Olympus PEN E-P5chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

A widespread and recurring complaint is that the front or rear dial stops responding or misses clicks, sometimes appearing intermittently and worsening with age. Multiple users cite this as a dealbreaker or a reason for hesitation before buying.

@lichtloper

(20:40 - dial failures) The front dial of my EP-5 sometimes didn't work, but then it suddenly would work properly again; all right, with some patience for an old beastie. Next thing that went wrong was a black, smeary-irregular vertical line that appeared on the LCD screen - but luckily not visible in the jpeg's and orf's; it stayed there until the camera gave up on me. Just before she quit on me the magnify button (which indeed I had set to 2x magnify) stopped functioning; since then all photo's were 2x enlarged. Soon after it was end of story for my dearly appreciated EP-5! \nThat shutter sound was gorgeous, the handling was super, the quality was fine (at least for my purposes). \nI might go look for an E-PL7; like the EP-5 it fits the EVF-2.launch

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May 9, 2025

@76steps

Thanks so much for revising this camera. I picked mine up for £180. I love the size,the classic styling but yes mine has a slight front dial failure but it was just out of the warranty when it started to happen. But I love it so much I make do. I did not know it has a 320 flash sink speed is that also with off camera flash? I got the black and silver one and will use it til it dies. Om systems should go back to the classic styling for the Pen Ep8 it will fly off the shelves. Not much on YouTube about this camera so thanks again for the contentlaunch

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August 26, 2024

@MrVara411

Have you had any issues with the dials with the E-P5? If so how have you mitigated the problem? I've read widespread complaints about it missing clicks. Hope it's more of a cleaning issue (grime and dust getting in there) than a mechanical defect. Thanks to your review I have a \"very gently used\" E-P5 headed to me! :)launch

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March 21, 2024

@nabstrodamus

After years of owning both the Pen-F and E-P5, I've grown to understand that the overall handling, and aesthetics on the E-P5 are just superior. I have the additional VF-4 viewfinder and the overall experience on that is so much better than the finder in the Pen-F. The extra dials and controls on the Pen-F body, while it looks great aesthetically, does detract a bit from the camera holding experience. For years I used the Pen-F as my main camera, and now also own the OM-1 (incredible ergonomics). Now going back to the E-P5 recently I prefer it far more...it hurt to admit to myself that it's better than the Pen-F? 😭launch

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August 9, 2023

Several commenters point to the lack of an integrated EVF as the camera's biggest weakness, requiring an external VF-4 or VF-2 accessory that adds bulk and cost, especially problematic in bright sunlight.

@WRCzATL

I enjoy my E-P5 a lot. My only reservation is not having a proper EVF, so the screen is difficult to see in bright sunlight. But that's why I bought an EM10ii, as well. (The add-on EVF is very nice, but bulky. It kinda ruins the perfect size and form of the E-P5.)launch

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May 25, 2026

@bsuthe

I have an E-P5 but have not used it in quite some time. The biggest failing with this camera is that it lacks a viewfinder. I also own a VF-4 which solves that problem, but then it's as big as my E-M10 Mk I, which is my best overall camera. I enjoyed using the E-P5 but it now spends all its time in a camera bag with the batteries removed! Beautiful though it is, I don't really understand why you think it might be a future \"classic\". By the way, I am a loyal Olympus fan since the mid 1980s!launch

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June 16, 2022

@franciscocarneiro181

Hello, I love your pictures. I'm used to EM10, EM10 MarkII and EM1. Judging by the colors I see, it looks like this sensor is different from those cameras. Just a litle bit like the Fuji X-E1...There is more a \"film like effect\". Can you tell me something about this ? Is this sensor different from the OM cameras ? Oh please, what is the filter you use in the first picture ? The sunset. I may buy this bargain and I like the looks, but I will have to buy an EVF, that's why I never felt a lot of interest for the Pen cams, except the Pen F, and now I am interested in this one. Thank you for the video !launch

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June 10, 2022

@WRCzATL

I love my E-P5. It's a great size, take great images, and does almost everything I could want from a digital camera. A viewfinder would be nice in bright light... I have the VF-4 add-on which works well, but it's kind of clunky on top of such a sleek little package.launch

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May 26, 2022

A few long-term owners report the camera eventually developing serious faults, including a black vertical line on the LCD and a stuck 2x magnify function, ultimately leading to the camera being unrepairable and recycled.

@lichtloper

I have let go my E-P5 last month. Suddenly a messy black vertical line showed up on the LCDscreen and I could not get rid of it; completely unknown what caused it. And the zoom-in, magnifying button became inoperable in the same moment as the vertical line appeared: all images came out as crops (ORFs too). OMsystems said they couldn't repair it anymore and has it recycled (whatever that means, I'm not sure). \nI was very fond of it, the handling was superb with its two wheels (Aperture and +/-), small and light form factor. \nI've found a good E-Pl6 and am trying to get to like it...launch

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June 30, 2025

@lichtloper

(20:40 - dial failures) The front dial of my EP-5 sometimes didn't work, but then it suddenly would work properly again; all right, with some patience for an old beastie. Next thing that went wrong was a black, smeary-irregular vertical line that appeared on the LCD screen - but luckily not visible in the jpeg's and orf's; it stayed there until the camera gave up on me. Just before she quit on me the magnify button (which indeed I had set to 2x magnify) stopped functioning; since then all photo's were 2x enlarged. Soon after it was end of story for my dearly appreciated EP-5! \nThat shutter sound was gorgeous, the handling was super, the quality was fine (at least for my purposes). \nI might go look for an E-PL7; like the EP-5 it fits the EVF-2.launch

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May 9, 2025

One user found the grip too short for the camera's height, resulting in an insecure one-finger hold that felt like a strain when carrying the camera around, and noted the thumb rest had perished on their test unit.

@sdrtcacgnrjrc

Lovely camera -- if the grip is important to you, read on. The grip is not the full height pf the camera. Because of this I found just one finger actually holding on to the grip, next two fingers rested on edge of grip (above and below). Felt insecure to me, and a strain to hold, if walking around with camera \"hanging\" in my hand (which i very often do). Thumb grip on back was perished on the copy i tried. Decided it wasnt for me.launch

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December 16, 2023

A commenter switching from an E-PL7 notes the E-P5's video performance as a low point, planning to supplement it with an iPhone for video needs.

@elrafaga

thanks! great review. I'm considering the E-P5 as a replacement for my now dead E-PL7 which up to now was my favorite \"carry everywhere\" camera. I hear this one is considerably heavier which is not a deal breaker for me and another low point is video quality but I can always suplement that with my iphone.launch

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October 16, 2023

One user notes the E-P5 is considerably heavier than their previous E-PL7, though they state it isn't a dealbreaker for them personally.

@elrafaga

thanks! great review. I'm considering the E-P5 as a replacement for my now dead E-PL7 which up to now was my favorite \"carry everywhere\" camera. I hear this one is considerably heavier which is not a deal breaker for me and another low point is video quality but I can always suplement that with my iphone.launch

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October 16, 2023

A buyer notes that E-P5 prices increased by over 50% within less than a year, attributing part of the surge to renewed interest in vintage, premium compact cameras.

@bublt4me

I got a limited P5 not even a year ago for around $350. Since then they've increased by over 50%!\n\nThe M5 and the PL7 are similar stories. Both werre cheap less than a year ago and now prices went up by over 30%. \n\nI believe Fujifilm's new X100 is blowing up the craze (again) for vintage, premium, compact form factor cameras.launch

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August 27, 2024