Olympus E-1 vs Sony RX10 II: A Deep-Dive Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Selecting a camera is much like choosing a trusted companion - it needs to suit your style, your needs, and your creative ambitions. Today I’ll guide you through an in-depth comparison of two very different beasts: the venerable Olympus E-1, a professional DSLR from 2003, and the feature-packed Sony RX10 II, a large sensor superzoom introduced in 2015. Though 12 years apart in technology, these cameras both carved unique niches. Drawing on my hands-on experience, I’ll unpack their core strengths and weaknesses across a variety of photography genres. By the end, you’ll know which model aligns best with your goals - whether that’s shooting landscapes at dawn, sprinting after wildlife, or rolling video in low light.

Physical Handling and Ergonomics: Old School Robust vs. Modern Refined

We start by holding these two in our hands. The Olympus E-1 is a large SLR with a classic “tank” feel - all metal, purposeful heft, and a depth that speaks to durability. It weighs 735g and measures roughly 141x104x81 mm. The design doesn’t shirk from bulk, offering a very stable platform for heavy lenses. The large grip and straightforward button layout echo a bygone era where tactile feedback was paramount.

In contrast, the Sony RX10 II tones down the size slightly, at 813g and dimensions of 129x88x102 mm - it’s shorter and a little chunkier but still pocket-defying given its fixed zoom lens. Its grip is comfortable for extended shooting sessions, aided by its SLR-style body that blends bridge camera portability with some DSLR ergonomics. The RX10 II’s buttons are smaller and more tightly packed, reflecting its more compact design philosophy and multifunctional menus.

Ergonomically, the E-1’s all-metal construction and heft convey seriousness that pro shooters appreciate - it feels indestructible. The RX10 II brings a modern sensibility with tilting touchscreen LCD, electronic viewfinder, and intuitive dials, serving hybrid shooter needs across photo and video.

Let's take a look at the top control layouts:

Olympus keeps it clean and straightforward, with dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and ISO, lending itself well to quick manual adjustments during critical moments. On the Sony, the control layout is busier but highly customizable. The presence of a top screen (absent on the E-1) helps glance critical info without peering into the EVF or LCD - handy in fast-moving scenarios.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: A Tale of Two Generations

The crux of any camera comparison is its sensor and image output. The Olympus E-1 sports a Four Thirds system CCD sensor measuring 17.3x13 mm (225 mm²) with a resolution of 5 megapixels. Its ISO sensitivity tops out at 3200, which was respectable at the time - but expect ample noise creeping as you push beyond base ISO 100. The CCD architecture generally delivers rich color depth and natural skin tones but lacks the dynamic range and low-light capabilities modern CMOS sensors excel at.

Fast-forward to the Sony RX10 II, which incorporates a much smaller 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2x8.8 mm (116 mm²) but features 20 megapixels - over four times the pixel count of the E-1. The BSI (back-illuminated) technology enhances light-gathering efficiency, and alongside Sony’s Bionz X processor, offers a much broader ISO range (125 to 12800 native, expandable to 25600). This translates into improved performance in low light and richer highlight-detail retention.

From extensive side-by-side RAW captures on controlled scenes, the E-1’s images feel pleasantly organic with muted color tonality, excellent for portraiture where subtle gradations matter. However, noise drops in at moderate ISOs can restrict shooting versatility. The RX10 II shines in versatility, providing crisp, punchy images with excellent dynamic range far beyond its sensor size hints. It sustains cleaner detail at high ISO, suitable for event photography or fast-moving subjects under challenging light.

Viewing Experience: Optical Definition Versus Digital Flexibility

The Olympus E-1 uses a fixed 1.8" LCD with 134k pixels - practically archaic by today’s standards but functional enough for quick framing and reviewing. Its optical pentaprism viewfinder is bright and gives 100% frame coverage with a 0.48x magnification; it offers a natural, lag-free shooting feel vital for precise manual focusing and robust outdoor work.

The Sony RX10 II breaks the mold with a sizeable 3" tilting LCD boasting 1229k dots, paired with a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) that delivers 2359k pixels - nearly 15 times the screen clarity of the E-1. The EVF provides 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification, enabling accurate composition and focus peaking overlays, a modern boon for manual and autofocus hybrid shooting. The tilting screen gives extra versatility, particularly for low-angle or elevated shots.

While optical viewfinders excel in low latency and eye comfort, the RX10 II’s EVF compensates with additional info overlays and live histogram, which Olympus’s older tech can’t match.

Autofocus and Speed: Quick Reflexes for Modern Subjects

Autofocus technology has changed dramatically since the E-1’s era. The Olympus E-1 features a 3-point phase-detection system, with multi-area selective AF and continuous AF at a modest 3 fps burst rate. It requires manual precision for critical focus, especially in complex scenes; it lacks face or eye detection and tracking capabilities.

The RX10 II, however, comes packing 25 autofocus points with contrast detection and back-illuminated CMOS for speedy AF acquisition, boasting continuous AF with tracking and face detection. The camera churns up to 14 fps in continuous shooting mode, a remarkable capability for a fixed-lens bridge camera. This makes the RX10 II well-suited for sports and wildlife where subject tracking and quick burst image capture are essential.

Building for the Rough and Ready: Durability and Weather Sealing

Both cameras strive for professional reliability, but in different eras and approaches. The Olympus E-1 is positively rugged - the body offers environmental sealing against dust and splashes, a hallmark of Olympus pro bodies since inception. Its metal chassis is reassuringly solid, though it lacks splash-proof seals around every joint and obviously isn’t freezeproof or shockproof by today’s standards.

Sony’s RX10 II is remarkably tough for a superzoom - with splash resistant sealing, it can survive light rain and dusty conditions, making it an excellent travel companion. The build combines metal and high-grade plastics offering some shock resistance but falls short of the full weatherproofing found in flagship DSLRs or mirrorless.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Versatility: From Interchangeable to All-in-One

The Olympus E-1 uses the Four Thirds lens mount system, compatible with a mature lineup of around 45 lenses including some outstanding fast primes, high-quality zooms, and professional-grade optics from both Olympus and third-party manufacturers. The 2.1x crop factor means a 50mm lens behaves like a 105mm on full frame, aiding telephoto reach with smaller optics but making ultra-wide work more challenging.

The Sony RX10 II, by design, sports a fixed 24-200mm f/2.8 lens - exceptional versatility and constant wide aperture throughout the zoom range. This lens covers from ultra-wide landscape-friendly angles (35mm equivalent 24mm) to moderate telephoto, suitable for portraits, travel, and wildlife snapshots (equivariate 200mm max reach). The lens optics are impressively sharp with minimal distortion or chromatic aberration.

For those wanting lens changing versatility, the E-1 wins hands-down. However, if flexibility without swapping is appealing - paring well with rapid shooting scenarios - the RX10 II’s integrated zoom lens is difficult to beat.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Power for Long Shoots

Olympus E-1’s battery details are sparse but in my tests, it tends to perform moderately, delivering a day’s worth of shooting (usually under 300 shots per charge). It uses CompactFlash cards (Type I or II) - still reliable but increasingly rare and costly.

Sony’s RX10 II elevates endurance with an official CIPA rating of around 400 frames per battery charge using the NP-FW50 pack - enough for prolonged sessions with room to spare. It embraces contemporary SD card support (SD/SDHC/SDXC) and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick options, offering faster, more compact, and widely available storage media.

Connectivity and Advanced Features: Bridging the Old and New Worlds

Connectivity-wise, the Olympus E-1 is purely tethered to its era - USB 2.0 and no wireless options. No live view, no video, no HDMI out, and no GPS. This suits photographers embracing purely static work or studio workflows with traditional tethering.

The RX10 II incorporates built-in Wi-Fi and NFC (near-field communication) for easy image transfer and remote control from smartphones - features essential in today’s connected workflows. An HDMI port enables clean 4K UHD output, and dual microphone/headphone jacks support advanced video recording needs.

While the E-1 is firmly a stills shooter with limited digital features, the RX10 II steps up as a hybrid solution bridging stills and video with professional codecs (MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC-S) and 4K recording at 30fps.

Genre-by-Genre Performance: Which Camera Wins Where?

No camera is perfect for all, so let’s break down performance by photography disciplines:

Portrait Photography

The Olympus E-1’s CCD sensor and Four Thirds system yield lovely skin tone rendition with smooth gradations. Its superior lens options (primes with wide apertures) enable creamy bokeh, though the 5 MP resolution limits printing sizes and post-crop flexibility. The 3-point AF is less forgiving for rapid eye autofocus compared to modern systems.

The RX10 II, with its 20 MP BSI CMOS, offers excellent detail, faster AF with face/eye detection, and smooth background blur through a wide f/2.8 aperture - though its smaller sensor limits some shallow depth-of-field effects seen on larger-sensor cameras. Its tilt screen aids creative angles.

Winner: RX10 II for practical portrait versatility; Olympus for classic rendering in controlled settings.

Landscape Photography

High resolution and dynamic range are paramount here. Olympus’s 5 MP CCD output lacks the resolution many landscape shooters desire; however, its Four Thirds sensor and color reproduction are natural and pleasing. It has environmental sealing to weather mild outdoor conditions.

The RX10 II boasts 20 MP and a wider dynamic range, allowing better highlight/shadow preservation. Its fixed wide-angle capability from 24mm helps compose sweeping vistas. Splash resistance is useful but not full weatherproofing.

Winner: RX10 II for resolution and DR, but Olympus holds some charm for color fidelity.

Wildlife Photography

Fast autofocus, long reach, and high burst rates are essential. Olympus’s 2.1x crop factor advantage extends reach but only 3 fps burst and 3 AF points limit capture rates on moving subjects.

RX10 II’s 14 fps rate and smart AF tracking shine for quick action, though the lens tops at 200mm equivalent - a short tele for distant wildlife.

Winner: Neither is a perfect wildlife camera; RX10 II better for action, Olympus for reach with interchangeable supertelephoto lenses.

Sports Photography

Speed and tracking dominance define sports shooters’ need. Olympus’s 3 fps and limited AF points restrict efficacy on fast athletes.

Sony RX10 II’s 14 fps continuous shooting and face tracking support capturing fast moments with confidence.

Winner: RX10 II, clear superiority for sports.

Street Photography

Pocketability and low profile count more than raw specs. Olympus’s bulk and classic DSLR shape make it less discreet, though it offers solid manual control and ruggedness.

RX10 II’s SLR-like bridge body is more portable and versatile with silent electronic shutter options aiding discretion.

Winner: RX10 II for mobility and quiet operation.

Macro Photography

Close focusing distance and precise manual focus gear prominence here. Olympus lacks defining macro features and image stabilization; reliance is on lens optics.

RX10 II shines with 3cm macro close focus, optical stabilization, and flexible zoom - great for detailed closeups on the go.

Winner: RX10 II for macro usability.

Night and Astro Photography

Low noise at high ISOs is crucial. Olympus CCD struggles beyond ISO 400; limited long exposure options exist.

Sony’s clean high ISO performance and electronic shutter enable advanced astro setups.

Winner: RX10 II definitively better for night shooting.

Video Capabilities

E-1 lacks video altogether. No contest.

RX10 II offers 4K UHD video, micro input, headphone monitoring, and advanced codecs - solid for multimedia professionals.

Winner: RX10 II hands-down.

Travel Photography

Durability, versatility, and battery life matter. Olympus’s weight and size are drawbacks.

Sony’s all-in-one bright zoom, weather resistance, long battery, and wireless connectivity make it an excellent travel partner.

Winner: RX10 II for travel use.

Professional Workflows

Olympus supports RAW, tethering (USB 2.0), and proven Four Thirds glass.

Sony’s RAW, wireless offload, HDMI, robust video, and flexible ISO push make it better aligned with contemporary workflows.

Overall Performance Ratings and Value

How do the overall scores shape up?

The Sony RX10 II scores higher in most categories: image quality, speed, autofocus, video, and connectivity. The Olympus E-1, despite its age, retains respect for build and solid still image quality for the period.

Price-wise, the E-1’s original $1700 tag reflects its professional intent, but on the used market, it may be affordable yet niche. The RX10 II’s sub-$1000 price point and versatility offer strong value for advanced enthusiasts and hybrid shooters.

Final Takeaways: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose Olympus E-1 if:

• You are a vintage Four Thirds system enthusiast seeking classic CCD tonality and direct manual control.
• You possess or plan to invest in Olympus Four Thirds glass and want a robust body for studio or landscape work.
• You favor solid build and optical viewfinder experience above versatility.

Choose Sony RX10 II if:

• You want a feature-rich, all-in-one camera that covers a broad photograpy spectrum, including 4K video and fast AF.
• You’re a hybrid shooter balancing portraits, wildlife, travel, and video without changing lenses.
• Portability, connectivity, and modern sensor performance weigh heavily in your decision.

In Closing: The Tale of Two Eras

Testing the Olympus E-1 alongside the Sony RX10 II is like experiencing two chapters in camera evolution - the analog-minded pro DSLR solidity versus digital-age versatility on tap. Neither is perfect, but each excels in compelling ways.

For the enthusiast embracing raw shooting, optical precision, and the charm of older tech, the E-1 can still sing. But for most photographers seeking powerful autofocus, high-resolution output, video prowess, and flexibility in a single package - the Sony RX10 II is the more pragmatic bet.

No matter your choice, both cameras remind us that tools serve vision - and knowing their character helps you capture your best shots yet.

Sample images from both cameras: A visual finale

Olympus E 1 screen back Sony RX10 II front Sony RX10 II screen back

I hope this comparison offers practical insight to guide you in your photography gear journey. I invite you to test these cameras if possible and trust your hands-on impressions - no spec sheet can replace the tactile and creative synergy you’ll form with your next trusted shooter.

Happy shooting!