OM System E-M10 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Review

The Olympus E-M10 Mark II is a bit of a mixed bag, but it has one standout party trick. Its 8.5fps burst shooting lands it in the 78th percentile for speed, which is genuinely impressive for a camera in this class. That makes it a surprisingly capable option for capturing action, even if its overall score for sports and wildlife is a modest 41.6 out of 100.

Beyond the speed, you're getting a solid 5-axis in-body stabilization system for sharper handheld shots and a decent 2.3 million-dot electronic viewfinder. But the sensor performance sits in the 30th percentile, and video capabilities are down at the 31st. This camera knows its lane, and it's not trying to be a video powerhouse.

Let's talk about that burst rate. Hitting 8.5 frames per second puts this camera ahead of many peers, and it's the main reason its performance feels punchy. The autofocus system, however, is more middle-of-the-road at the 44th percentile. It uses a hybrid system with 81 contrast-detect and 37 phase-detect points, which is competent but not class-leading. You'll get the shot, but don't expect the lightning-fast tracking of a modern sports camera.

The built-in stabilization is a nice touch, scoring in the 40th percentile. It helps you squeeze more sharpness out of the Micro Four Thirds sensor, especially in lower light. Just don't expect miracles. The other specs, like the EVF and battery life, are right at the 50th percentile mark. They're perfectly fine, nothing more, nothing less.

At around $700, the value proposition is clear but narrow. You're paying primarily for that high burst rate and the in-body stabilization. If you shoot a lot of kids' sports, pets, or other fast-moving subjects on a budget, this camera makes sense. Compared to its direct peers, it offers a unique combo of speed and stabilization that you might not find elsewhere at this price. But if video or ultimate image quality is your priority, your money goes further elsewhere.

Stacked against the competition, the E-M10 Mark II carves out a niche. The Fujifilm X-S20 or Sony a6400 will run circles around it for video and autofocus performance, but they might not match its burst speed without a price jump. The Canon EOS R7 is in a different league for action, but it's also in a different price bracket. Compared to something like the Pentax K-3 Mark III, you're trading the optical viewfinder and potentially better build quality for a smaller, lighter mirrorless system with that handy electronic viewfinder. It's a trade-off between pure speed and other modern features.

The Olympus E-M10 Mark II is a specialist. If your primary need is a fast, affordable camera for capturing action and you value in-body stabilization, it's a compelling, data-backed choice. The 78th percentile burst rate is real. But its weaker scores in sensor performance (30th percentile) and video (31st percentile) are hard to ignore for generalists. For a dedicated second body or a specific action-shooting tool on a budget, it's a yes. As your only, do-everything camera, you might feel its limitations.