Olympus E-M10 camera unveiled along with three new lenses

Olympus has taken the wraps off the E-M10, the new entry-level Micro Four Thirds camera of the OM-D series, and has announced three new lenses and a special “Elite Black” version of the E-M5.

The second most talked about camera of recent times is the Olympus E-M10. The rumor mill has managed to leak a lot of information about this device and even more regarding the now official Fujifilm X-T1.

A new entry-level camera is joining that OM-D series, so that photographers who want to purchase a Micro Four Thirds system have access to a more affordable solution.

Olympus E-M10 combines great features with a small and attractive body as well as a lower price tag. In theory, this is the best possible combination, but we will let the facts speak for themselves and the customers decide on their own.

Olympus introduces new entry-level camera for the OM-D series: E-M10

Olympus E-M10 is the latest addition to the OM-D series. The camera features a 16MP sensor.

The specs list of the E-M10 begins with a 16-megapixel image sensor with sensor-shift 3-axis image stabilization technology. The other OM-D cameras offer a 5-axis IS, so this proves that the new model is a lower-end one.

Furthermore, there is no on-sensor Phase Detection AF, meaning that users will have to rely on the Contrast Detection AF system that uses 81 focus points.

The ISO sensitivity will range between 200 and 25,600, while the shutter speed will stand between 1/4000th of a second and 60 seconds. E-M10 records 1920 x 1080 videos at 30 frames per second and captures 12-bit RAW photos.

A built-in flash is available, which is a first for the OM-D series, but an external flash can be mounted, too, on the hot shoe. The flash X sync speed reaches 1/200th of a second.

Flagship OM-D E-M1 lends some important features to the Olympus E-M10, such as WiFi

Olympus E-M10 has a tilting touchscreen and an electronic viewfinder on its back.

Olympus E-M10 borrows a few traits from the flagship E-M1 as well, not just from the E-M5. The most important one is the “TruePic VII” image processor that allows the camera to capture up to 8fps in continuous shooting mode.

It is worth noting that enabling the AF Tracking mode will slow the continuous mode down to 3.5fps. Additionally, the camera comes packed with built-in WiFi, giving users the possibility of transferring photos and videos to a mobile device wirelessly and instantly.

A 3-inch 1,037K-dot LCD touchscreen can be found on the back and it can even be tilted, so you can take photos from unconventional angles. Users can frame photos using the 1,440K-dot electronic viewfinder.

The E-M10 measures 119 x 82 x 46mm and weighs 396 grams with the batteries included. It stores content on an SD / SDHC / SDXC card and it has built-in USB 2.0 and HDMI ports.

Official release date and price details

Olympus E-M10 will become available in March for $699.99.

Olympus E-M10 release date has been set for March 2014, too. It will cost $699.99 in Black and Silver color choices. The 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens kit will be available for $799.99 around the same launch date, says the company.

Amazon has already setup a pre-order page, where it is claiming that the camera will begin shipping on February 12, a lot sooner than the date mentioned by the Japanese manufacturer, so it remains to be seen who is right and who is wrong.

Special Olympus E-M5 “Elite Black” version coming soon with 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO lens

Olympus E-M5 Elite Black is a special edition of the middle-entry OM-D camera and will be released this spring along with the 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO lens.

Olympus has also officialized the OM-D E-M5 “Elite Black” camera. It is a special version of the mid-tier OM-D shooter that features the exact specifications as the regular models.

The difference consists of the black leather-like coatings and textures across the camera, including the grip and the dials have been redesigned. It is bundled with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO lens and will become available in March 2014.

All E-M5 models will receive a firmware update soon, which will bring support for 100 ISO sensitivity and Small AF Target support.

Olympus launches three Micro Four Thirds lenses: 25mm f/1.8, 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6, and 9mm f/8

Olympus 25mm f/1.8 lens offers a 35mm equivalent of 50mm and will be released for $399.99.

The Japan-based company has continued its announcement event with three new lenses for Micro Four Thirds cameras: 25mm f/1.8, 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6, and 9mm f/8.

The M.Zuiko Digital 25mm f/1.8 lens is made out of 9 elements into 7 groups with two aspherical elements. It can focus on subjects located at a distance of 24 centimeters and weighs only 136 grams. It measures 56mm in diameter and offers a 46mm filter thread.

It will be released on the market in March for a price of $399.99.

Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens is a pancake zoom optic with a 35mm equivalent of 28-84mm.

The M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R EZ lens is a pancake model that becomes the slimmest standard zoom optic in the world. It offers an electric zoom motor, which is more suitable for video recording.

It is made out of 8 elements, including 3 aspherical ones and an ED (Extra Low Dispersion) one. It weighs only 91 grams and measures 23mm in length. Its diameter stands at 61mm, while the filter thread is sized at 37mm.

Olympus will begin selling it this March for $349.99. An optional LC-37C automatic lens cap will also be released for a price around $50.

Olympus 9mm f/8 body-cap fisheye lens has a 35mm equivalent of 18mm and will be released for $99.99.

The third lens is the 9mm f/8 fisheye body-cap. It comes with a fixed focal length and a fixed aperture. It weighs merely 30 grams and it can focus on subjects located at a distance of only 20 centimeters.

This accessory will cost $99.99 when it gets pushed to the market in March.