Olympus OMD EM10 Mark II Review: Improved Image Stabilizer And now with 5-axis stick, better EVF and electronic shutter

The very successful OM-D E-M10, which has been available for just over 18 months now, is getting a successor model, the Mark II, which has been updated in terms of design and technology. The viewfinder magnification and resolution increase and the mechanical image stabilizer now works with five instead of three axes. The sensor still resolves 16 megapixels for photos and Full-HD for videos, but the latter now with refresh rates of 24 to 60 fps.

Brief assessment

Pros

• Very good, effective image stabilizer
• High image quality level
• Rapid autofocus and high continuous shooting speed
• Large, high-resolution viewfinder
• A lot of equipment with unique special functions

Cons

• High-frequency flickering of the viewfinder image (but only perceived by sensitive persons)
• Strong deviation of the measured ISO sensitivity from the set ISO sensitivity
• Compared to the E-M5 Mark II in the effectiveness of castrated image stabilizer

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II arrived already in the market.  Olympus has not left it at simple feature enhancements, but the Mark II has incorporated the better image stabiliser and other features of the next higher model, the E-M5 Mark II. The case didn’t remain untouched either, which should further improve the ergonomics. Our test reveals exactly what the Olympus does and what its image quality is like.

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II now features a 5-axis image stabiliser with 4 EV effectiveness. It is also active during video recording, which in Full-HD is now done at 24, 25, 30, 50 or 60 fps. [Photo: Olympus]

The electronic viewfinder of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II has a higher resolution of 2.36 million pixels than in the E-M10. It is also larger and offers even higher quality thanks to OLED. For example, the electronic viewfinder of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II now magnifies 0.62 times instead of 0.56 times and the resolution increases from 1.44 to 2.36 million pixels. However, sensitive eyes will notice the flickering of the OLED. [Photo: Olympus]

The switch lever of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is reminiscent of the legendary OM-1, with the program dial moved to the two metal dials. [Photo: Olympus]

The design of the OM-D E-M10 Mark II has been revised once again. For example, the power lever, which is now to the left of the viewfinder boss, is reminiscent of the legendary OM-1, and the program dial has moved to the two metal dials on the top right-hand side. In addition, some buttons have been enlarged, an Fn3 function key (a third programmable function key) has been added and the handle design has been slightly revised. The housing is still partly made of a robust magnesium alloy and appears even more highly finished than on the previous model, as Olympus has set a premium standard for the entire OM-D range. The only thing the buyer of the E-M10 Mark II still has to do without is the splash water protection of its two larger sister models, the OM-D E-M5 Mark II and E-M1. Those who find the handle too small can extend it with the otherwise functionless ECG-3 additional handle, which improves ergonomics when using larger telephoto lenses, for example.

There are improvements in the electronic viewfinder. With 2.36 million pixels instead of 1.44 million pixels, it now has the same high resolution as its two larger sister models. In addition, an OLED is now used instead of an LCD, which improves the image quality (contrast, colours, brightness and response time). The viewfinder magnification also increases slightly to 1.23x. Compared to 35mm, this is equivalent to a 0.615x magnification viewfinder, which is almost on par with the level of upscale APS-C DSLRs. However, the E-M10 Mark II still does not come close to the 0.7-fold magnification of the E-M5 Mark II and E-M1, which is at full format level. However, the larger viewfinder reduces the eye relief slightly from 20 to 19.2 millimetres, which will be noticed negatively by spectacle wearers in particular. After all, the dioptre correction from -4 to +2 dpt. allows a wide adjustment range. The EVF covers 100 percent of the image field anyway, and live histogram, grating, level, and other fade-ins provide plenty of shooting comfort. Switching from the monitor to the viewfinder is automatic thanks to the eye sensor. A new feature is the ability to set the focus point using the touch screen while using the electronic viewfinder. To prevent the screen from smearing so much, it is now provided with a special coating against fingerprints. The monitor still measures 7.6 centimeters diagonally and has a resolution of 1.04 million pixels. It can be folded up as well as down, but cannot be swivelled and turned sideways.

The mechanical image stabilizer is still realized by means of a movably mounted and magnetically controlled image sensor, but now the 5-axis system of the OM-D E-M5 Mark II is used in an attenuated form. The sensor continues to move on three axes: vertically, horizontally and in rotation. However, the measurement for image stabilization now takes place on five axes, i.e. it no longer only takes into account tilting movements up/down, left/right and rotation, but also displacements of the camera up/down as well as left/right, which provides a more effective stabilizer especially for close-ups. With around four f-stops (3.5 on the previous model), however, it does not work quite as effectively as in the OM-D E-M5 Mark II, where the stabilizer manages five f-stops. The big advantage of the sensor stabilizer: Every attached lens is stabilized with it. If desired, the stabilizer will also work before the picture is taken to stabilize the viewfinder image.

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II’s 3″ foldable rear touchscreen now features a special fingerprint protection coating and the focus point can now be selected by fingertip when using the viewfinder. [Photo: Olympus]

The functionless ECG-3 additional handle enhances the ergonomics of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II, which is particularly useful when using large lenses. [Photo: Olympus]

Of course, video recordings also benefit from the more effective image stabilizer. They are still “only” in Full HD resolution, so you still have to do without 4K with Olympus, but the refresh rate can now be selected between 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 frames per second. The predecessor model, on the other hand, always filmed at 30 frames per second. Also new is a high-speed video function with 120 frames per second in VGA resolution, but only for 80 seconds. The videos are stored either in AVI Motion-JPEG or with modern H.264 compression (MPEG-4), but then in MOV format. But the Mark II also allows 4K videos via detours, namely as time-lapse film. Accordingly, the Mark II is capable of the necessary interval shots.

Olympus has extended the row recording function. As before, exposure bracketing with up to seven images with up to 2/3 EV increments (1 EV with up to five images) as well as special HDR exposure bracketing with up to seven images with up to 2 EV increments (3 EV with five images) can be recorded with optional HDR calculation in the camera. In addition, the E-M10 allows white balance and ISO bracketing as well as flash and art filter bracketing. New in the Mark II is a focus bracketing function with adjustable step size. The up to 999 images, which land silently on the memory card at up to eleven frames per second with an electronic shutter, can be processed on the PC using Helicon Focus or Photoshop to produce images with increased depth of field (focus stacking), which can be very useful for macro shots, for example. Such focus shots can also be used for portraits with a particularly shallow depth of field and even softer bokeh than normal. Also on board is the keystone correction of the larger sister models, which can be used to compensate for falling lines, for example.

Apart from that, the E-M10 Mark II remains the entry into the OM-D series, for beginners as well as ambitious photographers. Finally, the Mark II offers motif programmes and an intelligent automatic system with face and eye recognition, but can also be controlled manually if desired. The 14 art filters (including the rather new, chic vintage effect and colour selection) and nine art effects can be used in both automatic and creative programmes (even with manual exposure). The sensitivity of the 16-megapixel sensor ranges from ISO 100 (low) to ISO 25,600, mechanically the shutter operates with 1/4,000 to 60 seconds exposure time. The new silent, vibration-free electronic shutter allows exposure times as short as 1/16,000 second. The Bulb mode allows exposures of up to 30 minutes, whereby the Live Bulb function provides a preview of the current exposure status during recording so that the exposure can be stopped at any time. The Live Composite function also allows you to capture star trails, for example, without overexposing the rest of the subject by repeating a shot over and over again, but only adding new, bright parts of the image to the original image. A new feature is the possibility to call this function also via WLAN remote control using the OI.Share app. Thanks to special power saving measures, not even the battery life of the OM-D should suffer.

Speaking of WLAN: The camera not only transmits a live image to the app, but also allows for extensive settings. If you want, you can use the smartphone as a pure wireless remote shutter release and make the settings directly on the camera. In addition, images can be transferred to the smartphone and a GPS logger function can be activated in the app to geotag the photos on the camera memory card later.

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is available since October 2015 in a set with the 14-42 mm 3.5-5.6 ED for just under 800 euros. [Photo: Olympus]

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is also available in black instead of silver. If you want, you can also get it without a set lens, the housing costs just under 600 euros. [Photo: Olympus]

For 1,000 euros, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is available as a set with the 14-150 mm 4-5.6 ED super zoom lens. [Photo: Olympus]

The image processor is still the TruePic VII, but Olympus was able to increase the continuous shooting speed slightly from 8 to 8.5 frames per second without C-AF and from 3.5 to 4 frames per second with C-AF. In addition, the Mark II now takes 22 instead of 20 raw series pictures in quick succession, in JPEG there are considerably more, depending on the memory card used. The Olympus supports SD, SDHC, SDXC and UHS-I. The autofocus works with 81 measuring fields, and the focus point can even be moved manually in fine steps to over 800 positions. The up to 14x magnifying glass and the peaking function allow exact manual focusing. The E-M10 is the only model in the OM-D series to feature an integrated TTL flash with a guide number of almost 6, which can also wirelessly control system flash units on four channels in four groups. The hot shoe also allows the use of TTL system flash units directly on the camera. Thanks to the new, additional contact, even the mini attachment flash of the OM-D E-M5 Mark II works.

Since October 2015, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is available in silver as well as in silver-black at a price of just under 600 euros – which means that the price will remain stable compared to the predecessor model. Together with the set lens 14-42 mm EZ Pancake (with motorized zoom) about 800 Euro will be charged. The E-M10 Mark II will also be offered with the 14-150 mm ED II, the set price is just under 1,000 euros.

Although the OM-D design of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is unmistakable, there are a number of changes compared to the previous model that also affect the ergonomics.

The program dial of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II had to make way for the retro on-switch and now forms one of the three rather high towers to the right of the viewfinder.

Ergonomics and Workmanship

At first glance, the E-M10 Mark II is clearly recognisable as the Olympus OM-D and is hardly different from its predecessor, the E-M10. On closer inspection, however, there are numerous changes. A pronounced handle is still not part of the design, but can be optionally retrofitted with the new, otherwise functionless ECG-3 handle. The housing still consists of plastic and some metal parts. A magnesium alloy is used for both the top and the bottom plate. Generously dimensioned rubber linings ensure a perfectly acceptable grip in the hand. The thumb rest on the back has been redesigned and is now an integral part of the case. With the previous model the thumb rest was still glued and could possibly come loose.

The first thing that will surely catch the eye of old OM bunny is the power button: This is now no longer located at the bottom right of the back, but at the top left of the viewfinder/flashback and is very similar to the historical OM-1 and OM-2. The on-switch is now more sluggish, accidental switching is practically impossible. Therefore, it is not so easy to reach anymore, the old switch could be pushed up with the right thumb while reaching into the camera bag. With a power-on time of a good two seconds with the set lens, which is extended electronically, this can be quite decisive. On the other hand, this lens gives an almost perfect compact camera feel, especially when equipped with the optional automatic cap. The only thing missing is a zoom function on the front, anyway somewhat smooth-running dial.

The plastic switch of the OM-D E-M10 Mark II, which does not really look like a high-quality device, has a second function: if you slide it forward, the built-in flash pops up. There is no automatic pop-up. The smallest OM-D is the only model in the range with a built-in flash. With a guide number of 6.6 it is a little weak on the chest, but it is even suitable as a master for wireless flash control. The program selector wheel had to give way to the new, old power switch on the other side of the flash bulb. The newly placed program selector wheel, on the other hand, was in the way of the old thumbwheel, which is now more convenient to grip. All three dials have a high quality appearance, but the playful design of the new model is underlined by the small high turrets and the different fluting of the wheels. In a direct comparison, there were as many proponents as opponents of the new design in the editorial office. However, the “old” E-M10 is still available for the time being.

Some other keys have also changed their position, which means that those switching to the old E-M10 will have to get used to it. Overall, however, the new key arrangement is better, especially since there is a new third programmable function key. This allows even more functions to be directly selectable. Only the pseudo button on the thumbwheel looks a bit odd, as it is unfortunately a pure design element. By the way, if you don’t want to record videos, you can also assign another function to the button provided for this purpose.

The Super Control Panel, which is activated by pressing the OK button, gives you full control over all relevant recording parameters. They are clearly displayed and can be changed directly. The menus on the other hand appear a little confusing in Olympus. The sheer abundance of setting options kills many a newcomer. But: Once you have dealt with it, you will find the settings again very quickly, especially as the menu starts at the last used position if desired. From the key assignment over the behaviour of the dials up to the exposure and battery adjustment, really everything can be adjusted here. In addition, four presets allow you to store your preferred recording parameters, which can be assigned to the program dial or a button.

The rear touchscreen was taken over from the previous model: It shows a detailed, bright image on a diagonal of 7.5 centimetres. Thanks to its folding function, it can be read from near-ground and overhead perspectives without having to pan it sideways beside the camera. If the screen is difficult to read in particularly bright situations or if a more precise image assessment is required, the Mark II can simply be brought to the eye. The new, larger and higher resolution viewfinder then turns on automatically. The 0.62x viewfinder magnification in the 35 mm equivalent is now above the level of entry-level DSLRs and is almost as good as the upscale APS-C DSLRs. However, the exit pupil is minimally shrunk due to the higher magnification, which leads to the problem that the corners shade a little more, at least for people wearing glasses. Thanks to OLED, the viewfinder image is very brilliant and high-contrast, with a resolution of 2.36 million pixels, it is hardly possible to see the individual pixels. However, those who are sensitive to flicker will be able to detect the slight OLED flicker. It is not dominant, but is mainly noticeable in bright areas of the image. As on the screen, the viewfinder also has numerous displays, such as grid lines, electronic spirit level and live histogram. A new feature is the ability to set the focus point using the touch screen while looking through the viewfinder. This is also not done accidentally with your cheek or nose, because you have to “stroke” the display with your finger a little more forcefully until the function is activated. Then it works very intuitively and faster than typing on the four-weigher.

Equipment

Although the OM-D E-M10 Mark II is designed for ambitious photographers, beginners who simply want to use this beautiful camera for taking pictures will also get their money’s worth. Especially since the image quality requires practically no post-processing due to the good image processing in JPEG. In iAuto mode, the E-M10 automatically controls all functions, including the selection of the subject program, based on the detected subject. If you prefer to choose the scene mode yourself, you can do so as well. In addition, Olympus offers a wide range of so-called Art Filters, which provide various image effects that can also be individually adjusted. This also saves image postprocessing with filters if necessary. In the creative programs P, A, S and M the photographer then has full control over all shooting parameters. The ISO automatic, for example, can be adjusted, it even works with manual exposure after prior activation in the menu – however, as with almost all manufacturers, there is no exposure correction possibility.

With the 14-42 EZ, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II almost gives a compact camera feeling, especially if you buy the automatically opening lid as an accessory.

The tripod thread of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II sits in the optical axis, but with this rather compact camera it is also quite close to the battery and memory card compartment.

Despite the battery with slightly increased capacity and the same design, the Mark II, like its predecessor Olympus OM-D E-M10, only manages 320 frames on one charge.

The series recording functions are very extensive. In addition to the usual exposure bracketing with a spread of up to +/- 5EV at 5 or 7 frames, there are white balance bracketing, flash bracketing, ISO bracketing, and Art Filter bracketing. A completely new feature is focus bracketing, which allows up to 999 pictures to be taken with small or large focus steps. This allows you to extend the sharpness of the image later in the editing process, for example when taking macro shots or to create an even softer background for portraits. Furthermore, the OM-D offers a multiple exposure function as well as an HDR automatic, which allows an even wider exposure spread than the exposure bracket. If desired, the images can be converted directly in the camera to an HDR image. Also on board is a keystone correction, with which, for example, tilted lines can be corrected directly in the camera.

In addition to the classic, audible focal-plane shutter with up to 1/4,000 second short exposure times, the E-M10 Mark II now also offers a purely electronic shutter with up to 1/16,000 second short shutter speeds – this works absolutely silently. Side effect: The continuous shooting rate increases from just under nine to an impressive eleven frames per second. However, the autofocus, which is very fast at 0.14 seconds (the total shutter release delay is 0.2 seconds), only works continuously at up to four frames per second. However, flash cannot be used with an electronic shutter, and the rolling shutter effect should be taken into account, which can cause undesirable effects with dragging or fast-moving subjects. At the other end of the exposure time is the bulb function, which also works in T mode (instead of holding the shutter release button down, it is pressed once at the beginning and once at the end of the exposure). Especially the Live-Bulb or Live-Time function is both exciting and unique: During the exposure, there is a preview of the image at intervals so that the exposure can be stopped at the right moment. The Live Composite variant, on the other hand, repeats an exposure as often as desired and only adds new image elements to the original image. Thus, in contrast to the bulb function, the image does not become brighter and brighter, but only effects such as illuminated stripes of passing cars or the stripes of stars moving in the sky are intensified or become visible in the first place.

A very useful feature is the built-in image stabilizer by means of a movably mounted image sensor. Whereas the E-M10 still used a 3-axis system with an effectiveness of 3.5 f-stops, Olympus has implanted the better 5-axis stabilizer of the E-M5 Mark II in the Mark II, but castrated it to an effectiveness of 4 EV instead of 5 EV in the E-M10 Mark II. This is to keep the distance to the more expensive model. A pity on the one hand, but on the other hand the image stabilizer of the E-M10 Mark II performs even better than in the previous model, especially in the close-up and macro range. In the wide-angle range, for example, pictures of running water, which becomes blurred due to a longer exposure time, are no problem at all.

The effective image stabilizer is also active in video mode and ensures very smooth Full HD recordings. The videos are finally no longer nailed down to 30 frames per second, but 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 full frames can be selected. An external microphone connection is unfortunately still missing on the E-M10. At least there is now a level display and adjustment. For quiet video subjects, manual focus (with magnification and peaking function if desired) is also the better choice, as the slight focus pumping of the AF-C can otherwise interfere. Unfortunately, there is no way to use the touchscreen to shift the focus to a new subject detail during AF-S operation or to force the subject to refocus once. The videos are saved with H.264 compression in MOV format. MP4 would be desirable as an alternative, as mobile devices in particular have their problems with the MOV format and require special video player apps. Thanks to the video recording button, video clips can be rotated at any time, but only the dedicated video mode allows the more advanced settings such as semi-automatic or manual exposure, even the art filters can be used. However, some of them reduce the frame rate significantly, so that the videos look like stop-motion recordings. Speaking of stop-motion: The Olympus also offers an interval recording function, and the images can even be combined into a 4K video recording.

The image postprocessing functions are also varied. The built-in raw converter allows the development of JPEG from raw images, many parameters such as exposure and white balance can be adjusted. JPEGs can also be edited in many ways including sepia and black and white conversion, but the art filters are unfortunately missing. If you connect the E-M10 to a smartphone via WLAN, which is quite easy thanks to the QR code that is scanned with the smartphone, the camera can be controlled remotely, and image transmission is of course also possible. The app then even allows the subsequent application of art filters. With remote control, not only a live image is transmitted, but also numerous settings are possible. Even the live composite function can now be controlled via WLAN. The app also has a GPS logger function, the position data can then be written to the images on the camera. If you only want to release the camera remotely, you can also do this with the app, which, as far as we know, only Olympus has mastered so far. As when using a remote release cable, all settings are made on the camera.

Image quality

So the OM-D E-M10 Mark II has a lot to offer, but what about the image quality? To answer this question, we tested the camera in the lab with the 14-42 EZ set lens in JPEG. Not only is the set lens the best selling lens with a camera, many users don’t even buy a second lens. Since we also tested the previous model with this lens, it is also a good basis for comparison.

The image stabiliser using a moving sensor in the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II now operates on five axes, just like its larger sister model, the E-M5 Mark II. But Olympus has castrated the effectiveness from five to four aperture stops.

The housing of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is made of high quality metal and plastic. The cheapest OM-D model does without splash water protection.

On the grip side of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II, there are only two interfaces behind a rubber flap: USB and Micro-HDMI. The multifunctional USB socket also accepts the remote release cable.

The maximum resolution on the E-M10 Mark II is just under 50 line pairs per millimeter (lp/mm), which is a very good value for a 16-megapixel sensor (and that with a kit lens). Depending on the focal length, there are slight differences in resolution compared to the old E-M10, but this is probably not so much due to the difference in the cameras, but rather to the serial dispersion of the lenses. Overall, however, the differences are marginal. In wide angle and medium focal length, the lens is already good at open aperture, while in telephoto position you have to stop down a little for highest resolution. In general, the 14-42 EZ in telescopic position shows the overall lowest resolution and achieves with a maximum of 42 lp/mm a little less than with short (49 lp/mm) and medium (50 lp/mm) focal length. But over 40 lp/mm is still a good resolution. At the edge of the image there is only in the wide angle a visible decrease of the resolution, here, approximately 35 lp/mm are achieved. At medium and long focal length, however, the drop in resolution is marginal at less than ten percent.

The Olympus calculates the distortion to be very small, only in the wide angle is it measurable at all, in the form of a light ton, with less than 1.5 percent. The marginal dimming of a maximum of one f-stop is also not critical; it decreases by 1.5 to two f-stops to half a f-stop when the lens is stopped down. The color fringes are small, but they become a little stronger at the edge of the picture when fading in wide-angle and telephoto, but are only slightly visible. All in all, the 14-42 EZ is not an outstanding, but still a solid and above all a nice compact set lens. Tests of fixed focal lengths and better zooms on the old E-M10 have shown, however, that a ten percent higher resolution of over 55 lp/mm can also be achieved without any problems.

The signal to noise ratio of the Mark II is good up to ISO 400 and acceptable up to ISO 3,200. This makes it slightly better than its predecessor, at least in the ISO 3,200 range. Color noise is only slightly visible at the highest two ISO levels of 12,800 and 25,600, while luminance noise is slightly visible at ISO 6,400 and slightly more so at the highest two ISO levels. The measurement of fine structures shows that Olympus oversharpens up to ISO 800, but even up to ISO 3,200, it still retains a great deal of detail and can deliver images that aren’t completely fuzzy even at ISO 6,400. The level here is also very similar to the previous model. However, the laboratory measurement revealed a different phenomenon: In order to capture the test chart in the image under identical light with identical brightness, the aperture of the Mark II had to be opened 1/3 stop wider than that of the E-M10, which in turn had to be opened 1/3 stop wider than many other cameras. 1/3 step is still within the tolerance range, many manufacturers use this leeway. The Mark II, however, is 2/3 steps darker compared to the “reference”, which explains the minimally better measured values, for example in the signal-to-noise ratio.

There are also smaller deviations from the previous model in the colours, the Mark II is a little less accurate than the first E-M10. But even these deviations can be measured in the laboratory rather than being noticed in everyday photography. The manual white balance might be a little more precise, but the deviations are hardly visible to the human eye. The Mark II has a somewhat more powerful saturation. Red, orange and violet shine a little stronger, the yellow goes a touch into green. Above all, however, the OM-D is characterized by its high actual color depth of over four million distinguishable color shades even at high ISO 3,200. The E-M10 Mark II also doesn’t make any compromises in the tonal range: up to ISO 200, almost all of the 256 possible levels are used, even up to the high ISO 3.200, the value with more than 160 levels is absolutely in the green area. As with re-sharpening, Olympus is not squeamish when it comes to tonal value editing. With the exception of ISO “Low”, which corresponds to ISO 100, the contrast curve is quite steep. To cut to the chase: The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II produces high-resolution, high-contrast, colourful photos even in high ISO regions. The images require virtually no post-processing. If you want this, however, you should fall back on the raw data format, because it is clearly the better basis for it.

Conclusion

Olympus has almost effortlessly managed to improve the OM-D E-M10 which is already very well made and uniquely equipped. The fact that the design has also been revised may not please everyone, but the ergonomics have been improved with the new key arrangement. Compared to the E-M5 Mark II, the image stabilizer appears castrated, but compared to the previous model, it now works even more effectively. Both speed and image quality are still at a very high level, up to ISO 3,200 it is possible to take high quality photos, with some limitations even at ISO 6,400, thanks mainly to Olympus’ good JPEG engine, the images can be used practically directly from the camera without the need for image processing corrections. For those who don’t attach great importance to the latest and greatest video features such as 4K, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II gives you a lot of camera value for your money.

Limited special edition: Silver-Brown

Limited special edition cameras have a long tradition at Olympus, as with many other camera manufacturers. Today it is now the OM-D entry-level model E-M10 Mark II. The special edition, limited to 3,500 pieces worldwide, is only available in silver. In contrast to the production model, however, it does not have a black but a fox-brown leather look.

The new Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Limited Edition has a fox-brown “leather” finish. [Photo: Olympus]

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Limited Edition is sold together with the silver 14-42 EZ, which has a silver cover matching the camera. [Photo: Olympus]

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Limited Edition comes with the 14-42 EZ and a leather strap. [Photo: Olympus]

The set lens 14-42 EZ is included in the scope of delivery of the almost 900 euro expensive camera. The zoom lens, which is extremely flat when switched off, has a motorized zoom drive and a maximum speed of F3.5 to F5.6. An image stabilizer is not required, as it is permanently installed in the camera body by means of the movable 16-megapixel sensor. This 5-axis stabilizer works with all attached lenses. Furthermore, the silver 14-42 EZ has a silver instead of a black front cover in contrast to the series. Also included is a leather strap. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Limited Edition is currently available at a price of just under 900 euros, which is 100 euros more than the standard model.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Data sheet