Pixiq

As each new generation of DSLR cameras is introduced we benefit from upgrades such as better sensors and processors, greater speed, superior quality, and extra features. All of that is certainly true of the new E-5. It replaces the E-3 and boasts higher (12 vs. 10 megapixel) resolution, superior image quality plus amenities originally developed for the mirrorless PEN (E-PL) series of cameras. In fact, Olympus bills this new flagship model as offering the "reliability of an E-3 and the evolution of the PEN cameras" hinting that it's the best of both worlds.

Targeting professionals and serious enthusiasts, this splash-proof magnesium alloy camera has a shutter tested for 150,000 cycles, 5 fps burst speed and a very large, high magnification viewfinder. The E-5 body is equipped with the latest E-System features, including the Supersonic sensor cleaner, Live View and Olympus' three mode image stabilizer. Pro-oriented amenities include an autofocus fine-tuning function, slots for SD and CF memory cards, a 2-axis electronic level gauge in both the viewfinder and the LCD display, and  copyright data input.

Primary New Features

 This DSLR boasts many high-tech functions too, such as a Graphic User Interface option for ease of use in some aspects, intelligent AUTO mode and Face Detection AF in Live View. Seven picture style modes are available, including Custom with overrides for many aspects and i-Enhance. The latter selectively boosts the contrast and saturation in certain areas of a photo (to the user-selected intensity level) for particularly bold, vivid results. Let's take a quick look at the other important upgrades. 

Sensor and Processor: The E-5 achieves the highest image quality of any Olympus camera by combining a 12.3 megapixel (Four-Thirds) High-Speed Live-MOS Sensor with a TruePic V+ engine. Its Low Pass Filter, intended to minimize moiré, is less aggressive in order to retain better detail. The TruePic engine removes moiré and employs new algorithms for sophisticated for “Fine Detail Processing” for better detail and apparent sharpness.

HD Video: This is the first Olympus DSLR with a movie mode, and it can capture 1280x720p HD clips at a fast 30 frames per second. A built-in microphone records monaural audio but for superior sound quality, it accepts any optional stereo mic. When you’re ready to share your videos (or still photos), plug the E-5 camera into any HD television using an optional HDMI Type C cable.

Tilt/Swivel LCD: The 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD provides a clear, crisp display with very high contrast and 920,000 dot resolution. The dual axis swivel feature allows for composing images even when the camera is held at ground level or above the heads in a crowd, for example. That makes the E-5 very useful in both Live View and Movie mode.

Great Creative Versatility: Like the small PEN cameras, the E-5 offers Art Filters for special effects when the camera is set for P, A, S, M and Movie mode.  The tenth option is entirely new: Dramatic Tone filter provides an effect resembling High Dynamic Range through modified processing of a single image. And in black & white capture, special Picture Tone options and Filter Effects can be activated.

Design and Operation

The largest/heaviest Olympus camera, this one is equipped with a large handgrip and many external controls; there's no mode selector dial so operating modes must be selected with a button. Some buttons have two distinct puproses and certain funcitons require pressing two buttons while rotating a dial. That can lead to some confusion initially. I found it more convenient to press the [OK] button to activate the Control Panel with easy access to numerous functions in a sub menu. 

The full menu lists dozens of items with a multitude of options. Some are very valuable but they definitely call for a study of the owner's manual. Aside from the sheer number of functions, menu navigation is not as logical/intuitive as it could be in spite of the color coded layout.

No other DSLR in its league provides as many creative options as the E-5 with its many picture styles and art filters.  Other amenities  include Gradation control for wider dynamic range and image modification tools in Playback mode. Both RAW conversion and JPEG enhancement tools are available in post-processing. The most notworthy option allows for merging up to four photos into one, with brightness control for the best possible effect.

Live View & HD Movie

The tilt/swivel LCD is very useful in Live view and the E-5 offers many options re: data display, including a live histogram, the electronic level gauge, and several grid patterns. As with many DSLRs, autofocus in Live View is just acceptably fast with either contrast-detection or phase-detection AF. A few new Zuiko lenses are optimized for better Live View AF speed (with contrast-detection Imager AF) but I was using the more conventional zooms.

Video resolution is only 720p for a maximum of 7 minutes, but the clips look great on an HDTV. Mono sound quality is about average; I recommend buying a compact external stereo mic for much better (16bit, 44.1kHz) audio. Continuous autofocus is not available but AF can be activated at any time while recording a clip. It's not very fast so manual focus is often more useful.  The special effects Art Filters and some overrides can be pre-set. When the camera is in M mode, aperture, shutter speed and gain (ISO) can be controlled during video capture. This allows for greater versatility than you get with many other DSLRs.

Speed and Quality

The Olympus E-5 is very fast in many respects. It starts up quickly and can shoot an unlimited number of JPEGs (or 16 RAW photos) at a full 5 frames per second. During tests with the Zuiko Digital 12-60mm f/2.8-4 SWD zoom, autofocus was lightning fast outdoors when I used the viewfinder instead of Live View. All 11 of the focus detection points are cross-hatched, so the system was reliable with any type of subject.  It slowed noticeably in a dark arena however, especially when I used the 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD lens to shoot equestrian events.

Low ISO JPEGs made at default settings exhibit bold colors, moderately high sharpness, snappy contrast and great resolution thanks to Fine Detail processing. Switching to Super Fine JPEG capture -- and setting Noise Reduction to Low -- produced even more impressive results at ISO 200 and 400. Friends considered my 13x19" prints to be "absolutely perfect".

In harsh light a bit of minus compensation helped retain highlight detail and the Auto Gradation feature retained shadow detail. The "native" ISO is 200. While ISO 100 can be selected, contrast is higher at this level; that produces excessively bright highlights on sunny days but is certainly useful in flat, cloudy-day illumination.     

Even at ISO 800, image quality is fine, suitable for beautiful 11x15" prints. By ISO 1600 however, aggressive Noise Reduction processing smudges fine details although color saturation is well-maintained. Setting a slightly lower NR level -- plus some careful sharpening in Photoshop -- allowed me to make very good letter size prints from ISO 1600 JPEGs. By ISO 3200 however,  digital noise and blurring of fine detail were obvious. For better results, I switched to RAW capture and tweaked Noise Reduction to the ideal level in converter software while watching the effect change on my large computer monitor.  The best ISO 3200 shots made decent 5x7" prints.   

The Bottom Line 

The Olympus E-3 was already a fast, reliable and rugged DSLR used by some professionals and many serious enthusiasts. The new E-5 retains all of the benefits of that model but adds extras that make it more versatile. The additional features, particularly Movie mode, also help the E-5 to compete with DSLRs of other brands. While the much higher resolution of some competitors may be appealing, 12 megapixels should be enough for most applications.

Experienced photographers will appreciate its pro-grade construction and the wealth of creative effects features in capture mode and in Playback (post-processing). Granted, this professional camera is more expensive and more "complicated" than many enthusiast level DSLRs.  But since the image stabilizer is built-in, there's no need to pay more for lenses with an anti-shake system. The E-5 is also one of the few high-end DSLRs with an articulated LCD screen. If you already own Zuiko Digital lenses the cost of trading up to this camera will pay off, providing the most effective Olympus technology and the greatest versatility.   

Pros: Tank-like, splash-proof body with articulated LCD; many pro-oriented features; numerous creative effects options; fast AF in most conditions and 5 fps drive speed; two memory card slots

Cons: Larger/heavier than many competing DSLRs; some complexity due to numerous features and unique functions; video resolution is lower than average; JPEG quality declines at ISO 1600 and above

Average Retail Price: $1700 in the US and Canada.

Size/Weight: 5.6x4.6x2.9 inches (142.5x116.5x74.5mm); 28.2 oz. without battery (800g)

Specifications: For additional information about the numerous functions visit the Olympus Web site at http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1525