by Ian Burley
A first look at what the E-M5 can do
NEW: High ISO comparison between the Olympus Pen E-P3 and OM-D E-M5
UPDATE: Compare OM-D E-M5 sample images developed from RAW
On a rather dull and overcast day in Amsterdam I was given the chance to use a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5. Below is a selection from around 800 images I shot on the day. The samples cover a range of ISO sensitivities and lighting conditions, fast and slow shutter speeds, and the 9 frames per second high speed continuous shooting capabilities of the E-M5.
I set the camera to record Large Super Fine JPEG and RAW files simultaneously. The JPEGs were recorded with the Standard mode noise filter set. Please note that as the camera did not have final firmware Olympus requested that we only reproduce the shots at 1600x1200 resolution. So no RAW files for you this time either. No other tonal or colour adjustments have been made. Only a copyright watermark and resize sharpening have been applied to these sample images. Olympus says that image quality is likely to be better when the E-M5 starts to ship with version 1.00 firmware in April. All shots taken with the m.Zuiko 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 standard zoom unless indicated otherwise.
You can download the camera JPEG; just click on the thumbnail of your choice to display the JPEG image in your browser or right-click and select download target image. Please note that these images are copyrighted and are for personal evaluation only. They must not be copied and/or posted to third party websites.
Image 1: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 2: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 3: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 4: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 5: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 6: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 7: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 8: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 9: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 10: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 11: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 12: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 13: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 14: 9 frames per second burst for 14 frames
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 15:
Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 29 mm
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Image 16:
Shutter Speed: 1/6 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 12 mm
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Image 17: m.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 lens
Shutter Speed: 1/1250 sec Aperture: f 1.8 ISO: 200 Focal Length: 45 mm
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Image 18:
Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec Aperture: f 7.1 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 21 mm
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Image 19:
Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 200 Focal Length: 28 mm
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Image 20: Pop Art Filter
Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 19 mm
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Image 21:
Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 6400 Focal Length: 19 mm
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Image 22:
Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 6400 Focal Length: 27 mm
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Image 23:
Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 6400 Focal Length: 13 mm
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Image 24:
Shutter Speed: 1/50 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 6400 Focal Length: 22 mm
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Image 25: Key Line Art Filter
Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec Aperture: f 5 ISO: 6400 Focal Length: 22 mm
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Image 26:
Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 25600 Focal Length: 17 mm
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Image 27: m.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 lens
Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec Aperture: f 2.5 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 45 mm
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Image 28: m.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 lens
Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec Aperture: f 2.5 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 45 mm
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Image 29:
Shutter Speed: 1/50 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 50 mm
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Image 30:
Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 50 mm
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Image 31: m.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 lens
Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec Aperture: f 2.2 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 45 mm
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Image 32: m.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 lens
Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec Aperture: f 2.2 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 45 mm
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Image 33:
Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec Aperture: f 3.5 ISO: 1600 Focal Length: 12 mm
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Image 34:
Shutter Speed: 6/10 sec Aperture: f 7.1 ISO: 800 Focal Length: 50 mm
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Image 35:
Shutter Speed: 1/3 sec Aperture: f 7.1 ISO: 1600 Focal Length: 50 mm
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Image 36:
Shutter Speed: 1/6 sec Aperture: f 7.1 ISO: 3200 Focal Length: 50 mm
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Image 37:
Shutter Speed: 1/13 sec Aperture: f 7.1 ISO: 6400 Focal Length: 50 mm
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Image 38:
Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec Aperture: f 7.1 ISO: 12800 Focal Length: 50 mm
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Image 39:
Shutter Speed: 1/50 sec Aperture: f 7.1 ISO: 25600 Focal Length: 50 mm
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Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
Four Thirds User editorial team Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
Here is a gallery of the first images we have taken with the new Olympus OM-D E-M5.
[url=http://fou... (more)
Ian Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
So what do you think so far? :)
Ian... (more)
John Perriment Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
Looking at the pics, first impressions are that the 12-50mm is actually a pretty good performer, tho... (more)
Dan in NC Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
I'm impressed by the high ISO samples, the 12800 jpeg looks usable and the 6400 samples look as good... (more)
M4/3 Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
I'd like to see a landscape photo taken at ISO 200 with an E-M5 and a Pen both with the same lens.... (more)
T-Lama Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
Some of the pictures are very good, but I will wait for full resolution samples to judge the image q... (more)
hschnee Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
I'm pretty impressed so far. The photos with the 45 are especially sharp and detailed, with low nois... (more)
Wilhelm Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
I have seen some of the RAW pictures from a French site, in full resolution and they are amazing. My... (more)
M4/3 Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
Can someone explain the benefits of pre-ordering? What I mean is that when all of your pre-ordered E... (more)
Ian Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
If there is strong initial demand, there is a possibility that there will be stock issues. In the... (more)
rogerioi Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
Thank you Ian, for all this.
For me, image #23 tells the all story:
A perfectly sharp ISO 6400 act... (more)
Barr1e Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
Thanks Ian, it looks more than interesting. ;)
In looking around I spotted this video with regard... (more)
Raj Surin Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
..So far..I'm really liking it.
Image sample #16...good display of moire pattern handling by the ... (more)
Robert Watcher Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
I am very pleased with the ISO results. When some say that the 25,600 isn't usable - - - that is rea... (more)
Ian Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
Yes - good point, and hand held at 1/6th second exposure so the IS working well :)
Ian... (more)
Ian Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
Thanks Barr1e - I actually think the video is incorrect :) The way he represents the corrected IS... (more)
Bob Ross Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
Thanks for the samples, Ian. I managed to snag two full size JPEG samples from another site and made... (more)
Ian Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
Some of the more observant of you noticed that the copyright watermark had the wrong year - I have n... (more)
Ian Re: Image samples from a pre-production Olympus OM-D E-M5
I have read a complaint on another site that my high ISO sequence of shots was taken in conditions t... (more)