Last Update:- 16th June 2023
Introduction.
I bought my first Olympus OM-D camera, the E-M5 with the 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens in late 2012. My first reaction was it's an exciting concept with a high level of flexibility consisting of high-quality lenses plus add-ons like the handgrip and separate battery grip. The E-M5 with a 12-50mm lens was expensive at $1300 when the E-620 and E-P3 were selling for less than $800 each.
The E-M5 was the first OM-D with the new 5-axis in body image stabilization (IBIS). Other models like the Pen E-P3 and the E-M10 came with 3-axis stabilization. The E-M5 was also the first M43 camera to introduce shuttershock to the M43 mirrorless segment. I recall upgrading from the E-P3, and how frustrating it was to get so many blurred images with my new E-M5. Olympus added a new 0-second Anti-Shock option to fix the problem.
The E-M10 used a different shutter mechanism which helped. All new Olympus M43 cameras benefitted from these new and improved shutter units plus the new 0-second software fix.
E-M10 target customers
Click on the chart for an enlarged view.
The EM10 MKII was a comprehensive upgrade to the original EM10. I couldn't help thinking it was designed to fill the gap between the original EM5 and the far superior EM5 MKII. Olympus planned the opposite for the EM10 III and positioned it into the existing Pen space.
When Olympus launched the EM5 MKII, it was a more powerful camera than the original EM1. The EM1 MKII followed one year later to re-establish the E-M1's superiority. The EM1 was targeting professionals as well as serious hobby photographers. The Pen range was designed for casual or entry-level photographers and the Pen F for city or street photographers.
When Olympus introduced the E-M10 MKIV and its simplified user interface, they hinted they were planning to discontinue the Pen F. The E-M5 III also confirmed this. Like with the E-M5 II, photographers expected new and trendsetting features. They were not ready for a "tamed down" E-M1 MKII. That's why the initial disappointment with the E-M5 MKIII.
What happened was a common strategy of optimizing the new factory in Vietnam by re-positioning the product offer and lowering manufacturing and product costs. We also see Olympus considering the complete phasing out of the Pen range. It will not surprise me if any future Pen will exclusively be for the Japanese market and to help Olympus transition the offer... The E-PL10 was initially launched to be this model. This will basically accelerate the overall imaging business profitability or marketability. I think we also see this when we read between the lines with the JIP announcement...
One cannot help to ask, is Olympus preparing for future camera sales, or were they getting ready to sell the imaging business? Compare this with what we see happening at Canon and Nikon, they delayed their entry into the professional mirrorless segment, and then both introduced new mirrorless cameras with new lens mounts in late 2018? Next, go study Sony and Fuji and ask yourself if they are ready for the future while into the 3rd and 4th generation of their mirrorless camera range. Think of the 12 years it took from introducing the mirrorless concept in 2008 to having a fully refined M43 product offer in 2020. I cannot help smiling when I see photographers raving about the wonderful EVF on their new Canon or Nikon mirrorless camera...
The Olympus EM10 range main functions and features
The new AP menu gives photographers easy access to advanced features. Must say it would have been nice if Olympus added the curves (highlight/shadow) and the Color Creator to the AP menu. With the MKIII it's now more practical to select curves via the SCP, whereas with the MKII one simply uses the multifunction button. The MKII only adjusts highlights and shadows whereas the MKIII and MKIV also adjust mid-tones. When Olympus launched the MKIII they removed the RC (Remote Flash) function. This was quickly "corrected" with the next firmware upgrade.
Is the new AP Menu something useful? It's difficult to say, for someone new to OMD cameras it could be something valuable. For existing OMD owners, my advice is to try it first... I found the AP menu a little frustrating because you need to go back to the advanced menu to access more advanced options. I did not check but I am sure those reviewers complaining about the Olympus menu, also found something with the MKIII and IV menus to complain about...
I studied the EM10 MKIV and the EM5 MKIII at my local camera shop. It is possible to rent these cameras but I honestly cannot make up my mind about Olympus. For example, I bought a Panasonic G9 on the secondhand market and I am considering supporting Panasonic in the future. I feel it is important to support those manufacturers that are loyal to their client base. That does not mean I will not enjoy the extensive secondhand Olympus supply...?
When studying the EM5 MKIII and the EM10 MKIV, I was surprised at how lightweight these new bodies are compared to the EM10 MKII and the EM5 MKII. The original EM5, the EM10, and the EM10 MKII all used a solid metal build. The EM5 MKII has a nasty weakness wearing off the silver, black, or platinum paint at the corners, whereas the EM10 MKI & II stays good for years. Another really irritating aspect of more recent models is the rubber inserts on the thumb position. I first experienced this with the Pen F and I noticed the EM10 MKIII and MKIV have this too. The rubber falls off over time and it's esthetically and functionally not really practical. See my wife's EM10 MIII and my Pen F below. The E-M10 MKII still uses the best solution, it will stay good for years...
That said my wife loves her E-M10 MKIII. She has her 14-150mm fitted almost permanently. It seems the MKIII is manufactured from the same composite material as the MKIV and the E-M5 MKIII. Unlike the E-M5 MKII, these new bodies do not scratch easily or lose paint at the corners. The image and video quality are great and my wife is completely satisfied with her E-M10.
One can talk for hours about these differences, the new panorama function, the AP Menu, the different video options, or the difference in resolution. The bottom line is, that talking makes no difference to these cameras. If it's more video you want, consider the EM1 MKII or the EM5 MKIII. This is true for almost any feature graving forum expert... You can safely select almost any OMD to closely match your own needs, whether it's the original EM10 or any other OMD right up to the EM1X.
Studying the video specifications of the MKII, III, and IV, we see the main differences are:
- The MKII is basically a replica of the EM5 MKII
- Olympus added 4K to the MKIII and IV with an increase in data rate (102mps)
- Olympus added a 720p, 120fps slow-motion to the MKIII and the MKIV
- Olympus removed the All-I option from the MKIII and IV (not all use this)
- The movie options accessible via the AP Menu are the most basic options only
- With the MKIII and IV, it takes a little digging to access more advanced video options
- All the E-M10 cameras benefit from recording with IBIS plus electronic stabilization
- The MKII, III, and IV all have the 4K TimeLapse function - check the details first...
- The MKII slow-motion basically uses 60p and adapts that to the set frame rate
Let's talk about a missed opportunity
I think the vlogging camera in the above image is shouting a message from the mountaintops. With all I wrote about Olympus, the financial scandal, the amazing turnaround, and the reorganizing of the imaging business, one thing we never discussed is the impact it had on the employees.
Missing an opportunity to introduce a great vlogging camera, is more than revealing. It's not that nobody knew what vloggers need, or that vlogging is something completely new. Vloggers have been begging for a good vlogging camera. To make things worse Sony and Panasonic are already leading the way but do not have the equivalent of an E-M10 camera...
How did Olympus miss this one with the new EM10 MKIV? Here we have the perfect camera, an amazing new segment, and "policy" or "saddened employees" lacked commonsense?
To make this worse, Olympus cannot go back and quickly adapt the EM10 MKIV because the screen format is completely wrong. I am really too embarrassed to even show a picture of the MKIV flip-down display. Besides, think of the possible cost savings if all OMD cameras had the same display. I think this example demonstrates just how out of touch Olympus was at the end...
Update 26th Jan 2022:- From writing this article I did decide to stay with Olympus and not to invest in Panasonic. I bought the EM1 III during a special promotion in December 2021 and received the 17mm f1.2 Pro lens at no additional cost.
Conclusion
The E-M10 range cameras are probably the most exciting in the OMD range. From the award-winning MKI with its built-in flash to the latest MKIV, each E-M10 has its own unique strengths and great value. Yes, they are not weather-sealed and the MKIII and IV are a little different. That said, they do have the new AP menu, and many newcomers value that...
As discussed, Olympus created a unique opportunity with the O-MD range. If you look carefully you will see the E-M1 MKII is a complete bargain new and secondhand. The MKII was commercially available in 2020 plus it was hugely attractive in terms of price and functionality. Now in 2022, they are selling secondhand for less than $200 in our local market. This is no-brainer territory...
4 comments:
Are they durable? and splash proof?
I lost trust in Olympus cameras for about two years. Reading your post feels like I should give another try to them.
Difficult to say, if you already use Olympus keep it. If you new in the market you need to decide if you trust the future of M43 enough to invest. If size and affordability is important consider Olympus or M43. If you OK to buy good secondhand gear, absolutely worth it. The current new models has a life cycle of at least three years. If you start with a EM1,2 you can upgrade. As you see, many options but no clear answer :-)
The EM10 series is not. You need to consider the EM5 or EM1 series. Also see Panasonic M43 cameras...
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