Olympus E-P5 First Shots: How does the new flagship PEN’s images compare to the Olympus E-P3 and even OM-D E-M5?

 

 

We've just posted First Shots -- IR Lab's initial test images -- taken with the new Olympus E-P5, the company's latest flagship offering in its popular and historically excellent PEN Micro Four Thirds camera series. (We recently reviewed the PEN entry- and mid-level models, the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus E-PL5, and were blown away with the incredible bang-for-the-buck these two cameras provided, especially in terms of image quality.)

The Olympus PEN E-P5 is the successor to the Olympus E-P3 (which we also loved), and the model is clad in a brand-new body that features a ton of external controls, along with a new tilting LCD panel. Both the display and image sensor have more resolution than ever, and a number of other key metrics -- sensitivity range, fastest shutter speed, X-sync speed, and lag time for the LCD and viewfinder -- have also been improved. The Olympus E-P5 also received Wi-Fi connectivity, and supports an overhauled viewfinder accessory that itself boasts a much higher resolution. Add in much the same 5-axis stabilization system from the Olympus OM-D E-M5, and you've got quite a proposition for the prospective mirrorless camera owner.

Does the Olympus E-P5 improve on the image quality of the Olympus E-P3? Can it even rival the award-winning Olympus OM-D E-M5? You can check images from these cameras -- as well as their top competitors -- side by side in our Comparometer™. You might be surprised by the results.

See First Shots taken with the Olympus E-P5 here. And be sure to read our hands-on Olympus E-P5 preview for a full rundown of the compact system camera's technical prowess. We hope to post the full Olympus E-P5 review in a few weeks. Stay tuned!