Yes, Olympus is still making new cameras – like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, which has been leaked online ahead of its traditional August-September announcement window. And yes, it appears that the entry level OM-D camera will finally be getting a 20MP sensor.
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV had been expected in 2020, after the company registered a new camera with a Russian certification agency, though this news was sadly overshadowed by the news that Olympus has sold its camera division.
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While some have questioned whether this would mean the end of new product from the manufacturer, Olympus has reassured us that it's "business as usual" – and the successor to the brilliant Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III looks to be the first new body since the sale news. Hopefully, the first of many.
For the first time in the history of the E-M10 product line, the Mark IV is set to feature a 20MP sensor. That's according to a set of leaked specs from Photo Rumors – though it is listed as 20.3MP, whereas the sensor is almost certainly the same familiar 20.4MP model featured in the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and flagship Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III.
Perhaps that discrepancy is down to the claimed lack of phase detect autofocus. Whereas the existing 20.MP chip features on-sensor phase detect, the leaked specs state that the sensor in the new camera will only possess contrast detect AF – which has historically been the case for the E-M10 line, to differentiate it from the senior E-M5 and E-M1 tiers.
The specs also state that the in-body image stabilization will be good for 4.5 stops (an improvement on the 4 stops of its predecessor), and that the rear screen will now be a flip-down 180° affair that's perfect for selfies. This is an interesting development, as it cannibalizes one of the USPs of the popular PEN line of cameras, such as the Olympus PEN E-PL10.
Video still maxes out at 4K 30p, or 1080p / FullHD at 60p, though burst shooting is significantly improved to 15fps in S-AF or 6.3fps in C-AF (compared to 8.6fps and 4.8fps respectively on the Mark III).
According to 43 Rumors, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV will start shipping on 25 September, so stay tuned for the official announcement.
Read more:
Olympus sells camera division
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III review
The best Olympus cameras: for Instagrammers, enthusiasts and pros
