Om-5 Mark II - FM Forums

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p.1 #1Om-5 Mark II

Lately I’ve really been looking hard at getting an OM and some lenses. Not immediately but possibly by the holiday.

My Nikon z lenses can sometimes be massive or even more bulky than I wish they were during vacations, at work (between my service calls) and just going to town. They have a couple compact lenses for my zf but not extensive and tiny like OM.

Also, the zooms are minuscule when you compare focal lengths.

Anyway, I’d love the om-1 mark II and/or om3 but since this is a side thing I’m wondering if the OM-5ii is worth a look. Small and light and probably awesome with 1.8 primes and some of the zooms.

For now it’s just for daily photos of local landscape, kids running around, street, random daily photos and vacation

If I get more into macro or birds using OM, will the 5 be a problem or is it just fine? How is its human AF speed and accuracy.

If I’m better off spending more I’ll just get one of the higher end models.

Sep 19, 2026 at 05:05 PM

BLLX

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p.1 #2Om-5 Mark II

I also have Nikon Z - the Zf

The OM-1 and OM-3 is better in most ways especially birds and human tracking
I still those the OM-5 II because of size - it fit perfectly with the small 1.8 primes and does most.
I do a lot of macro with it - it has all the stacking features etc.
I like the 12-45 zoom - fits nicely in size and makes for a great weather sealed combo

I know the others are better and 1.2 primes are also fantastic - but then I those my Zf instead.

Perhaps the new PEN could be an option too - I might have considered it if it where available

Sep 20, 2026 at 02:57 AM

newyork

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p.1 #3Om-5 Mark II

Idk if you have children but if you do, can the om-5 keep up with them with its AF?

BLLX wrote:
I also have Nikon Z - the Zf

The OM-1 and OM-3 is better in most ways especially birds and human tracking
I still those the OM-5 II because of size - it fit perfectly with the small 1.8 primes and does most.
I do a lot of macro with it - it has all the stacking features etc.
I like the 12-45 zoom - fits nicely in size and makes for a great weather sealed combo

I know the others are better and 1.2 primes are also fantastic - but then I those my Zf instead.

Perhaps the new PEN could be an option...Show more →

Sep 20, 2026 at 06:18 AM

petersm59

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p.1 #4Om-5 Mark II

Truly, can any camera keep up with kids?

I'd stick with either an OM1 or OM3 if you have kids, and if you want to eventually do macro and birds.

I have a granddaughter and my OM-1's work great with her, better than the original OM5's I used to have, and she is in perpetual motion.

If you want a small EDC camera that can keep up, the Lumix L10 is a great all in one solution. I have one of those too and love it, the CAF subject detection is very good, and at least as good as the OM1/3.

newyork wrote:
Idk if you have children but if you do, can the om-5 keep up with them with its AF?

BLLX wrote

I also have Nikon Z - the Zf

The OM-1 and OM-3 is better in most ways especially birds and human tracking
I still those the OM-5 II because of size - it fit perfectly with the small 1.8 primes and does most.
I do a lot of macro with it - it has all the stacking features etc.
I like the 12-45 zoom - fits nicely in size and makes for a great weather sealed combo

I know the others are better and 1.2 primes are also fantastic - but then I those my Zf instead.

Perhaps the new PEN could be an option too - I might have considered it if it where available

Sep 21, 2026 at 09:12 AM

amci4

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p.1 #5Om-5 Mark II

You know there are OM-3 bodies that pop up here for $1200 to $1300 right?

newyork wrote:
Lately I’ve really been looking hard at getting an OM and some lenses. Not immediately but possibly by the holiday.

My Nikon z lenses can sometimes be massive or even more bulky than I wish they were during vacations, at work (between my service calls) and just going to town. They have a couple compact lenses for my zf but not extensive and tiny like OM.

Also, the zooms are minuscule when you compare focal lengths.

Anyway, I’d love the om-1 mark II and/or om3 but since this is a side thing I’m wondering if the OM-5ii is worth a...Show more →

Sep 21, 2026 at 09:21 AM

newyork

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p.1 #6Om-5 Mark II

When cash is in hand I’ll have to snatch one. Maybe grab a lens and a card and battery and charger along the way to divide the cost. Not 100% sure whether I’d want the on-3 or more of a traditional grip to add more lenses to, or if I’m just going with a couple primes for a while.

Still thinking that out.

amci4 wrote:
You know there are OM-3 bodies that pop up here for $1200 to $1300 right?

newyork wrote

Lately I’ve really been looking hard at getting an OM and some lenses. Not immediately but possibly by the holiday.

My Nikon z lenses can sometimes be massive or even more bulky than I wish they were during vacations, at work (between my service calls) and just going to town. They have a couple compact lenses for my zf but not extensive and tiny like OM.

Also, the zooms are minuscule when you compare focal lengths.

Anyway, I’d love the om-1 mark II and/or om3 but since this is a side thing I’m wondering if the OM-5ii is worth a look. Small and light and probably awesome with 1.8 primes and some of the zooms.

For now it’s just for daily photos of local landscape, kids running around, street, random daily photos and vacation

If I get more into macro or birds using OM, will the 5 be a problem or is it just fine? How is its human AF speed and accuracy.

If I’m better off spending more I’ll just get one of the higher end models.

Sep 21, 2026 at 10:43 AM

newyork

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p.1 #7Om-5 Mark II

That looks really nice. Not sure I want a fixed zoom. Saves on buying lenses but also limits you to just that zoom.

petersm59 wrote:
Truly, can any camera keep up with kids?

I'd stick with either an OM1 or OM3 if you have kids, and if you want to eventually do macro and birds.

I have a granddaughter and my OM-1's work great with her, better than the original OM5's I used to have, and she is in perpetual motion.

If you want a small EDC camera that can keep up, the Lumix L10 is a great all in one solution. I have one of those too and love it, the CAF subject detection is very good, and at least as good as the OM1/3.

newyork wrote

Idk if you have children but if you do, can the om-5 keep up with them with its AF?

BLLX wrote

I also have Nikon Z - the Zf

The OM-1 and OM-3 is better in most ways especially birds and human tracking
I still those the OM-5 II because of size - it fit perfectly with the small 1.8 primes and does most.
I do a lot of macro with it - it has all the stacking features etc.
I like the 12-45 zoom - fits nicely in size and makes for a great weather sealed combo

I know the others are better and 1.2 primes are also fantastic - but then I those my Zf instead.

Perhaps the new PEN could be an option too - I might have considered it if it where available

Sep 21, 2026 at 10:43 AM

Alan Kefauver

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p.1 #8Om-5 Mark II

OM-5 still has the older AF and sensor.

Sep 21, 2026 at 02:02 PM

jdom58

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p.1 #9Om-5 Mark II

Anyone looking for an om5 battery grip?

Sep 21, 2026 at 02:19 PM

newyork

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p.1 #10Om-5 Mark II

The more I ask around, watch videos and think about it, the 3 possible answers are om1m2, pen or nothing.

Sep 21, 2026 at 02:22 PM

petersm59

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p.1 #11Om-5 Mark II

newyork wrote:
The more I ask around, watch videos and think about it, the 3 possible answers are om1m2, pen or nothing.

The OM-3 has the same guts and battery as the OM-1II, so why not include that?

Sep 21, 2026 at 08:13 PM

newyork

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p.1 #12Om-5 Mark II

petersm59 wrote:

newyork wrote

The more I ask around, watch videos and think about it, the 3 possible answers are om1m2, pen or nothing.

The OM-3 has the same guts and battery as the OM-1II, so why not include that?

I just figured the OM1M2 has all those features that go beyond street etc such as wildlife and macro and has the grip and body to match that makes a little more sense.

The pen is the tiny discreet guy

3 seems to sit in the middle somewhere. Seems fabulous though. Maybe has the same issue the ZF has when you start adding larger lenses.

Sep 21, 2026 at 08:42 PM

amci4

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p.1 #13Om-5 Mark II

newyork wrote:
When cash is in hand I’ll have to snatch one. Maybe grab a lens and a card and battery and charger along the way to divide the cost. Not 100% sure whether I’d want the on-3 or more of a traditional grip to add more lenses to, or if I’m just going with a couple primes for a while.

Still thinking that out.

amci4 wrote

You know there are OM-3 bodies that pop up here for $1200 to $1300 right?

newyork wrote

Lately I’ve really been looking hard at getting an OM and some lenses. Not immediately but possibly by the holiday.

My Nikon z lenses can sometimes be massive or even more bulky than I wish they were during vacations, at work (between my service calls) and just going to town. They have a couple compact lenses for my zf but not extensive and tiny like OM.

Also, the zooms are minuscule when you compare focal lengths.

Anyway, I’d love the om-1 mark II and/or om3 but since this is a side thing I’m wondering if the OM-5ii is worth a look. Small and light and probably awesome with 1.8 primes and some of the zooms.

For now it’s just for daily photos of local landscape, kids running around, street, random daily photos and vacation

If I get more into macro or birds using OM, will the 5 be a problem or is it just fine? How is its human AF speed and accuracy.

If I’m better off spending more I’ll just get one of the higher end models.

If you want the traditional grip, then the OM-1 MK I is a similar price used. It also has similar specs to the OM-3, which didn’t get the larger buffer of the OM-1 II as far as I can tell.

Sep 21, 2026 at 09:42 PM

newyork

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p.1 #14Om-5 Mark II

If all I were getting was 1.8 and 1.4 primes, om3. But seeing the smaller than full frame and super long and macro lenses of m43, more grip seems better

amci4 wrote:

newyork wrote

When cash is in hand I’ll have to snatch one. Maybe grab a lens and a card and battery and charger along the way to divide the cost. Not 100% sure whether I’d want the on-3 or more of a traditional grip to add more lenses to, or if I’m just going with a couple primes for a while.

Still thinking that out.

amci4 wrote

You know there are OM-3 bodies that pop up here for $1200 to $1300 right?

newyork wrote

Lately I’ve really been looking hard at getting an OM and some lenses. Not immediately but possibly by the holiday.

My Nikon z lenses can sometimes be massive or even more bulky than I wish they were during vacations, at work (between my service calls) and just going to town. They have a couple compact lenses for my zf but not extensive and tiny like OM.

Also, the zooms are minuscule when you compare focal lengths.

Anyway, I’d love the om-1 mark II and/or om3 but since this is a side thing I’m wondering if the OM-5ii is worth a look. Small and light and probably awesome with 1.8 primes and some of the zooms.

For now it’s just for daily photos of local landscape, kids running around, street, random daily photos and vacation

If I get more into macro or birds using OM, will the 5 be a problem or is it just fine? How is its human AF speed and accuracy.

If I’m better off spending more I’ll just get one of the higher end models.

If you want the traditional grip, then the OM-1 MK I is a similar price used. It also has similar specs to the OM-3, which didn’t get the larger buffer of the OM-1 II as far as I can tell.

Sep 22, 2026 at 06:28 AM

BLLX

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p.1 #15Om-5 Mark II

newyork wrote:
Idk if you have children but if you do, can the om-5 keep up with them with its AF?

BLLX wrote

I also have Nikon Z - the Zf

The OM-1 and OM-3 is better in most ways especially birds and human tracking
I still those the OM-5 II because of size - it fit perfectly with the small 1.8 primes and does most.
I do a lot of macro with it - it has all the stacking features etc.
I like the 12-45 zoom - fits nicely in size and makes for a great weather sealed combo

I know the others are better and 1.2 primes are also fantastic - but then I those my Zf instead.

Perhaps the new PEN could be an option too - I might have considered it if it where available

Sorry no small kids I can test on

Sep 22, 2026 at 08:26 AM

gmccroskery

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p.1 #16Om-5 Mark II

It sounds like you have two main concerns -- tracking kids and enough grip to handle larger lenses. My suggestion would be to buy a very clean used OM-1 Mkll -- the body is not all that big and has the grip needed for any of the bigger, heavier zooms.
As far as tracking kids, Robin Wong has reviewed the new OM Pen and pretty much raved about the human face detection/tracking. It would not be unreasonable to get the Pen and add something like the OM 75-300mm which, although it is not weather sealed, is very light and is a sharp lens. Another telephoto lens I have that is extremely light weight and compact is the Panasonic 45-175mm PZ -- it's a surprisingly sharp lens and weighs only 7 oz. -- not bad for a 90-350mm equivalent FOV.

Greg

Sep 22, 2026 at 10:07 AM