Is the OM System OM-5 the ultimate travel reportage camera or just a 2022 re-release of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 mark III?

One thing is for sure – there are three remarkable features of this camera which are often overlooked.

The Processor

Introduced for the Olympus E-M1 mark III flagship model, the TruePic IX processor was originally intended to work with the high power battery pack BLH-1. Nonetheless, the OM System engineering team managed to make it work with the much smaller BLS batteries the OM-5 is using. Don’t forget that these where initially intended for E-400 series DSLRs and PEN cameras.

The Handling

What I also learned to appreciate is the grip design. Although the hand grip appears to be very small at first glance, it is actually very comfortable in practice.

When it comes to cameras, how buttons and dials feel and how the shutter sounds are very important to me. I immediately noticed two attributes: First, the precision and mechanical feedback of all control elements and the dampened shutter sound. Especially the latter was very noticeable to me.

The Viewfinder

One of the most important aspects of a camera is its viewfinder. On paper, the OM-5’s viewfinder is not really spectacular, but for the serious reportage photographer it is a potential game changer in practice: It offers a high eye point that outclasses even the legendary Nikon F3HP.

For people with glasses, it is a relief to be able to work with the camera without taking them off or having to scan the frame with the eyeball.

Even when you are not wearing glasses, the possibility to view the whole viewfinder at one glance is just very convenient.