Canon EOS M200 vs Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV: An Expert Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing between two excellent entry-level mirrorless cameras like the Canon EOS M200 and the Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV isn’t straightforward. Both offer compelling features and cater to those stepping up their photography game, but they approach imaging and handling quite differently. Having extensively tested both cameras in real-world conditions - from studio portraits to wildlife excursions - I’ll guide you through every meaningful aspect to help you decide which might suit your style, needs, and budget.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Let’s start from the basics: getting these cameras in your hands. The Canon EOS M200 is a compact rangefinder-style mirrorless camera, especially light at just 299 grams and sized roughly 108x67x35 mm. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV, on the other hand, packs a slightly more substantial punch, weighing 383 grams and measuring 122x84x49 mm, adopting a classic SLR-style design.

That difference is palpable. The M200’s streamlined, minimalist body aims for maximum portability and pocketability - perfect for travel or street photography where you want to be as unobtrusive as possible. Olympus’s E-M10 IV feels a bit more “grown-up” with its protruding grip and more robust build, lending confidence for those longer shoots or outdoor tasks where you want a firmer handhold.

One caveat: neither offers serious weather sealing, so neither will replace weatherproof professional gear but will survive moderate use with care. Ergonomically, Olympus edges forward thanks to its more pronounced grip and traditional control dials on top, which I find preferable for tactile adjustments without digging through touchscreen menus. Canon opts for a simpler, touchscreen-heavy interface - intuitive but less versatile in dynamic shooting scenarios.

Control Layout and User Interface: Where Speed Meets Simplicity

Design and ease of use go hand in hand. Taking a look from above, you’ll instantly notice different philosophies.

Olympus’s E-M10 IV sports dual dials - one for shutter speed, another for exposure compensation - plus a mode dial, granting quick manual control without removing your eye from the viewfinder. The Canon M200 pares it down to a mode dial and shutter button, with exposure compensation accessible via the touchscreen, relying on the user to interact via LCD mostly.

The E-M10 IV includes a 2,360-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) covering 100% of the frame, a feature the Canon M200 lacks. If you’re shooting in bright sunlight or prefer the precision of an EVF for composition, Olympus has a clear advantage here.

Both cameras sport fully tilting 3-inch touchscreens with identical resolution (~1,040k dots), enabling intuitive autofocus point selection and menu navigation.

Though the Canon screen tilts up 180° for selfie shooting - great for vlogging or video blogging - Olympus’s tilt is a bit more limited, tilting downward and upward but not flipping fully forward.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The M200 features a 24.1-megapixel APS-C sensor (22.3x14.9 mm), while the OM-D E-M10 IV houses a 20.3-megapixel Four Thirds sensor (17.4x13 mm). Let’s break down what these differences imply.

By sensor area alone, Canon’s APS-C is roughly 47% larger than Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor - a substantial advantage for gathering light and dynamic range. In my lab tests and field shooting, the M200 consistently delivers slightly cleaner high ISO results, richer color depth, and more tonal latitude in challenging shadows and highlights. That translates to more flexibility when shooting landscapes, interiors, and portraits in tricky light.

However, Olympus compensates somewhat with in-body 5-axis image stabilization (IBIS), which the Canon M200 lacks entirely. This sensor-shift stabilization proved a lifesaver for handheld macro and low-light handheld shots, easily extending effective shutter speeds by 4-5 stops, which in practice means sharper images when you least expect it.

Regarding file handling, both cameras shoot 14-bit RAW, providing ample editing latitude. Canon’s bigger sensor lends itself to slightly better detail rendition, but Olympus’s color science has its loyalists and delivers pleasing skin tones, particularly with its native M.Zuiko lenses.

Autofocus: Sharpness, Speed, and Tracking

Autofocus performance is often decisive and varied between cameras.

The Canon M200 uses a hybrid AF system combining phase-detection and contrast-detection points, offering 143 focus points spread across the frame. Olympus relies on contrast-detection only, with 121 focus points, a system that has become surprisingly competitive in the latest iteration.

In my experience, the Canon’s autofocus is faster overall, nailing sharp focus reliably in good light - especially on stationary subjects. Eye-detection autofocus is implemented well on both cameras but slightly more responsive on the Canon, which will appeal to portrait shooters who need precise face and eye tracking.

However, Olympus’s autofocus shines in continuous tracking for moving subjects, especially when paired with its higher 8.7 fps burst shooting speed (vs Canon’s 6.1 fps). For casual sports or wildlife enthusiasts, Olympus offers more agility in tracking dynamic subjects, although neither camera will replace flagship professional AF systems.

Both support touch-to-focus on the screen, which I find handy for street and candid shots, letting you recompose quickly and discretely.

Image Stabilization: The Built-in Advantage

One significant difference is Olympus’s impressive 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This stabilization system allows you to shoot sharp handheld photos at surprisingly slow shutter speeds - a big plus for macro, night, and travel photographers who want versatility without lugging tripods.

The Canon M200 does not have stabilization in-body and relies on stabilized lenses. Canon’s EF-M lens lineup is modest, with only 23 lenses and several lacking optical image stabilization (OIS), further limiting handholding flexibility.

By contrast, the Micro Four Thirds system boasts over 100 lenses, many optically stabilized, plus the IBIS in the E-M10 IV body. This dual stabilization synergy gives Olympus a real edge in low light and video smoothness.

Video Capabilities: Sharing Motion and Memories

Both cameras record 4K UHD video at a max of 30p, but here are some fine points:

• Canon M200 records 4K at 24p, outputting 120 Mbps in MP4 (H.264) codec. No headphone or microphone jacks, limiting audio monitoring options.
• Olympus E-M10 IV records 4K at up to 30p, but capped at slightly lower 102 Mbps, in MOV container. Also no mic or headphone ports.

Neither offers advanced video features like log profiles or high frame-rate slow motion. The Olympus E-M10 IV includes sensor-shift stabilization that smooths handheld footage, while Canon relies on lens IS (where available) and electronic corrections. Olympus’s higher continuous shooting also benefits video enthusiasts who may take stills from clips.

If quality audio input is crucial, both cameras disappoint, though casual use with built-in mics is fine.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered Longer

One often overlooked but practical aspect: battery life.

Canon’s M200 uses the LP-E12 battery rated for approximately 315 shots per charge. Olympus’s E-M10 IV uses the BLS-50 battery rated at 360 shots. Both are on the modest side compared to professional models but should suffice for casual shooting days.

Neither camera has dual card slots, so managing storage is single-threaded. Canon supports UHS-I cards; Olympus supports UHS-II, offering faster write speeds on compatible cards - a plus for those shooting large burst sequences or video.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Growing with Your Needs

Lens availability and variety influence long-term satisfaction.

The Canon M200 uses the EF-M mount, which, while offering 23 native lenses, remains relatively limited compared to Canon’s vast EF and RF lineups. You can adapt EF lenses with an adapter but lose some compactness.

Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds mount features over 100 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties - primes, zooms, macros, and specialized glass - offering greater creative flexibility from entry level to professional optics.

This broader ecosystem favors Olympus if lens versatility is a priority for you.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

To truly assess these cameras, I tested both across common photography genres. Here’s how they stack up:

Portrait Photography

Canon’s larger sensor excels in subtle skin tone rendition, delivering pleasing bokeh with select EF-M primes (though these lenses are few). Face and eye detection autofocus feels snappier, making it easier to focus on portraits, especially in casual or static settings.

Olympus’s IBIS aids in low-light portraiture, helping handhold slower lenses without blur. However, smaller sensor size means less background separation and softer bokeh, which you’ll notice if you prefer creamy subject isolation.

Landscape

The 24MP Canon sensor offers higher resolution files (6000x4000 px vs Olympus’s 5184x3888 px) and better dynamic range, preserving shadow and highlight details. This makes it preferable for landscape enthusiasts who appreciate large prints or cropping flexibility.

On the downside, Olympus’s stabilization is useful for handheld panoramas or stitching multiple shots, but again, the smaller sensor limits ultimate image size and detail.

Wildlife and Sports

Burst speed and autofocus tracking favor the Olympus E-M10 IV. At 8.7 fps and decent continuous AF, it better suits fast action subjects - birds, kids, pets. The 2.1x field-of-view crop factor also extends reach with tele lenses compared to Canon’s 1.6x.

However, the Canon’s faster shutter sync speed (up to 1/4000s) and larger sensor may help freeze motion under some light conditions.

Street and Travel

Canon’s compact design and lighter weight give it an edge for discreet street photography and traveling light. Lack of an EVF means composing via screen, which some prefer for casual shooting.

Olympus’s EVF and superior handling provide a better all-around balanced package but at added bulk.

Macro and Close-Up Work

Olympus’s IBIS and vast macro lens selection give it an advantage for handheld macro shooting. The image stabilization can sometimes be more valuable in practical terms than pure resolution here.

Night and Astro Photography

Canon’s APS-C sensor wins on noise at high ISO and dynamic range, useful for astro work that demands extracting detail from shadows.

Neither offers special astro modes, but Canon’s low base ISO 100 and better native image quality provide a cleaner starting point.

Video Vlogging

Canon’s fully articulating touchscreen is great for framing yourself, though lack of mic port limits audio quality enhancements. Video capability is otherwise modest, suitable for casual videography.

Olympus’s stabilization helps handheld video look smoother, but the fixed tilt screen limits vlogging flexibility.

Build Quality and Reliability

Both are lightweight consumer-level cameras - plastic and metal composites. Neither is weather sealed, so avoid exposure to rain or dust.

Olympus’s more substantial chassis gives a feeling of greater robustness. Both cameras’ buttons and dials feel crisp though Olympus edges ahead in control feedback and usability during extended shoots.

Connectivity, Wireless, and Extras

Both cameras have built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling quick image transfer and remote shooting via smartphone apps. Canon’s app tends to be more straightforward for beginners, whereas Olympus’s app offers deeper controls but a steeper learning curve.

Neither has GPS or NFC.

Price-to-Performance Analysis

At launch prices, the Canon EOS M200 is around $549, and the Olympus E-M10 IV at $699 - about $150 difference.

Is the Olympus worth the extra? For those valuing better autofocus burst speeds, stabilization, and handling, yes. If you prize image quality, size, and simplicity, Canon punches well above the entry-level price.

Wrapping Up: Which One Should You Choose?

To help you decide, here’s a visual score summary based on my testing across key aspects:

And a genre-specific breakdown:

My Personal Recommendations:

• Travel & Street Photographers: Canon M200 wins for lightweight, pocketable ease and pleasing image quality. The smaller, simpler package fits well with casual shooting.

• Portrait & Landscape Enthusiasts: Canon’s bigger sensor and color science deliver better files for prints and editing. The lack of IBIS can be mitigated with a tripod.

• Wildlife & Sports Hobbyists: Olympus E-M10 IV offers higher frames per second and better continuous autofocus tracking, plus stabilization that improves handheld shooting with longer lenses.

• Macro & Low-Light Shooters: Olympus’s IBIS coupled with its extensive Micro Four Thirds lens lineup gives unmatched practical flexibility.

• Video Creators: If you primarily vlog or shoot handheld video, Olympus stability and EVF improve framing and footage quality, but Canon’s fully articulating screen is better for self-shooting.

Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Cameras Serving Different Paths

Both the Canon EOS M200 and Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV shine as entry-level mirrorless cameras but cater to somewhat different priorities. The Canon M200 stands out for image quality, simplicity, and size, appealing to photographers wanting outstanding value and portability without diving into complex controls.

Olympus’s E-M10 IV leans more towards enthusiasts looking for versatile handling, superior stabilization, faster burst shooting, and a richer lens ecosystem, willing to accept a slightly larger size and smaller sensor.

If you want my video hands-on and side-by-side test results for reference, you can find it embedded above - checking out each camera’s performance in action is often the best way to grasp their character.

Dear Canon, please consider adding an EVF and IBIS to your next model! Until then, your M200 remains a stellar choice for beginners and travelers. Olympus, keep refining your autofocus and adding ports for pro video, and you’ll woo even more enthusiasts.

No matter which you pick, you’re stepping into versatile, approachable systems that can grow with your photography skills and passions. Happy shooting!

Canon M200 front Canon M200 screen back Olympus E M10 IV front Olympus E M10 IV screen back