OM System
OM-D E-M5
Landmark compact weather-sealed MFT body that put Micro Four Thirds on the map.
$999
Launch priceReleased Feb 2012
OM System
PEN
First OM SYSTEM-branded PEN: compact rangefinder-style Micro Four Thirds body with 20.4MP Live MOS, 5-axis IBIS, built-in EVF, IPX1 sealing, and in-camera computational modes.
$1,000
Launch priceReleased Sep 2026
PEN is 14.6 years newer.
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Wins
OM-D E-M5
Wins
PEN
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AOM-D E-M5 has higher AF points / zones (1053 vs 121)
- AOM-D E-M5 has higher RAW buffer depth (60 frames vs 29 frames)
- AOM-D E-M5 has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 200)
- BPEN has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 15 fps)
- AOM-D E-M5 has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareOM-D E-M5
122 × 90 × 44 mm
425 g (0.94 lb / 14.99 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
PEN
126 × 75 × 43 mm
393 g (0.87 lb / 13.86 oz)
OM-D E-M5 is 4mm narrower than PEN but it is also 15mm taller.
OM-D E-M5 is 32 g heavier than PEN.
Depth (front-to-back): 44mm OM-D E-M5 · 43mm PEN
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
OM-D E-M5
122 × 90 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
PEN
126 × 75 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
OM-D E-M5
122 × 44 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
PEN
126 × 43 mm
Sensor size, to scale
OM-D E-M5
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
PEN
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
OM-D E-M5
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
PEN
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
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
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
OM-D E-M5
AF low-light limit
-7 EV vs -3.5 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 122, 89.6, 43.7
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
AF points / zones
1053 vs 121 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Animal, Bird, Vehicle
RAW buffer depth
60 frames vs 29 frames — higher is better
AA filter
Only OM-D E-M5 supports it
ISO min (native)
100 vs 200 — lower is better
Reasons to choose
PEN
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 125.8, 74.5, 43.3
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Subject recognition
Adds Dog, Cat
Codecs
Adds MOV, MPEG-4 AVC
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Max video bit rate
240 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
EVF magnification
1.1 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Resolution
20.4 MP vs 16.1 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
OM-D E-M5
Pros
- ✓Historic MFT body
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓Compact
- ✓Built-in EVF
Cons
- –16MP very dated
- –Old AF
- –Superseded many times
PEN
Pros
- ✓393g rangefinder body with built-in 2.36M-dot EVF
- ✓First PEN with IPX1 dust/splash sealing
- ✓5-axis IBIS up to 5.5 stops + 121-point cross-type AF
- ✓Hi-Res, Live ND, Focus Stacking, HDR via CP button
- ✓4K / C4K video, vertical video, 3.5mm mic jack
Cons
- –Micro Four Thirds sensor vs APS-C/FF rivals
- –4K capped at 30p (C4K 24p only)
- –IPX1 is lighter sealing than OM-5 II / OM-3
- –Single SD slot, no headphone jack
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the OM-D E-M5 and PEN at major authorized retailers.
OM System OM-D E-M5
OM System PEN
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, OM-D E-M5 or PEN?
OM-D E-M5 scores 6.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for PEN — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the OM-D E-M5 and PEN?
OM-D E-M5 is 16.1 MP and PEN is 20.4 MP, so the PEN captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the OM-D E-M5 and PEN have in-body image stabilization?
OM-D E-M5 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while PEN has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the OM-D E-M5 or the PEN?
OM-D E-M5 reaches 15 fps electronic. PEN reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the OM-D E-M5 and PEN?
OM-D E-M5 weighs 425 g and PEN weighs 393 g, so the PEN is 32 g lighter.
Do the OM-D E-M5 and PEN record 4K video?
OM-D E-M5: 4K up to 60p. PEN: 4K up to 30p.
Are the OM-D E-M5 and PEN weather sealed?
OM-D E-M5: Yes. PEN: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the OM-D E-M5 and 410 shots for the PEN, giving the OM-D E-M5 the edge.
How much does each cost?
OM-D E-M5 launched at $999 and PEN at $1,000. The OM-D E-M5 is $1 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way OM-D E-M5 vs PEN vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of OM System press materials.