Olympus E5 is a perfectly sensible upgrade that takes an excellent camera and addresses most all the complaints and offers, according to the marketing blurb, the best image quality ever seen in an Olympus DSLR. It also throws in a nice sprinkling of must-have features (such as 720p movie mode).

Olympus is designed to maximize the award-winning performance of Zuiko Digital lenses, the DSLR achieves the highest image quality of any Olympus camera with astonishing detail, blazing speed, and true-to-life color. New options like user control in Art Filters and 720p HD Video give you more freedom to explore creative effects. And with its weatherproof design, the rugged can go anywhere.

Olympus E5 system is the most compact on the market. And its intuitive, ergonomic design, feels so natural, it’s almost invisible to the photographic process. Whether composing still images or video, the DSLR camera’s 3.0-inch 920,000 dot dual axis swivel LCD with Live View covers all the viewing angles with a 100 percent accurate view. And its large optical viewfinder also provides a 100 percent accurate view, so you’ll never miss a shot. The Olympus E5 DSLR is also equipped with wireless flash control.

The E5 is the newest top-of-the-line DSLR camera that uses a Four Thirds sensor developed by Olympus. This DSLR has all the impressive features of its predecessor, including a durable magnesium alloy body with weather sealed "splash proof" construction. The 12.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor used in the E-5 appears to be the same one used in the Olympus E-30 that came out in early 2009. Sure, 12 megapixels is more than enough to produce massive, high quality prints and web images, but the latest generation of pro-body DSLRs with APS-C image sensors delivers 16 or 18 megapixels of resolution. Not only that, but cameras like the Canon EOS 7D deliver high ISO up to 12800 and the new Nikon D7000 takes things one step further by going all the way to ISO 25600. By contrast, a 12 megapixel camera shooting at ISO 6400 looks like it's a few steps behind the competition.

The E5 might not offer the highest resolution image sensor or the best low-light sensitivity on the market, but the things that made the E-3 so impressive still hold true.

Performance
The E-5 is very speedy camera that can power on and shoot in an average of 1.6 seconds, and once it's powered up, it can capture up to five images per second with virtually no shutter lag. the E-5 offered a center-weighted average of 2,018 lines per picture height—an excellent score. The E-5 offered a center-weighted average of 2,018 lines per picture height—an excellent score. The E-5 delivers extremely sharp photos.

And underwhelming low-light score is likely due to the fact that the E-5's image sensor is not as large as D-SLR competitors from Nikon, Olympus, Sony and Pentax. The E-5's Four Thirds image sensor measures 17.3 by 13mm (225mm²), whereas "APS-C" sensors found in most D-SLRs measure 23.6 by 15.7 (370mm²), and are roughly 64 percent larger. Video recorded with the E-5 looks great, and shooting is a lot of fun because you can apply the in-camera filters to your videos. the only D-SLRs to offer continuous autofocus during video recording, but they do so slowly and noisily.

The E-5 gets an easy "A" for connectivity—all of its ports are industry standards so you shouldn't have trouble finding inexpensive replacement cables. There's a mini-USB port for connecting to your computer and mini-HDMI for playback on HDTVs. Olympus E5 is a good choice if you need manual shooting in environments that are moist, wet, sandy, or just generally hostile for electronics. The weather-sealed body, when outfitted with an optional weather-sealed lens will stand up to the elements better than a traditional D-SLR.

Olympus E5 Features
In-body Image Stabilization
The camera's In-body Image Stabilization system compensates for up to five shutter speed steps*. Mechanical Image Stabilization automatically compensates for camera shake in low-light situations or when using a telephoto lens.

Dust Reduction System
The E-5's proven Dust Reduction System, with the Supersonic Wave Filter (SWF) self-cleaning ultrasonic sensor unit, eliminates dust particles on the sensor by silently vibrating an amazing 30,000 times per second, ensuring spot-free images. Recently awarded the "Special Invention Award" from The Asahi Shinbun Company in 2010.

12.3-megapixel Live MOS Sensor & TruePic V+ Image Processor
The powerful 12.3-megapixel Live-MOS sensor coupled with the newly developed TruePic V+ image processor means you'll capture more detail than ever before in your pictures thanks to the "Fine Detail Process" technology. In addition to more detail, the image sensor, combined with the next-generation TruePic V+ Image Processor, delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity and reduced noise, all the way up to 6400 ISO. And you'll have the flexibility to crop and still produce large, detailed prints.

Rugged Construction
A Rugged "thixomold" magnesium-alloy construction coupled with advanced splash and dust protection, make the E-5 the perfect choice for photographers who demand the most from their equipment, in any situation.

Shutter Durability
Durable shutter mechanism tested to 150,000 cycles. The pro-level shutter ensures reliability, even at five frames per second, thanks to a durable shutter mechanism tested to 150,000 cycles, making the E-5 the camera of choice for photographers who demand durability from their equipment.

Optical Viewfinder
The 100% accurate high eye point optical viewfinder, delivers the precise viewing accuracy demanded by the most discriminating photographer. When shooting with the E-5, what you see is what you get.

3-inch Swivel LCD (920k dots)
Dust and Splashproof like the body; the 270 degree swivel LCD gives you the flexibility to capture your image from low on the ground to above your head, or at any angle. The 100 percent accurate LCD delivers the precise compositional accuracy in Live-View demanded by the most discriminating photographer. When shooting with the E-5, what you see is what you get.

Data Storage
Accepting Compact Flash Type I, UDMA, and SD- SDHC/SDXC, the E-5 provides a choice of data storage options for enhanced flexibility, and it is possible to transfer image files from one card to the other right inside the camera.

World's Fastest Autofocus
The E-5's 11-point High Precision Fully Twin Cross AF system is one of the world's fastest and most accurate. The Twin Cross AF design assures you accurate fast AF even at the edges of the viewfinder allowing you to get the most out of your Zuiko Digital lenses.

Art Filters
A series of 10 new built-in Art Filters let you create dramatic effects when shooting stills or video. The innovative Art Filters include Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Gentle Sepia, Cross Process, Dramatic Tone can all be used in all the shooting modes of the camera, Aperture, Shutter, Program and Manual modes, as well as for Movie shooting.

Multiple Exposure
Multiple Exposure makes heightened creativity an easily-obtained objective. Four frames can be combined, and portions of one can be combined with those of another in any of the shooting modes. Images can be combined in playback mode or directly on the LCD through the use of the new TruePic V+ Image Processor.

Multiple Aspect Ratios
Express yourself by altering how you frame the world -- choose from nine aspect ratios, from the standard 4:3 to the cinematic 16:9. By selecting an aspect ratio before shooting and easily reviewing images on the LCD throughout the shoot, the Multi-Aspect function adds a new means of expression to your photography.

Wireless Flash Control
The E-5 is compatible with a range of optional external flashes, including the Olympus FL-36R and FL-50R. Both of these flashes can be controlled wirelessly by the E-5 so you can dynamically control lighting as your photography skills grow. The E-5 features a commander function incorporated in its built-in flash, making wireless multi-flash photography possible without using an outside commander.

Digital Leveler
The camera's Digital Leveler function is a highly functional and practical feature for such specialized requirements as architectural photography and other similar needs.

HD Video
Shoot movies at 30 frames per second in 720p with available manual control over aperture and shutter speed. This level of control allows you to express your vision exactly how you want in your HD videos. When shooting a movie you have the choice of Standard or HD Movie with or without the 10 Art Filters, total movie creativity is in your control.

Olympus E5 Specifications:
    12.3MP CMOS Sensor
    1280 x 720p HD Video Capture
    Compatible with 20 Four Thirds Lenses
    3" Dual Axis Swivel HyperCrystal LCD
    Olympus TruePic V Image Processor
    Compact Flash and SDHC/SDXC Card Slots
    11 Point AF Sensor
    Mechanical Image Stabilization
    RAW & JPEG Still Image Formats
    Splash proof and Dust proof