Do you know the difference between IPX1 and IP53 weather sealing?

[Ian]

OM System has upped the ante with IP-ratings for its latest pro-spec products, including the OM-1, OM-5 and recently launched and revised lenses, like the 12-40 Mark II, for example.

Instead of IPX1 rating, we now have IP53 rating - which is superior, but how?

In the magazine section of the site, which I am gradually developing, I have written an article which aims to explain all:

A look at IP ratings for dust and water resistance in cameras and lenses - Olympus UK E-System User Group (e-group.uk.net)

Ian

[Dave in Wales]

Thank you Ian.

I was surprised to see 'Splashproof' on my 12-100 f4 Pro.

Not sure what I expected to see, but that was not it.

Perhaps 'Weather Sealed' may have satisfied me more.

Same difference perhaps.



All a little academic really, it avoids water like the plague.

Would the 12-100 have IP53 sealing, I know it's Weather Sealed.

OMS site just says Dust, splash & freezeproof

Odd if my OM-1 has IP53 but its bolted on lens does not.


UPDATE....On investigation it would appear that only two lenses have IP53.........

OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II and OM System M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/4 Pro

Therefore my combo of OM-1 + 12-100 is only proofed to IPX1, a chain only being as strong as its weakest link.

Must be a lot of OM-1 users who think their combo is up to IP53 standards, when it isn't.

[raichea]

That's a useful summary, thanks Ian.

There's a minor typo I happened to notice:

"With the new OM-1 and OM-5 camera bodies launched by OM System, and several of its new lenses, the IP specification is no IP53."

[Ian]

Thanks Steve - that and one other type I spotted have now been corrected 👍

[Ian]

Let me emphasise a point in the article that might have flown over one's head;

"It’s not clear whether the new OM-5 body, which shares an almost identical chassis with its predecessor, the Olympus E-M5 Mark III, has physically improved environmental sealing or not, despite having a superior IP53 rating compared to IPX1. It could simply mean that the product was submitted for, and passed, tougher tests to earn the superior rating."

In other words, just because something only has an IPX1 rating, it doesn't necessarily mean it won't pass an IP53 rating. In fact, I suspect that the OM-5 and other lenses (old and new) might pass the IP54 rating. Nikon, Canon, and Sony hardly bother listing IP ratings in their product specificatioons and yet the same products are clearly weather-proofed to some degree.

Ian

[pdk42]

I’m personally suspicious that Olympus have changed anything apart from the advertised rating, esp of the OM5 since the body looks pretty well identical to the EM5.3.

[Ian]

I’m personally suspicious that Olympus have changed anything apart from the advertised rating, esp of the OM5 since the body looks pretty well identical to the EM5.3.

I think you're probably right, but if the camera passes the more stringent test - then it earns the upgraded rating

Ian

[Walti]

My understanding of the IP ratings, means that an x as the first digit means it is not rated.

The first digit refers to mechanical protection, the second digit refers to water protection.

Weather proofing and IP ratings are also not necessarily the same thing. The following table hopefully helps:

[Walti]

Having read that you can see that IP56 is fairly good. But this is not the same as weatherproof, as leaving a device outdoors can be IP56 but still get water inside due to water being sucked past seals as temperatures change.

[Bebop]

The limited ingress is slightly concerning 😳

I have used my Em1ii and iii photographing football in exceedingly wet conditions at times and never worried about it - with the Oly 40-150 f/2.8 attached. I have far more confidence in them than with my Canon.

Some years ago on the press boat during Cowes week, there was a guy using an Olympus camera - cannot now remember if it was an EM1, or Em5 (first iterations). He says he used to take it into the shower with him at the end of the day. I mentioned this to Olympus who said they wouldn't recommend it

[blackfox]

I believe red Robin washes his camera and lens down in the shower after beach use .. not 100% on that but I’m sure that’s what he told me .. giving the corrosive nature of salt water on alumium I would class it as sensible

[Ian]

Shhhh! You troublemaker 🤣😂 You'll get us all in trouble now!

[Walti]

I quite happily rinse mine down after it’s got sea water or mud on it…. IP ratings can be very confusing as what they say doesn’t always match with what happens in real life.

I installed electrical panels rather at IP64 outside and they started to fill with water! Didn’t do the anti condensation heater in the bottom any good! The reason was that rain had collected along the top seal and when the day cooled down to night the pressure inside the panel dropped and drew the water in!

I started installing a panel within a panel to get around this - easy and cheap!

[blu-by-u]

To me, it all started with the EM5mk1. I was at the beach with the 12-50 shooting this

and small crabs. At the end of it, the camera was caked in dried salt. I just rinsed the camera under the tap as I was washing my feet.
It survived. nothing untoward happen. I eventually upgraded to the EM1.1, then the 12-40.

In my recent adventure to emerald bay, I had to wash my OM-1 under the tap. Again salt and sand.

In my Bromo trip in 2018, I saw a EM1.2 with the 7-14 take a dive into the ocean. We fished it out, then quickly rinse it in tap water, wipe dry and it was ready to go.

We were all lined up along the beach along the water line taking this.



Here is a photo of my EM1.1 (taken with a stylus 1) after a snow mobile ride


I have complete faith in the weather sealing of the Olympus system

[BDennis]

I wonder if the weather sealing degrades over time? I still have my E-1 4/3 camera, but not sure if I want to put it to the test under a tap or shower now!

[rsh1960]

I suppose it depends on where it's stored or used rubber will degrade over time.

[blu-by-u]

All seals degrade over time. Be it silicon or rubber.

[BDennis]

I noted that my Pixel 6 smartphone has IP68 rating. This apparently means it should survive a dunk in water, but I’m not sure how that works with the exposed USB-C socket especially if it was sea water. It’s good that know that it will likely survive if I get caught out in a rain shower and soaked through though!

[moggi1964]

I noted that my Pixel 6 smartphone has IP68 rating. This apparently means it should survive a dunk in water, but I’m not sure how that works with the exposed USB-C socket especially if it was sea water. It’s good that know that it will likely survive if I get caught out in a rain shower and soaked through though!

I use my Samsung S22 Ultra on my motorbike as a GPS. it get rained on quite often. It is usually plugged in but on the last trip I forgot to plug it in so it sat in the holder getting wet and when I got home I went to charge it and al alarm in the phone went off telling me there was something in the charging port. Turns out it was some moisture. I waited an hour and then it was fine. So I don't think the USB-C port is an issue with water ingress into the inside.

As for my EM1 MkII and lenses, I don't give a second thought to taking them out in heavy rain and using them. No issues to date.