6 Best Olympus camera for food photography: (2024 Guide & Reviews)

Last Updated on December 5, 2023 by Sharon Advik

Do you need help deciding which camera you should buy to photograph food?

Whether you’re a professional food photographer or a hobbyist, a good camera can make a big difference.

With various available options, choosing the right one for your needs is tiring.

However, as a professional photographer, my top choice is the Olympus camera, which is packed with great features.

Their easy-to-use interface, interactive viewfinders, and excellent autofocus performance with Zuiko lenses make them industry leaders.

Olympus offers a wide range of compact, rugged, weather-resistant cameras and is stylish to carry as any modern accessory.

But here, I will mention only a few that helped me improve my photography experience.

So, please read our guide to know how these cameras helped me in real-life scenarios to capture great photos.

Which is the Best Olympus camera for food photography?

Here are my recommended top 6 Best Olympus camera for food photography:-

Olympus E-M10 Mark III: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Olympus E-M10 Mark III: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

A few months back, I was in a restaurant where I had lunch.

When I was enjoying my meal, the restaurant manager came to me.

He told me he knew me and had seen my food photography videos on YouTube.

After the conversation, he requested me, on behalf of his honor, to shoot a few food videos and images for their ad.

At first, I felt awkward, but then I decided to seize the opportunity.

He took me to the kitchen area, where the chefs prepared food.

I asked one of them, who had just prepared an apple pie, to bring it to the table near the window.

I topped it with an ice cream scoop to make it appealing.

I also used cutlery as a prop and natural light coming through windows as a source.

Luckily, I had my Olympus E-M10 Mark III camera, which made photos tempting.

Features:

  • Model: Olympus E-M10 Mark III
  • Sensor: 16.1MP Four Thirds Live MOS
  • Image Processor: Dual Quad-Core TruePic VIII
  • Video Recording; UHD 4K30 Clips Mode
  • Viewfinder: 2.36m-Dot 1.23x Electronic
  • Screen: 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD monitor
  • Image Stabilization: In-Body 5-Axis
  • Autofocus: 121-Point Contrast-Detect AF System
  • ISO: 25600
  • Connectivity: Built-In Wi-Fi
  • Lens: M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R
  • Effective pixels: 16.1MP
  • Shutter type: Electronic
  • Shutter speed: 1/16000 to 30 sec

ISO/ Shutter speed:

I set my ISO to 100 for a more transparent and precise image to achieve the best results.

I set the shutter speed to 1/250th of a second to capture a sharp photo without blurring due to minor movement.

Aperture/ Depth of field:

The aperture was set at f/5.6, providing an adequate field depth and enough light for this particular setting.

White balance/ Frame rates:

I chose Auto White Balance to auto so that it adjusts automatically according to the available light conditions in the room.

Finally, I set the frame rate at 30fps as this is an optimal value when shooting food photography in a still environment.

Why is this camera the best?

This camera boasts four thirds live MOS sensor, making it compatible while giving me the best shots.

The camera’s Dual Quad-Core TruePic VIII image processor allowed me to accurately focus and track the subject when moving my camera fast for different effects in videos and automatically adjusted the exposure.

Conclusion:

The camera only supports 5-axis stabilization for video mode, which can create unwanted distortion on the corners of any video you take.

This camera has advanced features like focus peaking, zebra patterning, and time-lapse recording.

These make this camera one of the best Olympus for food photography.

Click here to buy!

Olympus E-M10 Mark III: (Best Olympus camera for food photography) Olympus E-M10 Mark III: (Best Olympus camera for food photography) Olympus E-M10 Mark III: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Pros
  • Compact, solid design.
  • Built-in EVF and flash.
  • Tilting touch LCD.
  • 8.8fps burst shooting.
  • In-body stabilization.
  • Raw and JPG capture.
  • In-camera art filters.
  • Wi-Fi.
Cons
  • No Bluetooth or NFC.

Olympus OM D E M1 Mark iii: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Olympus OM D E M1 Mark iii: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

It was the start of my food photography journey when I got an assignment from my instructor to photograph the food for a competition held among students.

I needed clarification about what to photograph and how.

I came home having thoughts about my assignment.

I went straight into my room, and after a while, I searched the internet for what I should photograph.

My mom came to me and told me that she baked chocolate chip cookies and asked me to taste them.

I immediately decided to photograph these cookies.

At that time, I bought an Olympus OM D E M1 Mark iii camera to start my journey.

I grabbed my camera and went into the kitchen set prompts, including a few pieces of cutlery, a coffee mug, and a vase to help me pop the cookies against the background.

Features:

  • Model: Olympus OM D E M1 Mark iii
  • Sensor: 20.4MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds
  • Image Processor: TruePic IX
  • Electronic Viewfinder: 2.36m-Dot 0.74x
  • Monitor: 3.0″ 1.037m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
  • Video Recording: DCI 4K/24p & UHD 4K/30p
  • Image Stabilization: 5-Axis Sensor-Shift
  • ISO 200-25600
  • Autofocus: 121-Point All Cross-Type Phase-Detect AF
  • Effective pixels: 20.4MP
  • Shutter type: Electronic
  • Shutter speed: 1/32000 to 60 sec

ISO/ Shutter speed:

I adjusted my camera’s ISO to 800 for a balanced exposure to capture the cookies and coffee mug.

I set the shutter speed at 1/125 of a second to freeze any motion from my hands when taking the pictures.

Aperture/ Depth of field:

I used an aperture of 4.0 for an excellent depth-of-field effect with a soft focus on the background.

That makes my final images appealing, and the food pops out.

White balance/ Frame rates:

I had to use a custom white balance setting due to the ambient light source, which I always loved to use for foods, which increased the accuracy of colors in the photos taken.

Finally, I adjusted my frame rate to 5 frames per second since I shot bursts of images at different angles and focal lengths.

Why is this camera the best?

This camera is built from high-quality materials and can withstand harsh weather conditions.

The camera is dust-proof, splash proof and freeze-proof, making it ideal for shooting outdoors.

The camera’s LIVE MOS sensor is built to give you high-quality images and videos.

Conclusion:

The camera’s 121-point All Cross-Type phase detection autofocus points that cover the most frame makes it possible for me to shoot videos when I rotate the table to capture a slow-motion video.

The camera’s incredible features make it one of the best Olympic cameras for food photography.

Click here to buy!

Olympus OM D E M1 Mark iii: (Best Olympus camera for food photography) Olympus OM D E M1 Mark iii: (Best Olympus camera for food photography) Olympus OM D E M1 Mark iii: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Pros
  • Strong in-body stabilization
  • Vast Micro Four Thirds lens system
  • Raw capture at 15fps with mechanical shutter
  • Electronic shutter at up to 60fps
  • IP1X weather protection
  • Swing-out touch LCD
  • 4K video
Cons
  • Menu system could use a refresh

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Another exciting memory of food photography was when I received a call from a well-known coffee shop.

They asked me to photograph and shoot a few slow-motion videos for their social media.

I was excited by the opportunity I got.

I was in Cape Town, South Africa.

The weather was pleasant there.

I arrived at the location on time, and the staff welcomed me.

Then the restaurant owner introduced me to the entire crew, who had been behind the success of their business for a long time.

Then, I asked a crewman to bring a few prompts with neutral colors.

I used a table mate and a few other things as prompts.

I put brownies poured with chocolate syrup and a cup of their famous coffee on the table to shoot.

I aimed to shoot at an angle where the restaurant logo on the cup could be captured.

Features:

  • Model: Olympus OM-D E-M10 MARK IV
  • Sensor: 20.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds
  • Image Processor: TruePic VIII
  • Video Recording: UHD 4K30p
  • Viewfinder: 2.36m-Dot 0.67x-Magnification OLED EVF
  • Screen: 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot 180° Tilt Touchscreen LCD
  • Image Stabilization: 5-Axis Sensor-Shift
  • Autofocus: 121-Point Contrast-Detection AF
  • ISO: 200-25600
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
  • Lens: M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ
  • Shutter type: Electronic
  • Shutter speed: 1/16000 to 60 sec
  • Effective pixels: 20.3MP

ISO/ Shutter speed:

I started by setting my ISO at 200, and I used a thin white sheet on the window to avoid the sharp light of the sun and to create a soft lighting effect in the final images.

Then, I keep the shutter speed at 1/500th of a sec to freeze any unexpected movements.

Aperture/ Depth of field:

Next, I changed the aperture to f5.6, allowing enough light into the frame while creating sufficient field depth and bokeh effects.

This helped me to accentuate the food from the background and get focus on the LOGO of the brand.

White balance/ Frame rates:

After this, I set my white balance to daylight, giving me accurate color representation in the photos without being too warm or cold.

Finally, I set my frame rate to 24 frames per second to capture quick-moving objects and slow-paced moments for editing in post-production later on.

Why is this camera the best?

This Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark iv camera offers a versatile 16MP Live MOS sensor with rich, detail-packed images and an astonishing 30 fps burst shooting mode.

It also has robust built-in image stabilization to avoid motion blur and supports capturing crisp, sharp photos in low-light conditions.

Conclusion:

One of its most attractive features is the electronic viewfinder which displays the same framing as you’ll get with the final shot helping you easily compose without guessing.

Coupled with its intuitive touchscreen operation, tilting LCD, and reliable autofocus system.

We can consider it the best Olympus camera for food photography.

Click here to buy!

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: (Best Olympus camera for food photography) Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: (Best Olympus camera for food photography) Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Pros
  • 20MP Micro Four Thirds imaging
  • 4K video
  • 5-axis sensor stabilization
  • 8.7fps continuous drive
  • Built-in flash
  • Many lenses available
  • In-camera USB charging
  • Slim, stylish body
Cons
  • Slower 5fps burst shooting with autofocus
  • Doesn’t support add-on microphones

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

A few years back, I worked with a chef who shot videos for his YouTube channel and posted photographs of his delicious food on his food blog.

He had an indoor kitchen setup where he used to cook.

At that time, I had my Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III camera.

This camera helped me to take great photos and videos.

The chef aimed to shoot an outdoor video on a specific day by setting a stove in his backyard.

It was evening time, and the sun was about to set.

It created a majestic atmosphere with a cool breeze.

The chef started his work, and I was ready and set up all my equipment.

I applied a few settings on the camera and began to shoot.

Features:

  • Model: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
  • Sensor: 20.4MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds
  • Image Processor: TruePic VIII
  • Viewfinder: 2.36m-Dot 0.67x-Magnification OLED EVF
  • Screen: 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • Video Recording: DCI 4K/24p & UHD 4K/30p
  • Image Stabilization: 5-Axis Sensor-Shift
  • ISO: 200-25600
  • Autofocus: 121-Point All Cross-Type Phase-Detect AF
  • Effective pixels: 20.4MP
  • Shutter type: Electronic
  • Shutter speed: 1/32000 to 60 sec

ISO/ Shutter speed:

Starting with the ISO, I increased it to 400 so that my camera could capture light better in bright sunlight and prevent overexposure of the image.

For the shutter speed, I kept it low, around 1/50th of a second, so that blurring of motion could be avoided in the final video footage.

Aperture/ Depth of field:

When setting the aperture of my lens, I opened it wide at f/11 to ensure maximum depth of field was achieved to ensure all objects were in focus throughout the video.

White balance/ Frame rates:

To achieve accurate colors and natural tones in my images, I set the white balance to “daylight” mode, which helps match colors between shots taken inside and outside during post-production editing.

Lastly, I set my frame rate at 24 frames per second (fps) as this is considered a cinematic standard and gives me great quality videos for uploading on YouTube.

Why is this camera the best?

This incredibly versatile mirrorless camera gives you power and performance in a lightweight package, making it the perfect travel companion for any aspiring food photographer.

It features a fast and accurate AF system plus 11fps shooting speed and image stabilization to ensure crisp images at any angle or focal length.

Conclusion:

With a wide range of lenses for different perspectives, intuitive sharing capabilities, and a unique interchangeable design, the camera has no rival in capturing delightful food shots.

I recommend this camera to anyone searching for the best Olympic camera for food photography.

Click here to buy!

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III: (Best Olympus camera for food photography) Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III: (Best Olympus camera for food photography) Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Pros
  • Compact, all-weather body.
  • Stabilized image sensor.
  • Includes external flash.
  • Up to 30fps Raw capture.
  • Vari-angle LCD and OLED EVF.
  • Well-established lens system.
Cons
  • Plastic exterior.
  • Charging port, not USB-C.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

As a food photographer, I always want something unique and challenging for my portfolio.

For that, one day, I decided to shoot a few videos for my food photography channel.

I bought a few items from a nearby bakery, including tiramisu, a piece of cheesecake, and ricotta crostata.

I prepared my table and set a few traditional-looking cutlery items.

Then I placed the food in the white dishes as this helped the food to steal the show.

I placed a fork and knife near the cheesecake and spread pomegranate seeds.

All these make the food more flavorful for the viewers.

Then, I used my Olympus OM-D -E M1 Mark II  camera to photograph and take videos.

Features:

  • Model: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
  • Sensor: 20.4MP Live MOS
  • Image processor: TruePic VIII Dual Quad Core Processor
  • Sensor system: Micro Four Thirds System
  • Electronic Viewfinder: 2.36m-Dot LCD
  • Screen: 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • Video Recording: DCI 4K/24p & UHD 4K/30p
  • Image Stabilization: 5-Axis Sensor-Shift
  • Expanded ISO: 25600
  • Autofocus: Dual F.A.S.T. 121-Point Autofocus System
  • Effective pixels: 20.4MP
  • Shutter type: Electronic
  • Shutter speed: 1/16000 to 60 sec

ISO/ Shutter speed:

I set the ISO to 100 for low noise and good exposure, even in lower light conditions.

Then, I adjusted the shutter speed to 1/120th of a second for an optimal frame rate to create smooth slow motion without blurring the moving parts.

Aperture/ Depth of field:

Furthermore, I opened up the aperture to f/2.8 for maximum depth-of-field control; this allowed me to have enough depth of field while also getting a decent amount of light into the lens.

White balance/ Frame rates:

I set the white balance on ‘indoor’ to create a more accurate color rendition within the bakery setting.

Last, I adjusted the frame rate level to 240fps, allowing me to take advantage of higher temporal resolution when capturing movement.

Why is this camera the best?

This camera has many other features like built-in Wi-Fi, an extensive array of command buttons and dials, impressive low-light performance, and an extensive ISO range, making it great for more than just food photography.

Conclusion:

If you are looking for a reliable camera that fits your budget and has features that can take your culinary photography to the next level.

In that case, it is the best Olympus camera for food photography.

Click here to buy!

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: (Best Olympus camera for food photography) Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: (Best Olympus camera for food photography) Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Pros
  • Up to 60fps Raw capture.
  • In-body stabilization.
  • Large, sharp EVF.
  • Vari-angle touch-screen display.
  • High-resolution capture mode.
  • Robust lens system.
  • Weather-sealed body.
  • 4K video support.
  • Optional vertical battery grip.
  • Wi-Fi.
Cons
  • Only one SD slot supports UHS-II.
  • 60fps shooting is limited in duration.
  • No built-in flash.

Olympus OM SYSTEM OM-1: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Olympus OM SYSTEM OM-1: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Last year I got to shoot a video ad for a well-known ice cream brand.

They hired me after seeing my great work.

I was ready to help them and make everyone love their product.

I reached the venue on time and set up my gear.

I analyzed the lightning condition and the nature of the ad.

It was an ad showing a family enjoying their ice cream feast after dinner.

It was an indoor shoot; everyone there was excited, and I could see it through their eyes.

The dim light and the main dish were laid at the center of the table.

I first aimed an opening shot of the item, then gradually, each member enjoying the feast.

Features:

  • Model: Olympus OM SYSTEM OM-1
  • Sensor: 20MP Stacked BSI Live MOS MFT
  • Video Recording: DCI/UHD 4K 60p 10-Bit
  • Autofocus: Cross Quad Pixel Phase-Detection AF
  • ISO: 200-102,400
  • Viewfinder: 5.76m-Dot OLED Electronic
  • Screen: 3.0″ 1.62m-Dot Swivel Touchscreen
  • 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization
  • Effective pixels: 20MP
  • Shutter type: Electronic
  • shutter speed: 1/32000 to 60 sec

ISO/ Shutter speed:

First, I set my ISO to 400 to reduce noise in the photo and allow more light into the camera.

My shutter speed was at 1/60 second for sharp images without motion blur.

Aperture/ Depth of field:

To achieve a shallow depth of field and highlight the family’s happy expressions around the ice cream treat, I set my aperture to f/5.6.

White balance/ Frame rates:

Additionally, I selected’ a tungsten white balance on my camera to ensure that the colors were accurate inside the home environment, with several windows letting in natural light.

Finally, I chose to shoot at 60 frames per second to have more flexibility when editing out slow-motion pieces from within this footage later on.

Why is this camera the best?

This is often called the finest camera for its simplicity and reliability!

It is perfect for food photography because it combines a mechanical shutter with easy aperture controls.

These features make it the best Olympus camera for food photography.

Conclusion:

Its shutter speeds are designed to meet any challenge, ensuring you get sharp photos.

Best of all, the OM-1 offers good value for the money and can be used with various lenses, making it an excellent choice for food photographers who want to capture stunning images.

Click here to buy!

Olympus OM SYSTEM OM-1: (Best Olympus camera for food photography) Olympus OM SYSTEM OM-1: (Best Olympus camera for food photography) Olympus OM SYSTEM OM-1: (Best Olympus camera for food photography)

Pros
  • Sturdy, IP53-protected body
  • Up to 50fps Raw capture with continuous focus
  • Large, sharp viewfinder
  • 5-axis IBIS
  • Strong computational toolkit
  • Autofocus system supports subject detection
  • 4K60 UHD and DCI video
Cons
  • Fragile micro HDMI connection

CONCLUSION:

Alright, guys, that concludes all the cameras we will discuss today in this article.

Do you guys have any experience with these cameras? What are your thoughts on them?

Which is your Best Olympus camera for food photography?

Is there a camera that I didn’t mention in this article that you love to use?

Would you please leave your thoughts and comments below?

Related post:

Best cameras for macro photography:

Leave a Comment