New OM System LS-P5

[jlmorgan84]

I ran across this new recorder from Olympus/OM System today, starts shipping later this month: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0If2df_Hbko&list=PLi32uScKi2wy1pkUnAX7Z9-Q1oiAVrG9K

Seems to combine a lot of different features. One concern is according to the specs the internal mics seem noisy (60db signal to noise for the center mic, and 57db for the stereo mics.)

Anyone have any information on this recorder? Or the quality of Olympus recorders in general?

[rocksuitcase]

Not having owned one, but ran around Jazzfest in NOLA two times with a guy who owns an LS-10. (used it with the internals only- recordings are very decent) My opinion on Olympus' build quality is very high. I might say they are built even better than the Sony M-10 or A-10. Of course the newer an item is design-wise, the more screwed up they can make it, IMO.     

[justme]

It's really packed with some nice features and is lacking some others.
The self noise is a bit poor, micro usb and 24/96 could be better.

But it's only 78g with batteries!

[Gutbucket]

Primary questions for tapers will be:
1) Does it feature an external mic-in/line-in jack?
2) If so, what are the specs through that input in both modes.
The specified noise figures are most likely (and hopefully) dominated by the self-noise of the internal mic caps.

[aaronji]

24/96

1) Does it feature an external mic-in/line-in jack?
2) If so, what are the specs through that input in both modes.

I got the Dutch page when I googled this recorder (switching to English resulted in a much more limited page), so take this with a grain of salt. It definitely does 24/96. I think it has a single, switchable mic/line input. I didn't see specs for that input, in either mode, though.

If it is anything like the previous Olympus recorders, the build quality will be nice.

[Ozpeter]

There's a whole playlist of tutorial videos about this device on YouTube.  Internal mic design seems odd - I would have thought an M/S configuration would have been the normal way of using the equivalent of 3 mics to achieve variable width.  About the only feature which seems obviously superior to the A10 is that app provides audio monitoring rather than just remote level setting by meters.  (As memory serves me the A10 app doesn't do that).

This video provides less drama and more facts - https://youtu.be/BT0_ddPxIAo
See also the comments on the video where Olympus are answering questions - I have to say the launch is being handled impressively well!

[justme]

Here's some specs.

https://www.olympus-europa.com/site/en/a/audio_systems/audio_recording/sound_music_recorders/ls_p5/index.pdf

[rastasean]

I know the LS-5 is highly coveted in the nature/field recording world for those that can't afford the Sony PCM-D100 recorder.

It is quite strange to have three mics without M/S.

I guess Olympus didn't want to try USB-C on this new recorder for 2022 and wanted to stick with microUSB.

Nice that the recorder can be used as a USB audio interface.

[Ozpeter]

It should be possible to connect it to the USB audio input of my DJI Action 2 camera... well, that's what I'm telling myself as my finger hovers over the "buy" button!  It's listed in a number of outlets here in Australia but not yet in stock.

[goodcooker]

Cool features. I like that it has an app that allows for Bluetooth control over a lot of the functions,  iOS and Android compatible AND monitoring from the app. I wouldn't utilize that a lot but many people would like to be able to have their phone out and not the recorder.

[Ozpeter]

One reviewer said that you only get remote monitoring when recording in 16 bit mode - needs confirmation maybe.

[drgary]

I am very interested in this recorder but the way it is being stocked is odd.  B&H has it in stock now, Adorama is accepting preorders and Amazon will take an order and ship for a November 2nd delivery date.  Does anyone know if they are actually available?  And if they are, are they available anywhere in the US besides B&H?

[justme]

The manual is now available. 

https://download.aws.olympus.eu/consumer/manuals/audio/LS-P5_MANUAL_EN.pdf

Microphone/Line jack
3.5 mm diameter;
Microphone: Impedance: 2.2 kΩ
Line: Impedance: 10 kΩ

Microphones with plug-in power supplies can be used.

[drgary]

Thanks. I ordered one today from B&H and it should arrive on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to learning more about its capabilities first hand.

[mountainhop]

I am very interested in this recorder but the way it is being stocked is odd.  B&H has it in stock now, Adorama is accepting preorders and Amazon will take an order and ship for a November 2nd delivery date.  Does anyone know if they are actually available?  And if they are, are they available anywhere in the US besides B&H?

if BH says its in stock its in stock. a lot of times the big distributors get first dibs on shipments and they queue based on order date until stock catches up