Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II M1240PRO Black 2015

The E-M5 Mark II is a compact, weather sealed travel camera with best-in-class stabilization and a great PRO lens. But the autofocus is rough and video is 1080p only. Worth it under $800, skip it above that.

The 16.1MP sensor lands in the 12th percentile against modern mirrorless cameras, which sounds brutal, and honestly, it is for cropping or low light. But the 5-stop IBIS is a standout, letting you handhold shots that would be blurry mush on other bodies. Burst mode hits 9fps mechanical, which is solid but not thrilling. The real party trick is the 40MP high-res mode, which stitches multiple shots for genuinely detailed stills. Video is 1080p only, and in a world of 4K everything, that's a letdown. The 35-point AF system is the weakest link, especially in continuous mode where it lags behind most competitors.

Against the Sony a6700, the Olympus gets smoked in autofocus and video. The a6700 has real-time tracking AF and 4K 120p, while the E-M5 Mark II has 35 AF points and 1080p. The Fujifilm X-H2 and Panasonic S5 II are in a completely different league for resolution and low light. But none of those are as small or as weather sealed at this price point. The OM System OM-1 is the spiritual successor, and it fixes the AF and adds a stacked sensor, but it costs way more. The Nikon Z5 II offers full frame image quality for not much more money, though it's bigger and heavier.

Pricing is all over the place. US listings range from $700 to $2,600, which is a wild spread for a camera this old. At the low end, you're getting a weather sealed body, a great PRO lens, and stabilization that still impresses. At the high end, you're paying modern flagship money for a camera that loses to a $1,000 Sony a6700 in autofocus, video, and sensor performance. If you can find it under $800, it's a steal for travel shooters. Above $1,200, you're paying for nostalgia.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II is a camera that refuses to feel old. It's compact, weather sealed, and paired here with the excellent 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO lens. The 16MP sensor won't win spec sheet battles in 2024, but the 5-axis stabilization and that clever 40MP high-res mode still turn heads.

Owners love this thing for travel. It's light, tough, and the image quality punches above what the sensor size suggests. But the autofocus is a real weak spot, and the menu system feels like Olympus designed it as a puzzle first and a camera interface second.

Skip this if you shoot action, wildlife, or video. The autofocus will drive you crazy trying to track moving subjects, and 1080p video in 2024 is a hard sell. Also skip it if you have large hands, the grip is small and the ergonomics get complaints from owners. If you need modern AF and 4K, the Sony a6700 or Fujifilm X-H2 are better choices.

Buy this if you want a compact, tough travel camera with excellent stabilization and you don't shoot fast action or video. The 12-40mm PRO lens is genuinely great, and the weather sealing means you can shoot in rain without panic. But if you need reliable autofocus for kids, pets, or sports, or if you want 4K video, look elsewhere. This is a camera for patient photographers who value portability over specs.