E-M5 Owner - Comments, Critique, Reviews, and what-nots :-)

[Oly5050]

Just a reminder Olympus servicing is not cheap my friend consumer grade lens was recently send in for fixing. Was quoted 2xxsgd for aperture blade replacement , he a careful user and there no user mark n no sign of abuse on the lens either

If it is out of warranty....you are subject to all applicable fees. And the basic fee, just to diagnose and service it without labour or parts for the repair, is already $200. Sorry to hear about his predicament...might be a wear problem....

 

[Oly5050]

Hi all, I just came back from Phuket last week where I brought the EM5. Sad to say it did NOT survive a medium shower in the afternoon and the camera has died from water damage from rain. Olympus said the damage was extensive and comment that that kind of damage can only happen if the camera has been submerged in water. It has not submerged it in water. I am very disappointed that it did not even survive a medium shower with the "weather proof lens 12-50mm" attached with a filter in front of it. Flash was not mounted. and the flash cover and the accessory port was covered.

For those who are interested, the repairs are quoted in the range of $7xx. I am just extremely disappointed that the camera though marketed to be weather sealed, but wasn't able to survive a simple shower. I did check the seals around the lens to see if it might be any particles that got stuck on the rubber ring and allowed water in but found nothing.

Unfortunately I did not test the camera in any shower with the flash hotshoe attached. Hopefully someone else doesn't find out the hard way.

I have used Nikon D70, D2H, Canon 350D, Nikon D3, D700, D7000 in rain without so called weather-proof lenses. The lighter-weight cameras in light rain for hours on end, no issues. However with this weather-sealed camera using weather sealed lens, it died on the 2nd exposure to rain. Luck? Fate?

Either way, you have been warned. Just treat your camera with more care and don't let "weather-sealed" on the specification sheet lull you into exposing the camera to rain or splashes of water.

Ohh....that's not good to hear. My E-M5 has been in light rain for a few days in a row in japan and its been OK. Never had an Olympus DSLR failed on me due to water damage. My E3 was temporarily submerged in the surf and survived. They all also have survived shooting in the heavy rain. Could they determine where the area of possible leak is?

 

[jamestan75]

Hi all, I just came back from Phuket last week where I brought the EM5. Sad to say it did NOT survive a medium shower in the afternoon and the camera has died from water damage from rain. Olympus said the damage was extensive and comment that that kind of damage can only happen if the camera has been submerged in water. It has not submerged it in water. I am very disappointed that it did not even survive a medium shower with the "weather proof lens 12-50mm" attached with a filter in front of it. Flash was not mounted. and the flash cover and the accessory port was covered.

For those who are interested, the repairs are quoted in the range of $7xx. I am just extremely disappointed that the camera though marketed to be weather sealed, but wasn't able to survive a simple shower. I did check the seals around the lens to see if it might be any particles that got stuck on the rubber ring and allowed water in but found nothing.

Unfortunately I did not test the camera in any shower with the flash hotshoe attached. Hopefully someone else doesn't find out the hard way.

I have used Nikon D70, D2H, Canon 350D, Nikon D3, D700, D7000 in rain without so called weather-proof lenses. The lighter-weight cameras in light rain for hours on end, no issues. However with this weather-sealed camera using weather sealed lens, it died on the 2nd exposure to rain. Luck? Fate?

Either way, you have been warned. Just treat your camera with more care and don't let "weather-sealed" on the specification sheet lull you into exposing the camera to rain or splashes of water.

sorry to hear that.

i guess the weather proof means able to withstand a certain level of rain like drizzling or short period of contact with light rain.
for prolong period under rain is a 'No No' to all camera even 7D or 1DM4.

so far i only encounter once shooting this camera under light drizzling, i do not want to miss the moment so i shoot for some time under the light rain.
i gently wipe of the access water after that, so far still ok.

 

[silencer13]

Hi all, I just came back from Phuket last week where I brought the EM5. Sad to say it did NOT survive a medium shower in the afternoon and the camera has died from water damage from rain. Olympus said the damage was extensive and comment that that kind of damage can only happen if the camera has been submerged in water. It has not submerged it in water. I am very disappointed that it did not even survive a medium shower with the "weather proof lens 12-50mm" attached with a filter in front of it. Flash was not mounted. and the flash cover and the accessory port was covered.

For those who are interested, the repairs are quoted in the range of $7xx. I am just extremely disappointed that the camera though marketed to be weather sealed, but wasn't able to survive a simple shower. I did check the seals around the lens to see if it might be any particles that got stuck on the rubber ring and allowed water in but found nothing.

Unfortunately I did not test the camera in any shower with the flash hotshoe attached. Hopefully someone else doesn't find out the hard way.

I have used Nikon D70, D2H, Canon 350D, Nikon D3, D700, D7000 in rain without so called weather-proof lenses. The lighter-weight cameras in light rain for hours on end, no issues. However with this weather-sealed camera using weather sealed lens, it died on the 2nd exposure to rain. Luck? Fate?

Either way, you have been warned. Just treat your camera with more care and don't let "weather-sealed" on the specification sheet lull you into exposing the camera to rain or splashes of water.

Wow, sad to hear that.
I guess your set had problems to begin with. Mine was in Japan with me and we went through many rainy days together with no problems whatsoever.
Even snow and gravy spills on it was ok.

 

[dannyfoxy]

Hi all, I just came back from Phuket last week where I brought the EM5. Sad to say it did NOT survive a medium shower in the afternoon and the camera has died from water damage from rain. Olympus said the damage was extensive and comment that that kind of damage can only happen if the camera has been submerged in water. It has not submerged it in water. I am very disappointed that it did not even survive a medium shower with the "weather proof lens 12-50mm" attached with a filter in front of it. Flash was not mounted. and the flash cover and the accessory port was covered.

For those who are interested, the repairs are quoted in the range of $7xx. I am just extremely disappointed that the camera though marketed to be weather sealed, but wasn't able to survive a simple shower. I did check the seals around the lens to see if it might be any particles that got stuck on the rubber ring and allowed water in but found nothing.

Unfortunately I did not test the camera in any shower with the flash hotshoe attached. Hopefully someone else doesn't find out the hard way.

I have used Nikon D70, D2H, Canon 350D, Nikon D3, D700, D7000 in rain without so called weather-proof lenses. The lighter-weight cameras in light rain for hours on end, no issues. However with this weather-sealed camera using weather sealed lens, it died on the 2nd exposure to rain. Luck? Fate?

Either way, you have been warned. Just treat your camera with more care and don't let "weather-sealed" on the specification sheet lull you into exposing the camera to rain or splashes of water.

I have tried wash the camera under tap water and shoot in the rain and fog. My em5 still a live a kicking.
Wonder what is the medium rain you mentioned? Thunder storm???

 

[Nerd]

Thank you all for your kind words!

I've no further update from them at the moment. Only that it looked very bad on the inside. I will definitely ask for more details about location of the leak when I collect the camera. But still it's super disappointing, both that the camera died from exposure to rain when mounted with a weather sealed lens (and being marketed as a weather sealed camera) as well as their customer service replies (bordering on implying I went diving with the camera). The only saving grace is that they offer to waive off labour charge and just charge me for parts (for a problem that shouldn't even happen in the first place)

I've used a D3 and 24-70 for a extended time (2 hours plus plus) in shower-like rain before. But as you know Singapore weather, rain comes and goes, although there are periods of heavy prolonged shower. The camera and lens were both fine after the event. Just wipe dry and dump in dry cab at the end of the day. This camera (EM5) went through a short shower and then died. Adding insult to the injury, I have to pay for repairs. I was on a holiday and after the camera died, I only have my phone to take photos with. The kit lense, 12mm f2, 25mm f1.4 and 45mm f1.8 had no one to mate to to capture wonderful moments on my trip.

In short, take care of your camera, weather-sealed or otherwise. After all no exposure to large amounts of moisture = no chance for water ingression.

 

[zapp!]

Sorry to hear of the pain you had to experience. I think it is also good to send a properly worded letter to Olympus Singapore and Japan as well highlighting your experience. I think this case deserves more attention. After all, I saw them pour water over the camera in one of their launch videos in Taiwan or something.

Thank you all for your kind words!

I've no further update from them at the moment. Only that it looked very bad on the inside. I will definitely ask for more details about location of the leak when I collect the camera. But still it's super disappointing, both that the camera died from exposure to rain when mounted with a weather sealed lens (and being marketed as a weather sealed camera) as well as their customer service replies (bordering on implying I went diving with the camera). The only saving grace is that they offer to waive off labour charge and just charge me for parts (for a problem that shouldn't even happen in the first place)

I've used a D3 and 24-70 for a extended time (2 hours plus plus) in shower-like rain before. But as you know Singapore weather, rain comes and goes, although there are periods of heavy prolonged shower. The camera and lens were both fine after the event. Just wipe dry and dump in dry cab at the end of the day. This camera (EM5) went through a short shower and then died. Adding insult to the injury, I have to pay for repairs. I was on a holiday and after the camera died, I only have my phone to take photos with. The kit lense, 12mm f2, 25mm f1.4 and 45mm f1.8 had no one to mate to to capture wonderful moments on my trip.

In short, take care of your camera, weather-sealed or otherwise. After all no exposure to large amounts of moisture = no chance for water ingression.

 

[wonglp]

Sorry to hear about your predicament. This can be a bad marketing for Oly if they are looking here. I hope a clearer explanation on how and where the leak came about can be provided. I suggest paying OSC a visit again. This is first time i hear such bad experience on the WS. Good luck and hope to hear from you on any updates, thanks for sharing.

 

[Bryson]

I feel sorry about this matter and this worries me tho.
any ways to check if your cam is properly sealed?

Btw, just randomly asking, what color is your set? Could it be affecting a single batch?

 

[Hacker]

Sorry to hear about the issue with the camera. While the EM-5 can be replaced, precious memories were lost forever. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[aikidoka25]

Hey everyone, just got my Silver SLK today!

Can someone do me a favour? Does the mode dial wriggles up and down when you try to wriggle it up and down? Must it be stiff?

YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj8Oa0tkRfM

Thanks!

I have the silver kit it it behaves the same :|

 

[aikidoka25]

...

Of course, in general, the black E-M5 is way stealthier than the silver and can literally blend into your hands as a non-descript camera from afar.

I think that Olympus has deliberately designed and positioned these cameras this way. The silver is more for those into looks or aesthetics....hence, priority is on looking good and being compact. The black, is more business.....no-nonsense functionality thus melding better with the battery grips and the flash. Personal epiphanies here...so feel free to chip in.

I went to a photos exhibition yesterday, and some of the guys who had the pictures displayed asked me what camera that I have in hand. One of them even want to try it. I feel abit paiseh I mean those guys took superb pictures, way better than me.

It was the silver body + Oly 45mm.

 

[Bryson]

I have the silver kit it it behaves the same :|

It's nothing to worry about to be honest. Now I'm more cautious about the weather seal for the camera. :/

 

[tsaieh]

i can say is all camera should avoid water. you never know which part is not seal properly. sometime there might me small gaps during production. can't be 100% sealproof.

 

[ageha]

It's nothing to worry about to be honest. Now I'm more cautious about the weather seal for the camera. :/

Seriously, I wouldn't expect too much from the sealing. Just look at the rubber cover for the USB and HDMI ports or the SD card door, that should give you an idea.

 

[NazgulKing]

Seriously, I wouldn't expect too much from the sealing. Just look at the rubber cover for the USB and HDMI ports or the SD card door, that should give you an idea.

Yeah the relative lack of O-rings tells me that these would be the weak points in the sealing, if there were any at all.

 

[fengwei]

Thank you all for your kind words!

I've no further update from them at the moment. Only that it looked very bad on the inside. I will definitely ask for more details about location of the leak when I collect the camera. But still it's super disappointing, both that the camera died from exposure to rain when mounted with a weather sealed lens (and being marketed as a weather sealed camera) as well as their customer service replies (bordering on implying I went diving with the camera). The only saving grace is that they offer to waive off labour charge and just charge me for parts (for a problem that shouldn't even happen in the first place)

I've used a D3 and 24-70 for a extended time (2 hours plus plus) in shower-like rain before. But as you know Singapore weather, rain comes and goes, although there are periods of heavy prolonged shower. The camera and lens were both fine after the event. Just wipe dry and dump in dry cab at the end of the day. This camera (EM5) went through a short shower and then died. Adding insult to the injury, I have to pay for repairs. I was on a holiday and after the camera died, I only have my phone to take photos with. The kit lense, 12mm f2, 25mm f1.4 and 45mm f1.8 had no one to mate to to capture wonderful moments on my trip.

In short, take care of your camera, weather-sealed or otherwise. After all no exposure to large amounts of moisture = no chance for water ingression.

Sorry to hear your sad story. I guess the camera isn't weather sealed by should be called weather resistant, which means it can only sustain certain level of water/dust. Down pouring rains might damage it, or might not. It's not a weather sealed body.

Like some suggested, you might tell Oly to look at users' feedback here and see if they can do something about this. Hope you can get it fixed soon.

 

[Nerd]

I feel sorry about this matter and this worries me tho.
any ways to check if your cam is properly sealed?

Btw, just randomly asking, what color is your set? Could it be affecting a single batch?

I have a black set.

After the camera failed to turn on. I did a very thorough check of all the seals. The HDMI port and what nots were fine. There was a ring of water surrounding the ports but quite far away, probably the area that the rubber was protecting the ports. The battery cover flap however has a non-porous foam of sorts that I believe is starting to get thoroughly soaked although there was still no water heading into the battery compartment. Same for the SD card slot. Foam holding very well, especially under pressure when the door is closed shut. My guess is that water could have entered from either the dials (mode dial on the left and the twin control dials on the right) or through the flash hotshot / accessory port. I don't remember much seals there (flash hot shoe cover and accessory port cover wasn't particularly shaped to keep water out, check out your own covers when convenient to see), which is kind of ironic since everywhere else is sealed pretty well and the top is where you expect rain to enter. The lens mount area has a ring of water too, but it is from the outside of the rubber ring which seals the 12-50 to the mount. So mostly water was kept out anywhere there was rubber seals.

I will update you all once I have more information from Olympus about their observations inside the camera. Meanwhile avoid water where possible, and if for whatever reason you cannot avoid water splashing on the camera, give most attention to the accessory port below the hot shoe if possible.

 

[bearSeesAll]

I have a black set.

After the camera failed to turn on. I did a very thorough check of all the seals. The HDMI port and what nots were fine. There was a ring of water surrounding the ports but quite far away, probably the area that the rubber was protecting the ports. The battery cover flap however has a non-porous foam of sorts that I believe is starting to get thoroughly soaked although there was still no water heading into the battery compartment. Same for the SD card slot. Foam holding very well, especially under pressure when the door is closed shut. My guess is that water could have entered from either the dials (mode dial on the left and the twin control dials on the right) or through the flash hotshot / accessory port. I don't remember much seals there (flash hot shoe cover and accessory port cover wasn't particularly shaped to keep water out, check out your own covers when convenient to see), which is kind of ironic since everywhere else is sealed pretty well and the top is where you expect rain to enter. The lens mount area has a ring of water too, but it is from the outside of the rubber ring which seals the 12-50 to the mount. So mostly water was kept out anywhere there was rubber seals.

I will update you all once I have more information from Olympus about their observations inside the camera. Meanwhile avoid water where possible, and if for whatever reason you cannot avoid water splashing on the camera, give most attention to the accessory port below the hot shoe if possible.

There's a Taiwan user reported a similar case, his em5 died after exposed in a light shower. link

I used to have a Canon 40D, which was not weather resistant by any means, but I have used that camera in many wet situations, snow, rain, snow+rain for hours and even at Niagara falls where the camera got totally soaked. IN the end everything performed flawlessly, so I guess a weather resistant camera kit should perform at least on the same level

 

[Oly5050]

There's a Taiwan user reported a similar case, his em5 died after exposed in a light shower. link

I used to have a Canon 40D, which was not weather resistant by any means, but I have used that camera in many wet situations, snow, rain, snow+rain for hours and even at Niagara falls where the camera got totally soaked. IN the end everything performed flawlessly, so I guess a weather resistant camera kit should perform at least on the same level

Yah...and I had an Oly C5050 zoom that was also not supposed to be weatherproof, but it also went through light rain, niagara falls, sea spray on boats, snow, frigid temperatures overnight of -30 to 40 deg C and still works like a tank.