Olympus E-M5 Mark II Underwater Camera Review

Olympus E-M5 Mark II Underwater Review—First Look Olympus was kind enough to send us an Olympus OM-D E-M5 II camera and Olympus PT-EP13 Housing to check out. Watch the video and get a rundown of the new key features and a first look at this camera and housing in this review. Awesome Control SetThis is one of the largest differences compared to the original E-M5. The control set very closely resembles that of the EM-1, which we thought was one of the best control sets of any camera, period. The beloved 2x2 switch is carried over from the E-M1 along with up to 6 customizable buttons. The control set between these two cameras is almost identical, making the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II one of the best controls sets in photography. Although the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and the E-M1 have different body shapes, the 2 cameras share almost identical control sets.Improved Sensor, AF Performance, and 5 Axis Image Stabilization The sensor is all new with a faster readout to support faster live view refresh and 1080 60p video. This also helps the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II have a slight increase in AF performance over the E-M1. Shooting speed is 10 frames per second in RAW, the same performance as E-M1. It also gets a bump in performance from the already crazy good 5 axis image stabilization of the E-M1. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 II holds lots of detail in the highlights, while preserving detail in the shadows.Improved Screen Display The new screen is 5 times brighter and has a much greater dynamic range over previous models. This makes seeing extremely backlit scenes like we have in underwater wide angle photography have much more detail, making wide angle compositions much easier to see. Pro Level Movie Mode The all new movie mode allows you to select up to a 60p frame rate for 1080 and options for higher bit rate video. An included option is to record a less compressed ALL-I format at 77 mbps bit rate. At the highest bit rate in 1080 60p I observed a 51 mbps rate, which is on par with professional level broadcast quality systems, and exceeds most other mirroless cameras on the market. On previous PEN and OMD models the highest bit rate possible was 24 mbps. Focus peaking is available for the first time during recording in movie mode. Combined with the 5 axis stabilization, novice movie shooters will be able to get good quality, stable footage with a minimal amount of image shake. 40 Megapixel Image — With a 16 MP Sensor You have the ability to shoot super hi res images with the "Pixel Shifting" technology of the EM-5 II. It works by shifting the sensor to capture multiple frames and build a composite image. It's a bit like how HDR works by taking multiple shots—you'll need to be perfectly still (on a tripod) and the subjects in the frame need to be perfectly still. While this will be fine for topside landscape photography, due to the moving environment underwater, it's not a viable option for most shooting situations underwater. PT- EP13 Housing The Olympus PT-EP13 Housing is a departure from previous housings in the OMD series. The housing includes an attached standard port, where before the flat port was always sold separately. The flat port accommodates the Olympus 14-42mm, Olympus 9-18mm, Olympus 12-50mm, and Olympus 60mm Lenses. The port is removable allowing third party port options from Zen and AOI to be added to expand the range of lenses that can be used. The Olympus PT-EP13 Housing for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II has large dials for shutter speed, aperture, and zoom, along with ergonomically placed buttons making it easy to quickly make changes underwater. The housing has large dials for shutter speed, aperture, mode, and zoom/focus. The shutter release has a good feel. Extenders on buttons place the controls in easy to access ergonomic positions. The flash can now be operated in the down position without the need to use or dedicate a custom function button to underwater shooting mode. A pickup view finder is standard and allows viewing the EVF through the back of the housing. The small, compact size of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II, Olympus PT-EP13 Housing, and AOI DLP-06 Underwater 4-inch Acrylic Dome Port lets you get into tight spots to get dramatic close-up photos.Port Options From AOI AOI makes multiple dome and flat ports to accommodate a wide range of lenses. Fisheye, wide angle zoom, and macro lenses are all supported making the Olympus PT-EP13 Housing the centerpiece of a complete and affordable mirrorless camera system. Click the button below to see the range of port options for the Olympus PEN and OMD series housings. With the ability to use dome ports from AOI, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II can use lenses like the Olympus 8mm fisheye lens to get ultra wide shots that would not be possible with the stock housing configuration of the Olympus PT-EP13 Housing. AOI PEN & OMD PORTS.Please note this system uses the PEN series ports.AOI has a range of ports available to greatly expand the number of lenses that can be used underwater.Conclusion The performance of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II matches or exceeds the E-M1 in almost every category. One area where it does not exceed is the flash sync speed. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 II is 1/250 versus the E-M1 at 1/320. Overall the new Olympus OM-D E-M5 II is arguably the best mirrorless camera Olympus has put out. With great still features, a vastly improved movie mode and a price of $300 less than the E-M1, makes the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II one of the top mirrorless out today. Stay tuned as we take this system for a test dive and provide some real world samples from this camera. Why buy direct from Backscatter?Free lifetime tech support with every purchase. We will beat any advertised price. Free shipping to USA and Canada and low cost international shipping. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 II is the best bang-for-your-buck in underwater photography right now. With a micro 4/3 sensor that is many times larger than sensors from top compact cameras, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II will be able to take pictures with more dynamic range, clarity, and sharpness than the best compact camera on the market. All at a price point LOWER than what a top compact camera and housing go for. With the ability to add on high quality lenses from Olympus, this system will outperform even low- to mid-range SLRs. Add on a strobe package and have a complete top level Olympus camera system for a fraction of the price. Quantities are limited at this price. Olympus E-M5 II Camera Lens Housing BundlePackage Includes:Olympus E-M5 II CameraOlympus PT-EP13 Underwater Housing14-42mm LensZoom GearLens PortSale Price $1,299.98 MSRP $2,444.96 You Save: $1,144.98LIMITED SUPPLYBUY NOW ...

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