Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Review: Best Choice in 2026?

Are you looking for a camera that blends vintage charm with modern technology? The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV might be exactly what you need.

This compact mirrorless camera delivers impressive features without breaking the bank. You get a 20MP sensor, 4K video capabilities, and excellent image stabilization in a body that fits comfortably in your hands.

But does it live up to the hype? This detailed review will help you decide if the E-M10 Mark IV should be your next camera purchase.

Key Takeaways

• Superior Image Stabilization: The camera features a 5-axis in-body stabilization system that delivers up to 4.5 stops of compensation. This means you can shoot handheld in low light conditions without worrying about blurry images. The system works incredibly well for both photos and videos.
• Upgraded 20MP Sensor: The Four Thirds sensor produces sharp, detailed images with excellent color reproduction. This is a significant upgrade from the previous 16MP model. You will notice better image quality, especially when printing large photos or cropping your images.
• Beginner-Friendly Design: The camera includes helpful guides and an intuitive menu system that makes learning photography easier. New users can start shooting immediately while having room to grow their skills. The interface never feels overwhelming.
• 4K Video Recording: Content creators will love the 4K video capability at 30fps. The footage looks crisp and professional. The flip-down screen makes vlogging convenient and practical for social media content.
• Compact and Stylish: Weighing just 383 grams, this camera easily fits in a small bag. The classic retro design looks fantastic and turns heads wherever you go. You get professional features in a body that feels like a premium point-and-shoot.

What Is the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV represents the fourth generation of Olympus’s entry-level mirrorless camera line. This camera targets beginners and enthusiasts who want serious photography capabilities without the bulk of professional DSLRs.

Olympus designed it to be approachable yet powerful. The camera uses the Micro Four Thirds system, which means you have access to a vast selection of compact, high-quality lenses. The body maintains the classic OM-D styling that photographers love.

You get physical dials for quick adjustments and a well-organized button layout. The camera feels solid despite its lightweight construction.

Most importantly, it includes features previously reserved for more expensive models. The Mark IV proves that entry-level does not mean compromised quality.

Design and Build Quality That Impresses

The E-M10 Mark IV showcases exceptional craftsmanship for its price range. The body features a metal construction that feels premium and durable. You immediately notice the attention to detail.

The textured grip provides secure handling even during long shooting sessions. The camera measures just 121.7 x 84.6 x 49mm, making it one of the most portable mirrorless cameras available.

Despite the compact size, the controls are well-spaced and easy to reach. The mode dial sits prominently on top, allowing quick switching between shooting modes. You also get two customizable function buttons that speed up your workflow.

The electronic viewfinder offers a clear 2.36 million-dot display. Meanwhile, the rear screen tilts down 180 degrees, perfect for selfies and vlogging. The overall design strikes an excellent balance between portability and functionality.

Image Quality That Delivers Professional Results

The 20.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor produces stunning images straight out of the camera. Colors appear vibrant and natural without looking oversaturated. The camera handles skin tones beautifully, making it ideal for portrait photography.

Detail retention impresses even at lower ISO settings. You can comfortably shoot at ISO 6400 with minimal noise. The camera produces images that look sharp with plenty of fine details. The dynamic range performs well, capturing detail in both highlights and shadows.

JPEGs come out ready to share without extensive editing. RAW files offer excellent flexibility for post-processing. The TruePic VIII processor ensures fast image processing without sacrificing quality.

Many users report that images from this camera rival those from more expensive full-frame cameras. The Four Thirds sensor size provides a good balance between image quality and compact system design.

Autofocus Performance for Various Shooting Scenarios

The E-M10 Mark IV uses 121-point contrast-detection autofocus. The system works surprisingly well for an entry-level camera. Focus acquisition is quick and accurate in good lighting conditions.

The camera includes face detection and eye detection modes that work reliably for portrait photography. You can track moving subjects with reasonable success. The autofocus handles everyday photography situations with confidence.

However, it does not match the speed of more expensive phase-detection systems. Fast action photography like sports might challenge this camera. The continuous autofocus in video mode performs adequately for most vlogging and casual video work.

Low-light autofocus remains dependable down to surprisingly dim conditions. The touchscreen autofocus feature lets you tap to focus, which feels intuitive and responsive. Overall, the autofocus system delivers solid performance that exceeds expectations for this price point.

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Video Recording Capabilities That Shine

The E-M10 Mark IV records 4K video at 30 frames per second, producing professional-looking footage. The video quality looks crisp with accurate colors. The 5-axis stabilization works beautifully in video mode, creating smooth handheld footage.

You rarely need a gimbal for casual video work. The flip-down screen makes vlogging comfortable and practical. However, the 4K mode includes a significant crop factor that limits your field of view.

Full HD recording at 60fps provides a better framing option for most users. The camera includes built-in creative modes like time-lapse and slow-motion. Audio recording through the built-in microphone sounds acceptable for casual use.

Serious video creators will want to add an external microphone. The camera records to SD cards with no recording time limits. Overall, the video features satisfy content creators and vloggers who need quality footage on the go.

In-Body Image Stabilization Technology

The 5-axis stabilization system stands out as one of the camera’s best features. This technology compensates for camera shake across five different movement types. You can shoot handheld at shutter speeds several stops slower than normal.

The system delivers up to 4.5 stops of compensation, which is exceptional for this price range. Low-light photography becomes much more accessible. You can capture sharp images in dim conditions without using a tripod.

The stabilization works with any lens you attach to the camera. Even older manual lenses benefit from this feature. Video recording benefits tremendously from the stabilization. Your handheld footage looks smooth and professional.

The system works silently without adding any vibration. This feature alone makes the E-M10 Mark IV competitive with cameras costing significantly more. Many photographers consider this the camera’s most valuable asset.

Lens Compatibility and System Advantages

The Micro Four Thirds system offers impressive lens variety at reasonable prices. You can choose from lenses made by Olympus, Panasonic, and several third-party manufacturers. The system includes compact prime lenses, versatile zoom lenses, and specialized options.

The smaller sensor size means lenses can be smaller and lighter than full-frame equivalents. A 25mm f/1.7 lens gives you a 50mm equivalent field of view. The kit lens, a 14-42mm zoom, provides excellent versatility for beginners.

You can build a complete lens collection without breaking your budget. The system particularly excels in telephoto range. A 75-300mm lens gives you incredible reach in a compact package.

Macro photography enthusiasts will find excellent dedicated macro lenses. The older Four Thirds DSLR lenses also work with an adapter. This mature system means you have access to decades of excellent glass.

Battery Life and Charging Options

The E-M10 Mark IV uses a BLS-50 lithium-ion battery rated for approximately 360 shots per charge. This number represents average usage under standard testing conditions. Real-world usage varies based on your shooting style.

Heavy video recording drains the battery faster than still photography. The camera includes USB charging capability, which adds convenience for travel. You can charge the camera from a power bank or laptop.

However, Olympus only includes one battery in the box. Serious photographers should purchase additional batteries immediately. The battery life feels adequate for casual shooting but limited for long events.

The camera takes about two hours to fully charge via USB. Some competitors offer better battery performance. Planning ahead and carrying spare batteries ensures you never miss important shots.

Shooting Speed and Buffer Performance

The camera achieves 8.6 frames per second with continuous autofocus enabled. This speed handles most action photography situations adequately. The buffer allows approximately 28 RAW images before slowing down.

JPEG shooters can capture more frames continuously. The camera recovers quickly after filling the buffer. These specifications work well for casual sports and wildlife photography. Professional action photographers will want faster cameras.

The single SD card slot uses UHS-I speeds. Fast cards ensure optimal performance and quick file transfers. The shutter operates quietly, which helps during discreet shooting situations. The electronic shutter enables completely silent operation.

This feature proves invaluable during weddings, performances, and wildlife photography. Overall, the shooting speed satisfies most users who do not regularly shoot fast action.

Connectivity Features for Modern Photographers

The E-M10 Mark IV includes built-in Wi-Fi for wireless image transfer. The Olympus Image Share app connects your camera to smartphones and tablets. You can transfer images quickly for immediate social media sharing.

The app also enables remote camera control from your phone. This feature helps with self-portraits, group photos, and wildlife photography. The interface works reliably once you complete the initial setup.

However, some users find the app less intuitive than competitor offerings. The camera lacks Bluetooth connectivity, which would enable constant low-power connection to your phone.

You need to manually connect Wi-Fi each time you want to transfer images. The USB-C port enables fast file transfers to computers. Overall, the connectivity features cover essential functions without feeling cutting-edge.

Creative Shooting Modes and Features

The camera packs numerous creative features that spark photographic creativity. Live Composite mode stacks exposures automatically, perfect for light trail photography and star photos. You watch the composite build in real-time.

Art filters provide in-camera effects like Pop Art, Diorama, and Dramatic Tone. These filters look fun and save editing time. Multiple exposure mode combines up to three images creatively. The camera includes focus bracketing for achieving extreme depth of field.

This feature benefits macro and landscape photographers tremendously. Time-lapse mode creates stunning motion videos automatically. Keystone compensation corrects perspective distortion when shooting architecture.

The camera remembers your favorite settings through custom modes. These creative tools encourage experimentation without requiring expensive software. Many users appreciate having these options built into the camera.

Low-Light Photography Capabilities

The E-M10 Mark IV performs admirably in challenging lighting conditions. The combination of image stabilization and good high-ISO performance enables handheld shooting in dim environments. You can confidently shoot at ISO 3200 with excellent results.

Images at ISO 6400 remain usable with minimal noise reduction needed. The extended ISO range reaches 25,600, though image quality degrades noticeably. The smaller sensor naturally shows more noise than larger full-frame sensors at equivalent ISO settings.

However, the excellent stabilization compensates by allowing slower shutter speeds. You can often shoot at lower ISO values than with unstabilized cameras. The bright viewfinder helps with composition in dark conditions.

Many affordable lenses offer wide apertures for additional light-gathering capability. Overall, low-light performance exceeds expectations for an entry-level camera.

User Interface and Menu System

Olympus designed the menu system to accommodate both beginners and experienced photographers. The Super Control Panel provides quick access to essential settings. You see all major parameters on one screen.

This design speeds up workflow significantly. The touchscreen makes navigating menus intuitive and fast. Customizable buttons let you assign frequently used functions for quick access. The camera includes helpful guides that explain settings to new photographers.

You can disable these guides as your knowledge grows. The menu structure organizes logically once you learn the system. Some users find the extensive options initially overwhelming. However, you do not need to understand every setting immediately.

The camera works excellently using automatic modes. You can gradually explore advanced features as your skills develop. Overall, the interface balances accessibility with deep customization options.

Comparing the Mark IV to Previous Generations

The Mark IV brings meaningful improvements over the Mark III. The sensor upgrade from 16MP to 20MP provides noticeably better resolution. Image quality improves across all shooting conditions.

The new flip-down screen enables selfies and vlogging, which the Mark III could not do. The Mark IV adds 4K video recording, a significant upgrade from the Mark III’s Full HD limit. However, the cameras share the same autofocus system and processor.

Performance differences in focusing speed are minimal. The Mark IV maintains the same excellent stabilization system. Both cameras feature similar build quality and handling. The Mark III remains an excellent budget option if you find it at significant discount.

However, the Mark IV’s improvements justify the price difference for most buyers. The newer model future-proofs your investment better.

Real-World Performance in Various Conditions

The E-M10 Mark IV excels in everyday photography situations. Street photography benefits from the compact size and discreet operation. The camera disappears in a small bag yet delivers professional results.

Travel photography suits this camera perfectly. The lightweight body never becomes a burden during long days of exploring. Portrait photographers appreciate the accurate colors and pleasing skin tones. The stabilization enables sharp images even with slower lenses.

Landscape photography works well with the camera’s excellent dynamic range. The focus bracketing feature helps achieve front-to-back sharpness. Wildlife photography within reasonable distances produces satisfying results.

The stabilization helps with longer telephoto lenses. However, fast-moving birds in flight challenge the autofocus system. Indoor event photography performs well thanks to the stabilization and good high-ISO performance. The silent shutter avoids disturbing ceremonies.

Who Should Buy This Camera

The E-M10 Mark IV suits several types of photographers particularly well. Beginning photographers get a camera that teaches without overwhelming. The guides and automatic modes provide training wheels.

The extensive manual controls let skills develop naturally. Content creators find the flip-down screen and 4K video ideal for vlogging. The compact size makes one-person shooting comfortable.

Travel photographers appreciate the lightweight system and excellent image quality. The weather-sealed lens options add versatility for adventure travel. Casual photographers upgrading from smartphones gain tremendous creative control.

The camera feels approachable rather than intimidating. Enthusiast photographers looking for a compact backup camera find excellent value. The image quality and features rival cameras costing significantly more. However, professional sports or wildlife photographers should look at more specialized equipment.

Is the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Worth Your Money

The E-M10 Mark IV delivers exceptional value for its price point. You get features and image quality that traditionally cost much more. The camera currently sells for around $700 with the kit lens.

This pricing positions it competitively against similar entry-level mirrorless cameras. The Micro Four Thirds system offers affordable lens options that keep total system cost reasonable. The camera provides room to grow your skills without requiring immediate upgrades.

The build quality ensures years of reliable service. However, consider your specific needs carefully. Photographers requiring the fastest autofocus might prefer competing cameras with phase-detection systems.

Those needing maximum low-light performance should consider larger sensor cameras. But for most users, the E-M10 Mark IV offers an ideal balance. The combination of features, quality, and portability justifies the investment. You get a camera that produces images you will be proud to share.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV have image stabilization?

Yes, the camera features a 5-axis in-body image stabilization system that provides up to 4.5 stops of shake compensation. This system works with any lens you attach to the camera, making it one of the best features. The stabilization benefits both photography and video recording significantly. You can shoot handheld in lower light conditions and achieve sharp results consistently.

Can the E-M10 Mark IV shoot in RAW format?

Absolutely. The camera captures images in both RAW and JPEG formats simultaneously if desired. The RAW files provide excellent flexibility for post-processing. You can adjust exposure, white balance, and other parameters without degrading image quality. The RAW files contain all the sensor data for maximum editing potential.

Is the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV weather sealed?

No, the E-M10 Mark IV does not include weather sealing. The camera should not be exposed to rain or harsh environmental conditions. However, many Micro Four Thirds lenses do offer weather sealing. If you need weather protection, consider the higher-end OM-D E-M5 Mark III or E-M1 series cameras.

How long does the battery last on the E-M10 Mark IV?

The official rating provides approximately 360 shots per charge under standard testing conditions. Real-world usage varies significantly based on your shooting style. Video recording drains the battery much faster than still photography. Heavy use of the LCD screen and Wi-Fi also reduces battery life. Most photographers carry at least one spare battery for extended shooting sessions.

Can you charge the E-M10 Mark IV via USB?

Yes, the camera supports USB charging through its USB-C port. You can charge the battery while it remains in the camera. This feature allows charging from power banks, laptops, or wall adapters. The camera takes approximately two hours to fully charge an empty battery. This convenience makes the camera excellent for travel photography.

What lenses are compatible with the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV?

The camera uses Micro Four Thirds mount lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party manufacturers. You have access to hundreds of lens options at various price points. The system includes compact primes, versatile zooms, and specialized lenses. Older Four Thirds DSLR lenses also work with an adapter. This mature lens ecosystem provides excellent variety and value.

Does the E-M10 Mark IV shoot 4K video?

Yes, the camera records 4K video at 30 frames per second. The 4K mode includes a crop factor that narrows the field of view. The camera also records Full HD video at up to 60fps without crop. The 5-axis stabilization creates smooth handheld footage. Video quality impresses for casual and content creator use. However, the camera lacks advanced video features like 4K 60fps or 10-bit recording.

Last update on 2026-02-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API