Why I Use the OM System OM-5 for Landscape Photography (Real-World Review)

Aug 25

Is This the Best Micro Four Thirds Camera for Landscape Photography?

Wow, has this camera surprised me!

Welcome to my honest OM System OM-5 review with a focus on landscape photography. Out in the real world. In proper weather. With a backpack full of lenses and muddy boots.

I’ve been using the OM-5 for landscape photography across the Scottish Highlands and beyond.

I’ve come to really enjoy it. It’s not just light and weather-sealed. It’s fun. It’s capable. And it keeps up.

In this blog, I’ll share exactly why this camera’s earned a place in my kit, and how it holds up when conditions get rough.

If you’ve been wondering whether the OM-5 is a good choice for landscape photography, you’re in the right place.

Let’s get into it!

*Glen Affric,* *Scotland. Taken with the OM-5 and the Pana Leica 12-60mm. Check out all the gear I I use by* *clicking here*.

The OM-5 is Small. But Mighty.

This is where the OM System OM-5 really stands out. It’s tiny.

At just 414 grams, the OM-5 feels closer to a compact than a traditional mirrorless. But don’t let that fool you. Inside this little shell is a fully weather sealed, 20MP micro four thirds camera that delivers properly sharp, detailed images.

It’s not just about weight. It’s about freedom!

When I’m hiking all day through boggy trails or scrambling over ridgelines, having a lightweight camera makes a massive difference.

The OM-5 barely adds any bulk, so it’s perfect for landscape photographers who want to stay nimble, cover more ground, and still come home with the goods.

I often carry mine in a hip pack. No need for a big camera bag. No aching shoulders. And because it’s always within reach, I’m more likely to stop, compose, and shoot when the light changes or I stumble on something unexpected. That sort of flexibility is everything in this line of work.

And while most small cameras feel like they’ve had corners cut, the OM-5 doesn’t.

You still get full manual controls, custom function buttons, and even a high-res mode that can produce 50MP images. For a body this small, that’s seriously impressive.

So for anyone wondering, is the OM System OM-5 good for landscape photography? - this is one of the main reasons why I say yes.

Because the body’s so small, the battery life isn’t amazing - officially rated for around 310 shots - but I always carry a couple of spares and it’s never bothered me in the slightest.

It’s a proper photographer’s camera, just one you’ll actually want to carry all day.

*Light as a feather but powerful enough for the toughest landscapes!*

Weather Sealing That Makes the OM-5 Ideal for Outdoor Photography

Out in the hills, conditions change fast.

Sun one minute. Driving rain the next.

You need a camera that just gets on with it and the OM System OM5 is fully weather sealed. Rain, snow, dust, cold. No problem at all.

I’ve used it in classic Highland weather. Thick mist. Gale-force winds. Soaked through. And still, the OM5 kept shooting.

That kind of reliability is so important in landscape photography!

I don’t want to waste time hiding my camera under a jacket or running for cover.

And when you pair it with something like the Panasonic Leica 12-60mm, you’ve got a proper weatherproof setup.

The sealing here isn’t just a spec. It works. It lets you focus on the photo, not the forecast.

That’s why it has earned its place in my bag. It’s the sort of camera you stop thinking about. And that’s the point.

*Being able to use my* *OM-5* *in pretty much all conditions is a huge plus.*

The OM System OM-5 Has Incredible Lens Compatibility for Landscape Photography

Micro four thirds might not be for everyone. But when it comes to lens choice, it’s hard to beat.

One of the things I love about the OM System OM-5 is how much freedom it gives me. It opens up a massive range of lens options. You’re not just locked into Olympus glass. You can use Panasonic lenses too. That cross-compatibility is brilliant for landscape photographers who want flexibility.

Need a lightweight wide angle? Easy. Have a look at the wide angle lens I use with my OM-5.

After something longer for compression and tighter compositions? Loads of choice.

For this particular shoot in the Scottish Highlands, I was switching between two lenses.

My go-to was the Panasonic Leica 12–60mm f2.8-4. It’s sharp, weather sealed, and covers an ideal focal range for the hills.

But I also brought along the Olympus 7–14mm f2.8 PRO for those moments when I needed something wider (this was before I bought the 9mm 1.7).

It’s that versatility I really appreciate.

There are so many micro four thirds lenses available second-hand too. It’s a great setup for photographers who want to experiment a little without spending a fortune. You can build a full landscape kit for much less than you might expect.

That flexibility is one of the main reasons I think the OM-5 is one of the best lightweight cameras for hiking and landscape photography. You don’t need much to make it work.

It all just… works.

My *Panasonic G Leica DG 12-60mm f/2.8-4* *is my favourite lens to use with my OM-5.*

Long Exposure Photography with the OM System OM-5 Digital ND Filter

This is another place where the OM-5 really stands out.

The camera includes a digital ND filter built right in. Just tap a few buttons and you can simulate a traditional neutral density filter in-camera. It means you can shoot long exposures on the fly. No need to carry filter kits or mess around with filter holders in the wind.

For landscape photographers, this is a dream feature.

I used the four-stop digital ND filter while photographing a flowing river, and it gave me the exact silky water look I wanted. No tripod. No external filters. Just the OM-5 doing its thing. And it worked beautifully.

It’s especially useful when the light is changing quickly or when you want to keep your setup light and mobile. That’s why I think the OM System OM-5 is one of the best cameras for landscape photography when you want to travel fast and shoot freely.

Now, will it completely replace physical filters? Not quite.

But for many situations, especially spontaneous handheld landscape photography, it’s more than good enough.

Combined with the OM-5’s in-body image stabilisation, you can get creative with slower shutter speeds without carrying extra kit.

It’s another reason this compact camera is such a clever companion for landscape shooters.

*Shooting at 1/4sec with help from the OM-5’s digital ND filters.*

Incredible Image Stabilisation for Handheld Landscape Photography

Let’s talk about stabilisation. Because the OM-5 is a bit of a wizard here.

In fact, this is probably my favourite thing about this whole OM System OM5 review!

This nifty little camera packs in-body image stabilisation that offers up to 6.5 stops of compensation. That jumps to a whopping 7.5 stops with a compatible lens using Sync IS. For handheld landscape photography, it’s game-changing, seriously.

It means you can shoot at ridiculously slow shutter speeds without a tripod. I’ve taken images at 4 seconds handheld - and they’ve come out sharp. That’s not something you can say for most cameras in this class.

As mentioned previously, paired with the digital ND filters, it opens up a world of long exposure possibilities while staying light on your feet.

For hikers, travellers and anyone who just doesn’t want to lug around extra kit, that’s a massive bonus.

The OM-5’s image stabilisation isn’t just good. It’s best in class.

*1-second exposure handheld. So easy with the OM-5!*

Excellent Image Quality from the OM System OM-5 Sensor

The OM-5 delivers seriously impressive image quality for such a compact camera which is, of course, great for landscape photography.

It uses a 20.4 megapixel Live MOS sensor, paired with the TruePic IX processor, to produce sharp, vibrant files. You get strong detail, clean tones and well-managed noise even in low light.

Colours feel rich and natural. Dynamic range holds up surprisingly well.

It’s perfect for capturing the contrast and texture of a mountain scene or the softness of early morning mist.

But there’s more to it than that…

The OM-5 also features two high resolution shooting modes. On a tripod, it can merge multiple exposures into an 80 megapixel RAW or JPEG. It’s great for static, detailed scenes like wide valleys or intricate woodland.

And for those moments where setting up a tripod just isn’t practical?

There’s a Handheld High Res Shot mode that gives you 50 megapixel files with a single press of the shutter.

It’s quick. It’s clever. And for a micro four thirds sensor, it’s extremely impressive.

That said, I’ll be honest.

Coming from the Nikon Z7, which has a full-frame 47 megapixel sensor, I do notice a small difference. There’s a bit less fine detail, especially if I’m pixel peeping or zooming in during post-processing.

In fairness however, it’s not really a great comparison. The Z7 is a bigger camera with a much larger sensor.

But unless you’re printing massive or cropping heavily, it’s hard to spot in real-world use.

The OM-5 holds its own. Especially when you remember how small, light and versatile it is.

By the way, you can check out the OM System OM-5 on Amazon or MPB for the best used prices: MPB UK | MPB US | MPB EU - this is where I always buy from.

*Stunning intimate detail of these bluebells. See how I captured this image with the OM-5 behind the scenes by* *clicking here*.

*Shot with the OM-5 in the* *Lake District*.

*Check out the OM System OM-5 on* *Amazon* *or MPB for the best used prices:* *MPB UK* | *MPB US* | *MPB EU*

OM-5 Video Features That Make It a Great Hybrid Camera

I’m a photographer first. Always have been.
But the video features on the OM System OM-5 really are worth a mention.

This little camera shoots crisp 4K at up to 30fps and Full HD at 120fps for slow motion.
Footage looks sharp. Colours are pleasing. And it holds up very well in changing light.

The flip-out LCD screen is incredibly handy.
It lets you easily frame shots from low angles or record yourself if you’re vlogging in the field.

That screen, combined with face and eye detection autofocus, makes this a brilliant option if you do any kind of talking to camera. It just works.

Stabilisation is another big plus here.

That same in-body system that helps with handheld stills also smooths out your video.
It means you can walk, move, adjust composition and not have to lug around a gimbal.

Now, I wouldn’t call this a full-on video production tool. It doesn’t offer log profiles or huge bitrates like some higher-end options. But for behind-the-scenes clips, short films, or even full YouTube videos, the OM-5 is a strong performer, especially if you want to stay light in the hills.

And from a landscape photography perspective, it’s great to be able to document the scene, the process, and the story behind the shot like I do on my YouTube channel.

All with the same tiny camera you’re using to take the photo itself.

*A screen grab from my OM-5 shooting in Cinema 4k.*

Why the OM System OM-5 Is Perfect for Real-World Landscape Photography

One of the best things about the OM System OM-5 is how it lets you focus on creativity rather than getting bogged down in kit.

It may not be the most spec-heavy camera on paper, but for landscape photography in the real world, it just works so well.

You can hike with it.
You can shoot in the rain.
You can leave the tripod at home.

It strips everything back to what matters - being out in nature, chasing light, and enjoying photography again.

And if you're anything like me, the joy of capturing a sharp, well-composed image is hard to beat. If image sharpness is something you’re still struggling with, I’ve actually put together a free PDF guide on how to get sharper photos. It covers a handful of simple but game-changing techniques and it’s completely free to download. You’ll find it right here if you want to check it out.