Olympus E-10From real comments

Verdict distilled from 25 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment45%
PROS 45%
CONS 55%

Rank based on 25 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a sharp-lensed, durable camera for deliberate RAW shooting
  • You appreciate vintage Olympus build quality and are shooting as a hobby
  • You can find one cheap and enjoy learning manual/older camera workflows

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need fast shutter response for sports or action photography
  • You shoot frequently in low light above ISO 80-100
  • You want a camera with reliable, unworn seals and shutter mechanism

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Sony RX10 IV~$1,698 · 1.2× cheaper
All-in-one versatilityFast autofocusStrong image qualityHigh priceShort battery lifeSmall controls and menu complexity
Sony RX10 IV~$1,698 · 1.2× cheaper
All-in-one versatility
Fast autofocus
Strong image quality
High price
Short battery life
Small controls and menu complexity
Best value
2Premium
Panasonic FZ2500~$1,199 · 1.7× cheaper
Built-in ND filtersAll-in-one zoom versatilityStrong 4K/10-bit video qualityLens sharpness debateFlimsy lens cap4K sensor crop / limited wide angle
Panasonic FZ2500~$1,199 · 1.7× cheaper
Built-in ND filters
All-in-one zoom versatility
Strong 4K/10-bit video quality
Lens sharpness debate
Flimsy lens cap
4K sensor crop / limited wide angle
3Premium
Olympus E-20~$1,999 · similar price
CCD color rendering and image qualityGreat value on the secondhand marketRugged, professional build qualitySlow write and focus speedSticky, degrading rubber gripPoor AA battery life
Olympus E-20~$1,999 · similar price
CCD color rendering and image quality
Great value on the secondhand market
Rugged, professional build quality
Slow write and focus speed
Sticky, degrading rubber grip
Poor AA battery life
You are here
4Premium
Olympus E-10~$1,999
Durable buildStrong image quality in RAWEnjoyable handling and feelConfusing setup and workflow for new/old ownersAging reliability issuesHigh original price
Olympus E-10~$1,999
Durable build
Strong image quality in RAW
Enjoyable handling and feel
Confusing setup and workflow for new/old owners
Aging reliability issues
High original price
5Upper
Nikon Coolpix P1100~$1,099 · 1.8× cheaper
Extreme zoom reachStrong value versus pro telephoto rigsGood for stationary wildlife closeupsMinimal upgrade over the P1000Poor low-light and high-ISO performanceSlow, unreliable autofocus
Nikon Coolpix P1100~$1,099 · 1.8× cheaper
Extreme zoom reach
Strong value versus pro telephoto rigs
Good for stationary wildlife closeups
Minimal upgrade over the P1000
Poor low-light and high-ISO performance
Slow, unreliable autofocus

Who wins on what (similar price)

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Image quality impresses when shot carefully in RAW. Multiple long-term owners describe the E-10's lens as extremely sharp and its images as high quality, particularly when shooting RAW at low ISO around 80. One user compared it favorably to a Canon 5D Mark III at the time of purchase. Owners who've kept using it for years, even decades, still praise the 'feel' and rendering of photos, calling it a gem despite its age and limitations.

Speed and low-light performance are notable weaknesses. Several reviewers cite pretty bad shutter lag and extremely long RAW write times, making it unsuitable for fast action or sports photography. The sensor is described as small and noisy, with a low practical ISO ceiling around 80-320, causing blown highlights in bright scenes and shaky photos indoors without a tripod. One owner now considers it more a novelty than a practical shooter.

Durability is mixed: mostly solid, but age is catching up. Many owners report their E-10 or sibling Camedia models still working fine after decades, with one shutter surviving 150,000 actuations before replacement. However, others report hot pixels rendering their unit nearly unusable, disintegrating rubber grips, and a dropped unit dislodging the mirror. One commenter also criticized the silver model's plastic-feeling build compared to more metal Olympus bodies.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?