• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus OM-D E-M5
  • Olympus PEN E-PL9
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Olympus E-PL8
E-PL8 vs E-PL9
Successor: Olympus E-M5 II
E-M5 vs E-M5 II
Olympus E-PL10
E-PL9 vs E-PL10
General
Model Number: E-M5 E-PL9
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $1299.99 $699.99
Street Price: $899.95 $699.99
Date Available: 2012-04-15 2018-04-05
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 23.0 oz (652 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
16.7 oz (473 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.8 x 3.5 x 1.7 in.
(122 x 89 x 43 mm)
4.6 x 2.7 x 1.5 in.
(117 x 68 x 39 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 16.1 16.1
Sensor Format: 4/3 4/3
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.75 microns 3.75 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 71  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.8  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.3  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 826  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG, MPO, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG JPEG, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 8.9 8.6
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (120p)
Movie File Format: MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 with stereo sound), AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Lens: Olympus M.Zuiko 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ Digital ED Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ ED M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 100mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 12 - 50mm 14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.20x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (wide) / f/6.3 - 22 (tele) f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 35 cm to Infinity
13.8 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 20 - 50 cm
7.9 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: 52.0mm 37.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 2x 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: High-speed Contrast-detect AF: 35-area multiple AF / All target, Group target area (9-area), Single target High-speed Contrast-detect AF: 121 points / All target, Group target (9 areas), Single target (normal), Single target (small); Eye detection with left/right/nearest priority
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / OLED No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF; 1.44M-dot, 1.15x magnification, 18mm eyepoint, -4 to +2 diopter, eye sensor  
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: 1,440,000 dots n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.58x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.15x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 614,000 dots (205,000 px) 1,036,800 dots
Touchscreen: Yes Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom:   14.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: AUTO: ISO Low (100) - 25600 (customizable, Default 200-1600) / Manual ISO Low (100) - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable AUTO ISO: 100 (Low) - 25600 (Customizable, Default 100-1600); Manual ISO: 100 (Low), 200 - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Custom WB, One-touch WB Auto, Sunny, Shadow, Cloudy, Incandescent, , Fluorescent, Underwater, Flash, Custom, Kelvin
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/16000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene select AE (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv., Wide Conv., Macro Conv., 3D Still), Art Filter, Underwater wide / macro Scene (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape with Portrait, Night Scene with Portrait, Children, Hand-held Starlight, Night Scene, Fireworks, Light Trails, Sports, Panning, Landscape, Sunset, Beach and Snow, Backlight HDR, Candle, Silent mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Documents, Multi Focus); Live Composite, Live Bulb, Panorama, Silent, Multiple Exposure, AE bracketing, HDR Backlight, Keystone Compensation; Art Filter (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Colour, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Cross Process, Dramatic Tone, Gentle Sepia, Key Line, Water colour, Partial Colour (18 colors selectable), Vintage, Bleach Bypass, Instant Film); Gradation (Auto, Normal, High Key, Low Key).
Self Timer: 2, 10 seconds 2, 12, custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual(1/1 (FULL) - 1/64) Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (Full, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64), Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 7.0 m / 23.0 ft. 5.4 m / 17.7 ft.
Flash Range Description: Bundled FL-LM2 GN = 7m/ISO 100 GN=7.6m (ISO 200)
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 with stereo sound), AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 Wi-Fi or Optional Remote Cable RM-UC1
Connections (extended): Micro HDMI (Type-D), combined AV/USB connector, Accessory Port 2 Micro HDMI (Type-D), Micro-B USB 2.0 port
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.52  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.51  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 20  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.56  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 8.9 8.6
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 17 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.0 8.6
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 16 14
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.0  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 15  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.28 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.102 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.44 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.056 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus, Multi-area AF mode lag = 0.175 second  
Startup Time: 1.1 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.7 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.3 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 360 shots 350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:   80 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BLN-1 Proprietary BLS-50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BLN-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BLS-50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: Olympus Viewer 2 CD-ROM  
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 3" tilting OLED monitor with Touchscreen panel, Hi-res EVF, 5-axis image stabilization, 9 fps burst, Full HD video. Available in black, brown or white.