Olympus OM-D E-M1 vs Olympus OM-D E-M10: A Seasoned Photographer’s Deep Dive into Two Micro Four Thirds Titans

As someone who has slogged through thousands of camera tests over 15 years, wielding everything from pro DSLRs to nimble mirrorless, I’m always drawn to cameras that punch above their weight. Olympus’ Micro Four Thirds lineup stands out for combining compactness with pro-grade features in unique ways. Today, I’m diving into a detailed, no-fluff comparison of two historically significant Olympus mirrorless cameras: the professional Olympus OM-D E-M1 and the more approachable Olympus OM-D E-M10.

Though these cameras were announced just months apart - E-M1 in late 2013, E-M10 in early 2014 - they occupy very different roles. This hands-on comparison draws on controlled lab tests, weeks of practical shooting in varied conditions, and years of accumulated knowledge to unpack everything you need to know.

Let’s jump in and explore who each camera suits best and where their strengths and compromises lie.

Holding Them in Hand: Size, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

First impressions are lasting, and how a camera feels in your hand impacts your willingness to shoot. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 is unmistakably built for durability and serious use. Weighing in at approximately 497 grams with a robust 130 x 94 x 63 mm body, it strikes a confident balance between heft and portability. It’s weather-sealed, meaning it can laugh in the face of dust and drizzle - an indispensable trait for outdoor and landscape shooters who refuse to be grounded by weather.

In contrast, the Olympus E-M10 weighs 396 grams and is smaller at 119 x 82 x 46 mm. The lighter, more compact design appeals to street and travel photographers who prize discretion and minimal load without sacrificing image quality. However, it lacks the environmental sealing that the E-M1 proudly sports.

The grip design on the E-M1 is deeper and more pronounced, fitting larger hands comfortably over long shooting sessions; the E-M10’s grip is modest, which makes it nimble but less positive in heftier use or with long lenses.

If you appreciate tough gear for unforgiving conditions or extended shoots, the E-M1’s build quality is a big plus. For casual outings or street photography where you want to travel light, the E-M10 shines.

Design and Controls: Full-Featured or Streamlined?

Moving to the control layout, I observed a palpable difference geared to user type. The E-M1’s top plate is bustling with dedicated dials for ISO, exposure compensation, and drive settings, alongside customizable function buttons. This allows for instinctive adjustments even in the heat of the moment - a critical advantage for sports or wildlife photographers who value speed.

The E-M10’s top view offers fewer physical controls to keep the design approachable for those new to mirrorless or photography in general. While it retains the essentials and features a built-in flash (missing on the E-M1), the overall layout nudges the user towards touchscreen operation and menu navigation, which can slow seasoned shooters.

For photographers who want to tinker on the fly without fumbling menus, E-M1 delivers. Beginners or those preferring simplicity will find E-M10 more accessible.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor and Image Quality

Both cameras feature a Four Thirds sized CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm. Let’s set expectations there: with a focal length multiplier of 2.0x (effective 2.1x for Olympus lenses), depth of field is deeper than full-frame, which has aesthetic and technical implications we’ll discuss later. Neither camera sports a 4K video mode, keeping resolution firmly at 16 MP.

Despite identical sensor sizes and pixel counts, there are subtle image quality differences. The E-M1’s sensor, paired with the TruePic VII processor, delivers a slightly better dynamic range, pegged at 12.7 EV compared to 12.3 EV on the E-M10. This means it can preserve highlights and shadows just a bit better - a boon for landscape photographers grazing the extremes of light.

Color depth slightly favors the E-M1 as well, indicating richer, more nuanced tones in skin and nature palettes.

In low light, the E-M10 has marginally superior noise control - with its DxOMark low-light ISO score at 884 compared to 757 for the E-M1. This is somewhat counterintuitive, but likely due to subtle noise reduction firmware tuning tailored for the E-M10’s target user base.

Bottom line: image quality is very close, but if you push dynamic range or color accuracy in JPGs out of camera, the E-M1 has a slight edge.

Viewing and Composing: Electronic Viewfinders and Screens

Neither is perfect, but each features a good electronic viewfinder (EVF) for framing and focus confirmation, a must for modern mirrorless shooters.

The E-M1’s EVF boasts a high 2,360k-dot resolution and 0.74x magnification, delivering crisp detail and an immersive view that’s pleasant during extended handheld shooting. In contrast, the E-M10’s EVF drops to 1,440k dots resolution and 0.58x magnification, which is less sharp and smaller - theme park versus boutique cinema in viewing pleasure.

The rear 3-inch screens on both cameras tilt and feature touch sensitivity, perfect for composition in tricky angles or quick focus shifts. Resolutions match at 1,037k dots, but the E-M10 uses a TFT LCD panel, which lags slightly in viewing angles and outdoor visibility compared to the unspecified (likely OLED or better) technology on the E-M1.

In bright midday shooting or precise focusing scenarios, I consistently preferred the E-M1’s viewfinder and screen combination for clarity.

Real-World Shooting: Autofocus and Burst Performance

Moving into autofocus (AF), a critical arena where these models diverge meaningfully.

The E-M1 integrates a hybrid AF system combining contrast and phase detection across 81 focus points, a trailblazing feature in 2013-14 that remains impressive. It offers reliable and fast autofocus, with face detection and excellent tracking for moving subjects - essential for sports and wildlife photography.

The E-M10 relies on contrast detection alone, using the same number of AF points but without phase detection assistance. This results in slower and less confident focus acquisition, particularly in low contrast or fast-action environments.

Burst shooting speeds reinforce this difference: the E-M1 can sustain 10 fps continuous shooting, a serious tool for action photographers aiming to freeze motion. The E-M10 caps out at 8 fps, respectable but not quite sports pro-level.

This technical edge gave me confidence locking focus on birds in flight or athletes darting unpredictably, scenarios where the E-M1 reduces missed frames and frustration.

Noteworthy Features: Image Stabilization and Flash

Both cameras include sensor-based image stabilization, an Olympus hallmark that helps reduce blur from handheld shooting - especially valuable with telephoto and macro lenses. The E-M1 offers a more advanced 5-axis stabilization system, improving handheld sharpness across different shooting angles. The E-M10’s stabilization is effective but doesn’t have the same multi-axis sophistication.

On the flash front, the E-M10 has a built-in popup flash, handy for casual fill-lighting scenarios or quick snapshots. The E-M1 omits this, presuming owners will rely on external flashes, which makes sense given its professional leanings.

Video Capabilities: Steady, Full HD Capture

For shooters incorporating video, both cameras shoot up to 1080p at 30 frames per second, coded in H.264 and Motion JPEG formats. There’s no 4K here, which in 2024 standards feels dated but was solid for their release time.

Audio input is limited; the E-M1 includes a microphone port, while the E-M10 does not, which constrains advanced audio recording.

Neither camera has in-body electronic shutter silent shooting or high-speed video modes.

Applying the Cameras in Different Genres

Breaking it down across popular photographic disciplines sheds light on where each shines.

Portrait Photography

The E-M1’s slightly better color depth and dynamic range help capture subtle skin tones and smooth tonal gradations. Its superior EVF and autofocus tracking assist in locking onto eyes, though neither camera includes advanced animal eye AF.

Bokeh in both is primarily dictated by lens choice and the Four Thirds sensor size, which inherently delivers more depth of field at given apertures than full-frame. That means creamy out-of-focus backgrounds require fast primes with wide apertures. The E-M1’s stabilization aids handheld shooting in lower light - helping keep images crisp.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range is paramount here, and the E-M1’s advantage translates into more recoverable detail in skies and shadow regions. Its weather sealing and robust build are indispensable for hiking and exposure to elements.

Resolution parity means neither camera dominates on sheer pixel count, but the E-M1’s tougher construction and better handling make it a natural choice for landscapes.

Wildlife Photography

Speed and reliability matter most. The E-M1's phase-detect AF and higher burst rates deliver fewer missed shots in fast-moving subjects. The E-M10 struggles with autofocus sluggishness in dimmer wooded environments.

Sports Photography

Similar to wildlife, continuous AF and fast frame rates are essential. The E-M1 fits the bill with its hybrid AF and 10 fps burst. The E-M10 is workable for slower sports or casual use but falls short in high-speed disciplines.

Street Photography

E-M10’s smaller footprint and lighter weight make it more comfortable for long street walks and candid shooting. Its built-in flash is sometimes useful for fill light. The E-M1’s bulk and louder shutter may attract unwanted attention in candid contexts.

Macro Photography

Both benefit from Olympus’ excellent Micro Four Thirds lens lineup offering superb macro options. The E-M1’s 5-axis stabilization aids minute focusing motions handheld, arguably tipping the balance for macro enthusiasts.

Night and Astrophotography

The E-M10’s marginally better low-light ISO performance is intriguing, but neither camera’s 16 MP resolution or native ISO ceiling make them ideal astro tools. Long exposure and noise handling are adequate for casual nightscapes.

Video Shooters

Neither camera targets video pros, but the E-M1’s microphone input and better stabilization offer more flexibility for casual filmmakers.

Travel Photography

E-M10’s compact size, lower weight, and built-in flash make it a great travel companion, especially for photographers prioritizing portability. Battery life is similar on both.

Professional Work

The E-M1’s weather sealing, fast AF, rugged build, and customization support integrate better into pro workflows, including support for external flashes and tethering where needed.

Ecosystem, Connectivity, and Storage

Both share the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, opening access to an extensive ecosystem of over 100 lenses - from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party makers - a huge advantage.

Wireless connectivity is built-in but basic on both, mainly for image transfer. Neither has Bluetooth or NFC.

Storage for both is single SD card slot, compatible with SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. Battery life is respectable and similar - 350 shots E-M1, 320 shots E-M10 - but in real terms, pro users will carry multiple spares.

Price and Value Considerations

At launch, the E-M1 was retailing near $800 body-only, while the entry-level E-M10 was near $600. Today, used and new discounted pricing vary but often retain this relative positioning.

The E-M1’s higher price reflects its pro features, build, and performance edge; the E-M10 offers excellent imaging fundamentals at a more accessible price point.

Olympus E M1 front Olympus E M1 screen back Olympus E M10 front Olympus E M10 screen back

Summing It Up: Who Should Buy Which?

Through exhaustive testing and years of experience, I would sum up these cameras’ roles thus:

• Olympus OM-D E-M1: For semi-professionals and serious enthusiasts seeking a compact but rugged camera that can handle fast action, adverse weather, and demanding workflows. Its advanced autofocus, better stabilization, weather sealing, and better EVF justify the higher price for those needs.

• Olympus OM-D E-M10: Perfect for beginners, casual shooters, travelers, and street photographers who want excellent image quality in a very compact, user-friendly package without professional-level bells and whistles. The inclusion of a built-in flash and lighter weight enhance versatility for everyday shooting.

Personal Reflections and Recommendations

Personally, spending time with the E-M1 made me appreciate the confidence that comes with a capable, weather-sealed body. I took it hiking, shooting birds and city sports, and it kept up splendidly, rewarding patience with well-tracked focus and dependable handling. The screen and EVF clarity made composition effortless.

By contrast, the E-M10 charmed me on city streets, zipping around familiar neighborhoods and quiet cafés. It’s unobtrusive and responsive, making personal projects and family events effortless. I did note the autofocus sometimes hesitated in low light, testing my patience.

For those buying today, I advise careful reflection on your priorities. Need speed, weather resistance, and full manual control without complexity compromises? Lean toward the E-M1 (or even its successors). Want a camera that's lighter, simpler, and very capable but less suited to rugged or fast-action demands? The E-M10 remains a stunning value.

Final Thoughts

Comparing the Olympus OM-D E-M1 and E-M10 is a study in balancing pro-level features against accessibility and needs. As a veteran tester, I respect how both cameras have served photographers across genres and skill levels, each carving out an enduring place in Micro Four Thirds history.

Whichever you choose, you’re embracing a versatile system with a mature lens ecosystem and Olympus’ dependable imaging quality. My hope is my insights here clarify the technical and practical nuances and help you pick the camera that feels like a true creative partner on your photographic journey.

Disclosure: I have no affiliations with Olympus or retailers. All evaluations are based strictly on hands-on testing, laboratory metrics, and long-term use.