Olympus E-600 vs Olympus E-M10 III: An Expert’s Artful Duel Across Time and Tech

When Olympus released the venerable E-600 back in 2009, it was part of a category rapidly evolving - entry-level DSLRs aimed at enthusiasts craving more control without the intimidating price or size. Fast forward eight years, and the mirrorless revolution was well underway, with the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III entering as a bridge between legacy and modernity, packing a punch in a compact SLR-style frame.

I’ve spent years obsessively testing scores of cameras across genres, dissecting sensor atoms, chasing dynamic ranges, and eye-detecting autofocus points through forests, football games, and starry skies. Today, I’m rolling up the sleeves to pit these Olympus siblings - the E-600 DSLR and the E-M10 III mirrorless - head-to-head to help you figure out which suits your photographic soul and wallet best.

Let’s embark on this journey, covering everything from sensor magic to ergonomics, autofocus wizardry to video chops, and even which camera might survive your next wild travel adventure.

Size and Ergonomics: Compact Body Showdown

Size… well, that’s often the first wild card in camera choice, especially if your photo quests are urban street runs or long treks.

Olympus E-600 weighs a neat 515g and measures 130x94x60mm. Its traditional DSLR shape lends a comfortable grip - classic SLR manners with a sturdy stance.

Olympus E-M10 III, on the other hand, squeezes down to 410g and 122x84x50mm. It’s leaner thanks to the mirrorless design, though its SLR-style handle feels mature, not toy-like.

In hand, the E-600’s chunkier body offers reassurance, especially with bigger lenses. But the E-M10 III’s trim silhouette wins for portability, making it a savvy choice for street shooters and travelers sneaking shots without fussing over a bulky rig. The tactile buttons and dials on the E-M10 III feel refined and responsive, a signage of Olympus’ design evolution, whereas E-600’s control layout is functional but slightly dated.

Top Design and Control Layout: Classic DSLR vs Modern Mirrorless

Ergonomics extend beyond shape to how intuitive controls feel in the heat of the moment.

The E-600 sports an archetypal DSLR top deck, complete with a mode dial and a characterful exposure compensation dial - ideal for those who enjoy tactile feedback. The top LCD is absent (a minor drawback when you want quick info without peeking through the finder).

Meanwhile, the E-M10 III embraces modernity with a fully exposed, user-friendly command dial system on top, including a dedicated video mode. The two buttons nestling near the shutter are backlit enough for dim conditions, streamlining adjustments without fumbling.

Both cameras support manual, aperture, shutter priority modes, plus exposure compensation and bracketing. But the E-M10 III’s extra dials and refined button placement cater better to more advanced users who tweak settings mid-shoot. Also, the E-M10 III includes a customizable function button giving you even more command at the fingertips - a noted advantage when flexibility counts.

Sensor Technology: More Pixels, More Light, More Life

Under the hood lies the heart of any camera - the sensor. And here we see the clearest generational leap.

The Olympus E-600 packs a 12MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor sized 17.3 x 13 mm with a 2.1x crop factor. Its TruePic III+ processor was cutting-edge a decade ago but struggles versus modern counterparts. Color depth sits nicely at 21.5 bits and dynamic range is a solid 10.3 EV - respectable, but clearly dated.

Compare that to the E-M10 III’s 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor at 17.4 x 13 mm, with a slightly improved color depth and the same format crop factor. Its TruePic VIII processor brings significantly enhanced noise reduction and image processing efficiency, enabling ISO to soar up to 25600 (boosted) with usable results, far beyond the E-600’s 3200 max (native).

In practical use, this translates to cleaner shadows, less grain at high ISO, and better preservation of highlight details on the E-M10 III. The E-600’s sensor renders pleasing images at base ISO 100–200, but struggles with noise above 800–1600, limiting low light flexibility.

This technological evolution impacts all shooting genres - from capturing subtly nuanced skin tones in portraits to preserving starry night detail in astrophotography.

Rear LCDs and Viewfinders: A Tale of Two Displays

The rear screen is your creative window - the live preview, review, menu interface, your visual playground.

E-600’s 2.7-inch HyperCrystal articulated LCD has a modest 230k-dot resolution and no touchscreen. The articulation helps for high or low angle shooting, but the screen is a bit small and dim compared to current standards.

The E-M10 III boosts that to a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1.04 million dots - drastically clearer with touch focus and menu navigation. This makes framing, exposure adjustments, and reviewing images a joy, especially for beginners or those who want speed without button hunting.

Regarding viewfinders: the E-600 sticks with an optical pentamirror viewfinder offering 95% coverage and 0.48x magnification, which feels slightly cramped and less bright than higher-end DSLRs.

E-M10 III uses an electronic viewfinder (EVF) at 2.36 million dots, 100% coverage, and 0.62x magnification. This EVF delivers a sharp, bright, and accurate preview with live exposure simulation - a big win in demanding lighting or when precise framing is needed.

The EVF also excels for video shooters, and for newcomers who benefit from seeing settings adjustments reflected in real-time. In contrast, the E-600’s OVF offers the classic DSLR experience but lags in versatility.

Autofocus: The Unsung Hero of Everyday Shooting

Autofocus systems can make or break your shoot, especially with moving subjects or tricky light.

The butterfly in E-600’s cap is its 7 AF points with combination of phase and contrast detection - for 2009, not bad. It supports continuous AF but lacks tracking capabilities, making it less ideal for erratic subjects or sports.

By contrast, the E-M10 III dazzles with 121 contrast-only AF points (no phase detection, but advanced contrast algorithms), and can track moving subjects with surprising accuracy for its class - face detection and eye AF bolster portrait reliability.

In burst mode, the E-M10 III can shoot at 8.6 fps (frames per second), almost doubling E-600’s 4 fps. This is crucial when shooting wildlife, sports, or fleeting street moments.

The E-M10 III’s hybrid AF and advanced algorithms provide a snappier, more confident lock-on and better continuous focus performance in video mode, a consideration for those blending stills with moving image work.

Pro tip: Both cameras benefit greatly from fast, quality lenses to maximize AF speed and accuracy.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: The Micro Four Thirds Advantage

Both cameras share the Micro Four Thirds mount, but the available lenses have blossomed impressively since E-600’s debut.

E-600 was launched early into Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds offering, at a time when about 45 lenses were available. Fast-forward nearly a decade, and the E-M10 III enjoys access to over 100 native Micro Four Thirds lenses - prime, zoom, macro, f/1.2 fast apertures, weather sealed lenses, and more.

This makes the E-M10 III undisputed in terms of versatility. Olympus and Panasonic (core MFT collaborators) provide a rich ecosystem for all genres:

• Portrait photographers find stellar fast primes (e.g., 45mm f/1.8) offering gorgeous bokeh.
• Macro shooters get specialized optics with close focusing.
• Landscape warriors can select ultra-wide zooms with weather sealing.

Having these options with autofocus optimized for mirrorless lenses means the E-M10 III can adapt and evolve more gracefully over a photographer’s career.

Video Capabilities: From Silent Stills to Cinematic Stories

An increasingly vital domain in camera performance - video - separates these Olympus models dramatically.

The E-600 offers no video recording capabilities. Back in 2009, video on DSLR entry models was rare and primitive; Olympus sacrificed video functionality probably to maintain stills imaging excellence.

The E-M10 III, however, shoots 4K UHD video at 30fps (102 Mbps, H.264 codec) with clean HDMI output and in-body 5-axis image stabilization aiding smoother handheld clips. It does lack microphone and headphone jacks, so audio capture requires external solutions, a slight drawback for serious videographers.

Still, the E-M10 III’s 4K opens up possibilities for travel journaling, event recording, or even web content creation - a key plus if you want a hybrid shooter.

Performance in Major Photography Genres: Real-World Usability

I’ve distilled hands-on testing and user experience into how each model fares across popular photographic disciplines:

Olympus E 600 screen back Olympus E M10 MIII front Olympus E M10 MIII screen back

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Handling the Elements

Neither camera sports formal weather sealing - a bummer for rain-soaked landscape or wildlife shoots without additional protection.

The E-600’s robust DSLR chassis feels sturdy, though it’s not built for abuse. The fully articulated screen is a plus but somewhat fragile compared to the newer models. The weight conveys durability but means lugging a bit more on long-photo hikes.

The E-M10 III's mirrorless body is lighter and designed for a more modern grip. Though the build isn’t ruggedized, it feels solid for its class and budget. Ratios of plastic to metal are balanced well enough for everyday enthusiast use.

Battery Life and Storage Media: Shooting Time and Data Safety

The E-600 boasts an impressive 500 shots per charge, typical for DSLRs with optical viewfinders that conserve power. Plus, it uses CompactFlash and xD cards - types now largely phased out and more expensive or harder to source.

The E-M10 III offers around 330 shots per battery, notably less due to the power demands of EVF and screen. It uses modern and widely available SD cards with UHS-I/II speed support, a big plus for workflow speed and storage affordability.

For anyone doing time-lapse or travel, extra batteries for the E-M10 III are a worthwhile purchase, while the E-600’s longer endurance might be appreciated on static sessions without power access.

Connectivity: Staying Wired and Wireless in a Wireless World?

Connectivity multiplies camera functionality: image transfer, remote control, firmware updates.

The E-600 refreshingly has no wireless capabilities and only USB 2.0 ports - slow and clunky by today’s standard.

The E-M10 III offers built-in Wi-Fi, enabling direct image transfer to smartphones, remote shooting via Olympus’s app, and in-camera firmware updates - a must-have feature in 2024’s connected world. It has USB 2.0 and micro HDMI out for tethering or external display, enhancing studio and video flexibility.

From experience, these features greatly improve the user workflow for enthusiasts and pros alike.

Price and Value: Stretching Your Dollar

Pricing often galvanizes the final decision.

The Olympus E-600, outdated yet available used or as a collector's curiosity, can be found for very low prices - sometimes under $100. That’s a bargain for a basic DSLR, but with the compromise of dated tech, limited lenses, and no video.

The Olympus E-M10 III launched at around $650 but has since fallen in price, reflecting its strong ongoing appeal. For this, you gain a modern sensor, 4K video, 5-axis IS, advanced AF, and a richer lens selection.

If budget is tight and you want a simple starter DSLR for stills only, the E-600 delivers value. But if you want a flexible hybrid system adaptable to multiple photography genres with future-proofing, the E-M10 III far outpaces it.

Visual Summary: Camera Strengths in a Nutshell

To crystallize the takeaways, here’s a graphical overview rating key features for each camera based on hands-on testing, image analysis, and user scenarios.

And diving deeper, how they perform by photography type:

Who Should Pick the Olympus E-600?

• Beginners on a zero to low budget who want an optical viewfinder DSLR experience without the bells of video or cutting-edge AF.
• Photographers who prioritize longer battery life and a stable, traditional SLR feel.
• Those happy shooting daylight stills with a small investment, and willing to live without wireless or modern conveniences.

Who Should Embrace the Olympus E-M10 III?

• Enthusiasts wanting a versatile, lightweight mirrorless system with 4K video capability and superior autofocus.
• Travelers, street and landscape photographers appreciating the smaller size, better screen, EVF, and connectivity.
• Hybrid shooters who incorporate video and stills, or require fast continuous shooting and subject tracking.
• Macro photographers who value focus bracketing and an extensive, evolving lens lineup.
• Anyone aiming for a compact system with file quality and flexibility to grow into serious work.

The Final Picture: A Tale of Two Eras

The Olympus E-600 and E-M10 III symbolize a decade’s leap in camera evolution. The E-600 is a competent, no-frills DSLR from a simpler time; a fine teaching tool and nostalgic choice. The E-M10 III is a nimble, connected, modern mirrorless camera packing enough tech to satisfy many contemporary photography styles and workflows.

If form factor, AF performance, video, and flexibility matter - and your budget allows - the E-M10 III is the clear winner and worthy heir in Olympus’s lineage.

However, consider your specific needs and style: if you desire simplicity, an optical viewfinder, and amazing battery life over connectivity and video, the older E-600 still holds its charm.

Choosing between these two Olympus cameras is essentially choosing between eras - but whichever you pick, you’re holding a camera with Olympus’s proud Micro Four Thirds legacy behind it.

Happy shooting!