The new Olympus mirrorless camera takes most of its features from its predecessor, Olympus Om-D EM-10, adding a bunch of cool stuff to make it one of the best entry cameras out there. And, of course, we can’t forget the boost it got on the design front.
What’s new with the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II? Olympus added the 5 axis sensor shift stabilization that is usually found in high end cameras. This can improve your photos’ sharpness, colors and keep blurriness at bar. The 5 axis sensor is without a precedent among entry level cameras, so it’s safe to say Olympus might have just paved the way to better and more competitive beginner photo devices.
Unlike the earlier version, the new Olympus mirrorless camera has an improved viewfinder, boasting a 2.36 million dot OLED display. Olympus also tinkered with the controls, and they added dual dials as well as a programmable function key. They are all easy to reach when your face is up against the device.
The Mark II seems to have also improved its autofocus that can now capture 8.5 shots per second. Meantime, the contrast-detection AF system will adjust with each shot. You can also use the three inch touchscreen like a trackpad for selecting your autofocus point. The shutter speed varies between 1/4000 of a second and one minute.
The new Olympus mirrorless camera has ISO settings that can reach up to 25,600. It also has a one of a kind Composite feature which enables you to expose two different areas of the scene in different ways.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II has built in WiFI capability and you can even download a control app on your smartphone. This allows you to play around with the exposure, shoot remotely, experiment with different photo filters and even geotag your shots.
Even though you can’t film 4K videos with the new Olympus mirrorless camera, it does allow users to try out 4K time lapse mode. This means the camera will take a string of still images which will then be converted in a movie, as a time lapse. The video mode best resolution is 1080p, with 24, 30 or 60fps.
Although it looks like a tiny camera, the new Mark II doesn’t make you feel you’re using an entry level camera.The magnesium alloy frame makes it look sturdier, despite its size. The various buttons and knobs allow for swift adjustments.
The new Olympus mirrorless camera will roll out in September and might prove out to be a serious competitor for the Alpha a6000 by Sony. The Mark II body will sell at $700, but if you’d like a kit including a 14-42mm lens, you’ll have to pay $900.
Michael Turner
