01 Aug Review: Documenting Macro Fieldtrips – Ordro M5 5K Vlog Camera
Recently I have been documenting my Outdoor Macro Photography Fieldtrips to show more behind-the-scenes footage and also be able to explain a bit more about what I photograph and the gear and technique behind it.
Aside from using my mobile phone, I also own a DJI Pocket V1, which I did not use as much because of the poor live-preview features.
To make filming myself more comfortable I just got a new Vlogging Handheld Camera: The Ordro M5 5K.
With its super-large, flip touch-display it plays in a completely different league regarding flexibility.
Read on to find out why I will shoot my future behind-the-scenes video content primarily with the new Ordro M5.
The Ordro M5 5K in a nutshell
Following a successful kickstarter campaign (which is how I found the camera), the M5 was only recently released and is not as widely known as DJI or GoPro for example.
The manufacturer though, Ordro, has a long history (established 2002) for producing quality camcorders and is established in Asia for quite a while.
Packing all the must-have features like 3-axis gimbal stabilization, a (touchscreen) display and various recording and photo modes, the 120° ultra-wide angle camera does not need to shy behind the big names at all.
Extras like 5K, a night vision IR low-light mode and AI tracking make it a complete companion for my outdoor adventures.
The camera (also known as a palmcorder) comes in a nice zipper-case, with space for cables and more.
While there is an outline-shaped notch to fit the camera in, it can be a bit fiddly and I must admit, I like the case of the DJI OSMO Pocket series better.
But that´s just a minor gripe and does not affect the camera directly.
Price:
The Ordro M5 was originally available via backing the kickstarter campaign (but seems not being sent to backers yet).
Online, the price range varies between 220 to 280 Euros depending on if you buy from chinese marketplaces directly or through resellers.
My review version is a sample provided by Ordro directly.
The camera can be ordered direcly from the Ordro Website, here.
The Specifications
Measurements
Size: 56 x 45 x 157mm
Weight: 220 gram
Flip Touchscreen: 8,9 cm (3.5 inch) IPS
Lens, Sensor and Media
Lens FOV: 120°, F/NO 2.2 f=3.0mm
Focus Range: 30cm ~ infinity
Sensor: SONY 8.0M CMOS
Video: MP4
5K30fps/4k60fps/4K30fps/2.7K60fps/2.7K30fps/1080P120fps/1080P60fps/1080P30fps/720P120fps/720P60fps/720P30fps
Photo: JPEG
48M/36M/30M/20M/14M/10M/8M/5M/3M/2M
Ports, Card and Connections
USB: TypeC USB
HDMI: Mini D Type
Mic: 3.5mm
Card: MicroSD (max. 512GB, U3/V30 recommended)
Battery
Capacity: 1450 mAh
Energy: 11.165 Wh
Voltage: 7.7V
Ordro promises 170 min of battery life for filming in 4K / 30fps and 160 min of 5K / 30fps.
Using the Ordro M5 in the field
One thing that I immediatly noticed was, how fast the Ordro M5 was operable: after pressing the power button I could almost directly start to record.
That is perfect, as i often have to react to spontaneous situations, especially when specimens like insects and spiders are involved.
After getting used to the button functions and handling of the camera a bit, using it was easy and intuitive.
I must however admit, that I downloaded the online manual to make sense of the sometimes briefly translated instructions and labellings.
Finding out how the camera functions work, without reading the manual, is a challenge at least or takes a lot of trial and error.
The big flip-display is really nice and immediately gives you an idea of the content you are recording.
For the selfie-point-of-view I enjoyed having the big and rotating display in particular.
It definitely is the stand-out feature of this camera.
Currently I do not know of any stabilized vlogging camera with such a large display.
The AEL button to lock exposure was very helpful in the forest and provides a homogenous exposure
The trees create very variable light settings every couple meters.
I mounted the camera on a tripod when i wanted to film myself in full view.
The Ordro M5 has a standard tripod thread on the underside.
Video modes and AI programs
The camera menu lets you choose between Video, Looped Video (for Security Camera features), Slow-Motion, Time-Lapse.
In the photo mode the options are Single Shot, Self Timer, Photo Burst and Time-Lapse Photo.
For the PTZ following-mode (supported by optional face-tracking) you can select from Pan Following, Pan & Tilt Following, All locked and All following.
Room for improvements
In an early Version, the button to switch from POV-perspective to selfie-view during live-recording, was only accessible when the display is in horizontal mode.
In vertical mode, the physical button is hidden by the display.
This has now been fixed with a Firmware Update, which added a virtual set of buttons to the screen for vertical mode – great!
Notice: There seem to be some uncertainties if the camera is available, as kickstarter backers seem to still be waiting.
My understanding is, that a version sold online might be the pre-firmware version and the kickstarter backers version will be an updated product with enhanced production.
Some kind of protective hood for the gimbal-camera-head would be great for field use.
This way you could have the camera dangling safely on your side (or belt) and then quickly grab it, remove the hood and start filming.
I am not sure if I trust the camera to stay safe if I would hang it just like it is.
On the other hand I don´t always want to carry it in the case, then unzip the case, take the camera out and start filming.
This applies for the situations in particular, which I described earlier, where I need a short reaction time.
Video quality
Sample videos will be shared at a later point.
I need more time to thoroughly test the camera and produce some quality content.
As far as I have used the camera, I can say the video quality delivers as promised.
With 5K there is a lot of image information to work with, especially when it comes to cropping the frame or zooming in during post processing.
Slow-motion and time-lapses also work great as far as I tested them.
Pros and Cons
Pro
- superfast operating when powering up
- large 3,5″ (8,9cm) rotating flip-display with touch functionality (great for live-footage-review)
- 3-Axis Gimbal
- one button touch switching for instant 180° perspective change
- low-light night vision mode
- smart tracking
- AE-L
- optional control via app or wrist-band (I could not test the wrist-band yet)
Con
- A joystick instead of directional buttons to control the camera manually would be nice
- the AI tracking sometimes seems to have problems with fast movements and subjects leaving the frame but that could also be a user-driven-problem and I am still testing.
- poorly translated (online) manual / documentation
- only a few of button/function labels on the camera
Conclusion
The Ordro M5 is a good camera, with effective stabilization and some innovative features such as the large tilt-display.
It is great for what I want to use it for.
There is, however, some room for improvements.
Some more dedicated buttons for shortcuts to specific functions or modes of the camera, would have been great and an improvement of an already good camera.
The same goes for switching the directional buttons for a small joystick.
Aside from that the camera works smoothly and is a lot of fun.
You can order the Ordro M5 here.
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