Olympus E-1 vs Sony A560

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A560: A Deep Dive Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When stepping into the world of DSLR cameras, the choices can feel overwhelming - especially when the models hail from different eras and distinct engineering philosophies. Today, I bring you a detailed, hands-on comparison between two intriguing cameras that represent separate decades of DSLR evolution: Olympus E-1, a venerable professional-grade DSLR from 2003, and Sony Alpha DSLR-A560, a 2010 entry-level DSLR with contemporary digital features. While they originate from different points in time and target different segments, the comparison yields rich insights for photographers interested in how camera architecture, sensor technology, and feature sets translate to real-world photographic performance.

Let’s embark on this comprehensive 2500-word exploration covering ergonomics, sensor technology, autofocus, usability, and field performance across a broad spectrum of photographic genres. By sharing my extensive laboratory and outdoor testing experience, I aim to help you pinpoint which camera will best suit your style, needs, and budget.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Physically, these cameras reflect their design eras and target markets quite distinctly. The Olympus E-1 is a product of the early digital SLR era focused on professional durability, while the Sony A560 was designed with amateurs and enthusiasts in mind, leaning towards compactness and user-friendliness.

The Olympus E-1 is notably larger and heavier, weighing in at 735 grams with dimensions of 141x104x81 mm. The body exhibits a robust, pro-class build with environmental sealing - an advantage for outdoor and rugged use rarely matched in cameras from its time. Olympus stuck to its Four Thirds system, sporting a broad lens mount and solid hand grip. The control layout favors experienced photographers comfortable with manual exposure and quick access to settings, though the single, small 1.8-inch fixed LCD falls short by modern standards.

Conversely, the Sony A560 is more compact (137x104x84 mm) and lighter at 599 grams, emphasizing portability and ease-of-use. This camera aimed at the entry-level segment features a large, bright 3.0-inch tilting LCD with much higher resolution (922k dots), delivering a vastly improved live-view experience - one that the Olympus cannot match. Sony’s body feels more modern with slightly less robust weather resistance (in fact, none), but its design is tailored to ease of grip and intuitive handling for photographers transitioning from point-and-shoots or previous film cameras.

Looking at the top controls, the Olympus’s classic single dial and buttons are straightforward yet dated. The Sony adds more versatility with a mode dial cycling through automatic and manual modes, reflecting its beginner-friendly intentions. For usability, the Sony’s design is far more accessible, whereas Olympus prioritizes ruggedness and professionalism.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: A Tale of Two Sensors

The core of any camera’s imaging ability lies in its sensor, and this is where the two diverge sharply. The Olympus E-1 uses a Four Thirds system CCD sensor measuring 17.3x13 mm with a 5-megapixel resolution (2560x1920 pixels). Meanwhile, the Sony A560 employs a larger APS-C sized CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6 mm) boasting 14 megapixels (4592x3056 pixels).

The sensor size difference alone has profound implications. The Sony’s APS-C sensor area of approximately 367 mm² yields better low-light performance, dynamic range, and overall image detail compared to the E-1’s 225 mm² CCD. Furthermore, CMOS sensors like the Sony’s are generally more power-efficient and perform better under continuous shooting and video recording conditions. In contrast, the CCD in the Olympus, while capable of rich color rendition and decent noise control at base ISOs, suffers from more limited resolution and dynamic range by today’s standards.

Technically, the Sony also surpasses the Olympus in maximum native ISO (12,800 vs. 3,200), which is hugely relevant for sports, wildlife, and night photography. The improved noise-handling of the A560 can lead to cleaner images at elevated ISOs, a clear real-world advantage.

I ran side-by-side resolution charts and ISO ramp tests in controlled studio settings. The Sony showed superior sharpness and cleaner tonal gradients. However, the Olympus still produced pleasantly smooth skin tones and color fidelity in well-lit studio portraits, a trait typical of CCD sensors.

Viewing and Composing: From Viewfinders to Screens

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, but the designs differ greatly in clarity and coverage.

The Olympus features an optical pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage and a magnification of 0.48x, a professional standard even by today’s measures. It is bright and large enough for precise manual focusing, essential for studio and landscape work.

In contrast, the Sony’s pentamirror viewfinder offers 95% coverage at 0.53x magnification. This comes at the cost of some slight edge softening and restricted frame accuracy, typical for entry-level cameras but not deal-breakers.

Where the Sony shines spectacularly is with its large tilting 3.0-inch LCD with high resolution, handy for live view shooting and reviewing images in the field under varying angles. The Olympus, with its 1.8-inch fixed LCD of low resolution, feels cramped and antiquated, making it less comfortable for checking composition or navigating menus, particularly after a long shoot.

Live view is only available on the Sony, which adds flexibility for macro or awkward-angle shooting, situations where digital preview and electronic focusing aids prove invaluable.

Autofocus and Performance: Precision vs. Speed

Autofocus systems are key in defining a camera’s usability in varied conditions.

Olympus designed the E-1 with a three-point phase-detection autofocus system. While respectable in its day, this is rudimentary by modern standards - focused on center and selective AF modes. It does support continuous autofocus during burst shooting at 3 fps, but with limited speed and tracking sophistication. Face detection and live view AF are absent, understandably given its 2003 architecture.

On the other hand, the Sony A560 offers a fifteen-point phase-detection AF with three cross-type sensors, significantly improving framing flexibility and subject acquisition. It includes face detection and works reliably in live view mode, which is a big plus for portrait and street photographers.

Burst speeds favor the Sony as well: 5 fps versus Olympus’s 3 fps, helping in sports and wildlife scenarios where capturing split-second moments is crucial.

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Compatibility

Lens availability often dictates long-term camera satisfaction. The Olympus E-1 uses the Four Thirds mount, a standard introduced with it, offering around 45 native lenses at launch with high optical quality. The crop factor is 2.1x, so a 50mm lens behaves like about 105mm on full frame, great for telephoto reach but limiting ultra-wide options.

The Sony A560 mounts Sony/Minolta Alpha lenses with a 1.5x crop factor, benefiting from a vast legacy Minolta lens collection, as well as an impressive range of modern Sony optics - over 140 compatible lenses. The native lens ecosystem is richer, and users gain more options for macro, wide-angle, portrait, and telephoto work.

In practice, I found the Sony’s lens selection more versatile, while Olympus lenses excelled in construction but were fewer and heavier. Adaptability favors Sony’s system for photographers wanting flexibility in focal lengths and specialties.

Battery Life and Storage Practicalities

The Sony A560 offers roughly 1050 shots per charge - impressive for an entry-level DSLR, supported by a removable NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery. Furthermore, its dual card slots (SD/Memory Stick) add convenience and redundancy for extended shooting.

The Olympus E-1 lacks manufacturer-rated battery life in official specs I reviewed, but my experience suggests shorter endurance given older battery technology and the larger, heavier CCD sensor. It uses Compact Flash cards (Type I or II), a now mostly obsolete format, limiting storage speed and capacity.

For travel and event photographers needing long uninterrupted sessions, the Sony's battery and storage setup feels more reassuring and practical.

Creative Photography Across Genres: Strengths and Weaknesses

1. Portrait Photography
   The Olympus E-1’s CCD sensor renders pleasant skin tones with characteristic CCD warmth, but its lower resolution limits cropping flexibility. Autofocus is reliable but basic, lacking face detection. The Sony A560, however, brings sharper detail and face-detect autofocus, making it easier to capture expressive eyes and smooth bokeh effects with modern lenses. The larger sensor size delivers more control over depth of field.

2. Landscape Photography
   The Olympus environmental sealing and pentaprism viewfinder coverage are assets for demanding landscape shoots in adverse conditions. Unfortunately, its dynamic range is narrower, and the max resolution is lower (5 MP) compared to Sony’s 14 MP APS-C sensor offering more detail and better shadow recovery. For landscapes, I’d lean towards Sony for image quality but Olympus for ruggedness.

3. Wildlife Photography
   Burst rate and AF coverage are critical here. The Sony A560 shoots at 5 fps with 15 AF points, improving tracking for fast-moving wildlife. Olympus is limited to 3 fps and three AF points, challenging to keep fast critters sharp. Additionally, Sony’s 1.5x crop factor provides better reach than Olympus's 2.1x, but the latter’s Four Thirds lens selection includes several very fast telephotos.

4. Sports Photography
   Sony again takes the edge with faster continuous shooting, reliable autofocus, and better low-light ISO sensitivity. Olympus’s 5 MP files fall short for large prints or cropping, handicapping action shooters who demand flexibility.

5. Street Photography
   The A560’s smaller, lighter body and tilting screen make it more discreet and agile on urban walks. Olympus bulk and no live view make it less practical for candid shots. Sony’s higher ISO range and face AF help with low-light street scenes.

6. Macro Photography
   Both systems can mount quality macro lenses. Sony’s live view and tilt screen are invaluable for precise focus at close distances. Olympus’s rugged body stands up well outdoors, but the lack of stabilization hampers handheld close-ups.

7. Night / Astro Photography
   High ISO capacity and manual modes are critical here. The Sony A560 supports up to ISO 12,800 (boosted 25,600) versus Olympus’s top native ISO 3,200. This, combined with improved dynamic range and long exposures, makes Sony the preferred choice for nightscape and astrophotography enthusiasts, although neither have built-in astro-specific modes.

8. Video Capabilities
   This is a no contest: Sony offers full HD video up to 60 fps with MPEG-4, AVCHD, and H.264 formats, including a microphone input for audio control. The Olympus E-1 lacks any video recording abilities outright, reflecting its pre-video DSLR age.

9. Travel Photography
   On trips demanding versatility, the Sony feels natural with its lighter form, longer battery life, extensive lens choices, and dual card slots. Olympus’s weather sealing is attractive for adventure travel, but limited file resolution and outdated ergonomics make it less appealing today.

10. Professional Workflows
    Professionals seek RAW support, tethering, and file handling ease. Both cameras shoot RAW, but Sony’s better connectivity (USB 2.0 plus HDMI) and faster processing mean it integrates more smoothly into modern workflows. Olympus’s lack of wireless or HDMI limits tethering options. Environmental sealing may sway outdoor pros towards Olympus in harsh conditions.

User Interface and Workflow Integration

The Sony A560’s inclusion of live view, more expansive AF points, and a pronounced menu hierarchy reflects the platform’s maturing user interface design by 2010. It supports face detection and has wireless Eye-Fi card connectivity for remote image transfer.

The Olympus interface feels barebones and dated, with smaller controls, no illuminated buttons, and a less informative LCD. No wireless or HDMI ports limit connectivity.

Price and Value: Then vs. Now

At launch, the Olympus E-1 was priced around $1,700 aimed at professionals needing a rugged tool. The Sony A560, debuting at $650, sought to democratize DSLR photography with powerful features but cutbacks in durability and build.

In today’s used market, Olympus bodies sell at similar modest levels but are generally collectors’ items. Sony’s A560 remains a solid budget camera with more contemporary versatility. Given their age gap and technological leaps, the Sony delivers notably better overall value for the typical enthusiast, especially when factoring lens ecosystem and video.

Summary Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Insights

To consolidate our observations:

Sony leads in image quality, autofocus, video, high ISO, and ease-of-use. Olympus excels in ruggedness, 100% viewfinder coverage, and CCD color character.

Sample Images and Real-World Output

I shot side-by-side comparisons under varying lighting - from studio portraits to sunlight landscapes and low-light street scenes.

Olympus E 1 screen back Sony A560 front Sony A560 screen back

Sony’s images show more detail, cleaner shadows, and sharper autofocus. Olympus images exhibit smooth natural tones but lower resolution and some noise at higher ISO settings.

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose Olympus E-1 if:

• You prioritize build quality and environmental sealing for harsh conditions
• You value CCD color rendition and 100% viewfinder coverage for manual shooting
• You seek a rugged secondary body or have an existing Four Thirds lens collection
• Video is not a priority

Choose Sony A560 if:

• You want better image quality with higher resolution and better low-light performance
• You desire versatile autofocus, live view, and full HD video recording
• Budget-conscious, entry to advanced enthusiast with access to extensive lenses
• Need longer battery life and better connectivity

Closing Thoughts

Though the Olympus E-1 and Sony A560 cater to different needs separated by technology generations and photographic philosophies, both remain interesting cameras worthy of appreciation. The E-1 is a statue of DSLR heritage, built to last and serve pro shooters of its time. The Sony A560 represents digital agility, packing relevant features that solve modern photographic challenges efficiently for beginners and enthusiasts.

In my experience testing cameras across decades, these two stand as models of their eras’ respective strengths and shortcomings. For buyers today, the choice boils down to prioritizing ruggedness and CCD color or embracing the clear advantages of modern sensor tech, autofocus, and video. I hope this comparison brings clarity to your decision and inspires confidence in choosing the perfect tool to capture your photographic vision.

Happy shooting!