The new OM-D E-M5 Mark II features the most sophisticated image stabilization technology ever offered in an interchangeable lens camera. * The ultra-sensitive 5-axis VCM (voice coil motor) system is so responsive and accurate, you can shoot sharp images in low light and capture silky smooth video, hand-held without a tripod. The E-M5 Mark II is also a bring-it-anywhere portable system camera that is nearly 40% lighter than conventional DSLR’s and its durable all metal body is sealed for splashproof, dustproof and freezeproof protection. Quite simply, the E-M5 Mark II is the world’s best interchangeable lens camera for “run and gun” spontaneous video shooting. With its unobtrusive size and 5-axis IS technology, the E-M5 Mark II lets you shoot hand-held and still capture cinema-quality movies. Pro-level features give you the flexibility to experiment, and an all-new robust touch screen interface allows for adjustments to AF point, exposure, aperture, shutter speed and more without interrupting recording. The E-M5 Mark II sits squarely in the sweet spot for the creative shooter who needs a portable system with all the power to realize their creative pursuits. High-speed sensor and image processor. Large interactive EVF. Touch and Swivel LCD monitor with convenient variable angle positioning. Lightning-fast autofocus with coverage of almost the full frame and Manual Focus options that nail everything from serious fast sports action to dramatic portraits. Your camera system is only as good as the lenses and accessories that complete it, and in this regard the E-M5 Mark II is in very good company. Start with precision M.Zuiko lenses, a comprehensive line-up of professional-grade glass with optics designed for digital capture that deliver unparalleled resolution and overall image quality. Add flashes, grips, powered battery holders and other goodies and you’re ready to rock.
The new OM-D E-M5 Mark II features the most sophisticated image stabilization technology ever offered in an interchangeable lens camera. * The ultra-sensitive 5-axis VCM (voice coil motor) system is so responsive and accurate, you can shoot sharp images in low light and capture silky smooth video, hand-held without a tripod. The E-M5 Mark II is also a bring-it-anywhere portable system camera that is nearly 40% lighter than conventional DSLR’s and its durable all metal body is sealed for splashproof, dustproof and freezeproof protection. Quite simply, the E-M5 Mark II is the world’s best interchangeable lens camera for “run and gun” spontaneous video shooting. With its unobtrusive size and 5-axis IS technology, the E-M5 Mark II lets you shoot hand-held and still capture cinema-quality movies. Pro-level features give you the flexibility to experiment, and an all-new robust touch screen interface allows for adjustments to AF point, exposure, aperture, shutter speed and more without interrupting recording. The E-M5 Mark II sits squarely in the sweet spot for the creative shooter who needs a portable system with all the power to realize their creative pursuits. High-speed sensor and image processor. Large interactive EVF. Touch and Swivel LCD monitor with convenient variable angle positioning. Lightning-fast autofocus with coverage of almost the full frame and Manual Focus options that nail everything from serious fast sports action to dramatic portraits. Your camera system is only as good as the lenses and accessories that complete it, and in this regard the E-M5 Mark II is in very good company. Start with precision M.Zuiko lenses, a comprehensive line-up of professional-grade glass with optics designed for digital capture that deliver unparalleled resolution and overall image quality. Add flashes, grips, powered battery holders and other goodies and you’re ready to rock.
The new OM-D E-M5 Mark II features the most sophisticated image stabilization technology ever offered in an interchangeable lens camera. * The ultra-sensitive 5-axis VCM (voice coil motor) system is so responsive and accurate, you can shoot sharp images in low light and capture silky smooth video, hand-held without a tripod. The E-M5 Mark II is also a bring-it-anywhere portable system camera that is nearly 40% lighter than conventional DSLR’s and its durable all metal body is sealed for splashproof, dustproof and freezeproof protection. Quite simply, the E-M5 Mark II is the world’s best interchangeable lens camera for “run and gun” spontaneous video shooting. With its unobtrusive size and 5-axis IS technology, the E-M5 Mark II lets you shoot hand-held and still capture cinema-quality movies. Pro-level features give you the flexibility to experiment, and an all-new robust touch screen interface allows for adjustments to AF point, exposure, aperture, shutter speed and more without interrupting recording. The E-M5 Mark II sits squarely in the sweet spot for the creative shooter who needs a portable system with all the power to realize their creative pursuits. High-speed sensor and image processor. Large interactive EVF. Touch and Swivel LCD monitor with convenient variable angle positioning. Lightning-fast autofocus with coverage of almost the full frame and Manual Focus options that nail everything from serious fast sports action to dramatic portraits. Your camera system is only as good as the lenses and accessories that complete it, and in this regard the E-M5 Mark II is in very good company. Start with precision M.Zuiko lenses, a comprehensive line-up of professional-grade glass with optics designed for digital capture that deliver unparalleled resolution and overall image quality. Add flashes, grips, powered battery holders and other goodies and you’re ready to rock.
The new OM-D E-M5 Mark II features the most sophisticated image stabilization technology ever offered in an interchangeable lens camera. * The ultra-sensitive 5-axis VCM (voice coil motor) system is so responsive and accurate, you can shoot sharp images in low light and capture silky smooth video, hand-held without a tripod. The E-M5 Mark II is also a bring-it-anywhere portable system camera that is nearly 40% lighter than conventional DSLR’s and its durable all metal body is sealed for splashproof, dustproof and freezeproof protection. Quite simply, the E-M5 Mark II is the world’s best interchangeable lens camera for “run and gun” spontaneous video shooting. With its unobtrusive size and 5-axis IS technology, the E-M5 Mark II lets you shoot hand-held and still capture cinema-quality movies. Pro-level features give you the flexibility to experiment, and an all-new robust touch screen interface allows for adjustments to AF point, exposure, aperture, shutter speed and more without interrupting recording. The E-M5 Mark II sits squarely in the sweet spot for the creative shooter who needs a portable system with all the power to realize their creative pursuits. High-speed sensor and image processor. Large interactive EVF. Touch and Swivel LCD monitor with convenient variable angle positioning. Lightning-fast autofocus with coverage of almost the full frame and Manual Focus options that nail everything from serious fast sports action to dramatic portraits. Your camera system is only as good as the lenses and accessories that complete it, and in this regard the E-M5 Mark II is in very good company. Start with precision M.Zuiko lenses, a comprehensive line-up of professional-grade glass with optics designed for digital capture that deliver unparalleled resolution and overall image quality. Add flashes, grips, powered battery holders and other goodies and you’re ready to rock.
Last updated at 06/13/2026 16:00:41
[read] Olympus Om-d E-m5 Mark Ii Black Mirrorless Camera Body W/
Free delivery
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2ND HAND - Olympus OMD EM5 MK II Body BLACK
Delivery between Wed – Sat $10
OM SYSTEM OM-5 II Mirrorless Camera Silver With Kit Box - BRAND NEW
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originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
Once, I had too a problem with the screen going black. I discovered it was operator error; actually a software glitch. This was several months ago, but the best I can remember, it happened because of the lens choice vs. the menu setting. IE, either the lens was connected electrically (through the contact points) and the MENU setting was SHOOT W/O LENS....or else the problem was a with a non-electrical setup (like an old Nikon lens with an adapter and the menu setting was SHOOTING W / LENS ATTACHED (or some wording like that). The screen came back when both the lens and the menu were in synch.This camera can do focus stacking, if it has version 4.0 of the software. That version was provided several months ago, so all of the new cameras should have the new software. ... MoreOnce, I had too a problem with the screen going black. I discovered it was operator error; actually a software glitch. This was several months ago, but the best I can remember, it happened because of the lens choice vs. the menu setting. IE, either the lens was connected electrically (through the contact points) and the MENU setting was SHOOT W/O LENS....or else the problem was a with a non-electrical setup (like an old Nikon lens with an adapter and the menu setting was SHOOTING W / LENS ATTACHED (or some wording like that). The screen came back when both the lens and the menu were in synch.This camera can do focus stacking, if it has version 4.0 of the software. That version was provided several months ago, so all of the new cameras should have the new software. This feature allows for stacking IN THE CAMERA. You take a series of pics with the "focus bracketing" set up, and so of course the camera adjusts the focus slightly (you decide on the number of photos and on the amount of change). When you are finished, the camera collates all the photos together and produces a photo with more areas in focus. This is great for macro photography, especially pics of insects.One thing I don't like about the camera is the location of the 1 - 2 lever. If I use just the viewfinder, and the large screen is closed, the lever is difficult to operate, as it is right next to the closed screen. I know, I could solve this by having the screen open (and to the LEFT), but often I would just rather shoot by using the viewfinder.
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
My previous iteration of this camera (the OMD EM5 mark 1) lasted through three years, 150k frames and shot on 5 continents. Rugged as all get, that camera has been bumped, scraped, splashed and routinely shaken silly during mountain bike rides. Aside from a shutter replacement at around 100k shots and some finicky behavior out of the mode dial, it still works like a champ. Enter the Mark ii. It is obvious that Olympus looked at every gripe and whine on the comment boards of photo and enthusiast sites and meant for this to be the answer. Does it have a higher megapixel chip? No. Is the image quality substantially improved? No. What it DOES have is meaningful upgrades in handling, controls and -above all- the stabilizer. Olympus took what were valid complaints- the ... MoreMy previous iteration of this camera (the OMD EM5 mark 1) lasted through three years, 150k frames and shot on 5 continents. Rugged as all get, that camera has been bumped, scraped, splashed and routinely shaken silly during mountain bike rides. Aside from a shutter replacement at around 100k shots and some finicky behavior out of the mode dial, it still works like a champ. Enter the Mark ii. It is obvious that Olympus looked at every gripe and whine on the comment boards of photo and enthusiast sites and meant for this to be the answer. Does it have a higher megapixel chip? No. Is the image quality substantially improved? No. What it DOES have is meaningful upgrades in handling, controls and -above all- the stabilizer. Olympus took what were valid complaints- the button layout and sponginess, ergonomics, arbitrary limitations for some key features- and addressed them thoroughly in this model. There are now double the number of mappable buttons available for customization, and with the ability to toggle Mysets with a push of a button, you now have a camera that can on the fly go from shooting a landscape to switching to macro or wildlife with a single motion. Focus peaking makes using legacy lenses a truly viable option rather than a curiosity (I managed to nab a bird in flight with a 60 year old Takumar 200f4 using nothing but peaking!). For me, the most amazing improvement is to the stabilizer. While the original EM5 stabilizer was revolutionary, this thing is nothing short of NASA magic: Hand held shots with a 600mm equivalent lens are coming out tack sharp under 1/30th seconds! Hand-held wide angle shots can be pulled of longer than a second; add in a monopod with a tilt-head (standard kit for my hikes and rides) and you can get early morning shots of birds, coyotes and other critters in the kind of light that would be simply impossible with anything else! Additional features that are more useful than I would have expected: 1. WiFi (nice for posting pics on-the-fly) 2. HDR and Live Composite (eliminates a lot of the manual work to do this sort of thing) 3. Locking mode dial (should eliminate problems that the old version had for shifting when placed in a bag) 4. Autofocus and overall performance speed is greatly improved. 5. High ISO performance seems better, but it is subtle. Things that I will miss: 1. The tilting LCD (it's not as versatile, but tilting screens are a lot faster to use) 2. Somewhat more minimalist design Things that should be improved for the mark iii (or in firmware): 1. Battery life is pretty bad (luckily, third party batteries are cheap and small- I have 4 + the 2 OEMs) 2. Arbitrary restrictions for some features (focus bracketing only brackets out, not in... Unable to set certain features to buttons such as IS on/off... HDR bracket modes don't allow for time delays... ability to assign names to Mysets would be nice...) 3. Ability to create an HDR stack in Raw (a bit of a stretch, but why not) 4. Power switch feels flimsy- they should really have a hard-stop that braces it in the ON position so you don't accidentally break it off. All in all, this camera is a substantial improvement over the original. The only real question would be whether to get this one or the older version which- while missing all these improvements- was still an incredible tank of a camera and can be had for much less.
originally posted on lensrentals.com
We rented the E-M5 Mark ii to try it out. It's an impressive piece of kit. The in-body stabilization is more effective than the stabilization in my Canon DSLR and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds lenses, the EVF is large and easy to frame with. Considering its size and features, it's lightweight, and of course, it's smaller than a DSLR. Both Raw and JPG shots have good color and are very nice in lower light.Autofocus is fast, and there are enough customizable buttons to let you customize the camera to the way you like it.My husband, a dedicated DSLR guy, liked it so much he's traded in his Pentax and ordered an E-M5 Mark ii. I liked it, too, but am getting an E-M10 Mark ii.LenRentals was perfect, as always, with courteous, knowledgeable reps, an excellent selection of ... MoreWe rented the E-M5 Mark ii to try it out. It's an impressive piece of kit. The in-body stabilization is more effective than the stabilization in my Canon DSLR and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds lenses, the EVF is large and easy to frame with. Considering its size and features, it's lightweight, and of course, it's smaller than a DSLR. Both Raw and JPG shots have good color and are very nice in lower light.Autofocus is fast, and there are enough customizable buttons to let you customize the camera to the way you like it.My husband, a dedicated DSLR guy, liked it so much he's traded in his Pentax and ordered an E-M5 Mark ii. I liked it, too, but am getting an E-M10 Mark ii.LenRentals was perfect, as always, with courteous, knowledgeable reps, an excellent selection of cameras and lenses, and an easy ordering system. I messed up on my order, and they fixed it with no problems. And the way they do return packaging is the easiest and best in this or any other industry.
[read] Olympus Om-d E-m5 Mark Ii Black Mirrorless Camera Body W/
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
2ND HAND - Olympus OMD EM5 MK II Body BLACK
Delivery between Wed – Sat $10
OM SYSTEM OM-5 II Mirrorless Camera Silver With Kit Box - BRAND NEW
Free delivery
Once, I had too a problem with the screen going black. I discovered it was operator error; actually a software glitch. This was several months ago, but the best I can remember, it happened because of the lens choice vs. the menu setting. IE, either the lens was connected electrically (through the contact points) and the MENU setting was SHOOT W/O LENS....or else the problem was a with a non-electrical setup (like an old Nikon lens with an adapter and the menu setting was SHOOTING W / LENS ATTACHED (or some wording like that). The screen came back when both the lens and the menu were in synch.This camera can do focus stacking, if it has version 4.0 of the software. That version was provided several months ago, so all of the new cameras should have the new software. ... MoreOnce, I had too a problem with the screen going black. I discovered it was operator error; actually a software glitch. This was several months ago, but the best I can remember, it happened because of the lens choice vs. the menu setting. IE, either the lens was connected electrically (through the contact points) and the MENU setting was SHOOT W/O LENS....or else the problem was a with a non-electrical setup (like an old Nikon lens with an adapter and the menu setting was SHOOTING W / LENS ATTACHED (or some wording like that). The screen came back when both the lens and the menu were in synch.This camera can do focus stacking, if it has version 4.0 of the software. That version was provided several months ago, so all of the new cameras should have the new software. This feature allows for stacking IN THE CAMERA. You take a series of pics with the "focus bracketing" set up, and so of course the camera adjusts the focus slightly (you decide on the number of photos and on the amount of change). When you are finished, the camera collates all the photos together and produces a photo with more areas in focus. This is great for macro photography, especially pics of insects.One thing I don't like about the camera is the location of the 1 - 2 lever. If I use just the viewfinder, and the large screen is closed, the lever is difficult to operate, as it is right next to the closed screen. I know, I could solve this by having the screen open (and to the LEFT), but often I would just rather shoot by using the viewfinder.
My previous iteration of this camera (the OMD EM5 mark 1) lasted through three years, 150k frames and shot on 5 continents. Rugged as all get, that camera has been bumped, scraped, splashed and routinely shaken silly during mountain bike rides. Aside from a shutter replacement at around 100k shots and some finicky behavior out of the mode dial, it still works like a champ. Enter the Mark ii. It is obvious that Olympus looked at every gripe and whine on the comment boards of photo and enthusiast sites and meant for this to be the answer. Does it have a higher megapixel chip? No. Is the image quality substantially improved? No. What it DOES have is meaningful upgrades in handling, controls and -above all- the stabilizer. Olympus took what were valid complaints- the ... MoreMy previous iteration of this camera (the OMD EM5 mark 1) lasted through three years, 150k frames and shot on 5 continents. Rugged as all get, that camera has been bumped, scraped, splashed and routinely shaken silly during mountain bike rides. Aside from a shutter replacement at around 100k shots and some finicky behavior out of the mode dial, it still works like a champ. Enter the Mark ii. It is obvious that Olympus looked at every gripe and whine on the comment boards of photo and enthusiast sites and meant for this to be the answer. Does it have a higher megapixel chip? No. Is the image quality substantially improved? No. What it DOES have is meaningful upgrades in handling, controls and -above all- the stabilizer. Olympus took what were valid complaints- the button layout and sponginess, ergonomics, arbitrary limitations for some key features- and addressed them thoroughly in this model. There are now double the number of mappable buttons available for customization, and with the ability to toggle Mysets with a push of a button, you now have a camera that can on the fly go from shooting a landscape to switching to macro or wildlife with a single motion. Focus peaking makes using legacy lenses a truly viable option rather than a curiosity (I managed to nab a bird in flight with a 60 year old Takumar 200f4 using nothing but peaking!). For me, the most amazing improvement is to the stabilizer. While the original EM5 stabilizer was revolutionary, this thing is nothing short of NASA magic: Hand held shots with a 600mm equivalent lens are coming out tack sharp under 1/30th seconds! Hand-held wide angle shots can be pulled of longer than a second; add in a monopod with a tilt-head (standard kit for my hikes and rides) and you can get early morning shots of birds, coyotes and other critters in the kind of light that would be simply impossible with anything else! Additional features that are more useful than I would have expected: 1. WiFi (nice for posting pics on-the-fly) 2. HDR and Live Composite (eliminates a lot of the manual work to do this sort of thing) 3. Locking mode dial (should eliminate problems that the old version had for shifting when placed in a bag) 4. Autofocus and overall performance speed is greatly improved. 5. High ISO performance seems better, but it is subtle. Things that I will miss: 1. The tilting LCD (it's not as versatile, but tilting screens are a lot faster to use) 2. Somewhat more minimalist design Things that should be improved for the mark iii (or in firmware): 1. Battery life is pretty bad (luckily, third party batteries are cheap and small- I have 4 + the 2 OEMs) 2. Arbitrary restrictions for some features (focus bracketing only brackets out, not in... Unable to set certain features to buttons such as IS on/off... HDR bracket modes don't allow for time delays... ability to assign names to Mysets would be nice...) 3. Ability to create an HDR stack in Raw (a bit of a stretch, but why not) 4. Power switch feels flimsy- they should really have a hard-stop that braces it in the ON position so you don't accidentally break it off. All in all, this camera is a substantial improvement over the original. The only real question would be whether to get this one or the older version which- while missing all these improvements- was still an incredible tank of a camera and can be had for much less.
We rented the E-M5 Mark ii to try it out. It's an impressive piece of kit. The in-body stabilization is more effective than the stabilization in my Canon DSLR and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds lenses, the EVF is large and easy to frame with. Considering its size and features, it's lightweight, and of course, it's smaller than a DSLR. Both Raw and JPG shots have good color and are very nice in lower light.Autofocus is fast, and there are enough customizable buttons to let you customize the camera to the way you like it.My husband, a dedicated DSLR guy, liked it so much he's traded in his Pentax and ordered an E-M5 Mark ii. I liked it, too, but am getting an E-M10 Mark ii.LenRentals was perfect, as always, with courteous, knowledgeable reps, an excellent selection of ... MoreWe rented the E-M5 Mark ii to try it out. It's an impressive piece of kit. The in-body stabilization is more effective than the stabilization in my Canon DSLR and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds lenses, the EVF is large and easy to frame with. Considering its size and features, it's lightweight, and of course, it's smaller than a DSLR. Both Raw and JPG shots have good color and are very nice in lower light.Autofocus is fast, and there are enough customizable buttons to let you customize the camera to the way you like it.My husband, a dedicated DSLR guy, liked it so much he's traded in his Pentax and ordered an E-M5 Mark ii. I liked it, too, but am getting an E-M10 Mark ii.LenRentals was perfect, as always, with courteous, knowledgeable reps, an excellent selection of cameras and lenses, and an easy ordering system. I messed up on my order, and they fixed it with no problems. And the way they do return packaging is the easiest and best in this or any other industry.
I have purchased the Olympus OM-D EM-5 Mark 2 (Good heavens, the name of the camera is too big to print it on its body!) in Australia about a year ago.The reason to buy it was the weight of my trusted Nikon D800 with all the accompanying accessories. I just can't carry that much any more so I needed something lighter.My first SLR ever was an Olympus OM10 and I remembered it so fondly that the choice of an Olympus camera was a no brainer.With the body I have purchased three lenses: 12-40 f1:2.8 pro, 40-150 1:4-5.6 and 75-300 1:4.8-6.7 pro. Of all three I used mainly the two PRO grade lenses, the 40-150 was not that necessary. If you intend to buy lenses, the 12-40 Pro and the 75-300 Pro can fulfill almost all general photographic needs when on a trip and you have ... MoreI have purchased the Olympus OM-D EM-5 Mark 2 (Good heavens, the name of the camera is too big to print it on its body!) in Australia about a year ago.The reason to buy it was the weight of my trusted Nikon D800 with all the accompanying accessories. I just can't carry that much any more so I needed something lighter.My first SLR ever was an Olympus OM10 and I remembered it so fondly that the choice of an Olympus camera was a no brainer.With the body I have purchased three lenses: 12-40 f1:2.8 pro, 40-150 1:4-5.6 and 75-300 1:4.8-6.7 pro. Of all three I used mainly the two PRO grade lenses, the 40-150 was not that necessary. If you intend to buy lenses, the 12-40 Pro and the 75-300 Pro can fulfill almost all general photographic needs when on a trip and you have to travel light.So I have used these lenses and the body during a three month long trip to Australia and New Zealand, through different weather conditions ranging from Antarctic Ocean areas to Tropical Rain forest. They were perfect. I could take fantastic telephoto shots from hand with a 600 mm equivalent (35 mm format) and get them crisp sharp thanks to the 5-axis stabilization. I found that the 75-300 was very usable as a macro lens (though it was not meant to be) and got great shots of insects and flowers without having a dedicated macro lens. The stabilization was of huge help, many pictures taken under poor lighting from hand without a tripod could have not been possible on my D800.The camera is very light indeed and can be carried all day long without having a horrible pain in the neck by the evening.The electronic viewer is very good and can be adjusted, so it can be used without glasses.The setup menu is rather easy to use and after the initial setup I didn't bother touching it again.In my opinion the best part in this camera (though it is not unique to it) is the fact that you see the actual picture you are going to get before you push the button. Therefore, when shooting in manual mode, you can see all your potential mistakes before taking the picture, unlike with the D800 where you get the bad results only after clicking. It saves an enormous amount of time required to trying to re-acquire your missed shots and weeding the bad shots in the evening.The only thing that I can complain about is the fact that there is a lag between pushing the button and getting your picture. Therefore action shooting, even shooting children or fast moving animals can be tricky.All in all I love this camera, it is a great one in a tiny package. A real Mighty Mouse
I bought this for my wife who loves to take picture. She used to like old 35mm SLR with manual focus, so that was my first reason to buy Olympus with retro look It may not be as fast or have as many pixels as many other cameras but she loves the feeling holding the camera and how it takes pictures. Result are fabulous when using with Olympus lens or with Panasonic but best thing is with adapter my wife can use her manual focus old 50mm F1:4 pentax lens and take some exceptional pictures. Also again Pentax 200 F4 tele lens and result are really truly fabulous. Manu is very detailed for some (like my wife) too complicated but I find it easy to use. Build quality of camera is very solid and feel robust to use on daily basis compare to all other plastic feeling camera. ... MoreI bought this for my wife who loves to take picture. She used to like old 35mm SLR with manual focus, so that was my first reason to buy Olympus with retro look It may not be as fast or have as many pixels as many other cameras but she loves the feeling holding the camera and how it takes pictures. Result are fabulous when using with Olympus lens or with Panasonic but best thing is with adapter my wife can use her manual focus old 50mm F1:4 pentax lens and take some exceptional pictures. Also again Pentax 200 F4 tele lens and result are really truly fabulous. Manu is very detailed for some (like my wife) too complicated but I find it easy to use. Build quality of camera is very solid and feel robust to use on daily basis compare to all other plastic feeling camera. Some of the button is bit too small and one need to take extra time to get use to it. Once get the feeling it is OK to use them with little patience. Viewfinder is suppose to be one of the large one but with glasses on, I could have prefer to even bigger Viewfinder. Not an issue just my personal choice. I have been using this camera with Panasonic lumix 14-42 Mark ii which I found it be slightly better than Olympus 14-42. That's again my personal choice because other may prefer Olympus compare to Panasonic.
I'm very experienced, have been professional in the past, and I've owned several system cameras over the past 45 years, and recently made the decision to sell off my Canon DSLR system and my lenses and accessories for this Olympus system camera. Having used it for about 6 weeks, I can report that it is a very complex but capable camera. One can achieve excellent results only after having absorbed the complex menu system and optimized the programmable buttons for your shooting style. I've taken about 2500 images so far, from macro to telephoto wildlife images, and have shot about a hundred video clips. I've used non-native lenses using adapters, which makes for an 'old timer' experience since it's only in wide open aperture and only manual focus is possible ... MoreI'm very experienced, have been professional in the past, and I've owned several system cameras over the past 45 years, and recently made the decision to sell off my Canon DSLR system and my lenses and accessories for this Olympus system camera. Having used it for about 6 weeks, I can report that it is a very complex but capable camera. One can achieve excellent results only after having absorbed the complex menu system and optimized the programmable buttons for your shooting style. I've taken about 2500 images so far, from macro to telephoto wildlife images, and have shot about a hundred video clips. I've used non-native lenses using adapters, which makes for an 'old timer' experience since it's only in wide open aperture and only manual focus is possible (S-priority mode), but nonetheless it can work. I resurrected some Rokkor lenses that I haven't used in fifteen years or so, and using an adapter, I was able to take some good images. Unfortunately, the one feature I thought that would work with non-native lenses using adapters is focus peaking, which I reprogrammed a function button to call up when needed, but neither that nor the focus-zooming feature work to assist in getting the focus just right on those lenses, and also on the Canon EF and EFS lenses with a lens adapter I experimented with as well. An expensive adapter with electrical contacts is available for $400 to allow for image stabilization with Canon glass--complete with support for auto aperture control, but that still will not support auto focusing....however it should allow for focus-peaking suport and zoom-focus assist features when mounted on the EM-5 Mk II. My main focus has been to shoot with the Lumix 17 mm f 1.7 prime, the Lumix 14-140 zoom lens, and the 75-300 (150-300 equivalent) Zuiko zoom lens. Generally, in good light, the auto focus is very fast and super accurate, and together with the body stabilization, sharp images are very easy to obtain--- as long as the ISO is no higher than 800, in my experience. Noise does creep in even at 400, but is easily dealt with in Photoshop CC Camera Raw which I use to adjust raw formatted image files. One could shoot with higher iso's if the final image is not to be enlarged much, but for my purposes shooting at 200-400 is the ideal, but often not feasible with available light situations, my preferred lighting. That's where the body stabilization comes in, and allows much slower shutter speeds to be used (with lower ISO's of course) to obtain sharp focus on still subjects. Moving subjects, however, will still require a minimum of 1/400 sec. in my experience regardless of the camera's ability to stabilize the exposure. What is fascinating about this machine is the capabilities that are unique, like the COMPLETELY SILENT electronic shutter mode, that can take up to 11 shots per second (in good light and with a fast shutter speed) even though the focus is only on the first frame.....and the outstanding feature that allows a static subject to be recorded as a 40 MP image...and it's kind of a trick, but it's a real 40 MP image in resolution. One site reviewer stated unequivocally that it's the best resolution and dynamic range ever achieved in his studio work that he's ever seen, period. This camera is only for the serious enthusiast, however, who also appreciates the video capability of the best body-stabilized camera available today regardless of price, and who desires to travel significantly lighter with his/her gear in pursuit of great image making. The Lumix and Zuiko lenses that I've used are outperforming the older lenses I've used with the adapters, and of course they perform so much more fluidly and effortlessly with the focusing speed inherent to them and the PAS modes available to the shooter. The biggest weakness that I've experienced so far is the inability to focus quickly and accurately in low light. I don't do much focus tracking with continuous focus, so I can't speak to that capability, and I've read that it's competent in good lighting only as well. If Olympus could add phase detection on the sensor for more responsive focusing in all situations, it would really make for a super-compelling machine, but even without that, it's a formidably competent camera that allows an experienced photographer the most customizable functioned camera that I can imagine. The menu system is somewhat quirky, and I don't think it'll ever be intuitive for me, so one must program the function buttons to make for a camera with a rare need for menu searching. That's the key to using this gem. In review mode, I love the ability to search for recorded stills or videos by the calendar reference, and I also love that up to 100 images can be seen at a time in the EFT panel when reviewing. Also, I love that one can zoom in on one image, and use the front wheel to skip thru images while maintaining that zoom level constantly. That's very helpful for me. There are several functions that I haven't tried out, like editing images in the Playback mode, which is possible to some extent, for example, or the 'live view' feature of 'bulb' exposures that allows for peeking at the image as it develops on the articulating panel at intervals (that you can adjust depending on exposure settings used). I feel that I am still a bit off from fully digesting the whole spectrum of possibilities that this creative machine makes possible. But I'm having a great time in the learning process....actually it's invigorated my desire to make images and videos from what was becoming a lukewarm motivation of late. I can't wait for the Leica 100-400 zoom lens arriving in 2016; hopefully a 1.4X adapter may be usable with that lens as well, then, I'll really know that I'm not losing anything in switching from my big DSLR that is now history. Until that day comes, I'll be honing by skills on the many diverse creative functions that lie within this solid-feeling weather-sealed camera. One last item; I did buy a third-party grip that bolts to the tripod mount, and my large hands are able to grasp the camera much better now, and that has helped to eliminate that small less-than optimal design element. Since Olympus didn't offer one that allowed for battery changing and full articulation of the EFT panel, I was forced to source one and I must say I'm happy with its form and function.
i've been watching the evolution of digital cameras for quite a few years now. This is the first digital camera i've owned since my old film camera, a Canon A1. For me to pull the trigger on a digital camera, it had to be compact, light weight, ruggedly built, be capable of excellent image quality, offer great control over settings and i saw the value in fully articulated display screens. With these old eyes, it also had to have a diopter adjustable and easy to see viewfinder; i'd found that staring at the 3 screens on cameras for any length of time could give me a headache and it's also useful for stealth mode street shooting and shooting in very bright light that can make any 3 display hard to read and for shooting at different angles - just a very handy thing to ... Morei've been watching the evolution of digital cameras for quite a few years now. This is the first digital camera i've owned since my old film camera, a Canon A1. For me to pull the trigger on a digital camera, it had to be compact, light weight, ruggedly built, be capable of excellent image quality, offer great control over settings and i saw the value in fully articulated display screens. With these old eyes, it also had to have a diopter adjustable and easy to see viewfinder; i'd found that staring at the 3 screens on cameras for any length of time could give me a headache and it's also useful for stealth mode street shooting and shooting in very bright light that can make any 3 display hard to read and for shooting at different angles - just a very handy thing to have. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II meets and exceeds (by far) my checklist. i absolutely love this camera. It has me heading out the door to go take pictures just for the fun of it again! i have it paired with the Panasonic 25mm f1.7 (VERY sharp) and the Olympus 12-40 pro (very versatile, very good through the whole range but maybe not quite as sharp as the Panny which may actually be a good thing for some purposes) but those are whole 'nother reviews.About one of the most common complaints - the menu. My own experience is that it's not really all that bad and easy enough to come to understand fully within a casual afternoon. There IS obvious logic in it. It could, however, take quite a bit of practice to make much use of a lot of it if you're walking around with the camera taking impromptu shots. But it is my understanding that much about the camera is directed toward professional studio work where you take the time to make some very careful considerations. There's software from Olympus to further accommodate studio work with tethered control from a computer (OLYMPUS Capture) that i'd not seen mentioned in any other review which gives access to everything in the menus on the camera. The one thing that really tipped the scales for me with this camera is the remarkable High Res option. i've been doing some volunteer archaeological research and part of that has been pouring over thousands of images from an archaeological site. And really wishing the images were much better... The High Res works remarkably well and offers resolution capabilities rivaling larger format cameras going for more than 5X the cost of this piece of kit and more. But note that it is STRICTLY tripod work; the camera in this mode won't even let you try if it's not as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar. This is still usable for technical shots (archaeology is a personal use, but photo-documenting collections, forensics, product photography are some others that come to mind - anything where you need high detail in your images and the subject isn't going to go running off in the next 5 seconds or so). It can be used effectively as an art filter where stuff blowing in the wind gets blurred; this may actually be a good thing :-) The jpegs from High Res right out of the camera don't look all that much different from standard.i was delighted to find an option in the menu for adjusting architectural perspective angles in camera. On my old Canon film camera, tilt/shift was accomplished by a $450 fixed focal length lens in '80s prices. Some things DO get better. i was also delighted to find Select Color under the Art Filters. i'd drooled over this capability since i first saw it in a sample Pentax photo a while back of orange pumpkins in a black and white field; very cool :-) The art filter has three option settings which allow a range in color from the selected color from wider (say you've selected a red, wider will include a little more to the orange and violet side of the color selected) to very specific (select red, all you get is red). There's a bunch of great options here but these options can take a bit of fiddling with the menu, best done on a tripod. This is where the title for the review comes from. But that's ok, i've not run into any cameras that can read minds yet.i was surprised to find with my programmed settings that i actually had to stop down a bit for a twilight shot not to appear as high noon in the picture. Good light sensitivity.The only thing that bugs me a bit about the camera itself is the crop factor on the jpegs out of the camera and how much of the raw files aren't included.i'm sorry to hear that some have had problems with the articulated screen but i've used mine quite a bit without issue. All in all, as i see it, OLYMPUS has knocked one out of the park with this camera.But i do have a WARNING here - The raw files are proprietary OLYMPUS formats and i've discovered that the software (all of the OLYMPUS software) for this camera will not run on an Apple computer running the latest OS. The software is tested and will work on 10.10 systems but gets iffy to no go on later versions (as of 10 15 16). Still awaiting an update there. The software is rated through Windows 10 on PCs. With my own experience with Macs, i see it as more an issue with Apple arrogance over retro-compatibility and can't really fault any software company for dragging their feet about playing catch-up with them. Apple may be big but they're still a small fraction of the computer market. But that's a whole 'nother review.Full disclosure: no, i've received no compensation in any form for writing this review; it comes entirely from my own enthusiasm as a photographer for this wonderful camera.
The EM-5 MKII is everything that is great about the MKI with some minor updates that I have found to be very beneficial. Some of my professional projects include product photography, interior photography, people, candid and street photography and video projects. Here are some features that I like about the Mark II: RE: VIDEO - In terms of video, the stabilization feature of the EM-5 MKII is nothing short of awesome. Its enables super-smooth handheld video without the need of the added weight and size of a camera-rig. Additionally, it's nice to finally have a 24P capture option (a frame rate that achieves the look of traditional cinematic/motion picture film), for those projects where that traditional filmic look is desired. RE: FOCUSING - The 'focus peaking' is an ... MoreThe EM-5 MKII is everything that is great about the MKI with some minor updates that I have found to be very beneficial. Some of my professional projects include product photography, interior photography, people, candid and street photography and video projects. Here are some features that I like about the Mark II: RE: VIDEO - In terms of video, the stabilization feature of the EM-5 MKII is nothing short of awesome. Its enables super-smooth handheld video without the need of the added weight and size of a camera-rig. Additionally, it's nice to finally have a 24P capture option (a frame rate that achieves the look of traditional cinematic/motion picture film), for those projects where that traditional filmic look is desired. RE: FOCUSING - The 'focus peaking' is an appreciated feature to have, as it enables you to perform manual focus-pulls when shooting video. It's a useful feature for stills as well, when wanting to have full control over focusing as it provides simultaneous feedback on the screen of areas in focus by demarcating the focused areas with a highlight color ( e.g. red ) CUSTOMIZATION: Overall the Mark II is feature-rich with many options available to customize the various button operations, depending on your shooting style and personal preferences. And it is chock-full of built-in creative options/filters in terms of picture/video taking. CAMERA/LENS PAIRING FOR OPTIMAL RESULTS: When paired with the Olympus PRO series lenses, the OMD yields phenomenal results (in both stills and video) : tack sharp, beautiful color, excellent bokeh (shallow depth of field). And when used for video the PRO series lenses provide a manual focus clutch that yields professional results when pulling focus. THE APP: The Olympus App is very nicely designed. It pairs with the camera (via WiFi) relatively easily and allows for remote shooting as well as transfering images/video to your personal mobile device (e.g. phone/iPad). I was able to transfer an image from the camera to my cell phone, quickly crop and email it within under a minute. HI-RESOLUTION : The Hi-Resolution (40mp) picture mode while an awesome feature does have it's limitations: 1: the camera must be tripod mounted (or completely still) AND, 2: there must be no movement in the subject matter being photographed (e.g swaying trees, rippling water, moving cars/people/animals, etc. ) any visible movement will be recorded as random patterns during the multiple-shot sequence. While there are limitations of the Hi-Resolution mode it's not completely without purpose: Outside of those limitations, there are opportunities to take advanatage of this feature: Completely still product photography expansive scenics viewed from far away (i.e desert scenes, mountain scenes, city-scapes) architecture interior design FINAL WORDS: My expectations are exceeded with the MarkII. I'm beyond impressed with how well the video capture is when using the available stabilization feature. Image quality (both video and still) is phenomenal when paired with the Olympus Pro series lenses. (e.g. Olympus Pro 12-40 2.8). ONE RECOMMENDATION: If you do want to take advantage of all of the features of the Olympus OMD EM-5 MKII , take some time to read the manual thoroughly.
I am a professional photographer and I use Olympus Cameras for my portrait photography business. This is my 4th Olympus Camera. Don’t believe the hype that you need a FULL FRAME sensor to get professional results. A Micro Four third Camera like this camera in conjunction with a decent prime lens will amaze you. This camera offers the most bang for your buck. 1) it’s compact 2) outstanding image quality 3) Incredible image stabilization ( A Huge Plus) 4) its a mirror-less camera meaning what you see in the electronic viewfinder is what you get. Saves you a lot of time constantly reviewing your pictures after you take them. And finally 5) PRICE.. save your money and buy incredible Olympus and Panasonic Lenses.. NEED A SECOND OPINION.. YOUTUBE has PLENTY of reviews of ... MoreI am a professional photographer and I use Olympus Cameras for my portrait photography business. This is my 4th Olympus Camera. Don’t believe the hype that you need a FULL FRAME sensor to get professional results. A Micro Four third Camera like this camera in conjunction with a decent prime lens will amaze you. This camera offers the most bang for your buck. 1) it’s compact 2) outstanding image quality 3) Incredible image stabilization ( A Huge Plus) 4) its a mirror-less camera meaning what you see in the electronic viewfinder is what you get. Saves you a lot of time constantly reviewing your pictures after you take them. And finally 5) PRICE.. save your money and buy incredible Olympus and Panasonic Lenses.. NEED A SECOND OPINION.. YOUTUBE has PLENTY of reviews of this camera.GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND GO TAKE SOME PICTURES. ENJOY!!
Since having the MKI ( for nearly 3 years), it has continually proved to be a stellar still camera for what's required on some of my professional projects (multi-media - product, interior, people, candid, street photography) and for personal use, but with that said the video aspects of the MKI was certainly an area of opportunity. The Mark II goes above and beyond in terms of video options, and remains as would be expected in a MKI upgrade an amazing still MFT camera. Here are some features that I like about the Mark II: RE: VIDEO - In terms of video, the stabilisation is nothing short of awesome (already receiving positive feedback on hand-held footage looking unbelievably smooth). Additionally, it's nice to finally have a 24P capture option(a frame rate that ... MoreSince having the MKI ( for nearly 3 years), it has continually proved to be a stellar still camera for what's required on some of my professional projects (multi-media - product, interior, people, candid, street photography) and for personal use, but with that said the video aspects of the MKI was certainly an area of opportunity. The Mark II goes above and beyond in terms of video options, and remains as would be expected in a MKI upgrade an amazing still MFT camera. Here are some features that I like about the Mark II: RE: VIDEO - In terms of video, the stabilisation is nothing short of awesome (already receiving positive feedback on hand-held footage looking unbelievably smooth). Additionally, it's nice to finally have a 24P capture option(a frame rate that achieves the look of traditional cinematic/motion picture film), for those projects where that particular look is needed. RE: FOCUSING - The 'focus peaking' is an appreciated feature to have, as it enables you to perform manual focus-pulls when shooting video. It's a useful feature for stills as well, when wanting to have full control over focusing, while simultaneously having visual feedback on the screen as areas in focus are demarcated with a chosen color. CUSTOMIZATION: Overall the Mark II is feature-rich with many options available to customize the various button operations, depending on your shooting style and personal preferences. And it is Loaded with creative options. CAMERA/LENS PAIRING FOR OPTIMAL RESULTS: When paired with the Olympus PRO series lenses, the OMD yields phenomenal results (in both stills and video) : tack sharp, beautiful color, and very nice bokeh (shallow depth of field). THE APP: I was very impressed with how well the Olympus App paired with the camera (via WiFi) and allowed for remote shooting as well as transfering images/video to my personal mobile device. I was able to transfer an image from the camera to my cell phone and email it within under a minute. HI-RESOLUTION : The Hi-Resolution (40mp) picture mode while an awesome feature does have it's limitations: 1: the camera must be tripod mounted (or completely still) AND, 2: there must be no movement in the subject matter being photographed (e.g swaying trees, rippling water, moving cars/people/animals, etc. ) any visible movement will be recorded as random patterns during the multiple-shot sequence. While there are limitations of the Hi-Resolution mode it's not completely without purpose: Outside of those limitations, there are opportunities to take advanatage of this feature: Completely still product photography expansive scenics viewed from far away (i.e desert scenes, mountain scenes, city-scapes) architecture interior design a dormant volcano FINAL WORDS: My expectations are exceeded with the MarkII. I'm beyond impressed with how well the video capture is when using the available stabilization feature. Image quality (both video and still) is phenomenal when paired with the Olympus Pro series lenses. (e.g. Olympus Pro 12-40 2.8).
