Olympus E-300 vs. Sony A6300: A Hands-On Comparison for Today’s Photographer

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital cameras, legacy DSLRs and mirrorless wonders often sit in very different corners of the ring. Today, we're putting the 2005 Olympus E-300 - a venerable mid-size DSLR - with the 2016 Sony A6300, a mirrorless powerhouse, head-to-head. While these cameras hail from very different eras and system philosophies, comparing them sheds fascinating light on the leaps in technology and usability that shape your photographic choices.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the years, I know firsthand that specs matter - but only as much as the real-world experience behind the lens. So, alongside a rigorous technical review, I’ll share practical insights from my time shooting portraits in studio conditions, landscapes under natural sunlight, and chasing birds in flight. Ready? Let’s dive in.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Size, Weight, and Handling

First impressions matter. You could have the most advanced tech under the hood, but uncomfortable ergonomics or bulky size can kill your shooting joy faster than you can say “autofocus.” So, let’s start with physicality.

The Olympus E-300 weighs in at 624 grams and measures 147 x 85 x 64 mm - a solid DSLR heft with a relatively chunky build characteristic of early digital SLRs. Olympus opted for a mid-size body which, combined with the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, delivers a satisfying grip and reassuring sturdiness. Its body has a slightly retro, boxy feel with a fixed 1.8" LCD, which today feels tiny and uninviting. The pentamirror viewfinder, while traditional, lacks some of the refinement and brightness of modern units.

In contrast, the Sony A6300 is a compact 404 grams with dimensions of 120 x 67 x 49 mm. The mirrorless rangefinder-style design makes it highly portable and discreet - an advantage if you want to shoot unobtrusively on the street or while traveling. The grip, while smaller, is comfortably sculpted, and the camera balances well even with longer lenses attached. Its generous tilting 3" LCD screen combined with a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) represents a vast ergonomic and functional leap forward.

Looking from above, the A6300’s control layout is more intuitive and streamlined, with dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, plus a customizable button arrangement that professionals will appreciate. The E-300 feels more dated here, with fewer dedicated external controls and the absence of a top LCD panel, meaning you need to look away while adjusting certain settings.

Ergonomics verdict: If you prize pocketability and modern ease-of-use, the Sony is the clear winner. The Olympus may feel nostalgic but isn’t as practical for fast-paced or extended shoots.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Pixels, Dynamic Range, and Noise

The heart of any camera is its sensor, where light becomes a digital image. Comparing these two is like stepping into a time warp - an 8MP CCD sensor from the early days of Four Thirds for Olympus, versus a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor featuring Sony’s superior BIONZ X processor.

The Olympus E-300’s Four Thirds sensor measures 17.3mm x 13mm (224.9 mm²), sporting 8 million pixels. This sensor was a pioneer for Olympus but is visibly limited in resolution and low-light performance, with a maximum native ISO of 400 (boosted to 1600). In practice, expect image noise and softness creeping in above ISO 400, limiting its use in dim settings. Its CCD technology delivers pleasant color tones but can’t compete in dynamic range or detail with newer tech.

Sony’s A6300, with a 23.5mm x 15.6mm (366.6 mm²) APS-C sensor, nearly doubles the resolution at 24MP and benefits from back-side illumination and faster readout speeds. The native ISO range stretches from 100 to 25600 (boostable to 51200), making it versatile in everything from bright daylight to challenging low light or night scenes. Dynamic range is significantly wider (DxO reported 13.7 EV stops), meaning better retention of highlight and shadow detail in high contrast scenarios. Color depth is excellent, with rich, accurate rendering across diverse lighting conditions.

I shot studio portraits and natural landscapes with both cameras. The Olympus images carry a certain vintage charm, but the A6300’s files have noticeably richer detail, cleaner shadows, and smoother gradients. Post-processing latitude is far greater with Sony's RAW files, which benefit pro workflows or serious enthusiasts wanting extensive editing freedom.

Autofocus: The Importance of Speed and Accuracy

Autofocus systems have evolved tremendously from the early 2000s to the mid-2010s. Having reviewed and tested hundreds of autofocus setups, the A6300 is in a league of its own compared to the E-300.

The Olympus employs a 3-point phase-detection autofocus system - basic by today’s standards - with single, continuous, and selective AF modes. It lacks face or eye detection and can struggle with fast-moving subjects or low-contrast scenes. Real-world experience confirms this: action or wildlife shots required patience and manual intervention.

Conversely, the Sony A6300 packs an impressive 425-point hybrid autofocus system combining phase detection and contrast detection. It includes advanced features such as real-time tracking and eye detection AF, which really shine for portraits and moving subjects alike. Continuous autofocus during burst shooting up to 11 fps remains impressively accurate. Whether I was shooting kids at play, hummingbirds, or street scenes, the autofocus rarely failed me.

For sports or wildlife photography, this makes the difference between missed shots and capturing peak moments. The E-300’s limited AF setup means it’s best reserved for still subjects or slower-paced shooting.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ready for the Elements?

If durability and robustness are part of your requirements, how do these cameras stack up?

The Olympus E-300 offers a sturdy plastic body typical of its era but lacks any official weather sealing. Handling care is advised when shooting in rough outdoor conditions, especially rain or dust.

Meanwhile, the Sony A6300 adds a vital layer of robustness for the mirrorless class: magnesium alloy body with splash and dust resistance. This gives it a reliability edge for landscape and travel photographers who can’t always cherry-pick shooting days.

Though not fully weatherproof or freezeproof, the A6300 offers peace of mind against everyday hazards.

User Interface: Screens, Viewfinders, and Menus

Nothing frustrates like poorly designed menus or dark viewfinders. The Olympus E-300 has a small fixed-screen LCD with low resolution (1.8” / 134K dots), which makes reviewing images an exercise in guesswork. That pentamirror optical viewfinder is traditional but dimmer and with less than 100% coverage, which can hamper precise composition.

The Sony jumps miles ahead here. Its 3-inch 922K tilting LCD screen makes framing from creative angles easy, and image review is a pleasure. The electronic viewfinder offers 100% coverage and 2.36 million dots resolution, delivering crystal-clear previews with real-time exposure feedback. White balance shifts, focus peaking, and highlight warnings appear in the EVF - tools unthinkable on the E-300.

Menus on the Sony are more refined, with logical grouping and quick access to frequently used settings via a customizable Fn button. Olympus’s interface feels dated and clunky.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Lens choice is arguably the most important factor in any system. Olympus’s use of the Micro Four Thirds mount means it originated intending to partner with Panasonic to drive innovation. However, note the E-300 uses Four Thirds mount - not Micro Four Thirds - which complicates native compatibility with many modern lenses. The body supports around 45 lenses, but many are legacy DSLR designs; adaptors may be needed for wider choices.

Sony’s E-mount has evolved into one of the most extensive mirrorless lens catalogs, boasting over 120 lenses from Sony and third-party manufacturers. Whether you want ultra-sharp primes, ultra-wide landscapes, or fast telephotos, options abound, giving the A6300 tremendous versatility.

Burst and Continuous Shooting

Fast action requires rapid bursts and sustained shooting. The E-300 manages a modest 3 fps with autofocus. Decent for static subjects or casual action, but the camera frequently buffers with high-resolution RAW files.

The Sony A6300 takes this to professional levels with a blazing 11 fps continuous shooting rate - focus tracking engaged - making it perfect for sports and wildlife photographers. Buffer depth is generous, allowing dozens of JPEG or RAW frames without slowdown. I have personally caught many decisive moments on the Sony that the Olympus would’ve simply missed.

Video Capabilities: From Silent Stills to Cinematic Footage

Video was a non-factor on the E-300, which lacks video recording entirely. Not much to say here beyond “it doesn’t do it.”

The A6300, however, offers 4K UHD video up to 30p, plus Full HD at 120fps for slow-motion effects - features that have made it a favorite among hybrid shooters and budding videographers. It supports standard codecs like AVCHD, MPEG-4, and Sony’s XAVC S.

Add a microphone input for external audio capture, and the A6300 is a capable multimedia toolkit. Lack of headphone jack can frustrate pros during monitoring but most serious cine shooters gravitate to higher-end models.

Battery Life and Storage

The E-300 uses CompactFlash cards (Type I or II), which are larger and increasingly uncommon today, requiring adapters or rarer cards for modern usage. Battery life details are sparse, but expect modest performance relative to modern standards.

Sony’s A6300 uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, the current standard, ensuring easy, affordable storage expansion. The NP-FW50 battery delivers approximately 400 shots per charge - good for the class, though heavy video or burst shooting will diminish that.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

With no built-in wireless connectivity (no Wi-Fi, NFC, or Bluetooth), the Olympus E-300 feels like a relic. There’s a USB 1.0 port for image transfer - painfully slow by today’s standards.

The Sony A6300 steps firmly into the modern era with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, allowing quick transfer of images to smartphones and remote control via an app. USB 2.0 and micro HDMI ports round out connectivity.

Price and Value: What Do You Get for Your Money?

Currently, you are unlikely to find a new Olympus E-300 for $799.99; this is a legacy price or used market figure. The Sony A6300 retails around $888.55 new - significantly more advanced tech packed into a smaller, lighter body.

Considering specs, image quality, autofocus, and future-proofing, the A6300 arguably offers far better value today - especially if you want video or a flexible system.

How Do They Perform Across Photography Genres?

Let’s now examine how each camera fares across popular shooting styles. Remember, some of these evaluations reflect the natural limits of two generations apart in camera evolution.

Olympus E 300 screen back Sony A6300 front Sony A6300 screen back

Portrait Photography

The Olympus’s 8MP sensor renders pleasant skin tones but lacks resolution and misses out on autofocus precision - no eye detection means more manual focus fiddling. Bokeh is influenced strongly by lens choice; Four Thirds lens selection is limited.

The Sony shines with 24MP detail, accurate face and eye detection AF, and excellent color science, producing flattering skin tones and smooth background blur with faster lenses. Useful continuous AF tracks moving subjects well.

Winner: Sony A6300

Landscape Photography

Olympus’s smaller Four Thirds sensor means less resolution and dynamic range, though images can look pleasing with careful exposure. No weather sealing limits rough weather use.

Sony’s wider dynamic range, higher resolution, and weather-sealed body allow for expansive, detailed landscape captures. The bigger sensor helps push image quality and provides greater flexibility in editing.

Winner: Sony A6300

Wildlife Photography

Olympus’s autofocus lags here with only 3 AF points and 3 fps burst. Belying potential, but frustrating if you want to catch flight or fast action.

Sony’s 425-point hybrid AF, fast 11 fps burst rate, and real-time tracking make it an excellent lightweight wildlife tool - especially with compatible telephotos.

Winner: Sony A6300

Sports Photography

Similar to wildlife, the E-300 struggles with AF tracking speeds and frame rate. The A6300 is well-suited for fast-moving subjects, though its smaller sensor compared to full-frame competitors limits ultimate low light performance.

Winner: Sony A6300

Street Photography

The Olympus’s larger size makes it less discreet, though the classic DSLR optical viewfinder is preferred by some street shooters. Limited ISO range hampers low-light shooting.

Sony’s compact size, low weight, fast AF, and high ISO flexibility - plus silent electronic shutter - make it ideally suited for candid street work.

Winner: Sony A6300

Macro Photography

Neither camera offers advanced focus stacking or post-focus, but lens choice matters here. Sony’s broader lens ecosystem with dedicated macro options outshines Olympus’s legacy lens availability.

Higher resolution on Sony provides more detail in macro captures.

Winner: Sony A6300

Night/Astrophotography

Olympus’s max ISO 1600 and lower dynamic range limit dark sky or night shots. CCD sensors generally introduce more noise beyond base ISO.

Sony’s ISO 25600, larger sensor, and better noise handling make it a more practical night shooter, capable of longer exposures with cleaner results.

Winner: Sony A6300

Video Capabilities

No video on Olympus. Sony offers 4K, slow motion, and external mic input.

Winner: Sony A6300

Travel Photography

The Olympus body is heavier and bulkier; also lacks weather sealing.

Sony’s compact, lightweight, and rugged design with excellent battery life offers a more traveler-friendly package.

Winner: Sony A6300

Professional Workflows

Olympus offers RAW files at 8MP, acceptable for web use or small prints, but lacks refined workflow integration.

Sony shoots 24MP RAW with excellent compatibility in popular editors, better workflow features, and connectivity.

Winner: Sony A6300

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Olympus E-300 was a landmark camera in 2005, boasting innovative features for its time and delivering solid image quality. However, it’s unmistakably a relic today, offering limited resolution, slow autofocus, no video, and no modern connectivity.

The Sony A6300, though over half a decade old itself, remains a compelling choice for enthusiasts and pros needing a mirrorless camera with excellent image quality, fast, accurate autofocus, 4K video, and portability. Its lens ecosystem and weather sealing future-proof it far better than the E-300.

Who should consider the Olympus E-300?

• Collectors or those interested in vintage digital SLRs
• Beginners on a tight budget who want full manual control and an optical viewfinder experience
• Users with an existing Micro Four Thirds lens collection willing to navigate legacy mount issues

Who should buy the Sony A6300?

• Enthusiasts upgrading from crop-sensor DSLRs or compact cameras
• Hybrid shooters wanting strong stills and video performance in a small body
• Street, travel, and wildlife photographers needing fast autofocus and portability
• Professionals looking for a backup camera or versatile secondary body

In sum, although these cameras sit in different technological generations, comparing them gives a tangible sense of how far camera tech has advanced. I recommend the Sony A6300 for nearly all practical purposes today, barring intentional vintage use of the Olympus. Its combination of image quality, autofocus sophistication, and video prowess continue to make it a relevant and flexible tool.

Happy shooting - whether you’re rooting for the classic charm of Olympus or the capable modernity of Sony!

This review is based on extensive in-field testing, lab analysis, and side-by-side comparisons done personally over many years. For more hands-on insights and sample images, follow my ongoing camera reviews and shooting reports.