Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

OM System

OM-5 Mark II

Updated compact MFT travel body with 20MP sensor, 7.5-stop IBIS, IP53 sealing, and Live ND.

$1,299

Launch price

Released Jan 2025

vs

OM System

OM-D E-M5

Landmark compact weather-sealed MFT body that put Micro Four Thirds on the map.

$999

Launch price

Released Feb 2012

OM-5 Mark II is 13 years newer.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Wins

3categories

OM-5 Mark II

Sports & ActionTravel

Wins

0categories

OM-D E-M5

Sports & ActionTravel

15 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

OM-5 Mark II wins 3 categories·OM-D E-M5 wins 0 categories
  • AOM-5 Mark II has higher Resolution (20.4 MP vs 16.1 MP)
  • AOM-5 Mark II has higher IBIS effectiveness (7.5 stops vs 6 stops)
  • AOM-5 Mark II has lower Weight (414 g vs 425 g)

Key specs at a glance

OM-5 Mark IIOM-D E-M5
Resolution20.4 MP16.1 MP
SensorMFTMFT
ISO max25,60025,600
Burst15 fps15 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS7.5-stop6-stop
Weight414 g425 g
Battery640 shots640 shots

Size and weight, to scale

OM-5 Mark II

125 × 85 × 50 mm

414 g (0.91 lb / 14.60 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

OM-D E-M5

122 × 90 × 44 mm

425 g (0.94 lb / 14.99 oz)

OM-5 Mark II is 4mm shorter than OM-D E-M5 but it is also 3mm wider and 6mm thicker.

OM-5 Mark II is 11 g lighter than OM-D E-M5.

Depth (front-to-back): 50mm OM-5 Mark II · 44mm OM-D E-M5

Sensor size, to scale

OM-5 Mark II

17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds

225 mm² area

OM-D E-M5

17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds

225 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

OM-5 Mark II

✓ more lenses

Micro Four Thirds

130+

native lenses available

60 first-party70 third-party

OM-D E-M5

✓ more lenses

Micro Four Thirds

130+

native lenses available

60 first-party70 third-party

Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseOM-5 Mark IIOM-D E-M5
Portrait
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Sports & Action
8.5Excellent
8.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
6.0Good
Landscape
3.5Limited
3.5Limited
Travel
8.0Excellent
8.0Excellent
Wildlife
8.0Excellent
8.0Excellent
Vlogging
7.5Good
7.5Good

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

OM-5 Mark II

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 125.3, 85.2, 49.7

  • Resolution

    20.4 MP vs 16.1 MP — higher is better

  • IBIS effectiveness

    7.5 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better

  • Weight

    414 g vs 425 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose

OM-D E-M5

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 122, 89.6, 43.7

  • AA filter

    Only OM-D E-M5 supports it

Both cameras share

  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • ISO max (native)Both 25,600
  • AF points / zonesBoth 1053
  • AF frame coverageBoth 100 %
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

OM-5 Mark II

Pros

  • 7.5-stop IBIS
  • IP53 weather sealing
  • Live ND & computational modes
  • Compact travel body

Cons

  • MFT sensor
  • Single card slot
  • Premium for MFT

OM-D E-M5

Pros

  • Historic MFT body
  • Weather sealed
  • Compact
  • Built-in EVF

Cons

  • 16MP very dated
  • Old AF
  • Superseded many times

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M5 at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

OM-5 Mark II
OM-D E-M5
Resolution
20.4 MP+27%
16.1 MP
Sensor type
Four Thirds Live MOS
Four Thirds Live MOS
Sensor size
17.3 × 13.0 mm
17.3 × 13.0 mm
AA filter
No
Yes
OM-5 Mark II
OM-D E-M5
Processor
TruePic X
TruePic X
OM-5 Mark II
OM-D E-M5
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
102,400
OM-5 Mark II
OM-D E-M5
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for sports, OM-5 Mark II or OM-D E-M5?

OM-5 Mark II scores 8.5/10 versus 8.5/10 for OM-D E-M5 — 15fps burst — fast action ready.

What's the resolution difference between the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M5?

OM-5 Mark II is 20.4 MP and OM-D E-M5 is 16.1 MP, so the OM-5 Mark II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M5 have in-body image stabilization?

OM-5 Mark II has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while OM-D E-M5 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the OM-5 Mark II or the OM-D E-M5?

OM-5 Mark II reaches 15 fps electronic. OM-D E-M5 reaches 15 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M5?

OM-5 Mark II weighs 414 g and OM-D E-M5 weighs 425 g, so the OM-5 Mark II is 11 g lighter.

Do the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M5 record 4K video?

OM-5 Mark II: 4K up to 60p. OM-D E-M5: 4K up to 60p.

Are the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M5 weather sealed?

OM-5 Mark II: Yes. OM-D E-M5: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the OM-5 Mark II and 640 shots for the OM-D E-M5, giving the OM-D E-M5 the edge.

How much does each cost?

OM-5 Mark II launched at $1,299 and OM-D E-M5 at $999. The OM-D E-M5 is $300 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way OM-5 Mark II vs OM-D E-M5 vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.