Subj : The OM System OM-5 II just took top spot in our travel camera gui To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Sun Oct 26 2025 12:15:07 The OM System OM-5 II just took top spot in our travel camera guide here are 5 reasons why it's so good for travel photography Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Description: The OM-5 II blends portability and power features, together with an envious choice of lenses, which makes it a top choice for travel photography. FULL STORY ====================================================================== The OM System OM-5 II doesnt have a big full-frame sensor, AI autofocus, 8K video or any of the other headline-grabbing features of the latest pricey cameras. What the micro four thirds (MFT) model does have, however, goes right under the radar in the midst of all this tech-obsessed frenzy its a camera thats perfectly designed for travel photography. And were not talking specs, for once, but actual, physical design. So what makes the OM-5 II so special that we recently put it in top spot of our best travel cameras guide ? Quite a lot, actually. Lets take a look... It's not just the OM-5 II's body that's small but even more importantly the lenses. (Image credit: Rod Lawton) 1. Size and portability We dont need to explain the advantages of a small, portable camera system when travelling. Its less weight to carry, it takes up less space in your camera bag and its less arm-strain to hold at your side and keeping bringing to eye level for shooting. Now fans of APS-C and full-frame cameras will point out that the OM-5 II body is really not a lot smaller or lighter than a lot of rivals. Thats perfectly true. But the lenses are much smaller, and since its tricky to shoot anything without a lens, thats a major point for travel photography. Two examples come to mind. The M.Zuiko 12-45mm f/4 kit lens sold with this camera offers a 24-90mm equivalent focal range (pictured). There are no equivalent kit lenses on other formats that are as small and as light as this one (or as good this is one of OM System's Pro lenses). Or how about the M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 II? This is a 50mm equivalent prime lens thats absolutely tiny. And its weather-sealed too, which brings me to my next point Don't underestimate the value of weather sealing! You don't often find a pro-level feature such as this in an enthusiast-level camera like the OM-5 II. (Image credit: Rod Lawton) 2. Weather-sealing You might not worry too much about weather-sealing in normal photography after all, if its raining you just wait, or go out another day. But when youre travelling, every day, every hour is unrepeatable. If its raining, you cant go back another time. You have to take every shooting opportunity as it comes and celebrate the conditions, not hide from them. Weather-sealing is not a very sexy spec, but when you need it, you need it, and both the OM-5 II and many OM lenses are weather-sealed, including the 12-45mm f/4 kit lens. This picture was taken in a dimly-lit grotto with a shutter speed of 0.4sec, and it's pin-sharp. The OM-5 II's in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is epic. (Image credit: Rod Lawton) 3. One of the best stabilization systems around Youll read a lot of camera makers' CIPA-rated in-body image stabilization (IBIS) claims that might suggest all modern cameras are as good as each other, but what happens in the lab isnt always reflected in real life, and its clear from practical experience that the smaller MFT sensor in the OM-5 II has significantly more effective stabilization than larger sensors. Camera makers official figures are always flattering, best-case scenarios; but in practice, the OM-5 II reliably delivers almost all of its claimed shake compensation, not just some of it in ideal circumstances (mentioning no brands). The OM-5 II's Live Composite mode goes right back to its ancestor the E-M5 II. (Image credit: Rod Lawton) 4. Computational features If youve never used OM Systems computational photography features, you might think theyre just a gimmick that youll never use. But they grow on you, and they are especially effective for travel photography. The Live Bulb is brilliant for neon-lit cityscapes at night because you can see the exposure build live, on the back of the camera. Youll need a tripod, but hey, with all the weight youve saved with this system, you wont mind a tripod so much! Check out our guide to the best travel tripods . Theres also a Live Composite mode thats perfect for traffic trails without overexposure, because once its recorded the correct ambient exposure it only adds new light from moving traffic. Theres Starry Sky AF if you want to try your hand at astrophotography, and theres also in-camera focus bracketing for close-ups. If you want to add some movement blur to daytime shots, the Live ND mode will offer up to 4 stops slower shutter speeds (its not like having a 10-stop ND filter, but it still helps), and if youre worried that 20MP wont be enough for a once-in-a-lifetime cityscape or interior, use the 80MP high-res mode it delivers a big jump in detail (the 80MP tripod mode is better than the 50MP handheld mode, to be fair). The OM-5 IIs computational modes might sound like gimmicks if youre coming to the OM brand for the first time, but actually they extend this cameras abilities and versatility enormously. The OM-5 II is inexpensive to buy, and this doesn't just reduce your outlay it gives you a bit more peace of mind on your travels. (Image credit: Rod Lawton) 5. Cost Travel can be a hazardous business. Sometimes youre leaning off the side of a boat, sometimes youre dodging pickpockets, sometimes you have to sling your bag in the back of a bus and hope its still there when you get out again. It can be a worry, and if you take really, obviously expensive gear on your travels, it can be difficult to enjoy the moment without worrying about your camera. Personally, Id love to come back from a trip with shots taken on a Leica M11 or a Hasselblad X2D II , but thats never going to happen because theres no way Id take one with me. The OM-5 II is light enough to carry, tough enough to survive all kinds of weather and inexpensive enough that youre not going to be worried about it all the time. Its responsive, versatile, adaptable and has computational features that are genuinely useful, many of which offer capabilities you wont find on other cameras. On specs alone, the OM-5 II looks like its blown away by its rivals, but lets get real its still easily good enough for high-quality stills and video. My key point here, though, is that as a physical product (not just a set of bullet points), its perfectly adapted to travel photography. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button! And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too. You might also like I actually followed ChatGPTs travel advice for my vacation, and now I can't hate it anymore Why I've just bought a compact camera instead of the latest iPhone I used my vintage point-and-shoot for the first time in years heres how it compares to my Pixel phone ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/cameras/mirrorless-cameras/the-om-system-om-5-ii-jus t-took-top-spot-in-our-travel-camera-guide-here-are-5-reasons-why-its-so-good- for-travel-photography --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .