The catch
OM SYSTEM OM-5 body
The camera has to be off for Micro USB charging. The seller checked was True Modern Electronics, and US warranty coverage has not been verified.
Side by side
OM SYSTEM OM-5 vs OM-5 Mark II: Mark II makes charging simpler, while the original lets you keep an existing ECG-5 grip
Quick verdict
The Mark II adds USB-C supply, and the original keeps ECG-5 grip compatibility. Go with the Mark II if cutting battery drain from a USB source while shooting fixes a real travel problem. Keep the original, or consider it, if your ECG-5 grip matters and the interruptions in charging are acceptable. Both offers are body-only. The original’s New offer is from True Modern Electronics, and the seller authorization and US warranty are unverified. The Mark II still stops once its internal battery is empty.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
USB-C takes away a cable annoyance but not the need to plan battery breaks
On a family trip, Mark II can run off a suitable USB-C supply shared with the rest of the bag, which eases drain while you photograph or film. The original needs the power off for its USB charging routine. Mark II still draws on its internal battery alongside the external source, though, and it stops when that battery empties. Connect the bank while the battery is healthy, then switch the camera fully off during a break if you want it to charge. A more powerful bank does not lift this limit. At an unrepeatable school performance, a charged spare can be more useful than another cable.
Where this comes from
The manufacturer’s power FAQ separates supply, charging, sleep and shutdown. No runtime is predicted and continuous event coverage is not guaranteed.
The catch
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
Supplying power over USB is not the same as USB PD operation, and shooting stops once the internal battery runs out. ECG-5 does not carry over.
OM SYSTEM OM-5 body
- Why pick it
- You already use an ECG-5 grip and want it to keep fitting. Before buying, confirm this third-party seller, the returns and the US warranty.
- A clearly lower total price would leave room for the lens you need, and charging with the power off suits your routine.
- The catch
- The camera has to be off for Micro USB charging. The seller checked was True Modern Electronics, and US warranty coverage has not been verified.
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Why pick it
- Connecting a USB-C source early in a session would cut battery drain for you, and you would still have charged BLS-50 spares.
- The revised built-in grip and menus appeal to you, and you do not want to depend on an ECG-5 accessory.
- The catch
- Supplying power over USB is not the same as USB PD operation, and shooting stops once the internal battery runs out. ECG-5 does not carry over.
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What this page compares
OM-5 vs OM-5 Mark II for travel, lenses you already own and power banks. See what USB-C really changes, which accessories carry over and why 50MP comes with conditions.
Here are consecutive versions of the same small outdoor camera, with the same lens system, battery and nominal still resolution. What you need to settle is whether the connection and handling changes justify replacing a setup that works.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Hold on to your ECG-5 grip
That accessory works with the original. If you buy another body, check the seller and warranty.
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 body
- Better fit
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Not suitable
Lower battery drain with USB while shooting
Mark II accepts a power supply, yet stops once the internal battery is drained.
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 body
- Not suitable
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Better fit
Use charged BLS-50 batteries again
The battery family is the same on both.
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 body
- Good
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Good
Take a 50MP picture of a running child in a single exposure
On both, the 50MP option works by combining exposures.
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 body
- Not suitable
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
USB-C takes away a cable annoyance but not the need to plan battery breaks
On a family trip, Mark II can run off a suitable USB-C supply shared with the rest of the bag, which eases drain while you photograph or film. The original needs the power off for its USB charging routine. Mark II still draws on its internal battery alongside the external source, though, and it stops when that battery empties. Connect the bank while the battery is healthy, then switch the camera fully off during a break if you want it to charge. A more powerful bank does not lift this limit. At an unrepeatable school performance, a charged spare can be more useful than another cable.
How we worked this out
The manufacturer’s power FAQ separates supply, charging, sleep and shutdown. No runtime is predicted and continuous event coverage is not guaranteed.
A grip you already know can be a reason to keep the older body
If you already own an OM-5 with the optional ECG-5, check that accessory before you upgrade. The manufacturer lists the grip for the original only. Mark II has a revised built-in grip and does not support ECG-5. Anyone who has settled on a comfortable way to hold a longer lens should try the new body with that lens first, rather than assuming the redesign suits their hands better. Most of the kit can still carry over, since both use BLS-50 batteries and compatible Micro Four Thirds lenses. The four-gram weight gap is too small to justify a purchase on its own.
How we worked this out
The official generation comparison gives ECG-5 support and 414g against 418g. Grip comfort is personal and was not tested.
A running child is still not a 50MP subject on the new body
The stated sensor resolution is the same on both, 20.37MP, and so is the 8160×6120 handheld composite RAW output. That bigger file is built by combining several exposures. It can work for a still scene that stays put, but a child running through the frame or a pet shifting position can break the merge. Upgrading just to get the same high-resolution label on Mark II makes little sense. Base the decision on the lens, shutter speed and handling that your missed shots call for. And if you buy the older body, confirm the current seller, the return terms and the US warranty. A New listing that is in stock does not prove authorized-dealer coverage.
How we worked this out
The official comparison documents identical sensor and composite dimensions. Subject movement between exposures is a known limit of compositing. The caveat does not come from a measured subject test. The caveat about third-party offers still applies.
Option A
OM SYSTEM, V210020BU000
OM SYSTEM OM-5 body
You already use an ECG-5 grip and want it to keep fitting. Before buying, confirm this third-party seller, the returns and the US warranty.
- Best for
- You already use an ECG-5 grip and want it to keep fitting. Before buying, confirm this third-party seller, the returns and the US warranty.
Facts we checked
- Nominal sensor resolution: 20.37MP
- Charging and shooting: Micro USB, power-off charging
- Shared spare battery: BLS-50
- External ECG-5 grip: Compatible optional accessory
Option B
OM SYSTEM, V210070BU000
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
Connecting a USB-C source early in a session would cut battery drain for you, and you would still have charged BLS-50 spares.
- Best for
- Connecting a USB-C source early in a session would cut battery drain for you, and you would still have charged BLS-50 spares.
Facts we checked
- Nominal sensor resolution: 20.37MP
- Charging and shooting: USB-C supply reduces drain
- Shared spare battery: BLS-50
- External ECG-5 grip: Not compatible
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | OM SYSTEM OM-5 body | OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal sensor resolution | 20.37MP | 20.37MP | No extra single-exposure pixels come with the update. |
| Charging and shooting | Micro USB, power-off charging | USB-C supply reduces drain | Mark II can run on outside power while you shoot, but an important battery limit applies. |
| Shared spare battery | BLS-50 | BLS-50 | Compatible spares can still do their job. |
| External ECG-5 grip | Compatible optional accessory | Not compatible | A handling setup you already have may point to the original. |
| Stated carry weight | 414g with battery/card | 418g with battery/card | On its own, a four-gram difference is no reason to choose the older body. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With OM SYSTEM OM-5 body
- Neither offer includes a lens. Before you settle for the older charging routine, look at the seller terms and whether the price really saves anything.
With OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Carry charged BLS-50 spares. A higher-wattage power bank does not lift the internal-battery limit.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
You already have an ECG-5 setup that works
Go with OM SYSTEM OM-5 body. That grip stays with the original. Buying new from a third party still means checking the seller and the warranty.
USB-C power fixes the repeated interruptions on trips
Go with OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body. Mark II eases battery drain during shooting, but the internal battery still has to be charged.
Decision guide
Before you buy
You would like fewer charging cables on a trip, but replacing a working camera and grip for the same basic still-file resolution is not what you want.
What this page can’t tell you
- Handling and autofocus have no measured winner.
- A 50MP composite is not a single 50MP exposure.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the mirrorless cameras we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| OM SYSTEM OM-5 body |
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| OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
OM SYSTEM OM-5 body
You already use an ECG-5 grip and want it to keep fitting. Before buying, confirm this third-party seller, the returns and the US warranty.
A clearly lower total price would leave room for the lens you need, and charging with the power off suits your routine.
See price & reviews on AmazonOM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
Connecting a USB-C source early in a session would cut battery drain for you, and you would still have charged BLS-50 spares.
The revised built-in grip and menus appeal to you, and you do not want to depend on an ECG-5 accessory.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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