Tim M. Higdon "Stimmer" Say: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
E5 is fantastic, 2010-11-09
This review is for: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
I've shot with lots of cameras over the years. Olympus cameras are an enigma. When you shoot with them you realize that they have weaknesses(well publicized) to other brands, but you also quickly realize they have plenty of strengths as well.The biggest strengths are things that go unnoticed on a spec sheet: Exposure, white balance, color reproduction, and image clarity and sharpness. And a JPG engine that gets it right directly out of the camera so you don't have to spend hours making your photos look right. You also get in body IS that works on every lens, and a superior weatherproofing system that includes the body and the lenses.The E5 is a perfect blend of everything Olympus has learned up to this point. It's not on the cutting edge of sensor technology, or movie making abilities, but it absolutely delivers in every sense of the word. Of course the build quality is spectacular. You can take this camera anywhere, anytime and not worry about it.Picture quality is amazing. It's hard to describe properly but the images have a clarity I haven't really seen before. And I've shot with Canons and Nikons as well.Noise control is the best of any 4/3rds camera yet. It's up there with a D300s and a 7D. Not quite as good but not enough to make a real difference.It's expensive of course, but you know you want it so just get it over with and buy the darn thing. It's worth every penny in my book.Great job Olympus.

Doug Say: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
Olympus E-5 is Terrific, 2010-11-08
This review is for: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
The Olympus E-5 is best of breed.The pictures are the sharpest I have ever seen at any resolution. I am not worried that the image size is only 12 megapixels as I made beautiful 20 X 30 enlargements with the E-510 which only has 10 megapixels.The great thing about the E-5 is the pictures are spot on perfect in .jpg. I never liked the extra steps, time, and storage required for raw, and the Olympus processor does a flawless job in camera.I never used white balance on previous cameras because it always worked lousy. Olympus has changed all of that. I recently did some shoots in rooms with different types of florescents. The auto white balance was dead on in all of them, even though the flourescents were different color temperatures. The auto white balance works equally well outdoors. Shooting under tungsten light or using flash, I would suggest changing from "auto" to the apropriate setting (either daylight or flash).As for noise at high ISOs, the pictures are perfectly clean up to ISO 1600 and clean if you use a noise program at ISO 3200.The two best art filters are dynamic tone and film grain. I see myself using pop art on a very limited basis. The best all-around shooting mode is normal, portrait is good for portraits to give a very true skin color, andi-enhance is good for shooting scenary shots.Great camera, highly recommended.

J. Schlagheck "Jerry" Say: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
Moved from a D300 & e30 to the e5, 2010-11-21
This review is for: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
First compared to the D300; I like the e-5 except for the limited high ISO which falls short of the Nikon. The flaw I had with the e-30 was poor performance in autofocus in low light conditions. The e-5 auto-focus is much better than both cameras (IMHO). I typically shoot in a studio environment so I rarely shoot beyond 200 ISO. However, I do shoot for postcard sales and the e-5 looks great in the color and it's very detailed image - really nice. The new processor is exceptional and the umph it gives to my Olympus lenses is un-believable. All in all I'm very happy with the e-5 and will now start selling off the Nikon camera and lenses.Nothing against Nikon, I used them for over 40 years and made many exceptional photographs. A year ago I was at a photoshoot with my Nikon(s)and realized that everyone is getting the same image - I wanted my work to be different, so I went to an Olympus.

Harry M. Shin Say: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
I can't believe I bought the E5, but glad I did..., 2010-12-22
This review is for: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
1. First of all, to give the reader an idea of where I'm coming from, I'm not a pro but I definitely am a serious enthusiast. Furthermore, I've used many cameras over the years (OM-1, Nikon film, Contax film, Xpan, Noblex etc... etc...). I've also paid my dues logging many hours in the darkroom over the years. In regards to digital, I've used various Sony cameras (F828, R1, 850 with the CZ 24-70mm), Olympus 420, 620, most recently the excellent EP-1 etc... I also recently tested the Pentax K5 with the 16-50mm 2.8 and I've briefly tested the Canon 5DII 24-105 L (I think that's the focal length); my friend's camera.2. I, along with many other Olympus owners, was overtly confused, dismayed with the introduction of the E-5. I was expecting all of the things that we normally associated with a new camera: higher resolution and basically faster everything. However, after some time with this camera along with some time to reflect on my recent various tests of other cameras (notably the Sony A850 with 24-70mm CZ and Pentax K5 16-50mm), I've come to some personal (not scientific) impressions about this camera as well as photography in general: a: Just like in the olden days, I think we can now state that "it's about the lens." Sensor technology is at such a level now, that basically any competent person can create a very good image with any modern camera. Certainly some cameras lend themselves better to certain situations (ie Nikon / Canon for sports or super low light without a tripod etc...), but in general--> give a competent photographer any modern DSLR and they'll be able to create great images. After testing my EP-1 with 12-60mm (which essentially shares the same sensor as the E-5) vs Sony A850 and Pentax K5, as unlikely and frankly crazy as it sounds, the Olympus EP-1 and E-5 with the superb 12-60mm just is frankly superior in terms of image quality (at least at the base ISO of 200). In the end, I had in my possession both the Sony A850 with the massive 24-70mm CZ and the Pentax K5 with the 16-50mm 2.8 and although I could have had either of those cameras, I literally couldn't purchase either of those cameras simply because in terms of real world image output, it couldn't match the E-5 with 12-60mm. I know that it doesn't make any scientific nor logical sense on paper, but in real world shooting, it is what it is. And, I'm going to assume that the 4/3 panasonic sensor (an "old" sensor) is not going to be in the same league as the Sony sensors (ie A850 and the new sony 16 MP sensor in the Pentax K5). Thus, going back to my initial realization: it's all about the lens and the Olympus lens line is just excellent (I currently have the middle of the road lens line (High Grade): 11-22mm, 12-60mm, 50-200mm). b. Since I'm going way long in this review, I have one other thought in descrbing the E-5: basically it's the EP-1 / EP-2 on steroids... and that is not a bad thing. I love the output quality of the EP-1, but it's performance is hampered in many situations (ie focus speed, terrible ergonomics when using a regular 4/3 lens, no OVF, slow burst speed etc... etc...). The E-5 obviously address all of those performance issues while at the same time providing excellent image output. c. Regarding the wailing and gnashing of teeth via the faithful when the specs of the E-5 was introduced (esp the 12 MP sensor), the bottomline is that this camera is truely for those who are not swayed by the media and internet hype, but by true photographic excellence. How many times have we read over the years bemoaning the MP race, only to see those same people then criticizing a new camera because it doesn't follow up the MP race? Some folks may need more than 12 MP but the super majority of enthusiasts as well as significant percentgage of pros don't require more than 12MP. Eitherway, after some commonsencial thinking and research, realized that I too was falling for the hype that more is better. The bottomline is that if you have an open mind and look at what is truely important for your photography, then I'm confident that the E-5 will at least be there at the top of your list; it was for me and I'm glad that purchased this camera.3. Well Olympus for creating a true photographic tool for photographers.4. Updated thoughts 11.2011: The more I continue to use this camera the more impressed I am with it. The main observation since my initial review is that this camera is superior to the PEN cameras. Many have observed that the sensor is the same or similar to that in the E-P3 and I don't have the ability to prove or disprove this. But all I know that the image output is superior to the PEN... and I have high regard for my E-P1 and now E-P3 cameras (note: this is the case even when using the same lens such as the 12-60mm on the E-P3 vs E-5). The primary issue that I'm trying to put forth is that there is a definite need / place for "traditional" DSLR, even if the sensor is the same / similar to other cameras. To those to have no fear of living in the present and not following the crowd, you can do no better than getting the E-5 along with the high grade or super high grade Zuiko lens.

John A. Krumm Say: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
Great upgrade from 620, 2010-11-13
This review is for: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
If you don't mind the increased weight, this is a wonderful upgrade from the 620. It shares some of the same image characteristics, the overall Oly look to the photos, but the increased detail is surprising. It renders fine lines, small branches and grass extremely well, and transitions later to the painterly look compared to the 620. Overall, the impression is very natural and photo-realistic. Colors seem a little more neutral too. Live view is faster and fully cdaf with all lenses, so you can use face detection even with the 12-60. The snappier live view performance also makes quick low-to-the-ground shots easier.Noise seems improved as well, though it's hard to say for sure in raw (not fully supported by Lightroom yet, but you can change the exif to E30). I find that iso 100-400 in particular seems better than the 620. Iso 3200 and up shows a fair amount of noise, so if you mostly shoot at that level, you might want a larger sensor camera. Build quality is very high, the LCD looks great. Video I find a little clumsy, definitely nothing great in how it works, but it's there and if you are careful you could take some nice footage. All in all a solid camera. Fun to go out in a storm and not worry about it too.

A. Thompson Say: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
Fantastic camera, 2010-12-13
This review is for: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
The E5 has been a very pleasant surprise. I have been an Olympus shooter for a few years now, including the micro four thirds E-P2. When I first heard about the E5 I was excited and had planned to buy one, then lost interest over time. In the meantime I was able to demo a couple of other DSLR cameras but none excited me, and on a whim I bought the E5. I am so glad that I did! I love my Olympus lenses and did not like the idea of letting them go in order to get a better camera, but the E5 with the 12-60mm, 50-200mm, 50mm macro and 14-35mm lenses is phenomenal. I could not be happier.The camera is rugged, and I've actually been able to (had to) take advantage of the weather sealing. It feels right in my hand and balances well with the lenses. But the IQ is wonderful - the detail rendering and sharpness are "Foveon'esque." The colors are true Olympus. I'm pulling back from shooting RAW+JPG to just JPG (I will still shoot RAW when absolute IQ matters (personal photog projects, heavy post processing). But the most pleasant surprise is that the B&W conversions are absolutely beautiful. I tend to shoot primarily for B&W and the E5 is to my eye a wonderful B&W camera. The detail and tonal range really work well together.I plan to keep the E5 for a long time; there is simply not much more that I could need or want in a DSLR camera system.

Vlad Say: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
Great Image Quality, 2011-01-11
This review is for: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
The first and most important aspect of this camera - excellent Image Quality when paired with Olympus High Grade lenses. Not only that, but the IQ SOOC (Straight out of camera) is pretty amazing. I've tried Canon 60D & Nikon D700 before deciding to keep Olympus E-5.Body heft and feel - if you have above average/large hands, this camera fits into your hand like a glove. At least it does for me. This camera is not small and it is not light. Nikon D7000 is smaller than this camera. But that is just fine for me - it is a perfect fit and your shooting finger rests very comfortably on the shutter.Control Layout - very comfortable. I have moved from Nikon 8800 and the layout of controls is very similar. You know the design is good when you can hit the right buttons in the dark just after 2 weeks of use. The E-5 does not have a mode wheel on the top, like most DSLRs. However, strangely enough, available button controls & 2 finger wheels do the job and the rest is easily changed/adjusted via the large 3" LCD.LCD - excellent display and an almost infinite adjustment angles were a must for me (Nikon 8800 had the same type of dual axis LCD). If your photography style requires strange and low angle shots, this is the only way to go (without becoming a contortionist).Weather resistance - you hear about famous Olympus weather sealing and see truly crazy stuff people do to their Olympus E-model cameras. You can hardly believe it, until you experience it yourself. I was able to shoot in a full snowstorm without using any specialized covers. The snow melted on the camera body and lens and the camera performed like it was 80 sunny degrees. You have to experience this to understand the feeling of freedom this gives to your composition.12MP Sensor - do not believe the MP hype. I have tested the 18MP Canon 60D - E-5 camera blows those images away (if you don't want to spend all of your time doing RAW processing). I do not crop my images - I compose them when I shoot. So I do not need the extra MPs as a crop factor. I have also printed my previous 8MP images up to 30"x40" with excellent results. If you demand ultra-sharpness in your images - this is the camera/lens combination to have.Lenses & Auto Focus - Olympus digital 4/3 lenses are marketed as Zuiko brand. I have never used them until I purchased this camera. What you read about Zuiko glass based on my limited experience seems to be true. I have purchased Zuiko 12-60mm 2.8-4.0 SWD and 50-200mm 2.8-3.5 SWD pair. E-5 has a 2x multiplier (in 35mm terms). I have not had sufficient time for a good report on the 50-200, but the 12-60 lens is pretty much beyond amazing. It will be my primary lens - no questions asked. The clarity, sharpness, extremely minimal distortion and the build quality of this glass is fantastic. This is truly the best lens I have ever used and if you read various reviewers, it is one of the best lenses ever made. The autofocus with this lens on E-5 is very, very fast and the on-demand instant manual override is a beauty.Overall build and feel - you've heard it before and it is true - the E-5 is built like a tank. When you take it in your hand, you feel a complete sense of trust in this camera. You don't want to put it down. You want to keep shooting and become a better photographer - every single time. It becomes a disease and your wife is jealous of it.I am writing this review after having the camera for about 1 month (and badly wanting to take off work so I can use it more).

Craig Guinn "olympusbug" Say: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
Pinnacle for Olympus, 2010-12-20
This review is for: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
I'd class myself as a serious hobbyist and I've had the camera for a couple of months. I upgraded from a early digital, to a 3030z to a E300, to an E-500 to an E-3 and finally the E-5. I have about 25K pictures on file, 95% from these cameras. I use Adobe LR3 and Photoshop CS5. I have 4 SG lenses, 5 HG lenses and 1 SHG lens, with more to come.I purchased the E-5 early at list because I plan to use it for several years and figure its worth a few extra $ to learn during the holidays. I haven't read the other reviews but am active on the DPReview forum.The camera is a nice upgrade to the E-3 and fixes most of the niggling concerns with that camera. I think the JPG rendering, ISO performance, Sharpness, Autofocus, metering, Dynamic Range and resolution are better than the E-3. If the DR is not better the metering is more accurate and the Oly tendency to blow highlights is pretty much corrected. The RAW processing in LR3/ACR seems OK, but not as impressive as the JPG improvements which a lot of folks are going to now with this camera.The image quality is exceptional and I am a notch better photographer because the camera is better and more forgiving. No regrets, happy customer.

J. Smith Say: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
Very good camera with few faults., 2010-11-14
This review is for: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
(I copied this from my review of the E-5 at a popular New York photo store) -I am very new to Olympus, having moved from Nikon D700 (great system, but wanted something new).I rented an E-30 for 4 days then put in my order for E-5 and managed to get it early :)I use the camera with 50-200 SWD and 14-54 II and the FL-50 flash.IQ - Camera is very sharp, I get great shots out of my lenses just as I was getting with the E-30. Both my 14-54II and 50-200 perform excellently.Autofocus - AF-C performance on the 50-200 is better than the E-30 for sure - With the E-30 AF-C seemed a bit hesitant at times, on the E-5 it's mostly on-point (rarely it will "lock up" and not attempt to AF-C to infinity, but these are difficult shots, and once I MF the lens back into range it snaps back into action). AF-C with the 14-54 II is pointless- still too slow to track anything. AF-S with the 14-54 II seems to be a bit more sure than the E-30, which would stair-step its focus more than the E-5 does.The high-res screen is great, the art filters are fun to play with, especially since you can see their effects on the live-view, which is very cool.Controls seem about right, though I don't like how far to the left the AEL/AFL button is located.The battery still doesn't have a % usage or "shot counter", this system is so archaic compared to Nikon/Sony/Canon (I've owned/shot them all).Noise, in VERY LIMITED testing that I've done, is about comparable to my Nikon D90 - which is pretty good I guess, but nothing earth-shattering. Don't expect to get amazing performance, but in decent lighting, ISO 1600 is just fine to use (about what D90 does). Note that ISO 3200 is labeled "extended" on the camera's LCD when you change to this ISO. I avoid ISO 3200 / 6400 unless I seriously need the shot.(Added - If you need to bring up shadows, stick with another camera brand - The E-5 doesn't take to "fill light" very well from Lightroom (using TIFFs) at all, and my Nikon D90 is definitely better than the E-5 at this particular aspect - though the E-5's noise signature on properly exposed photos is still a bit better)Moire - So far I haven't experienced any, and I've shot photos that would have induced it otherwise. Note that I'm shooting RAW using Olympus Viewer 2.1, as Lightroom 3 doesn't support the E-5 yet.Live View - Still does mirror flop, won't take the photo without dropping the mirror (boo!).Video - Decent I guess, I really rarely use it - but I've enjoyed the clips I've done so far.Overall - A good camera. I think overpriced for what it is, especially compared to other, competitive models from other manufacturers, but I wanted it early so I paid the price :)Still, it's the only swivel-LCD, weather-sealed camera I know of :)

James D. DeWitt "Alaska Fan" Say: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
An Evolutionary Improvement, 2011-02-24
This review is for: Olympus E-5 123MP Digital E-5 Body sale
Olympus famously uses the Four-thirds technology it helped develop in its DSLR products. That technology defines both the strengths and weaknesses of the DSLR product line, including the E-5.The sensor in Olympus DSLR cameras is half the size of a 35mm frame. On the downside, that limits the number of pixels the sensor can capture, in comparison to a full-frame product. It also implies more noise than a full-frame sensor at the same ISO setting. The E-5 captures 12 megapixels; there are Canon and Nikon cameras in the same price range that get twice as many pixels. The E-5 can now shoot with acceptable levels of noise at ISO1600 (a four-fold improvement over the E-3). But, again, Canon and Nikon DLSR cameras in the same price range manage the same low noise at ISO3200 and even ISO6400. This is by no means the best low-light DSLR camera on the market. The E-series won't be as long as it uses the Four-thirds technology.But there are very real, very important advantages to the Fourth-thirds technology, too. The Zuiko lenses built to 4/3rds are quite simply the best DSLR lenses available in the world. It's not just that they are razor-sharp, aberration free and well-built; the 4/3rds tech makes them focus faster, makes them lighter and superior to the equivalent Canon/Nikon glass. The Olympus 300mm f/2.8 Super Telephoto ED Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras is by far the best telephoto lens I've ever owned. Because image stabilization is in the camera, not in the lens, the form factor is smaller as well as lighter. The improvements to the E-5 play to these strengths.I've just finished a 17 day trip into the tropics, photographing birds. I used the E-5 for every shot. While the E-3 is a splendid camera, that I've happily used for years, the E-5 is so superior to the E-3 that I never broke the E-3 out of my gear bag.Some of those advantages:(1) Much faster focusing, and more reliable - although still not ideal - focusing in low light. Focus acquisition with a teleconverter on is especially improved, and it's now possible to shoot a bird in flight with the 300mm with a Olympus Zuiko EC-20 2x Teleconverter for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras mounted.(2) Greatly improved performance in low light. Noise levels are acceptable to ISO1600, where the E-3 wasn't much good below ISO400.(3) Improved in-camera processing. Images emerge needing much less Photoshop work. The level of detail is simply extraordinary.(4) Substantially improved multiple shooting, with a higher frames per second rate and a bigger buffer. There's some improvement in the write speed as well, so you spend less time waiting for the buffer to write to media.(5) Larger, more accurate LCD view screen. Pixel count and density are higher, and you can adjust the viewer for lighting levels.(6) Greatly enhanced user configurability. As someone who is left-handed, that's especially important.I understand that the JPG processing is especially good, but I shoot exclusively RAW, so there's little benefit for me. Art filters aren't of any use in nature photography, so I can't speak to that either. The new video features are fine, but not my primary goal.If you have an investment in Zuiko lenses, or want the best possible glass for your work, then the E-5 is an easy choice. Beyond question, you'll get better photos. If you haven't invested in Zuiko, then the E-5 may be a more difficult choice. But if you are a nature photographer looking for the sharpest possible images, and not shooting in consistently low light, then Zuiko lenses and the E-5 are the tools of choice.My very highest recommendation.