Olympus OM‑D E‑M10 Mark IV Review 2025: Ultimate Pocket Power!

If you’re the sort of photographer who treasures the tactile experience of shooting yet still wants the perks of a modern mirrorless, the Olympus OM‑D E‑M10 Mark IV merits a long, admiring look. Released in mid‑2020 as the fourth iteration of Olympus’s entry‑level OM‑D series, this Micro Four Thirds system camera offers a potent blend of size, style and substance. In what follows, we’ll dive into every facet—from its retro‑chic design and handling quirks to its imaging chops, 4K video capabilities, autofocus prowess, connectivity options and the lovable little 14–42 mm “EZ Pancake” zoom. By the end, you should know whether this silver‑clad beauty deserves a spot in your kit.

A nod to the past, with one eye on the future

There’s no denying the OM‑D E‑M10 Mark IV’s classic good looks. In silver, it evokes vintage film‑era cameras, complete with a robust magnesium‑alloy top plate and base, textured grip panels and a host of dials and buttons. Yet inside, it’s all thoroughly 21st century: a 20‑megapixel Live MOS sensor, TruePic VIII image processor and a 2.36‑million‑dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF).

That EVF, tucked just above the centrally‑placed Olympus logo, is a highlight. Colourful, punchy and with a 0.62× magnification (35 mm equivalent), it gives a pleasingly big viewfinder image despite the camera’s petite physique. Pull it to your eye and you get a lag‑free preview of exposure, white balance and creative filters. If you prefer a screen, the 3‑inch rear touchscreen tilts up 180° for selfies or down 45° for low‑angle shots, though it disappoints with just 1.04 million dots of resolution—serviceable, but not class‑leading.

Physically, the Mark IV is a joy. At 383 g body‑only (425 g with battery and card), it’s a featherweight compared with most mirrorless competitors, yet feels reassuringly solid. The grip is modest but effective, especially once you add that chunky 14–42 mm pancake zoom. All the main controls—shutter dial, mode dial, four‑way controller and two custom function buttons—are within easy thumb‑and‑index‑finger reach, so you rarely find yourself stretching or fumbling. It’s this blend of nostalgia and ergonomics that makes shooting so pleasurable day after day.

Handling: intuitive, flexible, forgiving

One of Olympus’s strengths has always been its menu system, and the Mark IV retains that pedigree. The My Menu custom tab lets you stash your favourite settings—ISO, autofocus area, colour profile, anti‑shake mode—for lightning‑fast recall. If you’re new to cameras, the Live Guide interface translates complex parameters into visual metaphors: slide a scale to make skies or skin tones warmer, for example, or choose from a range of simulated aperture settings to see depth‑of‑field effects in real time.

Hands‑on, the camera feels balanced even with the 14–42 mm pancake attached. Its motorised “EZ” zoom mechanism is whisper‑quiet and delightfully precise: twist the zoom ring, and the lens glides smoothly from a 28 mm to 84 mm (35 mm equivalent) focal length. The lens collapses flush when not in use, shrinking the package to near‑compact‑camera dimensions.

Battery life is modest rather than epic—around 360 shots per charge according to CIPA standards—but USB‑C charging means you can top up from a power bank on the go. That’s a boon for travellers who hate carrying extra chargers.

Image quality: punchy, detailed, ready to share

Micro Four Thirds sensors have always faced scepticism, particularly over noise at higher ISOs. In the OM‑D E‑M10 Mark IV, however, the 20 MP sensor and enhanced processor deliver impressive files. At base ISO 200 (native), JPEGs are silky‑smooth, boasting vibrant colour rendition and well‑controlled contrast. You can push to ISO 1600 with little visible noise: fine detail in foliage or hair holds up, and shadows retain decent tonality, making this camera perfectly usable in dim cafés or indoor gatherings without needing a flash.

If you shoot raw, the 12‑bit files show excellent latitude. Highlights recover gracefully—handy for backlit portraits—and shadows lift without introducing ugly banding. Olympus’s in‑camera High‑Res Shot mode, which combines eight exposures to create a 50‑megapixel-equivalent image, works well on a tripod, though you’ll need to ensure no subject movement or wind‑blown foliage to avoid artefacts, of course.

Colours are another strength. Olympus’s standard portrait profile renders skin in pleasingly natural yet slightly vibrant tones, while the landscape profile gives skies and greenery a gentle boost without veering into hyper‑saturation. If you’re into black-and-white, the Monochrome Profile and Grainy Film art filter produce striking results with just one dial twist.

4K video: the essentials, elegantly delivered

For vloggers and videographers, the OM‑D E‑M10 Mark IV’s 4K video could be a clincher. It records UHD 3840×2160 at 30 fps for up to 29 minutes per clip—plenty for most projects. Footage is sharp, with good detail and stable autofocus tracking. There’s no headphone port nor internal 10‑bit recording, so seasoned cinematographers will view it as a basic tool. Yet for social‑media posts, family films or travel montages, it’s more than capable.

The in‑body stabilisation (IBIS) offers up to 4.5 stops of shake compensation, which, when combined with the lens’s extra stabilisation, yields smooth handheld 4K clips. If you’re leisurely panning a scene or talking to camera, the shake‑smoothing is surprisingly effective. And the built‑in pop‑up flash can serve as a fill light in a pinch—low‑tech but practical.

Audio is captured via the internal stereo mic. It’s fine for ambient sound or voiceovers, but if crisp audio is paramount, you’ll want Olympus’s MIC‑USB1 adapter for external mics—or invest in a separate recorder.

Autofocus: swift, accurate, but with caveats

Olympus equipped the Mark IV with a 121‑point contrast‑detect AF system that uses deep learning to lock onto subjects—faces, eyes, animals—faster and more reliably than its predecessor. In bright light, the AF is snappy, easily keeping pace with walking subjects or cyclists. In low light, it hunts a shade more, yet seldom fails to find focus altogether.

Face and eye detection are a delight for portraiture: the camera will shift focus as your subject moves, maintaining sharp eyes. For sports or wildlife, though, the contrast‑detect system can trail behind fast‑paced action or erratically moving subjects. If you’re a bird photographer, you’ll likely find it too sluggish. Action shooters should perhaps look to a camera with phase‑detect or hybrid AF for critical bursts. That said, for everyday use—street scenes, candid portraits, family events—the autofocus is ample.

Connected shooting and sharing

In today’s always‑online world, the OM‑D E‑M10 Mark IV’s Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth connectivity feel essential. The OI.Share app, available for iOS and Android, lets you transfer JPEGs (raw files can be hefty for mobile) wirelessly to your phone, ready for Instagram or WhatsApp. It also affords remote‑shooting control: see a live preview, adjust exposure, even trigger the shutter. While the app interface isn’t as slick as some rivals, it works reliably once paired.

Bluetooth pairing is seamless and energy‑efficient, maintaining that “always‑available” link without draining the battery. Geotagging via your phone’s GPS is a small but welcome touch. If you’re travelling and logging locations matters, it’s a neat feature that doesn’t require an external GPS unit.

The M.Zuiko 14–42 mm F3.5–5.6 EZ “Pancake” zoom

The bundled M.Zuiko Digital ED 14–42 mm F3.5–5.6 EZ Pancake is one of the highlights of this kit. At just 22 mm long when collapsed and weighing only 93 g, it’s almost comically small, yet optically it punches above its weight. At 14 mm, edge‑to‑edge sharpness is impressive even wide open, while distortion is well‑controlled. At 42 mm, the image remains crisp, and the background blur—though not creamy like a fast prime—is surprisingly pleasing for portraits.

Its electric‑zoom mechanism is whisper‑quiet, making it ideal for video work: twist the barrel and the lens glides smoothly without rattles or focus breathing. The downside? The aperture is modest, and in low light you’ll sometimes max out at ISO 3200–6400. But for general shooting—street, travel, everyday snapshots—it’s a versatile, pocketable companion.

Who is the OM‑D E‑M10 Mark IV for?

In a mirrorless market crowded with APS‑C and full‑frame offerings, the E‑M10 Mark IV stakes out a unique niche. It’s not the ultimate low‑light performer, nor does it rival pro‑grade autofocus. Rather, it excels as a lightweight, fun, creative tool for:

Travellers craving portability without sacrificing image quality
Beginners who appreciate guided interfaces and creative filters
Street photographers drawn to discreet size and near‑silent operation
Vloggers wanting 4K video with stabilisation, direct to a compact body
Everyday shooters who prize ease of use, colour-rich JPEGs and a dash of retro style

If your priorities lie in rage‑mode burst shooting or extreme wildlife tracking, a different system may suit you better. But if you value balance—quality images, manageable size, charming design and a lens that stows down to pocket size—the Mark IV is a compelling choice.

Pros and cons

Pros

Delightfully compact and lightweight, especially with the pancake zoom
Classic OM‑D styling with solid build quality
Sharp 20 MP sensor and versatile in‑camera colour profiles
4.5‑stop in‑body stabilisation for both stills and video
Responsive electronic viewfinder and flip‑up touchscreen
Reliable face/eye detection AF and useful Live Guide interface
Seamless Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth connectivity and remote‑shooting features

Cons

Modest battery life compared with larger mirrorless cameras
Contrast‑detect AF less suited to high‑speed action or wildlife
Screen resolution on rear display feels a tad low by modern standards
No headphone jack or internal 10‑bit video; audio limited to internal mic
Pancake lens, while sharp, is slow in maximum aperture

Final verdict

The Olympus OM‑D E‑M10 Mark IV is not just another entry‑level mirrorless—it’s a thoughtfully engineered package that wears its heritage on its sleeve while delivering contemporary imaging prowess. Whether you’re stepping up from a smartphone, trading in an ageing DSLR or seeking a nimble travel buddy, this camera offers an inviting mix of simplicity and capability. Its compact form belies a feature set you’d normally associate with pricier models, from IBIS and EVF clarity to full‑frame‑style custom menus.

Ultimately, this is a camera to fall in love with: the satisfying click of its dials, the unexpected crispness of its 20 MP files, the joyful heftlessness when you sling it round your neck. Pair it with the M.Zuiko 14–42 mm EZ pancake, and you have a kit that’s equal parts style and substance—ideal for the photographer who values story and spontaneity as much as pixels and specs. If that sounds like you, it’s time to give the OM‑D E‑M10 Mark IV a spin.

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