The E-M5, part of the new OM-D line of Micro Four Thirds cameras, is a weather-sealed camera with advanced image stabilization.

Olympus made a splash with photographers with its PEN series of Micro Four Thirds cameras, a compact line of interchangeable lens shooters with designs inspired by the classic half-frame 35mm PEN. The new E-M5 is the first camera in the OM-D line, which draws its stylistic cues from the OM line of SLR cameras.

The camera adds a number of features that professionals and enthusiasts demand but have previously been unavailable in the Micro Four Thirds system, including weather sealing, a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, and advanced in-body image stabilization.

The 16-megapixel CMOS sensor is capable of ISO settings up to 25600 for low-light shooting. The rear tilting 3-inch display is of the OLED touch variety, which provides a very fast refresh rate and a wider viewing angle than a comparable LCD. The eye-level electronic viewfinder is built into the camera, so there's no need to add an external one. It features a 1.44-megapixel resolution, 18mm eye point, and a 1.15x magnification factor. Its body features magnesium alloy construction and the same dust- and splash-proofing that is found on the .

The E-M5's autofocus system is identical to that of the , but the sensor readout has been doubled to 240 frames per second, which should help to increase its performance. The camera can shoot images at 4.2 frames per second with continuous autofocus and a very impressive 9 frames per second without changing focus. The in-body image stabilization system features a new 5-axis design that can correct for roll in addition to the linear X, Y, and Z motions for sharper photos with slower shutter speeds.

The camera can record QuickTime video at 1080i60 resolution with H.264 compression at bitrates up to 20Mbps. Its processing engine has been improved to help reduce jagged artifacts and the rolling shutter effect that are evident in video from Olympus PEN cameras. Along with the camera, Olympus is marketing a number of accessories that pros should appreciate—including the HLD-6 Power Battery Grip, the FL-600R hybrid LED video light and flash with bounce and swivel capability, and the weather-sealed MMF-3 adapter for Four Thirds lenses.

Olympus already has one weather-sealed lens in its lineup—the M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens. That zoom sells for $499 on its own, but will also be available in a kit with the EM-5. The company will bolster its sealed lens lineup with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f2.8 macro lens. It delivers a field of view that is equivalent to 120mm in classic 35mm photography, supports 1:1 magnification, and can focus on objects as close as 7.5 inches from its front element. The company also announced the M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f1.8 lens, although that optic does not feature any sort of weather sealing. Both new lenses will be available later this year.

The EM-5 will be available in black or silver versions. It is scheduled to hit store shelves in April. The price is $999.99 for the body only, $1299.99 for the camera with the weather-sealed M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens, or for $1,099.99 with the M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens.

New point-and-shoot models Olympus also took this opportunity to add two point-and-shoot models to its lineup. The rugged Olympus TG-820 iHS is a 12-megapixel compact that can go underwater, survive drops, be crushed, and work in freezing temperatures. Its 3-inch LCD breaks the megapixel barrier in resolution, packing 1,030,000 dots into its borders. Available in silver, black, and blue, the camera will be available in March for $299.99.

The company also added the SZ-31MR iHS superzoom camera. The compact shooter has a 24x (25-600mm equivalent) lens, a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, and a 3-inch, touch-screen display. Available in silver and black, the 31MR will debut in late April for $399.99.

Both cameras utilize the new iHS system, which promises to improve low-light performance, provide a useful digital zoom, and increase camera responsiveness.

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