Micro Four Nerds tested the OM System OM-5 Mark II on a rugged photography trip to Iceland, showcasing its weather sealing, portability, and landscape photography strengths.

Key Strengths:
– Compact and lightweight – ideal for hiking and long handheld shooting
– Excellent weather sealing – handled waterfalls, sea spray, and rain with no issues
– Live ND filter – made long exposures effortless without physical filters
– Mechanical burst mode – sufficient for erupting geysers
– Very travel-friendly – never fatiguing to carry

Criticisms:
– Poorly placed computational photography (CP) button – prone to accidental activation
– Only one custom mode on the dial – fewer than OM-1 or OM-3
– Autofocus struggled with birds in flight – reverted to OM System OM-1 for that task
– Plastic base plate unchanged – may be prone to cracking like older models
– On/off switch on the left – ergonomically awkward for quick use

Performance Summary:
– JPEGs looked excellent using custom presets; RAW not yet tested
– Ergonomics mixed – great size and weight, but poor button layout choices
– Subject detection AF needed for fast wildlife – missing on OM-5 M II
– Great build confidence – camera endured sand, water, salt, and impacts

Best Use Case: Landscape photographers, hikers, travel shooters, and anyone needing compact rugged gear.

Upgrade Value: Minor refresh, not a must-upgrade for OM-5 users. More suited for new users entering OM System or Micro Four Thirds.

Quote: “The most Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds camera you can buy.”

Gear Used:
– OM System OM-5 Mark II
– Olympus 40-150mm
– OM System OM-1

Final Thoughts: The OM-5 Mark II is a small, tough, capable camera for outdoor adventures. While not groundbreaking, it’s a great travel companion with serious durability and excellent JPEG image quality straight out of camera. Needs more innovation from OM System to stay competitive.

OM-5II preorders at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotoerhardt, WexUK.