Upgrade Guide

OM System OM-5 → OM System OM-5 Mark II

Is the upgrade worth it? Every change on the spec sheet, and an honest read on who should bother.

OM System OM-5
OM System OM-5
OM System OM-5 Mark II
OM System OM-5 Mark II
→

The bottom line

The OM System OM-5 Mark II is the direct successor to your OM System OM-5, released 3 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 0 items and steps back on 1. The OM System OM-5 Mark II lists at $1,199 (the OM System OM-5 launched at $1,199, 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-5 Mark II if…

    Stick with the OM System OM-5 if…

    • •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 (2 items)

    ↑ 0 improved · ↓ 1 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse

    SpecOM System OM-5OM System OM-5 Mark II
    General
    →Dimensions125×85×49.5 mm125.3×85.2×52 mm
    ↓Weight414g (14.6 oz)418g (14.7 oz)

    What stayed the same (46 items)

    Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the OM System OM-5 already has them.

    Sensor Type: BSI Stacked Live MOSSensor Size: Micro Four ThirdsImage Processor: TruePic IXEffective Resolution: 20.4 MPLens Mount: Micro Four ThirdsISO Range (Native): 200 – 25600ISO Range (Extended): 80 – 102400Mechanical Shutter: 1/8000Electronic Shutter: 1/32000Flash Sync Speed: 1/250Built-in Flash: NoContinuous Shooting: 30 fpsMax Resolution: 4K4K Recording: Up to 60p1080p Recording: Up to 240p10-bit Internal: YesRecording Limit: No limitLog Profiles: OM-Log400 / HLGBuilt-in Mic: StereoHeadphone Jack: YesMic Input: YesHDMI Output: Micro (Type D)Phase Detect Points: 1,053Low Light AF: -7.5 EVEye AF: YesAnimal AF: YesVehicle AF: NoEVF Type: OLEDEVF Resolution: 2.36M dotsEVF Magnification: 0.83xLCD Size: 3"LCD Resolution: 1.04M dotsLCD Type: Vari-AngleTouch Screen: YesWi-Fi: Wi-Fi 5Bluetooth: v4.2USB: USB-C 3.2Memory Card Slots: 1x SD UHS-IIGPS: NoPrice (MSRP): $1,199Body Material: Magnesium AlloyWeather Sealed: YesIn-Body Stabilization: YesBattery Life (EVF): 520 shotsBattery Life (LCD): 520 shotsBattery Type: BLX-1

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    OM System OM-5 (keep or buy used)

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    OM System OM-5 Mark II

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    Frequently asked

    Is it worth upgrading from the OM System OM-5 to the OM System OM-5 Mark II?

    The OM System OM-5 Mark II is the direct successor to your OM System OM-5, released 3 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 0 items and steps back on 1. The OM System OM-5 Mark II lists at $1,199 (the OM System OM-5 launched at $1,199, 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 does the OM System OM-5 still do just as well as the OM System OM-5 Mark II?

    46 spec items are identical between the two, including sensor type (BSI Stacked Live MOS), sensor size (Micro Four Thirds), image processor (TruePic IX), effective resolution (20.4 MP), lens mount (Micro Four Thirds), iso range (native) (200 – 25600). If those cover your needs, the older body remains fully capable.

    Does the OM System OM-5 Mark II give anything up compared to the OM System OM-5?

    Yes — 1 item on the spec sheet moves the other way: weight (414g (14.6 oz) → 418g (14.7 oz)).

    Full side-by-side spec table →OM System OM-5 Mark II full specs →