Olympus OM-10: The Perfect Entry-Level SLR for Beginners

If you’re looking to get started with film photography, the Olympus OM-10 is a classic SLR that has remained popular for good reason. With its intuitive controls, compact design, and the freedom to explore manual shooting as you gain confidence, this camera is an outstanding entry point into 35mm photography. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to use numerous film cameras, but the OM-10 stands out as a user-friendly, well-crafted model that strikes a balance between simplicity and creative control. In this post, I’ll cover what makes the OM-10 such a solid choice for beginners and why it’s a camera worth having in any film photographer’s collection.

An Olympus OM10 with an orange leatherette and equipped with the popular OM-System Zuiko 50mm, f1.8 lens.

1. The Olympus OM Legacy

Olympus has a long history of creating reliable, compact cameras, and the OM series is one of their most acclaimed. Released in 1979, the Olympus OM-10 was designed to bring the quality of Olympus’s professional OM-1 and OM-2 to a broader audience. It’s a lightweight yet powerful 35mm SLR with enough features to give beginners an accessible start, while still delivering great image quality. Its small size and user-friendly design have made the OM-10 a staple for those starting their analogue photography journey, as well as a go-to camera for seasoned photographers who appreciate a simpler setup.

2. Key Features of the OM-10 for Beginner Photographers

From my experience, the OM-10 is a very approachable camera that provides just enough flexibility without overwhelming new users. Here’s what makes it a standout option for beginners:

• Aperture-Priority Mode: For those just starting, the OM-10 features an aperture-priority mode that allows you to control the aperture while the camera automatically selects the correct shutter speed. This setting makes it easy to achieve beautifully blurred backgrounds or capture sharp landscapes without needing to understand every detail of manual exposure.

• Optional Manual Adapter: While the OM-10 is designed primarily for aperture-priority shooting, Olympus also made a manual adapter, allowing for full control over shutter speed if you’d like to take that step. This means that as you become more comfortable with the camera, you can experiment with full manual settings and start learning the art of balancing aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

• Electronic Shutter: The OM-10’s electronically controlled shutter provides reliable, consistent speeds, which is especially helpful for beginners who might still be learning to hold steady and manage timing.

• Lightweight and Compact Design: The OM-10 is smaller and lighter than many SLRs of its era, making it easier to carry on long outings or travels. This compact form encourages spontaneous shooting, a habit that’s invaluable for building your skills and confidence.

The OM10 with Olympus manual adapter fitted. The adapter allows manual control over your shutter speeds to afford the photographer more creative control over their photography.

3. A Few Considerations for the Olympus OM-10

While the OM-10 is very accessible, it’s helpful to be aware of a few things that might influence your experience, especially if you’re deciding whether this camera is right for you.

• Battery Dependency: The OM-10 relies on batteries to power its electronic shutter and light meter. This isn’t a drawback per se, but it’s worth keeping extra batteries on hand to avoid being caught off guard mid-roll.

• Manual Adapter for Full Control: The manual adapter, while optional, is a nice addition if you want to go beyond aperture-priority. It’s affordable and gives you the flexibility to learn manual settings. I highly recommend it for anyone who’s interested in exploring the full range of what film photography has to offer.

• Limited Shutter Speeds in Manual Mode: The OM-10’s manual mode is more limited in shutter speed options than higher-end OM series cameras, such as the OM-1 or OM-2. However, for a beginner learning the basics, the available range should still meet most needs.

4. Why the OM-10 is Perfect for Film Photography Newcomers

With its flexible, approachable design, the OM-10 offers a hands-on way to learn film photography without feeling intimidating. Here’s why I consistently recommend it to new photographers:

• Balanced Learning Curve: The aperture-priority mode lets you ease into film photography while focusing on composition and lighting. You can start shooting right away, then, when you’re ready, add the manual adapter to gain full control.

• Affordability and Quality: Unlike many SLRs that are priced as collectibles, the OM-10 remains affordable, making it an accessible option for beginners. The camera’s build quality and reliable Zuiko lenses ensure you’ll get fantastic images without breaking the bank.

• Encourages Experimentation: With the OM-10, you can start with the basics and grow at your own pace. This flexibility gives beginners room to develop their own style, with the option to try out different lenses and manual settings when they feel comfortable.

The OM10 isn’t locked in to using only one lens - there are a vast number of different lenses available so there’s something to suit all scenarios. Just ensure the lenses you want have an OM mount and are not AF lenses!

5. Tips for Making the Most of Your Olympus OM-10

Here are a few tips to help you get the best results from your OM-10 as you start exploring film photography:

• Experiment with Aperture-Priority: This mode is great for getting the hang of controlling depth of field. Try using lower apertures (f/1.8 or f/2.8) for portraits to blur the background, and higher apertures (f/8 or f/11) for landscapes to keep everything sharp.

• Master Focusing with a Split Prism: The OM-10’s viewfinder features a split prism focusing aid, which is excellent for learning to focus manually. When the image in the viewfinder lines up, you know your subject is in focus. Practice with this feature to get comfortable with manual focus—it’s a skill that will serve you well across all film cameras.

• Use the Manual Adapter as You Progress: If you’re ready to go beyond aperture-priority, the manual adapter is easy to attach and provides a smooth transition to full manual control. It’s a small investment that opens up new creative possibilities with your OM-10.

Ready to Start Your Film Photography Journey? Get Your OM-10 at Roll With It

If the Olympus OM-10 sounds like your perfect introduction to film photography, check out the fully serviced and tested OM-10 models in the Roll With It shop. Each camera on offer is carefully restored to ensure it’s ready to capture beautiful, timeless images. In addition to the OM-10, there are a range of vintage film cameras, from compact point-and-shoots to fully manual SLRs, to support photographers of all levels. Explore othe collection today, and find the camera that’s right for you—whether it’s your very first or a new addition to your growing lineup.