During the last couple of years mirrorless cameras have turn out to be more and more standard and in 2019, their gross sales overtook these of DSLRs. With Canon and Nikon now absolutely energetic within the mirrorless market in a extra significant manner, Sony has carved itself a big share of gross sales, Panasonic has launched 4 full-frame mirrorless cameras, together with its Micro 4 Thirds fashions, and Fujifilm has a variety of APS-C and medium format cameras.
Which brings us to Olympus. As different producers have moved into full-frame and medium format markets, Olympus has remained steadfast in its dedication to the Micro 4 Thirds format it helped develop and develop alongside Panasonic.
Then got here 2020. Whereas many corporations struggled throughout that tumultuous yr, Olympus, specifically, acutely felt the consequences of the continued decline in digital digital camera gross sales. Rumours surrounded the corporate all yr that it was exiting the digital camera enterprise. Then, in Q3 it was revealed that Olympus had formalised an settlement to switch the Olympus Imaging enterprise to Japan Industrial Companions via ‘an absorption-type break up.’
In 2021, Olympus formally turned OM Digital Options, a particular objective firm established by JIP, and the Olympus model formally turned OM System and launched its first lens below the brand new moniker.
On this information, we’ll check out the most effective Olympus cameras you should buy as we speak on your particular photographic wants. For a deeper dive into the numerous totally different digital camera sorts and options obtainable, take a look at our vary of digital camera shopping for guides.
Greatest Olympus digital camera for video
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
Specification
- Digital camera sort: Mirrorless digital camera
- Sensor: 20.4Mp Reside MOS Micro 4 Thirds sensor
- Lens mount: Micro 4 Thirds
- Processing engine: TruePic VIII
- Sensitivity vary: ISO 64-25,600
- Autofocus system: Hybrid with 121 (all cross-type) phase-detection AF factors
- Most steady taking pictures price: Mechanical shutter: 10fps with focus and publicity mounted at the beginning of the burst, 6fps with C-AF, Digital Shutter 30fps and 10fps
- Max video decision: C4K 24p at as much as 237Mbps / 4K 30p, 25p, 24p at 102Mbps
- Reside Bulb Taking pictures Choices: Reside Composite, Reside Time, Reside Bulb, Focus Bracketing, Focus Stacking, 50Mp Excessive Res Shot modes
- Viewfinder: 2,360,000-dot digital viewfinder
- Display: Vari‑angle 3.0-inch 1,037,000-dot touchscreen
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 125.3 x 85.2 x 9.7mm
- Weight: 414g together with battery and reminiscence card, 366g physique solely
It’s usually neglected as such, however the OM-D E-M5 Mark II is a surprisingly succesful video digital camera, and on the finish of 2019 Olympus changed it with the much more succesful OM-D E-M5 Mark III. In addition to its sensible 5-Axis Picture Stabilisation, the E-M5 Mark III provides C4K recording at 24fps and 4K at 30p, 25p or 24p. And Full HD 1080p footage may be recorded at as much as 120fps which is ideal for slow-motion playback.
Additional excellent news is that the very best decision video permits bit charges of as much as 237 Mbps, which is sweet information for post-production processing.
The OMD E-M5 Mark III scores in one other space as a result of it’s very compact but has a superb stabilisation system. The latter takes out a lot of the shake and wobble of hand-held recording and may even clean out the jerky motion of strolling up or downstairs.
Learn our Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Evaluate
Value when reviewed
£1100
$1199.99 Examine present worth
For
- Pictures stuffed with element
- Low noise at greater ISOs
- Very good stabilisation
Towards
- Picture high quality cannot fairly match full-frame
- Dynamic vary may very well be higher
Greatest Olympus digital camera for landscapes, portraits and low mild
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Specification
- Digital camera sort: Mirrorless digital camera
- Sensor: 4 Thirds-type 20.4Mp Reside MOS
- Processing engine: TruePic VIII
- Lens mount: Micro 4 Thirds
- Autofocus system: Hybrid with 121 all cross-type focusing factors
- Max steady taking pictures price: 18fps with AF monitoring, 60fps with AF locked on first body with digital shutter
- Max video decision: 4K (4096 x 2160) at 24p
- Viewfinder: 2,360,000-dot digital viewfinder
- Sensitivity vary: ISO 64-25,600
- Display: Vari‑angle 3-inch 1,037,000-dot touchscreen
- Storage: 2x SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 134.1 x 90.9 x 68.9mm
- Weight: 498g (physique solely), 574g (together with battery and reminiscence card)
The OMD E-M1 Mark II could also be just a few years previous now, however it’s nonetheless the most effective Olympus digital camera for a variety of pictures – and extra inexpensive than it was once.
Not often does a digital camera tick so many containers, however we have now to provide the Olympus OMD E-M1 Mark II the gongs for these classes as nicely. The velocity of its excellent autofocusing system and Monitoring AF is so good that wildlife photographers or anybody taking pictures or filming motion will likely be impressed by its hit price, even in gloomy circumstances.
Which brings us to low mild. Olympus’s 5-Axis Picture Stabilisation within the E-M1 Mark II is unbelievable.
In our assessments, when taking pictures on the 100mm finish of Olympus’s 12-100mm f/4 lens we had been capable of get constantly sharp pictures at 1/2sec, proving the 6.4EV shutter velocity extension declare to be true. What’s much more spectacular, nonetheless, is that on the 12mm we had been capable of get sharp pictures with 2sec exposures.
And switching to the digital camera’s Excessive Res Shot mode means that you can seize 50-megapixel scenes with beautiful quantities of element. The E-M1 Mark II can do all of it.
Value when reviewed
£1499
$1299 Examine present worth
For
- Quick and correct focusing with shifting topics
- Very good stabilisation system
- Modern options
Towards
- Excessive worth
- Comparatively small sensor limits scope to limit depth of area
- Excessive Res Shot mode a tripod solely mode
Greatest Olympus digital camera for skilled pictures
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Specification
- Digital camera sort: Mirrorless
- Lens mount: Micro 4 Thirds
- Sensor: 4 Thirds sort 20.4 MP Reside MOS sensor
- Introduced: twelfth February 2020
- Processing engine: TruePic IX
- Autofocus system: Hybrid with 121-point all cross-type focus factors
- Max steady taking pictures price: 18fps AF/AE mechanical shutter (C-AF), 60fps in digital shutter (S-AF)
- Max video decision: C4K (4096 x 2160) at 30/25p
- Viewfinder: 2,360,000-dot digital viewfinder
- Sensitivity vary: ISO 64-25,600
- Display: Vari‑angle 3-inch 1,037,000-dot touchscreen
- Storage: 2x SD/SDHC/SDXC (1 UHS-I and 1 UHS-II)
- Dimensions (LxHxW): 134.1 x 90.9 x 68.9mm
- Weight: 504g physique solely, 580g with battery and SD card
In some respects the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III makes a reasonably modest step-up from the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, nonetheless, it feels extra refined and has some nice options that make taking pictures in tough circumstances a bit of simpler. It additionally permits photographers to journey lighter, not simply by being comparatively small and lightweight itself, however by permitting tripods and ND filters to be left behind in lots of conditions. Olympus additionally provides an intensive array of excellent lenses and the 2x focal size magnification issue is particularly helpful for sport and wildlife photographers.
Whereas present OM-D E-M1 Mark II could not need to improve, the OM-D E-M1 Mark III makes a really engaging choice for skilled photographers trying to swap to a mirrorless digital camera.
Total, sure, the OM-D E-M1 II remains to be a really versatile digital camera, with an important mixture of options and expertise that makes taking pictures some usually tough pictures straightforward. However Olympus has developed this additional with the E-M1 III, giving it most of what the E-M1X has however in a smaller type that appears extra consistent with the Micro 4 Thirds message.
Learn our Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Evaluate
Value when reviewed
£1600
$1499 Examine present worth
For
- Compact measurement with vari-angle display
- Nice characteristic set
- Glorious lens vary
Towards
- Sub-APS-C measurement sensor
- Makes use of the identical sensor as its predecessor
- Lacks the topic recognition system of the E-M1X
Greatest Olympus digital camera for wildlife
Olympus OM-D E-M1X
Specification
- Digital camera sort: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 20.4Mp 4 Thirds Kind (17.3 x 13.0mm) CMOS
- Lens mount: Micro 4 Thirds
- Sensitivity vary: ISO 64-25,600
- Processing engine: 2x TruePic VIII
- Autofocus system: Hybrid with 121 cross-type factors (800 in magnified view)
- Max steady taking pictures price: 18fps with AF monitoring, 60fps with AF locked on first body with digital shutter
- Professional Seize Excessive Mode: 60fps
- Professional Seize Low Mode: 18fps
- Burst Mode in S-AF: 15fps for 143 uncooked information
- Burst Mode in C-AF: 10fps for 283 uncooked information
- Max video decision: 4K (4096 x 2160) at 24p
- Viewfinder: Digital with 2,360,000 dots
- Display: Contact-sensitive vari-angle 3-inch LCD with 1,037,000 dots
- Storage: 2x SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 144.4 x 146.8 x 75.4mm
- Weight: 849g (physique solely), 997g (together with 2 batteries and reminiscence playing cards)
The OM-D E-M1 Mark II is definitely an excellent digital camera for wildlife pictures, however because of its built-in vertical grip, the OM-D E-M1X is best suited to make use of with lengthy, heavy telephoto lenses. It additionally has two processing engines inbuilt and this helps energy an clever topic detection system. This allows you to set the E-M1X to detect particular topics together with Motorsports, Airplanes and Trains and it really works brilliantly and we’re nonetheless hoping that animals will likely be added to the record quickly.
There are additionally two mini-joystick multi-selector controls on the again of the digital camera for setting the AF level whereas the viewfinder is in use. Having two of those controls means there’s one in straightforward attain whether or not you’re utilizing the horizontal or vertical grip.
Olympus redeveloped the OM-D E-M1 II’s autofocus system for the OM-D E-M1X. It nonetheless has 121 cross-type section detection AF factors however the AF algorithm has been re-worked to spice up efficiency – and it really works a deal with.
Learn our Olympus OM-D E-M1X Evaluate
Value when reviewed
£2199
$1999 Examine present worth
For
- One of many quickest cameras you should buy
- Professional Seize Mode provides a lot of flexibility
- Excessive Res Shot mode may be very spectacular
Towards
- It’s totally huge and heavy for a Micro 4 Thirds digital camera
- 4 Thirds sensor
- Want extra smaller, lighter, extra inexpensive lengthy telephoto lenses
Greatest Olympus digital camera for vlogging
Olympus Pen E-PL9
Specification
- Digital camera sort: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 16.1Mp 4 Thirds Kind Reside Mos
- Lens mount: Micro 4 Thirds
- Processor: TruePic VIII
- Sensitivity vary: ISO 100-25,600
- Autofocus system: Distinction detection with 121 factors
- Max taking pictures price: Mechanical shutter: 8.6fps in S-AF, 4.8fps in C-AF; Digital shutter: 14.1fps in S-AF, 61.fps in C-AF
- Max video decision: 3840 x 2160 (4k) / 30p, 25p, 24p / IPB (approx. 102Mbps)
- Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS‑I
- Viewfinder: None
- Display: Tiltable 3-inch 1,040,000-dot touchscreen
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 17.1 x 68 x 39mm
- Weight: 332g physique solely, 380g together with battery and reminiscence card
Though the PEN E-PL10 now replaces it, the E-PL10 solely makes just a few aesthetic adjustments to the E-PL9, so we’re sticking with the PEN E-PL9 for our selection as the most effective Olympus digital camera for vloggers.
The PEN E-PL9 is an entry-level mannequin in Olympus’s vary, and provides 4K video recording at 30, 25 and 24p, and Full HD video may be recorded at 60p.
To go together with that 4K video recording is a vlogger-friendly 3-inch, 1,040k-dot touchscreen that articulates 80 levels up or 180 levels down on its bracket for taking pictures selfies and vlogs.
Video is a vital characteristic in 2021, particularly for vloggers, so the E-PL9’s 4K at 30fps is spectacular for a digital camera of this measurement and worth.
There’s additionally a Excessive Pace Video mode for capturing slow-motion motion pictures, a Clips video mode for capturing 4sec motion pictures and you too can add the digital camera’s Artwork Filters and a variety of different results to your movies.
You’ll additionally discover the addition of Bluetooth connectivity (a primary for Olympus cameras), new artwork filters, extra AF factors and Oympus’s new TruePic VIII picture processor, inherited from the corporate’s flagship E-M1 Mark II.
In addition to standard Olympus stalwarts Reside Composite and Reside Bulb modes, the E-PL9 additionally has Focus Bracketing (shoot as much as 999 frames at totally different focus differentials, which you’ll merge into a spotlight stack in your photograph enhancing software program), Sweep Panorama, HDR Backlight and Keystone Compensation (for correcting converging traces in-camera) modes.
Value when reviewed
£580
Examine present worth
For
- Compact and straightforward to make use of
- 3-inch 1,040k-dot touchscreen that tilts 80 levels up or 180 levels down
- 4K video at 30p
Towards
- No viewfinder
- No exterior mic port
Greatest Olympus digital camera for novices
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
Specification
- Digital camera sort: Micro 4 Thirds mirrorless
- Introduced: 4th August 2020
- Sensor: 4 Thirds Kind 20.3Mp Reside MOS
- Processing engines: TruePic VIII
- Sensitivity vary: ISO 80-25,600
- Viewfinder: 2,360,000-dot digital with 1.23x magnification and 19.2mm eye level
- Stabilisation: 5-axis with as much as 4.5EV shutter velocity compensation
- Display: 3-inch 1,037,000-dot tilting touchscreen
- Focus modes: Guide focus, Single AF, Steady AF, Single AF + MF, AF Monitoring, Tremendous Spot AF, Face Detection AF
- Publicity modes: Programme, Aperture precedence, Shutter precedence, Guide, Bulb, Time, i-Auto, Scene Modes, Artwork Filter, Film, Reside Time, Reside Composite, Superior Picture Modes (Reside Composite, Reside Bulb, A number of Publicity, HDR Backlight, Silent, Panorama, Keystone Compensation, AE bracketing, AF bracketing)
- Autofocus system: Distinction detection with as much as 121 factors
- Autofocus level choice modes: All goal, Group goal (9-areas), Single goal
- Publicity metering: 324 zones Multi-pattern Sensing System with ESP, Spot, Centre weighted, Spotlight and Shadow mode
- Artwork filers: Pop Artwork, Comfortable Focus, Pale & Gentle Color, Gentle Tone, Grainy Movie, Pin Gap, Diorama, Cross Course of, Light Sepia, Dramatic Tone, Key Line, Water color, Classic, Partial Color, Bleach Bypass, Immediate Movie
- Shutter velocity: 1/16,000-60sec, Bulb to 30mins
- Most steady taking pictures price: Excessive: 15 fps Low: 6.3 fps, Max. variety of frames: Excessive 42 uncooked information or 49 (LF) JPGs, Low: 945 uncooked information or till the cardboard is full with (LF) JPGs
- Video decision: 4K (3840 x 2160) / 30p, 25p, 24p / IPB (approx. 102 Mbps) Full HD (1920 x 1080) / 30p, 25p, 24p (MOV) Full HD (1920 x 1080) / 60p, 50p / IPB (F,N) / (MOV) HD (1280 x 720) / 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p (MOV)
- Time lapse: 4k, 1080p, 720p
- Flash: Constructed-in GN 7.2 (ISO200), hotshoe for exterior flash
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- A number of publicity: 2 frames with or with out autogain
- Storage: SDHC/SDXC UHS-II
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 121.7×84.4x49mm
- Weight: 383g together with battery and SD card
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV isn’t a lot greater than some compact cameras with a lot smaller sensors but it’s far more versatile, has an important assortment of options and produces higher picture high quality.
Except for the rise within the pixel depend, it makes a reasonably small step up from the OM-D E-M10 Mark III, however the autofocus system is best and the flexibility to see the display from in entrance of the digital camera is a helpful addition.
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV makes an excellent first severe digital camera and is a wonderful mannequin for anybody searching for a smaller different to a big digital camera. It’s additionally suitable with an intensive assortment of lenses.
We have now really helpful the Olympus E-M10 digital camera line to fairly just a few photographers who’ve been searching for a compact and light-weight digital camera and so they’ve all been very pleased with their buy. In the event you’re searching for a digital camera to hold all over the place that can get you nice outcomes and doesn’t want a tripod a lot of the time, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a good selection.
Learn our Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Evaluate
Value when reviewed
£699
$649 Examine present worth
For
- Very compact, but versatile digital camera
- Tilting display can face forwards for selfies and vlogging
- Reside Composite and Reside Bulb mode make lengthy publicity pictures straightforward
