Olympus Om D E M10 Mark Iii Review

[Sherry Galeazzi]

Olympushas continued to innovate and create new technology in cameras while keeping the cameras small, fast, great looking, AS WELL as keeping them performing in Image Quality to the level of an APS-C sensor camera. Yes, there is nothing at all lacking when it comes to image quality, color, or pop when using good lenses. It also does not hurt to have the most amazing lens selection available as well as exclusive features such as Live Time, Live Composite, Advanced 5 Axis IS, and more. I have always said, the LENSES are the heart of ANY system, and for this system there is NO shortage of amazing glass.

Hi

I have owned both cameras. I prefer the handling of the EM1 and would choose it if I was mostly interested in stills. The camera has a couple of advantages for stills and no downside. For video, definitely choose the 5 mk2, It allows for higher quality and, via its add-on grip gives you headphone out, critical for effective video work. Both are terrific cameras with an extraordinary selection of available lenses at very comfortable prices.

Yes, even the MK1 does that. This camera can match any APS-C camera for IQ, color, and even DR in real world images. In fact, take and EM1 MKII and 12-100 and pit it against any APS-C in all but really low light and I would say the EM1 MKII images will have am ore pleasing look due to the Olympus color. Sharpness is a non issue, DR is a non issue. For build, speed, joy of use and lens quality and size I know of no APS-C that beats the EM1 MKII. For me anyway. Everyone has their own preferences. Some like Fuji, some like Panasonic, Some like Sony, Some like Leica, etc.

Sounds like those APS-C must be doing a horrible job if the last generation tiny MFT sensor cam can already match its IQ ( DR/color). I heard some similar claims for the APS-C vs FF, and in own eyes, they are not close.

Steve

I will one day send money. All my work is for charities so it takes time. In any case your enthusiasm for the 5 MK2 convinced me to go that way, more with video in mind. The quality is superb, part because of the 77mps and the processor but also very much the lenses. I have 7-14, 17, 25 Panny, 45, 75 and 12-40 zoom with two bodies. Love it/them.

Well, what is the budget? If under $1000 I would look at the A6500, or the Olympus E-M5II or Pen F if you can swing it. You can also rent a camera or two from lensrentals to see which you prefer. Tough call as a camera is a personal choice.

Hi, I have to decide whether to buy a OMD EM5 mkII, I have read several reviews, including yours, very interesting. But I care about 2 things, first the failure lcd commented on some strings:

and second, the sensitivity of autofocus 0EV (low light), against for example GX GX8 or 80 Panasonic: -4ev.

I could clarify these points to make my decision?

Thank you and congratulations on your work.

I love your review and the omd system , still shoot the Em 5 mark 1 but with great pleasure. Have had the pleasure to hold and shoot the 300 mm f4 for 10 min and must say olympus really out dit themselves. Great quality very vast and shootable with 1/10 th of a sec a real delight. Looking forward to your review about it.

Steve, awesome info and website. I sit her contemplating on moving to the Olympus 4/3s system. I have shot professionally for many years. As I age (49) and not shooting sports anymore, the 4/3s system really interests me. I like the size and image quality as well as the Olympus system. I will continue to shoot portraits, fashion, a few weddings and architecture professionally as well as family and landscape for fun. My questions are: my thoughts are to purchase the om-d5 w/kit lens for $449 to learn the system and this body will become a backup body, sell some Canon equip, then purchase the om-d5ii and prime lenses. Are the om-d5 and om-d5ii fairly close in performance to use in this situation. Would like to hear your thoughts.

Steve, with the Firmware update for the OM-D E-M1 does your opinion of the difference gap change from your February review? In other-words, did the Firmware update bring things to the table for the M1 to make it shine a bit more over the M5ii? Thanks a bunch.

Hi steve thank you for your reviews just charging battery for my new em5ii ,sorry if someone has asked this already are you aware of/ has Olympus commented on reported issues of lcd failure on this camera ,obviously taking into account the trolls ,

Never had an LCD issue with mine and never heard of anyone having issues (emails to me). I do not read other sites these days for various reasons (time, not wanting to be swayed for upcoming reviews, etc) so never heard of this so called issue.

Just got my OMD EM5m2 Titanium Edition yesterday, the camera looks classy and elegant. A bit curious though, when I started using the camera, I can hear a noise coming from the three holes near the thumb grip. Not too loud, but I was wondering if this is normal? Thank you.

Thanks fot the advice. Just got my EM5 Mark2 titanium LE. ? The unit looks so classy and elegant. Upon using, I notice that there is a sound coming from the three holes near the thumb grip everytime I make half press on the shutter key. Is this normal? Thanks.

Of course Your Mileage May Vary but I actually only used 2 lenses the whole time. This included 8 days in Paris, with a side trip to London. The 12-40 Olympus was absolutely the best day in/day out. It was the easiest to carry, and with the focal length combined with f/2.8 it proved to be the most versatile.

My bag also contained the Olympus 45mm prime, the Panasonic 35-100mm, and the Rokinon 7.5 fisheye. I thought I would need some bit of telephoto but the Panasonic NEVER LEFT THE HOTEL (same for the 45mm) My whole reason for getting the Olympus in the beginning was smaller size, smaller lenses.

TBH, these kinds of questions are a personal matter. Features and specs wise the EM5mkII is a phenomenal camera. Compare it to an approaching 10 year old camera, on paper its a no brainer. As to answer the question, will you miss anything about the a700? No one here could really tell you unless they were you lol. What part of the world are you in? Because 100% of this becomes easy if you just rent the camera for a few days and test it out for yourself. Borrowlenses.com and lensrentals.com are both reputable online sites that will ship the camera to your door to use for a few days or weeks as you prefer. I personally believe that bonding with your tools is a big part of photography. Specs and Features only tell half the story.

But if I was a betting man it sounds like the EM5mkII would be a great compact and capable camera that would not leave you wanting. However a big part of its appeal is its video capabilities. If that is not important to you, the EM1 or original EM5 might be of interest to you. Good luck!

Well, I never ever use C-AF with any camera, ever. Only for testing. When I tested the CAF of the 5II it was faster for me than the E-M1 I also had on hand at the same time. I had no issues with it at all during my tests.

I received the newly-released Fotodiox grip for the Mk ii today. It fits great on the camera with an open port on bottom for battery access without removing it, and it looks better than the OEM add-on grip. Extra finger and bottom plate depth help my XL hands get a stronger and more balanced grip, too. Thanks again for your review!

Thanks Steve for the great reviews, it has help me decide to move one of my DSLR bodies to M4/3s, and i have just ordered the 5MKII. Mirrorless may make me totally move over, looking at the lovely Sony A7 cameras models!

Thanks for all the info. I was on the fence about getting the EM5II. I have read almost everything about that and the EM1. I went into my local camera store and felt both. I love the feel of the EM1 much better and we put the 40-150 2.8 on. I just went OMG. I loved the feel. I do wildlife, birds, Lighthouses and my Grandchildren. Sometimes landscapes. Since I tend to do a lot of cropping. I am going to wait and see if the EM2 will come out and jump on it. I have the D7100 and the Nikon 80-400 which is the best combo I have to date and hope for 24 MP. It is killing me to carry it so its time to downsize, but I dont want to sacrifice what I have now. My D90 had 16mp and I went to D7100 which has 24 and when I crop there is a difference. I will keep watching your site

Thanks Fran D.

The camera is great! I find that I like having it in my hands much more often than previous cameras. That I believe is due to the size and weight of it. Much less likely to leave it at home or in my car. When I first seen it up-close, it was almost like a toy! Great size.

The Panasonic and the Olympus lenses are both high quality, both are sharp and show great detail, and both are enjoyable to use. But there are some slight differences.

I find that the Olympus (12-40), is a bit more accurate and a slight bit quicker on the autofocus. I think it is my best 4/3 lens so far. Well built, it has a quality feel.

The Panasonic (35-100) seems just a bit warmer. I think the colors of the Panasonic show more expression and bring more life to the photo. Again this lens is well built and feels high quality.

You make a good point about 3rd party MF lenses. On the A7 I find the focus zoom feature to work great as you can Zoom with a double press of a custom set button and then come out of zoom with a half-press of the shutter button. I have gotten into such a rhythm with it that I can focus rather quickly when using that feature. The Peaking also seems to engage easier or rather, automatically when needed.

With the EM5II, the zoom feature does not clear with a half press of the shutter so you need to press the button a 3rd time (or 4th?) to return to a regular view. I have the Zoom and Peaking set to custom buttons when using MF lenses. The peaking also seems to need to be manually turned on when you want it as opposed to engaging automatically. Or at least the way I have it set which is identical to the way I have it set on the A7.

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