Olympus OM-D E-M10 II vs Olympus Stylus SH-3: A Meticulous Comparison for the Informed Photographer

Selecting the right camera often hinges on a nuanced understanding of your photographic needs as well as the technical capabilities and real-world performance of available models. Today, we dive deep into a side-by-side comparison of two Olympus cameras - each distinguished by its own design philosophy and target user profile. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 II, a refined entry-level mirrorless system camera bearing the Micro Four Thirds heritage, faces off against the compact powerhouse Olympus Stylus SH-3, a small sensor superzoom designed for versatility and ease. Drawing upon direct hands-on testing and extensive evaluation criteria, this article unpacks all critical facets - from sensor technology and optics to ergonomics, autofocus, and photographic performance across varied genres - empowering you to select the camera that aligns best with your creative ambitions and workflow.

Physical size and ergonomics: The OM-D E-M10 II's SLR-style chassis compared to the compact, pocket-friendly SH-3.

First Impressions: Design Philosophy and Built Quality

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 II upholds Olympus’ tradition of delivering sophisticated mirrorless cameras with classical aesthetic cues - marked by an SLR-style body exhibiting robust build quality befitting entry-level enthusiasts eager to advance their craft. Measuring 120 x 83 x 47 mm and tipping the scales at 390 grams, its weight provides a reassuring feel that balances portability with tactile control. The magnesium alloy top and rear plates (though the body is predominantly polycarbonate) add to its premium appeal, while the textured grip ensures enhanced handling reliability during extended shooting sessions.

In contrast, the Olympus Stylus SH-3 veers sharply toward convenience and compactness. Its 109 x 63 x 42 mm dimensions and 271-gram weight make it an unobtrusive companion for travel and spontaneous shooting, appealing to users who prioritize sheer portability over interchangeable lens versatility. The solid plastic construction, while less rugged than the OM-D, feels surprisingly robust for a compact, although it lacks any weather sealing - a consistent shortfall for cameras at this price point.

Handling wise, the E-M10 II features a more extensive array of physical controls, with well-placed dials and buttons that lend themselves to rapid manual adjustments - a crucial aspect for photographers seeking granular creative control. The SH-3, with fewer physical buttons and no dedicated shutter speed or aperture dials, relies heavily on menus and touchscreen input, which may impede speed in dynamic scenarios but suits casual shooters appreciating simplicity.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Micro Four Thirds vs Small-Sensor Superzoom

The heart of any camera lies in its sensor, and here the divergence between these two Olympus models is stark and foundational to their intended user experiences.

Sensor size comparison: The 17.3x13 mm Four Thirds sensor dwarfs the 6.17x4.55 mm 1/2.3" sensor of the SH-3.

The OM-D E-M10 II houses a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, yielding a sensor surface area of approximately 225 mm². This sensor size forms the core advantage of the camera, offering superior light-gathering capability, improved dynamic range (measured at 12.5 EV by DXOMark), and greater depth of field control than smaller formats. The inclusion of an anti-aliasing filter, while slightly softening fine detail, strikes a balance between moiré suppression and sharpness, contributing to pleasing image rendering across diverse subjects.

In contrast, the Stylus SH-3’s sensor is a 1/2.3 inch BSI-CMOS sensor sized at merely 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28 mm² area), approximately an eighth of the OM-D’s sensor area - a common limitation for superzoom compacts that must sacrifice sensor size for extensive focal length reach. While the 16MP resolution nominally matches the OM-D, the smaller sensor effectively captures fewer photons per pixel, resulting in reduced dynamic range and higher noise levels especially past ISO 800. Olympus has engineered the SH-3 with BSI (backside illuminated) sensor technology to enhance low-light performance and readout efficiency, yet it remains inherently constrained by physical sensor dimensions.

Real-world testing confirms that the E-M10 II excels in image quality, consistently rendering richer color depth (23.1 bits color depth per DXO), finer shadow detail, and cleaner high ISO performance up to ISO 3200. The SH-3, while capable of producing sharp daylight images, struggles with noise and narrower tonal gradations in challenging lighting conditions.

Autofocus Performance and Speed

A camera’s autofocus (AF) system profoundly affects usability across genres such as wildlife, sports, and street photography where rapid, reliable focus acquisition is non-negotiable.

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 II employs a contrast detection AF system with 81 focus points and advanced capabilities including face detection and selectable AF areas. Despite lacking phase detection AF, the E-M10 II's system is finely tuned for precision, exhibiting minimal hunting and good accuracy even in low-contrast scenarios - albeit with a slight lag compared to hybrid AF systems. Its continuous AF tracking at 8 fps burst shooting provides competent performance for moderately fast subjects but can falter on highly erratic motion.

The Olympus Stylus SH-3, lacking a dedicated AF point count, relies on a contrast detection system optimized for general use, with face detection and touch focus on its fixed lens. Autofocus speed is notably brisk in daylight, owing partly to a lens-centric approach, yet continuous AF tracking under action or low light is less dependable. This limits its suitability for demanding sports or wildlife photography but remains sufficient for casual snapshots and travel documentation.

Control layout differences: OM-D E-M10 II’s comprehensive dials and buttons versus SH-3’s streamlined controls.

Handling and Ergonomics: A Detailed Look at the Interface

Interface design is critical for intuitiveness and efficiency under diverse shooting conditions.

The OM-D E-M10 II boasts a fully articulated 3-inch 1.04m-dot touchscreen that tilts, facilitating high and low-angle shooting, which enhances compositional flexibility - especially for macro and street photographers who often shoot unconventionally. Its 2.36M-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers 100% coverage and good magnification (0.62x), rendering bright, crisp previews indispensable for outdoor and bright conditions where LCD use is compromised.

Conversely, the SH-3 features a fixed 3-inch 460k-dot touchscreen without an EVF, limiting compositional options and necessitating reliance on the LCD under all conditions. This can prove challenging under strong sunlight due to glare and lower resolution, impacting precise framing.

Operation on the OM-D is facilitated by well-placed customizable buttons and dual control dials for aperture and shutter speed, empowering quick parameter adjustments. The SH-3, prioritizing compactness, pares down external controls significantly, resulting in more menu navigation and touchscreen reliance - a potential speed bottleneck in fast-paced scenarios.

Battery life offers an interesting tradeoff: the SH-3 touts approximately 380 shots per charge, edging out the OM-D’s modest 320 shots, a testament to optimization for portability and casual use.

Comparison of rear LCD screens and interface usability.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Performance

A core advantage of the OM-D E-M10 II lies in its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount, granting access to over 100 high-quality lenses spanning primes, zooms, macro optics, and fast apertures from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties. This expansive ecosystem fuels creative flexibility from ultra-wide landscapes to intimate macros and fast telephoto wildlife shots.

Conversely, the SH-3 integrates a fixed 25-600 mm (equivalent) F3.0-6.9 zoom lens, which, while impressively versatile spanning wide to super-telephoto, must contend with optical compromises typical of superzooms - variable sharpness and aperture limitations. Its 24x optical zoom and 3 cm macro mode cater well to general-purpose travel and casual photography without the bulk or investment of interchangeable lenses.

Image stabilization is a crucial performance factor here. Both cameras sport sensor-shift stabilization: five-axis stabilization on the OM-D for effective blur reduction across focal lengths and axes, markedly improving handheld shots in low light and with selective manual focus techniques; the SH-3 uses sensor-shift as well but tailored to its compact zoom, providing surprisingly stable results for such a small sensor system.

Comprehensive Genre Performance and Use Cases

To clarify which camera excels in specific photographic disciplines, a breakdown follows:

Portrait Photography

The OM-D E-M10 II shines by virtue of its larger sensor and 81-point AF system with face detection, enabling precise eye autofocus and natural skin tone rendering thanks to deep color depth and dynamic range. Its wide lens compatibility allows selection of fast primes for creamy bokeh and subject separation. The tilt screen aids creative angles, and built-in flash with advanced sync modes enhances fill lighting.

The SH-3, limited by its small sensor and fixed slower lens, exhibits harsher depth of field control and less smooth background defocus, though face detection aids casual portraiture in good light. Its flash unit, while effective up to 8.3 m at ISO 3200, provides less creative lighting options.

Landscape Photography

With a rugged imaging pipeline, the E-M10 II’s sensor excels in high dynamic range scenes, preserving shadows and highlights well. Its high-resolution output and MFT’s wide lens lineup suit detailed landscapes. However, absence of environmental sealing is a minor detractor outdoors.

The SH-3’s compact form and zoom range support impromptu landscapes, but lesser dynamic range and resolution mean post-processing latitude is limited. Weather sealing is not present.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The E-M10 II's 8 fps burst with AF tracking is entry-level but sufficient for slower wildlife subjects and casual sports, helped by telephoto lenses. Autofocus, while contrast-based, matches expectations but cannot rival newer phase-detection hybrid models.

The SH-3’s 11.5 fps burst speed is notable for a compact but AF tracking limitations constrain success on fast-moving targets. Its 600 mm reach is beneficial, but image quality crops at the long end diminish utility.

Street and Travel Photography

Here, the SH-3’s portability and stealthy design come to the fore. Lightweight, pocketable, and with broad zoom on tap, it caters well to travelers valuing discretion and quick versatility over ultimate image quality.

The E-M10 II offers better creative expression and control but at a size and weight cost, though still manageable for travel. Battery life tradeoffs exist, as does a learning curve for new users.

Macro and Night/Astro Photography

The OM-D E-M10 II, with focus bracketing and sensor-shift stabilization, supports advanced macro stacking and low-light handheld shots, evidenced by excellent high ISO noise levels. The SH-3’s minimum focus distance of 3 cm is convenient, but detail and low-light limitations restrict serious macro work.

Neither camera is designed expressly for astrophotography, though the E-M10 II’s sensor and manual controls offer a better baseline for experimentation.

Video Capabilities

The SH-3 supports 4K video at 15 fps and Full HD at 60 fps, whereas the E-M10 II offers Full HD up to 60 fps but without 4K. Both lack headphone/microphone ports, limiting professional audio control, yet built-in stabilization assists smoother footage.

Olympus E M10 II front Olympus E M10 II screen back Olympus SH 3 front Olympus SH 3 screen back

Connectivity, Storage, and Workflow Integration

Both cameras provide built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control, though neither supports Bluetooth or NFC, reflecting their mid-tier positioning. USB 2.0 with moderate transfer speeds and HDMI outputs facilitate tethering and video monitoring but lag behind modern higher-bandwidth standards.

Single SD card slots in both cameras are adequate but limit redundancy, which professional users might find limiting. The OM-D’s RAW support fosters post-processing versatility, while the SH-3’s RAW capability, uncommon in superzooms, is a welcome inclusion.

Price-to-Performance Analysis

Priced around $499 (OM-D E-M10 II) versus roughly $579 (SH-3) at launch, the two cameras occupy adjacent price brackets but serve different photographic priorities. The OM-D delivers a more future-proof system with expandable capabilities and superior image quality, representing strong value for enthusiasts seeking a learning platform and creative depth. The SH-3 commands a premium for its all-in-one portability and zoom reach, favoring casual shooters who demand a ready-to-go travel companion without the complexity of system investments.

Final Recommendations

Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II if you:

• Prioritize image quality, especially in portraits, landscapes, and creative photography.
• Value access to an extensive MFT lens system for flexibility and future upgrades.
• Want manual controls with tactile feedback and an EVF for professional composure.
• Are willing to accommodate slightly larger size and moderate battery refresh rates.
• Engage in macro, low-light shooting, or intend to explore advanced photographic techniques.

Opt for the Olympus Stylus SH-3 if you:

• Need a compact, lightweight camera primarily for travel, casual snapshots, and convenient all-in-one versatility.
• Prefer a high-zoom range without the burden of multiple lenses.
• Shoot mostly in good daylight where image quality compromises are less apparent.
• Desire a simple, quick-to-use interface without steep learning curves.
• Accept limitations in dynamic range, low-light performance, and creative depth in exchange for convenience.

Concluding Thoughts

In a market crowded with options, Olympus maintains distinctive offerings tailored to clearly differentiated user priorities. The E-M10 II embodies a gateway into serious mirrorless photography, blending classic design with competent modern hardware that performs admirably across virtually all genres photographers embrace. Meanwhile, the SH-3 caters to the casual, travel-oriented photographer seeking maximum versatility and minimum fuss. While not groundbreaking in any single specification, both cameras deliver reliable performance within their design envelopes.

Ultimately, your decision rests upon your photographic aspirations, desired control level, and willingness to trade image quality for compactness or vice versa. Both Olympus cameras are trustworthy performers with their own competitive advantages, and understanding these nuanced differences ensures you invest wisely in tools that truly augment your photographic journey.

This detailed comparison draws upon standardized lab measurements, extensive real-world field shooting, and Olympus product documentation to produce an authoritative evaluation tailored for both enthusiasts and professionals evaluating these models in 2024.