Review Date: June 20, 2012
Category: Serious to Advanced
Olympus OM-D E-M5
Photoxels Editor’s Choice 2012 – Interchangeable Lens Camera
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review is based on a production model. All sample images are unretouched, except where specified.
Impressions. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 makes a big impression with lightning fast AF, excellent image quality and manual controls that make the camera fast and enjoyable to use. It’s an interchangeable lens camera that, once you’ve taken the time to set it up the way you like to work, will delight the enthusiast or pro photographer.
The OM-D E-M5 wants to borrow from the OM DNA and succeeds in its own way: it does not quite look like an OM DSLR, but in its compactness and ease of use, it certainly strikes a chord with many photographers tired of lugging a heavy camera and lenses. The E-M5, with its clean attractive lines, is a beautiful camera, especially in its silver version. Behind the magnesium alloy and aluminum exterior is a mean machine that will take pictures as fast as you can click the shutter, focus precisely and fast, and deliver excellent image quality with low noise high ISO capability. Build quality is excellent with weather sealing in both the camera and 12-50mm kit lens. The tiltable LCD adds a welcomed level of convenience.
Set the E-M5 on iAUTO and the beginner photographer will get great results. A Main Dial, Sub Dial, Mode Dial and Super Control Panel provide a high level of control for the more advanced photographer. An almost inexhaustible supply of customization options should satisfy even the most idiosyncratic customization need.
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is a perfect walk around camera for advanced photographers as well as a better choice than one of the high end compact digicam or entry-level DSLR for beginner photographers. Compact, light and with superior performance, the OM-D E-M5 is what the future of mirrorless DSLR looks like now. Highly recommended and awarded our Editor’s Choice.
Next: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Image Quality