Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II review

Three years ago Olympus turned the compact system camera market on its head with the launch of the OM-D E-M5. This enthusiast-oriented model packed a groundbreaking 5-axis image stabilisation system into its compact, weatherproof, and handsomely retro-styled body.

Excellent JPEG image quality; Fast; responsive operation; Robust; weather-resistant body; Almost all controls can be customised to suit the user

Complex menus are difficult to master; Connectors interfere with articulated screen; Raw image quality can't quite match larger sensor cameras

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II

The E-M5 Mark II is the new flagship Micro Four Thirds compact system camera from Olympus. The third model in the range of cameras dubbed OM-D, the E-M5 Mark II is a classically styled 16.1 megapixel model that offers the world's most effective 5-axis image stabilisation system, rated for up to...

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II ($1,099.99, body only) is the long-awaited follow-up to one of our favorite mirrorless cameras , the E-M5 . The Mark II builds on its predecessor's features, adding Wi-Fi, improving image stabilization, and adding an innovative high-resolution image capture mode.

Compact; Quick 10.4fps burst rate; Sharp EVF; Vari-angle touch-screen LCD; Excellent control layout; 40-megapixel High Res mode; In-body image stabilization; Weather-sealed design; Large lens library; PC sync socket; Wi-Fi

Limited shots per burst; High Res mode requires sturdy tripod and static subject; Subject tracking disappoints; Omits built-in flash; Lacks 4K support

Olympus OMD EM5 Mark II Review

It should be clear by now I'm very fond of the OMD EM5 Mark II. It improves on two bodies I already liked a lot, taking the best of both, improving some aspects and adding more besides.

Small weatherproof body with great controls; Fantastic built-in stabilization works with any lens; Big; detailed viewfinder and fully-articulated touch screen; Fast accurate focusing with great face and eye detection; Built-in Wifi with powerful mobile app.

Native image quality similar to previous models; 40MP mode requires specific conditions and lenses to shine; Continuous AF becomes less confident with fast subjects; Timelapse and miniature movies encoded at low frame rate; Slow wakeup when Quick Sleep is enabled

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II

The Olympus E-M5 Mark II is a compact system camera with a Micro Four-Thirds sensor, and the sequel to 2012's OM-D E-M5 . We flat-out loved that camera. This update successfully adds to the winning design without spoiling what was so great about the original.

Great 5-axis OIS; Excellent handling and controls; Much-improved EVF

No 4K video; Lesser detail and high ISO performance than some