Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III vs Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III
85
WINNER
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Olympus · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
63
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is the newer, lighter take on the same compact mirrorless formula as the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III, arriving in 2020 against the Mark III's 2017 debut. The Mark IV measures 122 x 84 x 49 mm and weighs 383 g, while the Mark III is 122 x 84 x 50 mm and 410 g. Both use the Micro 4/3 mount, so lenses bought for one fit the other without adapters. Either body suits travel and everyday photography as a small interchangeable-lens system. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2017 | 2020 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 31, 2017 | August 4, 2020 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 122 x 84 x 50 mm | 122 x 84 x 49 mm |
| Camera weight | 410 g | 383 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M10 Mark IV is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and larger prints, with 20 megapixels against 16 on the Mark III. It is also the better pick for fast action, shooting at up to 15 frames per second compared with 8.6, which helps a bird taking off or a child sprinting past. The Mark III holds the native sensitivity advantage, reaching 25,600 ISO as a standard setting, while the Mark IV stops at 6,400 natively and reaches 25,600 only through expanded settings. The shared in-body stabilisation steadies handheld shots on either body, and both frame scenes through a 2,360,000-dot electronic viewfinder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 5184 x 3888 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.4 | 13 x 17.4 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
8.6 fps045 | 15 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic VIII | TruePic VIII |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
1210300 | 1210300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 236000009900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoVideo gives neither camera an advantage for holiday clips or family footage, because both record 4K video and both offer a maximum frame rate of 60 fps. Each saves MPEG-4 or MOV files and includes built-in timelapse. Footage captured at 60 fps can also be slowed to half speed on a 30 fps timeline. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 57/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E-M10 Mark IV is the easier camera to keep connected, adding Bluetooth alongside the Wi-Fi both models offer, which simplifies pairing with a phone for image transfer and remote control. The rear screens match, with a 3-inch, 1,040,000-dot TFT LCD that tilts and responds to touch for setting focus and changing settings. Neither body has GPS, so neither can geotag images on its own, and neither has weather sealing, so both deserve care in rain or dust. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 10400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Mark IV offers the longer rated battery life, at 360 shots against 330 shots for the Mark III, both from the same BLS-50 battery. It also supports USB charging, so a power bank or laptop can top it up between locations, a convenience the Mark III does not offer. Storage is a similarity: each body has a single SD, SDHC or SDXC slot that accepts UHS-II cards, so a fast card bought for one works in the other. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-50 | BLS-50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
330 shots1505000 | 360 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most buyers the E-M10 Mark IV is the better buy. Its 20 megapixels give more room to crop a distant subject, and its 15 fps burst captures movement the Mark III's 8.6 fps may miss. Bluetooth and USB charging also make it smoother to use day to day.
Choose the Mark III only if you want 25,600 ISO available as a native setting rather than through expansion. Both cameras share the same lens mount, in-body stabilisation and 4K maximum video resolution, so the Mark IV's gains give up none of the essentials.