Should You Buy an Olympus Digital Camera?

Olympus is one of the most popular digital camera brands as well as being well known for its .
If you are thinking about buying an Olympus digital camera then our handy guide provides you with all the key info at a glance. Our objective, impartial comparison of digital camera brands is compiled by analysing over 38,000 user and expert reviews and 690+ awards from hundreds of different review sites on over 1,900 digital cameras.
Olympus are recognised for their wide selection of mid-range and award winning digital cameras. Their digital cameras start at $59 for the VG-160 which has a weight of 125g, an optical zoom of 5x and is a compact digital camera and go up to $1,999 for the E-M1 which has a weight of 443g, an optical zoom of §x and is a mirrorless digital camera. The average price of a new Olympus digital camera is $463.
Is Olympus the Best Digital Camera Brand?
So are Olympus digital cameras any good? We give every digital camera a Kagoo Score by analysing its specs, reviews and prices and comparing this to its competitors. By aggregating this data across all digital cameras we are able to impartially rank all the digital camera brands.
Our detailed analysis taking into account all of the above factors found that Olympus is the 11th best digital camera brand out there.
#1 |
Japan
|
95% |
95%
7,646 reviews
|
#2 |
Japan
|
91% |
91%
4,512 reviews
|
#3 |
Japan
|
88% |
88%
3,659 reviews
|
#4 |
Japan
|
87% |
87%
254 reviews
|
#5 |
Japan
|
86% |
86%
1,242 reviews
|
#6 |
South Korea
|
83% |
83%
1,380 reviews
|
#7 | 82% |
82%
17 reviews
|
|
#8 | 81% |
81%
56 reviews
|
|
#9 |
Polaroid
|
80% |
80%
321 reviews
|
#10 | 80% |
80%
236 reviews
|
|
#11 |
Japan
|
80% |
80%
567 reviews
|
#12 |
Ricoh
|
75% |
75%
12 reviews
|
#13 |
Sigma
|
73% |
73%
34 reviews
|
#14 |
United States
|
72% |
72%
28 reviews
|
#15 |
SeaLife
|
69% |
69%
1 review
|
#16 |
Vivitar
|
64% |
64%
49 reviews
|
#17 |
Praktica
|
61% |
61%
2 reviews
|
#18 |
HP
United States
|
61% |
61%
12 reviews
|
#19 | 61% |
61%
5 reviews
|
|
#20 |
Lytro
|
61% |
61%
125 reviews
|
#21 |
easypix
|
60% |
60%
70 reviews
|
#22 |
Aquapix
|
59% |
59%
62 reviews
|
#23 |
VTech
|
58% |
58%
4 reviews
|
#24 |
Philips
Netherlands
|
57% |
57%
3 reviews
|
#25 |
Coleman
|
57% |
57%
0 reviews
|
#26 |
SVP
|
57% |
57%
0 reviews
|
#27 |
Fuji
|
56% |
56%
0 reviews
|
#28 |
Mamiya
|
56% |
56%
0 reviews
|
#29 |
Hasselblad
|
55% |
55%
0 reviews
|
#30 |
Bell+Howell
|
53% |
53%
0 reviews
|
Let's look at how Olympus digital cameras compare to the other digital camera brands across each of the key facets that make up the Kagoo Score.
All digital camera Brands |
Olympus Digital Cameras |
Olympus have better reviews than the typical digital camera brand, with the average rating of a Olympus digital camera being 73%. Olympus also have a number of great features including rechargeable battery which sets them apart from the competition.
There's a smaller selection of Olympus digital cameras available compared to other digital camera brands, with only 20 Olympus digital cameras currently on the market in the US. Olympus digital cameras also tend to be cheaper than most other digital camera brands however they are still a less popular choice with consumers.
No. Of Digital Cameras |
Average Price
$558 |
|||||||||||||||||||
$0 | $100 | $200 | $300 | $400 | $500 | $600 | $700 | $800 | $900 | $11,899 |
No. Of Digital Cameras |
Average Price
$463 |
|||||||||||||||||||
$0 | $100 | $200 | $300 | $400 | $500 | $600 | $700 | $800 | $900 | $6,999 |
What Do the Olympus Digital Camera Reviews Say?
We've added up all the reviews for every Olympus digital camera to work out the average distribution of reviews for Olympus and then compared this to the other digital camera brands.

Expert Reviews
5 stars | 105 | |
4 stars | 123 | |
3 stars | 15 | |
2 stars | 2 | |
1 star | 0 |

User Reviews
5 stars | 125 | |
4 stars | 20 | |
3 stars | 5 | |
2 stars | 4 | |
1 star | 5 |
Over 93% of expert reviews and 91% of user reviews for Olympus digital cameras are 4 stars or higher. This compares to 89% and 84% respectively across all Digital Camera brands.
In the table below we compare the average review score given to Olympus digital cameras by some of the most popular technology review sites against their reviews for other digital camera brands. The best review score from each review source is highlighted in green.
Average Review Score | Canon | Nikon | Sony | Samsung | Olympus |
![]() |
75%
152 reviews
|
73%
110 reviews
|
75%
93 reviews
|
75%
46 reviews
|
78%
21 reviews
|
![]() |
83%
27 reviews
|
84%
13 reviews
|
83%
19 reviews
|
82%
13 reviews
|
90%
3 reviews
|
![]() |
80%
26 reviews
|
75%
16 reviews
|
73%
13 reviews
|
70%
14 reviews
|
81%
5 reviews
|
![]() |
74%
19 reviews
|
72%
19 reviews
|
68%
13 reviews
|
74%
13 reviews
|
64%
5 reviews
|
![]() |
75%
28 reviews
|
62%
9 reviews
|
73%
14 reviews
|
67%
11 reviews
|
75%
4 reviews
|
![]() |
83%
19 reviews
|
87%
12 reviews
|
80%
12 reviews
|
83%
16 reviews
|
83%
4 reviews
|
![]() |
82%
18 reviews
|
82%
20 reviews
|
75%
8 reviews
|
78%
10 reviews
|
86%
5 reviews
|
![]() |
73%
22 reviews
|
71%
14 reviews
|
76%
11 reviews
|
76%
13 reviews
|
80%
1 review
|
![]() |
79%
23 reviews
|
80%
11 reviews
|
82%
13 reviews
|
71%
13 reviews
|
80%
1 review
|
![]() |
76%
22 reviews
|
86%
4 reviews
|
79%
17 reviews
|
69%
14 reviews
|
83%
3 reviews
|
![]() |
85%
16 reviews
|
80%
16 reviews
|
80%
7 reviews
|
70%
12 reviews
|
81%
7 reviews
|
![]() |
87%
22 reviews
|
89%
8 reviews
|
86%
15 reviews
|
84%
9 reviews
|
86%
4 reviews
|
![]() |
87%
20 reviews
|
84%
13 reviews
|
74%
10 reviews
|
66%
7 reviews
|
85%
4 reviews
|
![]() |
85%
25 reviews
|
80%
10 reviews
|
83%
12 reviews
|
82%
5 reviews
|
81%
1 review
|
![]() |
77%
22 reviews
|
75%
4 reviews
|
80%
10 reviews
|
68%
10 reviews
|
75%
4 reviews
|
![]() |
74%
18 reviews
|
80%
7 reviews
|
76%
7 reviews
|
71%
12 reviews
|
75%
4 reviews
|
![]() |
78%
14 reviews
|
69%
14 reviews
|
75%
11 reviews
|
65%
4 reviews
|
68%
4 reviews
|
![]() |
77%
21 reviews
|
79%
11 reviews
|
72%
5 reviews
|
71%
9 reviews
|
|
![]() |
66%
18 reviews
|
46%
18 reviews
|
37%
6 reviews
|
|
60%
3 reviews
|
![]() |
80%
18 reviews
|
84%
14 reviews
|
75%
8 reviews
|
80%
1 review
|
87%
3 reviews
|
Other Expert Sites |
76%
640 reviews
|
77%
370 reviews
|
71%
377 reviews
|
72%
296 reviews
|
75%
149 reviews
|
Average |
79%
1,190 reviews
|
77%
713 reviews
|
75%
681 reviews
|
74%
528 reviews
|
79%
235 reviews
|
How Many Industry Awards Have Olympus Digital Cameras Received?
After checking thousands of expert review websites we found 54 industry awards for Olympus digital cameras. The table below compares the number of awards received by Olympus to other popular digital camera brands. The largest number of awards provided by each review source is highlighted in green.
Compare all award winning digital cameras
Number of Awards | Canon | Nikon | Sony | Samsung | Olympus |
![]() |
22
|
9
|
16
|
12
|
3
|
![]() |
23
|
7
|
8
|
|
3
|
![]() |
14
|
11
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
![]() |
13
|
7
|
4
|
1
|
3
|
![]() |
8
|
7
|
3
|
8
|
2
|
![]() |
12
|
8
|
4
|
1
|
3
|
![]() |
10
|
5
|
1
|
6
|
1
|
![]() |
8
|
3
|
5
|
5
|
2
|
![]() |
5
|
5
|
3
|
|
6
|
![]() |
6
|
6
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
![]() |
4
|
3
|
5
|
1
|
2
|
![]() |
5
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
![]() |
4
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
![]() |
4
|
2
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
![]() |
6
|
4
|
1
|
|
2
|
![]() |
7
|
4
|
2
|
|
|
![]() |
4
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
![]() |
6
|
3
|
1
|
|
1
|
![]() |
4
|
|
1
|
3
|
2
|
![]() |
4
|
5
|
|
|
1
|
Other Expert Sites |
85
|
56
|
29
|
33
|
11
|
Total |
254
|
155
|
97
|
83
|
54
|
How Reliable Are Olympus Digital Cameras?
We checked over 38,000 reviews to find comments about the reliability of Olympus digital cameras. over 60 of these reviews mention reliability of which 74% were positive. Therefore the majority of Olympus digital camera owners and reviewers thought the product was reliable.
So, most people think that Olympus digital cameras are good quality. Now let's take a look at some of the reviews for Olympus digital cameras that mention reliability:
RELIABLE












NOT RELIABLE




Features to Look Out For On Olympus Digital Cameras
There's a number of great features to look out for on the latest range of Olympus digital cameras that set them apart from the competition. These include rechargeable battery.
Olympus Rechargeable Battery
A rechargable battery means tht the battery pack in the camera can be recharged, meaning no need to constantly replace them with other batteries.
Olympus digital cameras that have a rechargeable battery include the Olympus Tough TG-6 ($317), the Olympus OM-D E-M10 ($0) and the Olympus EPL10 ($499).
What is the Best Mid-Range Olympus Digital Camera?
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
$999.00
Adorama
|
Buy Now |

20.4MP
|
5184 X 3888
PIXELS IMAGE RESOLUTION |
4096 X 2160
PIXELS VIDEO RESOLUTION |
1s
CAMERA
|
2.8
MINIMUM
|
25,600
MAXIMUM ISO
SPEED |
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498g
|
![]() |
3"
SCREEN
|
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A great mid range choice, priced at $999 is the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, which has a Kagoo Score of 73.
A fully featured but only ok value for money 498g digital camera. It has an image stabiliser and a touchscreen, supports Wi-Fi and features bluetooth.
80
|
Fully-Featured |
65
|
Good |
73
|
Very Good |
The cheapest price that we could find for the OM-D E-M1 Mark II in the US is $999.00 but in total we found only 1 price for it.
|
Out of stock
|
$950.00
Delivery unknown
|
Go to Store | |
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In stock
|
$999.00
Delivery unknown
|
Go to Store | |
|
In stock
|
$1,599.00
Delivery unknown
|
Go to Store | |
|
In stock
|
$1,599.00
Delivery unknown
|
Go to Store | |
|
In stock
|
$2,199.00
Delivery unknown
|
Go to Store | |
|
+1 more price
In stock
|
$2,599.00
Delivery unknown
|
Go to Store | |
- Show less prices from Adorama |
What is the Best High End Olympus Digital Camera?
Olympus PEN-F
$999.00
Adorama
|
Buy Now |

20.3MP
|
5184 X 3888
PIXELS IMAGE RESOLUTION |
FULL HD VIDEO
RESOLUTION |
1.8
MINIMUM
|
25,600
MAXIMUM ISO
SPEED |
1s
CAMERA
|
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373g
|
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3"
SCREEN
|
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If you're looking for a high end Olympus digital camera then the Olympus PEN-F takes some beating. It has a Kagoo Score of 80, but is a bit more expensive at $999.
A fully featured and classic 373g digital camera, with a reasonable price. It has an image stabiliser and a touchscreen and supports Wi-Fi and Full HD video. Purchasers report that this digital camera is very able to produce good images and good-looking, and easy to use.
97
|
8 Reviews |
83
|
Fully-Featured |
70
|
Good |
80
|
Excellent |
Customers report that Olympus PEN-F has excellent user reviews with an average user rating of 98%.
The Olympus PEN-F is 124.8mm wide, 72.1mm tall, 37.3mm deep and weighs 373g.

The cheapest price that we could find for the PEN-F in the US is $999.00 but in total we found only 1 price for it.
|
In stock
|
$999.00
Delivery unknown
|
Go to Store |
What is the Best Budget Choice Olympus Digital Camera?
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III
$599.99
Adorama
|
Buy Now |

16.1MP
|
4608 X 3456
PIXELS IMAGE RESOLUTION |
10.7x
OPTICAL ZOOM
|
4K
VIDEO RESOLUTION
|
3.5
MINIMUM
|
25,600
MAXIMUM ISO
SPEED |
1s
CAMERA
|
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410g
|
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3"
SCREEN
|
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At only $599.99 and with a Kagoo Score of 77 the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III makes a great budget choice.
A good value for money and fully featured 10.7x optical zoom camera. It has an image stabiliser, a touchscreen and a GPS and supports Wi-Fi.
81
|
Fully-Featured |
75
|
Very Good |
77
|
Very Good |
The cheapest price that we could find for the OM-D E-M10 Mark III in the US is $599.99 but in total we found only 1 price for it.
|
In stock
|
$599.99
Delivery unknown
|
Go to Store | |
|
In stock
|
$649.00
Delivery unknown
|
Go to Store | |
|
In stock
|
$664.94
Delivery unknown
|
Go to Store | |
|
In stock
|
$694.94
Delivery unknown
|
Go to Store | |
|
In stock
|
$1,033.99
Delivery unknown
|
Go to Store | |
|
Out of stock
|
$1,195.00
Delivery unknown
|
Go to Store |
Compare All Olympus Digital Cameras
Find the best Olympus digital camera for you by checking our complete list of over 528 digital cameras
|