Cameras are necessary if you are interested in exploring the hobby or planning to improve the skill. There are so many good options to choose from for starters such as the affordable Olympus OMD EM5 Vs EM10. These cameras are both affordable and easy to use with professional level features and abilities. The two are related to each other with some similarities so let’s see below about what they can offer before deciding to choose one.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- What to Consider in a Camera
- What are Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10
- How are the Design of Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10
- How are the Specs of Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10
- How are the Image Quality of Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10
- What are the Features in Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10
- Olympus OMD EM5 Vs EM10
Buying a New Camera
Smartphone cameras are fun and convenient but they are not made to be a professional tool if you are interested in the photography itself. They are designed to be like point and shoot as well as a social media tool to capture pictures or video easily. For those who are more serious about their hobby, a dedicated camera like mirrorless or DSLR will be very helpful. They are coming with manual functions and are more versatile for a wide range of styles.
You can start from deciding the camera style first or the type of camera to buy because there are so many of them to choose from. An enthusiast traveler probably chooses something with a fixed lens so they can carry it easily while those who are shooting various subjects and using different styles may want to change the lens to match the preference. DSLR and mirrorless comes with an ability to change the lens so consider what lenses you want to use too.
The camera’s performance is the most important thing to consider however because it affects the overall experience and different photographers may look for different qualities because there is no single choice that can please everyone. For example most people are looking at the Megapixel when buying a camera since the higher these pixels count the sharper and the larger the image can be printed. It is necessary if you plan to crop or blow the size. Sometimes higher pixels can hurt too as they may introduce more noise.
For most people a decent pixel count like 12MP will be adequate already and to add into the budget, higher pixel count also often means the camera will be more expensive since it is marketed for professionals. ISO is also important for those who are shooting under low light but you may want to choose cameras with larger sensors instead because they are better at capturing more details at less light conditions. It is necessary if you are into night photography or nature photography.
In addition, handling is something that many may often skip when considering a new camera while it is a very important quality to look for. This can be highly subjective too however because the body of this camera has to feel good on your hand, including when paired with the lenses you have. Something that is too heavy will be uncomfortable to hold, the same with cameras with small grip if you have large hands. We recommend trying them on hand, such as by renting it first to know how you will like it.
| Olympus OMD EM5 | Olympus OMD EM10 | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 4.8 x 1.69 x 3.5 inches | 4.69 x 1.81 x 3.24 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 15 ounces | 13.9 ounces |
| Shop now at Amazon | Check price | Check price |
About Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10
An experienced user may already set their eyes into some cameras the moment they were launched but it can be confusing for those of us who just want to get started because of the abundant amount of choices. Besides considering the factor above, it is wise to match the choice with your budget too because for starters we don’t want to spend too much, moreover we need to invest on good lenses as well. The older model or entry and mid-range collections are usually very attractive to look for.
They are more affordable and coming with everything important a professional camera can offer. Olympus for example is one of the best options when you are in the market for a new camera, especially on the budget range. Many of their older series are still available and they are reliable too, even now after years from the launched date. Depending on the series however, not every camera is on the same level and it is wise to get the best your budget can afford.
The styling of Olympus cameras is also distinct and has a huge amount of fans. They continue to be one of the most interesting camera manufacturers today while the older series often being the choice of first time users such as the famous Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10. As you may guess, they are quite an old system that was launched in 2012 and 2014 respectively; the OMD EM5 is currently discontinued by the manufacturer but you can still find them from some sellers in mint condition.
Unlike what most people expect, the OMD EM5 is actually a higher variant of the EM10 which both are below the EM1. Both Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10 are very similar however because specs wise they are using the same 16 Megapixel four thirds sensor. It is however coming with the newer image processor than the older model and in terms of features, not as premium as both EM5 and EM1. Yet, we do think it is a better choice for many who want to take camera settings into their hands.
Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10 Design
Now let’s see the camera first because the two are almost identical. The overall build quality itself is very good and there is no huge difference but EM5 was built with a weathershield body while this new model is not. Another thing we notice is that the dials in the new camera are less substantial compared to the older siblings both in case of the materials used as well as the ease of use in operation. On hand they almost feel like the same camera and handling wise pretty much the same.
As a compact mirrorless, they are almost like a point-and-shoot type when on hand. There is a small bump at the front to act as the grip and this allows you to mount a decent sized lens without hindering the fingers to hold the camera properly. These cameras seem to be made focusing on photographers only with just a tilting screen which is not the best for video recording. The display is now noticeably better and sharper on the EM10. Read also: Olympus OMD Vs Fuji X100 here.
Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10 Specs
Next for the most important part, let’s see what the Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10 can offer starting from the specs. As it has been mentioned above, the two are pretty much the same based on the basic specs because the two are still using a small four third sensor which is smaller than popular APSC nowadays. The pixel count stays the same as well or 16 Megapixels and this should be decent for a wide range of users. Since EM10 is newer it also comes with the new TruePic VII instead of TruePic VI.
Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10 Image Quality
The image quality produced by these cameras are very good and probably amazing, especially when the EM5 was first launched. Side by side the image quality is almost the same but the color is slightly different so side by side for example a skin tone looks a bit warmer on the EM5. The level of details are the same however since they are using the same core. Performance wise we do think they are going to be the same for typical use.
The difference is probably due to the new processor since EM10 is already using TruePic VII and it comes with built-in chromatic aberration correction. This will fix the slight purple fringing on objects that are captured from far away. In comparison the RAW is on par with each other and are very competitive to the typical APSC variant.
Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10 Features
Lastly for the features, the Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10 are similar but also different. One of the most noticeable is the image stabilization because the newer camera comes with the 3-axis stabilization instead of the 5-axis in the EM5; it also has the 3.5 stops while the older camera has a 4 stops. These cameras are coming with the electronic viewfinder so we can compose the photo more conveniently, even when you are shooting in the broad daylight.
In addition, the EM10 also comes with a Live Composite mode which is assembling a number of long exposure images into one image to show the progress in real time through the camera’s LCD. You can find the LIVECOMP option as your shutter speed using manual exposure mode. The setting is decided by the user from 1 second to 60 seconds and a composite can last for 3 hours. This feature is great as an introduction to long exposure such as astrophotography.
Olympus OMD EM5 Vs EM10
Both Olympus OMD EM5 and EM10 are amazing cameras for the budget and they are also quite similar to each other. The core which affects image quality is the same but due to the use of a new image processor, the EM10 is coming with some new features as well. These features such as CA correction and better rear LCD. It however has less premium build quality, no accessory shoes, and inferior image stabilization.
Conclusion
There are so many good Olympus cameras to look for and these two are some of the best choices. We recommend the EM10 however, not only because it is a newer camera but also because it comes with some better features for new enthusiasts as well as casual users.