Lens Logic Verdict
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a great choice for beginners who want a small, easy-to-use camera. It has a 20.3MP sensor that helps you take sharp, bright pictures, even in low light. The camera is lightweight, making it easy to carry around while you travel or shoot on the go. It also has a tilting screen that lets you take pictures from different angles or even record yourself, which is great for vlogging.
One of the best things about this camera is its image stabilization. It helps reduce blurry photos, especially in low light. The autofocus works fast and helps you capture clear shots, even if your subject is moving. However, it doesn’t have the fastest autofocus for action shots, but it’s still good enough for most beginners.
The camera also shoots 4K videos, which is great for casual video work. But, if you’re serious about sound quality, you’ll miss having a microphone input. The battery lasts for about 360 shots, which should be enough for a day of use, but you might want to bring an extra battery on longer shoots.
In short, if you’re just starting and want a camera that’s easy to use, portable, and takes great photos and videos, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a fantastic choice.
Pros
- Compact and Lightweight
- 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS)
- User-Friendly Interface
- 4K Video Recording
- Versatile Tilting Touchscreen
- USB Charging
Cons
- Limited Lens Selection
- No Microphone Input
- Average Battery Life
- Smaller Sensor
Why you can trust Lens Logic? we put hours into testing each product or service we review. This way, you know you’re getting the best. Learn more about our testing process.
Mason knows photography inside and out. With 15 years of hands-on experience, he’s written about cameras, lenses, and gear of all kinds. He even spent five years as a journalist, diving deep into music and writing sharp, engaging stories. Now, Mason shares his photography knowledge, helping readers find the right gear and perfect their skills. He’s also proud of his unbeatable Wordle streak!
Jump to
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a fantastic choice for beginners looking to step up from smartphone photography or compact point-and-shoot cameras. It strikes a great balance between ease of use and advanced features, making it an ideal entry-level mirrorless camera. With a 20.3MP Live MOS sensor and the TruePic VIII image processor, it delivers high-quality images with excellent detail and vibrant colors. Whether you’re capturing everyday moments, travel shots, or experimenting with creative photography, this camera provides impressive results without overwhelming complexity.
Design and Build Quality: Lightweight and Stylish
One of the standout features of the E-M10 Mark IV is its compact and lightweight design. Weighing only 383 grams (body only), it’s perfect for travel and street photography. Unlike bulkier DSLR cameras, this model offers a sleek and modern aesthetic while maintaining the classic DSLR-style body that photography enthusiasts appreciate. The well-placed dials allow for easy adjustments, while the ergonomic grip ensures comfortable handling, even during long shooting sessions.
The camera features a 3.0-inch, 1.04-million-dot LCD touchscreen that tilts 180° downward and 80° upward. This makes it easy to shoot from various angles, whether you’re capturing a high-angle shot, a low-angle perspective, or even a selfie. The tilting screen is also a great addition for vloggers, making front-facing video recording more convenient. Despite its compact size, the build quality feels solid and durable, providing confidence that the camera can withstand regular use.
Image Quality: Sharp and Vibrant Photos
At the heart of the E-M10 Mark IV is its 20.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor, which works alongside the TruePic VIII image processor to produce sharp and detailed images. The camera handles colors beautifully, delivering natural yet vibrant tones that make photos pop. This combination ensures that whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or fast-moving subjects, your images will retain high detail and clarity.
Low-light performance is often a concern for smaller sensor cameras, but Olympus has addressed this with its impressive 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This system compensates for camera shake, allowing you to shoot at slower shutter speeds without introducing blur. This is particularly useful when taking handheld shots in dim lighting conditions, eliminating the need for a tripod in many situations.
Additionally, the camera’s ISO range extends from 200 to 25,600, giving users flexibility when shooting in different lighting conditions. While higher ISO settings can introduce some noise, the TruePic VIII processor does a decent job of keeping it under control.
Autofocus: Quick and Reliable Performance
For an entry-level camera, the E-M10 Mark IV delivers impressive autofocus capabilities. It features a 121-point contrast-detection autofocus system that ensures fast and precise focusing. The inclusion of face and eye detection makes portrait photography a breeze, as the camera automatically locks onto subjects’ eyes for sharper, well-focused shots.
The continuous autofocus (C-AF) performance is reliable, making it easy to track moving subjects. Whether you’re capturing kids running around, pets in motion, or action-packed sports scenes, the autofocus system does a good job of keeping subjects in focus. While it may not match the lightning-fast autofocus found in higher-end mirrorless models, it performs well for its class and price range.
Video Capabilities: 4K Recording with Smooth Stabilization
For content creators and vloggers, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV offers UHD 4K video recording at up to 30 frames per second. The video quality is sharp, with accurate colors and good dynamic range. The built-in image stabilization ensures smooth handheld footage, which is a great advantage for those who don’t want to carry extra stabilizing gear.
A flip-down touchscreen adds to its appeal for vloggers, allowing for easy front-facing recording. However, one drawback is the absence of a microphone input, which limits audio quality options. While the built-in microphone is decent for casual videos, those who prioritize high-quality audio may need an external recorder.
Additionally, the camera does not support higher frame rates for slow-motion recording, which may be a limitation for those who want more creative video options. Despite these minor drawbacks, the E-M10 Mark IV remains a solid choice for casual video work.
Battery Life: Sufficient for a Full Day of Shooting
Battery life is another essential consideration, especially for those who enjoy long shooting sessions. The E-M10 Mark IV offers an estimated 360 shots per charge, which is sufficient for a full day of casual photography. While this may not be the longest battery life in the mirrorless category, it’s reasonable given the camera’s compact size.
A convenient feature is the ability to charge the battery in-camera via a micro-USB port. This makes it easy to recharge on the go, using a portable power bank or a standard USB charger. For extended trips or intensive use, carrying a spare battery is recommended.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV vs Competitors
When compared to other entry-level mirrorless cameras, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV holds its own with a well-rounded feature set. One of its biggest advantages is the 5-axis in-body image stabilization, which is not commonly found in competing models at this price point. For example, the Sony A6100, a popular APS-C mirrorless camera, lacks IBIS, meaning users need stabilized lenses for steady shots.
However, the Sony A6100 does offer a larger APS-C sensor, which can provide better low-light performance and slightly improved depth of field control. Additionally, Sony’s lens ecosystem is more extensive, offering a broader range of lens options. That being said, the Micro Four Thirds system has its advantages, including smaller, lighter lenses that make the entire camera kit more portable.
For those who prioritize compactness, image stabilization, and ease of use, the E-M10 Mark IV is an excellent choice. If low-light performance and lens variety are more important, an APS-C model like the Sony A6100 may be worth considering.
Final Thoughts
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a well-designed and feature-packed mirrorless camera that provides an excellent entry point into photography. It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to use, making it ideal for beginners, travelers, and casual photographers. The combination of a 20.3MP sensor, 5-axis in-body stabilization, and a tilting touchscreen ensures that users can capture sharp and vibrant images with minimal effort.
While it has some limitations, such as the lack of a microphone input and a smaller sensor compared to APS-C models, the camera makes up for it with its portability, image stabilization, and intuitive design. If you’re looking for a stylish and capable camera that won’t overwhelm you with complexity, the E-M10 Mark IV is a great investment for learning and enjoying photography.