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Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Camera Review

Tested using Methodology v0.12.1
Reviewed Sep 28, 2021 at 09:08 am
Latest change: Writing modified Jan 29, 2024 at 09:10 am
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Picture
7.6
Travel Photography
7.6
Landscape Photography
7.4
Sport & Wildlife Photography
7.4
Raw Photo Performance
7.6
Vlogging
7.1
Studio Video
4.7
Action Video

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is an entry-level mirrorless camera with a 20.3-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor. It's very lightweight and portable, and it has a tilting screen that can flip down to face you when holding it in a selfie position. It delivers impressive image quality with fantastic dynamic range and good noise handling capability. It has in-body image stabilization to reduce camera shake when shooting without a tripod, which works effectively, whether taking photos or shooting video. The camera also delivers great 4k video quality and satisfactory FHD video quality. However, its autofocus system is only decent, and it does a poor job tracking moving subjects in video and struggles to track faces when taking photos.

Our Verdict

7.6 Travel Photography

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is good for travel photography. It delivers impressive image quality and performs well even in low light. It's also very lightweight and portable, though it may be too small for those with very large hands. Its approximate advertised battery life is okay, though this can vary with settings and usage habits. The camera supports USB charging, but you can't use it while it charges. While its autofocus system is excellent at tracking moving objects, it struggles to track faces. It also isn't weather-sealed.

Pros
  • Lightweight and portable.
  • Impressive image quality.
  • In-body image stabilization.
Cons
  • Autofocus struggles to track moving faces.
  • Not weather-sealed.
7.6 Landscape Photography

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is good for landscape photography. Its image quality is great, and it has good dynamic range to bring out more details in high-contrast landscape shots. It's also very portable, making it easy to take to remote shooting locations. It has a bright screen that can easily overcome glare in sunny conditions. However, its advertised battery life is only decent, and the camera isn't rated to be weather-sealed against elements like rain and humidity.

Pros
  • Lightweight and portable.
  • Impressive image quality.
  • Good dynamic range.
Cons
  • Not weather-sealed.
7.4 Sport & Wildlife Photography

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is good for sports and wildlife photography. It delivers impressive image quality and feels comfortable to use. It also has a good continuous shooting speed that can capture photos at 10 fps in its high-speed drive mode and 15 fps in its silent mode using the electronic shutter. Its RAW image buffer isn't the largest, but thankfully, it has a quick buffer empty time, so it shouldn't slow you down too much. That said, its autofocus system struggles to track moving faces, though it performs significantly better when tracking objects.

Pros
  • Lightweight and portable.
  • Impressive image quality.
  • In-body image stabilization.
Cons
  • Autofocus struggles to track moving faces.
7.4 Raw Photo Performance

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IV captures satisfactory RAW image quality for its class. It has a good amount of dynamic range, so there's a fair amount of detail preserved in high-contrast scenes. It also has a fairly high-resolution sensor, so images look quite detailed. That said, it isn't the best low-light performer, with okay noise handling.

Pros
  • Good dynamic range.
Cons
  • Adequate noise handling in low light.
7.6 Vlogging

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is great for vlogging. It has a tilting screen that can flip down to face you. It's also very lightweight and portable for on-the-go vlogging. The screen can get in the way when using a tripod, so it's less suited to sit-down vlogging. It has in-body image stabilization, and it does an excellent job of reducing camera shake when walking, especially in FHD. Video quality is great in 4k and decent in FHD. However, its autofocus system struggles to track moving subjects in video, especially faces.

Pros
  • Lightweight and portable.
  • Screen can flip down to face you.
  • Great 4k video quality.
  • In-body image stabilization.
Cons
  • Autofocus struggles to track moving faces.
7.1 Studio Video

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is okay for studio video. It delivers great 4k video quality and decent FHD video quality, but its 4k frame rate options are limited to 24 or 30 fps. It can shoot at up to 60 fps in 1080p, however, and it has a high-speed capture mode that records 1080p video at 120 fps and plays it back in slow motion. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a microphone or headphone jack, and its autofocus system struggles to track moving subjects. Its menu system is also confusingly laid out and hard to navigate.

Pros
  • Lightweight and portable.
  • Great 4k video quality.
Cons
  • Autofocus struggles to track moving faces.
  • No microphone or headphone jack.
4.7 Action Video

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV isn't well-suited to action video. While it's relatively portable, it isn't designed to mount on a helmet or other action cam rig. It also isn't rated to be water-resistant. It does have in-body image stabilization, though, which effectively reduces camera shake when shooting without a tripod. It can also record up to 60 fps in 1080p and has a high-speed mode that captures footage at 120 fps for slow-motion playback. However, its 4k frame rate options are limited to 24 or 30 fps.

Pros
  • Lightweight and portable.
  • Great 4k video quality.
  • In-body image stabilization.
Cons
  • Autofocus struggles to track moving faces.
  • Not waterproof.
  • Limited 4k frame rate options.
  • Not designed for action video mounts.
  • 7.6 Travel Photography
  • 7.6 Landscape Photography
  • 7.4 Sport & Wildlife Photography
  • 7.4 Raw Photo Performance
  • 7.6 Vlogging
  • 7.1 Studio Video
  • 4.7 Action Video
  1. Updated Jan 29, 2024: Added text to the 'Raw Photo Performance' verdict box.
  2. Updated Jan 29, 2024: Converted to Test Bench 0.12.1.
  3. Updated Apr 05, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.12.
  4. Updated Feb 27, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.11.
  5. Updated Oct 03, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.10.
  6. Updated Aug 05, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.9.
  7. Updated Apr 25, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
  8. Updated Dec 21, 2021: Corrected input error in 'FHD Frame Rate'.
  9. Updated Sep 28, 2021: Review published.
  10. Updated Sep 23, 2021: Early access published.
  11. Updated Sep 08, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
  12. Updated Sep 07, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  13. Updated Sep 01, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
  14. Updated Aug 27, 2021: The product has won our suggestion poll, so we'll buy and test it soon.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Olympus E-M10 Mark IV comes in two color variants: 'Black' and 'Silver'. We tested the black version bundled with the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ lens, but you can also buy it without a kit lens.

Let us know if you come across a different variant or your Olympus E-M10 Mark IV doesn't correspond to our review, and we'll update it.

You can see our unit's label here.

Compared To Other Cameras

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III sits above the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV in Olympus's camera lineup. The E-M1 III is an enthusiast-grade camera with a weather-sealed construction that feels sturdier and more comfortable to shoot with than the entry-level E-M10 Mark IV. Though they use similar sensors, the E-M1 III has a more advanced processor that gives it better RAW noise handling at higher ISOs. It also has a more advanced hybrid autofocus system that gives it significantly better AF performance. However, it's a lot bulkier and pricier than the E-M10 IV.

Sony α6600

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV and the Sony α6600 are both interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras, but they use different-sized sensors. The Olympus is a Micro Four Thirds camera, giving it longer focal reach and more portability. Though both cameras have IBIS, the Olympus does a slightly better job smoothing out camera shake. That, along with its size, makes it a good option for vlogging or travel. Meanwhile, the Sony is better suited to low-light situations, thanks to its larger APS-C sensor, and feels more comfortable to shoot with. It also has a significantly more effective and reliable autofocus system.

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
7.9
Design
Portability
Height
3.3" (8.4 cm)
Width
5.2" (13.1 cm)
Depth
2.0" (5.1 cm)
Volume
34.2 in³ (561.0 cm³)
Weight
0.85 lbs (0.39 kg)

You can see the camera's portability with its kit lens attached here, with the lens fully extended here, and with the lens fully extended and its flash mechanism open here.

7.0
Design
Build Quality

  • Retro-style body is made of solid-feeling plastic
  • Built-in flash mechanism feels sturdy
  • SD card/battery compartment is covered by a locking hinged door
  • Other inputs and outputs are covered by loose-fitting rubber flaps that feel flimsy and may get in the way when connecting a cable
  • Buttons and dials feel secure and sturdy
  • Screen mechanism feels okay

Design
Body
Body Type
SLR-Style
Water Resistance
No
Mirrorless
Yes
Rugged
No
Hot Shoe
Yes
Customizable Button
Yes
Command Dial
2
Tripod Mount
Yes
Lens Mount
Micro Four Thirds
Built-In Flash
Yes
Fastest Shutter Speed
1/4,000 s
Design
In The Box

  • Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV camera body
  • Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ lens
  • Sensor cap
  • Lens cap
  • Rear lens cap
  • Hot shoe cover
  • Shoulder strap
  • BLS-50 battery
  • AC adapter
  • USB-A to micro-USB cable
  • User manual

6.5
Design
Ergonomics & Comfort
Hand Grip: Small Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Medium Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Large Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Extra-Large Hand
No

  • Suitable for most hand sizes but may be too small for those with extra large hands to hold comfortably
  • Handgrip is shallow and not as well texturized as some other cameras
  • Back thumb rest feels very comfortable
  • Easy to adjust settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO when looking through the viewfinder with your right eye
  • Eye cup feels okay
  • D-pad on back to navigate menu, but placement may be a bit awkward for larger hands
  • Screen can flip all the way down to face you, but it's almost impossible to use it with a tripod in this configuration
  • Can't access battery/SD card compartment when mounted on a tripod

Design
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type
Electronic
Advertised Coverage
100%
Advertised Resolution
2.36 million dots
Advertised Magnification
1.23
8.0
Design
Screen
Screen Articulation Type
Tilt And Flip
Screen Max Brightness
910 cd/m²
Advertised Resolution
1.04 million dots
Size
3.0" (7.6 cm)
Touchscreen
Limited
6.0
Design
Menu System
Guide Mode
Yes
App Name
Olympus Image Share

  • Menu system is acceptable, with more advanced settings buried in the cog icon menu, which you can see here, here, and here, though it's simpler to navigate than the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
  • The quick menu is haphazardly organized, but it does consist of many commonly used settings
  • Useful guide mode that explains certain settings and features
  • Navigating using the D-pad feels intuitive
  • Some of the buttons are customizable, so you don't need to navigate the menu all the time

not tested
Design
Built-In Lens
Maximum Aperture
No built-in lens
Max Aperture (Full-Frame Equivalent)
N/A
Minimum Focal Length
N/A
Maximum Focal Length
N/A
Max Focal Length (Full-Frame Equivalent)
N/A
Optical Image Stabilization
No
Luminance
N/A
Light Falloff
N/A
Design
Sensor
Sensor Type
CMOS
Advertised Effective Pixels
20.3 MP
Sensor Size
4/3 (MFT)
Processor
TruePic VIII
Extended ISO Minimum
100
Native ISO Minimum (Base ISO)
200
Native ISO Maximum
6,400
Tested Firmware
1.0

Note: If you want to update this camera's firmware, you need to download 'Olympus Workspace' to your PC, which requires the serial number of your particular model. This software lets you update the firmware as well as edit photos.

6.3
Design
Battery
Battery Type
Olympus BLS-50
USB Charging
Yes
Power Delivery While Recording
No
Advertised Battery Life In Photo
360 photos
Tested Battery Life In Video
83 min
Photo General
7.8
Photo General
Photo Shooting Speed
Low Speed Continuous
5 fps
High Speed Continuous
10 fps
Silent Shooting Continuous
15 fps
Raw Buffer Size
27 Photos
JPEG Buffer Size
30 Photos
Buffer Empty Time
4 s
2.6
Photo General
Photo AF-C Tracking
Autofocus Tracking Shots
Perfect Focus Hit Rate
20%
Usable Focus Hit Rate
21%
10
Photo General
Photo AF-C Center Point
Autofocus Center Point Shots
Perfect Focus Hit Rate
100%
Usable Focus Hit Rate
100%
8.3
Photo General
Photo Image Stabilization
Minimum Shutter Speed Achieved
1/8 s
In-Body Image Stabilization
Yes
Photo Image Quality
7.6
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Dynamic Range
Dynamic Range At Base ISO
9.8 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/500s Exposure Time
8.1 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/2000s Exposure Time
6.8 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/4000s Exposure Time
6.1 f-stops
7.7
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Sharpness
Vertical Edge MTF50 At Base ISO
1,698 LW/PH
Horizontal Edge MTF50 At Base ISO
1,764 LW/PH
6.9
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Noise
SNR 18% At 1/8 Exposure Time (125 ms)
33.6dB
SNR 18% At 1/30 Exposure Time (33 ms)
30.0 dB
SNR 18% At 1/125 Exposure Time (8 ms)
25.1 dB
SNR 18% At 1/500 Exposure Time (2 ms)
19.3dB
Pictures Sample Gallery
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Skate Park Picture
JPEG Skate Park Picture Download
RAW Skate Park Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Polish Church Picture
JPEG Polish Church Picture Download
RAW Polish Church Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Studio Picture
JPEG Studio Picture Download
RAW Studio Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Stairway Picture
JPEG Stairway Picture Download
RAW Stairway Picture Download
Video General
Video General
Video Features
Full HD Video
Yes
4k Video
Yes
6k Video
No
Clean HDMI Output
Yes
Advertised Max Chroma Sampling Over HDMI
Not Advertised
Advertised Max Bit Depth Over HDMI
N/A
Log Picture Profile
No
Recording Light
No
Video General
Audio
Audio Test Sample
Audio Recording
Stereo
Microphone Level Display
Yes
Video General
Video File Format And Compression
MP4 H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
No
MP4 H.265 / HEVC
No
MOV H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
Yes
MOV H.265 / HEVC
No
AVCHD H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
No
All-I Compression
No
4k Video
8.5
4k Video
4k Video Frame Rate
240 fps In 4k
No
120 fps In 4k
No
60 fps In 4k
No
30 fps In 4k
Yes
24 fps In 4k
Yes
4k Crop At Max Available fps
1 x
7.7
4k Video
4k Video Internal Recording
Bitrate Maximum In 4k
88 Mbps
Bitrate Minimum In 4k
88 Mbps
Chroma Sampling In 4k
4:2:0
Bit Depth In 4k
8 Bit
Record Time Limit In 4k
29 min
Overheat Recording Interruptions in 4k
0

Note: The camera can record continuously for up to 29 minutes, but it splits the recording into clips of 5 minutes and 20 seconds and 2 minutes and 18 seconds.

4.3
4k Video
4k Video Autofocus Performance
Object Tracking In 4k
5.0
Face Tracking In 4k
1.6
Face Detection In 4k
Yes
Eye Detection In 4k
Yes
8.0
4k Video
4k Video Quality
Low Light Capability In 4k
8.0
Test Scene Extract In 4k
8.0
5.3
4k Video
4k Video Rolling Shutter Effect
4k Rolling Shutter
7.7°
Full HD Video
9.2
Full HD Video
FHD Video Frame Rate
240 fps In FHD
No
120 fps In FHD
Yes, with a Crop
60 fps In FHD
Yes
30 fps In FHD
Yes
24 fps In FHD
Yes
FHD Crop At Max Available fps
1.4 x

Update 12/21/2021: This review previously stated that this camera can't record at 60 fps or 120 fps in FHD. We've updated the review to correct this error.

The camera can record regular FHD video at up to 60 fps, and like the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, it has a high-speed recording mode that captures footage at 120 fps for slow-motion playback, with the option to slow it down to 60 fps, 50 fps, 30 fps, 25 fps, or 24 fps. This feature incurs a 1.4x crop.

7.5
Full HD Video
FHD Video Internal Recording
Bitrate Maximum In FHD
50 Mbps
Bitrate Minimum In FHD
16 Mbps
Chroma Sampling In FHD
4:2:0
Bit Depth In FHD
8 Bit
Record Time Limit in FHD
29 min

Note: The camera can record continuously for up to 29 minutes, but it splits the recording into clips of 5 minutes and 20 seconds and 2 minutes and 18 seconds.

4.1
Full HD Video
FHD Video Autofocus Performance
Object Tracking In FHD
5.0
Face Tracking In FHD
1.0
Face Detection In FHD
Yes
Eye Detection In FHD
Yes
7.3
Full HD Video
FHD Video Quality
Low Light Capability In FHD
7.5
Test Scene Extract In FHD
7.1
6.4
Full HD Video
FHD Video Rolling Shutter Effect
FHD Rolling Shutter
5.7°
Storage And Connectivity
Storage And Connectivity
Storage
Card 1 Slot
SD Card UHS-II
Card 2 Slot
No 2nd Card Slot
5.8
Storage And Connectivity
Inputs / Outputs
USB
Micro USB
HDMI
Micro (Type D)
Headphones
No
Microphone
No Microphone input
Wi-Fi
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes