I had selected my EM10 because it currently represents for me along with the EZ-lens the best compromise between size and BQ with the viewfinder when you sometimes want to screw another lens (otherwise might RX100 Mk3). The small zoom or the Lumix 1.7 / 20mm pancake will still fit you with spare battery in a relatively small waist bag, for example to the millimeter in the Hama Canberra 90. The carped in some reviews handling of small housing is for me so rather than a pre- a disadvantage. If I want to keep a little thicker in the hand, then I take my DLSR :-). The automatic lens cap is for me the way a must. In this respect, sadly, that is not standard while the high price, but must be paid 34 euros extra. The original is small and fiddly and therefore totally impractical.
What made me a little worried before ordering, was the BQ of electronic mini-zoom lens - just if you read the bad experience with the 16-50mm equivalent in Nexen. But the worries were unfounded. Even at maximum aperture very acceptable images in terms of focus, color, contrast, and CAs. I made comparison shots with the Lumix 1.7 / 20mm and the difference is marginal for me, even if one dims the Lumix. In this respect, I screw the Lumix only for light intensity and cropping on compartments occasionally. In fact, now a test has confirmed my subjective impression in the last issue (8/2014) of the magazine photo. Especially in the middle focal length range of the zoom, the BQ is excellent from full aperture to about f8-11, up and down a little weaker but still very good.
For me as a first time user of the MFT system it was a bit strange that the lenses require a relatively large force at touchdown. Especially the Lumix had to tighten already almost by force. I could try to duplicate, thus appears to be due to design. However, with increasing use of the bayonet was then becoming easier.
I should also mention that in my first copy of the lens EM10 sometimes no longer import or export, but remained just hang. Perhaps a loose connection on the bayonet? I was the problem in any case not resolve itself and have complained about it, and exchanged for a new device, in which everything is now in order.
Unfortunately broke down on vacation the eye sensor in the new copy after about 2 months. No more switching between the viewfinder and monitor possible. Fortunately, Amazon has changed from grace again. But I have to have to ask whether it is pure coincidence that two cameras in a row for no reason the service failure. I know so by any other brand.
What I love about the Olympus otherwise not like so much, is the extremely complex menu. On the one hand you can adjust a lot - each button can be programmed - on the other hand I had at the Oly first time often try the manual. I've had a lot of cameras and now I can use the standard menus from Canon, Sony and Co actually all operate in his sleep. When you have against Olympus already know exactly where to find something in the deep branches of the menu.
In the factory setting the JPEGs are not set at the lowest level of compression, the Olympus "Super Fine SF =" is, but to "fine = F". If you do not know this, then you think that one is in the best level, because other producers "fine" the best quality, and Olympus in the factory setting provides no better setting than F in the menu. It struck me that only because the JPEGs were only just over 3 MB, which I very little occurred at 16 megapixels. So you then it can ever adjust Superfine, one must only times in the gear menu, there at the point G in the sub-menu settings and there in one of the four screen options the SF "unlock" as an option. Only then can the main menu select (via OK) SF at all. What I mean by complicated setting ...
I'm missing yet another button for programming. On Fn1 I AE-Lock (super: with / without adjustable spot) and Fn2 to manual focus. Therefore for quick switching to RAW I had the video button abuse - after going the videos But one must now select using the jog dial.. In addition, you can not put RAW alone but only RAW + JPEG on the button, which makes little sense to me, because I can develop if necessary the RAWs into the camera. Well, however, is whining at a high level. Mostly I photograph in RAW anyway.
The viewfinder is ok, but the viewfinder image is as small and grainier than with my Sony A57, though purely formally the same number of pixels should be present. But perfectly adequate.
The zoom is very slow in the factory setting. But can one govern separately for photo and video. Ok in the fast setting. Also, the manual focus works with the zoom just fine.
Except for the quality problems, I was quite happy with the EM10, particularly liked the small zoom lens. For me, makes the real competitive advantage of the MFT system of because small housing there now already for KB full format. In order to exhaust all options, but really have to work intensively and regularly with her himself. In so far as a second or third camera that you use only compartments occasionally not so optimal.