Hey all,
I was interested in buying one of these cameras and just missed out on the Black Friday deal.
Was just wondering if any of you who bought them could give me some feedback on how you're finding it and if you'd recommend them.
I'm mostly just after something compact that does a better job than a smartphone.
Cheers
None specifically, however bigger sensor usually translates to better image quality in low light and when you enlarge the pictures.
Well comparing it to the latest apple and Samsung flagships then probably not a huge difference other than the benefits of an interchangeable zoom lens.
Compared to a smartphone <$400 then there is no comparison other than size.
Better job than a smartphone?
Most smartphone premium brands and models have much better cameras than "compact" cameras these days and you can take them anywhere with minimum fuss.
Thats where all the camera technology is focused now and has been for years.
I have tested against quality Olympus and Sony mirrorless cameras and Canon SLR cameras and seriously struggle to justify thier existance. Unless you are into super creative photography which most people arent.
But most decent smartphones now have a PRO mode that allows you to experiment with different camera settings.
You would have to be an old person without a decent smartphone to still be relying on a pocketable "compact" camera.
But then again most compact cameras still have the "Zoom" advantage if you pick a decent one.
However OP is not talking about a pocketable compact camera.
Indeed the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is just another a mirrorless camera stuggling to find relevence in a very competitive and super crowded camera market. (including smartphone cameras)
So the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is not compact in the true sense, just when compared with slightly bigger SLR cameras. And even they have become less bulky these days.
But anyway, to answer OPs question, Photography Blog are very good with a very long history of doing professional and highly detailed camera reviews. I have found thier reviews "Spot on" over the years. So best just to read this review.They have rated this camera as "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" and listed a few others to consider.
https://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/olympus_om_d_e_m10_m…
Compact?
Have another look!
True. I don't mean pants pocket compact, maybe jacket pocket lol
Expensive SLR type cameras convert light to numbers. You can then spend time forever fiddling with light room etc with few admirers.
Modern phones do several things with all in common: Create modern emotions with the least effort!
Its not even jacket compact.
Olympus calls it "compact" compared with bulkier SLR cameras.
But in todays "super compact" world its a very long way from what is considered and accepted as "Compact"
I'm mostly just after something compact that does a better job than a smartphone.
IMO you'd be better off looking at a high end point and shoot rather than a DSLR if that's all you're after.
Smaller, easier to use, doesn't involve investment in lenses to get the most out of it.
I have an EM10 mark I and a Pixel 6.
The EM10 photos are markedly better than the Pixel 6, and my iPhone using brother can also notice a difference when he receives a photo from my EM10 (even compressed via Whatsapp).
The biggest problem is that carrying a separate camera is a PITA vs using the phone. So we typically only use it for more set photos.
I have an EM10 mk2 and an EM5 mk3.
I personally love them and the MFT format. I bought the EM10 in 2016 before a big holiday and many thousands of dollars later I am still all in on the format.
Here are some considerations if you have never owned an interchangeable lens camera before:
There is a good chance another comment will be a doomsayer telling you the MFT is a dead format but they have been saying that for a decade so take that with a grain of salt. I personally hope they are right as that means that all the best lenses will be sold off cheaply as professionals will no longer be using the system. In all likelihood the format is here to stay but its niche is likely to be more geared towards birding as this is their fastest-growing segment.
I hope this helps! I follow Olympus/OM Systems closely so if you have any other questions I might be be able to answer them.
Thanks for the detailed reply. Is there any noticeable difference between the 16 and 20mp sensor? I'd be happy with an earlier model em10 if the prices were good but last I checked the mark 3 was 90% of the price of the em10.4.
The E-M10 Mark 3 is a crippled E-M10 II. If you want a 16MP version get the Mark II, its much better overall. As for 16 vs 20 MP, the extra MP is always nice but is it night and day difference IQ? I don't think so.
The greater resolution is a double-edged sword: Fancy lenses take better images but you can see the limit of some other lenses (e.g. some cheaper manual primes).
It also makes it more obvious if you get your focus slightly wrong which I find can happen easily due to the EVF not being relatively low res (my only complaint about the Olympus systems).
It is nice to have more freedom when it comes to cropping in post.
FWIW, I would go with the 4 over the 3, the increase in processing power also makes for a nicer experience.
As far as compact cameras, I have an em5mii and an rx100m6 and don’t bother anymore. iPhone 14 pro , and hell even my 12 pro, we’re good enough 99% of the time. I never had any time where I said dang, if only I had better optical zoom, which is prob the only thing I missed.
Well that's an achievement we can surely discuss at your funeral. 😉
i hope this ends up becoming a well known ozbargain 'inner circle' only type meme references, similar to 'bonut' and 'tell 'em the price son'
Ah true. Out of curiosity are the rx100 and em5ii pretty much equal for image quality? I did think of the rx but they're quite a bit dearer than the em10 range.
Imo rx100 better iq especially in low light.
Which smartphone are you using to compare against?