Olympus E-400 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570: A Detailed Camera Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera is pivotal for your creative journey, whether you're stepping into photography or upgrading your gear for more demanding projects. Today, we compare two distinctive models from Olympus and Sony: the Olympus E-400, an early entry-level DSLR, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570, a compact point-and-shoot. Both cameras suit vastly different photography aspirations and styles, making this comparison a fascinating dive into design philosophies, technical capabilities, and real-world usage.

We’ll provide a structured yet approachable review that brings out the nuances you need to consider before making a purchase. Let’s embark on this exploration and uncover which camera fits your needs best.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Size, Design, and Ergonomics

Physical handling is often your first interaction with a camera, influencing comfort and creative flow.

• Olympus E-400: As a compact DSLR, the E-400 is designed to offer a lightweight, user-friendly form factor compared to bulkier DSLRs of its time. It weighs 435 grams and measures 130x91x53mm. Its body is made to feel sturdy but portable, suitable for longer shoots without fatigue.

• Sony W570: This ultracompact model tips the scales at just 116 grams and measures a slim 91x52x19mm, making it pocket-friendly and easy to carry everywhere for spontaneous shooting.

From our hands-on testing, the Olympus E-400 feels more balanced for photographers who prefer a dedicated grip, physical controls, and lens interchangeability. The Sony W570 excels in absolute portability, ideal for casual users and travel where space is at a premium.

Control Layout and Top-View Design: How You Interact with Your Camera

A well-laid-out control scheme can speed up your shooting process.

• The Olympus E-400 features the classic DSLR arrangement with dedicated dials and buttons for shutter priority, aperture priority, and exposure compensation (though exposure compensation as a direct function is notably missing). The presence of a manual focus ring (when combined with compatible lenses) and exposure mode selections boosts creative control. Note that the E-400 lacks illuminated buttons and touchscreen capabilities.

• The Sony W570 opts for simplicity, designed for point-and-shoot ease. It does not support manual exposure control or manual focus. The optical zoom is controlled electronically, and menu navigation relies on simple button layouts with no touch interface. Despite being compact, the buttons are logically positioned, but the freedom for quick adjustments is limited compared to DSLRs.

Sensor Technologies and Image Quality: The Core of Your Photography

One of the most critical factors to consider when comparing cameras is sensor type, size, resolution, and processing capability.

Insights from Testing Experience:

• The Four Thirds sensor of the Olympus E-400 is substantially larger than the Sony’s 1/2.3" sensor. This translates to better light-gathering ability, lower noise at higher ISOs, and typically better dynamic range. In practical terms, images from the E-400 generally show cleaner shadows and highlights.

• The Sony W570 boasts a higher megapixel count, yet the small sensor size limits its dynamic range and low-light performance. Fine image detail can look crisp in good light, but noise becomes evident at elevated ISOs.

• Importantly, the Olympus supports shooting in RAW format, providing photographers with more flexibility in post-processing - a significant advantage for enthusiasts and professionals who want precise control over their images.

Viewing Your Shot: Screens and Viewfinders

Composing your image comfortably is crucial, especially in varied shooting environments.

• The Olympus E-400 incorporates a 2.5-inch fixed rear LCD with a resolution of 215k dots. It lacks live view and touchscreen capabilities, which reflects the DSLR design trend from its era.

• The Sony W570 offers a slightly larger 2.7-inch LCD with 230k dots, featuring Clear Photo LCD technology for better outdoor visibility. It supports live view, as expected for a compact camera, but without touchscreen input.

The E-400’s optical pentamirror viewfinder covers approximately 95% of the frame with 0.46x magnification. While not high-end by today’s standards, it offers a more direct and natural view than relying solely on LCD screens, particularly helpful in bright sunlight or fast-paced shooting.

Shooting Performance: Autofocus and Continuous Shooting

• Autofocus System:

  • Olympus E-400 uses a phase-detection autofocus with three focus points, including multi-area and selective modes but no face or eye detection. Phase detection generally allows faster and more accurate focus tracking, especially with moving subjects.

  • Sony W570 depends on contrast detection autofocus with nine focus points and multi-area plus center-weighted AF. No face or eye detection is present. Contrast detection is accurate but generally slower than phase detection, particularly noticeable with moving subjects.

• Continuous Shooting Speed:

  • Olympus E-400 can shoot up to 3 frames per second - respectable for entry-level DSLRs, suitable for casual sports or wildlife sequences.

  • Sony W570’s continuous shooting is limited to 1 frame per second, more in line with casual snapshot use.

Exploring the Lenses and Zoom Options

Lens versatility largely depends on the system.

• Olympus E-400:

  • Micro Four Thirds lens mount but note: the E-400 predates the Micro Four Thirds standard's launch and actually utilizes the earlier Four Thirds mount; compatibility considerations are important here.

  • Supports interchangeable lenses with access to 45 native lenses at the time, ranging from wide-angle to telephoto.

  • Focal length multiplier of 2.1x means a 50mm lens behaves like approximately 105mm in 35mm equivalent terms.

• Sony W570:

  • Fixed 5x zoom lens with a range of 25-125 mm (35mm equivalent), aperture F2.6 to F6.3.

• In practice, the Olympus approach grants creative flexibility to match your genre - you can swap lenses for macro, portrait, or telephoto work. The Sony W570 is handy for quick snapshots but constrained to its built-in zoom.

In-Field Usability: Stability and Flash Features

• Image Stabilization:

  • Olympus E-400 does not have built-in image stabilization, relying on lens-based or external methods if available.

  • Sony W570 features optical image stabilization, essential given the small sensor and the compact form factor that typically limits shutter speed.

• Flash Capabilities:

  • Olympus includes a built-in flash with a 10m range at ISO 100, external flash support, and multiple modes (auto, Auto FP, manual, red-eye reduction).

  • The Sony’s built-in flash is rated to 3.7m and offers auto, on, off, and slow sync modes, but no external flash support.

Battery Life and Storage

• Olympus uses CompactFlash and xD Picture Cards for storage, while Sony supports versatile modern formats including SD and Memory Stick.

• Sony W570 uses a dedicated NP-BN1 battery, while Olympus battery details are less specified but typical DSLR batteries offer longer shooting duration than compact camera batteries.

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

Now let's dive into how each camera fares in specific photography disciplines, backed by hands-on testing principles.

Olympus E 400 front Olympus E 400 screen back Sony W570 front Sony W570 screen back

Portrait Photography

• Skin tones and bokeh:
  Olympus, with its larger Four Thirds sensor and aperture control on interchangeable lenses, produces more natural skin tones and the ability to create shallow depth-of-field (beautiful background blur). The Sony’s small sensor combined with a fixed lens yields less convincing bokeh and occasionally less smooth color gradations.

• Eye detection autofocus: Neither supports eye detection, which is common for their release periods.

Landscape Photography

• Dynamic Range and Resolution:
  The Olympus sensor offers more dynamic range, useful for landscapes where high contrast scenes (bright sky, dark foliage) challenge the sensor.

• Weather sealing: Both cameras lack environmental sealing. Outdoor use requires caution.

• Resolution: Sony’s 16 MP delivers slightly more pixel count, but the smaller sensor compromises image quality.

Wildlife Photography

• AF speed and burst: Olympus’s phase-detection autofocus and 3fps burst provide better chances to capture quick animal movement.

• Telephoto reach: Lens interchangeability on Olympus allows long telephoto lenses; Sony’s 5x zoom is limiting.

Sports Photography

• The Olympus eclipses Sony with faster AF, higher frame rate, and more manual control. Sony’s 1 fps burst and limited focusing modes aren’t ideal for action shots.

Street Photography

• Sony excels for its discreet size, quiet operation, and portability.

• Olympus is bulkier but better for controlled street portraits and creative control.

Macro Photography

• Olympus with dedicated macro lenses offers superior focusing precision and magnification.

• Sony’s fixed lens allows 5 cm focusing, but detail and sharpness are suboptimal compared to dedicated macro setups.

Night and Astrophotography

• Olympus, with better noise control at ISO 1600 max native, is more capable, although modern cameras surpass it.

• Sony’s smaller sensor struggles in low light, with higher noise levels.

Video Capabilities

• Sony offers 720p HD video at 30fps with MPEG-4 - basic but usable for casual footage.

• Olympus lacks video recording.

Travel Photography

• Sony’s ultralight compact form and versatile built-in zoom make it an excellent travel companion.

• Olympus offers higher image quality and adaptability but at increased size and weight.

Professional Work

• Olympus’s RAW support and better manual control edge out Sony for professional workflows.

• Sony’s lack of RAW limits post-processing flexibility.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera is weather-sealed or particularly rugged by modern professional standards. Both should be handled with care.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

• Olympus E-400: No wireless connectivity; USB 2.0 only.

• Sony W570: Eye-Fi card support for wireless image transfer; USB 2.0 and HDMI output available.

Overall Performance Ratings and Genre Scores

Let’s look at an authoritative summary of their performance metrics.

These charts synthesize strengths:

• Olympus E-400 scores higher in image quality, dynamic range, autofocus speed, and professional workflow suitability.

• Sony W570 excels in portability, ease of use, and casual photography friendliness.

Price-to-Performance Value

• Olympus E-400 retails around $599 at launch; expect second-hand purchase price now.

• Sony W570 was $159 at launch, reflecting compact camera market positioning.

If budget is a primary concern and portability is paramount, the Sony is an accessible entry. For those prioritizing image quality, control, and growth potential in photography, the Olympus offers better long-term value.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Suits You?

Choose the Olympus E-400 if:

• You want an entry-level DSLR experience.

• You prioritize image quality, manual controls, and RAW format for editing.

• You are interested in a system camera with the flexibility to change lenses.

• You shoot landscapes, portraits, wildlife, or sports demanding higher AF performance.

• You’re willing to manage a slightly larger camera for better handling and creative possibilities.

Choose the Sony DSC-W570 if:

• You seek a lightweight, pocket-friendly camera for travel and casual shooting.

• You prefer simplicity with automatic modes.

• You want decent zoom and basic HD video capabilities.

• Battery life and storage options with modern memory cards matter.

• You need a camera for snapshots, street photography on the go, or family events.

Next Steps and Recommendations

• If you lean towards Olympus, explore acquiring compatible Four Thirds lenses, including affordable macro and telephoto options, to build a versatile kit.

• For Sony users, invest in an external memory card with adequate speed and capacity, and practice using the optical zoom creatively.

• Both cameras benefit from external accessories like tripods and external flashes (Olympus supports external flash units).

• Check out sample image galleries and real-world shooting reviews to see image quality under your preferred lighting conditions.

• Hands-on testing in store or renting before purchase can clarify which camera fits your shooting style.

Whether you value creative control or effortless portability, this in-depth comparison helps illuminate what each camera delivers. Harness these insights to find the perfect tool for your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!