Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV vs Canon R50 | Which One Is Best For You?
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV vs Canon R50 — Which One Is Best for You?
If you’re looking for a small, beginner-friendly mirrorless camera, you’ve probably come across two top contenders: the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV and the Canon EOS R50.
Both are compact, affordable, and designed for creators who want to step up from smartphones — but they take very different approaches to photography and video.
So, which one should you buy? Let’s find out.
⚙️ Overview – Style vs Simplicity
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: A stylish, retro-inspired Micro Four Thirds camera that’s portable, stabilized, and great for everyday shooting.
Canon EOS R50: A modern, lightweight APS-C mirrorless that focuses on ease of use, fast autofocus, and powerful video features — perfect for creators and vloggers.
In short:
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E-M10 IV = Classic design, excellent stabilization, perfect for travel.
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R50 = Modern hybrid performance, fast AF, and strong video tools.
📸 Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV | Canon EOS R50 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | August 2020 | February 2023 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless (Micro Four Thirds, Entry-level) | Mirrorless (Entry-level APS-C, Hybrid) |
| Sensor | Micro Four Thirds 20.3 MP Live MOS | APS-C 24.2 MP CMOS |
| Image Processor | TruePic VIII | DIGIC X |
| Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Canon RF / RF-S |
| ISO Range | 200–25,600 (expandable to 100) | 100–32,000 (expandable to 51,200) |
| In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) | Yes, 5-axis (up to 4.5 stops) | No |
| Autofocus System | Contrast-detection AF (121 points) | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II (651 zones) |
| AF Subject Recognition | Face & Eye detection (humans) | Humans, animals, birds |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | Up to 8.7 fps | Up to 12 fps (electronic), 15 fps (electronic shutter) |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 30p | Up to 4K 30p (oversampled from 6K) |
| Video Bit Depth / Color | 8-bit internal | 10-bit via HDMI, 8-bit internal |
| Color Profiles | Standard profiles | Canon Log 3 (via HDMI), HDR PQ |
| RAW Video Output | No | No |
| Recording Limit | 29 min 59 sec | No recording limit (thermal dependent) |
| Viewfinder | 2.36M-dot OLED EVF | None |
| LCD Screen | 3.0″ flip-down touchscreen (1.04M dots) | 3.0″ fully articulating touchscreen (1.62M dots) |
| Touch Functions | Yes (AF, menus) | Yes (AF, tracking, menus) |
| Product Showcase Mode | No | No |
| Background Defocus Button | No | No |
| Body Material | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate |
| Weather Sealing | No | No |
| Audio Options | None (no mic input) | Mic input |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Micro-USB, HDMI | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI |
| Battery Type | BLS-50 | LP-E17 |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | Approx. 360 shots | Approx. 440 shots |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 121.7 × 84.4 × 49 mm | 116.3 × 85.5 × 68.8 mm |
| Weight (Body Only) | Approx. 383 g | Approx. 329 g |
| Price (Body Only) | Approx. USD 700 (check on Amazon) | Approx. USD 680 (Check on Amazon) |
🧱 Build and Handling
The E-M10 Mark IV wins on looks — its retro design with physical dials and metal finish makes it one of the most beautiful cameras in its class. It’s also incredibly compact, making it ideal for travel.
The Canon R50, on the other hand, feels more modern and minimalist. It’s lightweight and intuitive, with fewer dials but a more streamlined menu system that appeals to beginners.
👉 Verdict:
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E-M10 IV: Best for photographers who love manual control and design.
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R50: Best for beginners who want simplicity and speed.
🎯 Autofocus and Performance
The Canon R50 has a major advantage here.
Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II is one of the fastest and most accurate autofocus systems on the market, even in this price range. It features AI-powered subject detection for people, animals, and vehicles — something unheard of in entry-level cameras.
The Olympus E-M10 Mark IV uses contrast-detect autofocus, which is fine for stills but slower for moving subjects or continuous video tracking.
👉 Verdict:
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R50: Clearly superior autofocus system.
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E-M10 IV: Accurate, but slower in challenging situations.
🎥 Video Capabilities
Both cameras can shoot 4K, but the Canon R50 is a far better choice for video creators.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
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4K 30p recording (no crop)
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Reliable handheld footage thanks to IBIS
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No mic input, no log profile
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Great for casual travel videos
Canon EOS R50
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4K 30p oversampled from 6K for extra sharpness
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Full HD 120p slow motion
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Microphone input
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Fully articulating screen — perfect for vlogging
👉 Verdict:
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R50: Best for vloggers, content creators, and YouTubers.
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E-M10 IV: Best for handheld clips and stabilized travel shots.
🧠 Image Quality
Both cameras produce excellent images, but the Canon R50’s larger APS-C sensor delivers slightly better dynamic range, depth of field, and low-light performance.
The Olympus, with its Micro Four Thirds sensor, produces beautiful color and sharp results in good light but struggles more in darker conditions.
👉 Verdict:
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R50: Better overall image quality and low-light performance.
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E-M10 IV: Warmer, filmic colors but less dynamic range.
🔋 Battery and Storage
Battery life is similar, but the R50 pulls slightly ahead with around 440 shots per charge versus 360 on the E-M10 IV.
The R50 also supports faster UHS-II cards, useful for burst shooting and video.
👉 Verdict:
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R50: Longer life and faster workflow.
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E-M10 IV: Slightly behind but USB-chargeable on the go.
💰 Price and Value
The E-M10 IV offers fantastic value for travelers or hobbyists who prefer compact gear and stabilization.
The R50, however, provides a newer sensor, faster autofocus, and stronger video tools — all for nearly the same price.
👉 Verdict:
-
E-M10 IV: Best for travel and still photography.
-
R50: Best overall hybrid camera for beginners.
Check availability and price on Amazon 🛒
📷 Canon R50 — Amazon USA / Amazon Canada / Amazon UK / Amazon Australia
📷 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV — Amazon USA / Amazon Canada / Amazon UK / Amazon Australia
Note: camerafight.com participates in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
🏁 Final Verdict — Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV vs Canon R50
| Type of User | Recommended Camera |
|---|---|
| Beginner Photographer | Canon R50 |
| Enthusiast Photographer | Both (tie) |
| Portrait Photographer | Canon R50 |
| Landscape Photographer | Both (tie) |
| Street Photographer | Olympus E-M10 IV |
| Travel Photographer | Olympus E-M10 IV |
| Sports / Action | Canon R50 |
| Vlogger / YouTuber | Canon R50 |
| Hybrid Creator | Canon R50 |
| Budget Buyer | Both (tie) |
✅ In short:
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Choose the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV if you want a stylish, lightweight camera with great stabilization and timeless design.
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Choose the Canon R50 if you want modern autofocus, better image quality, and stronger video performance.
🧠 Final Thoughts
The Olympus E-M10 Mark IV remains one of the best compact mirrorless cameras for travelers and casual photographers — small, elegant, and easy to carry anywhere.
The Canon R50, meanwhile, represents the new generation of entry-level hybrids: faster, smarter, and better suited for both photos and video.
If you love the retro feel and want portability above all, go for Olympus.
If you care about autofocus, performance, and future growth, the Canon R50 is the clear winner.
