Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Review

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.

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Last update was on: January 19, 2024 10:46 am

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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.

Because of its user-friendly button arrangement and combined Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities, this entry-level interchangeable lens camera is intended to entice smartphone photographers to switch to a full-fledged interchangeable lens camera. In addition, because it is a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera, it is compatible with a pervasive range of lenses.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Build Quality

The E-M10 IV is quite a bit smaller than its predecessor, which is the first thing that jumps out at you about it. However, even when it has its 14-42mm M.Zuiko f/3.5-5.6 pancake kit lens 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 relatively easily.

The mode dial located next to them allows for quick access to the nine different 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 has managed to position controls that cover most of the camera’s essential functions without making the camera appear cluttered, even though there is not much area elsewhere on the camera for buttons. Access to the touchscreen is also available via the back LCD, which significantly enhances the camera’s utility.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV 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 found 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 with you because you won’t need a tripod to produce great images, especially while shooting at night.

The upgraded 121-point autofocusing system, which can more accurately recognize and track faces and eyes, is another feature copied from the higher-tier OM-D cameras.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Autofocus

Even if they aren’t the quickest, autofocus systems need to have a high level of predictability. The autofocus system of the E-M10 Mark IV may not be the most sophisticated in this camera class. Still, it operates consistently, which is the most important thing we want from a camera’s autofocus system.

The hybrid systems that integrate 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 a broader range of perspectives.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV 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 is equipped with 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. 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.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Specs

Body typeSLR-style mirrorless
Body materialComposite, metal
Sensor
Max resolution5184 x 3888
Image ratio w h1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels20 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors22 megapixels
Sensor sizeFour Thirds (17.4 x 13 mm)
Sensor typeCMOS
ProcessorTruePic VIII
Color spacesRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter arrayPrimary color filter
Image
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
CIPA image stabilization rating4.5 stop(s)
Uncompressed formatRAW
JPEG quality levelsSuper fine, fine, normal
File formatJPEGRaw (Olympus ORF, 12-bit lossless)
Optics & Focus
AutofocusContrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View
Autofocus assist lampYes
Manual focusYes
Number of focus points121
Lens mountMicro Four Thirds
Focal length multiplier
Screen/viewfinder
Articulated LCDTilting
Screen size3″
Screen dots1,040,000
Touch screenYes
Screen typeTFT LCD
Live viewYes
Viewfinder typeElectronic
Viewfinder coverage100%
Viewfinder magnification0.62× (0.31× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder resolution2,360,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed60 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/4000 sec
Exposure modesProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManual
Scene modesPortrait-PortraitLandscape + PortraitNight + PortraitChildrenNight sceneSportHand-held StarlightFireworksLight trailsSportsPanningLandscapeSunsetBeach & SnowBacklight HDRCandlelightSilentMacroNature MacroDocumentsMulti Focus Shot
Built-in flashYes
Flash Range7.20 m (at ISO 200)
External flashYes (via hot shoe)
Flash modesRedeye, fill-in, off, redeye slow-sync (1st-curtain), slow sync (1st-curtain), slow sync (2nd-curtain), Manual
Flash X sync speed1/250 sec
Drive modesSingleSingle anti-shockSilentSequential highSilent sequential highSequential lowAnti-shock sequential lowSilent sequential low12 sec self-timer2 sec self-timerCustom self-timer (regular/anti-shock)
Continuous drive15.0 fps
Self-timerYes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Metering modesMultiCenter-weightedHighlight-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
Videography features
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 PCM
MicrophoneStereo
SpeakerMono
Storage
Storage typesSD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported)
Connectivity
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
USB chargingYes
HDMIYes (micro HDMI)
Microphone portNo
Headphone portNo
WirelessBuilt-In
Wireless notes802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth
Remote controlYes (via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealedNo
BatteryBuilt-in
Battery descriptionBLS-50 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
Battery Life (CIPA)360
Weight (inc. batteries)383 g (0.84 lb / 13.51 oz)
Dimensions122 x 84 x 49 mm (4.8 x 3.31 x 1.93″)
Other features
Orientation sensorYes
Timelapse recordingYes
GPSNone

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV 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 it combines 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.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Price

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OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Silver Body with Silver M.Zuiko Digital ED...

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 10:46 am
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