Olympus E-5

165 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
performance (97)
image quality (42)
durability (37)
screen (34)
usability (32)

Negative
portability (16)
price (9)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 165 reviews of Olympus E-5. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Reviewers really like the screen and durability. The image quality and usability are also appreciated. There are mixed opinions on the low light performance and size, and many are critical about the price and portability.

performance, usability, image quality, durability, screen

portability, price

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Olympus E-5 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 90/100 = Excellent quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 165 reviews)

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Showing 1 - 19 of 70 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (95)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Olympus E-5

alaTest has collected and analyzed 9 user reviews of Olympus E-5 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.8/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Comments about the design and durability are on the whole positive. The image quality and performance also get good opinions, but there are mixed reviews on the price and portability.

usability, performance, image quality, durability, design

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Barney Britton (dpreview.com)

Olympus E-5 In-depth Review

Note: because of the many operational similarities between the E-5 and the E-3, this review does not contain the standard 'body' and 'operation and controls' pages which would normally be found in a dpreview in-depth review. For a full picture of how...

Feb, 2011

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Expert review by : PJ Jacobowitz (pcmag.com)

Olympus E-5

The splashproof, dustproof Olympus E-5 is a good option if you shoot photos and video in unfriendly environments, but with middling low-light performance and limited video-capture options it's not the best D-SLR you can buy for the money.

Takes sharp photos in good light. Splashproof and dustproof. Crisp, articulating LCD. In-camera color effects and HDR. Excellent connectivity options.

Bulky and heavy. Underwhelming low-light performance. Video capture is limited to 720p30. Slow autofocus during Live View shooting. Audible lens noise during video recording.

More Digital Camera Reviews: Ricoh Theta SC Sony a9 SeaLife DC2000 Nikon Coolpix W100 Canon EOS M6 more

Jan, 2011

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Expert review by : Derrick Story (pcworld.com)

Olympus E-5

There hasn't been much activity on the DSLR front from Olympus since the E-30 was released in 2009. At that time, its enthusiast DSLR out-specified the flagship E-3. Now, with the unveiling of the new E-5, Olympus shooters finally have a...

Weather-resistant body ; Dual card slots (CF and SD) ; Wireless flash control built in ; In-body image stabilization ; Fast autofocusing ; Level gauge ; Tilt-and-swivel 3-inch LCD ; 100-percent field-of-view optical viewfinder

Lackluster high ISO performance above 1600 ; Only 5 fps burst mode ; Limited video options ; No mode dial ; 12 megapixel sensor

The Olympus E-5 is best suited for photographers with existing Olympus lenses who want a rugged, dependable DSLR body with a broad, creative feature set.

Jan, 2011

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Expert review by (dpreview.com)

Olympus E-5 Review

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Expert review by : William Chambers (steves-digicams.com)

Olympus E-5 dSLR Review

The Olympus E-5 is a welcomed replacement to the E-3 from 2007. This unit offers various improvements, a durable body with weather/dust resistance, excellent image quality and robust performance. It's also competitively priced. Read more in our Full...

Excellent image quality ; Robust shooting performance ; Bright and clear OVF ; Versatile exposure mode options ; Capable Program AE mode ; Awesome 3.0-inch LCD ; Excellent build quality ; Durable and Weather/Dust resistant body ; Good high ISO...

ISO 6400 setting not really usable ; Built-in mic picks up a lot of background noise ; No mode dial (uses a button in conjunction with the rear control dial or 4-way controller)

Oct, 2010

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Expert review by (letsgodigital.org)

Olympus E-5 review

In the summer of 2003 Olympus launched the world's first Four Thirds system camera, the E-1. It was a daring move, completely against the grain, but that made it so unique. It was the beginning of a new segment within the DSLR market. This beginning...

When we only look at the specifications, it seems as if the Olympus E-5 has been surpassed on all sides by most camera manufacturers. However, practice leads to a completely different conclusion. The feeling you get as a photographer when you use the...

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Expert review by : Zoltan Arva-Toth (photographyblog.com)

Olympus E-5 Review

The Olympus E-5 is a new, rugged digital SLR camera that is the new flagship of the Four Thirds system. Inheriting the tough magnesium alloy body, environmental seals, large and bright viewfinder, ultra-fast multi-point AF system, 1/8000th second top...

The Olympus E-5 is an exceptionally well-built and rugged digital SLR camera that is a joy to use and produces remarkably crisp images with great colours, and resolution that defies its pixel count. The tank-like build, chunky hand-grip, ultra-fast AF...

Dec, 2010

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Expert review by : Derrick Story (macworld.com)

Review: Olympus E-5 DSLR

The E-5 is a solid if somewhat underwhelming DSLR for existing Olympus kit owners.

The Olympus E-5 features a 3-inch articulated LCD with 920,000 pixels, very fast autofocusing (especially if you're using the excellent 12-60mm f/2.8-4 SWD zoom lens), HD movie capture, dual memory card slots (CF and SD), and an upgraded image...

Jan, 2011

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Expert review by : Sal Cangeloso (geek.com)

Field test: Olympus E-5 digital camera

The E-5 is Olympus' newest professional digital camera and the follow-up to the E-3. Selling for $1699 it's in the price range of the Canon 7D and Nikon D7000, but the main appeal will be to E-3 owners and anyone that has invested in the 4/3rds...

Dec, 2010

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Expert review by : Digital Camera Review (digitalcamerareview.com)

Olympus E-5 Review

I couldn't help but feel impressed and a little bit depressed by the Olympus E-5. It's a surprisingly rugged camera with great image quality, terrific speed, excellent controls and the added flexibility of still image and video capture. My only...

Extremely solid construction, Fast auto focus, Articulated LCD and large viewfinder

Some highlight clipping, Lower resolution than competition, Weaker high ISO performance than competition

Oct, 2010

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