Best Olympus Rangefinders 2023 – Complete Buying Guide

Olympus cameras have brought a lot of variety in the industry, from SLR cameras to rangefinders, it has introduced several top-class products. They are stunningly small, have iconic style, and have an incredible image quality that will make you drool over them.

But the question is, which one should we buy, right? There are a lot of options, with all having their own unique features that make us stuck every time we dare to look for hundreds of options. 

But no worries! To get you the best Olympus rangefinder, we have compressed this long list of products to a huge extent and have shortlisted some of the best-selling products in the market regarding quality and functionality.

 

Here is the list of all the products mentioned below. 

Best Olympus Rangefinde
Shutter speed
Weight
OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera1500s9 ounces
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIs250s14.46 Oz
OLYMPUS XA Camera F-Zuiko 35mm 1:2.8 Lens500s7.800 Oz
Olympus OM-2 35mm Film Camera1000-1s, B24.8 Ounce
Olympus 35 RC – 35mm Rangefinder Camera1500s16 ounce

1. OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera

Camera
OLYMPUS Tough TG-6

 

★★★★★

BRAND:
Olympus

Key specifications:

  • Weight: 9 ounces
  • Battery Type: Lithium-ion battery
  • Lens: Hi-res F2
  • Magnification: 8x
  • Continuous shooting speed: 20fps

TG-6 is the iron man of the camera world whose tolerance levels are unbelievable.

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It has made its name as the best Olympus rangefinder camera not only because of its vigorous construction but also provides promising results.

Let’s have a look at those awe-inspiring and tough features that this camera is offering.

Robust construction: 

This wonderful camera retains resistance to water up to 50 feet /15 meters and stays crush-proof up to 100kgf. It can tolerate dust and shocks up to 7 feet / 2.1 meters and can resist freezing under the range of 14 degrees Fahrenheit / -10 degrees Celsius. Fog can also not cause any harm to it, no matter how hard and risky your adventure is going to be, it is ready to endure all the stress. 

Brilliant colors: 

This device is committed to storing the highlights of your adventure in fantastic colors and brilliant details. All of this is accomplished by mutual teamwork of ultra-fast sensor, wide-angle F2 lens, and high powered processor. Whether it’s a video or picture, Tough TG-6 always provides the finest details making them a treat to watch and feel proud of your photography skills.

Ultra-deep zoom: 

Lock every minor detail in your camera as it provides you the opportunity to shoot the picture as close as 1cm at both aperture and program modes. On activation of microscope control mode, it optimizes magnification up to 8x that displays everything precisely. Another fascinating fact about this camera is that it can breathe underwater. It is the best Olympus underwater camera that doesn’t let you limit yourself when it comes to nature’s photography. 

4k Ultra HD video: 

Moving on, it shoots your videos in 4k ultra HD quality that enhances visuals at that point that you feel like cinematic quality video effects. You can easily record your data with highly sensitive sensors i-e manometer, barometer, GPS, thermometer, and compass. It allows you to paste the date and time of pictures to be used as a reference later. 

What We Find Good

  • Can endure toughest situations
  • Four macro shooting modes
  • Can shoot in Raw form
  • Multiple sensors
  • Superfast video and 4k mode

What We May Not Find Good

  • Image resolution is only 12 megapixels
  • Pricey 

Final views: 

OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 is a highly functional and tough camera equipped with versatile features. It has the great image quality and several efficient modes that will help you to excel in photography.

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2. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIs 

Camera
Olympus OM-D

 

★★★★★

BRAND:
Olympus

Key specifications:

  • Max. Shutter speed: 1/4000 seconds
  • Lens mount: Micro four thirds
  • Sensor type: CMOS
  • JPEG quality levels: Basic, fine, normal
  • Continuous shooting speed: 8fps

Olympus OM-D E-M10 is a subtle digital rangefinder camera consisting of several exciting features with a decent personality.

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This compact and lightweight camera is specially designed for passionate photographers. 

Image stabilization: 

This device is equipped with in-body 5 axis image stabilization technology that is also known as vibration reduction. Its main function is to cover up for the amount of blur caused by shaking hands or the camera. It is potent enough to provide you with sharp and well-focused images and high-definition videos even in low-light environments. 

Quick and precise autofocus:

E-M10 Mark III has made autofocus super quick and accurate. Its touch AF feature allows quick focusing and tripping of the shutter just at one touch of the screen. Also, tap the point where you want to put all the focus and here you will get a quick shot captured in no time. 

To add more value to the images that you clicked or going to click, this magical device offers 16 stunning built-in art filters.

Advanced photo mode: 

Advanced photo mode has eliminated the need to deal with complicated settings to acquire the finest results. It has made everything simple and quick by providing all the techniques such as HDR, focus bracketing, and nighttime light composite just at the simple touch on the screen.

High-definition video: 

Ultra HD 4k video mode adds crispiness to your recorded videos even slow-motion videos look magnificent when shot with this camera. You can create movies by combining multiple short clips altogether and even setting background music without the need for any editing software. 

With the Olympus image share app, you can directly download pictures to your phone. 

What We Find Good

  • Top-class image stabilization
  • Simple to use
  • Wide range in images and videos
  • Extremely lightweight
  • MOS sensor of up to 16 megapixels

What We May Not Find Good

  • The menu might feel a bit odd and clumsy

Final views: 

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIs is a perfect choice for both amateurs and professional photographers. This powerful camera allows you to avail advanced handy features at an affordable price to spice up your photography.

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3. OLYMPUS XA Camera F-Zuiko 35mm 1:2.8 Lens

Camera
OLYMPUS XA

 

★★★★★

BRAND:
Olympus

Key specifications:

  • Shutter speed:  10 to 1/500 seconds
  • ISO speed: 25-800
  • Lens: F.Zuiko f=35mm
  • Aperture: 2.8 to f/22
  • Focus: 0.9m

Looking for a cool, uncomplicated, and lightweight 35mm rangefinder camera

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With superior optics and superb focusing? OLYMPUS XA Camera might be the end of your wait. It is equipped with all the significant features that you expect from a rangefinder film camera, let’s see what they are! 

Shutter speeds: 

This small pack of happiness provides lightning-quick shots at the shutter speed range of 10 to 1/500 seconds. The shutter is extremely quiet and works great for street or landscape photography. ISO speed of the film is 25 to 800, aperture range is from f/2.8 to f/22. 

Well defined images: 

It is armed with ultra-sharp lenses that provide great focus, vivid images with minimum blur. The image quality provided by this disposable camera is just amazing and imparts aesthetic touch to your pictures. 

Set the camera at the best possible focus settings and you can use the exposure compensation lever in case you are going to capture dark objects with a bright background. 

Impressive flash unit: 

There is a flash unit on its exterior fixed on the left side of the camera via a screw mount. Its minimalistic front side is composed of a capsule enclosing lens inside. A self-timer and aperture scale slide are also present on the front along with a rangefinder and viewfinder installed on the top.

What We Find Good

  • Unique design 
  • Super sharp lenses 
  • Plenty of contrast
  • High-quality pictures
  • Great focus 
  • Small enough to fit in a pocket 

What We May Not Find Good

  • Shutter gets stuck sometimes 

Final views: 

Olympus XA is a small-sized yet classy point and shoots rangefinder camera with 35mm f/2.8 Zuiko lenses. It is a very fun camera capable of providing clear-cut optics your way.

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4. Olympus OM-2 35mm Film Camera

Camera
Olympus OM-2

 

★★★★★

BRAND:
Olympus

Key specifications:

  • Film format type: 35mm
  • Min. shutter speed: 1/1000s
  • Dimensions: 10 x 6 x 8 inches
  • Weight: 1.55 pounds
  • Lens: 50mm f/1.8 lens

Olympus OM-2 is considered the best film rangefinder camera and is one of the smallest cameras of all time.

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 This low-profile camera is the best equipment for travelers or street shooters with appealing features that everyone adores.

Let’s have a look at those stunning aspects. 

Shutter speed: 

This wonderful device provides min. Shutter speed of 1/1000 seconds and max. Speed of 1-second +B also. Metering exposures are right on point and aperture priority mode just kills the quality of the picture by providing you a full-fledged control on exposure compensation. You can adjust the exposure of the picture effortlessly in plus and minus in order to get a perfect shot. 

Multiple features: 

This camera also offers auto dynamic metering for film and a TTL direct metering system. The viewfinder of Olympus OM-2 is well illuminated and crystal clear and provides exceptionally precise focus and super-fast speed. The viewfinder displays readings of exposure index, when in aperture priority mode it shows shutter speed indicator along with exposure compensation. 

Premium lenses:

It has one of the best Zuiko lenses engraved into it. Even Nikon and Canon users agree that the glass used in making Zuiko lenses is a top-class option for vintage photography. The aperture ring is present on the front side, Bokeh mode is round and works smoothly without showing any ghosts or flare.

What We Find Good

  • Brilliant viewfinder
  • High-quality lenses
  • Accurate and finest viewfinder display 
  • Adjustable exposure
  • Extremely lightweight 

What We May Not Find Good

  • Moderate quality 

Final views: 

Olympus OM-2 is a beautiful, fully manual, and a highly functional camera that works perfectly for people who love to take pictures as a hobby.

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5. Olympus 35 RC – 35mm Rangefinder Camera 

Camera
Olympus 35 RC

 

★★★★★

BRAND:
Olympus

Key specifications:

  • Self-timer: 10sec. 
  • Shutter speeds: 1/500-1/15s, B
  • Close focus: 0.9m or 3 feet
  • Lens: 42mm f/2.8
  • Film type: 35mm

When looking for the finest Olympus rangefinder cameras, Olympus RC seems to be a great performer with both manual and auto exposed settings.

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This little buddy is super easy to use and provides quick and fantastic results. 

Super sharp lenses: 

Olympus 35C is equipped with ultra-sharp lenses of 42mm f/2.8 lens and rangefinder focus that is utterly precise and refined. Lenses are 5 elements in 4 groups and are coated with amber and blue.

 It uses a flashmatic system for ideal flash exposure with any manual flash.

Accuracy: 

It has various shutter speeds including 1/500, 1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, and Bulb. The shutter dial can rotate at 360 degrees. 1/30 is an Ideal flash sync speed to catch maximum light. 

Accurate rangefinder: 

This compact device has a coupled rangefinder with power up to 0.6x, shutter readouts, and full aperture. It can retain close focus for up to 3 feet or 0.9meters.

What We Find Good

  • Both auto and manual exposures
  • A separate window to collect light for frame lines
  • Razor-sharp lenses 
  • Reliable 
  • Great flash sync speed 

What We May Not Find Good

  • Average results in low light

Final views: 

Olympus RC is a very handy and fun camera to be taken on trips with you. It provides fast and accurate measurements with stunning picture quality.

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How to select Best Olympus Rangefinder-Buyer’s Guide

When you hop into the market, a plethora of all the same-looking products hit you straight and you stay standing at a place all confused and agitated, right? Especially if you don’t have a basic understanding of its features, the process becomes more daunting and is enough to make you grumpy. 

Best rangefinder cameras are of different kinds and brands and to choose the ideal one, you need to take care of a few aspects. I am going to mention a few things below that you can consider for a decent purchase. So, let’s get straight into this.

Best Olympus Rangefinder
Infographic: Best Olympus Rangefinder

 

Image quality: 

For better image quality, lenses should be top tier. Look for wide-angle lenses with adjustable exposure to managing the amount of light in a better way. Also, rangefinder cameras have the ability to minimize the blur that you need to consider.

The most popular lenses in Olympus cameras are Zuiko lenses that provide stunning image quality with a sharp focus.

Size: 

The size of a camera matters a lot, especially when you are traveling and looking for a camera for street photography. Look for a camera that is highly compact and lightweight enough to carry everywhere with ease. 

Quiet functioning: 

Rangefinder cameras are one of the quietest cameras of all time and that is what seems appealing to people. However, not every rangefinder is noiseless, so check cameras out before making any deal.

Cost-effective: 

Rangefinders mostly come in budget-friendly price ranges but a few expensive ones are also present in the market with some extra features. Before making any purchase, keep in mind your budget and all the needed specs that you want in your desired camera. You will most probably find every basic thing in an affordable camera. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Q. What is the most affordable Olympus camera that I can own? 

A. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIs can be the best camera that you can own at an affordable price. It is equipped with enhanced features with a super lightweight and compact design. 

Q. What is the best thing about Olympus 35mm rangefinder cameras?

A. Olympus 35 mm rangefinder cameras are mostly handy cameras that will give you quick shots and the best exposure. These cameras are composed of uncomplicated, straightforward features that make them extremely simple and easier to understand. 

Conclusion: 

Olympus rangefinder cameras are indeed very interesting and fascinating cameras to use. They have an impressive personality and a lot of handy features that are enough to prove their worth. Have you chosen your best pick or are still juggling? 

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III is no doubt the best Olympus rangefinder camera 2021 our top favorite among all of the mentioned products.

 It has image stabilization technology and provides the best focus. Also, offers simple and user-oriented features that both professional and amateur photographers can avail to upscale their skills.

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