OM System OM-5 Sample Images

The OM-5 is the latest release in OM System’s range of compact, ruggedized interchangeable lens cameras. (OM System is new name for what used to be known as Olympus cameras.) It uses the Micro Four Thirds sensor system to help keep the size and weight down, making it a great option for taking along for travel photography.

I’d previously been out shooting with the Olympus OM-1. While the OM-5 was launched While the OM-5 was launched after the OM-1, it actually uses older technology. It has an older sensor, older processor, older menu system, and generally older performance specs than the OM-1. Basically, it replaces the Olympus E-M5 III and sits in the middle of OM System’s lineup (with the OM-1 as the new flagship model).

OM System OM-5 sample photos

Here are some photos I’ve taken with the OM-5. These were all originally shot in RAW format, but in order to give a sense of how it performs under real-world shooting conditions, I’ve only very lightly processed them in Lightroom (usually mainly bumping up the contrast a bit, which is pretty standard treatment for RAW files). You can click on each image to open a full-size version.

Key features & specs of the OM System OM-5

The OM-5 is the latest in OM System’s mirrorless range. It fits in the middle of their lineup, under the OM-1, and sports the retro styling of vintage Olympus SLRs. It’s also available in black or silver versions.

It has a Micro Four Thirds sensor which outputs 4:3 aspect ratio photos natively at 20.4 megapixels (or 5184 by 3888 pixels). It has an ISO range of 200 to 25600, and I’ve previously posted some high-ISO photos taken with the OM-5.

The OM-5 has:

• 20.4MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Sensor
• TruePic IX Image Processor
• 2.36m-Dot Eye-Level OLED EVF
• 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
• DCI 4K/24p & UHD 4K/30p Video Recording
• 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization
• 30 fps Shooting, ISO 200-25600
• 121-Point All Cross-Type Phase-Detect AF
• High-Res Shot, Live ND & Composite Modes
• Weather-Sealed Construction

Fixing image quality problems in post

The general rule of thumb in photography is that it’s better to get the shot right at the time of capture rather than trying to fix it later.

That’s a great aspiration, but it’s not always possible to do if you’re shooting in especially challenging conditions or bumping up against limitations or flaws in gear, conditions, or technique.

But it’s worth mentioning that there are some excellent tools available to help address common image quality issues with digital images. And they’re getting better and better all the time as the power of AI machine learning ramps up.

They can deal remarkably well with anything from sensor issues like high-ISO image noise to lens issues like distortion, softness, vignetting, and chromatic aberration. (Note: I’m focusing here on corrections related to image quality, not image enhancement tools — that’s a different kettle of fish.)

All-round image processing apps like Lightroom Classic and Capture One have solid tools built in that are very good places to start.

But it’s also possible to take it much further with more specialized tools.

If you shoot in challenging conditions regularly and find room for improvement in the image quality coming out of the camera, these might well be worth a look (and they have free trials). Some are stand-alone apps; some integrate into image editing suites such as Lightroom Classic.

Some of these work only with RAW files, and those are the ones I’ve had the best results with. But there are also good options if you’re working with JPG or TIFF files.

Fixing image noise & high ISO artifacts

The newest generation of tools can do some pretty remarkable improvements to image noise. These are some of the best tools for reducing image noise in photos. Most of them include a free trial to test out the results for yourself.

• Lightroom Classic’s Denoise tool. This was quietly added to recent versions of Lightroom Classic, and you can find it in the Develop module’s Detail panel. It only works on RAW files. It doesn’t have some of the more advanced features and more granular controls of some of the other apps here, but if you’re already using Lightroom, it’s a great option to have available.
• DxO PureRAW 5. Like Lightroom Classic’s Denoise tool, it only works on RAW files. It has become my go-to app for this kind of thing. I’m consistently amazed at how it can rescue photos with otherwise dodgy image quality from noise. It can also help with lens distortion, lens vignetting, and lens softness.
• DxO Nik Dfine. This product originated with the Nik Collection, and it focuses on the more traditional approach to digital image noise reduction. Something that’s especially notable about Dfine is that you can use U-point selections for precise application of different settings to different parts of the image.
• ON1 NoNoise AI. Its “deblurring” features are particularly notable, with an emphasis on restoring sharpness that is often a casualty in denoising operations. It works on JPG and TIFF files, and you can create sophisticated masks to apply corrections to specific parts of an image.
• Topaz Labs Photo AI. Topaz Labs used to offer its NoNoise AI as a standalone product, but it has now been integrated alongside several other image improvement tools in its Photo AI app.

Fixing lens-related optical issues

• DxO PureRAW. Again offers an impressive suite of automatic fixes that are applied before you start editing the images.
• DxO ViewPoint. Correcting for lens distortion and geometry skews. Lightroom Classic and Capture One also have excellent built-in tools for this.
• Topaz Labs Photo AI. Topaz Labs used to offer its sharpening tools as a standalone product, but it has now been integrated alongside several other image improvement tools in its Photo AI app.

OM System OM-5 price & availability

The OM-5 body has an MSRP of $1200. It’s also sold with a 12-45mm f/4 PRO kit lens for $1600.

Check the current price and available at:

• B&H Photo
• Adorama
• Amazon
• Best Buy

OM System OM-5 camera accessories

These are the model numbers for the official accessories for the OM System OM-5.

• Battery: BLS-50 lithium-ion rechargeable battery
• External Charger: BCS-5
• USB-AC Adapter: F-5AC AC wall adapter
• Grip: ECG-5
• Remote: RM-WR1 wireless remote control
• Eyecup: EP-16 / EP-15
• Flash:
  • FL-LM3 electronic flash (the smallest of the flash units)
  • FL-900R electronic flash unit
  • FL-700WR electronic flash unit
  • STF-8 macro flash
  • FC-WR wireless commander
  • FR-WR wireless receiver

Related

• SD card recommendations for the OM System OM-5