OM System OM-D E-M5 → OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II
Is the upgrade worth it? Every change on the spec sheet, and an honest read on who should bother.
The bottom line
The OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II is the direct successor to your OM System OM-D E-M5, released 3 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 5 items and steps back on 6. The OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II lists at $1,299 (the OM System OM-D E-M5 launched at $999, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). The generation gap here is modest — upgrade only if a specific change below solves a real problem in your shooting.
Upgrade to the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II if…
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings no per-clip recording limit (vs a 29-min cap).
- ✓You vlog or shoot handheld solo — the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
Stick with the OM System OM-D E-M5 if…
- •You're budget-conscious — it launched at $999, about $300 less, freeing money for lenses.
- •You shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -2 EV gives it the edge after dark.
- •None of the headline changes map to what you actually shoot — the camera you own doesn't get worse when a successor launches.
What changed (16 items)
↑ 5 improved · ↓ 6 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | OM System OM-D E-M5 | OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| →Image Processor | TruePic VI | TruePic VII |
| Exposure Control | ||
| →Mechanical Shutter | 1/4000 | 1/8000 |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| ↑Continuous Shooting | 9 fps | 10 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| →Recording Limit | 29 min | No limit |
| ↑Mic Input | No | Yes |
| Focus | ||
| ↑Phase Detect Points | 0 | 81 |
| ↓Low Light AF | -2 EV | -1 EV |
| Viewfinder | ||
| ↑EVF Resolution | 1.44M dots | 2.36M dots |
| Monitor | ||
| ↑LCD Resolution | 0.61M dots | 1.04M dots |
| →LCD Type | Tilting | Vari-Angle |
| ↓Touch Screen | Yes | No |
| General | ||
| ↓Price (MSRP) | $999 | $1,299 |
| →Dimensions | 121.1×89.6×43.6 mm | 123.7×85.5×44.5 mm |
| ↓Weight | 425g (15.0 oz) | 469g (1.03 lb) |
| ↓Battery Life (EVF) | 360 shots | 310 shots |
| ↓Battery Life (LCD) | 360 shots | 310 shots |
What stayed the same (27 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the OM System OM-D E-M5 already has them.
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OM System OM-D E-M5 (keep or buy used)
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OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II
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Frequently asked
Is it worth upgrading from the OM System OM-D E-M5 to the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II?
The OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II is the direct successor to your OM System OM-D E-M5, released 3 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 5 items and steps back on 6. The OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II lists at $1,299 (the OM System OM-D E-M5 launched at $999, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). The generation gap here is modest — upgrade only if a specific change below solves a real problem in your shooting.
What are the biggest improvements of the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II over the OM System OM-D E-M5?
Across the spec sheet the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II improves 5 items. The most significant: it brings no per-clip recording limit (vs a 29-min cap). the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
What does the OM System OM-D E-M5 still do just as well as the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II?
27 spec items are identical between the two, including sensor type (Live MOS), sensor size (Micro Four Thirds), effective resolution (16.1 MP), lens mount (Micro Four Thirds), iso range (native) (200 – 25600), iso range (extended) (100 – 25600). If those cover your needs, the older body remains fully capable.
Does the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II give anything up compared to the OM System OM-D E-M5?
Yes — 6 items on the spec sheet move the other way: low light af (-2 EV → -1 EV), touch screen (Yes → No), price (msrp) ($999 → $1,299), weight (425g (15.0 oz) → 469g (1.03 lb)).
Full side-by-side spec table →OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II full specs →