Olympus OM-D E-M10 vs Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus OM-D E-M10
54
SCORE
|
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II
54
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II, announced in 2015, succeeds the Olympus OM-D E-M10 from 2014, and both are compact mirrorless cameras. The Mark II measures 120 x 83 x 47 mm against 119 x 82 x 46 mm for the original, so both fit the same space in a bag. The Mark II is the lighter body at 390 g against 396 g for the E-M10. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 29, 2014 | August 25, 2015 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 119 x 82 x 46 mm | 120 x 83 x 47 mm |
| Camera weight | 396 g | 390 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsBoth cameras produce the same 16.1 megapixel files from a Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor, so there is no resolution reason to prefer either body. The shared Micro 4/3 lens mount means your Micro Four Thirds lenses fit either body. The Mark II is the stronger body for composing through the eyepiece, with 2,360,000 viewfinder dots against 1,440,000 on the original E-M10, giving a finer, more detailed preview. In-body stabilisation is fitted to both cameras, so handheld shots at slower shutter speeds benefit on either body. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 MP050 | 16.1 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 | 4608 x 3456 |
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 17.3 | 13 x 17.3 |
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 fps045 | 8 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 VII | TruePic VII |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 10030200 |
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. |
810300 | 810300 |
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 | 144000009900000 | 236000009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Mark II is the clear video choice for anyone filming movement. Its maximum video frame rate of 60 fps doubles the E-M10's 30 fps, so motion plays back more smoothly and 60 fps clips can be slowed to half speed on a 30 fps timeline. Both cameras top out at Full HD resolution. The clips arrive in different file formats, the Mark II writing AVI and the original recording MOV, which matters for editing compatibility. Built-in timelapse recording is shared, so interval work needs no external trigger on either body. | ||
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. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
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. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
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. |
30 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. |
MOV | avi |
| Features | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesFraming at waist level works the same way on either camera, because both carry a 3 inch tilting LCD with touch control. Their dot counts differ by just 3,000, a marginal gap. Wi-Fi in both bodies handles transfer to a phone, and each offers a built-in flash plus external flash support. Neither camera has GPS, so geotagging a travel library means pairing a phone or adding a separate receiver. Neither body is weather sealed, and neither offers Bluetooth, so both deserve the same care in rain and the same connection workflow. | ||
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 | LCD | 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. |
10370001150001500000 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery life matches at 320 shots on each camera under their rated test conditions, so a day of casual shooting asks the same of both. The batteries differ in model, the BLS-5 for the E-M10 and the BLS-50 for the Mark II, so spares must match each body. Both cameras record to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card, with no second slot for backup on either body. Neither charges its battery over USB, so both rely on the external charger. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-5 | BLS-50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
320 shots1505000 | 320 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is the better buy for most photographers. Its 2,360,000 dot viewfinder gives a finer, more detailed preview than the 1,440,000 dot panel in the E-M10. Its 60 fps maximum video frame rate enables smooth motion and half-speed playback.
The original E-M10 still suits a stills-first photographer, since resolution, burst rate, autofocus points and battery rating match the Mark II. For composing through the eyepiece or filming movement, the Mark II is the stronger choice.