The OM-5 is the ultimate companion that can capture both moving subjects and low-light scenes. Micro Four Thirds is this capable! A review with sample photos

I recently read an article filled with love for the OM-5 by someone who switched from full-frame to Micro Four Thirds, and I thought,
“I love the OM-5 too! I couldn't let it go!! I want to talk about the OM-5 as well!”
This is the article that inspired me.

Now that the OM-5II has been released, you can also buy the previous model at a lower price.
Isn't this a good time for those thinking about switching cameras?

Recently, I started communicating with a pro-wrestling friend (hereafter 'pro-wrestling friend') who was looking to switch cameras, and she switched from a Canon EOS 7D (body weight 820g) to an OM-5 (body weight 366g).
She is delighted, saying,
“I really made a great purchase!!”

By the way, I sent my pro-wrestling friend the link to Boiled-san's article, and she said she nodded so hard her neck almost fell off!!

First, here is the love for the OM-5 that my pro-wrestling friend shared with me. [The following text]

[Pro-wrestling friend's love for the OM-5]

1. Lightweight
Because it became lighter, I started taking my camera to places other than pro-wrestling matches.
Also, it's not a burden to carry two lenses! Because it's light!

2. Easy to shoot vertically
Because the body is compact, I don't have to stick my elbows out when holding it vertically.
This is great for me when shooting from narrow seats at pro-wrestling matches!

3. Close-ups
When I used the digital teleconverter that Saru-san taught me about before, it was a huge close-up!
If you save in both JPEG and RAW, you can upload the JPEG to social media, and the image before uploading is saved in RAW, so even if you mess up, you can re-develop it.

4. Excellent image stabilization
Since the body has built-in image stabilization, I can choose any lens when buying.
Previously, about 60% of my shots were blurry, but now 95% are in good focus, and the remaining 0.5% are slightly soft. It's divine!!

5. Waterproofing
Even the Brahman Brothers aren't scary!

6. Cute
The slightly retro design is rugged yet compact and cute.
If I were to compare it to a pro-wrestler, it would be Taro Nohashi.

To put it clearly, I am very satisfied!
I especially didn't realize that being compact and lightweight had so many advantages. It's very easy.

That is her opinion filled with love for the OM-5, using her favorite pro-wrestling as an analogy!!! (I have received permission to post this)
I wonder if this exceeds my own love for the OM-5? And maybe there's nothing left for me to say... lol

Before she bought it, I thought she might go for the Sony α6400 based on the flow of our conversation.
But the moment she saw the OM-5 at the store, she fell in love with that cute body at first sight.

And her struggle until now was
“The photos I took were so blurry that many of them were unusable...”
but after switching to the OM-5,
“There is no blur at all!!!!”
just as she said.

Seriously! The image stabilization on the Micro Four Thirds OM-5 is amazing.
Since I switched to the OM-5, my blurry photos have decreased drastically, and I've even had trouble because the number of photos to develop after shooting has increased. lol

Other points:
・Waterproof and splashproof, so rain isn't scary
・Micro Four Thirds is light
・The OM-5 looks classic and is super cute (I have the silver one)
・The lenses are also small
・The price of the lenses is also affordable

The question everyone is wondering: 'Can it capture moving subjects?'

Yes!! It can definitely capture them.
Low-light performance is also not a problem depending on the lens.

If you feel that low-light or moving subjects aren't great, you might want to check your lens.

I am in charge of photography at local Lucha Libre (Mexican professional wrestling) venues in Mexico.
I shoot fast-moving Lucha Libre in local gymnasiums, which are extremely dark environments with only energy-saving light bulbs.

Also, I love photographing the dances and parades of the 17 cultures of Oaxaca, represented by the Guelaguetza, and...

I almost exclusively shoot moving subjects with the OM-5. Haha.

It seriously locks onto the subject.

I have posted some action photos taken with the OM-5 here, so
I would like you to verify, "Wow, you can take photos like this!"
for yourself.

I believe I was shooting in S mode at 1/250.
I might have set the exposure to +1 or +2 (I don't remember well).

For the photos, I only adjusted the brightness and color, and did some cropping; I didn't do anything elaborate.
These are JPEG photos from the OM-5, without using Photoshop or Lightroom.

Camera and lenses used

Camera body
OM SYSTEM OM-5

Lenses frequently used in low light
・M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.8
・M.Zuiko Digital ED 20mm F1.4 PRO

Telephoto zoom
・M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO
(Basically, I bought the lenses used from Map Camera. These are great! The background blurs nicely, and although it was quite large and expensive even used, it's worth it.)

When I want to take portrait-style shots. This is for low light.
M.Zuiko Digital ED 20mm F1.4 PRO

Likewise, since local Lucha Libre venues are dark, I almost exclusively use the
M. Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.8

By the way, for comparison... this photo alone was taken with a full-frame Zf, but I feel like there isn't that much of a difference when just uploaded to social media.

So, what did you think? These were sample photos showing that
you can capture moving subjects this well even with Micro Four Thirds.

It can capture everyday moments beautifully, and if it can capture moving subjects this well (and surprisingly well in low light, too), I think it's just too capable.

By the way, because the OM-5 is so capable, I still haven't bought a telephoto lens for my full-frame Zf. Or rather, I can't afford to. Haha

Click here for the Zf story.

Click here for the story of my past favorite Micro Four Thirds cameras.

Seriously, the OM-5 is a great camera. I think it deserves more attention.

So, I would like OM SYSTEM to make videos that don't just focus on the OM-1, but also shine more of a spotlight on the OM-5.

Thank you for reading until the end!
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