came off but a local repair shop fixed for free👍🏾. Before this I used the pen e-pl1, which I still love. I never tested the weather sealing 😂

[@robinwong]

A lof people like me, prefer the tilt screen though! More efficient for street shooting

[@ashley-r-pollard]

Love my EM 5 Mark 2.

[@wikicamara]

It was truly a game changer. It's unfortunate that they lost their way in the years that followed. In my opinion, the OM5 and PEN-F are marvels.

[@nicatourism97]

Thanks for this video Robin! Great content!

[@anthony-qm3pn]

For the time this little camera that was built like a tank had pretty impressive, specs, and image quality for its time, this is the camera that got me interested in buying the E-M1 When it came out eight months later, having a better hand rip on it.

[@robinwong]

Yeah the E-M5 was truly something

[@williammoskovitz7772]

Robin: Great video !!! I have a EM10 MarkII. similar camera with a metal build, but not weather sealed. Question... I noticed that your pictures are all at ISO 200. I am assuming that you didn't use auto ISO and just set the ISO to 200 ? Also, what mode did you use to take these wonderful shots ? Aperture priority, Manual, Program ?

[@jmoffitt36]

I upgraded to a em1-mkIII. But still use my em5 mkI a lot. Nice and compact and still holds its own. Some shoots I use both and pair them with different primes. Like em1 42.5mm and em5 17mm or 25mm

[@jonlouis2582]

I used to watch your channel years ago, now I'm back. I've decided to downsize my life, and the big DSLR s will have to go. I'm looking at this or the em10. (em-5 price has gone through the roof here)

[@ItzAGr8Day-p4m]

Still using the em5 along with my m50 🎉

[@Pedro_Dactyl]

I fully switched to my E-M5 from my Nikon D7000. Everything was just so much better for the results I wanted, without being cumbersome to carry and operate. I recently boight 2nd hand grip and battery grip so its ranhe is extended further. I started my digital adventure with a 2007 E410. Whilst my Nikon phase was minor, my tastes still are with classic old Olympus and I dont intent to switch anything soon.

[@stanpowers600]

Great blast from the past, Robin! I had one too. Loved it! Question for you: I still have an E-M1 II and an E-M10 II - would like to pick up an E-M5 to round out my Olympus gear - so my question is which E-M5 offers the best IQ and processing - which is the best value (M5 II, M5 III or new Olympus System OM-5). Is there something special about one of the versions over the other? Which is the Goldilocks E-M5? So glad you are still shooting and sharing your therapy with us!

[@76steps]

Wow you haven't given up on m43rds then robin?🤣 Yes the omd em5 is truly a wow camera. I dipped my toe in at the MK2. I loved our tiny is was,I loved the shutter sound. Sounded like a tiny steam piston. Was a little small for my hands but unfortunately before I could get the added hand grip it lucked up. I then went with omd em1ii. Also filled the small space with the pen Ep5. Which I love for it's own beauty and features. Pen Ep7 lost it's retro styling. 😢 keep your fanstic content coming brother

[@Jikan4299]

Original EM5 was my first digital camera that i bought. After studying about different digital camera. From DSLR to prior mirrorless from other brand at that year (2015). Then i concluded to choose this magnificent EM5. Might be because of the picture from original EM5 was suitable for me and with an amount of dollars to get the used one. I choose it because of the feature and the technology that can surpass the other camera at that year (2015)😊

[@karikaru]

I have an em5ii and to be honest, I don't feel like I've given it a fair turn. I used it for video to accompany my canon dslr. Fell in love with video, and sold my canon and got an s5ii and my em5ii has been shelved for a year now. Tbis video has inspired me to take it out and give it some more use especially since i can't always take my s5ii out with my 24-105 when im walking with my daughter but the em5ii with my 17mm 1.8 is a lot more manageable

[@Hannemanneke]

Thanks Robin for your enthousiast look back! I wonder if there could be an comparison with the newer OM-System E-M5. Just curious if it is worth the extra money… Is that possible?

[@robinwong]

I don't have the OM-5. None of my friends bought it.

[@hauke3644]

Mine won't go away, it is still a good camera! I didn't keep the 25mm lens, which I regret to some degree, because it is pretty good and so compact, really fits the E-M5.

[@robinwong]

Yeah the small camera deserves some small lenses!

[@user-lw6iz7zy2o]

I hope they bring back a new small camera with the build quality of the og em5. This camera also has to be viewed in the context of bulky plastic apsc DSLRs where weathersealing was basicially unheard of besides Pentax.

[@robinwong]

Yes we need smaller cameras that are well built, and has good performance.

[@snoopdoggty1086]

Hi Robin, will you make a video on how you edit your photos to have that crispy 'Robin' style color from olympus or om system cameras? Also what editing softwares did you use for them，it is so pleasing and vibrant!

[@robinwong]

I use Cpature One Pro to post-process my RAW images, but nothing interesting to make a video on.

[@jolladevices]

Amazing Robin Wong, I am waiting a E-M5 mk1 I found at a bargain price and I am really curious to try. The previous benchmark was the EOS-M ML (with EFs zoom 😂) and the Foveon x3 SD15

[@robinwong]

You will love the E-M5 I am sure.

[@jolladevices]

​@@robinwong I am pretty confient. I loved the "compact body-huge tele" pair with the EOS-M mk1 but the video quality wasn't there. I bought a E-M5 with a strange "look after shooting a photo" but it's probably a failing SD card or that camera needs a full reset.The owner didn't tried enough.

[@jolladevices]

​ @robinwong also I have a question on zoom tele lenses: I used to rely on Canon's old 75-300mm IS (on APS-C) to photograph groups of swans at medium distance. Which MFT lens should I get?

[@rpdee7344]

4/10/24 I agree with what you said in most of the EM-5 video, I purchased a used EM-5 with grip and vertical battery grip . The only issue I have with it is the Off/On switch on the back instead of the top like it's later models , location of the setting button on the left than on the right like a film cameras, the size and position dial setting locations, which are hard to adjust, fixed later on newer models. After the EM-5 m1 I added used a OM-D 10M2 that felt better to use, and lastly an OM-D 1 M1 with vertical battery grip, The only thing I miss now is all the improvements to Olympus OM-D Ver 2,3,4 of hardware feature and better and faster processors, plus OM-D 1 duel memory card slots.

[@hajiradenahmadshauki2155]

I bought mine in 2012. Still using it in 2024. The rubber eye cup fell off in Istanbul but I've replaced it with an eye cup from Nikon D300. The camera needs the accessory grip to make it easier to hold.

[@kentxx12]

A simpler version of this is out there, the EPL 5 which is a form of the little brother to this, with only 3 Axis image stabilizer, and no evf, but has the same sensor ;)

[@dmsphoto17]

I bought this back in 2012 when it came out. I took a trip down to B&H in NYC and tried out a bunch of different mirror-free cameras. By far the E-M5 was the most intuitive and competent camera for me and my purposes. Went and bought it. No regrets. I simply enjoyed using it. Soon, my Canon 5D ii just remained in the bag as I liked using and carrying the Oly. I gave this to my nephew a while back who wanted to get into photography. I now use an OM-1. I was hoping the OM-5 was going to be what the original E-M5 was when it launched - something with a WOW factor and a great, smaller companion to the OM-1. While others may really enjoy it, for me it really fell short of there mark and was a disappointing release. Maybe in the future?

[@robinwong]

Yeah as I have shared in my video on OM-5, it was quite disappointing for me too. It was just a rebadged E-M5 Mark III, they did not even bother to update the USB port.

[@dmsphoto17]

@@robinwong Right. at a minimum, I also couldn't quite understand why the new menu system wasn't used. Plus improved AF that includes subject detection. As Panasonic proved there could be a higher MP count w/MFT, why not add this as well? Or make this the first camera that includes Live Grad ND. If you want to make a WOW statement, these type of upgrades could have done this imo.

[@MartialBoniou]

I still use them; yes, I have TWO (I'm a prime lens guy; using mainly one with a 45 mm & another one with a 25mm)... I miss the focus peaking and the PDAF of the newest cameras but it's still a blast (even if I calibrate my shots, I do enjoy the color science of the JPEGs; vivid but not flashy as the APS-C Sony NEX 5n/7 available at the same time). These cameras were built like a tank (the Canon 5D Mark III or Fujifilm X-100 original felt fragile and too noisy for me). I also often use the additional portrait grip (+1 battery). The ISO performance is still quite low but the gap between them and the PEN EP-2 was huge (especially for the AF, DR & touchscreen)... To be honest, nowadays on the second hand market, a E-M1 Mark II is a better investment; but there's an overall quality in this original E-M5 that made me not to sell them. Olympus is dead, long live Olympus!

[@robinwong]

You can do a hack on the E-M5 to have focus peaking, I can't remember the steps now, but I did it on E-M5 many years ago. The price here in Malaysia for E-M5 is much lower than EM1 Mark II in the used market, so there is a place for it.

[@RobinHartJones]

I took my EM5 to the peak of Kilimanjaro and hardly felt the weight while a teammate with his Nikon system was always struggling :-)

[@dzeng]

I think the EM5 ii is the wow camera for me. It's very modular, from it's compact size to adding a metal hand grip and a battery grip, 1/8000 shutter speed, 1/250 sync speed, and build quality just to list a few. The EM5iii and OM systems successors were all disappointing to me. I wished they kept the build quality of the EM5ii with the modularity. It would've been an instant buy for me but here I am still using my EM5ii.

[@geebee2276]

I echo your comment. I bought the II just as the III came out. No regrets and still prefer the build quality and form factor of the II over anything Olympus and OM Systems have produced since. And this was after upgrading from my Nikon full frame gear. For me, the EM5 II is my wow camera still.

[@robinwong]

I actually really liked the E-M5 Mark III. Most of the videos in this channel (including this one) was filmed on E-M5 Mark III. It picked up on the failure of E-M5 Mark II to do video well. E-M5 Mark III finally has 4K, same stabilization can capabilities from bigger E-M1 Mark II, but packed in smaller body. The AF for video is almost fail proof. I understand if you don't need it for video, but from E-M5 Mark II onward, the E-M5 series has pivoted toward the video direction, and E-M5 Mark III succeeded.

[@vic_the_roman]

Have had mine since 2015. My former workhorse. I use mine with the battery grip. Recently brought it out of retirement and am one again using it to shoot concerts. ❤Love the small and light form factor. Therefore, I wonder if the Olympus O-MD E-M 10 MK IV is comparable in performance because am a little interested.

[@robinwong]

If you want to upgrade, go to E-M1 series. E-M1 Mark II in the used market will cost lower than E-M10 Mark IV and give you a lot more!

[@3dev2410]

Thanks Robin for your excellent insights as usual. I've recently moved into the m4/3 system from aps-c and find it really enjoyable. Initially, I started with the OM-1 but I found it too sophisticated (and a bit heavy) for my casual photography and returned it for an OM-5. I love photowalking with this light system and look forward to discovering more on my trips with it. Your videos on m4/3 inspired me to move into the format.

[@robinwong]

Yeah OM Digital Solutions should not forget that there are a large group of people who prefer smaller, yet capable cameras!

[@yumenolala]

The E-M5 was WOW for me because I was always using the PEN E-PL1 for a long time. I was always wondering at that time if I should get the external EVF and upgrade to another PEN. When the E-M5 came out this met all my requirements and even exceeded it! Upgrading to have the EVF, 5 axis IBIS, tilt screen, faster mechanical shutter, 16MP sensor, two dials, it was enough to make me skip the rest of the PEN cameras. Wonder how good the E-M5 and E-M1 are in the ISO200 night challenge since they are using the 16MP sensor?

[@bluebiegrace1828]

I still have mine 😊.

[@robinwong]

Great!

[@anthony-qm3pn]

Whatever camera OM systems brings out next it needs to have more than 20 megapixels of resolution, I would like to see an all new 28 megapixel stacked sensor with an all new image processor, us Olympus/OM systems users deserve to be truly wow, if they really want us to buy their camera and lenses going forward.

[@jjmarz1001]

Megapixels are overrated. If I showed you two 20x30 inch prints, one from a 20MP camera and one from a 28MP camera, you couldn't tell which is which.

[@banaana1234]

@@jjmarz1001 Somewhat yes, but more megapixels is still better if everything else is equal. If nothing else, they give more flexibility in cropping.

[@pemulaphotography2765]

Hai Robin, i love Olympus camera i am used epl 7 for my hobby right now. I have question for em 5 mark 1, what's specification fps , and format video on this camera?