The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Series Legacy

 The original Olympus OM-D E-M5 (2012) saved the day and have promoted the Micro Four-Third (MFT) digital photographic format pertinency. At first it was a verbal challenge just for naming this camera model that many have failed to memorize or to spell it correctly. Sure we all have understood that OM-D stands for the OM digital version but what about the E-M5 denomination. The E surely refers to the previous Olympus ILC (Interchangeable Lens Camera) digital camera E series and the M for the Micro Four-Third sensor format. That leave us with the number 5 that may be have seen as an equivalent of the Olympus Pen series (EP-1-2-3-5 models).

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 have represented a significant evolution of the first introduced Pen series (EP-1, EP-2, EP-3 and EP-5 models that didn't have an electronic viewfinder (EVF) integrated into their camera body (the only one that will eventually benefice of this feature will be the Olympus Pen-F). Moreover many add-on features has been introduced into the OM-D E-M5. Among them, a tilt-able rear screen viewfinder (LVF) (with waist-level and over-the crowd positions).

The image sensor stabilization system (IBIS for in-body-image-stabilization) is what really differentiate the Olympus OM-D E-M5 from the rest of the competition at this precise moment of the mirrorless cameras emergence. All major manufacturers will eventually follow this technical development although their time table were longer in certain cases. By choosing the in-body image sensor stabilization, the OM-D E-M5 allows the photographer to select many types of past or modern optics without loosing this advantage. It was a welcome help to go ahead with digital photography without entirely sacrificing the old lenses used with the film-analog camera systems.

The camera body architecture have mimicked the old SLR form with a centered viewing prism like we have seen with the OM analog-film camera series. Front and back control dials allowed the user to adjust easily the basic photographic parameters like the shutter speed, the lens aperture or the exposure factors. The OM-D E-M5 interface menu was very elaborated and was asking an extended learning curve to even partially master it. The two parts optional power grip was reminding us the good days of the analog-film era.

With the OM-D E-M5, Olympus has succeeded to convince many enthusiasm and some professional photographers to give a go to the whole MFT system. At the same moment in time Panasonic have presented its Lumix GH3 model that open a new Web video centric perspective for the MFT users. Despite some manufactured flaws (in particular with the control dials that may pop-out), the OM-D E-M5 proved to be sufficiently reliable for a more extensive use in adverse conditions with the help of the weather resistant characteristic (WR).

The second Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II (2015) have given to the E-M5 series its reliable and long lasting reputation (solid construction, versatility, competent) and may be considered as the apex of the E-M5 series. Every aspects of the design and construction of the model have been noticeably enhanced. In one word, the feeling of holding and using the camera model was much better than the first version.

The rear screen of the OM-D E-M5 Mark II was now fully rotating and can be turn in for maximum scratch screen protection. The camera body felt sturdier and control dials has been reinforced. Olympus has abandoned its special multi-function hot-shoe from the original OM-D E-M5 and replaced it by the traditional hot shoe one but they added a PC Flash synchro port to the camera for the beneficial of studio or macro photography users. The EVF and LVF resolutions has been also enhanced.

The MFT image sensor have kept the same 16 megapixels (MP) resolution of the original E-M5 although it appeared to that it was performing better. The OM-D E-M5 Mark II was a perfect optical match with the M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm F2.8 Pro zoom lens although many other combinations were equally appreciated. The handling of the camera was better secured in particular with the optional power grip if you were using larger size optics.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II has been also one of the best rated camera model by the photographic gear reviews during its production time. Even today, the model is still used by many photographers without restriction.

The third version Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III (2019) have consolidated its autofocus performance (AF), enhance its (20MP) image sensor resolution and its video capability but also bring controversies about its material construction perception and its diminutive battery power. By moving its mode dial, the OM-D E-M5 Mark III have simplified its interface handling on the right side of the camera body.

With its new 20MP image sensor, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is offering an image quality equivalent of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Pro model. This remark applies also for its autofocus system. The hand body prehension is similar to the preceding OM-D E-M5 Mark II and it is still possible to add an optional grip but without the power supply (w/vertical grip and controls), an Olympus voluntary omission that many have rightly noticed. Moreover with the battery pack change for a smaller one (BLS-50), the camera autonomy has been diminished from the previous handy combination (OM-D E-M5 II + Vertical Power Grip).

As a competent image recorder the Olympus O-D E-M5 mark III camera model was able to retain many of the OM-D E-M5 series previous users except for those who have chosen to upgrade to the Pro models (OM-D E-M1 series) or for the ones who have simply exited the MFT image format system. The model has been partially omitted by photographic gear web reviewers at its introduction since it was not perceive as a important evolutive departure from the OM-D E-M5 Mark II preceding model.

About the OM-5

Following the Olympus camera group ownership takeover by the OM Digital Solutions corporation, the complete Olympus/OM System line up has been rationalized with a simplified camera offer without almost all the previous entry-level models. The initial release of the new Pro OM-1 camera model (replacement of both OM-D E-M1 Mark III and OM-D E-M1X models) has been a good commercial success especially among the outdoor and birder photographer niche. Their second introduction of the OM-5 camera (replacement of the OM-D E-M5 Mark III) has been less spectacular since the essential improvement of the camera was internal rather than cosmetic.

Generally speaking the OM System OM-5 has been designed to be a more rugged camera with a better environmental sealed body and to be also more performing in term of readiness and reactivity. Those enhanced characteristics are addressing meanly the photographer who like to travel, do street photography, spent time in outdoor activities, etc. with a compactness requirement in mind for their optical and camera outfit. In one way it proves that the concept idea regarding the OM-D E-M5 series has been and still is a landmark of the MFT imaging system and that will be preserved for, at least, the near future.


Photo-illustrations Daniel M

Other Ormstown-Scapes with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III & M.Zuiko ED 14-150mm II

 

The Express 57 incinerated dream.

Not long ago I have proposed a post that give you a short sneak view of a nearby small town, Ormstown, from the place I use to stay in summer. From this quiet countryside and appeasing village, there are the habitual focus points to go like a general store, a bank, two churches, a small school, two taverns and few restaurants or cantines. One of those was the Express 57, renowned for its retro fifteen cachet with full of past of artefacts and with very sympatic owners and team to serve you. Doing a Ormstown photographic essay must require to get some Express 57 clichés which I did without second though.

A week later, the unthinkable happens and during the night, the Express 57 was literally incinerated but their owners who were living on the second floor manage to escape with the aid of the local and courageous fire brigade volunteers. Today The building has been locked up waiting its restauration or simply its demolition and because of its very central location, the place is a constant and inevitable reminder of this drama and its tragic consequences.

Photos Daniel M: Olympus OM-D E-M5 III / M.Zuiko ED 14-150mm II 

About ( compact camera) preferences...

"The way it is ..."

Bruce Hornsby and the Range

We like to photograph, and we like the cameras. It's maybe obvious but, in fact, it isn't that simple because there are so many possibilities and choices in photographic equipment, that it is often overwhelming especially for the most passionate ones. Over the past several years, I had the opportunity to try, and to compare many camera (and lens) models. Digital cameras were a new field the manufacturers had to fulfill. So, it was fascinating, to say the least.

Novelties have been always attractive for many photographers that are always interested to try and improve the tools they are using. And the technical advancements in photography into the last decades were amazing in terms of easiest of doing pictures and having outstanding image results. In the still photography field, we were privileged to assist and to profit all those developments over the years. Today we may think that we have reached a certain plateau that allow us to reconsider at last to have photo equipment for a more lengthily period of ownership and ... use!

My current photo equipment
The love of (real!) compact cameras, for good imagery, for decent performance (exposure metering, autofocusing, reactivity, reliability, etc.), to have access to an extended line of lenses and for a competent stabilization system (in-body-image-stabilization-IBIS) have certainly oriented my currents choices. Ergonomic and style also, I must confess. For me, a good design must be esthetic and effective.

If I feel dedicated to do photography on a specific assignation or subject, my preferred choice of the day will be the former Olympus (now OM System) OM-D E-M5 Mark III coupled with the M.Zuiko ED 14-150mm F4-5.6 II which is not only a very versatile combination but also weatherproof. For more specific long-range subjects, the Olympus ED 75-300mm F4.8-6.7 II will be a good complement (although it is not weatherproof). The OM-D E-M5 III/ED 14-150mm II is excellent for travel and outdoor photography and it can be used for interior and lowlight situations, thanks to the IBIS of the camera*.

For a more casual and discrete companion, my Olympus Pen-F** is also excellent because of its non-intrusive presence which is good for urban subjects and interior picture catches. Coupled with a small lens such as the M.Zuiko 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 R II or the M.Zuiko ED 45mm F1.8 Premium (a personal favorite since my first Olympus EP-3 model), the Pen-F is an outstanding rangefinder style camera model. These two camera models (OM-D E-M5 III & Pen-F) are using the same 20MP image sensor and the same picture interface with the consequence that you can predict similar imagery from both the OM-D E-M5 III and the Pen-F.***

I haven't never been able to make a definite choice between rangefinder (off-lens-axis viewfinder) and SLR (on-lens-axis viewfinder) style cameras so, ownership of both the OM-D E-M5 III and the Pen-F has been imposed by itself. It gives me the opportunity at a relative low cost to cope with the two different photo gear style. You can get a similar approach toward other manufacturers like Panasonic or Fujifilm since they offer the same alternatives into their camera line.

The cameras that I love to use are the ones that inspired me to do photograph and extend my picture quest on various subjects. On a longer run, the compactness criteria have always been a basic issue and time tend to confirm that is useless to think differently. The Micro Four Third image sensor format correspond precisely to that photo equipment philosophy. Some may privilege a more cinematic approach and will choose to work with the Panasonic Lumix models which is a perfect match in that (video) case****, others like me are more traditionalists by doing mainly still photography and will rather like the OM system line of products (formerly Olympus). At the end it is up to you to considerer your own feelings about the tools you like to work with.
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* Internal camera sensor stabilization (IBIS) has become an essential feature for me partly because I like the optionality to use non-optical-stabilized lenses (OIS).
** If you can still find one, just buy it!
*** If you ask me what would be my professional choices (in consideration of the more intensive use of the camera/lens into more demanding contextual situations), I will surely opt for the OM-D E-M1 II or III plus the M.Zuiko Pro zoom lens duet, 12-40mm F2.8 and 40-150mm F2.8 (with one camera body for each lens). But those professional exigences are now a think of the past in regard of my day-to-day concern.

**** Although the Panasonic Lumix G9, G85/G80 and G95/G90 (all weather resistant) have also excellent ergonomic and performance  for still photography.

© Photos Daniel M: OM-D E-M5 II/ED 14-150mm II; Pen-F/45mm F1.8; OM-D E-M5 III/ED 14-150mm II

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III: The everyday space traveller!!!

Why am I no more very attracted by the newest camera model? Is it fatigue of being bullied by novelties that cannot ever satisfied the photo gear Web reviewers of this planet? I cannot say but as a photographer, I can only state that the search of technical specification performance has seem to overshadow the pleasure to adopt a tool for producing an interesting imagery to share.

This is a big introduction to justify my new camera model adoption, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III. What can I say more that I am late in the show of these fantastic and famous photo gear reviewers of this photo sphere? Perfect for me, I don’t want to compete with their marvelous knowledge on equipment performances. As a secret between us, many of them don’t understand that, at the end, they are only a perfect marketing tool to be manipulate (Shut up! Don’t tell them!).

Olympus has really enhanced the Micro Four Third format (MFT) with the introduction of the original OM-D E-M5 for the (still) photographer as Panasonic have done with their GH series for the MFT videographers. It was not so far ago (9 years) but it is easy to forget the impact of the first Olympus OM-D E-M5.

Most MFT still photographers will certainly agree with one of the biggest advantages of this format system is its compactness and the Olympus OM-D E-M5 different versions are in complete accordance with this fundamental characteristic. The OM-D E-M5 Mark III is small, but not too, and is light at a point that some photographic gear reviewers were a bit deceive by the "plastic" feeling they proclaim to had when holding the camera model, the first time but honestly, I didn't have this impression. Holding the OM-D E-M5 Mark III a day long prove to be a lot more friendly experience for the less physical strength it is asking compare to the bigger image sensor format camera models. Couple with a standard zoom lens, the combination camera body and optic is becoming a pleasure to work with in many contexts and for various subjects.

At last, a real and practical viewfinder for the (eye glassed) photographers!

It always has been a rarity to find a camera model that will suit the need for photographers who are wearing eyeglasses, to be able to see the entire image frame through its viewfinder. Many camera models have an eye relief (the distance between the looking eye and the viewfinder ocular front glass) which is already limit for the naked eye for a complete "corner to corner" appreciation of the picture. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III have solved the problem by extending its viewfinder eye relief up to 27mm (compare, for two examples, to 20mm for the Olympus Pen-F and to 21mm for the OM-D E-M1 Mark III). In doing so, the OM-D E-M5 Mark III offer an almost exclusive advantage to photographers who are privileging the extended use of the viewfinder during their photo taking session.

An "all-around" photo device

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is often presented as a travel camera model in regard of its weather resistant qualities (especially if you combine it with an appropriate weather resistant lens). That can be a bit reducing about the ability of the OM-D E-M5 III to withstand in various adverse conditions that can be encounter even in your own backyard! Because of this useful characteristic, there is almost no limitation to bring with you the OM-D E-M5 III into different photographic contexts. Cold, rain, humid atmosphere or sandy wind won't prevent yourself to take original pictures providing you take a special care of the after-session camera cleaning.

Handling is a too personal sensation...

Speaking about the handling comfort of a camera model is a very tricky business. It depends on a lot of our specific morphologic attributes and our own perception to how we like to interact with a photo device. In one word, if you feel comfortable to handhold the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and if the control dials and function buttons are stimulating their use, you can say that is a good design that fit your personal approach of this photographic tool. It depends also which lens combination you attend to couple with the camera body. In any event, Olympus/OM Digital Solutions have proposed an optional hand grip (with shutter release button and front control dial), the ECG-5, that could satisfy action photographers that are intending to use bigger size and heavier lenses with the OM-D E-M5 III.

Interface for all

This modest personal short review won't try to substitute the operating manual of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III. What we can state as a general rule for most of the modern digital camera models with interchangeable lens (ILS) is that the possibilities of different functional configurations are surpassing almost every aspects of the photographer specific demands. And the big challenge is in fact to learn how to use the multiple camera settings. My only suggestion is to invest your spear time to experiment and get use of the OM-D E-M5 III because that is always paying off at the critical moment of a photo shooting session or event. And be sure to stay with the optimal image quality available in regard of the circumstances (which will definitively pay in return if you intend to post-edit more extendedly your pictures after).

Some have said that the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III have a more simplified interface than other OM-D or Pen models and it is true (like having only one custom mode (OM-D E-M5 III) compare to four (!) custom modes for the Pen-F for example). My question, do we really need four custom modes that we will have difficulties to remember the content? But others may argue that they prefer to get a more direct control from dials and function buttons instead of a quick menu option. Yes, interfaces have to be easy to apprehend and operate and some are better than others therefore we can rate the OM-D E-M5 III on an average level compare to other camera models more intuitive.

An adequate 20MP image sensor

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is equipped with the same 20MP image sensor that you will find into the flagship OM-D models such as the E-M1 Mark II and III as for the E-M1X and Pen-F. So, the picture performance is reaching the same level of quality if you are using similar exposure parameters and same optics. At the basic ISO sensibility setting (ISO 200), the results are stellar and will remain as very good or outmost acceptable up to the higher scale with, I would say, a personal limit of 3200. There is no real fear to recommend the OM-D E-M5 III for critical artistic works or for pro assignments.

Today bad image outputs are resulting from a misuse of the photo device by itself and except for very specific high-resolution works that are requiring true medium image sensor format (anything larger than the 35mm sensor size), the Micro Four Third format can fill the task nicely. Don’t be misled by the various and furious Web image sensor format promotors.

The different image modes that can be configure and enhanced through the various OM-D E-M5 III functionalities allow you a universe of picture variations despite that most Olympus users usually concentrate only to a few of them that suit their iconographic choices.

Technical performances are there

If you are asking you how the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III can respond in term of technical performances, you can be reassured that autofocus abilities both in still and continuous modes, the exposure metering system, the different camera in-body mechanism such as the shutter or, equally important, the stabilization system (In-Body-Image-Stabilization/IBIS), etc. are all very accurate and reliable.

The OM-D E-M5 III is performing at a pro level if you are asking for, although the camera model is not primarily designed for a very intense use into very adverse conditions, tasks reserved for their flagship models OM-D E-M1 series.

Personal and practical thoughts about the OM-D E-M5 III

We are different persons with different perceptions, different ways of doing things and different tasks to fulfill. So, it is inevitable that opinions differ, and sometimes in a broader view, regarding the same photo gear. In fact, the more generic a product is, the less it has a certain persona, the more it tends to be simply ignored. And that happens often particularly regarding photo equipment.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 series is one of the major factors that has contributed to my adhesion of the MFT system alongside with the compactness of their camera models and lenses. I loved to work with the OM-D E-M5 Mark II for a long period and even more recently. At the introduction of the OM-D E-M5 Mark III in 2019-2020, I had reserves concerning some design choices seen on this newest model. No more traditional flash PC sync port, no add-on vertical battery power pack grip (attached to the optional front handgrip), more apprehended plastic feeling although polycarbonate pieces have a better resistance to deformation, less function buttons, etc. The introducing selling price level was another deterrent especially compare with the OM-D E-M1 mark II reduced selling prices lately.

But the OM-D E-M5 III still have its own advantage with a more compact and lighter camera body with the weather resistant feature. Adverse climatic issues are part of my everyday life environment with cold temperature, sometimes high humidity, wind, rain and snow. Knowing that your camera-lens combo can withstand all these is a welcome relief. The long eye relief (27mm) of the electronic viewfinder (EVF) is another nonnegligible asset to the OM-D E-M5 III. Since I use primarily the EVF (almost all the time), a comfortable and easer complete view of the picture frame is always much appreciated. The price to pay is a reduced viewing magnification which can be partially compensated by the use of the loupe option in case of a manual focusing task.

I have selected both silver and black versions of the OM-D E-M5 III. Black got usually my preference over the silver presentation but I cannot resist to add the silver version into my old LowePro Passport photo bag. I was questioning myself about the optional Olympus EGC-5 hand grip, but after a good trial of it that the EGC-5 is a good designed grip, more confortable than the previous HLD-8 combined with the E-M5 II (the EGC-5 is less angular and more secure). We can only regret the abandon of the ancient vertical power grip companion which was very useful for its added battery power pack option and its vertical shutter release button. The optional hand grip should be very useful when a heaver and longer in size lens is combined with the camera body (I can't help myself to be a bit disappointed by the abandon of the vertical grip with shutter release because there are many photo taking contexts (Portrait, action, birding, etc.) where it is so practical in offering a good comfort for long period of time of vertical framing).

My long-time struggle with any auto-focus system have started right with the introduction of the Nikon F4 and has continued since the introduction at large of this demoniac feature. Even in action photography, I use to be a pre-focus photographic person who doesn't have a strong confidence about any autofocus system pretention. Again, the OM-D E-M5 III make no exception in my (highly) subjective book. Is a camera can being so intelligent to be able to anticipate my creative mood? I hope not because it will deny the utility of my implication in this world. Suffice to say that the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III have plenty of autofocusing options to confuse yourself for more than a decade! The bravest of our photo community will certainly experiment them ad nauseam!

In single mode (S-AF) the auto-focus system is efficient and fairly fast for doing pre-focusing on the subject. In continuous auto-focus mode with tracking (C-AF TR), The interface is easy to set on the main subject to follow and surpriselly reliable. These two auto-focusing settings are the ones that I am using the more often in static (S-AF M) and action (C-AF TR) contexts.

The advancement of the exposure metering systems and the great exposure latitude of the digital image sensors have been extraordinary during the last decades. For a more spontaneous photographer like myself who is also an adept of pre-set camera configurations, it is a very welcome technical revolution. It allows you to concenter to basic important parameters such as sensibility (ISO), lens aperture (Deep of Field), shutter speed and overall exposure compensation. There is no doubt that the OM-D E-M5 III is a very serious and competent tool in that essential photographic matter.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is a fairly recent product, one of the last designed and produced under the previous Olympus administration before the taking over by OM Digital Solutions who seems to take their full time to analyze and determine what kind of future the Olympus/OM line of products will be. So, we don’t really know if changes will occur and to what extent. But we suspect with all the already mature Olympus products of the present time that no big departure from the recent past of the MFT system should be introduced. The rest is pure speculation that many reviewers often confound with their own opinions.

How many pictures we use to do in, let say, one year? Suppose a daily rhythm of 50 pics that is translated in a year total of 20K on the camera shutter release counter. Now supposing also that a camera model is designed for a minimum lifespan of 100K, you may anticipate a total use of 5 years minimum and considering this is a minimum, you can probably extend those figures for, at least, a few years. And the technological advancements will probably overpass the simple durability of the camera model.

Is the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III a creative photographic tool*? Surely, considering its practical design, its good performance and durability and its compactness. Some design choices have been nice enhancements (re: 20MP sensor, autofocus performances, EVF) from the previous model (E-M5 II), others can be more disputable (re: no vertical grip) but as a "go every day" camera, the OM-D E-M5 III is an excellent compact companion**.
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* As usual, I hadn't evaluate the video capabilities of the OM-D E-M5 III.

** I am rating this OM-D E-M5 Mark III higher than its predecessor version (Mark II) considering its obvious heritage from the OM-D E-M1 II flagship model with two reserve observations: the abandon of the vertical power grip HLD-6P (seen on the previous E-M5 and E-M5 II) and the impossibility to preserve (upload and download) the owner interface configurations though the Olympus Workspace software as it was in the past for the previous E-M5 II and Pen-F.

Beige-O-Thon

 

Beige is the color that some will call insipid, tasteless, washy, savorless, etc. But seing as a monochrome rendering, I have found beige interesting especially without the distraction of other colors.