Olympus OM-D EM-10 Mark IV Review
– by AL Lee

Image: Editor AL with Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV on Macro Set Up. 

23rd August 2020, Singapore/ Malaysia – When we received the New Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV a week ago, we were in a state of deja vu as it seems like we just reviewed the E-M10 Mark III yesterday. Then we realised we did the review for E-M10 Mark III was in August 2017 – exactly 03 years ago.

The OM-D E-M10 series are the entry-level little monsters from the OM-D range. While M10 series are always been used as a choice comparison with other Olympus cameras like the Olympus PEN-F or the E-PL series, personally I prefer the OM-D series – then again its my preference. No whys.

Image: OM-D E-M10 Mark III with E-M10 Mark IV – Can you tell the difference? 

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Like its predecessors, the E-M10 Mark IV comes in either Silver or Black color and the exterior styling had retained to be in-line with the series design cue. If you do not observe carefully you might not spot the differences between the Mark III & Mark IV.

The Mark IV has added a tinge of black to the top panel scrollers but the rest of the camera seems to be using almost identical parts from the Mark III. (The Mark IV emblem had found its way to the front panel on the right botton similar to EM-1 series)

Another improvement that Olympus claimed – the thumb grip had been improved for a better handling experience and a more comfortable grip. See if you can spot the grip difference from the below image. Based on our initial observation and handling the Mark IV, there is a raise on the outer right portion of the grip that gives user a firmer hold on the camera. We used a vernier caliper to check, there was an increase of 2mm raised on the grip as compared to the Mark III.

The Mark IV has a 20 megapixel (Live MOS) sensor and features the TruPic VIII processor. And it now comes with a 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilizer that offers users up to 4.5 stops compensation. AF system is using Contrast-Detect over 121 points (which was expected). What interest us more is that the Mark IV now comes with a full flip-down touchscreen display which was not available in the Mark III. (see below) So now you can do selfie too.  Now its easier to frame a group shot if you mount it on a tripod and flip the screen down to see your framing.

Electronic Viewfinder is standard across the E-M10 series and the Mark IV burst shots at 4.5 frames per second which is decent. The usual Wi–Fi & Bluetooth functions are intact and battery life had been improved to approximately 360 shots per full charge. (And USB Charging is available too – so you can use your power banks to charge your camera)

While most reviewers will be taking the Mark IV to shoot “everyday stuff” since the M10 are made as a “everyday” camera, I decided to go against the flow  & do something different and picked Macro instead. So I paired the Mark IV to an Olympus 60mm Macro along with Victor Cheah’s Custom Diffuser and went to West Coast Park in Singapore.

West Coast Park has a boardwalk that was recently opened (after rennovation) to the public and although this place is notoriously known for the combat-trained mosquitoes and commando-ants, I decided to try my luck.

Check out my images below from using the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV + Olympus 60mm F2.8 Macro, Godox TT350s + VC Custom Diffuser.

As expected from an E-M10 camera, the light weight are much appreciated when I am doing a macro hunt which typically means 2-3 hours of walking with the camera on my hand. Although my macro setup are kinda elaborated, it doesn’t tires me out throughout this walk with the Mark IV.

As basic as it is, the Mark IV is a very capable camera. Using it for macro is easy and very manageable. Although the focusing works a little harder (I am probably too used to EM-1 series kind of blazing fast focusing), I managed to get my shots with the E-M10 Mark IV.

As a badly pampered E-M1 series user, I was really expecting a lot from the E-M10 Mark IV, but forgetting that both cameras are really designed for different purposes. Then again with the series progression, the E-M10 Mark IV is on its way to be “nearer” to the E-M5 series based on the functions, improvements etc. (Yeah E-M5 series are moving near to E-M1 series too by the way).

So if you already a Pen-F or EPL series user, the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV will be a nice addition or in fact, an upgrade. For pro-series users, the Mark IV will be your little capable backup body just in case – for the YOLO fellas, the Mark IV is definitely the travel camera to get for all your social media image postings. Lastly if you are sitting on the fence between the “F” or the “O”, I say go for this camera.

OK people, Buy your Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV from our Accredited Merchants for a peace of mind.

Renting this Camera
For those of you who wish to try out the camera/ lens before purchase, we are pleased to share that this camera & lens is available for rental at our appointed rental merchant:

Camera Rental Centre is Conveniently Located at:
50 South Bridge Road, CMO Building,  (very near to Clarke Quay MRT)
#02-18. Singapore 058682
Website: http://sg.camerarental.biz/

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Reviewer: AL Lee
Chief Editor / Visionary & Brand Ambassador for Olympus Imaging Singapore

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