Olympus E-5 vs OM System OM-1 II
The Olympus E-5 and the OM System OM-1 II are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in September 2010 and January 2024. The E-5 is a DSLR, while the OM-1 II is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with a Four Thirds sensor. The Olympus has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the OM System provides 20.2 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Olympus E-5 and the OM System OM-1 II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Olympus E-5 and the OM System OM-1 II is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.



If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the OM System OM-1 II is notably smaller (25 percent) than the Olympus E-5. Moreover, the OM-1 II is markedly lighter (31 percent) than the E-5. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Both cameras have similarly sized sensors, but DSLRs have a larger flange-to-focal plane distance than mirrorless cameras, which imposes contraints on the optical engineering process and generally leads to bigger and heavier lenses. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-5) and the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (OM-1 II). Mirrorless cameras, such as the OM-1 II, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance.
Concerning battery life, the E-5 gets 750 shots out of its Olympus BLM-5 battery, while the OM-1 II can take 500 images on a single charge of its OM System BLX-1 power pack. The power pack in the OM-1 II can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Olympus E-5 | 142 mm | 117 mm | 75 mm | 873 g | 750 | Y | Sep 2010 | US$ 1 699 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | OM System OM-1 II | 135 mm | 92 mm | 73 mm | 599 g | 500 | Y | Jan 2024 | US$ 2 399 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Olympus E-1 | 141 mm | 104 mm | 81 mm | 738 g | 750 | Y | Jun 2003 | US$ 1 699 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Olympus E-3 | 142 mm | 116 mm | 75 mm | 876 g | 750 | Y | Oct 2007 | US$ 1 699 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Olympus E-30 | 142 mm | 108 mm | 75 mm | 701 g | 750 | n | Nov 2008 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Olympus E-510 | 136 mm | 92 mm | 68 mm | 538 g | 750 | n | Mar 2007 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Olympus E-520 | 136 mm | 92 mm | 68 mm | 535 g | 750 | n | May 2008 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Olympus E-600 | 130 mm | 94 mm | 60 mm | 535 g | 500 | n | Aug 2009 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Olympus E-620 | 130 mm | 94 mm | 60 mm | 521 g | 500 | n | Feb 2009 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Olympus E-M1 II | 134 mm | 91 mm | 67 mm | 574 g | 440 | Y | Sep 2016 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Olympus E-P1 | 121 mm | 70 mm | 36 mm | 355 g | 300 | n | Jun 2009 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Olympus E-P2 | 121 mm | 70 mm | 36 mm | 355 g | 300 | n | Nov 2009 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Olympus E-PL1 | 115 mm | 72 mm | 42 mm | 334 g | 290 | n | Feb 2010 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | OM System OM-1 | 135 mm | 92 mm | 73 mm | 599 g | 520 | Y | Feb 2022 | US$ 2 199 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | OM System OM-3 | 139 mm | 89 mm | 46 mm | 496 g | 590 | Y | Feb 2025 | US$ 1 999 | amazon.com | |
| 16. | OM System OM-5 II | 125 mm | 85 mm | 50 mm | 414 g | 310 | Y | Jun 2025 | US$ 1 199 | amazon.com | |
| 17. | Panasonic GH5 | 139 mm | 98 mm | 87 mm | 725 g | 410 | Y | Jan 2017 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The E-5 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 29 percent) than the OM-1 II, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.
Sensor comparison
The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.
Both cameras under consideration feature a Four Thirds sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.
Technology-wise, the OM-1 II uses a more advanced image processing engine (TruePic X) than the E-5 (TruePic V+), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the OM-1 II offers a higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 12.2 MP of the E-5. This megapixels advantage translates into a 29 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the OM-1 II has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.34μm versus 4.29μm for the E-5). However, it should be noted that the OM-1 II is much more recent (by 13 years and 4 months) than the E-5, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that compensate for the smaller pixel size. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the OM-1 II has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.
The resolution advantage of the OM System OM-1 II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the OM-1 II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-5 are 20.2 x 15.1 inches or 51.2 x 38.4 cm for good quality, 16.1 x 12.1 inches or 41 x 30.7 cm for very good quality, and 13.4 x 10.1 inches or 34.1 x 25.6 cm for excellent quality prints.
The OM-1 II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.
Unlike the E-5, the OM-1 II has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (80MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).
The Olympus E-5 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the OM System OM-1 II are ISO 80 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-102400.
In terms of underlying technology, the E-5 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the OM-1 II uses a Stacked BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Olympus E-5 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | 720/30p | 21.6 | 10.5 | 519 | 56 | |
| 2. | OM System OM-1 II | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/60p | 23.4 | 13.6 | 1749 | 78 | |
| 3. | Olympus E-1 | Four Thirds | 4.9 | 2560 | 1920 | none | 20.0 | 9.7 | -145 | 44 | |
| 4. | Olympus E-3 | Four Thirds | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | none | 21.6 | 10.5 | 571 | 56 | |
| 5. | Olympus E-30 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | none | 21.3 | 10.4 | 530 | 55 | |
| 6. | Olympus E-510 | Four Thirds | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | none | 21.2 | 10.0 | 442 | 52 | |
| 7. | Olympus E-520 | Four Thirds | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | none | 21.4 | 10.4 | 548 | 55 | |
| 8. | Olympus E-600 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | none | 21.5 | 10.3 | 541 | 55 | |
| 9. | Olympus E-620 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | none | 21.3 | 10.3 | 536 | 55 | |
| 10. | Olympus E-M1 II | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 23.7 | 12.8 | 1312 | 80 | |
| 11. | Olympus E-P1 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | 720/30p | 21.4 | 10.4 | 536 | 55 | |
| 12. | Olympus E-P2 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | 720/30p | 21.5 | 10.4 | 505 | 56 | |
| 13. | Olympus E-PL1 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | 720/30p | 21.5 | 10.1 | 487 | 54 | |
| 14. | OM System OM-1 | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/60p | 23.4 | 13.4 | 1553 | 77 | |
| 15. | OM System OM-3 | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/60p | 23.4 | 13.7 | 1852 | 78 | |
| 16. | OM System OM-5 II | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 23.4 | 13.7 | 1889 | 78 | |
| 17. | Panasonic GH5 | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/60p | 23.9 | 13.0 | 807 | 77 | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the OM-1 II provides a better video resolution than the E-5. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/60p, while the Olympus is limited to 720/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the OM-1 II has an electronic viewfinder (5760k dots), while the E-5 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the OM-1 II has a higher magnification than the one of the E-5 (0.82x vs 0.58x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Olympus E-5, the OM System OM-1 II, and comparable cameras.

| Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Olympus E-5 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 920 | swivel | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 2. | OM System OM-1 II | 5760 | n | 3.0 / 1640 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
| 3. | Olympus E-1 | optical | Y | 1.8 / 134 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | n | n | |
| 4. | Olympus E-3 | optical | Y | 2.5 / 230 | swivel | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 5. | Olympus E-30 | optical | Y | 2.7 / 230 | swivel | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 6. | Olympus E-510 | optical | n | 2.5 / 215 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 7. | Olympus E-520 | optical | n | 2.7 / 215 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.5/s | Y | Y | |
| 8. | Olympus E-600 | optical | n | 2.7 / 230 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 4.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 9. | Olympus E-620 | optical | n | 2.7 / 230 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 4.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 10. | Olympus E-M1 II | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1037 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 18.0/s | n | Y | |
| 11. | Olympus E-P1 | none | n | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | n | Y | |
| 12. | Olympus E-P2 | optional | n | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | n | Y | |
| 13. | Olympus E-PL1 | optional | n | 2.7 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 3.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 14. | OM System OM-1 | 5760 | n | 3.0 / 1640 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
| 15. | OM System OM-3 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1640 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 6.0/s | n | Y | |
| 16. | OM System OM-5 II | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
| 17. | Panasonic GH5 | 3680 | n | 3.2 / 1620 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | Y | |
| Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. | |||||||||||
One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The E-5 has one, while the OM-1 II does not. While the built-in flash of the E-5 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.
Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the OM-1 II is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).
The OM System OM-1 II has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.
The E-5 writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or xD Picture cards, while the OM-1 II uses SDXC cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Olympus E-5 and OM System OM-1 II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Olympus E-5 | Y | stereo / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 2. | OM System OM-1 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 3. | Olympus E-1 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 4. | Olympus E-3 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 5. | Olympus E-30 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 6. | Olympus E-510 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 7. | Olympus E-520 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 8. | Olympus E-600 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 9. | Olympus E-620 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 10. | Olympus E-M1 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 11. | Olympus E-P1 | Y | stereo / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 12. | Olympus E-P2 | Y | stereo / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 13. | Olympus E-PL1 | Y | stereo / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 14. | OM System OM-1 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 15. | OM System OM-3 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 16. | OM System OM-5 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 17. | Panasonic GH5 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y |
It is notable that the OM-1 II offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the E-5 does not provide wifi capability.
Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.
The OM-1 II is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of OM System. In contrast, the E-5 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the E-5 from Olympus. Further information on the features and operation of the E-5 and OM-1 II can be found, respectively, in the Olympus E-5 Manual (free pdf) or the online OM System OM-1 II Manual.
Review summary
So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Olympus E-5 and the OM System OM-1 II? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Olympus E-5:
- Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
- Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
- Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
- Longer lasting: Can take more shots (750 versus 500) on a single battery charge.
- Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (29 percent cheaper at launch).
- More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2010).

Arguments in favor of the OM System OM-1 II:
- More detail: Has more megapixels (20.2 vs 12.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 29%.
- Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
- High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
- Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (TruePic X vs TruePic V+).
- Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/60p vs 720/30p).
- Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
- Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
- Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
- More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
- Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.82x vs 0.58x).
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1640k vs 920k dots).
- Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
- Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
- More compact: Is smaller (135x92mm vs 142x117mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 274g or 31 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
- Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
- Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
- Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
- More modern: Reflects 13 years and 4 months of technical progress since the E-5 launch.
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the OM-1 II is the clear winner of the contest (23 : 7 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Olympus E-5 and the OM System OM-1 II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the E-5 or the OM-1 II. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
Expert reviews
This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

| Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Olympus E-5 | 4/5 | .. | .. | 75/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2010 | US$ 1 699 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | OM System OM-1 II | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jan 2024 | US$ 2 399 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Olympus E-1 | .. | .. | .. | + | o | .. | Jun 2003 | US$ 1 699 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Olympus E-3 | .. | 88/100 | .. | + + | o | 4/5 | Oct 2007 | US$ 1 699 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Olympus E-30 | .. | .. | .. | 71/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Nov 2008 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Olympus E-510 | .. | 89/100 | .. | + + | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Mar 2007 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Olympus E-520 | .. | 87/100 | .. | + + | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | May 2008 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Olympus E-600 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | Aug 2009 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Olympus E-620 | 3/5 | 88/100 | .. | 72/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Feb 2009 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Olympus E-M1 II | 5/5 | + + | 5/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2016 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Olympus E-P1 | .. | + | .. | 66/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2009 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Olympus E-P2 | 3/5 | + | .. | 69/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Nov 2009 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Olympus E-PL1 | .. | 86/100 | .. | 69/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2010 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | OM System OM-1 | 5/5 | .. | .. | 87/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2022 | US$ 2 199 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | OM System OM-3 | .. | .. | .. | 86/100 | .. | .. | Feb 2025 | US$ 1 999 | amazon.com | |
| 16. | OM System OM-5 II | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jun 2025 | US$ 1 199 | amazon.com | |
| 17. | Panasonic GH5 | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jan 2017 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. | |||||||||||
Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
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Specifications: Olympus E-5 vs OM System OM-1 II
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
| Camera Model | Olympus E-5 | OM System OM-1 II |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | Mirrorless system camera |
| Camera Lens | Four Thirds lenses | Micro Four Thirds lenses |
| Launch Date | September 2010 | January 2024 |
| Launch Price | USD 1,699 | USD 2,399 |
| Sensor Specs | Olympus E-5 | OM System OM-1 II |
| Sensor Technology | CMOS | Stacked BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor Format | Four Thirds Sensor | Four Thirds Sensor |
| Sensor Size | 17.3 x 13.0 mm | 17.3 x 13.0 mm |
| Sensor Area | 224.9 mm2 | 224.9 mm2 |
| Sensor Diagonal | 21.6 mm | 21.6 mm |
| Crop Factor | 2.0x | 2.0x |
| Sensor Resolution | 12.2 Megapixels | 20.2 Megapixels |
| Image Resolution | 4032 x 3024 pixels | 5184 x 3888 pixels |
| Pixel Pitch | 4.29 μm | 3.34 μm |
| Pixel Density | 5.42 MP/cm2 | 8.96 MP/cm2 |
| Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | no AA filter |
| Movie Capability | 720/30p Video | 4K/60p Video |
| ISO Setting | 100 - 6,400 ISO | 80 - 25,600 ISO |
| ISO Boost | no Enhancement | 80 - 102,400 ISO |
| Image Processor | TruePic V+ | TruePic X |
| DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 56 | .. |
| DXO Color Depth (bits) | 21.6 | .. |
| DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 10.5 | .. |
| DXO Low Light (ISO) | 519 | .. |
| Screen Specs | Olympus E-5 | OM System OM-1 II |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | Electronic viewfinder |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.58x | 0.82x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 5760k dots | |
| Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | no Top Display |
| LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
| Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.0inch |
| LCD Resolution | 920k dots | 1640k dots |
| LCD Attachment | Swivel screen | Swivel screen |
| Touch Input | no Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
| Shooting Specs | Olympus E-5 | OM System OM-1 II |
| Focus System | Phase-detect AF | On-Sensor Phase-detect |
| Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | Focus Peaking |
| Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
| Continuous Shooting | 5 shutter flaps/s | 10 shutter flaps/s |
| Shutter Life Expectancy | 150 000 actuations | 400 000 actuations |
| Electronic Shutter | no E-Shutter | up to 1/32000s |
| Time-Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | Intervalometer built-in |
| Image Stabilization | In-body stabilization | In-body stabilization |
| Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | no On-Board Flash |
| Storage Medium | CF or XD cards | SDXC cards |
| Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | Dual card slots |
| Connectivity Specs | Olympus E-5 | OM System OM-1 II |
| External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
| Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | PC Sync socket |
| USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 3.0 |
| HDMI Port | mini HDMI | micro HDMI |
| Microphone Port | no MIC socket | External MIC port |
| Headphone Socket | no Headphone port | Headphone port |
| Wifi Support | no Wifi | Wifi built-in |
| Bluetooth Support | no Bluetooth | Bluetooth built-in |
| Body Specs | Olympus E-5 | OM System OM-1 II |
| Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | Weathersealed body |
| Battery Type | Olympus BLM-5 | OM System BLX-1 |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 750 shots per charge | 500 shots per charge |
| In-Camera Charging | no USB charging | USB charging |
| Body Dimensions |
142 x 117 x 75 mm (5.6 x 4.6 x 3.0 in) |
135 x 92 x 73 mm (5.3 x 3.6 x 2.9 in) |
| Camera Weight | 873 g (30.8 oz) | 599 g (21.1 oz) |

Check E-5 offers at
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Check OM-1 II price at
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