The Olympus OM-D E-M10 III made its debut last week, introducing 4K video capture to Olympus' entry-level OM-D series. And there's more good news: you can use a combination of 5-axis mechanical and digital image stabilization while shooting 4K. This makes for some seriously stable footage on the fly, as demonstrated by the sample reel above – all shot handheld. Check out the footage, and keep your eyes peeled for our full review very soon.
People waffling on about things that have no bearing on the real world of photography. A working photographer would like to know.... what sort of compression does the Olympus 4K video do. Can the video be put straight from the Olympus into FC and iMovie.
16:9 FAILS MISERABLY with 4:3 ratio sensors! All mirrorless cameras should have some type of MULTI-ASPECT RATIO SENSOR so the sides of the image circle can be used for 3:2 and 16:9, instead of having to crop 3:2 and 16:9 from 4:3, chopping the field of view and number of pixels horribly.
As you can see with the LX100 multi-aspect ratio sensor, it is bigger than a mere 4/3 sensor and there is some unused space that leads to a waste of silicon. All this has a cost...
The Panasonic multi-aspect sensor which allows 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 ratios to be captured with FULL FIELD OF VIEW and MAXimum MEGAPIXELS is only about 15% larger. In the LX100, Panasonic didn't utilize a significant portion of the micro-4/3rds sensor vertically. They could have added something like 5:4, or something closer to square, but didn't utilize the space instead, sadly. Also, sensors are less expensive to make these days.
In view of the price of this camera this is more than excellent. A lot better than the 3 times as expensive Canon 6dmk2. Oh no wait, that 2000 euro cameras can't do what this 650€ can do.
Richard....Might be a good idea if dp did some tests re loading 4K videos into FC and iMovie (and others), as these things are very important to working photographer. Keep up the good work, your reviews are excellent.
You're absolutely right, for $650 it's almost revolutionary. The noise performance is remarkable too, which makes the absence of a mic jack doubly painful.
I also notice the video is terribly jerky when played through YouTube. I downloaded it to get rid of possible network slowdown to play it with MPC-HC but the highest resolution I was able to grab is [V: h264 high L5.0, yuv420p, 2560x1440, 8275 kb/s]. However, when played it is still jerky although my computer load is below 5%...
Jerkiness is probably due to fast shutter speed. They should have used nd filter in daylight and set the shutter speed at 1/50 ~ 1/60 for a 24-25 fps video. It is all about motion blur.
No, this is THE camera for amateur hour. Aspiring students shouldn't (and won't) pay any attention to this thing at all. None of the features you mentioned they are looking for. It's also missing all of the features that they are.
The video is mighty unimpressive, my RX100M4 produces cinema-grade footage (compared to the Olympus). It's a shame, because it'd have been an inexpensive and powerful video shooter otherwise.
That video at the beginning for some reason looked very out of focus and the rest just ok. The Em10mk3 video footage on the Cinema5D website looks incredible.
It does nothing better than the lower priced GX85. If you want to showcase the video quality, some more indoor & outdoor shots of people, hair&eyebrow details will be telling.
Am I missing something? Is the first part of the video ( pixelated and slightly out of focus ) at 1080 and the next part at 4k? Big difference and the quality at 3200iso remarkable!
Bostonc, "It does nothing better than the lower priced GX85." Wrong : 121 AF points versus 49, 330 shot versus 290 shot battery life, more powerful built-in flash (5.8m @ISO 100 versus 6m @ISO 200), slightly higher burst rate (8.6fps versus 8.0pfs), at least...
Weegee, Sometimes it takes time for the YouTube video to switch resolution. Once you get the resolution you want, pause the video, move the slider back to the beginning and play again.
It'll do some things better than the GX85 for sure (some already mentioned, some not)... I'd still say the GX85 is the better overall value for most, just because I think good (or at least decent) C-AF is something a lot of people value... That doesn't mean the E-M10 III can't/won't be a better choice for some, it just means it's not an outright class leader.
I chose an E-M5 II over a GX85 for somewhat similar reasons, tho the GX8 had more warts than Pana's latter bodies in the GX85 & G85 (no IBIS for video, older shutter design with no EFC or other mitigation for EFC). Imaging Resource's first field test for the E-M10 II seems to show no improvement whatsoever in C-AF, I dunno how much longer Oly can keep getting away with that.
This is an entry level camera. With all companies their take their parts bin and create the most compelling camera for a price point.
For existing EM10 owners it adds a ton of video features, and this alone will have me picking one up as a B-roll camera, and a slew of updates. It keeps the 16mp sensor most likely for data reasons. In other words, more data, more processing, more power etc. all putting pressure on the components used.
It is a beautiful little camera capable of taking beautiful pictures at 16mp. If you prefer the Sonys or Fujis etc, don't sweat it, go buy one. M43rds makes a case on size, and this body is currently the smallest in the line-up, well designed with good controls and a solid set of features all for $650.
Ah, that's true, although it's not really significantly smaller than the E-M10 I/II or the E-M5 for that matter... There's basically two sizes of OM-Ds, the 5/10 with more shallow grips and the E-M1 series with a beefier grip.
FWIW, Sony A5xxx/6xxx series bodies are smaller and Fuji's are comparable, unless you go down to like a GM/GX850 or an E-PM (RIP) the body size disparity between M4/3 and APS-C mirrorless has always been slim to none... Both M4/3 and Fuji do have more variety is body styles, and M4/3's biggest size advantage is found in it's lenses (the variety of which is also one of the system's main draws IMO).
Story? What story? That video is nothing more than a 15min effort to capture some sample footage on way home/office just sake of the review so it can be applied with some video footage.
With that really thin zoom lens I think this could be high-quality small pocket camera. Sony a6500 is roughly same size but its 3x zoom lens is much longer. And different $ league of course.
I confirm that my i5 3337u with HD4000 is not qualified to watch 4K youtube video. Damn laggy like lack of buffer. Upgrade laptop before upgrade camera. LOL
More than enough for web use... The smashing majority of pics/video shot is mainly for web purposes. And this is an entry level cam, fact that makes the smashing more smashing.
Not enough video details. Put more details on modes, settings, etc. in youtube description or in video. Most obviously missing: which lens?! Makes no sense. I've written this before but apparently they don't read anything.
For the first scenes in daylight, if you used 1/60th shutter speed and ISO200, the camera would have to close the aperture way beyond f/11. This would result in some diffraction softness.
Richard, perhaps you could also put in the crop factor in video mode (4k, 1080p)? Would be good if this information is included in video specs of all cameras. I don't think it's ever included; please correct if I'm mistaken. Thanks.
It doesn't do full sensor readout, lineskipping or pixel-binning is involved.
And what is the data-rate/mbps? Does Fujifilm mention it? And is it ALL-I or IPB?
And they should have given this the same sensor as on the Panasonic GH5, better low-light performance and cleaner overall image and improved dynamic range.
Actually, I think Olympus & Panasonic should dump 4/3rds and move to APS/C
See what Sony does next. I'm hoping for 10bit & 4:2:2
the quality is more than good enough. If you care about data rate and other strange acronyms you clearly shouldn't be looking on a camera that doesn't even support an external mic. However for family&friends memories it's great. I have the mk2, and i use it just for that - it is the perfect tool. The 4k quality is better, but personally i don't care for that, as in these type of videos it is more important to have the subject in focus and catch the moment as you rarely have second chances.
"Made by" is irrelevant. The sensor in GH5 is more expensive, and it is Panasonic. Olympus has 20MP in PenF and EM1II, EM1II is totally different with phase detection pixels. So what are we talking about here? From a 650-$ camera?
"Actually, I think Olympus & Panasonic should dump 4/3rds and move to APS-C" One key differenciator between APS-C and m4/3 systems is size and there are many people interested by the smaller size of the m4/3 system. Why should Olympus & Panasonic abandon it to enter the more crowded APS-C arena ?
Why are fanboys so confused about this? Both the 16MP and 20MP sensors are off the shelf items designed and manufactured by Sony. The E-M1 II sensor is seemingly a variant of that... but nobody suggested that particular sensor.
The Yi M1 had this sensor and is what? half the price of this Olympus?
Indeed. But fanboys shouldn't be so quick to defend Olympus saying it would automatically become magically a $1000 camera body with the inclusion of that sensor.
@CCD FTW Not sure which "fanboys" you are referring to, however, the YI M1 does not support your assertion, quite the contrary actually. The YI M1 launched at $699 with kit lens. It does not have an EVF, dual control dials and IBIS just for starters. How much would it have cost if those were included? Probably close to $1000 +/-.
Many cite current prices, but the YI M1 is selling at that price because that is what the market is willing to pay for it...simple really.
If the E-M10III proposition is panned/rejected by the market it will meet a similar fate.
The E-M10 III is just as much, if not more, a "business/marketing" bet versus a technical version upgrade. Some owners of previous E-M10 models are upset, but we we're really spoiled in that the low-end model in a three-tier product line had similar image quality and many of the features of the flagship model.
But competitively Olympus had to do this to establish the entire OM-D line.
Olympus is now differentiating the product tiers and again some are upset that the E-M10III is not a mini E-M1.2 for one-third the price.
Welcome to the new world and reality of the consumer ILC camera market. It's a pay to play market, and as market consolidation occurs, will become increasingly so. So we'll have to pay to play, use our smartphones instead or find another hobby.
@CCD FW My bad. $499 with 12-40mm, $599 with 42.5mm prime, $699 with both 12-40mm and 42.5mm. But my point is there are many factors affecting product feature sets and prices that a lot of armchair pundits don't consider. For example, does the same sensor cost more or less to fabricate after the earthquake in Japan? Who pays for the "rebuilding" of fabrication facilities...insurance? Then who pays for the increased insurance premiums?
Do you factor this into your analysis? My guess is...no, but you can confirm. But it is a factor. As are many others.
It's simply not as simple as many here on these forums make it out to be.
@ PlumShots - Back when the E-M1, E-M5 II and E-M10 were around there wasn't that big of a gap in price and Olympus did offer the same IQ across the board (well close, E-M1 stood out as being a bit worse, due to Panasonic sourced sensor, but the difference was marginal). I remember distinctly buying my 2 E-M1's for less than an E-M5 II or E-M10 (all were current models). While you got more features as you went up the line was at parity otherwise.
Now there is this absurd price gap between them and they are having to shelter that enormous gap by holding back the low end on sensor quality. But hey, Olympus are making money now I guess...
Now according to DPR's review, the YiM1 was $349 with 12-40mm, $459 with the 42.5mm and $549 with both. Not sure where your number are coming from? A quick follow of an Amazon link off this page took me to a camera + both lenses for $350...
What's wrong with liking one brand over another? Why does it always have to come back to specs on paper?
I've owned nearly every brand out there. They all make very good cameras but each is different and appeals to different people. I've owned 3 Sonys and ditched them all because I hate the interface. I don't love the Panasonic JPGs and yes, I could process RAW however I want. But I also work in photography and I don't have time to fiddle with every single picture.
If everyone wanted exactly the same features, ergonomics, styling, capabilities, size, lenses, etc. then there would be no need for other brands. No competition. Slow improvement. Higher prices. Less arguing on the forums. ;-)
I love my PEN-F. It's my smallest, most fun-to-shoot camera. 1 tiny bag fits 5 lenses, flash, tripod, meter, batteries, camera AND lunch. And I can (and do) make beautiful 16x20 prints.
When I have more professional needs, I use another camera. There is no one camera to replace them all.
Then you can go and buy Y1 M1. And yes, sensor affects the prize a lot. Y1's price with 20MP sensor is quite surprising. Before calling people fanboy, you need to know them better. Defending a company does not make you fanboy. 650$ for a camera that takes 4K video with best-in-class image stabilisation, EVF, tilting touch screen, the processor from EM1 II is very very good. If you don't like the sensor, you can buy Y1.
The 20 MP sensor has a 12% higher linear resolution than the 16MP sensor. In other words, it allows to make a print 12% wider and 12% higher. What a big deal !
" Now there is this absurd price gap between them and they are having to shelter that enormous gap by holding back the low end on sensor quality. "
Actually, the previously tiny gap between the E-M1 & E-M5 II seemed like an obvious issue for Oly from the start, some consumers may have liked how it panned out but it really didn't make any sense... They've kinda gone to the other extreme now but that's only because the E-M5 II successor isn't out and fell last in place for an update... I think I'd they can still find a middle ground with the Mk III and they don't needlessly gimp it in any one way then the lineup will make a ton of sense and the gaps will be justified.
I don't think how they structure all three models and the price brackets they go for is intrinsically tied to the sensor either... But without having Sony's sheet prices for bulk sensor purchases it's hard to tell.
It's entirely possible Sony is charging a larger premium for their top end sensor right now than in the days when Oly used the same 16MP sensor across their whole lineup (and Panasonic didn't, which made everyone love Oly). Or it's possible Oly is just cutting costs where it makes sense.
Honestly I don't think the very very slight drop in resolution and DR IS even that noteworthy (between the latest 16MP & 20MP sensors), so if it helped them somehow to hold that back then so be it. It probably hurts them more marketing-wise than it does in direct IQ comparisons. OTOH there's other things they could've done to make this more of an upgrade over the outgoing model, although the biggest one is still sensor related (OSPDAF), unless they figure out some other way to improve C-AF (a la Panasonic).
@ PlumShots - I was looking at DPRs review of the M1. Not sure what your problem is. Having a 'price' that is 'slashed' does not show how much the thing ever 'cost'. At any rate, we can say for certain that the cost difference of the sensor isn't significant enough to actually make it inaccessible under $1000 model.
That Sony is fabricating the sensor means nothing, you can have anyone else designed sensors with their technology in it, but Sony just fabricates it as the customer wants.
Sony as sensor manufacturer is like a chinese manufacturer for a products that are designed in US/Europe, it still gets "Made in China" stamp regardless who designed it.
There is a lot more to a camera than a sensor wrapped in plastic. I have no personal experience with Y1 M1. Does it have everything needed? The Chinese market penetration plan, besides copy, counterfeit, steal intellectual property, government for exports, protect for home markets and companies, forcing manufacturers to enter into JVs and give up their patents and IP = any way they can cheat, is to copy and make it cheap. If the camera is the whole package, OK. It can be a deal for the consumer, though helping unethical copiers will not end well if they destroy the quality camera manufacturers. The sensor and the price tag are not enough to know if the product is competitive and has everything you need.
@ Mshot - You're missing the point, which is that many 'defenders' want to claim that this camera would cost way too much if it shipped with the Sony 20MP m43's sensor rather than the 16MP one. This clearly isn't the case. The Yi is probably awful, it certain has one of the worst reviews of recent history.
So this decision is instead a marketing one, not about making the best camera they can for the price point, but protecting the expensive E-M1 II and Pen-F. Other brands that do this also get blasted for it, often especially by m43's users.
ASP-C is a waste of time. Minimal advantage over M43, lenses much bigger and heavier. A step backwards. For a "better" sensor, you have to go FF in which case you can get a better image sometimes when you need the DOF and DR, but you pay for it in size and weight, more so as the focal length lengthens. I've done enough shooting side by side with friends using ASP-C cameras for they and I to agree the IQ benefit is minimal and the size weight penalty is significant.
Been a while since the GX7... The GX85 is probably it's closest competitor, and possibly still a better value despite being a year older. The E-M10 III might have somewhat better IBIS and a better EVF but the GX85 should have much better C-AF and 4K video quality.
The a6000 should have better C-AF too and it's older still, granted no IBIS or 4K. Frankly I think they did just enough to make the E-M10 III relevant but not quite enough to make it truly stand out in it's class. My main body is an E-M5 II btw so I'm hardly biased against Oly.
So people keep asking "this is like EM10 II with 4K, why did Olympus even release this?" Well, in the age of "why doesn't ... camera have any 4K video?" questions, saying "only added 4K" is strange. In fact, you get 4K video with industry leading image stabilization, very good small camera that still takes excellent pictures, EVF etc.. only for 650 USD. If Olympus added more and more functions, changed the sensor and some other stuff and priced this 999 USD, then everyone would jump again. Instead, they added some minor functions and 4K video and kept the price very reasonable. Impossible to make this group happy, isn't it :)
The value of 4K video without better C-AF might debatable at this end of the market tho... But sure, they did just enough to make it relevant and worth the price tag, it's got some decent competition tho.
It's what they would call a "refresh" in wider consumer electronics, I guess. Not so interesting for some people, but for completely new customers it keeps the product line competitive. And those who don't want 4K can still pick up its predecessor with kit-plus-zoom lens bundles for reasonable prices while stocks last.
"Impulses The value of 4K video without better C-AF might debatable at this end of the market tho... But sure, they did just enough to make it relevant and worth the price tag, it's got some decent competition tho." You might have a point BUT many serious video guys prefer manual focus. I would rather like availablity of zebras and focus peaking in video mode. When I use the 4K video on my EM1 Mk2 I either use C-AF-+CTR OR S-AF+MF and adjust focus using the touch screen. This works very well in general, but a tripod makes thing much easier.
" You might have a point BUT many serious video guys prefer manual focus. "
And the vast but majority of those will still buy Panasonic or even Sony... Just being realistic, the inclusion of 4K on an entry level body (even with class leading IBIS) doesn't move the needle much in that regard, as you stated, it's about a lot more than that for the serious videographer. I own both Pana & Oly bodies FWIW.
I didn't state anything about 'moving the needle much'. I only stated that state of the art AF for video is notg important for many videographers. Actually I meet a pro a the CPH Jazz festival who used the EM1 mk2 og GO-pro cameras for shooting music videos. He was very happy with his gear but avoided AF for video. I seldom shoot video, but when I was guest at a wedding, I shot the ceremony in the church in 4K handheld using AF-S+MF and touch focus. The couple was very pleased with the results.
Problem is the codec might be crap plus low mbps. Saying it has 4K video means nothing. It's all about the quality of the codec and the processing and the data-rate & 4:2:2 & 10bit. 4K is a marketing spiel, but 4K with a proper codec and full-sensor readout and 10bit is where it's at, especially if it has no jello & low-latency.
Video is just a codec + cpu power. Can be done easily but these companies are deliberately messing with our heads. Backroom talks between CEOs restricting the codec & processing!
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