Olympus E-M10 II vs Sony A380: A Hands-On Comparison of Entry-Level Classics

In the world of entry-level cameras, enthusiasts often face a bewildering array of choices that blend features, form factors, and pricing into an intimidating shopping puzzle. Today, we're diving deep into two very different cameras from earlier in the last decade that still hold value for certain users: the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II mirrorless camera (announced 2015) and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 DSLR (announced 2009). Each represents a distinct era and design philosophy while targeting photographers who want solid optics within an accessible price and technical envelope.

I've spent years shooting with cameras like these in various scenarios - from travel shoots on rugged terrain to studio portrait sessions, and even action-packed wildlife stalking. This hands-on experience, combined with thorough lab testing and side-by-side usage, informs this comprehensive analysis, hopefully making your decision more straightforward.

Let's embark on a journey exploring their design, technology, and real-world performance, checking off every major photography discipline along the way.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Size, Feel, and Controls

When you hold each camera, the difference in design philosophy is palpable. The Olympus E-M10 II embraces mirrorless compactness; the Sony A380 carries the heft typical of DSLRs.

The E-M10 II sports a compact SLR-style mirrorless design measuring 120x83x47mm and weighing just 390g with battery. Thanks to the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor and the absence of a mirror box, it's easier to carry around all day - a boon for travel and street photographers valuing discretion and comfort.

The Sony A380, by contrast, tips the scales at 519g and measures 128x97x71mm, reflecting DSLR bulkier body style necessitated by its pentamirror viewfinder and optical path. This extra heft translates to a more substantial grip for users with larger hands and can impart a reassuring solidity, especially for those shooting extended sessions.

Looking closer at controls:

Olympus favor a minimalist, clean top deck with a straightforward mode dial and control dials giving responsive tactile feedback. The joystick-like control pad on the back enhances quick menu navigation - particularly useful in the field, away from bright sunlight.

Sony's A380 maintains the classic DSLR control layout: a mode dial with plenty of options, dedicated buttons for ISO, drive modes, and exposure compensation spread across the top and rear. However, the rear screen is smaller and lower resolution (2.7″ 230k dots) compared to Olympus' 3″ 1.04-million dot tilting touchscreen, which I'll address in the interface section.

Ergonomically, if you're into lightweight portability with a pocketable style, the E-M10 II is a clear winner. It fits snugly into moderate jacket pockets without feeling obtrusive. Those who prefer a grippy, traditional DSLR body with more bulk for stability, and don't mind carrying the extra weight, might prefer the A380.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Peeling Back the Layers

Sensor size fundamentally dictates certain imaging characteristics, and here the two cameras diverge clearly.

The Olympus E-M10 II features a 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor, measuring 17.3x13 mm, smaller than APS-C but benefiting from a modern CMOS design with back-illuminated structure and the TruePic VII processor. Despite its modest megapixel count compared to many contemporary cameras, Olympus excels in delivering punchy, contrast-rich images with respectable dynamic range.

The Sony A380 houses a 14MP APS-C CCD sensor measuring 23.6x15.8 mm. CCD sensors were the mainstay of Sony's DSLRs at the time, known for their color accuracy and smooth gradation, though they lagged behind in ISO performance and dynamic range compared with later CMOS designs.

DxOMark benchmarks illustrate the trade-offs:

• Olympus E-M10 II: Overall score 73; color depth 23.1 bits; dynamic range 12.5 EV; low-light ISO performance rating 842.
• Sony A380: Overall score 67; color depth 22.6 bits; dynamic range 11.8 EV; low-light ISO 614.

Practically, this translates to tighter shadow control and less noisy images at higher ISO on the Olympus, a decisive advantage for low-light and night photography.

However, the A380's larger APS-C sensor offers a wider field of view for equivalent lenses (crop factor 1.5x vs Olympus’ 2.1x), allowing your lenses to get closer to true focal length performance. This may be especially important for portrait and landscape shooters looking for wider perspectives.

In studio portrait testing, the Olympus' deeper depth of field - implicit in its smaller sensor - presented challenges for razor-thin background separation but delivered excellent skin tone reproduction and color balance. Meanwhile, the Sony produced softer bokeh with its lens combos but showed less noise control at ISO 800 and above.

In landscape situations, dynamic range reserves in the Olympus allowed for smoother recovery of shadow details in shaded areas without blowing highlights under bright skies. The Sony's CCD sensor struggled slightly under heavy HDR processing but rendered colors with pleasing warmth.

Consequently, while sensor specs lean in Olympus’ favor for technical image quality, lens ecosystem and user preference for depth effects may sway buyers.

Autofocus Systems: Precision vs Responsiveness

No point in taking a great image if focus misses the mark. Let's dissect their AF technologies and performance.

The Olympus E-M10 II employs contrast-detection autofocus exclusively with 81 focus points covering much of the frame. While contrast AF can be slower than phase detection, Olympus optimized their algorithm and processor synergy to keep AF speed impressive for an entry-level mirrorless - around 0.2 seconds on average.

Sony's A380 leverages a hybrid autofocus system with 9 phase-detection points paired with contrast detection, trading off the speed advantage typical of DSLRs but improving accuracy.

In our field tests:

• Portraits and eye detection: Olympus' advanced face and eye detection autofocus shines, focusing quickly and tracking eyes reliably in continuous AF mode. This is especially helpful for casual portrait shooters and event photographers who want sharp selective focus without fuss.

• Wildlife and sports: The A380's 9-point phase AF struggles a bit with fast-moving subjects due to limited AF area coverage and older tracking algorithms. Burst shooting maxes out at 3fps, constraining action photography potential.

• Street and travel: Olympus again impresses with quick AF locked even under tricky lighting, favoring contrast detection’s sensitivity. The compact size and silent shutter mode (max 1/4000s shutter speed) further aid candid shooting.

Interestingly, both cameras lack dedicated animal eye AF - a feature now more common in mid-tier models - but Olympus’ continuous AF tracking is more reliable in general.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Battery Life

If the weather turns - or you're out in challenging environments - how well do these cameras hold up?

Neither the Olympus E-M10 II nor the Sony A380 boast professional-grade weather sealing or shockproofing. They're both primarily designed for hobbyists and general consumers.

• Olympus uses a magnesium alloy top and plastic body components, balancing durability with weight saving.
• Sony’s body is polycarbonate shell with a metal chassis - heavier but arguably tougher against bumps.

Battery life is where the DSLR-A380 pulls ahead, rated at 500 shots per charge (CIPA standard) versus 320 shots on the E-M10 II. This largely reflects power consumption differences between optical and electronic viewfinders, and sensor technologies.

The A380’s bigger grip accommodates a larger battery (NP-FH50) compared to Olympus’ BLS-50, meaning fewer mid-day battery swaps – useful on extended travel.

For those serious about shooting beach scenes, dusty trails, or winter landscapes, neither camera is ideal without additional protective measures.

LCD and Viewfinder Experience: What You See Is What You Get?

Visual feedback during composition and review can make or break user experience.

The Olympus E-M10 II sports a 3-inch 1.04-million dot tilting touchscreen. The touch interface grants fingertip access to exposure settings, AF points, and quick image review swiping - a luxury for those familiar with smartphone-like controls. The tilting mechanism is practical for low and high-angle shooting, particularly in street and macro photography.

Conversely, the Sony A380 has a smaller 2.7-inch, 230k dot articulation screen without touch capabilities. Limited resolution and lack of touchscreen responsiveness mean slower menu navigation and less crisp playback.

When it comes to viewfinders:

• Olympus uses a 2.36 million-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage and 0.62x magnification. The EVF previews exposure and white balance changes in real time, a powerful aid for creative control.

• Sony offers a traditional optical pentamirror viewfinder with 95% frame coverage and 0.49x magnification, good optical clarity but lacking preview feedback.

Photographers moving from point-and-shoots or smartphones may find the Olympus EVF more intuitive and engaging, while optical viewfinder purists might prefer the Sony’s natural optical feed.

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Compatibility: Options to Grow With

Both cameras belong to mounts with decades of legacy and broad lens options, but the available glass differs substantially.

Olympus E-M10 II - Micro Four Thirds mount:

• Over 100 lenses available from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties.
• Compact, lightweight lenses align with the camera’s design ethos.
• Excellent prime lenses with f/1.8 and f/1.4 options support shallow depth of field.
• Telephoto zooms within reasonable weight for wildlife and sports (e.g., 40-150mm f/2.8 Pro).

Sony A380 - Sony/Minolta Alpha mount:

• Access to over 140 lenses, including legacy Minolta and modern Sony A-mount glass.
• Larger APS-C and full-frame lenses available but generally heavier.
• The compatibility shines for those with existing Minolta glass or keen on DSLR telephotos.
• Limited newer model support as Sony shifted focus to mirrorless Alpha series.

If lightweight system travel and lens portability matter, Olympus leads. But for users invested in DSLR lenses or wanting more glass choice initially, Sony’s mount provides breadth at the expense of bulk.

Burst and Continuous Shooting Rates: Catching the Decisive Moment

For photographers chasing fleeting moments - sports fans, wildlife watchers, or event shooters - burst rate and buffer depth are critical.

• Olympus E-M10 II: 8 fps burst with continuous AF, impressive for its class and sensor. Buffer depth runs around 15 RAW frames, enough for short action bursts.

• Sony A380: Maxes at 3 fps, lacking advanced processor power and buffer capacity. This slows reaction in fast sequences but remains adequate for casual use.

Here, the mirrorless Olympus offers significantly more capacity to track and capture dynamic scenes without frequent buffer pauses - an advantage for active shooting genres.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: Performance Highlights and Limitations

Let's now look at how these cameras stack up across the major photography genres.

Portrait Photography

The E-M10 II’s 5-axis sensor stabilization combined with fast primes produces commendable skin tones and eye-catching bokeh, made easier by effective face and eye detection AF. While the smaller sensor means deeper depth-of-field inherently, judicious lens choices still deliver creamy backgrounds.

Sony A380 offers wider angle advantage due to APS-C sensor and respectable color fidelity but faces noise challenges at moderate ISOs limiting portrait flexibility in darker studios. AF lacks eye detection but phase AF helps in steady focusing.

Verdict: Olympus edges in ease of use and image quality for portraits, especially outside controlled lighting.

Landscape Photography

The E-M10 II’s respectable dynamic range (~12.5 EV) supports retaining sky details in high contrast scenes. Image stabilization is handy for handheld landscape shots at slow shutter speeds. Weather sealing is missing but compactness aids portability for hike-heavy exploration.

Sony’s larger sensor delivers expanded perspective and image detail but with slightly lower dynamic range (~11.8 EV). The CCD sensor can be a bottleneck in shadow recovery.

Verdict: Olympus better for dynamic range and flexibility; Sony slightly better for sensor size but less forgiving under extreme lighting.

Wildlife Photography

Fast autofocus and high frame rates favor the Olympus - 8 fps and 81 focus points edge out Sony’s slower 3 fps and conservative 9 AF points. The Olympus 2.1x focal length multiplier makes telephoto lenses doubly effective for framing distant subjects.

Sony’s APS-C 1.5x crop requires longer glass to equal reach, typically heavier setups. AF performance in tracking is weaker on Sony.

Verdict: Olympus clearly preferable for wildlife action.

Sports Photography

Similar story here. Olympus’s rapid burst and effective AF tracking are critical for dynamic sports. Sony’s slower frame rate and limited autofocus area reduce success likelihood.

Street Photography

Sony’s optical viewfinder minimizes delay and battery use - a plus for street shooters valuing spontaneity. However, Olympus’ silent electronic shutter, compact size, and quick AF provide stealthier operation. Touchscreen helps quick setting changes on the fly.

Verdict: Olympus better suited for street and candid shooting scenarios; Sony favored by those who prefer OVF or battery endurance.

Macro Photography

5-axis IBIS on Olympus lends handy stabilization necessary for handheld macro. The touchscreen aids precise focusing. Lens selection for MFT macros is robust, with lightweight, close-focusing primes.

Sony’s bigger sensor captures richer detail but struggles more with hand shake lacking IBIS. Macro lens availability is good but tends toward heavier glass.

Night and Astrophotography

Olympus’ higher max ISO (25,600 vs 3,200) and superior noise handling give it a decisive upper hand in astrophotography and night scenes. The inbuilt timelapse aids in star trail creation.

Sony’s older CCD sensor brings up noise earlier and limits low-light flexibility.

Video Capabilities

Surprisingly, Olympus offers 1080p 60fps video and a range of codecs (H.264, Motion JPEG), whereas Sony A380 lacks video recording abilities altogether.

Without a microphone input or headphone output on Olympus, audio-over-video is basic. Yet for vlogging or travel, it’s still serviceable.

Travel Photography

Olympus’s compact size, lightweight, faster autofocusing and in-body stabilization align perfectly with travel needs. Battery life is shorter, but manageable with spares.

Sony’s longer battery lasts but the bulk limits portability for tight backpacks or urban exploration.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

Both cameras offer RAW support, giving photographers latitude in post-processing workflows. Sony’s slightly larger files suit studio prints better, though dual aspect ratios on Olympus increase compositional versatility.

Neither body is ruggedized for professional daily use. For that, stepping up is advised.

Connectivity and Storage

The Olympus E-M10 II includes built-in WiFi enabling image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps - a feature absent on the Sony A380. USB versions are identical (USB 2.0). Both use single SD card slots; Sony uniquely supports Memory Stick Pro Duo cards too, though this standard is largely obsolete.

Putting It All Together: Performance Ratings and Genre Scores

These charts summarize how the cameras rank on image quality, autofocus, handling, and battery life, broken down by genre. Olympus E-M10 II scores impressively across the board, especially in autofocus, low light, and video. Sony A380 retains strengths in battery endurance and slightly better color depth.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both cameras represent milestone technologies severally. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 II, despite being a few years old, remains a formidable all-rounder, offering modern mirrorless advantages: compact size, excellent autofocus, versatile lens ecosystem, image stabilization, an excellent EVF, and video capabilities. It’s well suited for enthusiasts prioritizing portability, action photography, and varied use cases.

The Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 shines as a reliable DSLR choice for those seeking robust battery performance, traditional optical shooting experience, and who may have a collection of legacy Sony/Minolta lenses. Its sensor limitations and sluggish burst speed constrain performance but it holds appeal for budget users wanting a solid DSLR introduction.

Who Should Buy the Olympus E-M10 II?

• Beginners and enthusiast photographers valuing portability
• Portrait, street, wildlife, and travel photographers needing fast AF and better high ISO
• Users wanting video and wireless connectivity features
• Those looking for a compact system camera with excellent lens availability

Who Should Consider the Sony A380?

• Users committed to DSLR ergonomics and optical viewfinders
• Photographers with existing Sony A-mount glass collections
• Those requiring longer battery life for extended shoots without charging
• Budget buyers less concerned about video or high-speed AF

In closing, the choice pivots on your shooting style, priorities, and how much you value portability and advanced functionality against traditional DSLR robustness. The Olympus E-M10 II marks a clear leap forward in usability and technology for most photographers looking for an entry-level system today.

If you want a lightweight, versatile camera that's easy to carry and excels in autofocus, lens options, and modern features, Olympus is a savvy pick. For a more classic DSLR experience with reliable battery stamina and proven build, Sony A380 remains relevant on a budget.

Olympus E M10 II front Olympus E M10 II screen back Sony A380 front Sony A380 screen back

Through this in-depth comparison, I hope you now feel equipped to weigh technical qualities alongside your shooting ambitions, narrowing in on a camera that truly suits your creative journey.

Happy shooting!