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UPDATE: Next price drop. Now E-M5 for $601.

UPDATED: And here is again a next small price drop on the E-M5 which sets a new low price record. It sells for $601 at Amazon US (Click here). And the bigger brother the E-M1 sells for $1,099 only at [shoplink 47142 ebay]TheGamesArena on eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

All current Olympus deals can be seen on that Amazon page and on that GetOlympus page.

Those are all current Olympus deals at GetOlympus:
Save $50 on Fast Prime Lenses for OM-D & PEN
Save $50 on Zoom Lenses for OM-D & PEN
Save $100 on the Award-Winning OM-D E-M1
Get a FREE Camera Grip with OM-D E-M10 Purchase
Up to $900 Off Lenses with OM-D or PEN E-P5 Purchase
Up to $100 Off Recorders with OM-D or E-P5 Purchase
FREE Wi-Fi Card with the E-PL5

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59 Responses

  1. I know price cuts are to be expected when it comes to camera bodies but as someone that waited and waited for his local shop to get one in stock and pay for the entire kit, it hurts a little. Oh well, I know this will probably drive folks who were on the fence to the EM-5 so that is a good thing.

  2. Clear that the E-M5 is to be replaced – my concern is that the E-M10 and E-M5 are to close in specs –

    with EM-1 getting a small improvements this Fall I guess Olympus is trying to create more space – but it seems that the only real chance will be in the video department with a 4K recording –

    Sony improved their low light performance on the RX100 with the ExmorR sensor – by shifting some of the electronics on to the back of sensor – I wonder if Panasonic and Olympus for example can improve their M43 sensors to improve low light performance –

    Sony likes be on the edge – the A7r with 36MP and then the A7s with super low light performance but at a big price in lower MP at only 12MP –

    Seems that the camera makers are a bit stuck with sensor technology – that is better low light performance – as well as creating fast lenses that are smaller and lighter – for example the 70-200mm F4.0 Sony Emount is still huge compared with the M43 similar focal length lens – so make the Sony A7/r/s bodies almost to small –

    Fuji is improving the bodies and improving focus speed etc – but their lenses are still large and heavy – yes well built and quality glass but I would love to see the lens makers be able to make the fast zooms smaller and lighter –

    I expect a better viewfinder, larger buttons or the M1/M2 layout and possibly 4k recording but nothing drastic.
    Now Panasonic has discontinued the GX7 in few country’s so an indication that an update on the way – I guess to coincide with the E-EM5 update as I guess they are closer in price then the 1/10 –

      1. http://www.43rumors.com/panasonic-gx7-gets-officially-discontinued/

        makes sense as Olympus is updating their E-M5 – and Sony has their popular A6000 at an attractive price – I love the GX7 – I have two bodies – have Fuji X and Sony NEX5n/7 and E-M5 as others – but the GX7 is my favorite to use –
        so I hope they will do just like they did with the GH3-GH4 – kept the looks but just improved on things –
        hopefully – Weather sealed – stronger control wheels – 4k with mic input – better low light performance –

        1. That “discontinued” post should be recanted. The single obscure supplier made an error on their website and immediately corrected it. To save face, 43rumors admin is still claiming the discontinuation on the technicality that all products will someday be discontinued.

          1. Did not realize it was bogus news – but I would not be surprised if Panasonic updated the GX7 soon – there have been some price drops of the GX7 so that is often an indication – but I think more so to compete with the upcoming Olympus update and the Sony A6000 – although I like the GX7 much better then the A6000, GX7 can be improved with faster focus on fast moving objects – to match the GH4 at least –

        2. I couldn’t agree with you more. When I sample the different Micro Four Thirds bodies the GX7 is my favorite. All though I have to admit when mine first arrived I had to get a little used to it. Hope that Panasonic creates a weather sealed more Pro version of this. They are proving with the GH4 that people are willing to pay more for MFT bodies if they have the right pro grade specs.

    1. The Sony A7 is imo the most interesting camera at this moment because for the money its just gives alot. It just misses the OMD IBIS. The lack of native lens choice is made up by the huge arsenal of lenses which original FOV can be used. For a low budget photographer this looks very tempting.

      1. For me the A7 is interesting primarily to give new life to my manual lenses which I have been collecting for 20+ years. I have been using them with a Canon 5D, but the A7 allows me to also use my Leica M lenses on a single platform. Other than that, the FE system is interesting for its autofocusing Zeiss lenses, but apart from the 35mm, 55mm and f4 zoom, I’d rather get the full-scale Alpha series instead.

      1. There is no EM-1 “update,” unless it’s a downloadable firmware update.

        Other than that, it would just be a brand new model, at a brand new price.

    2. As long Sony uses a larger sensor size (APS-C or FF) their lenses won’t get smaller. It is so simple: if you want to shrink the system, you need to shrink the sensor. m4/3 is clearly at the sweet spot.

      1. Which we would think should go without saying by now. Olympus and Panasonic had already explained how they arrived at the sensor size years ago. But the recent emergence of mirrorless APS-C and 135 formats have made some users confused, I suppose, despite the fact that the NEX and X series both have only a handful of lenses that could be considered compact, and those had to be made at slow apertures, whereas the reverse is true of m43.

        1. Unfortunately, the larger format propganda machine, wants to make everybody believe, that you can produce small lenses (or lenses as small as m4/3 lenses) with larger sensors (APS-C, FF), deliberately ignoring the fact that is mostly physically not possible or requires some non acceptable compromises (see some Sony E- and FE mount lenses).

          Heck, even some very small m4/3 lenses show some compromises, but not as terrible as the attempts to keep APS-C and FF lenses small just for marketing purposes.

          1. I doubt that..

            -How much bigger is the 27mm to the 20mm?
            -How much bigger is the 35mm to the P/L25mm?
            -How much bigger is the 18-55mm to the 12-40mm from Olympus?

            answer to all of the Above, not much.

            Not to mention Fuji bodies are priced the same, and in some instances, Cheaper! The XE1 with the 18-55mm can be had for around $600.00.

            Fuji will overtake M43, soon. At least in the states.

          2. As usual, your comparisons are flawed. You compare a constant f2.8/24-80mm (focal length normalized to FF) with a non-constant 27-82.5mm. Of course, the difference of the 12-40mm and the 18-55mm is less than usual. However, for any particular focal range, you’ll always find a smaller m4/3 product, even more so in the telephoto range.

            You certainly also can find equally capable m4/3 bodies with view finder, which are cheaper than the X-E1. That camera can barely meet the performance specs of the first released mirrorless, the Panasonic G1.

            Fuji is still behind in many performance and quality aspects regarding the camera bodies. Its lens portfolio is less complete than m4/3 and on average the lenses are considerably bigger.

            It is not likely that Fuji will overtake even one particular m4/3 vendor.

  3. $600 is about right for the E-M5. If it only had a sharper LCD I would be all over this.

    Hard to imaging the successor. But I have a feeling it will be a repackaging of a familiar camera listed at $899.

  4. Isn’t worth it at $1. Micro Four Turds is crap for fauxtogrophers who think being a gear junkie is sexy. I wouldn’t use any of these cameras as a doorstop or paperweight as they suck at everything. Photograp[hic abominations. Every time I see one in public I smash it out of the owners hands and jump up and down on it and after beating the owner vicously tell them to get a real camera.

    1. I’m worried about you. You are repeating yourself like someone who is 80+ years old. You are, (obviously) lying about taking someones camera and stomping on it. You would be stomped into the ground even by any elderly person for doing any such thing.

  5. I like this camera- but I like the EP5 more. I know I’m in the minority, but here is my free commercial. For those who haven’t tried a PEN you owe it to yourself. Simply a pleasure to use with great build quality. Love that thing.

      1. I bought mine used for 565.00. I’ve seen them for less on ebay with very little use or Olympus refurb sells them for around 545.00.

        1. Oly Refurbs are $640… that doesn’t include an EVF. I’d still take the Amazon EM-5 deal, even though I really like the style and some of the features on the PEN.

        1. yes but I assume you didnt include a VF yet. While I realize the E-P5 is the most sophisticated PEN with specs surpassing even the E-M5 a bit, The external EVF is still an extra expense factor (though any serious potential E-P5 accepts this ). I checked the prices now and its indeed lower, but the same goes for the E-M5. The E-P5 looks even more sophisticated I have the impression.

          1. I already own a viewfinder for my E-PL5, so I don’t care about the added expense of a viewfinder – It’s not an expense that I would incur.

    1. I agree with you. I have been thinking of changing my EM5 to either an EP5 or EPL5 because I find the handholdability far better on the Pen models. Or the GF6. If I need one with an EVF built-in I’d probably go for the GX7, instead.

    2. I agree, i always loved RF style. I have the GX7/GM1. I hope A new panasonic with 4K and 1080p96 in the next generation. I don’t like reflex style like OMD/GH.
      By the way, EP5 is a great camera also. Hope it will be not the last PEN after EPL7.

  6. So they realized the PEN series was too convoluted and needed to be trimmed down and that’s why they decided to flood the market with a torrent of closely specced OMD cameras. Makes a lot of sense.

    1. Could be a sign they are trimming the OMD range down to just the EM1 + EM10. Not very likely — it’s probably just a signal that a new EM5 replacement is coming, it’s been 2 years after all and the EM10 has slightly better features in a slightly nicer package. But one can hope.

  7. Dear Santa, is the EM5 v2 coming then? Please give us an entry level Pro version instead of a slightly oversized EM10, eh.

    1. Entry level pro version? What does that even mean? Pros use many cameras. Stop obsessing over gear and start shooting Junior.

  8. Great price for a superb camera. Maybe a new body will come down the pipeline.

    What might we see?

    Well a new sensor, the new 16mp sensor was debuted on the EM5 so maybe we will see a 20mp m43rds sensor… This is an upgrade I wouldnt mind as long as there is no noise penalty (in other words I dont mind the same performance at the same ISO).

    We could see better video, this may be why the rumored 4K update to the EM1. Of course better frame rate options etc would be more welcome to me.

    New EVF?
    Better Connectivity? The EM5 is currently the only OMD camera without any type of WiFi or remote control.
    HDR in camera, sweep panorama etc.

    To be honest, when one starts listing it out, without the new sensor a lot of these will be available on a cheaper camera (EM10) for less money.

    Tough call. WIll the compromise the EM1 for a new EM5? O will they warm over the EM5 and add wifi (I want this) a new EVF, better video options and a number of the more recent additions such as HDR, the colour selections etc.

    That is my bet, same sensor, upgrades on a lot of other stuff. I would happy with that as well.

    1. I hope (and probably) you will loose that bet. A new sensor with better low light performance, better DR, lower noise (i dont care about more pixels) is a must have. Anything less (whatever other goodies they add) will be a disappoinment. And i think they know that…

      1. Dont hope for too much 🙂
        A simple look shows there are very few evolutionary cameras following their predecessors in a 2 year time span.

        More DR? Than the EM1 which is less than a year old? Unlikely
        Lower noise, ditto, (but against more resolution we may do something)

        While there is definitely a lot of potential, Olympus has always been known to use a sensor for a long time. They have a lot of improvement in video and can work this chip as such. Plus a whole host of new features. I think it would be a reasonable upgrade.

        The IBIS alone would attract lots of buyers if it came with better video (VS the updated EM1 for more money), everything else will be marginal gains.

        1. Well,since the EM-5 came out 2 1/2 years ago, and it’s replacement may not be available until ~3 years, your point is not applicable.

          1. You mean my point about the improved video, hardware, additional features etc being a reasonable upgrade?

            The gh4/just came out. Same mp same IQ… This next body will be 16mp.

          2. Since I was talking about time, I was debating your time span opinion.
            “A simple look shows there are very few evolutionary cameras following their predecessors in a 2 year time span.”

          3. Actually you stated my time was wrong, and as such my point was not applicable. But the GH4 just came out, and the EM1 just came out and they are both 16mp.

            An EM5 with 20mp, better DR etc. would kill sales. But an improved EM5 combined with an upgrade to the EM1 would keep the $300 proce point difference for things like PDAF on sensor, build quality etc.

        2. If you dont count PDAF, sensor on EM1 is marginally better than EM5 no
          substancial improvement there. The main difference of EM1 lies in its build and ergonomics. They keep using, as we know, the same 16
          mp sensor (capability wise) in all OMD line and the latest PENs since EM5 was introduced.
          Video isnt the strong suit of Oly and this cannot change overnight. I am
          certain that it will be improved but not to the point to compete with
          Pana’s GH line. I think this is the right moment for a new sensor. Maybe i am asking for much but this is what i should do
          as a customer (and you should do too). Push to extend the limits, this
          is the only way.

  9. For me, my E-M10 is the bargain of the year. Now I have similar quality to the E-M1 in a body smaller than the E-M5. The E-M10 is an example of how we often swallow the marketing spin without question. It’s marketed as an “entry level” camera but for the discerning buyer it is so much more.

    1. This is true. If you don’t need the second battery and can do without weather sealing, it’s a good deal.

  10. Video isnt the strong suit of Oly and this cannot change overnight. I am
    certain that it will be improved but not to the point to compete with
    Pana’s GH line. I think this is the right moment for a new sensor. Maybe i am asking for much but this is what i should do
    as a customer (and you should do too). Push to extend the limits, this
    is the only way.

    http://radyabkhodro.net/

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