Failed motherboard for OM D EM5
Feb 27, 2017 16:23:13 #
The shutter unit, gear case unit, and tape monitor of my OM D EM5 had to be repaired after using the camera for 1 year and 7 months. The same repair was needed again 1 year and 2 months later. In addition, the motherboard failed and no replacement is available. Has anyone else had this experience with any of OM D series cameras?
Feb 27, 2017 19:58:58 #
If that had happened to me, I would be choosing a different camera system going forward. When I was younger, performance was king. Now that I'm (much) older, reliability is my first consideration.
Feb 27, 2017 21:26:59 #
Thank you for your feedback. I'm struggling to trust Olympus products. It is helpful to determine if other similar situations are happening or that my misfortune was isolated.
Feb 27, 2017 22:49:44 #
0 problems with em1 from 2013 until 2 months ago when I sold it to upgrade to the em1ii. Before that was an epm2 e-5, e620, and e500. All with 0 issues going back to 2007.
Did you buy it new?
Did you buy it new?
Feb 27, 2017 23:58:53 #
Yes, purchased new. Loved it when it worked. It only worked a little over a year, twice. The camera was 3 yrs old when the motherboard failed and no longer available. I only had use of the camera for 2 yrs 10 mo
Feb 28, 2017 05:52:37 #
My only guess is that it was the first of the OMD series, and perhaps they've figured things out with the other OMD models. Still, that's some bad luck. I'm on a few Olympus only forums, and for the most part the OMD's have been reliable.
Feb 28, 2017 11:35:46 #
Feb 28, 2017 14:16:55 #
Feb 28, 2017 16:27:05 #
My EM5 mkII has served me faithfully without a problem for over 2 years now. So well that I recently purchased an EM1 mkII, which I like even better than the 5.
On the other hand I have had two Canons fail on me. A 40D and a 7D. The 40D is long gone, I still have and use the repaired 7D.
The 40D failure was electronic, the 7D's mechanical shutter failed. Even with this fairly dismal record, I still purchased another Canon DSLR which I also like very much.
I'm sure for every story of a failure, there are a dozen stories of years of problem free use. However, now when I travel I make sure I have a backup along. I was in British Columbia without a backup when the 7D failed. Live and learn.
I chalk it up to luck of the draw. Your having the same problem with two consecutive copies of the same camera seems like particularly bad luck!
On the other hand I have had two Canons fail on me. A 40D and a 7D. The 40D is long gone, I still have and use the repaired 7D.
The 40D failure was electronic, the 7D's mechanical shutter failed. Even with this fairly dismal record, I still purchased another Canon DSLR which I also like very much.
I'm sure for every story of a failure, there are a dozen stories of years of problem free use. However, now when I travel I make sure I have a backup along. I was in British Columbia without a backup when the 7D failed. Live and learn.
I chalk it up to luck of the draw. Your having the same problem with two consecutive copies of the same camera seems like particularly bad luck!
Feb 28, 2017 19:33:26 #
Thanks to all. This feedback is very helpful. All motherboard driven electronics in this day and age makes their lifespan unpredictable.
Feb 28, 2017 19:38:10 #
Feb 28, 2017 19:42:46 #
In response see to TMcD, it was the same camera that failed twice, once repaired and then a final fatal failure.
Feb 28, 2017 20:17:30 #
Meeker wrote:
Do you have any recommendations for a Panasonic?
G85 or new gh5.
Mar 1, 2017 01:14:05 #
My Panasonic is a GX7, a couple of years out of date, but it still takes great photos and is easy to use. Menus are in normal english mostly, and much easier to navigate than Oly's. 2 axis in body stabilization.
I understand that the newer version, the GX8, is better in many ways but has a problem with the shutter, if I remember correctly.
I understand that the newer version, the GX8, is better in many ways but has a problem with the shutter, if I remember correctly.
Mar 1, 2017 05:20:35 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
Meeker wrote:
The shutter unit, gear case unit, and tape monitor of my OM D EM5 had to be repaired after using the camera for 1 year and 7 months. The same repair was needed again 1 year and 2 months later. In addition, the motherboard failed and no replacement is available. Has anyone else had this experience with any of OM D series cameras?
I've owned Olympus products since 1975 with no failures. I still own the cameras from 1975 and they still work although I don't take them out as much anymore. The only problem that I have ever had was when I fell and damaged my SP-550 such that the lense would not extend. I sent it in and, even though it was beyond warranty, it was fixed for free.
In your case, you unfortunately got a bad one that managed to slip through the final testing. Even Hasselblad has one or two of them. Ask them for a reconditioned replacement (since the motherboard no longer exist). It is not likely that the replacement will have problems. Give them another chance - the E-M5 really is a good camera.
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