Many users still judge a camera by the number of megapixels, and that causes some very interesting models to slip under the radar because they have “small” sensors, when in reality they possess enormous potential. That is the case with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II. Its 16-megapixel sensor may seem limited these days, but on the other side we find in-body stabilization, RAW processing, a higher bitrate in several video modes, and a high-definition feature that combines multiple shots.
24 megapixels have become a sort of “standard” among modern cameras. Obviously, professional photographers can access higher resolutions without difficulty, but for general use it is more than enough. Now, are those 24 MP “mandatory”? Personally, I would say no. There are still cameras on the market with smaller sensors that are true gems, and they hold their own in 2019. One of them is the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II, and as soon as we see it in action, it's clear that appearances can be deceiving.
More Than You Expect
Announced in February 2015, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II has a 16.1-megapixel effective Four Thirds CMOS sensor, paired with the TruePic VII image processor. Its ISO range extends from 200 to 25,600, with a boost down to 100, while shutter speeds range from 1/8,000 to 60 seconds, or 1/16,000 with the electronic shutter. Its three-inch screen is touch-sensitive and fully articulated, with a maximum resolution of 1.03 million dots. On the viewfinder side, the module delivers 2.36 million dots and 100 percent coverage.
The autofocus of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II is based on 81 contrast-detection points (and a total of 800 points to choose from), with especially good performance in eye detection, to the point that you can select its priority (left eye, right eye, or nearest). If you're after many stable, high-quality portraits, the E-M5 II shouldn't let you down.
When it comes to general tracking, the results are also very positive. Its maximum burst is 10 FPS, with a buffer of 19 frames in JPEG and 16 in RAW, but the continuous autofocus burst is more interesting. The maximum drops to 5 FPS (JPEG and RAW), with the advantage that the buffer size is determined by the free space on the memory card.
It would be a gross oversight on my part to ignore the high-definition mode offered by the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II. This trick (if we can call it that) uses the in-body stabilization system to “shift” the sensor between exposures. In casual terms, it's a kind of “scanning” that combines a total of eight frames, and from them creates a 40-megapixel image. The weak point of this mode is movement, so Olympus recommends using it for landscapes and other relatively static scenes. Despite the stabilization, a tripod is mandatory, but if you meet all its conditions... the final quality will be fabulous.
The interface of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II reminds us that it is not a mirrorless fully intended for beginners. Something as simple as studying the top reveals three dials and three customizable “Fn” buttons, so the camera clearly suggests an advanced setup. On the back we find six buttons (one of them labeled Fn1) and a lever that modifies the behavior of the dials. Position 1 specifies exposure compensation and aperture value, while position 2 adjusts ISO and white balance.
The mode dial offers nine options: Full Auto, Scene mode “SCN” (25 scenes), Art Filters “ART” (15 filters), “Photo Story”, Programmed Auto “P”, Aperture Priority “A”, Shutter Priority “S”, Manual “M”, and Video Mode. You can follow the rest of the details with the help of the manual. It's less than 200 pages, but I recommend a thorough read.
The bad news is that the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II does not support 4K video, which is somewhat understandable for a camera from 2015. The good news is that the manufacturer did not neglect the 1080p modes. You can record up to 60 FPS at a bitrate of 52 megabits per second, or increase the quality a bit more to reach 77 Mbps when filming 1080p30. Olympus decided to target amateur video use with this mirrorless, and although it is not the best option today, it certainly fulfills its mission.
Accessories for the OM-D E-M5 II
The body of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II is worth about 540 euros if we buy it new, but there are used kits with lenses ranging from 600 to 700 euros. Considering that the camera once reached nearly 1,000 euros, the passage of time has helped moderate its price and improve its competitiveness. Another positive aspect is the price of its accessories. For a minimal investment, the E-M5 II becomes a solid member of the Olympus ecosystem.
Batteries and Power
Yes, I must admit it. The battery is a weak point on the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II. With an average of 310 shots per full charge, it is very likely that a single BLN-1 module will be insufficient. Fortunately, a compatible Gloxy BLN-1 battery costs less than 20 euros, and works great with official and alternative chargers. In fact, you could buy two for the price of one original.
Tripods and Supports
I admit that at this point I would love to prioritize the portability of this mirrorless, but we have to get the most out of that high-definition mode. Therefore, our first stop when looking for a tripod for Olympus OM-D E-M5 II is the classic Gloxy GX-T6662A. 10 kilograms maximum load, aluminum alloy design, 1.6 meters high, quick-release ball head, level and non-slip legs define this tripod. If you prefer something smaller? Then look no further than the Clampod Takeway T2. 40 kilograms, firm grip, and more useful than we imagine. Both options are on sale, so take advantage!
Backpacks and Bags
The weather sealing that Olympus included from the factory in the E-M5 II is definitely a plus, but we cannot neglect its general transport. Our chosen ones today are two bags. On one hand, the Delta 400a Fancier, which adapts wonderfully with its modifiable padded interior and a comfortable sling-style design. On the other, the Genesis Gear Orion, compact but without sacrificing too much space. In it you can carry body, lens, and flash, along with a tablet and other secondary accessories.
Memory Cards
Getting the most out of the video modes and the high-definition feature on the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II only means one thing: you will need a large memory card (with RAW shots taking up more than 100 megabytes) and a fast one. So... there is nothing to negotiate. Look for a SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC of 128 gigabytes, and let its 90 MB/s write speed do the heavy lifting.
Lenses
I admit that buying a kit is a more economical alternative for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II, but if you follow the body route and plan to invest in a single lens, the answer lies with the Tamron f/3.5-5.8. This 14-150mm all-rounder adapts to anything, going from wide-angle to telephoto with a single movement. Portraits, landscapes... everything will be within your reach.
Maybe you want to buy it today. Maybe you prefer to wait a little longer, speculating about the possibility of an additional price cut. Regardless of what you decide, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II deserves to be on your radar. Yes, it is five years and 16 megapixels, but we have seen much worse modern cameras, and the E-M5 II's support is still intact. Just as a reference, latest firmware update was published earlier this year. Explore, compare, buy, and enjoy. Good luck!
