Olympus E-p5 Review - One of the Last Affordable Premium Compact Cameras

Short and Simple

In an age when premium compact cameras are skyrocketing in price (Leica Q3, Sony RX1 iii, Ricoh GR IV Mono, Fujifilm x100vi), there is only one way to get a premium compact on a budget… time travel.

Over a decade ago, in the early days of the mirrorless revolution, companies like Olympus and Panasonic were making premium cameras for those who wanted to ditch their DSLRs and still get professional image quality.

With time, and the decrease in popularity of the micro four thirds sensor, those premium cameras now sell at a discount on the used market (but prices are rising).

One of the best examples of a golden age compact cameras is the Olympus E-p5.

Key Olympus E-m5 mark i specs:

16 MP Micro Four Thirds Sensor
Magnesium Body
Contrast Detect Autofocus
3-Inch, 610,000 Dot Touchscreen
Max 1/4,000 Shutter Speed
1080p 60fps video
9 Frames Per Second
425g with Battery
Max 25,600 ISO

Olympus E-P5 Review - Front with Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4

Is it Worth Buying in 2026?

If you can find this camera in good condition under 250 and you’re a fan of well-built compact cameras, I can highly recommend it. The Olympus E-p5 seems like one of the only compact cameras that didn’t surge in price in 2024-2025. The Fujifilm X100 series, the Ricoh GR series, and even the Sony Rx100 series soared to inflated prices on the used market. The Olympus E-p5 saw a slight price bump but nothing major. Its one of the true value cameras of 2026.

Just so you know, this is a photographer’s camera (not a videographer’s camera). If you just want a camera that shoots stills, this is a great option. If you need high quality video, the E-p5 will disappoint you. For more info, see the “Video Quality” section.

Key Specs

Release Date: June 2013
Sensor: 16.0 MP Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm)
Lens/Mount: Micro Four Thirds mount, compatible with Olympus and Panasonic lenses (and third party lenses).
ISO Range: ISO 200-25600
Shutter Speed: 9 frames per second with the mechanical shutter.
Image Stabilization: 5-axis IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization)
Autofocus System: Contrast Detection with Face Detection technology
Viewfinder: No viewfinder, only back screen.
Screen: Tilting 3-inch screen, 1,000,000 dots
Video Recording: 1920x1080:FHD/60p
Battery: BLN-1D
Weight: 420g (with battery)
RAW and JPEG: Yes
Flash: Yes, built in flash
Ports: USB (type A, the old style) and Micro HDMI (Type D)

Build Quality

In a word, “stellar”!

The metal body is weighty and feels very solid. The buttons and dials don’t have the cheap plasticy feel of many modern cameras.

I recently bought a Panasonic S9 (which I quickly returned). I was shocked at how cheap feeling the Panasonic was at $1,000. They don’t make them like they used to… Cameras like the Olympus E-p5 are in another class. You simply cannot buy compact cameras of this quality any longer.

Ergonomics and Handling

For a small camera, the Olympus E-p5 handles very well thanks to the combination of the prominent thumb rest and the leather protruding grip on the front.

Olympus cameras are some of the best in the world for ergonomics, in my opinion.

Is 16MP Enough in 2026?

Some people will snub their noses at the 16MP sensor in the E-P5 because they’re used to seeing megapixel counts in the 30s,40s, and 60s from modern cameras. But is that response justified?

For everyday memory capture and most photography genres 16MP is enough, even for a bit of cropping. This opinion coming from someone who has photographed with everything from 3MP to 42MP.

Obviously, if you need to be able to crop heavily, you’ll need something more, but I think most people will be very pleased with the results at 16MP. Unfortunately, camera manufactuerers have sold many people on the idea that they need 61MP to capture their children playing T-ball… it just isn’t so!

Image Quality

High ISO Shooting

Here is a quick run through of the ISO range, from 800-25,600. I’m happy to shoot the Olympus E-p5 up to 6,400 ISO. At 12,800 and especially at 25,600 ISO colors start to fall apart and the images are less flexible in post. You’ll also noticeable color shift at 12,800 ISO and above. The color shift is present at 6,400 but it isn’t too severe.

Battery Life and USB-C Charging Upgrade

I have nothing to complain about when it comes to battery life. I regularly go over a week without charging this camera when using it lightly.

One thing that annoys me about older cameras is their outdated charging systems. Generally you have to use a proprietary charger or use a micro-usb cable. But recently, battery companies have come up with a modern solution that allows you to charge with USB C cables. Battery manufacteurers are building USB C ports directly into battery packs.

One battery maker, Kastar, currently makes such a battery for the Olympus E-p5. I purchased one and I love it. It’s called the Kastar BLN-1D battery. It eliminates the annoyance and need to carry additional chargers and cables.

Adding an Accessory EVF to the Olympus E-P5

The Olympus E-p5 only has a tilting back screen, no EVF, but Olympus made several detachable EVFs that fits on the hot shoe. These are known as the VF-1, VF-2, VF-3, and VF-4. The E-p5 works with all 4 of them.

These viewfinders can also be used on several other Olympus cameras. See the compatibility chart here. You can buy one on eBay for between $100-150 USD on average. They aren’t the most aesthetically elegant solution, but they are much appreciated when photographing with the E-p5 on bright sunny days.

Video Quality

In the old days, and still somewhat today, Olympus was focused on still photography and didn’t spend a lot of time ensuring their cameras had great video quality. This emphasis (or lack of emphasis) shows up in the Olympus E-p5.

In my opinion, the greatest con of the E-p5 is its video output. It can shoot up to 1080p full HD video at 60 fps, but its some of the softest 1080p you’ll find in any camera.

If you’re looking for a retro camcorder look, this might be perfect for you, but if you want crisp, sharp, and modern video, unfortunately the E-p5 disappoints.

The older Panasonic Lumix m4/3 cameras always did considerably better in the video department.

Below, you’ll find a collection of video samples I shot with my E-p5. These were taken with a variety of lenses mostly using autofocus.

Great for Compact Lenses

One of the advantages of having a smaller body is that the Olympus E-m5 pairs uniquely well with small m4/3 lenses.

Some of my favorite lenses for this platform include:

Additional Reading

Olympus E-m1x Review

Sony Rx100 mark i Review (the Original)

The Olympus E-m1 mark ii Review in 2024 and 2025

Fujifilm X-H2 - Best Hybrid Camera? - Long Term Review in 2025

Review: Sony A7s (the original) - A Great Deal in 2024?

Olympus E-M10 Mark ii Review in 2024 - The Value King

Olympus Pen-F - One and Done Legend? - A Review in 2025

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