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Style and function [New Straits Time (Malaysia)]
[September 01, 2014]

Style and function [New Straits Time (Malaysia)]


(New Straits Time (Malaysia) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) With a retro design and cutting-edge features, the Olympus OM-D E- M10 is worth considering, writes Siti Syameen Md Khalili.

WHEN a camera looks as sedate as the Olympus OM-D E-M10, it's hard for first time users to imagine that it can be fun to use. Yet, the E-M10 is built to do just that, making it easy even for fathers chasing toddlers to get a clean shot. If you are looking for a camera that can serve the whole family, the E-M10 may just be it.



Adults would certainly relate to its retro looks and solid feel. Incorporating comfy viewfinder, flash and tiltable touch display, the lens that comes with the review unit is the 14-42mm lens that tucks back in nicely when powered off. Add in the 16-megapixel sensor and image stabilisation technology, this combo ensures that users get sharp images as they begin in Auto Mode.

The photography enthusiast in the family can get perfect photo composition using other capture modes (P, A, S and M). With the TruePic image processor onboard and sensor that supports ISO levels ranging from ISO100 to ISO25600, users can take their time to tweak the settings to capture the contrasting shades of a blazing hot afternoon or that warm, rich-coloured sunset rays. The twin dials next to the flash is easy to reach and the programmable controls can be set to access frequently used parameters such as aperture, shutter speed , exposure compensation, ISO sensitivity and white balance.


EASE OF USE Back to the toddler-chasing father, the E-M10 comes with 81- point Fast AF system that ensure users will be able to freeze a moment of happiness. Or switch to a nine-point AF for tracking a moving subject, or rely on the eight fast sequential shooting (fps) to get more shots and later save the best ones. For a planned portrait, the Eye Detection AF feature that is accessible via the e- Portrait function helps the cameraman focuses on an eye as well as smooth out skin tones and textures.

To cater to the tapping fingers generation, the 3-inch touchscreen can be enabled to help in focus selection. Tap on the area that needs to be in focus and then click the shutter.

Meanwhile, mums with a penchant for creative collages can expand their collection using Photo Story feature, which combines multiple photos within the same frame. Simply turn the main dial to the Photo Story capture function and select a template that suits the occasion, then fill each frame by tapping on the screen or click the shutter button to snap.

Apart from this, the Art Filter is also exciting as the E-M10 has more than 10 artistic presets to choose from. The Scene mode also gives a chance for beginners to capture shots in multiple conditions without having to play with the parameter settings.

The Hand-held Starlight feature can be relied on to deliver great, sharp shots for almost any occasion. This preset is originally designed to capture night scenes without using a tripod. Just press the shutter button once to snap eight continuous shots. Then, let the camera synthesise the eight frames to produce an image with less noise. Other cool shooting functions to try is the Time- Lapse Movie, HDR modes and HDR-BKT.

Shooting video is a seamless experience. While normal movie recording works, you can apply Art Filters to make your movies more colourful (or colourless if you choose Grainy Film filter). The recording is quite smooth and audio is quite clear upon playback of the footages on TV or computer. Connectors such as microHDMI and USB will be able to support connectivity to other devices.

The more tech savvy user in the family will be delighted with the Olympus Image Share support. Simply download the free app onto an iOS or an Android smartphone, then switch on the WiFi feature to start pairing your gadgets. Once a link is established, users will benefit from the Wireless Touch AF Shutter by setting the camera on a tripod and trigger the shutter button remotely using a smartphone. In other words, no more twaddling with the timer or running to join the group shot.

An important button on the app is the halfway press button, where you can preview your frame and refocus on your subject before making a snap. You can review the captured image on your smartphone and share the file with others. On holidays, the GPS tagging feature allows for recording of the GPS logs and tagging the information on the files saved on the SD card.

AFFORDABLE MODEL Said to be the more affordable OM-D model, the E-M10 together with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ lens is priced at RM3,299. This price tag does seem attractive enough to Olympus system camera fans but perhaps a little steep for users who would consider cameras from other brands with almost similar performance.

However, given its fun modes, user-friendliness, compact body as well as more lens options for those who are also willing to invest on an adapter, this model might just come up as a winner.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Maker: Olympus Price: RM3,299 Enquiries: Olympus Malaysia Customer Service Center (Tel: 03- 6411 0000) Our verdict: * * * Physical design: * * * * User-friendliness: * * * * Documentation: * * * Features: * * * Performance: * * * Value for money: * * * (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved.

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