The OM System OM-5 looks to be coming in September, with a stacked flagship sensor and 15fps shooting
The OM System OM-5 is the next camera expected from OM Digital Solutions – the new owner of the Olympus camera division. And we already know quite a few leaked details about the new body, including its when it's coming, what sensor it has and even some of the AF tricks it'll have.
While the OM System OM-5 would technically be the third post-Olympus camera from the new ownership, following the new flagship OM System OM-1 and Olympus PEN E-P7, it will be the first one to eschew the iconic brand name (as the manufacturer confirmed that the OM-1 was the last camera to feature "Olympus" on the pentaprism, in commemorating of the 50th anniversary of the original Olympus OM-1 film camera).
The OM-5 will apparently feature the same image sensor as the flagship OM-1 (Image credit: Olympus)
Rumor site 43 Rumors, which has an uncanny track record when it comes to specs leaking, has reported the first drips of info about the OM System OM-5.
The outlet notes that the new camera will feature the same 20.4MP stacked image sensor as the OM-1. However, where the flagship is capable of up to 120fps shooting, the site claims that the OM-5 will shoot at 15fps – a carryover of the top speed of the E-M5 Mark III (when not shooting in Pro Capture, where it hits 30fps).
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This would certainly help prevent cannibalism between the two lines, as Olympus previously struggled to differentiate the midrange E-M5 and professional E-M1 lines. However, with the Panasonic GH6 offering higher 25.2MP resolution, it does risk the OM-5 losing a little ground to its rival.
That said, the site reports that the OM-5 will have AI subject tracking – a technology that had previously been exclusive to the flagship E-M1 / OM-1 line. Still, with the rumor that the OM-5 will have a single card slot, the OM-1 will remain the obvious choice for professionals.
Also being reported by 43 Rumors is that the OM-5 will use the same BLX-1 battery as the OM-1 – ideal for unifying production, but less ideal for any upgrading E-M5 users (who already had to change battery types from the Mark II to the Mark III).
OM System OM-5 release date
The OM System OM-5 is said to be due for an announcement in September 2022, with shipping due to begin in October.
This would continue the shift away from the E-M5's traditional February window (which saw the launch of the original camera and the Mark II), following the November launch of the E-M5 Mark III in 2019.
James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes.
