OM SYSTEM launched a new version of OM-5 camera. The upgrade is not very big. Some of the updates needed to be done like having a USB-C port since that is required in EU. The other a little bigger update is the menu system that has been in OM-1 Mark II and the fairly new OM-3 camera. That new menu system is much better than the olde one. Now all the new OM SYSTEM canvas have the same menu which makes it easier to use different OM SYSTEM cameras. Many might have the OM-1 MarkII for nature and then the OM-3 for leisure photography.
What do I think?
As I already mentioned, the update is minor. The reason for updating was most likely two things. OM SYSTEM has been quiet in recent years, and it is good to launch something that reminds the brand of its existence. The other reason was most likely the need to update the USB port to match the requirements in the EU. At the same time then make some upgrades to the user experience.
I have mixed feelings about this update. It is now the entry-level OM SYSTEM camera, priced at 1299€ (at the time of the launch). The OM-3 is 1999€, and the OM-1 Mark II is 2999€. This likely means there won’t be an OM-10 or at least a camera to upgrade the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV. If there is an update to the E-M10 Mark IV, it most likely will be something else. If I were able to decide, it would be a video-centric camera.
The OM-5 Mark II is pretty good for an entry-level camera. I like the original OM-5, and with minor tweaks, I bet the new OM-5 Mark II is even better.
Is it enough to attract buyers? I am not sure. It still has the same old processor and sensor. It is not a problem, but I know how photographers react to this; it might be. Most photographers want better image quality, which is usually associated with a new sensor. I think the image quality is quite good in OM-5, so I would expect the same from OM-5 Mark II. We all should concentrate more on the quality of the image than on image quality.
The OM-5 Mark II is packed with features for an entry-level camera, making it a good bargain.
I like that they added the CP button, which makes all the computational imaging features easily accessible. These features are most likely used more when they are easily accessible.
If I can get it for testing, I will take the new camera for a spin around downtown Helsinki. OM-5 is a good camera for street photography, and I expect that OM-5 Mark II is even better.
You can learn more about the new camera from OM SYSTEM website.