Despite its confusing moniker, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a straightforward, portable, mirrorless camera designed for beginners. It is a camera that should be at the top of your list whether you are just starting in photography or are an avid enthusiast searching for a camera with a petite body that produces consistently appealing photographs.
The E-M10 Mark IV does not include some of the more sophisticated capabilities available on some of its more expensive competitors. These features include phase-detection autofocus, 4K/60p video, and microphone/headphone inputs.
It is one of the best inexpensive cameras you can get right now and one of the best travel cameras for individuals who have spent all their money on flights. However, it performs an excellent job as a stills camera and can capture a small amount of quality video when needed.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Build Quality
The E-M10 IV is quite a bit smaller than its predecessor, which is the first thing that jumps out. However, even when its 14-42mm M.Zuiko f/3.5-5.6 pancake kit lens is attached, it can still slip into the pocket of ordinary cut jeans because of how compact it is.
When shooting in manual mode, the dual control dial configuration of the E-M10 has always been one of our favorite camera aspects. This is because it enables you to adjust the shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation with relative ease.
The mode dial located next to them allows quick access to the nine shooting modes available on the camera, including the video mode. A button designed explicitly for recording video is also included, and it is conveniently located on the shoulder of the camera for easy access.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Features
The E-M10 Mark IV is driven by a TruePic VIII imaging engine, which aims to produce decreased noise in photos shot in low light and has a native ISO sensitivity range of ISO 200-6400. Additionally, the E-M10 Mark IV has a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-25600.
This may be enlarged to ISO 80 (LO) and ISO 25,600 (HI); however, before you crank up the ISO to such levels, it is recommended that you make use of the camera’s superb five-axis in-body image stabilization technology (IBIS).
This IBIS technology is identical to the one in Olympus’ award-winning flagship E-M1 series and performs exceptionally well. It improves the E-M10 Mark IV’s ability to shoot handheld and allows you to bring less gear because you won’t need a tripod to produce great images, especially while shooting at night.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Autofocus
Even if they aren’t the quickest, autofocus systems need to have high predictability. The autofocus system of the E-M10 Mark IV may not be the most sophisticated in this camera class. Still, it operates consistently, the most important thing we want from a camera’s autofocus system.
The hybrid systems integrating on-sensor phase detection AF are superior and more suited for vlogging. One such hybrid system is the AF system present in the Sony ZV-1. This is because they are quicker at identifying faces from various angles and hold onto them more tenaciously without looking for focus. Another reason is that they can recognize faces from broader perspectives.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Image Quality & Performance
The E-M10 Mark IV is the camera that focuses on photography the most out of all the models in its class. This camera aspires to be a fantastic stills camera first and foremost, in contrast to its competitors, which are more tailored toward video photographers. It does an excellent job of achieving that goal.
Compared to smartphones and other tiny sensor cameras, the E-M10 Mark IV can record images with a substantially more stunning dynamic range since it has a high-resolution Micro Four Thirds sensor with a pixel count of 20 megapixels. This is especially obvious when examining scenes with high contrast or using night mode. In addition, the E-M10 Mark IV has excellent light-gathering capabilities because to the fact that its sensor is significantly more extensive than that of its predecessor.
Even though the ISO sensitivity of the camera was pushed to its absolute maximum, the images were passable, even though around ISO 6400, details began to seem hazy when viewed at 100%. In addition, the camera’s five-axis in-body image stabilization contributes further to the device’s capacity to shoot higher-quality photographs even when the available light is low. This makes it possible to maintain clear photos while shooting handheld at shutter speeds as slow as 1/8 of a second, which is a considerable benefit when photographing in low-light conditions.
Walking around and panning the camera also works well with the IBIS system when capturing video. Even while the E-M10 Mark IV is capable of recording video that has a high-quality appearance to it, the camera was not designed with video shooters in mind.
The fact that this camera does not include a microphone input or a USB-C port, which may be used to adapt a microphone or headphone input, is another red flag that it is not designed for video recording.
It has a resolution limit of 4K/30p and FHD/60p, respectively. In addition, there is a high-speed movie option available. However, the frame rate is just 120 fps, and the resolution is only 720p. Since the E-M10 Mark III debut in 2017, this model represents one of the least aspirational cameras in terms of its video specifications.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Specs
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 |
| Other resolutions | 3200 x 2400, 1280 x 960 |
| Image ratio w h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 16 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 17 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | TruePic VII |
| Color space | sRGB, AdobeRGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 200 – 25600 |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 100 |
| White balance presets | 7 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (4 slots) |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| Image stabilization notes | 3-axis image stabilization (yaw/pitch/roll) |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Super fine, fine, normal, basic |
| File format | JPEGRAW (12-bit lossless)MPO |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 81 |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Focal length multiplier | 2× |
| Screen/viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,037,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes (Shutter release, Enlargement, Live Guide, AF area selection, AF area enlargement and decrease, Frame forward/backward, Enlargement playback, Super Control Panel, Art Filter selection, Scene mode selection, Wi-Fi connection) |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 1.15× (0.57× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 1,440,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes | Manual (M)Aperture Priority (A)Shutter Priority (S)Programmed Auto (P)iAUTOScene Selection (SCN)BulbTimeUnderwaterArt Filter |
| Scene modes | Portraite-PortraitLandscapeLandscape + PortraitSportHand-held StarlightNight sceneNight + PortraitChildrenHigh KeyLow KeyDIS modeMacroNature MacroCandleSunsetDocumentsPanoramaFireworksBeach & SnowFisheye Conv.Wide Conv.Macro Conv.3D |
| Built-in flash | Yes (Olympus Wireless RC Flash system compatible) |
| Flash Range | 5.80 m (ISO100) |
| External flash | Yes (FL-50R, FL-36R, FL-20, FL-14, FL-300R, FL-600R) |
| Flash modes | Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Redeye Slow sync. (1st curtain), Slow sync. (1st curtain), Slow sync. (2nd curtain), Manual（1/1（FULL）～1/64） |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/200 sec |
| Continuous drive | 8.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (12 sec., two sec., custom (Waiting time 1-30sec., Shooting interval 0.5/1/2/3sec., Number of shots 1-10)) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weighted spot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±5 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Format | H.264, Motion JPEG |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (micro HDMI) |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | Live View, Rec View, Wireless Touch AF shutter, Wireless Release, Power Off |
| Remote control | Yes (Optional Remote cable RM-UC1) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | BLS-5 Li-ion battery and charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 320 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 396 g (0.87 lb / 13.97 oz) |
| Dimensions | 119 x 82 x 46 mm (4.69 x 3.24 x 1.81″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes (Interval Time 1 sec. – 24 Hours, Max 999 frames. Available on making Time-lapse movie automatically) |
| GPS | Optional |
| GPS notes | uses Smartphone GPS data |
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Verdict
It is easy to ignore the E-M10 Mark IV as a camera option; nevertheless, if you are looking for a compact camera that focuses on still images, you should give it significant attention. Olympus has spent a lot of time and effort over the years perfecting this model, with a primary emphasis on its ability to take stunning photographs.
Compared to smartphones and the vast majority of pocket cameras, it is in a league of its own because of its combination of a 20-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor, a 3-inch flip-down touchscreen, and five-axis in-body image stabilization. As a result, this is an excellent choice for those who are just starting in photography or are photography enthusiasts wishing to improve their skills to the next level.
