The new OM-5 signals the end of an era...

 Last Update: 20th November 2022

While watching the OM-5 launch videos, my first reaction was too little information or storytelling. My experience and perception of the launch changed when I realized the OM-5 is only a scaled-down version of the EM1 III. Clearly, the E-P7 and the OM-1 were the last R&D projects for Olympus, and the illustration below is an example of OM-SYSTEM "designing" the new OM-5. I couldn't help to picture the EM10 IV (OM-10) in this illustration.

MyOlympusOMD is a small photography blog with less than 200K views. My articles are a window into the information photographers want most. For example, more people read my color and Pen F series than any other subject. Another trend is the high interest in the E-P7 with its 4K video. Photographers like good image quality from the right technology and camera features.

See this link for more about the OM-SYSTEM strategy and THE OM-SYSTEM WAY...

Is the new OM-5 a good camera?

The answer is YES because we know the 2 cameras OM-System used to "design" the OM-5. If you like to learn more about the OM-5, study the EM5 III and the EM1 III. 

It's always good to also consider these 4 points:

1. The image sensor (study the type and specification of the sensor, not size)
2. The camera/lens combination (standard lenses, premium lenses, pro lenses)
3. The Image Processor (version and anything special about the Processor...)
4. Camera Firmware and Editing Software (critical aspects for any solution)

The OM-5 has the same Truepic IX processor as the EM1 III. The difference is a scaled-down version of the EM1 III firmware in the OM-5. Study this article for more on the 20MP sensors from Olympus.

Handheld High-Res image with the EM1 III and the 12-40mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/400 - Enhanced Raw File converted in WS.

Let's review a few questions from the YouTube launch videos.

1. Will we have better image quality with the OM-5?

The answer is NO. The OM-5 is based on the already good IQ from the EM5 III and EM1 III. The OM-5 might be the first camera with a unique OM-System color "science" or image look...

2. Will we have less noise from the OM-5?

There is no quick answer to this question. The OM-5, EM5 III, EM1 II, EM1 III, and EM1X all use the same image sensor. Improvements like the Truepic IX Processor increased the image processing power of the OM-5. Manufacturers use this processing power to replace some of the camera's hardwired features with new software solutions. This is how Olympus improved the EM1 II (V3) noise with a 1/3 stop. The EM1 III sensor also received an anti-reflective coating. 

Is it safe to say the OM-5 received all these improvements? This is important because we cannot say the same sensor is the reason they have the same image quality. One needs to review all the variables discussed in my articles between two cameras.

For example, DxO said the EM1 II sensor is the best M43 sensor they tested. Olympus said the Truepic IX processor has the same processing power as the 2 Truepic VIII processors in the EM1X. This enabled them to refine the EM1 III image quality and the high ISO + shadow noise control. Sensor sensitivity and the noise floor stayed similar for the EM1 II & III, EM5 III, EM1X, and OM-5.

We also know the default noise floor of the original EM1 20MP Live MOS sensor was relatively small. Sadly, only some photographers learned how to control image noise. For example, visible noise is a function of the camera's Exposure Mix and how well we Saturate the Image Sensor.

This example shows how little reflected light reached the sensor at ISO6400 - link.

In summary, manufacturers use the 7 steps below to improve IQ, and informed photographers use these steps to evaluate cameras. Only uninformed photographers follow "experts" and rely on the size of the sensor. The OM-5's image quality improvements are summarized in steps 4, 7, and maybe step 2. Did the EM5 III receive any additional anti-reflection sensor coatings..?

Study this article for more on the Exposure Mix and this article for more on SNR...

3. Is the OM-5 a good camera?

As discussed, the OM-5 is based on the older EM-5 III platform and the "new" EM1 III Truepic IX image processor. They are from the same factory as the EM5 III and probably the same manufacturing line. This is why it's safe to assume the OM-5 is a good "Olympus" camera.

4. Should we buy the OM-5?

The OM-5 will be a safe and inexpensive purchase. You should also consider the EM5 III, the EM1 II, or the EM1 III. The EM1 III is the most exciting Olympus camera I owned in years. It has all the upgrades one could wish for, from a 2016 camera. Olympus also "fine-tuned" the EM1 III image quality to a level I have never seen from any Olympus camera.

Olympus EM1 III with 12-200mm lens - ISO640, f6.3, 1/80 - Enhanced Raw converted in WS

Conclusion

OM-System took a few unique risks with the OM-5. Peter Forsgard mentioned a new OM-5 customer. Watching the launch videos, I recall thinking OM-System was targeting vloggers with the OM-5. It's easy to picture corporate marketers presenting smiling vloggers leaving their mobile phones behind to tell their stories with the new OM-5 in a vertical red box...

Timing is also a risk with the current low consumer confidence, supply chain problems, health crises, and events questioning global leadership. Is the Olympus brand robust enough to survive another crisis? What would happen if existing customers think they were neglected by OM-System?

My EM1 III and iMovie on my iMac. See my Instagram

Relaunching a 2016 platform is a considerable risk. This is why I decided to introduce Fuji as an alternative to Olympus. Fuji is the closest brand to match Olympus's color and IQ philosophy, and Fuji shares many of the unique benefits we appreciate with Olympus and the M43 format. Please watch this excellent video from the RED35 YouTube channel about Micro Four Thirds.

See this link for more about the OM-5 and the "corporate" slide below...

An interesting "corporate" slide with the new corporate triangle and "making the OM-5 look advanced" strategy. - Source

One final thought. The competition moved on while OM-System repurposed and printed its logo on the EM-5 III. The result is a fascinating selection of technologies and innovations from the Sony A7R5, Sony FX30, Fuji X-H2S, Fuji X-H2, Fuji X-T5, Canon R6 II, and the Leica M6.

It's also possible to determine if manufacturers value customer feedback. Counter-marketers like to partner with camera reviewers and large photography forums. It's easy to list the priorities they are pushing on social media. Examples are camera menus, fully articulated displays, pro video features, and headphone outputs on "photography" cameras.

I respect Fuji for launching the new X-T5 as a photography camera. A clear separation between photo, hybrid, and video is long overdue. Olympus was good at having just enough video features while focusing on photography. A clear separation between photography and video will prevent camera reviewers from scoring headphone outputs on photography cameras or "grassroots" (staged) forum discussions pushing for fully articulated displays on all cameras. This excludes the absolute confusion on autofocus and what photographers and videographers prefer...

It looks like OM-System will keep the focus on photography with just enough video.

For more about marketing and social media, see this link.

Fuji X-T4 with XF18mm F3 R lens - ISO320, f5.6, 1/25 - The jpeg was prepared in Photoshop.

The Pen F is an example of two marketing realities. One is a popular creative camera with a large following, and the other is a counter-marketing campaign bashing the Olympus Imaging Business. Counter marketers used undisclosed promoters to target Olympus and spread rumors on photography forums. The Pen F became one of many arguments to discredit Olympus. 

Studying this review, the thought crossed my mind, who does more damage, and which of the above realities influenced the OMDS marketing team most as they created the OM-System product strategy? Taking Fuji.., does OMDS have the right D&A to be a genuine camera manufacturer?

Which one will be more popular in 2023, the OM-5, Fuji S10, or the new X-T5?

See this interesting report on the new X-T5.

Take care & God's Bless

Siegfried

This is an exciting camera for photographers, and the X-T5 description explains the SNR stayed the same. What does that tell us?