I spent months looking at the specs of this, reading reviews and wondering if i could justify the price. I already have a couple of other cameras - one's too big to carry around, the other is an older olympus pen epl1 model. I wanted something that gave me updated features that i would use often. I already use the epl1 almost everyday, but was tempted by the up to date features of this model to want to upgrade.
This is a lovely looking model in silver. It is light enough to carry in my bag everyday, which is what i wanted. I managed to get a free viewfinder with a deal from olympus for people that had recently bought the camera. The viewfinder is a welcome addition, it does bulk the model up a little, but worth it if you prefer using that to the screen. I can't say i have used the tilting feature of the screen very much.
A beautiful quality built camera. A beautiful quality built camera. A camera for the enthusiast. It dose lots of things and more. Even as a reasonably experienced photographer the quantitity of information supplied in the manual needs time to digest.
Pros
- Upgrade from the e-p3
- reasons to be cheerful
- Why did I hesitate
- I love this Camera!
- A very good still photo camera if bit expensive
- A beautiful quality built camera
Features of Olympus PEN E-P5 Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Camera - Silver (16.1MP, Live MOS, M.Zuiko 14-42mm II R Lens) 3.0 inch Tiltable Touchscreen LCD
- Unique, full metal retro design with no visible screws in normal use
- The best ever image quality achieved by a PEN
- First-ever 1/8000th second mechanical shutter speed in the compact system camera category
- Built-in WiFi with smartphone interactivity
- FAST AF with Super Spot AF and Touch Shutter AF
To enlarge, please click on the image.
Unmistakeably PEN, unequivocally premium., Inspired by the now-legendary PEN-F camera that launched in 1963, the E-P5 features many of its retro design hallmarks such as the distinctive kink along the top edge, or the metallic front section of the new E-P5 silver version with its unmistakeable "Olympus - PEN" inscription. But that's just half the story: The E-P5 has also been given a thorough design upgrade for the 21st century that's unmistakeably PEN and undeniably premium.
FAST AF with advanced capabilities., As well its ultra-fast autofocusing credentials, the FAST AF in the E-P5 also brings other impressive qualities with it. Take minute details to new extremes with Super Spot AF, which is capable of focusing on an even more specific part of your image than even a D-SLR camera – all with your fingertip. Meanwhile, the high-speed release time lag mode reduces the time between shutter release and exposure to a split-second minimum – to capture even the fastest-moving subjects.
High quality meets high speed., The E-P5 delivers the same image quality as the groundbreaking Olympus OM-D, for hotshots that match the top-end imaging standards of D-SLRs. It also features a mechanical shutter speed of up to 1/8000s – just perfect for bringing out the very best in high-speed lenses for full defocusing effects in bright shooting conditions, or for freezing fast-moving subjects from flowing water to the flapping wings of a hummingbird.
Always split-seconds from key settings., Ergonomically positioned for comfort and speed, the two dials on the E-P5 let you expand the realm of your creative expression: Simply adjust aperture and exposure, then – by changing the function of both dials with a quick flick of the lever – adjust ISO and white balance with exactly the same action. The E-P5 also gives you incredible scope to customise this lever for your own style of photography – letting you jump straight to your most-used functions to get just the results you want in the shortest possible time.
A whole WiFi world of possibilities., Thanks to its built-in WiFi capabilities, the E-P5 offers a whole host of advanced and convenient features made possible from a connection between your camera and smartphone. See your camera's live view right on your phone's touchscreen and even shoot at a distance by releasing the shutter from your phone. You can even use this feature with a timer countdown to easily include yourself in group photos. Assign GPS data to your photos, or send your selected shots straight to your phone and then share them with your friends. It's incredibly simple and fast with built-in WiFi.
Olympus PEN E-P5 Body SilverM.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II RBLN-1 Lithium-Ion BatteryBCN-1 Battery ChargerMicro Four Thirds body cap (BC-2)Shoulder StrapCB-USB6 USB CableCB-AVC3 Audio/Video cableOperating InstructionsWarranty CardOlympus Viewer 3 Software CD-ROM
Reasons to Be Cheerful. No viewfinder=============you can add one if you so wish. But it is a costly addition, almost the price of a second hand car. olympus vf-4 electronic viewfinder for mft cameras with accessory portlooks=====it has the retro aesthetic that several camera companies have aimed at. It also has dslr image quality, all in a lovely, small, compact body. Perfect?========not quite. I couldn't get the wifi-thing to work with my iphone despite trying for three days*the autofocus is fast and responsive and the look and feel, well it feels a luxury piece of kit. Although it comes at a luxury price. (*three days- well it was actually two hours but felt like three days)touchscreen===========a nice but unnecessary addition. Do you deserve a treat======================the olympus pen will not disappoint. Responsive. Looks nice to look at. Feels nice in the hand. Is there a but==============no buts, the performance is superb and aesthetically rather pleasing to look at. But i think the viewfinder accessory is expensive. I can live without it. If you can too, i can wholeheartedly recommend it. .
Why Did I Hesitate. I spent months looking at the specs of this, reading reviews and wondering if i could justify the price. I already have a couple of other cameras - one's too big to carry around, the other is an older olympus pen epl1 model. I wanted something that gave me updated features that i would use often. I already use the epl1 almost everyday, but was tempted by the up to date features of this model to want to upgrade. This is a lovely looking model in silver. It is light enough to carry in my bag everyday, which is what i wanted. I managed to get a free viewfinder with a deal from olympus for people that had recently bought the camera. The viewfinder is a welcome addition, it does bulk the model up a little, but worth it if you prefer using that to the screen. I can't say i have used the tilting feature of the screen very much. Now and then it has been useful to gain a higher vantage point, but i could live without it. The wi fi connection to my phone is a great feature. I am used to the menu on this camera, with having an earlier model, though it's quite intuitive. This camera can be used by an enthusiastic beginner (auto modes) but there is much room to grow with the camera. I would say that the camera is ideal for the photographer who wants to take things more seriously but doesn't want to carry around a dslr. The size makes it great for street photography. I have bought the great 45mm lens to go with this camera - superb! all in all, i am very glad i got this model and think i'll be using it for a few years to come. .
I Love This Camera!. I was looking for a m 4/3rds camera to replace my ageing, yet much loved, panasonic lumix gf1. After a period of research i decided upon the ep5; the iq, ease of usage, specs, build quality and price point all made this the stand out winner for 'my' needs, i. E. An everyday camera that can handle the general range of conditions under which i tend to shot, i. E. Street, social gatherings, low light situations and travel. I was also attracted to the evf & the 17mm lens included with the bundle, both items i am more then happy to have as additions to my kit. The evf v. 4 is a great addition, increasing the ep5's flexibility & usage- handy when you need it, yet comfortably stored away when not. The 17mm 1. 8 lens is a firm favourite, providing that much loved focal length for street shooters - it's fast, sharp and great for manual focusing. Esp. Now the focus peaking on the ep5 is so easy to access. I am a firm fan of olympus cameras (owning the omd em5 & a tg2) finding their usage, iq and build quality perfect for my needs. So far, the ep5 has exceeded all my expectations and i would highly recommend it. .
Product Info
- Product Dimensions: 13 x 5 x 7 cm ; 998 g
- Boxed-product Weight: 1.2 Kg
- Batteries 1 Lithium ion batteries required. (included)
- Item model number: E-P5
- ASIN: B00CQ3TO4C
Conclusion of Olympus PEN E-P5 Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Camera
These are expensive cameras, there's no doubt about it. Silver version is prettier, probably a bad thing as you don't want to 'care' too much about getting your camera bashed. While i mainly use nikon dlsrs i had been hankering after a smaller unobtrusive compact but full featured camera for some time. At one time i had an original olympus pen (the half-frame film camera) but sold it because the half frame quality was not quite sufficient compared with full frame. See the reviews on-line for this camera (dpreview has an excellent full review).
The quality of the 16 megapixel images exceeded my expectations and similarly the high iso quality up to 1600 iso is entirely acceptable. It is not a nikon d7100 nor a d800 but for something dinky and high quality to carry around with full controls for the traditional photographer i highly recommend it. A vf-4 finder is a recommended but pricy accessory although not essential to enjoy using this camera (see my review for the vf-4). The best camera is the camera that you have with you and you are likely to have this camera with you because it is so compact: just like the pens of old. Downsides, for there are downsides, include 1) the olympus menu system is messy and not brilliant and you need to go to the menus for some controls, and 2) the charger is not as good or efficient as, say, the nikon chargers.
I use the back movie button to control continuous focus just like i do with the af-l button on the back of my nikons and the function button to control iso. olympus vf-4 electronic viewfinder for mft cameras with accessory portlooks=====it has the retro aesthetic that several camera companies have aimed at. It also has dslr image quality, all in a lovely, small, compact body. I already have a couple of other cameras - one's too big to carry around, the other is an older olympus pen epl1 model. This is a lovely looking model in silver.
I managed to get a free viewfinder with a deal from olympus for people that had recently bought the camera. I am used to the menu on this camera, with having an earlier model, though it's quite intuitive. This camera can be used by an enthusiastic beginner (auto modes) but there is much room to grow with the camera. I would say that the camera is ideal for the photographer who wants to take things more seriously but doesn't want to carry around a dslr. I have bought the great 45mm lens to go with this camera - superb.
I was looking for a m 4/3rds camera to replace my ageing, yet much loved, panasonic lumix gf1. An everyday camera that can handle the general range of conditions under which i tend to shot, i. 8 lens is a firm favourite, providing that much loved focal length for street shooters - it's fast, sharp and great for manual focusing. I am a firm fan of olympus cameras (owning the omd em5 & a tg2) finding their usage, iq and build quality perfect for my needs. This is a great camera for shorter lenses (as poor grip) and if you don't like taking movies.
Stiff competition though from sony and panasonic whos cameras do take great photos, movies as well, and are cheaper. A beautiful quality built camera. A camera for the enthusiast. I'm a big fan of the micro 4/3 system, loving the compact size coupled with near dslr image quality. Despite the fact that a number of manufacturers produce mirrorless compacts, i think that olympus pretty much own this format, with clever retro styling, uber fast response times and a range of relatively affordeable lenses.
The e-p5 shares the same 16mp sensor as my e-pm2, (and the flagship omd), but has the added advantages of wireless, a tilting screen, faster shutter speed (1/8000) and heavier metal body which is great if you are at all prone to camera shake, mode dial that cuts down on the amount of menu scrolling, switch function lever controlling iso, white balance and exposure (though can be programmed for other modes) and built-in flash, rather than the clip on version. It has the same superb colour handling as all the other models in the range giving saturated images that somehow always manage to look vivid but never unnatural. The camera is quick and responsive in most light conditions, including rain and overcast skies. I use a number of the art filters from time to time, particularly dramatic tone and pop art, although this model could perhaps do with updating with some of the vintage filters popular on the likes of instagram (in fairness to olympus i think the e-pl7 does have new tools along these lines). Generally the reviews for this camera in the wider technology press have been very favourable indeed - there have been some reports of blurring/lack of effective image stabilisation at speeds of around 1/160, but i have never noticed this myself, and there is a firmware update available that is said to correct the problem anyway.
Oh, and i loved the little touches like the olympus branded lens cloth included in the box. In summary this camera has great styling, great performance and a build quality that beats all the earlier versions. This camera is very well made and impressively robust, it just feels quality. I had no problems with the actual camera but it did not come with an olympus warranty.
Well Made and Great Features.. This camera is very well made and impressively robust, it just feels quality. The image quality is very good, same as omd and epl-5, no better. The screen is nice but i would recommend getting the vf4 which is the best viewfinder on the market. Image stabilisation with the 5 axis is great and does make a difference, you can hear it but not as noisy as the omd. Very pleased i purchased this haven't tried the wifi but its good to know its there. .
Say Cheese!. I'm a big fan of the micro 4/3 system, loving the compact size coupled with near dslr image quality. Despite the fact that a number of manufacturers produce mirrorless compacts, i think that olympus pretty much own this format, with clever retro styling, uber fast response times and a range of relatively affordeable lenses. This is my third pen - i had the e-pl1 and the e-pm2, keeping each for a couple of years before selling on to facilitate an upgrade to the next model. The e-p5 shares the same 16mp sensor as my e-pm2, (and the flagship omd), but has the added advantages of wireless, a tilting screen, faster shutter speed (1/8000) and heavier metal body which is great if you are at all prone to camera shake, mode dial that cuts down on the amount of menu scrolling, switch function lever controlling iso, white balance and exposure (though can be programmed for other modes) and built-in flash, rather than the clip on version. It has the same superb colour handling as all the other models in the range giving saturated images that somehow always manage to look vivid but never unnatural. The silver and black variant is straight out of the sixties and style-wise, to die for. I currently have my e-p5 paired with the 17mm pancake lens and it will fit in a jacket pocket or handbag quite easily like this. The just-about-to-be-released e-pl7 comes with the new and very lustworthy 14-42mm pancake lens, which would really be my ideal partner for the e-p5. However, on the flipside, the e-pl7 design has reverted to the clip on flash and whilst this might give a wider field of illumination i found having to slide the removeable flash on and off the hot shoe on my e-pm2, replacing the various plastic covers each time, not terribly conducive to impromptu photography, so think the pop up on the e-p5 preferable despite it's diminutive size. The camera is quick and responsive in most light conditions, including rain and overcast skies. It's very comfortable to hold, producing the expected crisp and beautifully hued images. Autofocus is pretty quiet and the metering systems easy to access. I use a number of the art filters from time to time, particularly dramatic tone and pop art, although this model could perhaps do with updating with some of the vintage filters popular on the likes of instagram (in fairness to olympus i think the e-pl7 does have new tools along these lines). In common with another reviewer i don't bother using the tilt screen function, partly for fear of breaking it. There's no optical viewfinder, though you can attach one via the hot shoe if your pockets run deep enough to buy one. I'm not that fussed (sacrilege!) because to me the compact dimensions and streamlined styling are a major selling point of the pen range - if i was desperate for a viewfinder i'd probably go for an omd. The positioning of the flash means you occasionally accidentally deploy it, though i found i adapted my hand position pretty quickly to mitigate against this - easy for a female with small hands, might be tricky for a bloke with big mitts. Generally the reviews for this camera in the wider technology press have been very favourable indeed - there have been some reports of blurring/lack of effective image stabilisation at speeds of around 1/160, but i have never noticed this myself, and there is a firmware update available that is said to correct the problem anyway. Oh, and i loved the little touches like the olympus branded lens cloth included in the box! you can see a few test shots i took on the right hand side of the page using a range of settings and filters. In summary this camera has great styling, great performance and a build quality that beats all the earlier versions. I am smitten :-).
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