Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIS Review

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II embodied everything that a mirrorless camera should be: a high-quality camera that feels great in hand, offers an extensive feature set with bags of control and produces excellent images while not occupying a lot of space in your bag. As a result, it was the perfect mirrorless camera.

The new OM-D E-M10 Mark III seeks to build on that success and make itself your invaluable traveling companion.

See: Best Lenses for Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIS | Best Memory Cards for Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIS

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Last update was on: January 19, 2024 11:18 am

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIS 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, which was previously only found in the brilliant E-M1 Mark II. Olympus believes that this engine will result in improved low-light shooting performance.

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II embodied everything that a mirrorless camera should be: a high-quality camera that feels great in hand, offers an extensive feature set with bags of control and produces excellent images while not occupying a lot of space in your bag. As a result, 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 an essential traveling companion for you.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIS 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, which was previously only found in the brilliant E-M1 Mark II. Olympus believes that this engine will result in improved low-light shooting performance.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIS 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 upon closer inspection, a few changes have been made. The dials on the top plate are the most notable of these changes.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIS 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.

The number of contrast-detect AF points has increased from 81 to 121. This, in conjunction with the inclusion of the most recent iteration of the TruePic III image processor, should result in quicker focusing rates.

In single AF mode, the absence of on-sensor phase-detect AF points may be a disadvantage for the OM-D E-M10 Mark III. However, it does not appear to be a significant one compared to what is offered by some of the camera’s competitors.

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 IIIS Performance

The OM-D E-M10 Mark III can take photographs at a rate of 8.6 frames per second, which is a slight improvement above Mark II’s rate of 8.5 frames per second. 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. 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 it possible to shoot at even slower speeds with decent results. In addition, the five-axis image stabilization system operates quite well.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIS 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. Indeed, the 24MP sensors found 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 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 that you intend to use those photographs online solely.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIS Specs

Body typeSLR-style mirrorless
Max resolution4608 x 3456
Image ratio w h4:3
Effective pixels16 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors17 megapixels
Sensor sizeFour Thirds (17.4 x 13 mm)
Sensor typeCMOS
ProcessorTruePic VIII
ISOAuto, 200-25600 (expands to 100-25600)
Boosted ISO (minimum)100
Boosted ISO (maximum)25600
White balance presets6
Custom white balanceYes (4 slots)
Image stabilizationSensor-shift
Image stabilization notes5-axis
CIPA image stabilization rating4 stop(s)
Uncompressed formatRAW
JPEG quality levelsFine, normal
AutofocusContrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View
Digital zoomYes
Manual focusYes
Number of focus points121
Lens mountMicro Four Thirds
Focal length multiplier
Articulated LCDTilting
Screen size3″
Screen dots1,040,000
Touch screenYes
Screen typeTFT LCD
Live viewYes
Viewfinder typeElectronic
Viewfinder coverage100%
Viewfinder magnification1.23× (0.62× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder resolution2,360,000
Minimum shutter speed60 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/4000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic)1/16000 sec
Aperture priorityYes
Shutter priorityYes
Manual exposure modeYes
Subject/scene modesYes
Built-in flashYes
Flash Range5.80 m (at ISO 100)
External flashYes (via hot shoe)
Flash modesAuto, redeye, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, slow redeye sync, fill-in, manual, off
Continuous drive8.6 fps
Self-timerYes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Metering modesMultiCenter-weighted spot
Exposure compensation±5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing±5 (3, 5 frames at 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB BracketingNo
FormatMPEG-4, H.264
Modes3840 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
MicrophoneStereo
SpeakerMono
Storage typesSD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II supported)
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMIYes (micro HDMI)
Microphone portNo
Headphone portNo
WirelessBuilt-In
Wireless notes802.11b/g/n
Remote controlYes (via smartphone)
Environmentally sealedNo
BatteryBattery Pack
Battery descriptionBLS-50 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)330
Weight (inc. batteries)411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
Dimensions122 x 84 x 50 mm (4.8 x 3.31 x 1.97″)
Orientation sensorYes
Timelapse recordingYes
GPSNone

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIS Verdict

Compared to its competitors merely based on its overall image quality, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III falls short of expectations (though a boost in resolution to 20MP would have negated this a little). However, image quality is still above and beyond what is considered good, and you can generate excellent prints of A3 size from your photographs.

However, this is only one feature, and to appreciate the OM-D E-M10 Mark III, you need to look at the camera as its whole. Its sleek design and body, which has a solid feeling to it, are far more fulfilling than competitors’ DSLRs that are priced similarly, and the fact that it is compact gives it an appeal that is unique from that of its competitors.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIS Price

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Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIs Silver Body with Silver M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm...

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 11:18 am
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