Walking with my E-M5 II and 12-45mm Pro lens

Last updated: 11th September 2025

The E-M5 II introduced many innovative features in 2015 and continues to be a joy in 2025. Olympus engineers knew that physical size is not a reliable measure for sensor sensitivity. This led to the Live MOS digital M43 format, computational photography, tonal control, IBIS, and the 40MP high-resolution mode to overcome technical limitations, such as the noise floor found in all image sensors. We don't need expensive PCs or SSD drives to edit 16MP files or 1080p videos. For instance, a 32GB V30 SD card is more than enough for the E-M5 II. Imagine all this plus filming for less than $450.

I have been using the Olympus E-M5 II extensively over the past few weeks while working on the next article in my series on filming with M43 cameras. I am always intrigued by the engineering excellence of these older Olympus OMD and PEN cameras. The combination of experience and knowledge makes filming and photographing with cameras like the Olympus E-M5 II a fun experience.

I converted and edited the following enhanced raw files in Workspace. This includes Color Creator and tonal adjustments, a warm color filter for some photos, and the "Low" noise filter in the camera and Workspace. The color space was RGB, and some of the images were sharpened. I prefer iEnhanced, but in some cases I used the natural picture mode to adjust the colors in Workspace. My color space is sRGB when I export my processed images from Affinity Photo 2. These were 16-bit Tiff files, which I resized and exported from Workspace. The bird-in-flight shots were taken with the M.Zuiko 12-45mm f4 Pro lens, while the close-ups were done with the M.Zuiko 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens.

PS: These images are best viewed on a 4K, 27' iMac PC.

Olympus M.Zuiko 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens in macro mode (An amazing lens for less than $100)

How to create color profiles with ART filters

Last updated:- 19th August 2025

It's good to sense more enthusiasm for creative color, ART filters, and profiles among photographers with the Pen F, E-P7, and OM-3. I've never seen such a surge of positive feedback about ART filters and the various Olympus color options as I have in the past six months. It's remarkable to think that Olympus first introduced ART filters in 2008 with the E-30. The Pen F subsequently became a sought-after camera for creative and street photographers, and by 2025, the Olympus E-P7, Workspace, and the Ol.Share app continue to be popular choices for hobby and creative photographers.

Tip: This article and images are best viewed on a large display.

I had never thought of Olympus ART filters as a way to craft distinctive and vibrant profiles. While I was aware of the enhancements added to the E-P7, I overlooked the extra flexibility that comes with adjusting ART filters, both in-camera and with Workspace. The more I explore Olympus cameras and Workspace, the more I appreciate the incredible capabilities of these amazing M43 products.

Photographers can adjust nine of thirty-one ART filters with the E-P7. With the Pen F and the OM-3 it's none, and with the EM10 IV it's two. Both the E-P7 and OM-3 enhanced raw files have access to all nine adjustments in Workspace. All JPEG and TIFF files have access to these adjustments.

Olympus E-450 enhanced raw file converted in Workspace (Soft Focus, tonal curve, color filter, time of day).

Tonal adjustments are a great editing option for cameras without these in-camera ART filter options of the E-P7. The Enhanced RAW format also lets us blend ART filters with other color adjustments. For example, successfully editing watercolor ART filters requires tonal adjustments to create white and black backgrounds, along with fine-tuning image colors with the Adjust Color tool.

See this article for more about the exposure mix versus tonal adjustments.

See this article for more about Workspace.

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that I encourage photographers to create their own profiles. Workspace is crucial for learning more about creative color, ART filters, the Color Creator, and how to create color profiles. The camera display is too small for this kind of editing. It's much easier to apply proven editing techniques directly to the camera while shooting.

While I enjoyed Photoshop, I cancelled my subscription because the renewal was just too expensive. I tried a number of editing software options in an effort to replace Photoshop. I decided to get and focus on Affinity Photo 2 in the future. While evaluating other editing options, I was lost in all the profiles, LUTs, presets, and whatever AI features these modern editors offer us. I can do everything I need with Workspace, and like Photoshop, Affinity Photo offers me that little extra.

Each image in this article features an ART filter that was edited in Workspace. Some were done with the "E-P7" ART filter option, and others with effects and tonal adjustments. Olympus and OM System photographers enjoy much freedom while expressing their creativity with ART filters.

It doesn't take much effort to spend hours with Workspace and ART filters. With a little practice, it's much quicker to convert your thoughts into works of art. Testing several cameras, I can confirm that we can adjust these same 9 ART filter options in Workspace for the OM-3 and newer TruePic VIII and IX Olympus cameras such as the E-M1 III, E-M5 III, E-M10 III, E-M10 IV, and E-PL9.

Olympus EM-10 IV with the Lumix 45 - 175mm lens. (ISO640, f5.6, 1/320) Enhanced Raw file converted in Workspace.

I often wonder how much enthusiasm it would have taken for Olympus to grow their creative offer. How will talented photographers and younger generations apply and tweak these ART filters? There is something special about having access to the camera's Art Processor with Workspace.

Pen F (TruePic VII) ART filters does not have this RAW option in Workspace.

Also, see this popular E-P7 article and image collection...