Favorite We Shrunk the camera!

A few years ago I decided for the MFT system. I have never regretted it. Funnily enough, this happened for the same reasons as with my transition from Nikon on Minox GTX to the bygone analogue times. Standard, telephoto lenses, and other measures on my motorcycle trips just to much space. Only Pentax could and can the transportation problem with its Limiteds narrow somewhat. Nevertheless, I also this solution was still too large. Panasonic brought the solution with the GF1 for me. The GF series had convinced me despite the well-known weaknesses from the outset. The GF2, the GX1 and the GH2 is more MFT cameras found a me. The Olympus Pen series was never an issue for me. The OM-D M5 everything changed. Again and again I glanced to the beautiful Olympus. Excellent equipped it offers excellent image quality and beautiful design. Unfortunately it was the GH2 in the way. I came with her cope so well that I did not want to simply hand. In addition, it was also a financial issue. With the significantly lower OM-D M10 has the now completed. The Pana had to go. I was very excited about my first Olympus.

One of the currently very strained terms, the word "Retro". Exactly occurred to me when I took the Olympus from its cardboard prison. Visually it could also be from the 70s and the look suits her really well. Of course, the illusion. However, a very pretty. That's the 10s a lightweight model of the 5 Series does not see you at her at first sight. But already the missing seal shows us the way in this direction. Although a lot of traveling this is not necessarily a disadvantage for me. Who wants Sealed should look at Pentax. There are by far the widest range of high-quality, sealed lenses.
I opted for the black version. The silver casing looks less dibasic. Haptic the Olympus is good. Feeling a GF1 / 2, one GX1, a GH or even the new GX7 it does not reach despite their beautiful but leathering. That may be unfair but is how it is. For large hands working with the M10 is initially a bit unusual. With the option of an additional handle that's but quickly resolve. Olympus can be the but additionally remunerated. On the positive side the existing hot shoe, including the built-in flash, as well as the metal tripod recording executed in the optical axis. Blasphemers criticize here the fact of not being able to open the battery or card slot for tripod use. My advice here for full-format camera with correspondingly large enclosures.

Well I like the operating concept of Oly. Unlike the Panasonic, it is equally intuitive. Especially the operating wheels have it done to me. They are practical and excellent in their feedback and engage a clean, which greatly facilitates the work. Here, the Front is something in the shadow of the selector dial on the back. No better way to attach a dial. The eye-catcher on the back is foldable, three-inch display. 90 ° upwards and 45 ° downward slope allows for the display. It should be mentioned that the Olympus can also be operated via the screen. Touchscreen is the keyword. This also makes the Olympus for configuration Monster. Can they do among other things the AF setting or triggering per screen. Of course, that can be accessed via various program memory functions. As many models before her, it also allows Olympus to approach step by step on their technique. Of preset scene modes to absolute manual control allows the 10er everything like. So the OM-D can also confidently press an entry in the hand. It makes it easy to EPAM in the matter Photography. Since I tested an alpha I appreciate the use of an eye sensor on the viewfinder. The automatic switching of the display in the viewfinder is pragmatic and comfortable at the same time. AF search and speed are excellent. Since Olympus and Panasonic take nothing.
Another embodiment of specifications I spare me. Sites like Digital Camera de, or the Olympus home page giving full detail information on the package the M10. How then are the pictures?

I have a very good 14-45 for everyday life, and a Panasonic 20 / 1.7 and an Olympus 45 / 1.8 for those special occasions. The latter two are excellent glass material and provide images that can be measured with the adult lenses. Even with MFT is to get a decent bokeh. Maybe not at the level of Pentax DA * 55 / 1.4. But for other lenses it was good enough. Here one must not lose sight of the purchase price. With more than six hundred euros for two glasses one is almost unrivaled. The combination Canon EF 85 / 1.8 and 50 / 1.4 times excluded. Zoom lenses are considerably weaker in their imaging performance as prime lenses generally. The MFT lenses I never felt this circumstance but as clear as Canon, Pentax and Co. Here the series variance with the lenses appears to be greater. Also speaking for the MFT. Unfortunately, never an Olympus Zoom lost to me. So I can not make any statement in this regard. One trend, however, is already apparent in photo zone and Co. My trusted dealer offered to the 14-42 II try me. The results I submit to.

The images of the 10 lie loosely on the same level as the GH2. Especially with the use of two fixed focal length lenses again to win both. With nearly identical resolution images of the OM-D be felt just a tad bit sharper and more detailed. In my eyes a bit plastic. The noise sensitivity at higher ISO values ​​wins Oly. But I had expected nothing less. A histrionic overvaluation of the subject noise I spare me. ISO values ​​above 800 are possible flawless. The colors are used to Olympus. "Bonbonesk" for one, "alive" for the other. Criticism of it I find excessive. Especially since there are enough to change this setting. At this point it is reminiscent of the good old days of analog films. Fuji was "Blue Group" Kodak stand for "Earthy tones" of the color table. But there was to tease out in the bathrooms of the development labs still a lot. Olympus is for me a blend of Pentax, Panasonic and Sigma DP1.

The only negative point for me is due to the firing of Olympus with the little battery the PEN models. This may be convenient for PEN owners. The bottom line however, limits the use of time and forces to buy a replacement battery. Whether Olympus here a similar policy moves as the third-party blockers of Panasonic, I can not say, but I submit to. Finally, it is the offer for MFT accessories mentioned in general. Meanwhile also provide Sigma and Co lenses for the MFT to established system. Moreover, there are many other manufacturers, which makes taking pictures with MFT interesting.

Short and sweet

Positive:
+ Processing and feel good
+ Equipment
+ Intuitive menu guidance
+ Individual configurability and easy recalling of settings
+ Image quality
+ Folding screen
+ Touch Screen Function
+ Housing Flash & Hot Shoe
+ Tripod mount in the optical axis
+ Wide range of very good and partly favorable lenses
+ Flexibility due to low weight
+ Accessories situation

Nerve factor:
- Low battery capacity
- WiFi only limited by APP
- Handle (without functions) with proud MSRP

Neutral:
o Touchscreen

My conclusion: The Olympus is in the dance of mirrorless cameras MFT a compact and incidentally also very attractive alternative. Their equipment makes almost perfectly happy and the price is tempting. Similar to Fuji screwed Olympus also at the one or other price spiral. That it is not necessarily at a disadvantage, the OM-D M10 shows us quite clearly. For ambitious beginners as well as a recommended image Mach device.