Olympus E-620 vs Sony RX10 IV

Comparing the Olympus E-620 and Sony RX10 IV: An Expert Analysis for Discerning Photographers

In the realm of digital cameras, choosing the right tool hinges on a nuanced understanding of design philosophies, sensor technologies, autofocus capabilities, and ergonomics tailored to specific photographic disciplines. This comprehensive comparison dissects the Olympus E-620, a compact entry-level DSLR celebrated for its versatility in the Micro Four Thirds segment, against the more recent Sony RX10 IV, a high-performance large-sensor superzoom bridge camera engineered for speed and extensive reach. Both models embody distinct eras and priorities, which warrant detailed exploration to advise serious enthusiasts and professionals seeking informed purchasing decisions.

First Impressions: Body Design and Handling Dynamics

At a glance, the Olympus E-620 presents as a compact SLR with traditional DSLR ergonomics, crafted around the Micro Four Thirds lens mount system. Released in mid-2009, its relatively diminutive footprint (130 x 94 x 60 mm) and light 500g weight emphasize portability without drastic compromises on handling. The fully articulated 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD aids in flexible shooting angles – a notable feature for its time.

In contrast, the Sony RX10 IV, launched eight years later, assumes a more robust SLR-like form factor with bridge camera DNA. Measuring 133 x 94 x 145 mm and weighing 1095g, it is evidently larger and heavier, reflecting its integrated telephoto zoom lens and more substantial internal hardware. This size translates into more pronounced grip surfaces and a tilting 3-inch touchscreen, enhancing ergonomics for prolonged use and diverse shooting positions.

Control-wise, the Olympus E-620 employs a clamshell design with a pentamirror optical viewfinder, featuring seven autofocus points and a modest top LCD absence. The Sony RX10 IV opts for a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (0.7x magnification, 2359K dots) with near-complete coverage (100%), complemented by more numerous physical controls and a customizable interface befitting its advanced user base.

Sensor Architecture and Image Quality Potential

Central to camera capability is sensor technology, and here the two diverge significantly.

• Olympus E-620: Utilizes a Four Thirds 17.3 x 13 mm CMOS sensor, delivering 12 megapixels at a maximum native ISO of 3200. The sensor area of 224.90 mm² provides a crop factor of 2.1x, standard for its format. It incorporates an anti-aliasing filter and supports RAW capture, with image processors powered by TruePic III+. Benchmark scores from DXOMark rate its color depth at 21.3 bits and dynamic range at 10.3 EV, indicative of respectable, though not class-leading, image fidelity. Low-light ISO performance peaks at an effective 536 score.

• Sony RX10 IV: Employs a considerably larger 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm with 20 megapixels resolution and a crop factor around 2.7x. This back-illuminated design markedly improves light-gathering efficiency, facilitating a substantial maximum native ISO of 12800 (expanded to 25600) and a minimum of 125. With a maximum resolution of 5472 x 3648 pixels and RAW support, it targets excellence in detail retention and noise suppression. Despite lacking official DXOMark scoring, real-world tests position this sensor favorably among 1-inch class peers.

The Olympus’s larger sensor area favors higher pixel pitches at 12 megapixels, beneficial for dynamic range and noise in mid-ISO settings, while the Sony compensates through modern BSI architecture and higher resolution, enhancing resolution-dependent applications like cropping or large-format prints.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Behind the Lens Precision

Autofocus performance profoundly impacts the user experience, especially across genres demanding motion capture or rapid refocusing.

• Olympus E-620: Features a hybrid autofocus system incorporating phase-detection and contrast-detection strategies, with seven AF points and multi-area selectable zones. It supports face detection, live-view AF, and continuous focus for moving subjects, but lacks advanced tracking and animal eye AF. Continuous shooting maxes out at a moderate 4 fps, limiting its efficacy in high-speed action scenarios.

• Sony RX10 IV: Boasts a sophisticated 315-point hybrid AF system that integrates precise phase-detection and contrast-detection across a broad sensor area. It includes real-time tracking, eye detection (human and animal), and reliable face detection in live view. The RX10 IV blitzes at 24 fps continuous shooting with full AF/AE tracking, outperforming the Olympus by a large margin and accommodating professional wildlife and sports capture workflows.

Technically, the Sony’s autofocus excels in speed, coverage, and algorithmic intelligence, while the Olympus offers a basic but steady system sufficient for general photography but ill-suited for demanding subjects.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Robustness is a priority for professionals assigning their cameras to strenuous environments.

• Olympus E-620: Constructed primarily of polycarbonate and metal components, it is not weather-sealed or dustproof. Its compact size favors indoor and casual outdoor use but requires caution in harsh conditions.

• Sony RX10 IV: Features a rugged magnesium alloy chassis with comprehensive environmental sealing against dust and moisture. While not waterproof, it withstands typical inclement weather, enhancing reliability for outdoor sports, wildlife, and travel photography.

This distinction aligns with the cameras’ intended users – casual to enthusiast grading for Olympus, versus advanced enthusiasts and professionals for Sony.

Ergonomics, User Interface, and Display Technology

User interface efficiency influences shooting speed and creative control.

• Display: The Olympus sports a 2.7-inch fully articulated HyperCrystal LCD with 230k dots, favoring flexible framing, though the relatively low resolution constrains critical image review.

• Sony RX10 IV: Upgrades to a 3-inch tilting touchscreen at 1.44 million dots, enabling intuitive touch autofocus, menu navigation, and image playback with far greater clarity.

• Viewfinder: Olympus employs an optical pentamirror with 95% coverage and 0.48x magnification, offering natural, lag-free framing but limited coverage. The RX10 IV’s high-resolution electronic viewfinder ensures 100% coverage and detail, crucial for precision focus confirmation and exposure simulation.

These interface elements point to the Sony’s more modern design focus on usability under varied conditions and faster interaction workflows.

Lens Offerings and Versatility

Lens ecosystems determine long-term investment value and creative flexibility.

• Olympus E-620: Leverages the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, which offers one of the industry’s most extensive native lens selections exceeding 45 lenses across prime, zoom, macro, and specialty categories. Third-party manufacturers further enrich choices. This system’s advantage lies in interchangeable optics adapting to every genre from macro to telephoto, complemented by the camera’s 2.1x crop factor aiding telephoto reach.

• Sony RX10 IV: Features a sealed, fixed 24-600mm equivalent zoom lens with a bright f/2.4-4.0 aperture range and close focusing down to 3cm. This remarkable 25x optical zoom covers scenarios from landscapes to distant wildlife without lens swaps, making it highly versatile for travel or situations demanding rapid focal changes.

While the Olympus requires carrying additional glass to achieve zoom ranges Sony encompasses natively, it offers significantly greater optical quality control potential. The RX10 IV sacrifices optics interchangeability for all-in-one convenience.

Performance in Various Photography Genres

An exhaustive performance assessment necessitates genre-specific considerations.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus E-620: Its Four Thirds sensor with native 12MP resolution and f/2.8 lenses from Micro Four Thirds produce appealing skin tones and detailed images with decent background separation, though depth of field is inherently deeper due to sensor size. The E-620’s 7-point AF system supports face detection but lacks eye AF refinements, requiring careful focus placement. The fully articulated screen aids creative framing.

• Sony RX10 IV: Higher resolution and advanced AF, including real-time eye and face detection, yield precise focus on eyes with consistent sharpness. Its f/2.4 aperture at wide angles enables good bokeh, though less background blur at telephoto’s f/4 limit. The RX10’s fixed lens also impacts creative lens choice for portraits adversely compared to interchangeable systems.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus E-620: Excels with 12MP output suitable for moderate enlargements, with color depth and dynamic range supporting rich tonal gradations. Lenses with wide-angle primes provide sharpness and minimal distortion. Lack of environmental sealing can limit field use.

• Sony RX10 IV: Superior resolution and built-in stabilization combined with weather-sealing empower demanding landscape work, especially in variable conditions. Its 24mm equivalent wide-angle and excellent dynamic range facilitate large scenic captures.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Olympus E-620: Limited continuous shooting at 4 fps and a modest AF system limit efficacy for fast-moving subjects. However, the crop factor enhances effective reach using telephoto lenses.

• Sony RX10 IV: Outstanding continuous burst speed at 24 fps combined with a deep, fast, and intelligent AF system makes it ideal for capturing rapid wildlife or sports action. Its integrated 600mm reach is well-suited to distant subjects without lens changing delays.

Street and Travel Photography

• Olympus E-620: Lightweight and relatively discreet, though somewhat bulkier than mirrorless counterparts, especially with lenses attached. Limited ISO ceiling may hamper low-light street shooting.

• Sony RX10 IV: Larger and heavier, which detracts from street stealth, but its all-in-one zoom negates lens swapping, favoring travel photographers who prioritize convenience and fast responsiveness.

Macro Photography

• Olympus E-620: The Micro Four Thirds mount supports numerous macro lenses with high magnification and precision focusing, teamed with in-body stabilization to counteract shake.

• Sony RX10 IV: Close focus to 3cm offers strong macro utility without external optics, facilitated by optical stabilization and accurate AF.

Night and Astrophotography

• Olympus E-620: Limited ISO sensitivity to 3200 and older sensor technology restrict high-ISO noise control, but sensor-based stabilization and articulating screen help composed low-light shots.

• Sony RX10 IV: Enhanced ISO performance up to 12800 native (25600 expanded) combined with optical stabilization suits low-light and astrophotography better. Electronic shutter options with exposure control aid long-exposure captures.

Video Capabilities

• Olympus E-620: Lacks video recording functionality, limiting its value for multimedia content creators.

• Sony RX10 IV: Delivers 4K UHD video at 30p, Full HD at up to 60p, supporting professional workflows with microphone and headphone ports. Optical stabilization ensures smooth footage, and advanced codecs (MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S) facilitate post-processing.

Olympus E 620 screen back Sony RX10 IV front Sony RX10 IV screen back

Technical Aspects: Storage, Connectivity, Power, and Workflow Integration

• Storage: Olympus uses Compact Flash and xD Picture cards; Sony accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick formats. The prevalence and cost-effectiveness of SD cards favor the Sony for modern users.

• Connectivity: Olympus E-620 offers no wireless features. Sony RX10 IV includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, enabling remote control and seamless transfer to smart devices or computers.

• Battery Life: Olympus promises approximately 500 shots per charge; Sony rates about 400 shots, reasonable given the latter’s more power-intensive electronic systems.

• Workflow: Olympus delivers standard RAW formats compatible with broad software but without modern speed-optimized features. Sony’s RAW files benefit from higher resolution and camera-side processing tailored for contemporary editing environments.

Price-to-Performance and Value Assessment

With retail prices approximating $799 for the Olympus E-620 and $1698 for the Sony RX10 IV, cost considerations are significant.

• Olympus E-620: Offers solid entry-level DSLR performance with interchangeable lens system affordably but at the expense of dated technology, lagging video, and less sophisticated autofocus.

• Sony RX10 IV: Demands a premium but provides extensive functionality, exceptional autofocus, integrated professional video features, and build robustness, justifying investment for advanced needs.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Pick Which?

Conclusion

The Olympus E-620 remains an effective introduction to DSLR photography grounded in solid traditional design but constrained by aging sensor technology, modest autofocus, and absence of video. It benefits photographers prioritizing lens versatility at an accessible price.

In contrast, the Sony RX10 IV represents a leap forward with its cutting-edge AF system, robust sensor, expansive zoom range, and comprehensive video capabilities, positioned for users demanding speed, flexibility, and integration within modern multimedia workflows.

Selecting between these cameras depends chiefly on user priorities: the Olympus suits those beginning their photographic journey or constrained by budget who value lens interchangeability, while the Sony commands attention for hybrid shooters and pros who leverage its advanced technology to cover diverse, fast-paced scenarios with confidence.

This balanced and experience-driven comparison underscores the importance of aligning camera capabilities with intended applications, ensuring investments are optimized for performance, usability, and future-proofing.

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