Olympus is The Most Adorable Mirrorless Camera

The new Mark II version enhances nearly every aspect of the camera, but it’s still the little friend we know and love.

If you’ve never heard of an OM-D EM-10, here’s what you need to know: it was the cheapest of Olympus’s OM-D line of interchangeable lens cameras, which are known both for being tiny and for their classic look and feel. Starting at $700, the EM-1 housed a 16-megapixel sensor and mounted a host of terrific Micro Four Thirds lenses.

None of that has changed. In fact, I’d bet the pictures you take with the Mark II would look pretty much the same. Only now, it should be easier than ever to take sharp, stable shots under changing conditions.

For starts, Olympus is adding back the 5-axis sensor shift stabilization system it uses on more advanced cameras like the E-M5 Mark II. I didn’t notice a huge difference between the 3-axis and 5-axis systems in my original EM-1o review, but it certainly can’t hurt to have the additional help in keeping shots blur-free.

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Second, the camera’s built-in electronic viewfinder sounds much improved. It’s got a crisper 2.36 million dot OLED display, up from the 1.44 million dot resolution you could get before. And realizing how enthusiasts enjoyed using the EVF, Olympus has refined the controls too, putting dual dials and a programmable function key within easier reach while your face is pressed up against the camera.

There’s also a slightly faster TruePic VII image processor that allows for 8.5 frame-per-second continuous shooting (compared to 8fps with the original) and 1080p video at 60 frames per second (compared to 30fps before). The three-inch tilting touchscreen LCD, 81-point autofocus system, and pop-up flash remain intact.

Perhaps the most welcome news is the price, though: the new and improved OM-D EM-10 Mark II now starts at $650 for the body alone, or $800 with a 14-42mm f 3.5-5.6 zoom lens. That’s $50 to $100 cheaper than before. Mind you, the original body can be found for $500 these days, if you know where to look.