Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras have been rather quiet of late. The media has been showering its attention on mirrorless cameras bearing an APS-C sensor, and much of it comes down to the excellent image quality and overall performance those cameras can deliver despite their size. Interestingly, that’s also the playbook that the Olympus OMD range of cameras has come to be famous for. The Olympus OMD E-M10 Mk III is the latest attempt to pack even more features and improvements into what is already a very compact body. There are relatively few changes to the E-M10, at least physically, and it retains its familiar facade. The ergonomics have been tweaked a bit, but the main changes are in the features.
Like the ergonomics of the camera, the UI has also been subtly refined and is friendly to beginners. Even long-time users will appreciate the streamlined UI, despite it having fewer options. It is effectively a mid-range camera that has been made more friendly for beginners. Paired with the motorised 14-42mm lens, the E-M10 Mk III is one of the more compact packages you can find, making it great for travel and walkabouts.
It even has a fairly reliable auto mode that nails the shot most of the time with good results. Having the touchscreen does help as well, especially if this is your first camera coming from a smartphone. Once you’re ‘ready’, you can take the training wheels off and get your hands dirty – only this time it’s a little easier thanks to the streamlined user interface.
Shooting a video is quite an experience on the E-M10 Mk III because it’s remarkably stable, thanks to the 5-axis stabilisation and optional digital stabilisation – quite a boon for beginners especially in keeping the video shake-free. However, exposure control isn’t its strongest suit, so make sure you don’t pose too many questions of it. Controls-wise, it is somewhat basic; it doesn’t have an option to plug in a microphone, so it’s more suited for casual use rather than in a professional setup.
MFT’s may not be able to beat the APS-C and FF sensor cameras in absolute image quality, but cameras like the E-M10 Mk III compete on compactness – it’s a sweet spot for image quality and form factor. For its size the image quality is good, the camera is suitable for both beginners and advanced users at the same time, and you’ll be more than happy to bring it along with you anywhere you go.
Verdict
Rating: 4.5/5
S$1,298 (S$1,498 twin lens kit)
www.olympusimage.com.sg
The Mk III seems more like a timely refresh of the beloved E-M10 than a full-on re-working of a classic. It retains almost all of the elements that love about the camera and makes it more accessible to a wider audience; be it in handling, performance, or price.
What’s in the Box?
Curious about what’s in the box of the Olympus OMD E-M10 Mk III? Join Ash as she unboxes it!
