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

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II: weather-sealed MFT body with 40MP high-res mode

The E-M5 Mark II packs a 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds sensor into a weather-sealed body that has earned its reputation across a decade of real-world use. The 5-axis in-body stabilization is the headline spec for handheld shooters, reviewers consistently found it usable down to 1/5 sec in low light, well past the threshold where most cameras demand a tripod. The 81-point AF system with eye-detection keeps portraits locked in at wide apertures, and continuous tracking at around 4fps delivers a hit rate above 75% on moving subjects when configured correctly.

The High Res mode is a genuinely distinctive feature. By shifting the sensor across eight exposures, it builds a 40MP output file, both as a JPEG and as a 100MB Raw, by sampling full color at every pixel position, which eliminates the false-color artifacts that plague single-shot Bayer sensors on fine detail. It's constrained to static subjects, ISO 200–1600, and a minimum aperture of f/8, so tripod work is required. For controlled shooting situations, it turns a 16MP camera into something with medium-format-level color resolution.

Video tops out at 1080p, with All-I capture at up to 77Mbps and 60fps options for smoother motion. A microphone input with adjustable gain, plus phantom power support for external mics, rounds out a video feature set that holds up for run-and-gun documentary work. The included FL-LM3 flash rotates and tilts and can trigger Olympus RC off-camera flash units, making it more useful than most bundled flashes.

Who It's For

Product photographers who work on a copy stand or in a controlled studio setup get direct access to 40MP files with true per-pixel color, without moving to a medium-format system. Travel and street photographers carrying a full kit of MFT glass benefit from the body's weather sealing and stabilization that genuinely extends handheld shooting into dark interiors. Portrait shooters relying on eye-detection AF can fire confidently at wide apertures, with the 81-point system handling focus placement. Documentary and event videographers get a microphone input with phantom power and All-I recording at 77Mbps in a body compact enough to carry all day.

Key Features

• 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds sensor with 5-axis in-body stabilization
• 40MP High Res mode via eight-exposure sensor shift
• 81-point autofocus system with eye-detection for portraits
• 1080p video up to 60fps with external microphone input and phantom power
• FL-LM3 flash with rotating/tilting head and RC off-camera trigger capability
• Weather-sealed magnesium-alloy body
• Articulating rear LCD and high-resolution electronic viewfinder
• LiveTime and LiveComp modes for long exposures and exposure blending

FAQ

How slow can you hand-hold the E-M5 II with its in-body stabilization?

You can get usable shots down to 1/5 sec in low light, which is well past the 1/30 sec threshold where non-stabilized cameras start producing motion blur. This assumes steady technique and a stabilized lens.

What exactly is High Res mode and when should I use it?

It combines eight sensor-shifted exposures to build a 40MP file with full-color sampling at every pixel, eliminating the false-color artifacts that Bayer sensors produce on fine detail. You need a tripod, ISO 200–1600, f/8 or smaller aperture, and a static subject. It's built for studio work, product photography, and landscapes.

Does the included FL-LM3 flash actually work well?

The head rotates and tilts like a full-size speedlight, and it can trigger Olympus RC off-camera flashes. It's miles ahead of a typical pop-up flash, though you'll still be carrying a separate unit.

How's the autofocus for tracking moving subjects?

Eye-detection AF is fast and reliable for portraits. For continuous tracking, you'll hit around 75% in-focus hit rate at 4fps when you disable release-priority mode. The 81-point AF system keeps up with most subjects at typical sports/action frame rates.

Can you shoot video with this camera?

Yes, 1080p up to 60fps, with bitrates up to 77Mbps in All-I mode or 52Mbps in standard mode. The microphone input accepts external mics with phantom power, and the flip-out screen plus focus peaking make handheld video work straightforward.

How weather-sealed is the E-M5 II?

It's weather-sealed and built ruggedly enough to handle heavy field use, including dusty or wet conditions. That said, weather-sealing is never bulletproof; you still need common sense around moisture.

What's the learning curve for someone new to Olympus cameras?

The controls and button layout are customizable, which is good. The Super Control Panel makes accessing core settings straightforward. The rough part is that some features (like LiveTime) are buried in non-obvious menu locations, and the mode dial indicator marking can be confusing at first glance.