Sunrise changes fast, and it rarely gives you a second chance. One moment, the scene glows with deep pre-dawn color, and five minutes later, the tones shift entirely. Your camera and your approach need to keep pace with light that never sits still.
Coming to you from Chris Baitson, this thoughtful video puts the OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II mirrorless camera to work in a real-world test of changing light. Baitson sets up at the coast and photographs the same scene every five minutes for an hour, building a sequence that shows how quickly conditions transform. He uses long exposures to smooth water and highlight the shifting colors, adjusting settings along the way. The OM-5 Mark II’s live ND filters and computational photography make these adjustments simpler than with previous OM models, which is especially useful when you’re racing against a rising sun.
The demonstration highlights how a small mirrorless body like this can handle more than just casual shooting. Baitson points out the camera’s strengths, like effective stabilization and the live ND system that avoids the need for stacking filters on the lens. The CP button gives direct access to modes that would otherwise be buried in menus. These details matter when every second counts. He also runs into challenges: once the sun breaks the horizon, exposures get tricky, and the live composite mode shows its limitations when dealing with smooth cloud movement.
Key Specs
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Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
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Effective Resolution: 20.4 Megapixel
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Sensor: 17.4 x 13 mm CMOS
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Image Stabilization: 5-Axis Sensor-Shift
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ISO Range: 200–6,400 (64–6,400 Extended)
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Continuous Shooting: Up to 30 fps
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Video: DCI 4K at 24 fps, UHD 4K at 30 fps, Full HD up to 120 fps
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Display: 3" Articulating Touchscreen LCD
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Viewfinder: 2,360,000-Dot OLED
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Battery Life: Approx. 310 shots
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Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C
What stands out in this video isn’t just the specs on paper, but how the OM-5 Mark II operates in practice. The camera proves reliable for long exposure tests, holds up with handheld shooting, and maintains that compact, retro-styled build that appeals to those who want portability. At the same time, Baitson shows its weaknesses compared to higher-end OM models, especially with stronger ND options and handling cloud composites. These trade-offs frame the camera as more suited to travel and street photography than to demanding long-exposure projects. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Baitson.
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