The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II embodied everything a mirrorless camera should be: a high-quality camera that feels great in hand offer, an extensive feature set with bags of control, and produces excellent images while not occupying a lot of space in your bag. It was the perfect mirrorless camera. The newest OM-D E-M10 Mark III is designed to improve upon its predecessor’s achievements and become your vital traveling companion.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Features
The OM-D E-M10 Mark III retains the same 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor as its predecessor, the E-M10 Mark II, and the original E-M10 Mark I. However, it is equipped with Olympus’ most recent TruePic VII image processing engine, previously only found in the brilliant E-M1 Mark II. Olympus believes that this engine will result in improved low-light shooting performance.
Even while an increase in resolution to 20 megapixels would have been desirable here as well, it’s possible that Olympus was afraid that doing so might cut into sales of higher-end OM-D models.
The E-M10 Mark III possesses the same efficient five-axis in-body image stabilization technology as the Mark II. In addition, this system produces what is said to be four stops of correction to eliminate blur and shake in both still images and video. The E-M10 Mark III was released in October of this year.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Build Quality
The E-M10 family has always pleased us with its construction and finish quality, and the Mark III is no exception to this trend. Magnesium alloy is used in constructing the E-M10 Mark III, which gives it a robust, sturdy feel that is undeniably far more premium than the feel of DSLR competitors such as the Canon EOS Rebel T7i (EOS 800D).
The front grip, which was relatively shallow on the Mark II but served its purpose well, has been strengthened here to give a more gratifying grasp while maintaining the compact dimensions of the E-M10 Mark III.
The OM-D E-M10 Mark III has the aesthetically beautiful vintage style of the Mark II, but a few changes have been made upon closer inspection. The dials on the top plate are the most notable of these changes.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Autofocus
The autofocus performance of the E-M10 Mark II, which the OM-D E-M10 Mark III is replacing, was impressive, and the new system is much more advanced. For example, the number of contrast-detect AF points has increased from 81 to 121. This, in conjunction with including the most recent iteration of the TruePic III image processor, should result in quicker focusing rates.
Even while some of the competition has on-sensor phase-detect AF points to help speed up the process of acquiring focus, the absence of such issues in the OM-D E-M10 Mark III does not appear to be a significant hindrance when working in single AF mode.
Even when shooting scenes with a moderate amount of available light, focusing is relatively quick; however, the autofocus does slow down slightly as you zoom in. However, this should not be an issue if you use one of the numerous prime lenses compatible with the camera.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Performance
The OM-D E-M10 Mark III can take photographs at 8.6 frames per second, slightly above Mark II’s rate of 8.5. Although this is only a slight improvement, it is still faster than other cameras, such as Fujifilm’s X-T20, which can only shoot at eight frames per second. On the other hand, it is also substantially shorter than the Canon EOS Rebel T7i/EOS 800D (6 frames per second) or the Nikon D5600 (5fps). The buffer performance is also relatively strong, with 22 frames for raw files, and the camera will continue to shoot JPEGs until the memory card is full.
We acquired crisp photos using a shutter speed of 1/8 of a second. Bracing the camera correctly makes shooting at even slower speeds with decent results possible. In addition, the five-axis image stabilization system operates quite well.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Image Quality
In the five years since it has been on the market, the 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor at the core of the OM-D E-M10 Mark III has undergone minimal alteration. The 24MP sensors in APS-C competitors, like the X-T20 and D5600, will offer more satisfactory results. However, there is no reason to underestimate this sensor, which can still provide good prints at an A3 size.
JPEG photos captured at ISO 400 are pretty stable. There may be a trace of luminance (grain-like) noise at 100%, but nothing objectionable. On the other hand, a decent amount of detail is evident in images taken in the low-to-mid sensitivity range.
Noise is adequately controlled up to about ISO6400, at which point some regions of JPEGs begin to take on a little painterly aspect when viewed at 100%. This occurs around the same time that the maximum ISO setting is increased. Results at ISO 12,800 and 25,600 are acceptable, assuming you intend to use those photographs online.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Specs
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 |
| Image ratio w h | 4:3 |
| Effective pixels | 16 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 17 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds (17.4 x 13 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | TruePic VIII |
| ISO | Auto, 200-25600 (expands to 100-25600) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 100 |
| White balance presets | 6 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (4 slots) |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| Image stabilization notes | 5-axis |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 121 |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Focal length multiplier | 2× |
| Articulated LCD | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 1.23× (0.62× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360,000 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/16000 sec |
| Aperture priority | Yes |
| Shutter priority | Yes |
| Manual exposure mode | Yes |
| Subject/scene modes | Yes |
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| Flash Range | 5.80 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash modes | Auto, redeye, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, slow redeye sync, fill-in, manual, off |
| Continuous drive | 8.6 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weighted spot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±5 (3, 5 frames at 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | No |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 30p / 14 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 25p / 14 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 24p / 14 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II supported) |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (micro HDMI) |
| Microphone port | No |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n |
| Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | BLS-50 lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 330 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 410 g (0.90 lb / 14.46 oz) |
| Dimensions | 122 x 84 x 50 mm (4.8 x 3.31 x 1.97″) |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Verdict
Because many of the camera’s specifications have remained the same from the Mark II to the Mark III, it’s possible that the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III is not a significant improvement over its predecessor. However, Olympus has improved upon one of our favorite mirrorless cameras by making minor adjustments and refinements, making it a more attractive option for first-time users and experts.
