Olympus made big news last month when it announced plans to sell its imaging division—the part of the company that makes Micro Four Thirds cameras and lenses—to a holding company, Japan Industrial Partners (JIP).
While there are still some questions about where JIP will take existing product lines going forward, Olympus continues to run the imaging division in the meantime. Today it’s announcing an updated entry-level camera, as well as a telephoto lens aimed at wildlife enthusiasts.
OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
Olympus is upgrading the entry-level E-M10 Mark III with a new edition, the Mark IV. The basics are the same; it includes the retro-chic styling we expect from an OM-D model, and support for Micro Four Lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and others.
Mark IV (Image: Olympus)
For the first time, the Mark IV enjoys an update to its image sensor. It drops the aged 16MP chip used in earlier editions for a 20MP design, the same one used by the midrange E-M5 Mark III, making it a bit more competitive.
The sensor is stabilized, something you don’t see in a lot of entry-level models. The five-axis IBIS system is beneficial for handheld video (the Mark IV rolls footage at 4K), and works to reduce motion blur when making still images.
There are some other improvements to the body. The grip is a slightly different shape, Olympus says it makes the E-M10 IV a bit more comfortable to handhold, and the front LCD can face forward for selfie shots. It’s a bit of an oddball design, though. The screen flips under the body, rather than over or to the side, so it’s not a good choice for vloggers who may opt for a handheld grip, selfie stick, or gimbal for walk-and-talk videos.
Mark IV (Image: Olympus)
Olympus also introduced some features aimed squarely at snapshooters and budding photographers. Ease of use has long been a selling point of the E-M10 series. This model offers improvements to automatic modes, placing more emphasis on a short shutter speed to freeze subject motion, and better identifying some existing features. Live Composite is one example—it’s been renamed Light Trails to help beginners better understand what types of images it’s used to make.
Tutorial content is available in the smartphone companion app, and you can use the same app to transfer photos from the E-M10 to your Android or iOS handset. You’ll still get the artistic filters from the Mark III, but now you can adjust their intensity via an in-camera slider control.
Smartphone companion app (Image: Olympus)
Olympus expects the E-M10 Mark IV to arrive in stores on Sept. 25. It’s priced at $699.99 as a body only (for customers who already own Micro Four Thirds lenses), or for $799.99 along with the compact 14-42mm EZ zoom. Canadian customers will spend more—$999.99 for the body only and $1,049.99 for the kit. The E-M10 Mark IV is available in your choice of a silver or black finish.
Customers buying the camera through Nov. 1 will also get an accessory kit. It includes a camera bag, an extra BLS-50 battery, and a 32GB memory card.
A New Lens Too
Olympus is also adding a new Micro Four Thirds lens to its catalog. The M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS sports an all-weather IPX1 build, image stabilization, and a focal range that’s ideal for photographing wildlife, team sports, and other types of action where you’re simply not able to get close to your subject.
(Image: Olympus)
Size and weight are features here too. Telephoto lenses can be big, but this one extends just 8.1 inches from the camera and weighs only 2.5 pounds. It covers an angle of view similar to a 200-800mm on a full-frame camera—similar full-frame lenses don’t zoom as far and add more weight to your camera kit.
Its reach can be extended with a 1.4x or 2.0x teleconverter, though using either comes at the cost of light-gathering. Still, for work under the sun, you’ll still be able to freeze motion without pushing the camera ISO too far even at f/8 or f/11.
(Image: Olympus)
The lens includes its own image stabilization system. It works in conjunction with camera-based stabilization, so you can use a longer shutter speed when photographing static subjects. It’s priced affordably enough for enthusiasts to think about one: $1,499.99 in the US and $2,199.99 in Canada. It’s set to ship on Sept. 8.
It’s not to be confused with the Olympus M.Zuiko ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC 1.25X IS Pro, a lens that Olympus has teased in the past, but hasn’t yet brought to market. The 150-400mm is squarely a pro lens, though, and we expect it to cost a lot more.
Time to Buy?
The E-M10 Mark IV and 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 are the first products announced since Olympus went public with its intent to sell the imaging division. As such, there are more unknowns when thinking about buying, especially if you’re thinking about a camera that can change lenses.
The Micro Four Thirds system is supported by other manufacturers too, notably Panasonic. Because lenses and cameras are cross compatible, there’s a bit of a safety net there. Likewise, many customers buying an entry-level model won’t be shopping for loads of pricey additional lenses.
If you’re a more serious photographer, with a big investment in Micro Four Thirds gear, your concerns are likely different. The 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 looks to be another sensible, quality lens for the system.
Olympus expects the transfer of its imaging business to JIP to be done by year’s end.
