Olympus E-M10 Mark III Review

4.0 rating

You are thinking of switching up your photography skills but don’t know how to make the right decision between choosing the camera you need instead of the one you will buy? If so, then you have come to the right place.

There are so many variables out there to juggle when choosing to buy a camera. You have got the cost of the camera, its features, and the upgradability of it, and it becomes more difficult as you contemplate all these things. 

But the bottom line with any upgrade is that it should facilitate you with a better overall photography experience and make the task easier. The Olympus E-M10 Mark III does just that; being a micro four-thirds mirrorless camera, it is lightweight equipment offering cutting-edge technology.

It is elegant and offers impressive changes over its predecessor in terms of advanced user interface and menus to find settings faster and more conveniently. But that is not all there is to it.

Key Specifications of the Camera

  • A 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor
  • 5-axis image stabilization
  • 4K video shooting capabilities with digital stabilization, UHD recording at 24, 25, and 30 fps 
  • 8.6 fps continuous shooting 
  • 2.63M dot electronic viewfinder
  • 1.04M dot tilting screen
  • Wi-Fi connectivity

An Overview of the Features

Mirrorless cameras have plenty of features these days, so what does this one have? Let’s find out:

  1. 4K Video Shooting

One of the key new features of the Olympus E-M10 Mark III camera is the 4K video recording which was missing from its predecessor. Thanks to the more powerful processor that can bring about 121 different autofocus points, 4K video shooting is an option you can entertain with this newer version.

It offers a combination of both digital and mechanical stabilization in 4K mode, which makes not only videos but your photos come out crisp and cleaner than ever. Most cameras only offer digital stabilization.  

  1. Small Format Micro Four Thirds Sensor

The Micro Four Thirds sensor is half the size of an APS-C type in Olympus E-M10 Mark III. The larger format sensors bring out high-quality photos at the high ISO settings.

But even so, Olympus E-M10 Mark III manages to bring out high-quality and crisp photos thanks to the availability of 5 axis and in-body stabilization. Due to this great functionality, this camera can even produce great images even in low light.

  1. Viewfinder

The viewfinder on this thing is pretty impressive, better than the predecessor for sure. Most mirrorless cameras have a jittery and lagging viewfinder in ambient light but not Olympus E-M10 Mark III. It is clear, bright, colorful, and lag-free, making it an ideal camera for wildlife photography.

You can even shoot fast-moving objects without losing focus in good light.

  1. Live Composite

Live Composite is an extraordinary feature that is more compelling on the aesthetical side of mirrorless photography. It is like seeing the print for the picture develop in a dark room. Once switched on, you have to click the shutter once to take the picture. Then it remains open, taking in a series of exposures as if adding light pixels without compromising the original image. 

Once you see the image reaching optimum exposure, light filling it up, you close the shutter. It is perfect for those interested in night photography to capture the full detail. 

  1. Modes

There are plenty of camera modes for you to choose from, which makes the photography experience worthwhile. You will find HDR, correction for keystoning, and multiple exposures.

Keystoning is the backward leaning of buildings. Panorama feature is also available, but you would need dedicated software to stitch all those images together. 

AP (advance photo) mode gives you access to auto exposure bracketing, focus bracketing, and silent mode. If you want to add a specific depth of field in your photographs, you need to stack these modes within Adobe Photoshop to do that manually.

  1. Auto-Focus Targeting

The Olympus E-M10 Mark III offers a very responsive touchscreen that allows for the auto-focus targeting of the object you are trying to shoot.

Are you tired of the central element of the photograph going blurred or out of focus for you? Not anymore. Click on the touchscreen for auto-focus at that specific point and take crisp pictures like a pro. 

Pros

  • Affordable for a mirrorless camera
  • Efficient in-body image stabilization
  • 4K video enabled
  • A unique set of features packed into a small body

Cons

  • Very minute changes done over Olympus E-M10 Mark II
  • No Bluetooth or NFC support

How to Make the Best Out of Your Olympus E-M10 Mark III

Owning a new mirrorless camera can be a tricky endeavor, especially if you are more acclimated with digital cameras and are only trying a mirrorless camera just now.

The key here is to spend some time with your new camera and do some extensive practice. Use it in different lighting scenarios, i.e., day and night photography, and get accustomed to the tons of features this sleek-looking compact mirrorless camera has to offer. 

Alternatives to the Olympus E-M10 Mark III

Although the Olympus E-M10 Mark III is only an entry-level in the OM-D series, it is worth considering all these exciting features that it has to offer.

But you need to be familiar with this type of camera to bring this whole class of features into practical use. But even so, it is a camera for those who want to do more than shoot snapshots.

The Sony a5100Opens in a new tab. and the a6000Opens in a new tab. give the Mark III a subtle challenge regarding a more easy-to-use touchscreen and more intensive control.

The price metrics of this camera also put it face to face with the Canon EOS T7iOpens in a new tab. (700D) and the Nikon D5600Opens in a new tab. as both offer a stunning set of features for either the same or discounted price for an Olympus E-M10 Mark III. 

John Kilmerstone

I'm an Aussie living in Japan who enjoys traveling and photography. Please visit this website and explore the wonderful world of Micro Four Thirds photography. Discover the advantages of carrying a small yet powerful camera system.

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