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Updated: Olympus’ new OM-D E-M10 Mark II adds 5-axis image stabilisation, new body

By Alvin Soon - on 21 Oct 2015, 10:35am

Olympus’ new OM-D E-M10 Mark II adds 5-axis image stabilisation, redesigned body

Updated 21/10/14: Added local pricing and availability for Singapore. See below.

Olympus’ OM-D E-M10 came out slightly more than a year ago and impressed us with high-end performance at a budget price. The company has just announced the new OM-D E-M10 Mark II, which looks like it’s going to do the same.

While the original E-M10 came with a three-axis image stabilisation (IS) system, the E-M10 Mark II steps that up with five-axis IS (though DP Review says this is not the same five-axis IS as on the E-M5 Mark II or E-M1). The E-M10 Mark II includes a new 2.36 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF), which is a bump up from the E-M10’s 1.44 million dot EVF.

The E-M10 Mark II adds the ability to shoot 8.5 frames per second, and a new 4K Time-Lapse mode; it captures up to 999 images automatically at an interval of one image every five seconds, which the camera then edits into a 4K movie file. Actual movie recording resolution maxes out at 1080p Full-HD video.

Redesigned controls for easier use

The E-M10 Mark II’s body has been visibly redesigned; rather than a straight line down, the grip now slants at a sharp angle. The twin and Mode dials have grown taller; which makes them easier to use, but also adds odd bumps to the camera's previously streamlined profile. The Power switch has moved from its hard-to-reach placement on the back, to a more easily reached position on the top plate, camera-left.

Like on the E-M10, the rear touchscreen LCD tilts, and the E-M10 Mark II adds a new feature Olympus is calling ‘AF Targeting Pad.’ With your eye to the viewfinder, you can still control the AF point using touch on the rear screen. Although this feature is new to Olympus, Panasonic’s MFT cameras, like the GX7, have had this feature for a while now.

Sticking with the same 16MP sensor

While Panasonic’s newest Micro Four Thirds camera, the DMC GX-8, comes with a new 20MP sensor, it remains the only MFT camera to do so. The E-M10 Mark II sticks with a 16MP sensor, with what sounds like the same TruePic VII image processor from the E-M10. While we remain satisfied with the E-M10 and E-M5 Mark II’s 16MP sensors, we can’t help but feel it may be time for the Micro Four Thirds system to make a concerted jump beyond 16MP.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Pricing and Availability

Updated 21/10/15: Local pricing and availability for Singapore has been announced. The single-lens kit, with the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 pancake lens, will retail at S$1,148. The double-lens kit, with the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 pancake lens and the 40-150mm f/4-5.6 lens will retail at S$1,348.

Prices and availability for Singapore haven’t been announced, but according to DP Review, the E-M10 Mark II will arrive in the US in September, and it looks like Olympus is keeping its aggressive pricing for the E-M10 series.

The E-M10 Mark II body, available in black and silver colours, will be going for US$649.99 (approx. S$914). With the 14-42mm kit lens, it’ll be selling at US$799.99 (approx. S$1,125.17). The E-M10 originally launched at S$893 (body only) or S$1,020 (with 14-42mm kit lens).

Source: DP Review.

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