<Review> Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II (2015)

[wonglp]

ClubSNAP had been provided with 2 sets of Olympus E-M10 Mark II for review. The new E-M10 Mark II packs a punch as compared to the predecessor E-M10 and brings 5-Axis In-Built Image Stabilisation and 2.36 mega-dot viewfinder clarity to the entry level OM-D range. Will be doing this concurrently with Keith Wee and Spidey89.

Product photo credits to Spidey89
Front


Top


Rear buttons layout and LCD


Rear-tilted screen by LP Wong, on Flickr

Some Key Features of Olympus E-M10 Mark II
* Only entry-level ILC (Interchangable Lens Camera) with 5-axis Image Stabilisation (4 stops)
* Improved video recording frame rates - 60P/50P/30P/25P/24P
* CLIPS feature allows easy shooting & editing of short video clips in camera

Some Key Improvements between E-M10 & E-M10 Mark II

* 5-axis Image Stabilisation (4 stops)
* 4K time lapse & time lapse movie
* Focus Bracketing useful for macro photography
* Equipped with silent mode for shooting in situations which noise is incovenient
* S-OVF (Simulated OVF) with expanded live view dynamic range in backlight situations
* AF targeting pad allows adjustment of focus point by tracing your thumb over LCD screen
* Improved video recording frame rates - 60P/50P/30P/25P/24P
* CLIPS feature allows easy shooting & editing of short video clips in camera

Our review will be based around most of the above.

 

[spidey89]

Some thoughts on it when I first touched it, for those who know me, you'll know I have big hands, think of me as your typical sized ang mo.

When I first touched the camera, it felt pretty much the same as the E-M10 MK i but the grip design followed the E-M5 MK i which I personally didn't like, but in actual shooting, it didn't matter much. I like how the buttons feel a little bit more solid though they feel a little smaller as well. I found the power switch not up to my liking simply because of the design and because it was new, it felt rather stiff to me, but these are minor things.

But in actual shooting, all these didn't matter much and I was pleasantly surprised at how fast the camera reacts, focused and how well the 5 axis IS worked even for panning! It felt like a smaller and lighter E-M1! Even thought it's small, it was surprisingly nice to use


All images are out of camera jpeg

Here's the color produced by the E-M10 ooc jpeg, custom white balance, against the E-M1, both same settings, same flash output

As usual, I like the color of the images ooc, M.ZD 40-150mm pro

Wireless flash works well, M.ZD 12-40pro and FL600R

Even without looking, focus is fast enough to focus and capture images, M.ZD 12-40pro

Vintage art filter with M.ZD 12-40pro

 

[spidey89]

Changable lizard, M.ZD 40-150pro and M.C14 1.4x teleconverter

Some plant on by the bridge to AYE, M.ZD 40-150pro and M.C14 1.4x teleconverter

I believe this is where the old train tracks to Malaysia used to be, M.

Grainy film art filter, M.ZD 12-40pro

Ceiling of Hort Park's visitor centre with grainy film art filter, M.ZD 12-40pro

 

[spidey89]

Vintage art filter, M.ZD 12-40pro

Dragonfly, M.ZD 40-150pro and M.C14 1.4x teleconverter

A bee in a sunflower, M.ZD 40-150pro and M.C14 1.4x teleconverter

I think this is the Olive-backed Sunbird , M.ZD 40-150pro and M.C14 1.4x teleconverter

I think this is the Oriental Magpie-Robin , M.ZD 40-150pro and M.C14 1.4x teleconverter

 

[spidey89]

Still amazed at the close focusing capabilities of this lens, M.ZD 40-150pro and M.C14 1.4x teleconverter

Squirrel, M.ZD 40-150pro and M.C14 1.4x teleconverter

Not sure what insect this is, but it sure is one heck of a mean looking bug!, M.ZD 40-150pro and M.C14 1.4x teleconverter

Grainy film art filter, M.ZD 12-40

I cropped this image because it was quite busy, I think I had the dial at -0.3 exposure too, M.ZD 12-40pro

 

[spidey89]

MBS roof, grainy film art fitler, M.ZD 12-40pro

M.ZD 12-40pro

It was a hazy day, pop art filter manage to bring back the colors to a state of normalcy which is pretty cool! M.ZD 12-40pro

Really nice cyclist who smiled after I got this shot. I just turned, turn on the camera, change the settings really fast and the camera was quick enough to catch up with it, M.ZD 12-40pro

Grainy film art filter, 16:9 crop, M.ZD 12-40pro

 

[spidey89]

This cyclist was a little faster, C-AF with tracking managed to keep up and the IS gave me pretty smooth panning shots, M.ZD 12-40pro

Again, loving the color rendition, M.ZD 40-150pro

Images from this lens are really sharp! M.ZD 40-150pro

It's tough but it's possible to get shallow dof on a small sensor! M.ZD 40-150pro

Really fast old man! Luckily the camera is just as fast! Grainy film art filter, 16:9 crop, M.ZD 12-40pro

 

[spidey89]

Esplanade with grainy film art filter, M.ZD 12-40pro

Hazy and cloudy day calls for black and white, M.ZD 40-150pro

Soft light, graphic scene, pinhole art filter, M.ZD 12-40pro

An elderly gentleman chilling outside Marina Square, grainy film art filter, M.ZD 12-40pro

 

[keithwee]

I will depend on WongLp and Spidey to do most of the heavy lifting here as I am more of a casual user and not as technically inclined.

Credit to Olympus SG's generosity, I was loaned a EM10 Mark II body and used it extensively with the Olympus 12-40/2.8, Olympus 25/1.8 and the Panaleica 15/1.7.

To me MFT is a system mount lucky enough to have the support of a few makers and always of interest is "will a lens by a different manufacture perform as well as native (in this case - similar brand) ones".

EM10-II with Oly 25/1.8

Handling the EM10-II was really comfortable and obviously - its small footprint and low weight ensured a very capable and portable camera system, and I can see much thought has been invested into reworking the grip portion , down to having a Fn1 button on it too.

As anyone can see, Olympus has put in much effort in remaking / redesigning the dials and on-off switch. I really appreciate the now 'higher' mode dial and way much better quality machined front and back dials (typically used for shutter speed, exposure and aperture size adjustments)

EM10-II with the much favored Oly 12-40/2.8 Pro.

I am sure a question that will pop up soon is how is the handling of the 12-40/2.8 Pro on the EM10-II. My take is the EM5II or EM-1 will definitely do better but if u attach the grip, the handling is definitely much better with a better balance.

I did not manage to try the setup with the grip but had brought out the EM10-II with 12-40/2.8 on a few occasions and its still within my comfort level

lastly,

my most brought around set-up - simply because its a 30mm focal length equivalent and with this setup, really truly portable.

more to come later

especially a video sample to come on something fun on the EM10-II !

 

[wonglp]

Some lowlight shots, EM10 Mark II is claimed to have 5 axis 4 stops vs 3 axis 3.5 stops on EM10, while the EM5 Mark II has 5 stops claimed. I find in real use personally EM10 Mark II excel a lot better than EM10 which I use daily(I can't achieve the below speeds) by more than a stop.

ISO4000, 1/8s, 150secs @ F2.8 MZD 40-150F2.8 PRO lens. Quite a few misses but it's possible as was pointing upwards.



ISO200, 1/10s, 190mm, @ F5.6, MZD 40-150F2.8 PRO lens with MC14 teleconverter


ISO200, 1/20s, 210mm @ F54, MZD 40-150F2.8 PRO lens with MC14 teleconverter
​

 

[wonglp]

Handling and ergonomics

Handling of the camera, there's a placement difference of the power switch between the EM10 & Mark II. While the EM10MarkII is more secure, it does mean one needs to use 2 hands to operate. But turning the power switch beyond the ON position will activate the flash, the flash look very cute. It's good that they retain the flash still in Mark II. Certainly there's still a hotshoe for external flash options.

​

Had no problems handling the EM10 Mark II as with EM10 as this is my main workhorse, however for long periods with a large lens say 40-150 F2.8 Pro lens, the optional handgrip ECG-3 would help to some extent, ultimately being an entry level OM-D, the ergonomics would lack the flagship E-M1. One note though, it's a different grip from EM10, so for those who had previous one does have to invest on a new one, including dedicated L plates. It does retain a very unique design, a quick release to access to battery compartment.

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With an additional Fn3 button, it helps to have quicker access to some common settings.

​

 

[wonglp]

Some may lament about the "dated" 16MP sensor, have a look what it can do.

Jpeg file, some processing to bring out the colours, but no sharpening was done. With 40-150mm F2.8 PRO, at F2.8, ISO200, 150mm, 1/250sec (wide open)

Here's a 100% face crop shot
​

 

[keithwee]

SOOC JPEG from the EM10II, 12-40/2.8Pro setup

f2.8, ISO1000, 1/40s

 

[iise7en]

[/URL] Here's a 100% face crop shot https://flic.kr/p/xwaMaU

Very nice. Not sure if the cat is smiling or being neutral. This surely bring more mystery about this picture.

 

[spidey89]

I should add, the E-M10 MKii's hot shoe is the exact same one found on the E-M5 MKii which means you can use the Olympus FL-LM3 on it too!

 

[keithwee]

[video=youtube;oMEUk5vh_KU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMEUk5vh_KU[/video]

Sharing a video done from the EM10II at 120fps (high speed movie function in EM10II)

EM10II provides improved video recording rates: 60P/50P/30P/25P/24P and the in built CLIPS feature now allows easy editing of clips in camera.
(the EM10 only provided 1 choice of 30P)

MFT users generally see Olympus as the choice for still imaging and Panasonic for videography but Olympus is fast catching up. The EM10II also comes with 4K time lapse capabilities.

 

[wonglp]

Haha nice wind blowing on Kei's hair. Here's my share of Em10MarkII 4K time-lapse video just taken this evening. 99 frames, with 19secs video done in cam. Impressed with the results. Do select 4K for best quality. I used Olympus 7-14mm F2.8 Pro. One thing I forgot to do is fix the white balance, quite noobish in timelapse, the settings though were easy enough to figure out

[video=youtube_share;l-BjklJONHw]https://youtu.be/l-BjklJONHw[/video]​

 

[wonglp]

Very nice. Not sure if the cat is smiling or being neutral. This surely bring more mystery about this picture.

curious and shy bro

 

[wonglp]

Here's one shot with live composite, a must use feature certainly for light trails and many applications. Here's one thread which explains how it works with many examples.

Olympus E-M10 Mark II + Olympus 7-14mm F2.8 PRO. Jpeg, 1min processing by Lightroom. 6 sec base shot, total about 5min of live composite.

​

 

[keithwee]

Loving the compactness of the EM10-II !