Since their launch in 2009, the Olympus Digital Pen (E-P) series of interchangeable-lens cameras have become very popular. To date, eight Digital Pen cameras have been introduced. While the E-P series will continue, Olympus is expanding its scope with a second series. The OM-D series have classic styling, reminiscent of 35mm SLRs, like Olympus' OM-10 of 1979. The first OM-D model, the EM5, offers the best of both worlds: classic DSLR styling with the benefits of the more portable mirrorless Compact System Cameras (CSC) like the E-P3.

In a nutshell, the new 16 megapixel EM-5 is a Micro Four Thirds model without a reflex mirror or pentaprism, just like the E-P series (as discussed later), but with retro styling, including a pseudo pentaprism. It's encased in a rugged metal chassis, with a built-in electronic viewfinder and some large external controls. It will be highly competitive with many DLSRs in terms of continuous drive speed, an effective image stabilizer, large tilting external screen and an excellent electronic viewfinder. According to Olympus, the EM-5 will provide the fastest AF of any interchangeable-lens camera on the market, when used with the new M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm EZ lens.

Primary Features

Employing the same size (18x13.5mm) sensor as the Olympus Four Thirds DSLRs and E-P series mirrorless cameras, this model offers higher resolution and speed than others of the same brand. And it provides some entirely new benefits as well as taking advantage of technology developed for other Olympus cameras or accessories. In basic specs, the E-M5 (to be available in silver/black or all black by April) is similar to the E-P3. Here's a quick overview of the most noteworthy aspects.

• Dust- and splash-proof magnesium alloy body, like the E-5 pro DSLR; new lenses and accessories are also dust- and splash-proof
• 16-megapixel LiveMos sensor optimized for high dynamic range
• Improved TruePic VI processor with great speed and offering wide dynamic range and superior high ISO quality; ISO range of 200-25,600
• New five-axis image stabilizer that can compensate for camera movement in five (not two) directions; it's virtually silent, a definite benefit in Movie mode
• Built-in electronic viewfinder with 1.44-million-dot resolution
• Tilting 3-inch OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) screen with 610,000-dot resolution and touch control for some aspects of camera operation
• Equipped with a FAST AF system like the EP-3, but even faster and now with 3D Tracking Focus for greater effectiveness in action photography
• Fast drive speed of 9.2 frames per second (fps) at full resolution; 6fps with continuous AF
• More Art Filter options than previous cameras, including a new Key-Line filter for art-like effects
• Full HD video (1920x1080/60i) with a new Echo special effects option
• Hot shoe accepts the small tilting external flash unit that's included, and optional FL flash units; it can trigger remote flash units without wired connection to the camera

Preliminary Evaluation

During a press meeting with Olympus staff in January, I had an opportunity of handling the new E-M5 and snapping off dozens of shots. Since this was an early pre-production camera, I cannot comment on image quality. And an evaluation of other aspects like autofocus reliability in various lighting conditions and with action subjects will also need to await testing. However, consider the following preliminary assessments.

Styling/handling: With its pentaprism-like hump and two large knurled, metal knobs (mode dial and input dial) the E-M5 exudes a retro-SLR look when viewed from the top or front. The back panel is more typical of digital cameras, featuring the usual buttons and four-way controller. The designers also provided two valuable controls, Fn1 and Fn2 buttons; the function of each can be customized to provide the specific desired function.

Size/weight: The E-M5 is substantially smaller and lighter than a DSLR since (like the E-P series) it omits the reflex mirror mechanism and pentaprism assembly. That allowed for a shorter distance from the lens mount to the sensor so the body is much slimmer, and hence, lighter. It also allowed for a lens mount of narrower diameter, so the Micro Four Thirds lenses are more compact than the Four Thirds series used by the Olympus DSLRs.

The specs indicate a size of 121 x 90 x 42mm (w/h/d) and weight of 373 grams. By comparison, the entry-level E-620 DSLR is larger, and especially thicker, at 130 x 94 x 60mm, and hefty at 475g. Since this is the first Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera with a built-in electronic viewfinder, it is larger than the Olympus Pen models like the E-P3 (122 x 69 x 34mm) but only 52g heavier. The E-M5 is a bit small for my large hands, but the protruding grip offers some security when holding the camera. Even so, I would want the new Power Battery Holder (discussed later) for a bit of extra mass, and its secondary set of controls, whch increase convenience when shooting in a vertical orientation.

Sensor and processor: It's worth reiterating that the Micro Four Thirds cameras employ the same size sensor (18x13.5mm) as the Olympus Four Thirds DSLRs. This chip is roughly eight times larger than the sensor used in a typical Olympus camera with a built-in lens, so the pixels are also larger. That allows for greater light-gathering ability for better dynamic range (highlight/shadow detail). Because less amplification of the digital signal is required, images made at ISO 400 and above should be "cleaner," exhibiting less digital noise; that minimizes the need for strong noise-reduction processing, which can smudge intricate detail.

Olympus staff emphasized the fact that the improved sensor and TruePic Vi processor were optimized for wide dynamic range and superior image quality. They predicted that it would provide a one-stop improvement in high-ISO quality compared to the latest E-P camera. In other words, images made at ISO 1600 should resemble those made at ISO 800 with the latest Olympus Compact System Camera, the 12.3MP E-P3.

Viewfinder and OLED screen: The built-in EVF is similar in most aspects to the optional VF-2 accessory for the E-P series, including the 1.44-million-dot resolution. It provides a very bright, contrasty display, with a 100% field of view and high 1.15x magnification. A high refresh rate of 60fps minimizes ghosting with moving subjects. The diopter correction dial is very useful for those with less-than-perfect vision.

Like the E-P3, the E-M5 employs an OLED (not LCD) screen with 610,000-dot resolution and touch control for some camera operations. Anyone who loves using other touchscreen devices should love this one; as a bonus, it can be tilted. At a touch of a finger it will focus on the spot you specify and take the picture almost instantly, or scroll through images in Playback mode. The primary advantages of an OLED screen are greater power efficiency, a wider range of colours (gamut) for more accurate reproduction and higher contrast for a more realistic looking display. As well, the refresh rate is 1000x quicker, for a smoother rendition, which is especially useful when viewing videos in Playback mode.

Video capture: At a time when most high-end cameras record video in the AVCHD or the newer AVCHD 2 (Progressive) format, Olympus decided to stick with MPEG-4 (MOV). That's a definite benefit for those who want to edit their videos in a computer, since MPEG-4 editing does not require expensive pro software.

According to an Olympus rep, they have also solved the problem of rolling shutter effect (also called Jellocam), which common in video capture with still cameras using CMOS sensors. This effect causes vertical subjects that are moving horizontally to appear to be tilting or wobbling. The distortion occurs because the image data is captured section by section as the shutter opening moves across the sensor. (By comparison, still camera and camcorders with CCD sensors capture the data simultaneously across the frame.) In any event, the E-M5 should produce better videos when shooting action subjects or when the camera is panned.

Speed: The pre-production sample that I tried was amazingly fast in all respects. Even indoors it focused quickly and reliably with various new M. Zuiko Digital lenses. And when using a fast shutter speed, it could blast off JPEGs at an incredible 9.2 frames per second, making it faster than most DSLR cameras. Granted, that slowed to 6fps when the camera was set for continuous autofocus but even that is unusually fast.

New Accessories

The latest lenses and accessories from Olympus are all dust- and splash-proof, including the Power Battery Holder (grip) HLD-6, which has a secondary set of controls. It's strictly for the E-M5; but the others, discussed below, are also compatible with the E-P series of cameras.

• M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm EZ lens, with an electric zoom motor as well as conventional mechanical zoom and an improved MSC (Movie Still Compatible) focus motor
• M. Zuiko ED 75mm f/1.8 lens (150mm equivalent)
• M. Zuiko ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens, with a four-stage focus limiter and built-in lens hood
• Flash FL-60R with a GN of 50 at ISO 200, with a built-in also constant LED light for video
• Adapter MMF-3 for using the larger Four Thirds lenses with any Micro Four Thirds camera

The Bottom Line

Not much larger or heavier than an E-P3 with an optional electronic viewfinder, the E-M5 looks and feels like a more serious camera, making it more appealing to some serious shooters. It also offers more classic styling and some significant benefits, including a splash-proof body, higher resolution, more effective image stabilizer, a tilting screen and even greater speed. I'll be testing this Olympus camera when it becomes available, but superior quality at high ISO and in videos should make it particularly desirable.

The only drawback is the higher price, $1,000 (body only), or $1,300 for a kit with the ED 12-50mm EZ lens as compared to $900 for the E-P3 with a conventional 14-42mm II R lens. Of course, when you buy the E-M5 you get the (built-in) electronic viewfinder, which is an extra-cost accessory for E-P series ($180 or $270, depending on the EVF model). In my estimation, the first OM-D camera offers good value in terms of styling, ruggedness and sophisticated technology, as well as pride of ownership. If you appreciate the portability, as well as intangibles such as OM SLR styling and a bit of exclusivity, this classy imaging tool may be just right for you.

Article Tags:  Olympus, OM-D, E-M5, mirrorless, Micro Four Thirds, interchangeable lens, Zuiko, DSLR, HLD-6, Digital Pen, E-P3, preview, Canada, Burian