Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II Mirrorless MFT (Micro Four Thirds) Camera Body, Black {16.1MP} with FL-LM3 Flash

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II: weather-sealed Micro Four Thirds with 40MP multi-shot mode.

The E-M5 Mark II runs a 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds sensor as its baseline, but the more interesting number is 40. Its High Res mode composites eight consecutive frames using sensor-shift technology, sampling full color at every pixel position and outputting a 40MP JPEG or a ~100MB Raw file. The catch is motion sensitivity, so it's built for tripod work: product photography, architecture, and static landscapes where that resolution actually has room to breathe. ISO tops out at 1600 in High Res mode, and minimum aperture is f/8.

The 5-axis in-body stabilization is rated at 5 stops by CIPA, and in practice it lets you shoot hand-held at shutter speeds most photographers wouldn't risk without a tripod. The 81-point AF system handles single-acquisition fast, and eye-detection AF tracks portraits with real confidence. Continuous AF at around 4fps delivers a workable hit rate once you disable release priority in the custom menu. Video tops out at 1080p with bitrates reaching 77Mbps in All-I mode, and the inclusion of a microphone input with adjustable gain makes it a credible tool for run-and-gun documentary work.

LiveTime mode, LiveComp for star trail compositing, extensive button customization, weather sealing, and a tilting touchscreen round out a body that rewards photographers willing to dig into its menus. The Micro Four Thirds mount gives access to one of the deepest mirrorless lens ecosystems available.

Who It's For

Product photographers working in controlled studio conditions get direct access to 40MP files with full-color pixel sampling, without investing in medium format. Travel and street photographers benefit from the 5-axis stabilization and weather-sealed build, which keeps the camera running in rain and low light without a tripod in hand. Portrait shooters will find eye-detection AF genuinely useful for keeping focus locked during fast-paced sessions at 4fps. Videographers doing event or documentary work get 1080p footage at up to 77Mbps All-I with a dedicated microphone input and in-body stabilization that eliminates the need for a gimbal on many shots.

Key Features

• 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds sensor with 40MP High Res multi-shot mode
• 5-axis in-body stabilization rated 5 stops by CIPA
• 81-point autofocus system with eye-detection AF and tracking
• 1080p video up to 77Mbps All-I with microphone input and adjustable gain
• Weather-sealed magnesium alloy body with tilting touchscreen
• Extensive button customization with Super Control Panel access
• LiveTime mode for real-time long exposure preview
• Micro Four Thirds mount with access to deep lens ecosystem

FAQ

What is High Res mode and how does it work?

High Res mode composites eight consecutive frames using sensor-shift technology to sample full color at every pixel position, outputting a 40MP JPEG or ~100MB Raw file. It's built for tripod work on static subjects-product photography, architecture, and landscapes-because any motion during the eight-frame sequence introduces artifacts.

Can I use High Res mode handheld?

No. High Res mode requires a tripod and a stationary subject. The 5-axis in-body stabilization helps with normal shooting, but it can't stabilize the multi-shot sequence itself.

What are the exposure limitations in High Res mode?

ISO is capped at 1600, minimum aperture is f/8, and slowest shutter speed is 8 seconds. These restrictions prevent the image from becoming too blurred for the extra resolution to deliver real benefit.

How fast is the autofocus?

In single-acquisition mode, the E-M5 II is one of the fastest-focusing mirrorless cameras available. The 81-point AF system includes eye-detection AF that reliably locks onto the closest eye in portrait work. For continuous AF, disable release priority in the custom menu to achieve a hit rate above 75% at around 4fps.

How good is the 5-axis stabilization?

CIPA rates it at 5 stops. In practice, it lets you shoot handheld at shutter speeds most photographers wouldn't risk without a tripod-down to 1/5 second in low light is achievable, though your technique matters.

What video formats does it shoot?

1080p only. The E-M5 II maxes out at 1080p/60p with bitrates up to 52Mbps (IPB) or 77Mbps (All-I). The microphone input with adjustable gain makes it credible for run-and-gun work, and it includes timecode support.

What makes the button customization useful?

Nearly every button can be reassigned to a different function, and the four-way controller can be partially repurposed. This lets you keep your most-used settings-ISO, white balance, video mode-at your fingertips without digging into menus.