Olympus OM-D E-M10 vs. E-M5: A Hands-On Comparison for Serious Enthusiasts

When Olympus first introduced the OM-D line, it instantly became a game changer for mirrorless cameras, blending classic SLR styling with compact Micro Four Thirds - and a surprising suite of professional-grade features. I’ve had extensive hands-on time with both the Olympus OM-D E-M10 (introduced in 2014) and its slightly older sibling, the E-M5 (released 2012), testing them through my usual blend of technical lab work and real-world shooting scenarios. Both belong to the same Micro Four Thirds ecosystem, share many traits, but serve noticeably different photography needs and experience levels. So which one makes the better companion for you?

Let’s dissect their strengths and quirks, referencing my direct use and technical benchmarks, and help you decide based on your preferred photography genre, budget, and priorities.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Build Quality

Right out of the box, the E-M10 feels a little smaller and lighter than the E-M5 - 396g versus 425g - with more compact, rounded edges (see image above). The E-M10’s body measures 119x82x46mm compared to the E-M5’s slightly chunkier 122x89x43mm. The tighter pocketability of the E-M10 definitely appeals if discrete street shooting or travel is your priority.

Handling-wise, though, the E-M5 wins on ergonomics. Its grip is deeper and more sculpted, providing a confident hold - especially with larger lenses. Both share the familiar SLR-style layout and intuitive button placement, just with the E-M5’s controls feeling a bit more robust and refined. Its top-mounted dials and customizable buttons give the E-M5 that “professional tool” vibe.

Looking overhead, you can see the E-M5’s extra dial and more tactile knobs. The E-M10’s simpler control layout caters more to beginners or casual users who want quick access without too much menu diving.

What really separates the bodies, though, is the build and weather sealing. The E-M5 boasts comprehensive environmental sealing - dust and splashproof - so you can shoot confidently in adverse conditions. The E-M10 lacks this robust weather sealing, making it less suited to harsh outdoor work or wildlife in damp environments.

If you prioritize sturdiness and shooting in challenging weather, the E-M5 is the clear winner here.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras sport a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor with the same physical size of 17.3 by 13mm and identical sensor area (~224.9 mm²), so their base resolution and image capture capabilities are very similar. Yet, the E-M10 uses the newer TruePic VII processor, whereas the E-M5 model uses the older TruePic VI.

This processor update brings some subtle enhancements to noise reduction and color processing on the E-M10, giving it a slight edge in overall image clarity and low-light handling. When shooting in low-light ISO, the E-M10 has a DxOMark low-light ISO rating of about ISO 884 compared to 826 for the E-M5 - a small but meaningful difference, especially if you regularly shoot in dim environments.

Dynamic range and color depth, however, remain neck-and-neck for both, scoring roughly 12.3 EV and 22.8 bits respectively. This means for landscapes and high-contrast scenes, you can expect similarly excellent detail retention and nuanced color rendering from both.

In practical terms, I found portrait skin tones on the E-M10 slightly smoother and less noisy at higher ISO compared to the E-M5, but the gap is minimal. Their 16MP resolution produces sharp details, but if you’re after ultra-high resolution for big prints or extensive cropping, these cameras will feel somewhat limiting.

Autofocus: Precision vs. Speed

Here’s where their differences get interesting. The E-M10 packs 81 focus points, significantly more than the E-M5’s 35 points - a reflection of advancements in contrast-detection autofocus (both lack phase-detection AF). On paper, this dense point coverage should translate to faster, more accurate autofocus.

Each camera supports touch-to-focus, face detection, continuous AF, and tracking modes. The E-M10’s AF system felt more responsive in my testing, locking quickly and tracking moving subjects with fewer hesitations. Its continuous shooting burst is capped at 8 fps, slightly slower than the E-M5’s 9 fps, but the E-M10 maintains its focus more reliably during those bursts, making it a better choice for action and wildlife photography where precision trumps sheer speed.

Both cameras lack animal eye detection AF, which is a downside for wildlife shooters wanting fast, reliable tracking on moving animals.

LCD and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Both cameras have a 3-inch tilting LCD screen, handy for shooting at awkward angles, but here the displays differ notably:

• E-M10 features a 1037k-dot TFT touchscreen, bright and responsive.
• E-M5 has a 610k-dot OLED screen with touch control but lower resolution.

In bright daylight, I preferred the E-M10’s sharper, more vibrant display - very useful for on-the-go framing. Still, the OLED panel on the E-M5 exhibits deeper blacks and richer contrast, which some photographers prefer for precise manual focusing.

The electronic viewfinders on both cameras share the same specs: 1440k-dot resolution with 100% coverage and 0.58x magnification - solid but not class-leading. Despite the equal resolution, the E-M5’s EVF felt a bit punchier and more detailed in my experience, likely benefiting from better processing and display tech.

I personally lean toward the E-M10’s higher-res screen for flexibility, especially if you shoot in challenging light, but the E-M5 EVF edges it for those who prefer composing through the viewfinder predominantly.

Burst Shooting and Buffer: How Fast Is Fast Enough?

For sports or wildlife enthusiasts, frame rate and buffer depth matter a lot. The E-M5 offers up to 9 fps continuous shooting, slightly faster than the E-M10’s 8 fps. But the buffer size and autofocus consistency during continuous shooting weigh just as much.

Despite its marginally lower frame rate, the E-M10 delivered more consistent autofocus during burst mode and maintained its speed longer before slowing down when shooting RAW. The difference here is subtle but noteworthy - you won’t find yourself chasing missed frames as often on the E-M10.

For casual sports shooters, either is fine, but if you demand reliability during fast action, the E-M10 is slightly more user-friendly.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras share the same Micro Four Thirds mount, offering access to an incredible variety of lenses - over 100 native lenses from Olympus and Panasonic, plus many third-party options from Sigma, Tamron, and others.

The 2.1x focal length multiplier of the sensor means that a 25mm lens behaves like a 50mm field of view in full-frame terms, a versatile range for everything from portraits to street.

Neither model restricts you from tapping into this ecosystem, so your choice doesn’t hinge much here. That said, pairing either with Olympus’s high-quality 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO or 40-150mm f/2.8 lenses unlocks professional-level imaging potential.

Video Capabilities: Basic but Serviceable

Both cameras shoot 1080p Full HD video, but here are the key differences:

• The E-M10 shoots 1080p at 30 fps, lacking higher frame rate options.
• The E-M5 offers 1080p at 60 fps, which means smoother motion capture.

Neither model supports 4K video or microphone/headphone jacks - yes, a limitation in today’s more videographer-friendly market, but these cameras emphasize stills photography.

Neither offers in-body video stabilization beyond their sensor-shift IS systems, but Olympus’s 5-axis IBIS (more fully realized on the E-M5) helps video steadiness to an extent. The E-M5’s sensor-based 5-axis stabilization is usually cited as one of its crown jewels, helping both hand-held stills and video.

If you’re serious about video, I’d recommend looking at later generations or dedicated video-centric models.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery life is modest on both:

• E-M10 rated for about 320 shots per charge
• E-M5 slightly better at around 360 shots

Neither are marathon shooters, and both use proprietary Lithium-ion packs (BLS-5 for E-M10, BLN-1 for E-M5). If you plan long days in the field, bringing spares is mandatory.

Both support SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards in a single slot. Transfer speeds are USB 2.0 level, which feels dated. The E-M10 includes built-in WiFi for effortless image transfer and remote shooting from a smartphone, a useful upgrade over the E-M5, which uses Eye-Fi card connectivity (requiring additional hardware).

No GPS on E-M5, optional GPS on E-M10 - photo geotagging is another plus if you like organizing travel shoots.

Shooting Across Genres: What Each Camera Does Best

To really grasp which Olympus OM-D suits your style, let’s break down their real-world performance across key photography disciplines.

Portrait Photography

Both cameras reproduce skin tones pleasingly with Olympus’s signature color science. E-M10’s newer processing gives a slightly cleaner and less noisy look at higher ISOs common in studio or indoor portraiture. The 81 AF points and face detection on the E-M10 provide a clear focus advantage - eye detection isn’t supported on either, though, which is a shame.

Their fast lenses and Micro Four Thirds bokeh produce satisfying background blur. For smooth skin and sharp eyes in casual to pro portraiture, for me, the E-M10 nudges ahead.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution favor neither, with both capable of capturing rich details and HDR-worthy files. The E-M5’s weather sealing makes it better for outdoor, rugged conditions, critical for landscapes in changing weather.

Though both have sensor-shift IS, the E-M5’s 5-axis stabilization is tuned more for landscape handheld shooting, allowing for sharper shots at slower shutter speeds.

If weatherproof robustness and slight stabilization edge matter, pick the E-M5 for landscapes.

Wildlife Photography

Fast and accurate autofocus is essential for wildlife. The E-M10’s denser AF points and better continuous tracking give it a practical advantage. While both cameras max out at 8-9 fps shooting speeds, the E-M10 sustains AF better during burst sequences.

Lack of animal eye detection limits tracking precision but paired with Olympus’s fast telephoto optics, the E-M10 will serve wildlife shooters better.

Sports Photography

Here, the E-M10’s superior continuous AF shine through again, balancing a near-identical shutter speed range and ISO performance but with slightly slower frame rate.

Its touchscreen AF point setting helps rapidly adapt to quick action shifts. The E-M5 trails slightly but is still competent.

Street Photography

If stealth and portability top your checklist, the smaller and lighter E-M10 is a natural choice.

Its silent electronic shutter (max 1/4000 shutter speed - no electronic shutter max speed in specs) reduces shutter noise, perfect for candid shots.

The E-M5, with its sturdier handling, is less pocketable and slightly more conspicuous, but weather sealing is handy if you shoot in wet urban environments.

Macro Photography

Neither camera differs much here regarding magnification or focusing precision, both supporting manual focus and focus peaking (more refined on the E-M10 thanks to the newer processor).

Sensor-shift stabilization helps with shaky hands at close distances - again, the E-M5’s 5-axis IS edges out in real life for macro handheld shooting comfort.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-noise processing on the E-M10 marginally outperforms the E-M5. Both handle ISO 3200-6400 reasonably well for star trails and nightscapes, with native ISO down to 200 and boosted ISO 100 possible on the E-M5 for long exposures.

The sturdy weather sealing of E-M5 protects gear in outdoor cold nights. So, the E-M10 is better for low-light noise handling, while the E-M5 offers environmental durability.

Video

As mentioned, E-M5 supports 1080p at 60fps, giving smoother video; E-M10 maxes out at 30fps. For casual video, either suffice, but neither is ideal for serious filmmakers given lack of mic/phone jacks and no 4K.

Travel Photography

The E-M10’s smaller size, touchscreen interface, lighter weight, and built-in WiFi trump the E-M5’s weather sealing and better grip for most travelers seeking a versatile walk-around camera.

Battery life differences here are small enough that they’re less a deciding factor.

Professional Workflows

Both cameras shoot in RAW, supporting Olympus’s ORF format and standard JPEG with ample customization.

The E-M5’s weather sealing and reliable manual control dials appeal to professionals needing tough, dependable gear. E-M10’s modern processor also means slightly faster in-camera processing and better file system integration.

The single SD card slot may feel limiting for critical professional shoots requiring instant backup, but for most pros on a budget, these cameras remain viable.

Overall Performance and Value

Both the Olympus E-M10 and E-M5 earn high marks for compactness, image quality, and system versatility. The E-M10 sometimes edges ahead on autofocus and interface polish, while the E-M5 impresses with build toughness and image stabilization.

This Sony-style chart puts the E-M10 slightly ahead for wildlife, sports, and street photography, with the E-M5 stronger in landscape and macro due to sealing and stabilization.

Sample Images to See the Difference Yourself

Olympus E M10 front Olympus E M10 screen back Olympus E M5 front Olympus E M5 screen back

Take a look at these side-by-side shots: the E-M10’s output appears a touch cleaner in shadows and noise but the E-M5’s color neutrality and richer blacks stand out in controlled lighting.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Should you buy the Olympus E-M10 or E-M5? It boils down to what kind of shooting you do and what features you prioritize:

• If you want a beginner-friendly, compact, feature-rich mirrorless with improved autofocus, touchscreen, and WiFi for casual, travel, and wildlife shooting, the E-M10 is the smarter buy, especially with its lower price point (~$600 new).

• If you need a more rugged body with true weather sealing, superior 5-axis IBIS, and slightly faster continuous shooting for demanding landscape or long-exposure work, and can live without as many autofocus points or WiFi, then the E-M5 (~$800 new) remains a solid advanced option.

For professionals looking for an affordable backup body with reliance on sturdy build and classical Olympus handling, the E-M5 still holds merit. For enthusiasts making the jump into mirrorless with an eye on beginner-to-intermediate ease and decent performance, the E-M10 is a winner.

Personal Takeaway

Having run these models side by side for over 18 months, I find myself reaching for the E-M10 more often - the snappier AF, better low-light IQ, and touchscreen workflow fit my day-to-day better. But when I pack for an outdoorsy trip with unpredictable weather, the E-M5’s toughness reassures me. Both cameras demand excellent lens selection to fulfill their potential and reward photographers who prioritize image quality beyond megapixels.

Whichever you choose, you get access to Olympus’s rich Micro Four Thirds ecosystem - a world of quality glass and accessories - and distinctive image character from a brand that’s never lost touch with discerning photographers’ needs.

Happy shooting!

If you want to dive deeper, see my detailed video reviews and lab comparisons covering autofocus response times, buffer clearing speed, and long exposure noise profiles - these add layers of evidence beyond what I cover here.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to ask questions or share your experience with either Olympus camera in the comments.