Olympus E-M1 Mark II vs E-M10 IV: A Hands-On, Expert Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When Olympus announced the OM-D E-M1 Mark II back in 2016, it quickly established itself as a serious tool for pros and enthusiasts who wanted flagship features in a compact Micro Four Thirds package. Four years later, the E-M10 IV arrived to entice a more budget-conscious crowd - offering many modern conveniences in a sleek, cheaper body. But how do these two cameras, born from the same lineage yet worlds apart in price and intent, really compare in the trenches?

Having tested both extensively across portraiture, wildlife, sports, and everything in between, I’m here to walk you through the practical differences you’ll encounter if deciding between these Olympus gems - not just specs on paper, but real-world use, strengths, compromises, and my candid take on who should buy what.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

The moment you pick up the Olympus E-M1 Mark II alongside the E-M10 IV, the contrast in presence is hard to ignore. The E-M1 II exudes pro-level heft and confidence, whereas the E-M10 IV is noticeably more compact and lightweight - great if you’re a cheapskate for carrying comfort.

At 574 grams, the E-M1 II weighs a good 50% more than the 383-gram E-M10 IV. The body dimensions reflect this: the Mark II muscly at 134x91x67 mm, designed to take the abuse of field work, while the E-M10 IV is a trim 122x84x49 mm. That slimmer profile suits street photographers or travelers who want to stay discreet and light on the go.

Handling-wise, the E-M1 II sports larger, rubberized grips and more buttons - clubs for your thumbs when shooting fast-paced action - while the E-M10 IV follows a minimalist ergonomic approach, with fewer dedicated dials and smaller controls that can feel cramped in larger hands.

Top view comparison confirms this design philosophy:

The E-M1 II offers two-way joystick AF control, customizable function buttons, and a cluster of front and back dials for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation. The E-M10 IV keeps things simple with fewer dials and menu reliance for settings adjustment. If tactile responsiveness and quick tweaks matter to you, the Mark II is the winner here.

Sensor and Image Quality: Two Sides of Micro Four Thirds

Both cameras wield a 20 MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.4 x 13 mm, with a similar resolution output of 5184 x 3888 pixels. But Olympus tweaked key aspects that influence their imaging outlook.

The E-M1 II notably ditches the anti-aliasing filter, a choice that sharpens fine detail at the risk of moiré, whereas the E-M10 IV retains its AA filter for smoother rendering. In real-world use, the Mark II produces crisper images, especially fine textures in landscapes and architectural shots, which make it more appealing to pixel-peepers and pros doing large prints.

In dynamic range, the Mark II pulls ahead slightly with 12.8 stops (DxOMark score 80 overall), offering more headroom in highlights and shadows combined with a marginally better color depth (23.7 bits). The E-M10 IV, while not tested by DxOMark officially, is known to perform solidly but lacks this nuanced advantage.

Low-light capability differs as well: The E-M1 II has a DxO low-light ISO of 1312, supporting native sensitivity up to ISO 25600. The E-M10 IV shares the ISO range but tends to produce slightly noisier images at the higher end, a tradeoff exacerbated by its AA filter and less sophisticated sensor tuning.

If image quality is paramount to your work, especially for landscapes or studio portraits needing pristine detail and grading latitude, the E-M1 II’s sensor implementation nudges ahead.

LCD and Viewfinder: Your Window to the World

In a hands-on test, the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and rear LCD screen are instrumental to your shooting experience. Both cameras feature 3-inch articulating LCDs with similar resolutions (1037k vs. 1040k dots), but the articulation style differs.

The E-M1 II uses a fully articulating (flip-out) touchscreen which is essential for videographers or macro photographers needing odd-angle compositions. The E-M10 IV sports a tilting touchscreen, better suited for selfies or overhead shots but with less flexibility.

Both EVFs boast a 2360k-dot resolution at 100% coverage, but the Mark II’s viewfinder magnification is a generous 0.74x compared to 0.62x on the E-M10 IV - making the Mark II’s EVF noticeably larger and easier on the eyes during extended shoots.

Interface-wise, the E-M1 II offers deeper customization of buttons and easier access to pro-level menus. The E-M10 IV favors a more beginner-friendly menu navigation but at the price of fewer direct controls.

Autofocus & Burst Shooting: Tracking the Action

One of the biggest differences between these cameras lies in autofocus (AF) sophistication and continuous shooting.

The E-M1 Mark II sports a hybrid AF system combining 121 phase-detection points with contrast detection, distributed widely across the frame with eye and face detection enabled. This gives it lightning-fast acquisition, reliable tracking, and superior accuracy especially with fast-moving subjects.

The E-M10 IV employs only contrast-detection autofocus, lacking the phase-detection pixels, which makes AF slower and less reliable in tracking erratic subjects or low contrast scenes.

Burst mode highlights this disparity:

• E-M1 II: Up to 60 fps at lower resolution (electronic shutter), usual continuous shooting rates near 10 fps mechanical shutter, buffer sized for extended shooting bursts - ideal for wildlife and sports.
• E-M10 IV: A modest max burst of 8.7 fps with a shorter buffer.

For wildlife photographers or sports shooters, the E-M1 II’s AF system and frame rate can make or break the shot - tracking fast birds or athletes accurately is critical, and the E-M10 IV can feel sluggish here.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Built to Brave the Elements?

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II boasts professional-level weather sealing against dust, moisture, and low temperatures - allowing confident use in heavy rain or dusty environments without a hassle.

The E-M10 IV, by contrast, lacks any official environmental sealing, making it more vulnerable in rugged outdoor use.

For landscape and adventure shooters frequently pushing their gear into the wild, this difference is significant. Nothing ruins a photo trip faster than camera failure from unexpected weather.

Lens Ecosystem: Micro Four Thirds Powerhouse

Both cameras use the Micro Four Thirds mount, providing access to Olympus’s extensive lineup of 107 native lenses plus third-party options from Panasonic, Sigma, and others.

The crop factor of 2.1x means telephoto reach is budget-friendly, and Olympus excels with superb primes and pro-quality zooms.

Operating any Micro Four Thirds lens on either body yields identical optical possibilities, but the E-M1 II’s rugged body and better AF make pairing it with heavy pro glass (like the 300mm f/4 or 40-150mm f/2.8) a more balanced shooter overall.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Do They Last?

In real-world shooting, battery life impacts your workflow. The E-M1 II uses the BLH-1 battery rated for 350 shots, while the E-M10 IV’s smaller BLS-50 battery is modestly rated at 360 shots. Both figures are below DSLRs but typical for mirrorless.

However, the E-M1 II has dual SD card slots - essential for professionals needing redundancy or extended storage on location - while the E-M10 IV offers only a single slot, a clear limitation for critical work.

Charging and connectivity differ as well: E-M1 II supports USB 3.0 for faster transfers; the E-M10 IV uses slower USB 2.0.

Video Capabilities: Who Wins the Moving Picture Battle?

If video is on your radar, here’s a quick rundown.

The E-M1 II can shoot true 4K DCI (4096 x 2160) at 24p with a robust 237 Mbps bitrate, alongside UHD 4K (3840x2160) at 30p. It has microphone and headphone jacks for external audio control - a must for serious video shooters. Plus, its in-body 5-axis stabilization is a boon for handheld shooting.

The E-M10 IV handles 4K UHD at up to 30p (102 Mbps), but no DCI option, with audio limited to built-in mics (no headphone or mic ports). It remains solid for casual video or vlogging but lacks the pro connectivity and bit-rate options for more cinematic projects.

Specialized Photography Use Cases: How Do They Stack?

Portraits

The E-M1 II’s precise face and eye detection autofocus keep portrait subjects tack sharp, especially with fast lenses. Its lack of anti-aliasing filter and superior dynamic range yield detailed skin textures and natural colors. The fully articulating screen helps creative angles and self-portraits.

E-M10 IV also offers face detection but is slower and less consistent. Its AA filter slightly softens micro details - and while fine for snapshots, could disappoint portrait pros.

Landscape Photography

E-M1 II’s advantage in dynamic range, build quality, and weather sealing makes it a stellar landscape camera. The extra resolution and detail rendition can impress in large prints.

E-M10 IV serves casual landscapers well but falls short in durability and highlight/shadow preservation.

Wildlife and Sports

The continuous autofocus tracking and 60 fps burst mode separate the E-M1 II clearly. It’s a proven performer in fast-action and difficult lighting.

E-M10 IV is best left to slower-paced subjects or travel photography.

Street Photography

Here, the compactness of the E-M10 IV shines, making it less intimidating and easier to carry for hours. The quieter shutter and quick touchscreen focus serve spontaneous shooting.

The E-M1 II is bulkier but still portable enough for street work if you prioritize control and speed.

Macro Photography

The E-M1 II’s focus bracketing and stacking capabilities make it a powerful assistant in macro work; combined with its fully articulating display, it’s great for critical focus management.

The E-M10 IV’s simpler AF and stacking options make macro less efficient but still enjoyable for casual shooters.

Night and Astro

With better high-ISO control and longer max exposure times, the E-M1 II is well suited for nightscapes and astrophotography. The reliable manual focus aids precision focus for stars.

E-M10 IV can capture dark scenes but with more noise and less flexibility.

Travel Photography

The E-M10 IV’s smaller size, lighter weight, and longer battery life are compelling for travel photographers. It offers enough versatility for varied shooting without weighing you down.

The E-M1 II is a more capable tool if you want to cover demanding scenarios, but at a weight and size penalty.

Professional Work

Dual card slots, rugged weather sealing, fast and accurate AF, and greater customization make the E-M1 II a pro tool ready for commercial assignments.

The E-M10 IV targets less demanding workflows, hobbyists, and newcomers.

Price and Value: What’s the Real Deal?

At launch, the E-M1 Mark II priced around $1700 body-only, whereas the E-M10 IV comes in under $700. That’s a big price gap reflecting their differing target markets.

To assess value, I consider raw shooting power, reliability for critical assignments, and longevity.

If you’re an advanced enthusiast or pro needing a camera that can perform in all conditions, save time with AF, and produce pristine files, the E-M1 II delivers excellent bang for the buck given its niche.

If you’re stepping up from a smartphone or looking for an easy-to-use, light, and capable camera for everyday shooting or travel, the E-M10 IV represents exceptional budget value.

Summary Tables and Scores

Here’s a quick glance at overall performance:

And specifically across different photography genres:

Real-World Image Samples

Check out side-by-side samples showing detail, color reproduction, and noise differences under various lighting:

Olympus E M1 II front Olympus E M1 II screen back Olympus E M10 IV front Olympus E M10 IV screen back

Final Thoughts: Which Olympus OM-D Fits You Best?

Who should buy the E-M1 Mark II?
Pro photographers or serious enthusiasts demanding speed, durability, and top image quality across challenging conditions. Wildlife, sports, pro landscape, and video creators will benefit massively.

Who should consider the E-M10 IV?
Newcomers, travel and street photographers valuing portability and ease of use, or budget-conscious buyers wanting a solid step-up from smartphone photography. Perfect for casual portraits, everyday snapshots, and vlogging without breaking the bank.

Closing Advice: Test, Touch, and Trust Your Intuition

Choosing a camera is ultimately personal. I recommend trying both in-store if possible to see which body feels right in your hands, and matching features to your shooting style.

Both are capable Micro Four Thirds cameras housing Olympus’s excellent heritage and lenses - but their very different target audiences, price points, and performance leave little question as to the best buyer fit.

For my money? If you want “just one camera that does it all,” the reliability and speed of the Olympus E-M1 Mark II shine through four years on. But if you’re just getting serious about photography, on a budget, and want a compact system to grow with, the nimble and affordable E-M10 IV will surprise you in good ways.

Happy shooting out there - and may your next Olympus OM-D bring you years of creative joy.

If you want me to help you find lenses or accessories for either body, just ask. I’ve been tinkering with Olympus gear since the early OM days and know where the real sweet spots are.

Thanks for reading.