Our photographic adventure today takes a brief detour from the high-end point-and-shoot cameras to return to the always-attractive territory of mirrorless cameras. There we find the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III, a camera with a difficult name but easy operation, offering great image quality and 4K video despite its 16-megapixel sensor, solid five-axis stabilization, and flawless appearance.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III: A Good Companion in Auto and Manual
Announced in September 2017, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III features a Four Thirds CMOS sensor with 16.1 effective megapixels, powered by the eighth-generation TruePic processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 25,600 (including boost modes), and the shutter speed goes from 1/4000 to 60 seconds, or 1/16000 to 30 seconds with the electronic shutter. The three-inch touchscreen is tilting and offers 1.04 million dots, while the OLED electronic viewfinder provides 2.36 million dots and 100 percent coverage.
The internal stabilization system is one of the camera's strongest assets, especially when recording video. Although there's a slight crop in the frame, the results when shooting handheld speak for themselves. The autofocus tells a slightly different story: with 121 contrast-detection points and an 8.6 fps burst rate, it feels like a camera prepared for sports and extreme action, but in practice it's not quite so, with some consistency issues under very unfavorable conditions that require guiding the autofocus 'by hand,' so to speak. In normal situations everything will be perfectly focused, and the fact that it guarantees that is more than enough for most.
The interface of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III almost immediately reminds us that this is not a point-and-shoot. On top we find three dials, but its customization layers are mainly manifested through the touch screen. The mode dial includes descriptions that the casual photographer may not fully know: Full Auto, Programmed Auto 'P', Aperture Priority 'A', Shutter Priority 'S', Manual 'M', Video mode, Art Expression 'ART', Quick Access 'AP', and the Scene menu 'SCN'. There is also a direct access button on the left side of the camera that takes you to the control panel or the mode menu.
The rest of the details, in the manual.
The 16.1 megapixel sensor makes us think twice, but the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III responds with solid image and video quality. From a technical standpoint, there are cameras out there that manage to sit a step above in final JPEG quality (for example, the Nikon D5600), but the ability to experiment with direct RAW processing and 4K recording are two advantages that are not easy to ignore. Speaking of 4K, the compatible modes are p30, p25, and p24 at 100 megabits per second. The recommendation is to keep a close eye on autofocus and use one of the priority modes to enable brightness control (there is no Auto ISO in manual for video). The camera's WiFi connectivity is easily accessed with QR codes and the official OLYMPUS Image Share app. As with other manufacturers (if not all), user reviews for the app are not stellar. Patience.
Accessories for the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III
The current price of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III depends heavily on the initial configuration. If you only want the body, you'll pay under 515 euros. The standard kit with a 14-42 jumps to 730 euros, but for an additional 70 euros you can add a second 40-150 lens, which is very convenient. Our list of accessories for the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III adapts to all three cases, and it's up to you to determine which combination best favors your wallet.
Batteries and Power
With an average of 330 shots per full charge, the battery of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III isn't terrible, but it can use some help. The lack of USB charging support in the camera and the design of its external charger make our energy strategy more difficult, so the suggestion is to go with brute force and add a couple of Gloxy BLS-5 batteries, so there's always one ready to use while the other stays connected to the charger.
Tripods and Supports
The specifications of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III report a weight of 410 grams with battery and memory card installed. Light enough to shoot and film handheld, but sooner or later you'll need some kind of support. The good news is that the search for a tripod for the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III doesn't go beyond two classic options. On one hand, we have the Gloxy GX-T6662A in its standard edition, with a maximum working height of 1.6 meters and a 10-kilogram limit. On the other, the Clampod Takeway T1 will cover any case that demands a strong, compact, and portable support.
Bags and Backpacks
The build of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III is robust, but that doesn't free it from some basic care in transport and storage. If the plan is to incorporate an extra pair of lenses, it's not a bad idea to opt for the Gloxy Pro AW backpack, available in three different sizes, with a modifiable padded interior and a waterproof outer cover. If you're only carrying the camera with a couple of accessories, the Delta 400a Fancier bag is a more efficient solution, and at a very competitive price. The product code "GloxyPRO,Fancier400a" covers both options.
Flashes
Don't let lack of light catch you at a bad time. That's the warning that accompanies (or should accompany) every flash recommendation for any camera. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III has a built-in flash, but if you need more firepower, you can buy a Meike MK-320 for under 80 euros and deploy its guide number 32 when you see fit. The alternative is official: the Olympus FL-300R flash. Its guide number is 28 and it costs twice as much, but it's more flexible, compact, and at just 97 grams (without batteries), carrying it is a breeze.
Lenses
If you've chosen to buy just the body of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III, the last section of our accessory list presents two lenses that might interest you. If you're thinking about astrophotography or want to explore the camera's potential with a telephoto lens attached, nothing beats a small Gloxy 500mm cannon with duplicator and adapter. But if you want to go the other direction, don't worry. The Samyang VDSLR 8mm T3.8 UMC CS II fisheye will serve you well in both images and video, enabling captures that normal lenses can't achieve. The product code "0713562188,0712154557" refers to these two lenses.
Checkered flag, at least for today. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III fulfills most of its goals and is an excellent introduction to mirrorless photography for any enthusiast. Personally, I would make the effort to acquire the two-lens kit, because there's simply no 40-150 available for 70 euros, and something tells me that if it falls into your hands, you'll squeeze it to the max. Good luck!
