Standout: the wireless Photo Transfer system from camera to phone for sharing is top notch. The camera can be even swtiched off but there is a low power system that allows it to transfer photos to the camera very quickly. All you need is start the app and press the transfer symbol on the camera screen and it is just works. The photo transfer is really fast: a few seconds and it works as a wifi connection. This camera just works as a feature rich camera, light weight, easy to use, overall excellent package for a casual photographer. In some aspects: better than the Sony A6400 or Nikon z50 etc.
Having tested the Sony 6400 and the Nikon Z50 and a wide range of Panasonic Lumix Cameras( including the DC-G91), the Fuji XT200, Fuji XT3: here are my opinions.
I am not a professional photographer. But as a casual buyer I was able to test a number of the models in that price range.
I will give you an honest opinion from my point of view for whom this camera is for.
I had issues with all the above and they all were returned or sold. But this one is surprisingly good and I will tell you why you should consider it. And why not and which would be the alternative.
I tried the Panasonic Lumix cameras, they were unbelievably bad. The reviews I read and saw were not justified at all. While they have excellent specs and build quality, they simply cannot take good photos especially in low light due to the small sensors. Video and photo quality were awful. Since it cannot be the most important, I returned them the same day that I got them. I was sure that I will not keep them. Next I tried the Fuji xt 200.
Fuji XT 200: Really good camera that takes super sharp and photos with excellent colour science. The photos are just a pleasure to watch. Remarkable low light performance: was able to take decent photos even in the dark. The 2 reasons I sent it back: the body is poor plastic quality with low durability and it could not record videos for more than 10 minutes. And it would need to rest before it can film again. Then I tried the Sony Alpha 6400. No image stabilisation.
Sony A6400: No Focus bracketing. Colour science is not always spot on. I got terrible images many times. The photos were too crammed, I needed to crop them to get good photos. I needed to take many shots until I would get the proper picture I wanted. After a lot of disappointments and not getting the fun factor from it, I returned it as well. Next, the Nikon z50. No image stabilisation.
Nikon z50. At first it looked fine then I started to really dislike it. The image were not sharp and it was hard to get good depth of field. My photos were blurry in too many sports and only small parts were in focus. I did everything I could to get good photos, but they were disappointing most of the time. Flat objects were fine with excellent colour science but when depth of field was important like 3D objects.. it was not happy at all, too many blurry spots. And no focus bracketing option. No image stabilisation.
Enter the Olympus camera:
It gives excellent colour science. The slightly lower resolution is not felt. I had very good details on leaves, I could see the veins very well, similar to the Sony A6400.
Offers image stabilisation.
Very compact and relatively lightweight.
Mechanical shutter sound is pleasant. Unlike the Sony A6400. It is a really soft and gentle sound.
It does not seem to have a mode to set the image quality. It seems to be a standard quality. Only for movies it can be set to 4k or lower.
The wireless transfer of photos to phone is butter smooth, fast and easy. Much better than the others. It even offers an off mode which allows transfer of photos even if the camera is off via low energy mode.
Most images I took appeared to be in good focus. I was able to get good photos easily. Which is unlike the others ( Nikon, and Sony A6400: I never knew what I was getting...).
Low light performance images and video handheld is good. With good light the video quality is excellent: sharp and excellent colour. It focusses relatively fast.
Where it shines are in the Advanced photography methods:
Live time: long exposure shooting, stars, night sky etc..Live comp: consecutive photos taken records only when there is a change in brightness.. ideal for street night photography..Multiple exposure..combines or overlays sequential images..HDR: takes multiple images with varying exposures and combines it into one with one press of the button. This is ideal for images where you have the sun/ sky in the background and the foreground is darker.. silent photography mode: easily opted via the menuPanorama modeKeystone compensation to compensate for tall buildings..taking pictures from below makes them look deformed... it automatically flatens them: pretty amazing. AE braketing and Focus braketing.
It also has a flash option which the Sony A6400 does not have.
Last but not least: it has a robust and durable build similar to the Nikon z50 and the sony alpha.
It can record but take pictures within the same configuration. so when you set it to video, you can also take a picture if you want.
These easy to use options clearly outshines the Fuji xt 200, Nikon z50, and Sony A6400.
So to put it simple: I think this camera will be suitable for amateur photographers who just want a good picture in an uncomplicated way. Those who are stepping from smartphone to camera and just want a hassle free fun experience.. This is the ideal camera.
Minus points: Still uses micro USB. ( It is unfortunate that the Olympus designers do not realise that some people do not buy only because of this feature. People want USB C.)
The screen flips only to the bottom and not on the side. Hence if you put a tripod then you cannot flip the screen down. Same issue as the Nikon z50.
How to make the wireless connection:1. Download the App: Olympus Image Share and install it. On Top right of the camera there is a small icon with a "wifi+phone" symbol. Tap on it. Within a few steps you are connected. It works really well and super fast to send the pictures to phone. It even has an amazing system low power mode that can be eabled to download the photos even if the camera is off.
Notes for improvement:
1. The cap in front could have an easy press and click function. The current way I need to align it then press it with both fingers on the side.. what I would prefer is: simply press it on the top and it would fit automatically instead of having to press it on the sides and try to fit it. It could be better designed.
2. I would have liked more resolution to have photos with even more crips details and sharpness.
3. Ability to set image quality like 4k etc..
4. Screen should flip on the side.
5. USB C instead of micro USB.
In my view it faces competition with the FUJIFILM X-S10.
