Overview of Olympus MFT Cameras
Olympus and Panasonic were the pioneers of mirrorless camera systems when they jointly designed the Micro Four Thirds standard. Since 2009, Olympus has launched more than 20 MFT camera models that address different photographic needs and markets. In parallel, a comprehensive lens catalog and a sizeable portfolio of accessories has emerged. So while the transition from Four Thirds to Micro Four Thirds was a difficult period for the company and the users of its products, Olympus MFT has over time developped into a solid photographic system with a variety of cameras, lenses, and accessories (see also the Olympus website for detailed information on current gear).
In particular, Olympus has developed and maintained four lines of cameras that differ across feature sets and target users:
- OMD-line - DSLR style, integrated viewfinder;
- PEN-line - Rangefinder style, enthusiast-oriented;
- PL-line - Rangefinder style, no viewfinder;
- PM-line - Rangefinder style, no viewfinder, very compact;
The following tables list the different models in each line with some of their key characteristics. In order to see further specifications, just click on the camera name. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator app to compare two cameras side-by-side.
OMD-line
| Camera Model |
Resolution (Megapixel) |
Video Format |
Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Shutter flaps (1/sec) |
Weather Sealing (yes/no) |
Camera Launch (announced) |
Launch Price | Street Price (USD) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Olympus E-M5 | 15.9 | 1080/60i | 1440 | tilting | 9.0 | Y | Feb 2012 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Olympus E-M1 | 15.9 | 1080/30p | 2360 | tilting | 10.0 | Y | Sep 2013 | US$ 1 399 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Olympus E-M10 | 15.9 | 1080/30p | 1440 | tilting | 8.0 | n | Jan 2014 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Olympus E-M5 II | 15.9 | 1080/60p | 2360 | swivel | 10.0 | Y | Feb 2015 | US$ 1 099 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Olympus E-M10 II | 15.9 | 1080/60p | 2360 | tilting | 8.0 | n | Aug 2015 | US$ 649 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Olympus E-M1 II | 20.2 | 4K/30p | 2360 | swivel | 18.0 | Y | Sep 2016 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Olympus E-M10 III | 15.9 | 4K/30p | 2360 | tilting | 8.6 | n | Aug 2017 | US$ 649 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Olympus E-M1X | 20.2 | 4K/30p | 2360 | swivel | 18.0 | Y | Jan 2019 | US$ 2 999 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Olympus E-M5 III | 20.2 | 4K/30p | 2360 | swivel | 10.0 | Y | Oct 2019 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Olympus E-M1 III | 20.2 | 4K/30p | 2360 | swivel | 18.0 | Y | Feb 2020 | US$ 1 799 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Olympus E-M10 IV | 20.2 | 4K/30p | 2360 | tilting | 15.0 | n | Aug 2020 | US$ 699 | amazon.com |
PEN-line
| Camera Model |
Resolution (Megapixel) |
Video Format |
Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Shutter flaps (1/sec) |
Weather Sealing (yes/no) |
Camera Launch (announced) |
Launch Price | Street Price (USD) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Olympus E-P1 | 12.2 | 720/30p | none | fixed | 3.0 | n | Jun 2009 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Olympus E-P2 | 12.2 | 720/30p | optional | fixed | 3.0 | n | Nov 2009 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Olympus E-P3 | 12.2 | 1080/60i | optional | fixed | 3.0 | n | Jun 2011 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Olympus E-P5 | 15.9 | 1080/30p | optional | tilting | 9.0 | n | May 2013 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Olympus PEN-F | 20.2 | 1080/60p | 2360 | swivel | 10.0 | n | Jan 2016 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Olympus E-P7 | 20.2 | 4K/30p | none | tilting | 8.7 | n | Jun 2021 | US$ 799 | amazon.com |
PL-line
| Camera Model |
Resolution (Megapixel) |
Video Format |
Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Shutter flaps (1/sec) |
Weather Sealing (yes/no) |
Camera Launch (announced) |
Launch Price | Street Price (USD) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Olympus E-PL1 | 12.2 | 720/30p | optional | fixed | 3.0 | n | Feb 2010 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Olympus E-PL2 | 12.2 | 720/30p | optional | fixed | 3.0 | n | Jan 2011 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Olympus E-PL3 | 12.2 | 1080/60i | optional | tilting | 5.5 | n | Jun 2011 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Olympus E-PL5 | 15.9 | 1080/30p | optional | tilting | 8.0 | n | Sep 2012 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Olympus E-PL6 | 15.9 | 1080/30p | optional | tilting | 8.0 | n | May 2013 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Olympus E-PL7 | 15.9 | 1080/30p | optional | tilting | 8.0 | n | Aug 2014 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Olympus E-PL8 | 15.9 | 1080/30p | optional | tilting | 8.0 | n | Sep 2016 | US$ 549 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Olympus E-PL9 | 15.9 | 4K/30p | none | tilting | 8.6 | n | Feb 2018 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Olympus E-PL10 | 15.9 | 4K/30p | none | tilting | 8.6 | n | Oct 2019 | US$ 599 | ebay.com |
PM-line
| Camera Model |
Resolution (Megapixel) |
Video Format |
Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Shutter flaps (1/sec) |
Weather Sealing (yes/no) |
Camera Launch (announced) |
Launch Price | Street Price (USD) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Olympus E-PM1 | 12.2 | 1080/60i | optional | fixed | 5.5 | n | Jun 2011 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Olympus E-PM2 | 15.9 | 1080/30p | optional | fixed | 8.0 | n | Sep 2012 | US$ 499 | ebay.com |
Further Reading
You can explore a compendium of all Olympus MFT lenses on a separate page, and explanations of many four-thirds terms can be found in the MFT glossary. Also, if you would like to directly compare two cameras, just enter your choice of models in the search boxes below and you will be taken to a side-by-side analysis of their relative size and features.
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