The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV just dropped a few months ago, which means I’ve given myself enough time to play around with it to do a full Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review.
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is yet another entry-level Olympus model with the look and feel of a much more high range Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera.
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV features a 20MP sensor, in-body image stabilization which is pretty impressive for its class, and some specs that vloggers are going to love.
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV replaced the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III, which came out in September of 2017 and has been absolutely loved by beginner photographers ever since. So the question has to be asked: does the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV live up to the hype of its predecessor?
Let’s find out.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Specs
As I already mentioned, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is an entry-level DSLR type camera body with a 20MP sensor. As we are seeing more and more often in entry-level cameras, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV comes with 5-axis in-body image stabilization, which is great news for all photographers, but vloggers specifically.
Some of the other Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV specs that vloggers are excited about include the flip-down touchscreen display, which makes it easy to take photos and videos on the go or in the studio. Another feature vloggers should love? The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV comes with 4K video and an excellent AF system.
Other Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Specs Include:
- 20MP Live MOS sensor
- TruePic VIII processor
- 121-point Contrast Detection AF system
- EVF with 2.36m-dots
- 3” tiltable touchscreen with 1.03m-dots
- 8.7fps burst mode
- 4K video at 30p, 25p, and 24p; Full HD video at 60p, 50p, IPB
- ISO range of 80-25,600
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- 360-shot battery life
- 0.84 lbs
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Body & Design
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV body is incredibly reminiscent of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III body. It’s super light at just 0.84 lbs, which means that a lot of the body is made out of plastic. I understand that this can be a dealbreaker for some photographers, but I don’t think the plastic feels especially cheap on this model. Besides, the top plate and the dials are all made of metal.
It measures 4.8” x 1.9” x 3.3”. I personally think this is the sweet spot for an entry-level model such as this. It’s compact enough to not overwhelm a new shooter, while still being large enough to be comfortable to hold and to fit all of the necessary controls that a shooter who is advancing in their photography might need in the coming years.
If you’re into the aesthetics of a camera, and let’s face it most entry-level photographers are, then the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV provides a beautiful vintage look that will impress younger shooters especially.
A lot of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV design is just plain fun to work with. For instance, if you push the power button further than the “on” position, the camera will pop the flash for you.
These are obviously not features a professional photographer would need or want, but for a photographer who has never worked with a professional camera before, they’re great.
The top plate features two different control dials, which means an entry-level photographer has a much greater chance of being able to grow with this camera, a mode dial, and two different customizable buttons.
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Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Build & Handling
Obviously the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV handling is going to be pretty awesome based on its specs alone. Very few cameras come with a flip-down touchscreen LCD like the one the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV has. You can tilt it to a variety of angles depending upon what you’re trying to capture.
Additionally, this camera features a 360-shot battery life, which is above average for a camera of this price range directed at beginner photographers. I still don’t think it’s wildly impressive, but you likely won’t need to bring an additional battery with you for longer shoots unless you know you’re going to be shooting a lot of video.
This is great news for photographers who are looking to keep their load light and are purchasing this camera for its size.
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV build has changed slightly from its older model and some of these changes have helped with the ergonomics of this camera. For example, the grip on this model means your hand is going to be sitting higher up on the camera body, which makes it easier to get your fingers to all of the controls on the top plate. It also feels really secure without a wrist strap.
The menu on this camera still hasn’t changed much at all. For someone who has used an Olympus camera before, this is great news. For those who have and don’t like it, less so.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Video Performance
When it comes to the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV video performance, photographers are going to be impressed. You can watch the video by Robin Wong to see a full video performance breakdown on this camera, but let me give you the down low.
You can shoot in either 4K or Full HD with this camera. When shooting in 4K, you can do so at either 30p, 25p, or 24p. When shooting in Full HD, you can do so at 60p, 50p, or IPB.
Regardless of how you’re shooting, though, you’re going to be impressed with the in-body image stabilization when you’re shooting video. While the in-body image stabilization is a nice feature to have when shooting stills, it works flawlessly when shooting video. It keeps everything incredibly smooth.
You’ll also love the fact that this camera comes with a flip-down LCD, so you’ll be able to take videos of yourself without needing any sort of stand. It’s one of the reasons travel vloggers have taken a liking to this camera so quickly.
Now, the battery life on this camera isn’t incredibly long, so if you’re purchasing it for videos specifically then I definitely recommend you purchase an extra battery just in case.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Price
One of the things that makes the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is its price. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV price is currently $550.
Keep in mind that, as a brand new camera, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is going to be a bit more expensive right now. It’s why I suggest watching MPB’s Olympus page for a cheaper version of all of Olympus’ gear.
Another great option for someone who doesn’t feel like they can afford a brand new Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV right now is to opt for the older version of this camera instead.
MPB has 5 Olympus OM-D E-M10 III bodies in stock right now and they start at just $330. Plus, every single one of those bodies is in “like new” condition, so you’re essentially saving $200 just by purchasing something that isn’t coming straight from the manufacturer.
You can read all about why I shop on MPB in the learn more links below, but I strongly believe that no photographer truly needs the absolute latest camera body. It’s sort of a controversial belief, but it’s true, and MPB makes buying slightly older camera bodies safer and more efficient.
This way, you can take all of the money you otherwise would have spent on the newest camera body with slightly better specs and buy something your photography business actually needs, like new subscriptions or new lenses.