Olympus E-510 vs Sony SLT-A65: A Hands-On Comparison Across Photography Genres

When I first got my hands on the Olympus E-510 and the Sony SLT-A65, I immediately felt the distinct vibe of two quite different cameras from different eras and philosophies. The Olympus E-510 - announced way back in 2007 - represents a transitional bridge from traditional DSLRs to digital innovation with features like sensor-based stabilization and Live View, albeit limited by modern standards. Meanwhile, the Sony A65, released in 2011 and equipped with Sony’s then-cutting-edge translucent mirror technology, pushes forward autofocus speed and video capabilities for a new wave of hybrid shooters.

As someone who has extensively tested thousands of cameras including these two, I’m eager to unpack their strengths and weaknesses across disciplines, to help enthusiasts and professionals figure out if one still holds its ground or if one simply excels with modern features worth investing in. Let’s dig in.

Feeling the Cameras: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Right out of the gate, handling tells a vivid story about a camera's intent. The Olympus E-510 is a mid-sized SLR with a compact, somewhat sleek shape for a DSLR of its time. It weighs 490g and measures 136x92x68mm, presenting a grip that’s manageable even if you’ve got smaller hands. My first impression was an approachable design that doesn’t intimidate, but lacks the heft to reassure you in vigorous shooting conditions.

Contrast this with the Sony A65 - at 622g and physically larger at 132x97x81mm, it feels substantial but not cumbersome. The deeper grip, combined with more robust button placement, instilled confidence during extended shooting sessions, especially when paired with longer lenses.

One ergonomic highlight for Sony is the fully articulated 3" rear screen with 921k resolution versus the Olympus’s fixed 2.5" 230k LCD. The flexibility to flip and tilt the Sony screen makes low, high-angle framing or selfies much easier. The fixed screen on the Olympus can feel limiting, especially for street or travel photographers who crave compositional flexibility.

The Sony’s electronic viewfinder (EVF) is a winner here, projecting a bright, detailed 2,359-dot image with 100% frame coverage and 0.73x magnification. In contrast, the Olympus sports a traditional pentamirror optical viewfinder with 95% coverage and 0.46x magnification, duller and less precise, though it retains the classic DSLR experience.

The control layouts echo these usability differences: Sony’s buttons feel more modern and thoughtfully placed with good tactile feedback, while Olympus offers a simpler, more stripped-down experience that may require diving into menus more often. For me, the Sony is the more user-friendly tool for rapid shooting and adjustments.

Inside the Frame: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Examining the heart of image quality, the sensor is pivotal. The Olympus E-510 uses a Four Thirds CMOS sensor sized at 17.3 x 13 mm with 10 megapixels, equating to a 2.1x crop factor. The Sony A65 boasts a considerably larger APS-C CMOS sensor at 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a 24 MP resolution, with a 1.5x crop factor.

This fundamental difference shapes how the cameras perform across disciplines. The Sony’s sensor area is about 63% larger, enabling more light capture per pixel, improved dynamic range, and higher resolution detail retention.

In lab tests and real-world shooting, the Sony delivers richer details and better color depth, with a DxOMark color depth score of 23.4 bits vs Olympus's 21.2 bits, and an appreciable dynamic range edge of 12.6 stops vs 10 stops. The Sony also excels at low light: its low-light ISO score is 717 compared to Olympus’s modest 442, and native ISO extends to 12,800 with boosting up to 25,600 - huge advantages for night, event, and wildlife photography where ISO performance impacts sharpness and noise characteristics.

Having examined the silence and grain reduction capabilities myself, the Sony A65’s results translate to clearer shadow recovery and crisper details in challenging light, whereas the Olympus E-510 demands more careful exposure management and lower ISO shooting to avoid noise creeping in.

Autofocus Showdown: Speed, Accuracy & Tracking

Autofocus (AF) systems can make or break a camera’s usability for action, wildlife, and even casual shooting. Here the cameras differ significantly:

• Olympus E-510: Employs a 3-point phase-detection AF system, functional but basic by today’s standard. It supports single, continuous AF, and multi-area AF selection but lacks face or eye detection and is noticeably slower in focusing and locking, especially in low contrast or low light.

• Sony A65: Equipped with a 15-point phase-detection system including 3 cross-type points, plus advanced continuous AF tracking and face detection. Live View benefits from phase-detection AF - more responsive and accurate than the contrast-based AF many older cameras use.

From extensive field testing, the Sony’s AF system is noticeably smoother and faster. For instance, during sports or wildlife sequences, Samsung’s burst mode synchronized with the fast AF produced more usable sharp frames at 10fps compared to Olympus’s 3fps limited output and slower AF lock.

For portrait photographers, the Sony’s face detection AF lends a practical edge, particularly when working with moving subjects or uneven lighting, whereas the Olympus requires more manual intervention.

Versatility Across Photography Styles: Where Each Shines

Portraits: Capturing the Human Moment

Portraying nuanced skin tones and achieving creamy bokeh are cornerstones here.

• The Sony A65’s large APS-C sensor and 24MP resolution capture detailed textures and nuanced skin colors more faithfully.
• High ISO performance aids indoor portraits without heavy flash.
• Its face detection AF offers powerful eye-tracking capabilities for pin-sharp portraits on the move.
• Lens selection is more robust on Sony’s Alpha mount, with 143 native lenses available compared to Olympus’s limited 45 Four Thirds lenses by this time.

Olympus’s smaller sensor means more depth of field for a given aperture, making bokeh less creamy and backgrounds less isolated. However, the in-body sensor stabilization compensates for camera shake, helpful with slower lenses. The fixed LCD hampers creative framing a bit, though.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range Matters

Landscape shooters prize dynamic range and resolution, plus durability.

• Sony’s 24MP APS-C sensor delivers higher detail and a more expansive tonal range.
• Lack of weather sealing in both cameras is a consideration; neither is ruggedized for harsh outdoor conditions.
• Olympus’s sensor stabilization may lessen the need for tripods in low light but cannot compensate for smaller sensor limitations.
• The Olympus’s 4:3 aspect ratio is advantageous with micro four thirds lenses specifically optimized for landscapes, but the Sony’s more versatile 3:2 and 16:9 options appeal to wider creative choices.

Wildlife & Sports: Speed and Reach Are Key

Here, autofocus speed and frame rate dominate.

• Sony’s 10fps continuous burst with autofocus tracking crushes Olympus’s 3fps fixed-frame shooting.
• APS-C sensor’s lower crop factor (1.5x vs 2.1x) slightly sacrificing reach but the speed and lens selection on Sony’s system largely compensates.
• AF accuracy and ability to pick a moving subject’s eyes make the Sony ideal for birding, events, and fast sports.
• Olympus struggles here, given slower AF and fewer telephoto-compatible lenses.

Street Photography: Stealth and Agility

Street photography demands discretion and spontaneity.

• Olympus E-510’s smaller body and lighter weight make it a better candidate here.
• Fixed LCD screen means no flexibility for unconventional angles but also less risk of accidental damage.
• The Sony’s articulating screen is great but bulkier body may attract unwanted attention.
• Both cameras perform reasonably well at low light but Sony has a clear edge in ISO handling if shooting in dim urban environments.

Macro and Close-Up Work

Macro shooters focus on precision focusing and stabilization.

• Olympus’s sensor stabilization helps produce sharper handheld macro shots.
• No explicit macro focus range specified for either model, but lens selection is key.
• Sony’s better live view magnification enhances manual focus precision on tiny subjects.

Night and Astro Photography

• Sony’s better high ISO noise control and wider dynamic range extend usability in astrophotography.
• Olympus’s shutter speed range maxes out at 1/4000s, similar to Sony.
• Neither camera supports bulb mode explicitly mentioned here, but Sony’s broader ISO range and raw support give it the edge.

Video Capabilities: Olympus vs Sony

No contest here: the Sony A65 supports Full HD 1080p recording at 60fps with stereo sound input port, offering higher quality video and creative options including MPEG-4 and AVCHD.

The Olympus E-510 lacks any video recording capability, a significant downside for anyone needing hybrid still/video functionality.

Build, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Neither of these cameras features weather sealing or ruggedized builds. Both are designed primarily for casual to advanced amateur use rather than professional outdoor applications demanding heavy weather resistance.

Build quality favors Sony slightly with a more solid grip, and the optical viewfinder potentially raises Olympus’s durability since no electronics tightly integrated in the viewfinder.

Battery Life and Storage

Sony’s battery outperforms Olympus clearly with a rated 560 shots per charge compared to minimal details about Olympus’s battery life, which is likely lower given its age and smaller batteries used.

Storage-wise, Sony’s support for widely available SD and Memory Stick formats beats Olympus’s less common CompactFlash or xD picture card, which may pose a cost and speed inconvenience.

Connectivity and Extras

The Sony A65 trumps Olympus by having built-in GPS and HDMI output which is valuable for travel photographers and videographers. Its Eye-Fi card support for wireless image transfer is an innovative feature, though somewhat niche.

Olympus offers USB 2.0 but no wireless or GPS capabilities.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Olympus E 510 front Olympus E 510 screen back Sony A65 front Sony A65 screen back

In practical use, images from the Sony A65 reveal finer texture in foliage and skin, while Olympus images pop due to color rendition but show less shadow detail and more noise at high ISO.

Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

When rated by DxOMark and through in-person tests:

• Sony's overall score (~74) reflects better sensor quality, dynamic range, and autofocus performance.
• Olympus scored around 52 reflecting its older sensor tech and limited AF.

Sony dominates in wildlife, sports, and video, while Olympus holds modest ground in casual portraits and macro, mainly thanks to the lighter build and stabilization.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose Olympus E-510 if:

• You value a lightweight, compact DSLR with familiar optical viewfinder.
• You shoot portraits and macro in controlled lighting who don’t need fast AF or video.
• You want sensor stabilization in a budget-friendly package.
• You prefer the 4:3 aspect ratio and don’t mind slower burst rates.

Opt for Sony SLT-A65 if:

• You want serious image quality upgrades with 24MP APS-C sensor.
• You shoot sports, wildlife, or fast action requiring tracking AF and fast burst rates.
• Video recording is on your agenda.
• You appreciate articulating LCD and EVF with full coverage.
• You want a modern feature set including GPS and HDMI out.

Final Reflections

Dealing with cameras from two generations apart inevitably shows the rapid pace of tech evolution. The Olympus E-510 is a competent tool for portrait and general photography enthusiasts who appreciate simplicity and image stabilization, but it’s showing its age in speed, ISO, and video.

The Sony SLT-A65 is a far more versatile and competitive package, blending stills and video, with superior autofocus courtesy of translucent mirror tech and a much larger lens selection. For advanced amateurs and professionals on a budget, it offers clear real-world advantages.

I have personally tested both in myriad lighting and shooting conditions - indoors, outdoors, in fast-moving scenes, and detailed studio setups. The hands-down choice for me today is the Sony SLT-A65, especially for those who chase action or want to blend photography and videography. The Olympus remains a nostalgic, valid option for certain niche users but shows its limits quickly in an evolving field.

My advice: buy the Sony if your budget allows, and you want a camera that can genuinely grow with your photography ambitions. If you find the Olympus at a bargain and your needs are modest, it remains a sturdy beginner or backup option.

If you want a deeper dive into lenses, workflow, or post-production considerations for either camera, just reach out - my door is always open for detailed camera conversations!

Happy shooting!