Olympus E-M5 Mark II or E-M10 Mark II - Which is BETTER? 

The E-M5 MkII got me back into Olympus after 20yrs. I love it. Especially being metal.

I bought a used EM5ii about 4 years ago and paid around € 450 for it. This little machine won me over to Olympus as I was a Canon shooter in the past. I still use it and in the meantime purchases used EM1ii, Pen F and Lumix gx9 and of course many small and light lenses. I you are not shooting fast action in dim light m4/3 should be more than enough for most of us amateurs.

Hi Peter I too have both these cameras and whilst the build quality of the EM5 Mkii is better and feels more solid generally, I actually prefer the EM10 Mkii in actual use on account of how it sits in my hands. The tilting screen is more useful for street photography and with the smaller M4/3 lenses it is a delight to use and carry around. I keep my Olympus F2.8 12-40 Pro on the EM5 Mkii for when very best image quality is needed, but if I had to keep only one, it would have to be the EM10 Mkii as it’s such a little jewel of a camera. Best wishes from the UK to you all in Finland.

I still think that the EM10 Mk2 is the best value camera I've ever owned.

Flippant comment maybe but I love the on off switch on the EM10ii that is identical to the old OM1 from 1972. It has a 90 degree throw, so it's almost impossible to knock accidentally to the on position in the camera bag.

Love both cameras. The flip down screen on the EM-10 is great but the more solid feel of the EM-5 is good, too.

Thanks Peter. I have the EM5 mark II and The Em1 mark III for different uses. I love them for image quality and how easy they are to use,

Good to see new content on some of the lower-cost Olympus cameras, the EM5 Mark II is the camera I use most. My favourite features are the truly small size, classic Olympus looks, high-quality magnesium alloy body, amazing IBIS and creative tools (high res, live comp etc).

Peter - I had both these cameras - the EM10 was and is my go to camera for everyday work travel and portability - now upgraded form a mark 2 to an EM10 mark4 which I find to be even better .The EM5 is perhaps better inasmuch as its weather proofed etc and thus gets used more in autumn / winter .Both are great however and to a degree interchangeable in usage and capability terms.

I'd decided on an em10ii but stumbled on an amazing deal for an em5ii .. love all the buttons and the weather sealing

I still use my OMD-EM10mk2 with Olympus Grip and 12mm f2, 25mm f1.8, 45mm f1.8 and 75mm f1.8 for stills. I do not need anything above this quality in pictures. I never used more ISO than 1600 which still keeps a lot of detail. Usually I shoot between ISO 200 and 800, because of fantastic Olympus IS and high speed prime lenses. Overall Great build quality and customisation (mk3 and mk4 is declining in this department). Body cost me 200 pounds, grip 50 pounds, lenses in total 1000 pounds. For videos I use my Iphone 13 pro, but even 13 makes amazing hdr videos as well. You cannot beat them in this price range.

I bought a used silver E-M5 Mk2 last month - your review confirms I made a wise decision, really love the the classic retro vibe as well.

Peter, always enjoy your videos and always learn something from them. My EDC camera for the last year has been the EM10 Mii which I picked up used and it is a favorite of mine for sure. I also have an older EPL1 but don't use that quite as much. I like the customizable function buttons. I have other Lumix and Nikon cameras but the OM10 is just fun to use.

Em5ii, such a solid feeling camera in the hand. If you only shoot stills this will have you covered, even in 2022

I had the e-m10-II and was very happy, skipped the 5-II and went to 1-II in Olympus recertified offer a while back. Really pleased with both.

Peter I think you’ve nailed it on this review/comparison. I had both these bodies at the same time a year back, using them for general photography and some video work. The EM10ii was for the B roll footage and good backup. I since upgraded to an EM1iii and kept the EM10ii for pocketability and just to throw in any bag when I go out with the 14-40 EZ kit lens. But if I were just moving up from eg camera phone I’d go with the 5 as having more potential to grow. Also look out for the extra grip and battery grip - I had both which gave great handling and longevity when filming.

My first Olympus was the EM 10 mk ii with extra 40-150 kit lens. I bought it for a trip to Europe. It was and still is an excellent light weight walk about camera. It’s because of this camera that I bought the EM 1 mk ii. I use both regularly.

Thanks Peter. I've had the em5mk2 for several years now and have the battery grip as well. Even though I have an em1mk2 as my main camera i still love the feel of the em5. It just feels solid and never misses a shot. I usually keep the pano 100-400 on it. Love your videos Peter 😉👍📷📷📷📷📷 cheers, Mike

When I wanted a camera I could leave in the car (I have an EM1 Mk2) I looked at these and decided on the EM5 Mk II, so totally agree with your choice. 2nd hand the price difference isn't a lot and the EM5 had the edge. Paired with the pancake 14-42mm lens its a small package and always ready when you are out without your camera and see something that needs shooting. Great video, thanks.

Among all these Olympus cameras with this shared design the E5-II is IMO the best looking among all. Only that reason is reason enough for me to chose this camera among any Olympus cameras, but also by being an E5 is very capable and I think 16MP is the "sweet spot" in resolution (wish phones would come back to 16MP).

My first Olympus was precisely the EM10 mark II. And while it met my photographic needs, switching to the EM5 markII was one of the best decisions I ever made. It has become my favorite camera. The quality and versatility it offers me is tremendous. I take it everywhere and it's almost the only one I use. My Nikon D500, sadly though, spends most of its time in storage. Although both can already be considered "old", I doubt that I will change them in the medium term because they give me more than I need.

I got the Em10 II. I love it. Would opt for the Em5 II Just for the possibility to put an external mic for video's. That is a special feature too.

I think the question boils down to : if you must have only one camera, the E-M5 mk II is the better choice. But if you can afford the luxury of having more than one body, then an E-M10 mk II paired with an OG E-M1 (to stay close to the E-M5 mk II spec sheet / price point, but of course an E-M1 mk II or up is a better choice) works better than a lone E-M5 mk II camera. The E-M5 mk II is much heavier (a 1/3rd !) than a 10 mk II, and doesn't have that many significant improvements : weather sealing - high resolution - optional battery grip with mike input (I may forget some). But the E-M10 mk II also has exclusives not found on the 5.2 : AF trackpad on the rear LCD, flip screen for street photography (many prefer it over the articulated screen of the E-M5.2), OLED viewfinder instead of LCD (moreover it doesn't burn itself to death in direct sunlight, unlike the 5.2 unit which is extremely fragile), integrated puny flash, better controls layout. For everything else, the E-M1 is better than both and not that much bigger than the E-M5.2 (to be fair, the OG E-M1 lacks high res and there's a time limit to the e-shutter). To me the 5.2 is too compromised. If I want to go light on a whim, I grab the 10.2 ; whenever I feel more serious, the 1.2 is my pick.

I purchased my copy of the E-M5ii in 2018, and I have shot with it extensively. I've done weddings, time-lapses, sports, concerts, birthday parties, travels and landscapes with it. It has had very good use, though sadly it has been showing frequent issues (which I regularly service every 6 months). That being said, I have pushed the shutter count to a good 600,000 (will need to check over it).

Hello Peter! I love your channel and have watch it for over a year now! I own a Pen E-PL8 and just used it for my first business photo shoot for a gaming company. Is there anyway to get the focus stacking feature on the Pen cameras? I really need it for their miniatures but didn’t want to purchase another Olympus unless I truly have too. Can you please give me your knowledge on this?

Thanks Peter. I've E-M5ii and E-M1iii. E-M5 is a great compact camera. I use in street fotography and E-M1iii in landscape and nature fotography. The only problem is that you can't use all the functions of olympus workspace with the E-M5ii photos.

I used to have the em 10ii two times and two times the em5ii, and now I have the em5ii cos many great funtion and weather sealing.

The em5 is probably the only camera 90% of you need especially when paired with pro lenses and then there's the weather sealing and ibis .This camera will do whatever you want provided of course you can locate it in the menu system

Getting along in years I saw an EM10 Mark iii in a pawn shop and it has replaced my Fuji hsc 10 with the super zoom lens but getting heaver every year. I love the OM Ds and bought my wife a similar to replace her Fuji S9500 or S9600. For some reason here in Thailand on facebook Market there was a flood of Olympus OM D and Pen models and lens rather inexpensive so we now have several of them. The last camera I bought was the EM 10 Markii and with the added had grip is with the 12-50 Marco lens has become my basis set up but have the 75-300 as well. We have all kit lens. My wife grew up in her family photo shop which we finally closed when film died. We just enjoy using the cameras for fun and our gear is satisfactory for that.

Another great review Peter I still have a couple of older Olympus cameras and use them with great results. Have you tried the new Panasonic Leica 8mm f1.7 lens yet and how will it work on the Olympus camera body? Gerry

Thanks to the hi-res shot mode and due to the dimensions of the micro 4/3 sensor, the EM-5ii has become my go-to MF film scanner - 64mpx scans of 645 and 8x6. I have it tethered to a PC with OM Capture -> LR Classic watch NAS folder -> Negative Lab Pro conversion. Used, the 5ii costs far less than any flatbed option and provides superior results. The 5ii was my primary camera for ~3.5 years and it's crazy to see it go for as low as $250 used. Great comparison Peter!

I got the em10 mark 3s as a back up camera and it surprised me how fun it was to use..I discovered 3 d tracking works very well ..even better than my E-M1 mark 2

I have had the EM 10II for several years, but couldn't pass up a deal from the Olympus site for a refurbished EM 5II. In addition to weather seal, hi res, stacking, etc, I prefer the feel of the EM5II. Weight, size?

Thanks!

im still using E-M5 Mark 1 and still kicks

I think the EM5 has a better viewfinder (same as the EM1mk 2 and 3) and better IBIS then the EM10. The EM5mk2 also has a separate door for the SD card and a larger battery. Construction quality is also much better, probably the best after the EM1 series and certainly better then the EM5mk3

Heavily debating buying a used EM5 II in the future for collection purposes. Love the III but that metal body on the II is nice, plus they sell used for like $300 USD. Plus the thing is built like a tank.

I still prefer the em10 Mkii for stills photography and I don’t shoot video . I edit all pictures on my phone and from my phone I send best images to be printed in photo books . Those who see my work praise it and acknowledge I have the gift to see an image and capture it. Retirement is not a liberating time as some might assume , as babysitting of three little ones and a dog has left me with no free time for writing or gardening , but I compensate by taking the little ones to National Trust properties and that under the cover of being nanny , I get to capture a wide range of images . Since I don’t suffer from shyness - a career of teaching graduates and postgrads , married to running a law department and having a science based background , I will take the shot before anybody notices and if they do , they are unsure what to say to a nanny with her charges , much to the horror of my daughters . Which ever camera you decide to go with , let be one that lets you capture what you are feeling without much thinking . Often my phone can excel where my camera is getting in the way. If being subjective as to which is better then I would have to say both have their place and create powerful and long lasting images . The future of photography will be as far removed from the old heavy cameras of the last century. I would not be surprised if the process came to emulate the human eye and the creative artistry of our own minds . Where that to happen I am sure that it would raise the question of what was genuine and what was not . Peter , you’re review of both these little gems highlights that Olympus should have done more to up grade it’s old cameras by firmware updates , since the drive to ever more pricy pro models coming to market . Where this to happen it would attract many to the brand and create a pool from which there would be growing number of individuals seeking the higher priced models . I think Olympus has a future , but it would achieve this more convincingly by keeping its old cameras relevant to the present by adding more updates . Unless there were a technical reason for why that is not possible , then using the argument that it would make some models redundant is folly . Using the two models you used for this review, one is chiefly weather sealed and aimed at video uses who like to shoot some stills. The other is squarely aimed at photographers and prefer the tilt screen . After all this time there is a place for both and a reason to update the firmware to be universal on both these cameras . To achieve better upgrades to those models would scream that Olympus had a commitment to making their cameras relevant for future users without weakening the latest models . I always thought that you needed only two types of camera . One that was aimed at the pro and the other for those wanting a tool that would do the business , but which could be set up to be truly easy to use by those not wanting to learn photography , but just want to capture stunning images without braking the bank . Camera manufactures are a business , but it is beholding on any business that wishes to have a future to be willing to entice and retain those looking in to the shop window to buy in to the dream and bring them to the pro line through developing their appetite for what else the stable has created . It would be interesting the take of others to the views I express here , which I aim at all manufactures , of which I have string passions for the Olympus stable .

Thank you for the video, there's quite a bit of very useful tips in there. Could you do another video comparing E-M5 II with E-M1 II?

I converted to micro 2/3 with an M10 mk 2 & have not looked back. My Canon DSLR is consigned to my store. I am slowly updating my lens collection by searching the used market.

I had e-m1 and e-m10m2 and just sold e-m10m2 last year. For me, electrical shutter speed is important but e-m1 gives just minimum speed of 1/8s, compared to 60s in e-m10m2. If e-m10m2 was weather-sealed and had more ibis stops, I would sold e-m1 instead of e-m10m2. I think e-m10m2 is still all-rounder budget camera for beginner. Anyway in korea olympus had gone and OMDS doesn't service any businesses anymore, I miss olympus mft cameras.

I'm still happy with my E-M5 mkI, but I will certainly replace it with another Oly at some point, so this video is very useful.

Hi Peter . Thanks for this retro review of both of these wonderful cameras . I chose the EM 10 Mkii because of the tilt screen . I have no interest in video and if I wanted video then I would use my phone . I would have liked to have seen more updates being given to the EM 10 . I concur that a used body from a reliable source and spending the additional cash on lenses - new or used . Thanks again Peter .

i didnt ask this question but i do have this question. i have the em5ii but am interested in the em10ii

Superb hint

I have both and the LCD screen does not work as a targeting pad when using the viewfinder in the EM5 II. that's a pitty

Great video Peter, and very great timing on it. ive been wondering if i should take a deal on an em5 ii so i could finally upgrade from my em10 mark ii. i orderes one yesterday! i am now going to sell my em10 ii with 2 Sigma f2.8 lenses and hopefully get enough for a 14-42 f2.8 pro lens or 75mm f1.8 portrait lens.

In your opinion, is there a great reason to upgrade from EM5 mii to an OM5 ? Is the image quality much better on the OM5 ? I am happy with the EM5ii and have been spending my money on (mostly PRO ) lenses rather than a body upgrade. I mostly take travel pictures, hiking shots and some street photography. Don't use it for video except on rare occasions (I have other cameras for video).

I'm interested in the em10II as an add-on to my em5 III (and they have the same batteries) but is the C-AF as bad as many say because of contrast detection only? (Ps: in France the em5 II is more like twice as expensive second-hand...)

Good video Peter. I think you have the wrong camera name on the screen at 4.53. Didn’t realize the em5 Mkii had so many features. Thanks.

I have both these bodies. The EM5 has the better features, but I don’t like the quick sleep mode as it sometimes causes me to miss shots. I don’t have this problem with the EM10, which I still really like for its great portability. However, the EM5 feels a bit more sturdy for bigger lenses such as the 12-100 PRO lens.

p.s. the section of the video with Sample EM5 ii pictures you had it labeled " EM1 mk ii"

Been shooting with the E-M10 Mark II for a year now and must say I am pretty happy with it. My main focus is portrait and I am considering upgrading to the OM-5, mainly because of build in ND + I love the small body. Would you say as a professional this would be a good upgrade? Ps. Thanks for your videos. Since I am working with Olympus I’ve watched many of them and they’ve been very helpful. Cheers.

Hi Peter, I think I know E-M5 Mk.II quite well: it’s MY camera! Quite good equipment, but when we come to FW upgrade, well, I am a bit disappointed: my Zuiko 12-45mm F4 PRO lens does NOT work in Focus Stacking with that camera! And… why? Simply because Olympus, ad a certain point, for some commercial strategies decided to stop upgrading E-M5 II anymore (might be to promote E-M5 Mk.III sales). Since the 12-45mm PRO lens was presented after this decision, it’s not supported by the internal focus Stacking feature, because the camera’s supported lenses list was never updated! I read there is an unofficial FW patch that “enables all lenses”: I also downloaded the code, but I never tried to burn it into the camera, at least not to spoil the warranty. But might be the case that, sooner or later, I’ll be too much curious to check it, anyway…

Hummm... Is it a coincidence that there is a video on the 5 series when there is also a rumour that the OM-5 is coming.... 😉

Hi Peter, I am interested in buying this OM-D E-M5 MK2 Titanium Edition or a OM-D E-M10 Limited edition, i both can get them around the same price (between €200 & €300. Which one do you recommend? I had a Canon EOS R before, but I am looking for a small camera that I will be travelling with around Europe to capture my travels. Best regards

I have the original EM5 and like it a lot. One thing I don't like, though, is the EVF. It's pretty coarse and crappy. Makes focusing my adapted Nikkor lenses very hard. Are the EVF s on the EM5II and EM10II considerably better, sharper? That would make a big difference in my decision to upgrade. Thanks.

Can anyone help I want to upgrade me olympus om-d e-m5 mark ii firmware. I can't find anything on the Olympus website. When I select update firmware with the camera plugged in My Sofware (Olympus Viewer version 2) say this function is not available?

I just upgraded to OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIs from EPL 3

Please could you help me? I tried to do vidéo with omd5mk2. I am not able to record the sound. I see the level meter on the screen and i checked the menu i video micro IS on selected. Record pcm IS not selected. I don't known why i have any sound on the video record. Many thanks for your help. Regards.

I'm going to start with Olympus, which is the intermediate one that you can recommend and it doesn't matter if it's used, which model do you recommend.?? thanks

Also I have firmware 4.0 on my em5II and focus stacking is grayed out in the menu

m10 mk2 also has focus stacking. M10 mk2 is cheaper than m5 mk2 with the same image quality, and usually comes with significant less shot counter.

Do you have a link to that short film that was make on the Olympus OMD E-M5ii?

Em 5 all the way. Built like a camera should be, em 5 mk3 is plastic fantastic, the route canon did back in the day when they switched the 40 d to plastic instead of magnesium. Maybe we will see a omd em 3 made of magnesium in the future to sit between the omd em 5 and em 1

Would it be a worth upgrade from an em10 MK2 to an em5 MK3? Is the image quality much better on an em5 MK3?

I have both and my 10 series has sat on the shelf more than the 5 series - hence my preference is the E-M5 Mk II but that is not to say that the 10 is not a viable option, but I am a big guy with big hands so the 10 series gets lost in my hands

I’ve had a original 5 , a 10mk ii then. 5 mk ii then a 1 mk ii the only one I didn’t gel with was the 5 mk ii . I now have a 10 mk iii and it’s all I need , I loved the 1 mk 2 but for me the smaller body of the 10 suits me better for travel . If I was doing wildlife of sport it would be the 1 mk ii without a doubt. The little 14-42 ez is a little wonder and gives me a pocketable camera tho I do have the 12-40 …all in all I’m happy with Olympus and I’ve used a lot of different makes and full frame

Em10 m2 is the best om10 series camera. om10 mark 3 and mark 4 are just bad, missing features from mark 2.

Great video Peter, another point for the E-M5 Mk2 on video (hat tip to Rob Trek 😀) is that you can enable 'clean' HDMI by pressing the INFO button 3-5 seconds, I use the E-M5 Mk2 as meetings / streaming web cam via HDMI (cheap 3rd party version) capture stick . It does not have the phase-detect autofocus in the E-M5 Mk3 and E-M1 Mk2/3 but it works out ok matched with the 12 or 17mm lens ..

M5 mk2 for 1 simple thing. Weather sealed 😊

I just wish that camera manufactures would stop choosing the model names from a bowl of alpha-numeric soup ?

The EM-5 Mark II is wayy more expensive here, around 1.75x the price of the E-M10 Mark II

What about the audio quality when recording a video with an external mic? People say it’s absolutely terrible, a lot of hiss. Built-in mic is useless. I don’t know if it’s true or not but it’s a dealbreaker for me. If anyone who has EM5 mk ii can confirm that it would be great

EM10 MKII I am using it for the past 4-5 years, it has a metal body and is good. I bought an EM10 MKIV last year...one of the bad worst purchases.

At what time and when are your live videos?

I'd like an EM1 Mk ii or iii but I'd be fine with it if someone sent me an EM5ii in the mail!🤣 I have an EM5ii just this month. Had a chrome and a black EM10ii for a while. The metal bodies feel nicer for sure but the controls on the top panel of the EM5iii are better. Except that I love the on off switch on the EM10ii that is identical to the old OM1 from 1972.

I have got a 10 mk2, I like all in the 5 mk2, but, why don't have built in flash? Bye.

👌👍👍🙏 👋🙋

The video focusing on the EM10 ii is terrible. Better to use manual focus on video on that camera but for stills it's a great camera on my view and has killer looks and is so small and unobtrusive.

I bought an Em 10 Mark ii and I am disappointed with the quality of the autofocus work. In closed rooms, in poor lighting conditions, the autofocus often misses.

Em5m2 the wow camera in 2022 for 250€ lol

Quite odd comparison of higher end and lower end gear. Of course that more expensive, semiprofessional camera will be better.

When you hold them both in your hand, the E-M5 II has a noticeably stronger build, owing to the magnesium-alloy chassis, compared to the E-M10 II which is all plastic. The E-M5 II has a better EVF, not just due to the higher magnification listed in the specs, but it is also somehow smoother, less prone to flicker, and therefore more pleasing to the eye. Lastly, I see a lot of used E-M10 II cameras with broken battery doors, and LCD screens that either don't work at all, or only work at one specific angle. I think the E-M5 II is a more reliable camera.

Olympus E-M10 II has slow-motion video. E-M5 II dont.

The hi lights is not good and the skin tone is green. This is not professional.