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Olympus just announced their new flagship model, the Olympus E-5 DSLR. It’s a hybrid between the E-3 and the PEN series of cameras. It’s been almost three years since the E-3 was launched, Olympus is now updating their professional top-of-the-line camera to combine features from both the E-3 and the Micro Four Thirds cameras. The E-5 features a 12MP Live MOS sensor (the E-3 is 10MP), a waterproof, dustproof body (like the E-3), a new 3" swivel LCD and 720p HD video capability, shutter speed of up to 1/8000/second, and a total of 10 art filters including a new Dramatic Tone Filter, which can be applied to either still photos or video in any mode.
The E-5 is the third generation in Olympus’ line of professional DSLRs. The E-1 was the world’s first Four Thirds camera, which came out in June 2003, and then the E-3 followed about four years later. There were many more dramatic improvements and changes from the E-1 to the E-3. The E-5 is little less dramatic of a statement and incorporates additions and modifications that were introduced first on the Micro Four Thirds cameras. That said, the E-5 is designed to ‘finally offer image quality to match that of Zuiko lenses’.
Olympus E-3 vs. E-5: front
Olympus E-3 vs. E-5: back
The Olympus E-5 should interest professional photographers looking for the next step up from the E-3, or photographers who want a more rugged body with advanced features including HD video.
Pricing and Availability
Photo.net’s partners have the Olympus Evolt E-5 available. Their prices are fair and you help to support photo.net.
I was able to experience the new Olympus E-5 in a brief few days with a preproduction model. Unfortunately, test images and video cannot be posted from this camera as it does not include the final firmware. Once we get our hands on a full production model, we’ll do a full review on the camera.
During my short stint with the camera, I was able to test its reliability in a sudden downpour. The E-5 held up well and I was able to continue test-shooting a soccer game and some dedicated track runners in the rain. The body is weather sealed and dust sealed.
One of the features that was most interesting to me was the new Dramatic Tone Art Filter. It can be applied to either still photos or video in any mode—which is definitely an improvement over other models on which Art Filters can only be applied in “auto” mode (like the other Art Filters, once you apply the function, it’s non-reversible). The Dramatic Tone Art Filter imitates an HDR (high dynamic range) image. This filter does not expand the dynamic range of the image, but resembles it. I generally am a fan of a more pure representation of the world around me, but this filter definitely imparted a more grungy, grainy look to my images. It could be interesting when applied sparingly. The test videos I shot with it also have a grungy gritty feel to them.
Controls
Ergonomically, this camera feels almost identical to the E-3. A few buttons have moved around and the LCD is now a 3" swivel. There are 3 custom buttons: Fn Button, AF Target Button and Preview Button can be assigned for common shooting situations. Olympus has added a new Graphic User Interface (GUI) to the Live Guide Control Panel for Live View, for seemingly more intuitive control using direct button settings and a colored menu. I still find it a little confusing, but it just takes a little more playing around with the camera layout and controls to become comfortable with changing the settings. Compared to the E-3, the Live View, Info, and Menu buttons have moved to above the LCD screen. The Delete button is now below the 4-way control pad. The E-5 has a dual-card slot for both CF and SD cards and has a slide-open door like most other Olympus models, as opposed to the card door release lever on the E-3. Also interesting, there’s a new white balance mode specifically for shooting underwater.
Movie Mode
As with most new DSLR announcements, the E-5 follows suit with the addition of a movie mode, offering 720p/30 frames-per-second HD capture. It’s worth noting that this is the first addition of 720p video to Olympus line of professional cameras. The sound recording is mono, however there is a stereo mic jack. The focus point selector button now has a double function of a movie start/stop record button. It’s always a little tricky figuring out the layout of a new camera, especially figuring out how to turn on the movie mode. (The preproduction model didn’t come with a manual, of course.) It didn’t take me too long to figure out the few short steps to get me filming my own videos (in the rain, I might add). Turn on the live view button located above the LCD screen, then toggle the movie start/stop trigger (where the focus point selector button is on the E-3). While I can’t comment too much on the actual performance of the camera, being that it’s a preproduction model, the E-5 did seem to feature continuous auto focus while shooting video, which is a huge hassle-saver in my opinion.
Art Filters
The E-5 comes equipped with the Olympus Art Filters, including the new Dramatic Tone filter. These filters can now be applied in any shooting mode. On previous models including the PEN series, Art Filters can only be applied in “auto” mode. Art Filters are: Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Gentle Sepia, Cross Process, and Dramatic Tone.
Key Features
12.3MP Live-MOS sensor
ISO 100-6400
5 frames-per-second continuous capture
1/8000th top shutter speed
TruePic 5+ (Professionally Tuned) with Fine Detail Process + Art Filters (10 P/A/M/S)+
In-body image stabilization
Multiple exposure: combine up to 4 images
Dual Slot CF/SD
100% Viewfinder/LCD display
11pt Twin Crossed AF Sensor
10 built-in art filters including New Dramatic Tone in all modes (P/A/S/M/Movie)
Weather Sealed Magnesium Body (Dust and Splash Proof)
3" swivel LCD; 920,000 dot resolution
HD Video (720P-30fps)
PCM Linear Audio (mono on camera- stereo 3.5m jack)
Multiple aspect ratio options: 4:3(Default)/3:2/16:9/6:6/5:4/7:6/6:5/7:5/3:4
With an estimated street price of $1699, the Olympus E-5 can be purchased from one of our partner merchants. Purchasing from our partners helps to support Photo.net.
Dustproof, Splashproof DSLR with Dual Axis Swiveling LCD Monitor Offers Sharp Image Quality, High Definition Video and In-Camera Creative Features—Even in the Most Extreme Environments
CENTERVALLEY, Pa., September 14, 2010 — Today Olympus announces the E-5, a new digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera that builds on the company’s tradition of innovation to meet the rigorous demands of professional photographers and experienced amateurs. In recent years, Olympus has changed the DSLR marketplace by pioneering groundbreaking features, including the first 100 percent digital-specific lenses, the award-winning Supersonic Wave Filter Dust Reduction System, the first Full-Time Live View system and a completely splashproof and dustproof magnesium alloy DSLR body. Olympus continues this legacy by pairing these technologies with several new breakthrough features developed for the E-5 camera, providing further proof that Olympus lets you capture it all.
Superior Image Quality: The E-5 camera achieves the highest image quality of any Olympus camera by pairing a 12.3 megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor with a TruePic V+ image processing engine that boasts new “Fine Detail Processing” technology for greater detail in the photograph. Optimized to maximize the performance of the Zuiko Digital Lenses, Fine Detail Processing takes digital photography to the next level.
270 Degree Swivel LCD: A 3.0-inch dual axis swivel HyperCrystal LCD with 920,000 dots makes it easy to frame High Definition (HD) videos and still images at any angle from low to high and side to side to ensure accurate composition.
Limitless Creativity: Ten in-camera Art Filters including new Dramatic Tone round out this DSLR’s impressive feature set. For the first time, photographers can use Art Filters in all shooting modes, program auto, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual modes and movies with expanded control. Both still and movie capable, the E-5 camera offers HD video in an E-System DSLR for the first time.
“The E-5 camera combines the E-System’s legendary durability, reliability and professional image quality with HD video, multi-exposure and creative art features of the PEN series,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Wherever you’re shooting, the rugged splashproof design of this camera will capture excellent images and video and withstand any rough conditions you might encounter.”
Superior Image Quality: the E-5 camera utilizes a unique combination of cutting-edge technologies to deliver the highest image quality in the Olympus family. Together with its 12.3 megapixel High-Speed Live MOS image sensor, the Olympus TruePic V+ Image Processor produces clear and colorful photos using all the pixel information at an individual pixel level to provide the best digital images possible. The increased detail is due to the new Fine Detail Processing technology, utilizing a sophisticated algorithm to deliver all the information from each pixel for greater detail than shots taken on other cameras with the same number of pixels. The image processor is noted for accurate natural color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal expression; it also lowers image noise in photos shot at higher ISO settings (ISO 100 to ISO 6400), enabling great results in low-light situations.
To prevent image blur caused by camera shake, the E-5 camera employs in-body Mechanical Image Stabilization to compensate for camera movement up to 5 steps EV and delivers blur-free images taken with any of the ZUIKODIGITAL lenses available for the camera. Moreover, built-in Image Stabilization works with not only long focal length lenses, but with wide, ultra-wide and even fisheye lenses, permitting long exposures during low-light and night scene settings with sharp, stabilized results.
Head-Turning High Definition Video: shooting video is as easy as ever with the new Olympus E-5 camera. The camera captures all the action in crisp 720p HD video at 30 frames per second. With more than 20 Four Thirds lenses, people can shoot video with a selection of lenses ranging from an extreme wide-angle fisheye lens to a super telephoto lens for a variety of expressive options. Photographers can capture great stereo sound quality by plugging any microphone with a standard 3.5mm jack into the camera’s stereo microphone terminal. A built-in microphone also records clear monaural audio.
3.0-inch dual axis swivel HyperCrystal LCD: whether composing still images or HD video, photographers will appreciate the E-5 camera’s 270 degree dual axis swivel 3.0-inch Live View LCD because it covers all the viewing angles from low to high and side to side, ensuring accurate composition and providing opportunities for creativity. Real-time image monitoring of white balance and exposure enables greater creative control of settings. The LCD displays 920,000 dots in vivid color and includes HyperCrystal technology, which offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors for easier viewing in both preview and playback modes. It also provides a wide viewing angle ensuring that images can be composed from even the most obscure angles.
Tremendous Durability and Reliability: the E-5 camera’s sealed lightweight “thixomold” magnesium alloy chassis is completely splashproof and dustproof for optimal performance with pro lenses on expeditions to the most extreme environments on the planet. A durable shutter mechanism with the lifespan of 150,000 exposures meets the demands of serious photographers. The E-5 camera’s large optical viewfinder provides a 100 percent accurate view to ensure photographers do not miss a shot.
The E-5 camera also features an award-winning built-in Dust Reduction System that eliminates spots from photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter. This year, the system won the prestigious Asahi Shimbun Invention Prize in the 2010 Japan National Invention Awards. The patented ultrasonic technology physically vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor, and captures the debris on a special adhesive membrane every time you turn on the camera. It can even remove dust attached by intermolecular force that cannot be removed by physical vibration or by discharging static electricity. These spot-free photos liberate users from hours spent retouching photographs at the computer or sending their cameras back to the manufacturer to remove dust trapped inside.
Unlimited Creativity: Olympus pioneered easy-to-use in-camera art filters for still images captured inside its E-System DSLRs. It was the first company to offer the ability to apply art filters to HD video recordings captured with the PEN E-P1 camera. Now, the E-5 camera continues this tradition of innovation with 10 user controllable in-camera art filters, including one new filter: Dramatic Tone.
The Dramatic Tone art filter represents real space in a more imaginary way by applying unrealistic tones of light and darkness based on local changes in contrast. This new filter is a welcome addition to the Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Cross Process and Gentle Sepia filters previously available on the E-30, E-620 and PEN series cameras.
For the first time, photographers can use Art Filters in all shooting modes: shutter priority, aperture priority, manual and program auto modes for expanded control. The filters can all be applied to both still shots and Standard Definition or HD movies. Whether you’re a videographer, documentarian or established director—or just want to shoot like one—Art Filters set your images and videos apart from the pack. Since they’re built into the camera, you can achieve dramatic results on the go without the need for computer or editing software.
With the E-5 camera’s Multiple Exposure function for still image capture, you are free to tell a visual story your way, whether in portrait or landscape orientation, or a combination of both. The image capture options allow you to combine four shots. Shoot one shot, then another and combine them in real time, or capture two to four shots separately and combine them in the camera later.
The E-5 camera is also equipped with an internal Digital Level Sensor that detects the camera’s pitch and roll with indicators in the optical viewfinder, on the control panel and during Live View operation. This Digital Leveler is a tremendous benefit for architectural photographers who must ensure that images they take of buildings are as centered and true as the walls of the buildings themselves. Rather than spend time rotating an image in computer software, you can use the camera’s Digital Leveler to make sure your subjects are where they should be in the frame.
Whatever you create, it will be easy to display on the big screen. When you’re ready to share your work, just plug the E-5 camera into any HD television using the camera’s HDMI output with an HDMI cable and show it off.
Great Performance: Intuitive controls and fast performance are essential for capturing the moment without missing a shot. Besides its direct access buttons for quick access to camera menus, the E-5 camera offers the fastest AF speed in the world when coupled with the ZUIKODIGITAL ED 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 (24-120mm equivalent) Supersonic Wave Drive Lens to ensure fast focus for clear, sharp photos (1). The E-5 camera has a Twin cross type (fully biaxial) 11-point AF sensor, based on proprietary Olympus micro-sensing technologies that achieve equally effective performance on both the vertical and horizontal axis. With most biaxial sensors, performance on the vertical and horizontal axes is not equal, and there is often a perceived difference in response time when using different lenses. However, unlike systems that respond at nominally lower f-stop values simply by boosting sensitivity, the E-5 camera’s AF sensor features a houndstooth pattern phase detection sensor layout that uses micro-lamination technologies to achieve superior real-world performance. The 11 AF target points on the E-5 can be selected to work individually or dynamically in combination with adjacent target points.
The E-5 camera also features five frames-per-second continuous shooting and a 1/8000 second top shutter speed required for shooting situations when you are capturing fast-moving subjects.
Wireless Flash Control: the E-5 camera is compatible with a range of optional external flashes, including the Olympus FL-36R and FL-50R. The E-5 camera can control both of these flashes wirelessly so you can dynamically control lighting as your photography skills grow. The E-5 camera features a commander function incorporated in its built-in flash, making wireless multi-flash photography possible without using an outside commander. The E-5 camera can control up to three wireless flash groups independently, and control of multiple flashes is possible even in an environment in which both the FL-50R and FL-36R are used simultaneously. In addition, the E-5 camera’s Super Control Panel display makes it possible to enter and check all of the selected items on the LCD. This ensures excellent operability and mobility.
Memory: accepting both CompactFlash Type I UDMA and SD cards (SDHC/SDXC compatible), the camera provides a choice of data storage options for enhanced flexibility, and it is possible to transfer image files from one card to the other right inside the camera. Class 6 or higher SD cards are recommended for optimal movie shooting.
Pricing and Availability
Photo.net’s partners have the Olympus Evolt E-5 available. Their prices are fair and you help to support photo.net.
Por qué la Olympus E-5, si es una cámara semi profesional o profesional, sólo llega a 12MP y en el modo de video su rango es 720p/30fps HD? Con éstas especificaciones se consigue cualquier camarita compacta en el mercado, incluso, a menor precio, gracias
For the type of work that I do(sports in all types of weather) this camera would not be a bad option. I also like to head out to the wilderness where sudden downpours can ruin an entire day.
I am a Canon owner and enjoy their equipment, but sometimes you need a little more than High ISO. Not sure about the image quailty of Olympus semi-pro cameras, but I know their P&S are bellow average, compared to the competition.
However, when looking at some samples from the E3 the previous model, the pictures seemed to be highly color corrected, not oversaturated or overly sharp but true-to-life just as Olympus advertises. It's almost like looking out of a window than at a picture.
Too bad this camera is a little pricey for now(and so are the lenses) but is definately on my short list.
