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Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mirrorless Camera

The Olympus E-M5 is a 16MP Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera — with 1080p video and in-body stabilization. Used copies start from $285.6 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mirrorless Camera

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mirrorless Camera

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Camera OverviewOlympus E-M5

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera built around a 16MP sensor paired with a TruePic VI image processor. The sensor sits within a Micro Four Thirds system, and an ISO range spanning 200 to 25600 gives photographers flexibility across a range of lighting conditions. One of the camera's standout features is its 5-axis in-body image stabilization, which operates mechanically without relying on digital IS.

Autofocus is handled by a contrast detection system with 35 focus points and subject tracking capability. Burst shooters will appreciate the 9 frames-per-second maximum burst rate, while the maximum still resolution lands at 4608x3456 pixels. On the video side, the E-M5 captures 1080p footage at frame rates including 30p, 25p, 24p, and 60i, encoded in 8-bit color.

The body is constructed from magnesium alloy with weather sealing, weighing in at 425g and measuring 122 x 89 x 43 mm. Composition tools include a 3.0-inch tilting OLED touchscreen at 610,000 dots and an electronic viewfinder with 1,440,000 dots resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Storage is handled via SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, and the camera outputs video through a Micro HDMI (Type-D) port.

There is no built-in flash, though the camera supports the Olympus wireless RC flash system via an external flash connection. The battery is the BLN-1, rated for 360 shots per charge.

Key FeaturesOlympus E-M5

16MP MFT CMOS Sensor: Micro Four Thirds format with a 2x crop factor pairs with the TruePic VI processor for responsive image handling and color rendering.

5-Axis In-Body Stabilization: Mechanical stabilization across five axes compensates for camera shake without relying on digital IS, benefiting any compatible lens attached.

Weather-Sealed Magnesium Body: Dust and splash-resistant construction in a 425g magnesium alloy frame makes this a durable option for outdoor and travel photography.

9 fps Burst Shooting: Captures up to 9 frames per second, making it practical for sports, wildlife, and other fast-moving subjects.

35-Point Contrast AF: Contrast detection autofocus with subject tracking helps maintain focus on moving subjects across the frame.

1,440,000-Dot EVF: High-resolution electronic viewfinder delivers detailed framing in varied shooting conditions.

Camera SpecificationsOlympus E-M5

Olympus E-M5 full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesTravel
TypeMirrorless
SensorMicro Four Thirds (MFT)
Resolution16MP
ProcessorTruePic VI
ISO Range200 – 25600
AF SystemContrast Detection
AF Points35 points
Max Photo Resolution4608x3456
Burst Rate9 fps
Max Video Resolution1080p
Max Frame Rate30fps

DescriptionOlympus E-M5

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera featuring a 16MP sensor processed by the TruePic VI image processor. The camera's 5-axis in-body image stabilization works mechanically, delivering stabilization without the use of digital IS. Still images reach a maximum resolution of 4608x3456 pixels, and the camera supports continuous shooting at up to 9 fps.

The ISO range runs from 200 to 25600, and seven color profiles — including Standard, Vivid, Natural, Muted, Portrait, Monotone, and Art Filters — are available for both stills and video. Autofocus uses a contrast detection system across 35 points with subject tracking enabled. For video, the E-M5 records up to 1080p at frame rates of 30p, 25p, 24p, and 60i in 8-bit color.

The 3.0-inch tilting OLED touchscreen resolves 610,000 dots, complemented by an EVF with 1,440,000 dots and a 120Hz refresh rate. The weather-sealed magnesium alloy body weighs 425g and measures 122 x 89 x 43 mm. The camera uses a BLN-1 battery rated for 360 shots per charge and stores images to SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards.

ProsOlympus E-M5

  • 5-axis in-body image stabilization provides mechanical stabilization without relying on digital IS
  • Weather-sealed magnesium alloy body at just 425g offers durability in a compact, lightweight package
  • Electronic viewfinder delivers 1,440,000 dots resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth, detailed framing

ConsOlympus E-M5

  • Video is capped at 1080p with 8-bit color depth, lacking 4K recording capability
  • ISO minimum of 200 is higher than some competitors, limiting flexibility in very bright conditions
  • No built-in flash; external flash or the Olympus wireless RC system is required for flash photography

Resources & DownloadsOlympus E-M5

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked QuestionsOlympus E-M5

What type of image stabilization does the Olympus OM-D E-M5 use?+
The E-M5 uses 5-axis in-body image stabilization, which is a mechanical system built into the camera body itself. Digital IS is not used. This means stabilization is available regardless of which compatible lens is attached.
What is the autofocus system like on the E-M5?+
The camera uses a contrast detection autofocus system with 35 focus points. Subject tracking is supported, though eye tracking is not. This system works across the image area but does not use phase detection.
What video resolutions and frame rates does the E-M5 support?+
The E-M5 records video at a maximum resolution of 1080p. Supported frame rates include 30p, 25p, 24p, and 60i. All video is captured in 8-bit color depth.
Is the Olympus OM-D E-M5 weather sealed?+
Yes, the body is rated as weather sealed and is constructed from magnesium alloy. It measures 122 x 89 x 43 mm and weighs 425g.
Does the E-M5 have a built-in flash?+
No, the E-M5 does not have a built-in flash. It supports an external flash and is compatible with the Olympus wireless RC flash system for off-camera flash triggering.
What memory cards does the E-M5 accept?+
The camera accepts SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. There is a single card slot. External connectivity includes a Micro HDMI (Type-D) output and USB, but no USB-C port.

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