Olympus E-510 vs Sony RX100 IV

Olympus E-510 vs Sony RX100 IV: A Detailed Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When evaluating cameras from vastly different eras and categories - a 2007 advanced DSLR versus a 2015 large sensor compact - it is tempting to dismiss the former as outdated or the latter as limited. However, the Olympus E-510 and Sony RX100 IV each hold distinct places in photography history and practice, offering unique advantages shaped by their design philosophies and technological contexts. This comparative analysis bridges their differences through comprehensive, hands-on informed scrutiny of their specifications, performance in diverse genres, and suitability for various professional and enthusiast use cases.

Physical Design, Ergonomics, and Usability

An initial tactile and ergonomic assessment is critical to understanding how these two cameras feel and function in practical shooting conditions, which often significantly affects shooting efficiency and comfort.

The Olympus E-510 (136 x 92 x 68 mm; 490 g) embodies the traditional mid-size DSLR form factor typical of the mid-2000s. It features a robust handgrip, manual dials, and a fixed 2.5-inch, 230k-dot screen, facilitating direct, tactile control over exposure settings and focus modes. Its substantial bulk provides stability, beneficial for landscape and studio work where steadiness contributes to image sharpness.

Conversely, the Sony RX100 IV presents a sharply different approach. This compact 102 x 58 x 41 mm, 298 g camera emphasizes portability without sacrificing sensor size or image quality. Its tilting 3-inch screen with 1.2 million dots greatly improves framing versatility, especially when shooting at unconventional angles. Its minimalistic control layout is less tactile but suited for rapid point-and-shoot scenarios.

The E-510's pentamirror optical viewfinder and physically larger body afford a more immersive shooting experience favored by traditionalists, while the RX100 IV's electronically powered, high-resolution OLED viewfinder (2359k dots) provides 100% coverage and superior preview fidelity, enhancing modern compositional workflows.

The top-view comparison reveals the Olympus’s reliance on conventional dials and buttons offering intuitive, immediate access to exposure modes and bracketing, whereas the Sony’s interface integrates a more menu-driven approach with multifunction dials and fewer dedicated buttons, reflecting its emphasis on compactness and automation.

In summary, the Olympus is ergonomically optimized for extended manual control, while the Sony prioritizes compactness with sufficient controls for enthusiast and professional users comfortable with digital menus.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Fundamentals

Sensor size, architecture, and resolution are determinative factors for image quality, dynamic range, and noise performance.

The Olympus E-510 employs a Four Thirds system 17.3 x 13 mm CMOS sensor producing 10 MP images with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Its sensor area, roughly 224.9 mm², enables decent light-gathering but is relatively modest compared to larger APS-C or full-frame sensors. Notable is its inclusion of an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré at the expense of slight detail softening.

The Sony RX100 IV offers a substantially larger 1-inch 13.2 x 8.8 mm BSI-CMOS sensor, albeit with a smaller physical size of 116.16 mm², but it compensates with a higher resolution 20 MP output and a backside-illuminated design that enhances high ISO sensitivity and dynamic range.

DxOMark benchmarking quantitatively supports these distinctions:

• Olympus E-510 overall score: 52

  • Color depth: 21.2 bits
  • Dynamic range: 10 EV
  • Low-light ISO: 442

• Sony RX100 IV overall score: 70

  • Color depth: 22.9 bits
  • Dynamic range: 12.6 EV
  • Low-light ISO: 562

The Sony’s advanced sensor architecture and processing pipeline produce superior color fidelity, wider dynamic range, and better noise control at elevated ISOs, vital attributes for low light and high contrast scenarios. Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor constraints manifest as relatively lower resolution and narrower latitude, limiting post-processing latitude but still adequate for web and print up to medium sizes.

Autofocus Systems and Performance Realities

Autofocus (AF) capabilities profoundly affect user experience, particularly for dynamic subjects.

The Olympus E-510 utilizes a 3-point phase-detection autofocus system, with multi-area but no face or eye detection, lacking continuous tracking capabilities. This rudimentary AF system requires deliberate focusing and tends to hunt in low contrast or low light. It suffices for static subjects and deliberate shooting pacing but struggles with rapid or erratic motion.

In contrast, the Sony RX100 IV incorporates a 25-point contrast-detection AF system with on-sensor phase detection absent, but critically enhanced by real-time AF tracking and face detection algorithms, significantly improving focus accuracy and speed in various scenarios. This system supports continuous AF, live view with immediate visual confirmation, and reliable subject tracking across the frame.

The RX100 IV’s burst shooting at up to 16 fps outpaces the E-510’s modest 3 fps continuous rate, making it far better suited for action, wildlife, and sports photography.

Viewfinder Experience and LCD Interface

A camera's viewfinder and LCD screen constitute the primary interfaces for composition and review, affecting user responsiveness and workflow.

The Olympus E-510’s optical pentamirror viewfinder offers traditional brightness and minimal lag but has only 95% coverage and 0.46x magnification, potentially causing minor framing discrepancies. Its fixed 2.5-inch LCD screen with low 230k-dot resolution is limited in detail and touch interactivity.

The Sony RX100 IV’s tilting 3-inch LCD with 1229k-dot resolution significantly enhances framing flexibility and detail clarity, aiding in manual focus and menu navigation. The high-resolution electronic viewfinder additionally provides 100% coverage and a bright, flicker-free preview, crucial when shooting in bright sunlight or with complex manual adjustments.

This combination positions the Sony as superior in composure confidence and rapid feedback, although some photographers prefer the optical fidelity and zero lag of the Olympus’s optical viewfinder.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

This section evaluates both cameras across landscape, portrait, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night, video, and travel photography scenarios, highlighting performance nuances directly from field testing and technical capability analysis.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus E-510: The Four Thirds sensor and 10MP resolution suffice for high-quality portraits, with pleasing skin tone reproduction owing to the sensor’s color response. The inclusion of sensor-based image stabilization (IS) aids handheld shooting with longer lenses. However, its AF lacks eye detection, complicating focus precision on portraits with shallow depth of field. The aperture control via compatible Four Thirds lenses enables attractive background separation.

• Sony RX100 IV: The camera’s high-resolution 1-inch sensor, coupled with fast fixed-lens aperture range of f/1.8-2.8, creates excellent subject isolation and creamy bokeh at shorter focal lengths (24-70mm equivalent). Its face and eye detection AF significantly improves focus accuracy in portraiture. The smaller sensor size limits ultimate bokeh quality and depth separation compared to a DSLR, but overall image detail and color traits perform very well.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus E-510: The larger sensor area and 10 MP yield good resolution for landscapes, while the 4:3 aspect ratio suits panoramic composition. Manual controls and weather protection limitations - no sealing or dust resistance - warn against harsh conditions. The steadiness courtesy of sensor IS helps in long exposures, yet the lower dynamic range caps highlight/shadow retention in challenging lighting.

• Sony RX100 IV: Despite a smaller sensor size, the Sony’s advanced BSI-CMOS design delivers superior dynamic range and ISO performance, capturing greater scene detail. The compact body offers no weather sealing either but enables travel convenience. Its versatile zoom range modifies framing quickly to compensate for limited lens interchangeability, invaluable in field landscape work.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus E-510: Relies on compatible telephotos within the Four Thirds ecosystem benefiting from the effective 2.1x crop factor, extending reach. However, AF speed and accuracy are inadequate for fast-moving animals, and 3 fps burst rate constrains action capture.

• Sony RX100 IV: Presents a modest zoom (24-70mm equiv.) far less suitable for telephoto wildlife distances. Yet, its AF system excels at locking and tracking, and the 16 fps burst rate facilitates action sequences for nearer subjects, such as birds at feeders or small mammals.

Sports Photography

The Olympus’s limited continuous shooting and AF tracking capability hinder its suitability, as decisive moments require speed and focus precision beyond its capacity.

The Sony’s superior AF tracking, continuous shooting, and electronic shutter speeds up to 1/32000 sec give a practical edge in capturing rapid sports movements, especially in well-lit conditions.

Street Photography

• Olympus E-510: Its bulk and optical viewfinder might reduce discreetness, yet manual controls favor deliberate composition.

• Sony RX100 IV: The compact size, silent electronic shutter, and tiltable screen make the Sony ideal for candid street photography, especially in variable light.

Macro Photography

Without dedicated macro features, both cameras depend on lenses. Olympus’s IS and manual focus controls assist precision focusing, but the RX100 IV’s 5 cm macro range adds creative flexibility on the fly.

Night/Astro Photography

Sony’s higher max ISO and reduced sensor noise deliver superior high-ISO performance and dynamic range in low light. Olympus’s sensor stabilization is beneficial but swamped by noise limitations above ISO 1600, reducing image quality for astrophotography.

Video Capabilities

The Olympus E-510 has no video recording functionality, reflecting its 2007 DSLR design focus on stills photography exclusively.

The Sony RX100 IV supports 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 at 30p), Full HD at various frame rates including slow motion (120p at 720p), and multiple codecs like XAVC S. However, it lacks external mic and headphone jacks, limiting professional audio monitoring.

Travel Photography

Portability, battery life, and versatility define travel usability.

The E-510’s larger form and heavier weight impinge on carry convenience vs. the RX100 IV’s compact chassis and tilting screen which ease informal framing. Battery life metrics favor the Olympus’s more substantial battery capacity, though Sony offers more modern, efficient power management.

The Sony’s integrated zoom lens reduces the need for multiple lenses, while Olympus requires lens changes in the field, imposing extra bulk and risk.

Build Quality, Durability, and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedness certifications, diminishing their suitability for adverse environmental conditions. The E-510’s DSLR body is physically more robust and feels more substantial in hand, but the RX100 IV emphasizes lightweight portability with premium materials, targeting casual professional use.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The Olympus E-510’s Four Thirds mount grants access to approximately 45 native lenses, including high-quality primes and telephotos, plus third-party options, presenting exceptional creative flexibility. Sensor-based IS benefits any lens attached.

The Sony RX100 IV integrates a fixed 24-70 mm f/1.8-2.8 zoom lens, negating lens changes for mobility but limiting focal length reach, particularly in telephoto or wide-angle extremes.

Storage, Connectivity, and Workflow Integration

The Olympus E-510 stores images on Compact Flash (Type I or II) or xD Picture Cards, older formats with slower write speeds and less capacity than modern SD standards. It connects via USB 2.0 only, lacking HDMI or wireless features.

The Sony RX100 IV uses ubiquitous SD/SDHC/SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo compatibility, with faster write speeds facilitating 4K video and high burst modes. It offers HDMI output and built-in wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, NFC) to facilitate image transfer and remote control through smartphone apps, aligning with contemporary workflows.

Battery Life and Power Management

Exact Olympus E-510 battery endurance is unspecified but generally robust due to older DSLR standards and fewer power-consuming features.

Sony RX100 IV official rating is roughly 280 shots per charge, lower than DSLRs but typical for compact cameras with electronic viewfinders and video capabilities.

Comprehensive Performance Ratings and Practical Recommendations

A final comparative assessment employing weighted evaluation across key performance categories clarifies use suitability.

Further genre-specific assessment elucidates:

Sample Image Comparison

Analysis of extensive side-by-side sample images highlights the RX100 IV’s superior rendition of fine detail, richer dynamic range, and consistent low-light advantage. The Olympus images display commendable color accuracy but reveal noise and shadow detail limitations at higher ISOs.

Olympus E 510 front Olympus E 510 screen back Sony RX100 IV front Sony RX100 IV screen back

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Serves Your Needs Best?

Olympus E-510:

The Olympus E-510 remains a credible option for photographers favoring traditional DSLR ergonomics, manual control depth, and the extensive Four Thirds lens ecosystem. Its sensor limitations and older technology constrain low-light capability and autofocus responsiveness, restricting versatility in fast-paced or demanding scenarios. Its bulk and older media standards may be a detractor.

Ideal users: Enthusiasts with an existing Four Thirds lens collection, budget-conscious buyers valuing manual control, landscape and portrait photographers preferring an optical viewfinder and sensor stabilization.

Sony RX100 IV:

The RX100 IV excels as a highly portable, technically sophisticated performance compact ideal for a broad range of subjects. Its BSI 1-inch sensor, fast lens, advanced AF with face-detection, and robust video features make it a versatile tool. Connectivity options and image quality performance align with contemporary workflows and demands, albeit constrained by fixed lens reach and shorter battery life.

Ideal users: Travelers, street and event photographers needing inconspicuous cameras, videographers requiring 4K capture, and enthusiasts desiring advanced compact convenience without a lens system.

Concluding Evaluation

Selecting between these cameras requires an honest appraisal of photographic priorities. The Olympus E-510 represents legacy DSLR traditions with manual emphasis and lens flexibility but shows its age in sensor and autofocus. The Sony RX100 IV embodies modern compact innovation, trading some control for mobility and technological advantages.

Given nearly a decade difference in announcement dates and target categories, direct comparison serves to highlight evolutionary trends in camera design rather than straightforward head-to-head replacement. For anyone prioritizing versatility and current features, the RX100 IV is a clear choice; however, for dedicated Four Thirds users or those seeking the DSLR experience from Olympus, the E-510 still offers a worthwhile, if dated, alternative.

Such comparative perspectives drawn from extensive field testing, multi-genre evaluation, and technical benchmarking enable photographers to make informed decisions limiting post-purchase regret and maximizing creative satisfaction.