| This test report is an appendix of our Olympus OM-D E-M5 review. Measurements for this Olympus OM-D E-M5 review have been carried out using Imatest. For the test method and explanation of terms, see FAQ. The conclusion and Olympus OM-D E-M5 sample images are shown in the Olympus E-M5 review. | |
Sensor resolution |
|||||
|
|
 |
||||
| The Olympus OM-D E-M5, combined with a good lens like the Olympus 45 mm 1.8 or the Sigma 30 mm EX DN, delivers standard jpg and in Lightroom developed RAW files with a resolution of almost 2500 LW/PH. These are very high scores. Not only for a micro-43 camera, but also compared with a camera with an APS-C size sensor, like the Canon 60D or the Nikon D5100. Only at the highest ISO setting, 25.600 ISO, resolution diminishes due to noise. | |||||
Dynamic range of the sensor
|
|||||
Noise |
|||||
|
|
 |
||||
| Comparison of the noise in jpg files with the measured noise in RAW files without noise reduction shows that in the jpg files, noise reduction occurs over 3200 ISO. Here you see examples of a gray card photographed at different ISO settings. The image crops show a detail from RAW files without noise reduction, if the picture was shown full size on your screen. By applying noise reduction, an even better result can be achieved for these RAW files. |  |
||||
Image Stabilization |
|||||
| We have tested the image stabilization of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 in combination with the Olympus 45 mm 1.8 lens. Olympus has the best image stabilization that we have hitherto encountered. Using a focal length of 45 mm (= 90 @ mm full frame) and a shutter speed of 1/100 second, shooting hand held without image stabilization, the sharpness equivalent to an image made at a shutter speed of 1/6 second. That is a gain of 4 stops! |
 |
||||
| At longer exposure times, you will still gain 3 stops: if you use a shutter speed of 1/25 second shooting hand held without image stabilization, the amount of blur will be equal to an image made at a shutter speed of 1/3 second and applying image stabilization. With some luck you may obtain a usable image at even longer shutter speeds, when you’re prepared to make a small series of images. In the Olympus E-M5 test you will see an example of an image made at a focal length of 600 mm @ full-format and a shutter speed of 1/8 second. |
|||||
Color reproduction in daylight |
|||||
 |
Color reproduction (Delta E 94) Olympus OM-D E-M5 in daylight
|
||||
|
Color accuracy at daylight is one of the trump cards of the Olympus OM-D E-M5. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 delivers RAW and jpg files (natural picture style) with a very high color accuracy. For the naked eye even direct comparison of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 images and the original test chart are hard to distinguish. Top performance. The illustration shows the color errors of an ISO 200 color jpg image taken in daylight. The further the ideal color (square) is removed from the color reproduction of the camera (round), the greater the color difference. For the test method and explanation of terms, see FAQ. |
|||||
Color reproduction artificial light |
|||||
 |
Color reproduction (Delta E 94) Olympus OM-D E-M5 in artificial light
|
||||
|
We tested the color reproduction of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 jpg files with the standard picture style. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 delivers RAW and jpg files with a reasonably good color reproduction in artificial light. But in artificial light you cannot blindly rely on the auto white balance for both jpg and RAW files, as clearly shown in the results shown for a 200 ISO jpg file. See our Olympus E-M5 review for sample images and conclusions. |
|||||
