There are so many different types of camera out there and you may like one better depending on what they can offer and what you want to have such as Olympus OMD EM5 Vs M10 Mark III that are both very affordable and still powerful enough for beginner and new enthusiast. These cameras are capable of capturing beautiful pictures, easy to carry, and can use many good lenses. If you wonder which to go for, let’s see the comparison below.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- What are Camera Types
- What are Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III
- How are the Design of Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III
- How are the Specs of Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III
- How are the Image Quality of Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III
- How are the Video Recording in Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III
- Olympus OMD EM5 Vs M10 Mark III
Camera Types
There are so many different types of camera ranging from those made for casuals and those made for people who are more serious about their pictures quality. Not everyone has the same goal and budget to spend which makes it important to buy the one that you will use often. A camera must be comfortable to use and adequate for the type of application that you will be using them for. Cheap and expensive cameras or lenses can make a huge difference in your picture quality.
On the basic we have digital pocket cameras such as Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 Vs Nikon CoolPix A300. As the name suggests they are thin and compact to fit in the pocket. Typically they have a zoom lens that is non removable or built with the unit so in terms of budget it will cost less to have. They are designed for everyone, casual users, but nowadays the purpose is replaced by smartphone cameras because flagships are capable of delivering the same image quality, including extreme zoom.
An introduction to photography as a hobby usually introduces you to higher cameras like DSLR. They are bigger or bulkier than typical pocket cameras with interchangeable lenses as long as the mount type matches the camera or if you can use an adapter to fit other lenses. They are used by professionals, usually come with larger sensors or APS-C and full-frame for the mid to high-end range. Manual settings and speed are outstanding so they are often used for various shooting applications.
The other type of professional camera is mirrorless which nowadays is just like another version of DSLR since the cameras are chasing up quickly and seeing how companies are developing their mirrorless, it seems that this camera is going to dominate the market soon or already are. The image quality is on par with DLSRs and they are fast too. In the past there were not as many lenses for them but it changed quickly and many casuals and professionals are using them as the main gear.
If you are more of a video content maker that often shoots their footage outdoors, the action camera is probably a nice addition or even main gear. They are not made for still photography so the picture quality is just decent. But, they are perfect for outdoor use where you need to put the camera somewhere away from hindering your movement but still capturing everything you do. Most can record at 4K and have increased sensor size as well to improve the overall quality.
| Olympus OMD EM5 | Olympus OMD M10 Mark III | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 4.8 x 1.69 x 3.5 inches | 4.8 x 2 x 3.3 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 15 ounces | 14.4 ounces |
| Shop now at Amazon | Check price | Check price |
About Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III
There is no one size fits all when it comes to a camera. Even people who work on the same type of project don’t always agree on the choice which is why it is best to follow what you want and need from the camera. If you are here then we assume that a good entry-level or mid-range camera can be a great choice. They are affordable and come with lots of professional features.
Olympus for example is one of the most popular options when it comes to beginner range cameras and it is for good reasons for they are reliable but still quite affordable to have. The older models are even more ideal if you can still find the >5 years cameras because the price will be significantly reduced. Just add a good lens and you are ready to go but do consider buying a new one if possible because used items are not guaranteed in performance and qualities.
Some of the most interesting options that you can consider today are the Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III which are very similar to each other. We want to mention that the EM5 was launched in 2012 so it is almost a decade now and you can find the camera in its third iteration, probably the fourth will come soon. The M10 or EM10 Mark III is not recent but definitely newer, launched in 2017. Initially the EM10 is a lower version of EM5 but things may change over the years put between them.
In comparison, the Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III are sharing so many similarities because it seems Olympus didn’t touch the sensor on the new camera so as you can expect both are still using micro four thirds sensor with all of its qualities and weaknesses. However, as a newer camera the M10 Mark III is more modern and more ideal for hybrid shooters who wished their camera could record better footage.
Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III Design
The ergonomics of these cameras are very similar as well and if you like the retro fashion, you will also like how they retain the SLR-era control with the cameras. The buttons are different in terms of size and texture but the layout is very similar to each other. We feel like the older EM5 is more rigid but EM10 Mark III is not flimsy at all. The noticeable difference is probably because the body is not a weather shield anymore like the higher models.
The rear screen somehow still tilted on the M10 Mark III which is surprising as it is a new model and many cameras can rotate their display easily or at least make it folding at 180 degree facing the front. But, the quality is much better now on the display as it is sharper and more responsive. For the overall handling, these cameras are very similar, light, and easy to use. All of the buttons are placed ideally so operating the cameras are convenient.
Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III Specs
Now for the most important part, let’s see what the Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III can offer starting from the basic specs because they share so many similarities. First the sensor is the same or 16MP of micro four thirds which is quite small considering the most mid-range cameras today are APS-C size. This allows for the cameras to be light and also affordable. The new camera has a new TruePic VIII processor which allows it to record at higher resolution as well.
These cameras are ideal for beginners and still photography in general such as wedding and scenery. The EM5 is able to do continuous shots at 9fps or down to 4.2 when used with continuous AF, very similar to the EM10 Mark III which is claimed to take continuous shots at 8.6 fps and 4.8fps with the continuous AF. As for the EVF, EM10 is much better and cleaner providing a 2.36M dots view while the older camera is only 480,000 dots.
Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III Image Quality
Next for the actual image quality, if you have the EM10 Mark II, the image of the new iteration is very much the same or identical; they do have slightly different contrast but overall very good for a 16MP sensor. Compared to the EM5, the details are also very similar but it seems they change the color processing on the new camera as now it looks more natural. The RAW files are more similar than the JPEG for some reasons but for details EM10 is just a tad better.
With a small sensor there is only so much Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III can offer but side by side they are identical in details for low light shooting such as the amount of noise and details we can pick from the picture. But, since the EM5 processor is saturating the picture more, the out of camera result makes the color look more pop out.
Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III for Video Recording
For the most noticeable upgrade, it is their native video quality if you will be recording video as well with these cameras. In the past EM5 was decent when it can record HD 1080p video at 30fps but you may want to upload it to a streaming site that can support 4K nowadays which is why EM10 Mark III is coming with native 4K recording at 30fps too. The recording function also has autofocus but since the AF is not very reliable, it is wise to use manual setting or single AF before start recording.
Olympus OMD EM5 Vs M10 Mark III
The Olympus OMD EM5 and M10 Mark III are good cameras for beginners or enthusiasts who want to improve their photography skills. The main difference in our opinion is based on the body quality and processor because EM5 is the more robust camera and also produces a more saturated picture out of the body. The older variant is also slightly faster but they have the same unreliable AF. For video recording the M10 Mark III can record 4K while the older is up to HD only.
Conclusion
The decision is all yours since there is no bad option here. We recommend the M10 Mark III because it is easier to find and ideal for those who want to record video as well but if you can find an EM5 at good condition and cheaper, the older camera is still very satisfying to use.