Check the shutter actuation count of your Olympus PEN E-P5 — processed entirely in your browser, never uploaded. Note: ORF files may not reliably embed the count; use the camera menu or ExifTool method described below.
Check Shutter Count →The Olympus PEN E-P5 (2013) is the premium model of the PEN E-P series — the first PEN body to feature Olympus’s 5-axis image stabilisation (previously exclusive to the OM-D E-M5), a 1/8000s maximum mechanical shutter speed, built-in Wi-Fi, Focus Peaking for manual focus confirmation, and a hot shoe that accepts the optional VF-4 electronic viewfinder. It shares the same 16 MP Live MOS sensor as the E-PL5 and E-M10, with a TruePic VI+ processor. The mechanical shutter is estimated at approximately 100,000 actuations (not officially published).
| Model | Release | Sensor | Rated Shutter Life | IBIS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympus PEN E-P5 | 2013 | 16 MP MFT | ~100,000 (est.) | 5-axis |
| Olympus PEN E-PL5 (sibling) | 2012 | 16 MP MFT | ~100,000 (est.) | 3-axis |
| Olympus OM-D E-M5 (pro sibling) | 2012 | 16 MP MFT | ~150,000 (est.) | 5-axis |
| Olympus PEN-F (later premium PEN) | 2016 | 20.4 MP MFT | ~150,000 (est.) | 5-axis |
exiftool yourfile.ORF | grep -i shot| Actuation Count | % of Rated Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 8,000 | 0 – 8 % | Very low use — near new |
| 8,000 – 25,000 | 8 – 25 % | Low use |
| 25,000 – 55,000 | 25 – 55 % | Moderate use |
| 55,000 – 85,000 | 55 – 85 % | High use — negotiate price |
| 85,000 + | 85 %+ | Near or past rated life |
The E-P5 was the first PEN body with 5-axis IBIS, offering approximately 3.5 stops of stabilisation. Test by shooting at 1/15s handheld with a standard focal length — a calibrated body should produce consistently sharp frames. Significant image blur at these speeds may indicate IBIS calibration drift requiring service.
The E-P5 features a 3.0-inch 1.04M-dot OLED tilting touchscreen. On used bodies, check for dead pixels (look for thin bright or dark lines), screen responsiveness across the full touch area, and that the tilt mechanism locks firmly at both positions without wobble.
Built-in Wi-Fi was new on the E-P5. While less critical than the shutter count, verifying Wi-Fi connectivity confirms the internal antenna and PCB connections are intact — damage here is often a sign of a dropped or wet body.
The later PEN-F (2016) offers a higher-resolution 20.4 MP sensor, a built-in EVF (no accessory needed), dual-axis level, and a much more refined retro body design. If EVF use is important, the PEN-F is a better choice. If you prefer the E-P5’s more conventional layout or lower price, it remains a solid compact MFT option.
Yes. The E-P5 includes a small pop-up flash (GN 7 at ISO 200) that covers focal lengths from 28 mm equivalent. An external flash can also be mounted on the hot shoe, which doubles as the VF-4 mount.
All Micro Four Thirds lenses (from Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma, Voigtländer, and others) are compatible. Four Thirds lenses from Olympus’s DSLR era can be used via the MMF-3 adapter. The 5-axis IBIS stabilises all lenses, including manual-focus glass without electronic contacts.
Only Olympus authorised service centres can reset the hardware counter. The camera menu count is read-only and cannot be modified by the user.