Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II Black 2015

The E-M5 Mark II is a compact, weather-sealed mirrorless with best-in-class 5-axis stabilization and a fun 40MP high-res mode. The 16.1MP sensor and 1080p video feel dated, and the screen cable has a known failure issue. Worth buying used at the low end of the USD 500 to USD 1,500 range, but not at the top.

The 5-axis IBIS is the star here. It's one of the best stabilization systems we've tracked, and it makes handheld shooting at slow shutter speeds genuinely fun. The 10fps burst is solid for action, and the 81-point AF is well above average for stills. But the 16.1MP sensor is a weak spot by modern standards, landing near the bottom of our database. Video tops out at 1080p, which is fine for casual clips but feels dated next to 4K competitors. The 2.4M-dot EVF is a standout, bright and crisp, and the articulating display is handy for odd angles. Just don't expect continuous autofocus to keep up with fast-moving subjects, it's more of a single-shot AF camera.

Against the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II, the E-M5 Mark II is smaller and lighter but gets crushed on sensor resolution, video, and autofocus. The Sony a6700 brings a much better sensor and 4K video, though you lose the Olympus weather sealing and that lovely 5-axis stabilization. The Fujifilm X-T4 is the closest rival in spirit, great stabilization, retro controls, solid build, but it costs more and is heavier. The Nikon Z5 II and OM System OM-1 are in a different league entirely for image quality and speed. If you want the smallest weather-sealed body with great IBIS and don't need 4K, the E-M5 Mark II still holds a niche.

Pricing is all over the place on the used market. US listings range from USD 500 to USD 1,500, which is a massive spread for a camera this old. The lower end of that range is where this camera makes sense. At USD 500 to USD 700 for a body in good shape, you're getting excellent stabilization, weather sealing, and a compact build. At USD 1,500, you're paying way too much for a 16MP sensor and 1080p video when a used Sony a6700 or Fujifilm X-T4 does more for similar money. Shop around and don't overpay for nostalgia.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II is a compact mirrorless camera that still gets a lot right nearly a decade after release. It packs a 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, 5-axis stabilization good for about 5 stops, and a weather-sealed body that weighs just 410g. The headline trick is the 40MP high-res mode, which stitches eight shots together in-camera for extra detail when you're on a tripod.

But this is a used-market camera now, and the data tells a mixed story. Build quality and stabilization rank near the top of our database, while the sensor and user sentiment sit way down the list. Owners love the size and the steady shots, but a recurring screen cable failure and a menu system that feels like a maze keep this from being a no-brainer.

Skip this if you need reliable continuous autofocus for sports or wildlife, the AF just can't keep up. Skip it if you want 4K video or a modern sensor, the 16.1MP chip is one of the weakest in our database. And skip it if you're not comfortable buying used gear with a known screen cable failure point, because that repair is not cheap.

This is a camera for someone who wants a tiny, tough, stabilized body for travel and street photography, and who doesn't mind working around the quirks. The stabilization and build are genuinely excellent, and the 40MP mode is a fun bonus for landscapes. But the sensor is dated, the menus are a pain, and the screen cable issue is a real reliability concern. Buy it cheap, treat it gently, and you'll have a great little companion. Pay top dollar and you'll regret it.