Olympus E-M10 II vs Sony A500: An Expert’s Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer

Choosing between the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 is a classic mirrorless versus DSLR debate loaded with nuances from different eras. Announced in 2015 and 2009 respectively, these entry-level offerings target photographers stepping up their game, yet they approach the art and craft of photography from distinct technical and design philosophies. Having extensively tested both over the years, I’ll dive deep into what really makes them tick, where each shines, and who will benefit most from adding which to their kit.

Let’s dig into the tangible performance differences, ergonomic factors, image quality nuances, and how they stand up across major photography genres - so you can decide which camera deserves a spot in your bag.

The First Impression: Size, Feel, and Handling

Before we talk pixels and processors, it’s crucial to understand how a camera feels - after all, this intimacy governs your shooting experience.

The Olympus E-M10 II impresses with its compact, lightweight SLR-style mirrorless body measuring 120x83x47mm at only 390 grams. The magnesium alloy build conveys quality without fatigue, which is a huge plus for long walks or extended shoots. It’s designed around the Micro Four Thirds system, resulting in smaller lenses and excellent portability. One-handed operation is comfortable, and the controls fall intuitively beneath the fingers - a thoughtful balance of classic dials and modern buttons.

The Sony A500, meanwhile, feels heftier at 630 grams and larger dimensions (137x104x84mm) typical of older entry-level DSLRs. It’s a more substantial, solid grip, which some prefer for stability, but it can be tiring after hours. The compact SLR body includes the familiar optical viewfinder hump, reflecting DSLR heritage but adding bulk.

If portability and travel-friendliness are priorities, Olympus’s smaller profile wins hands down. But if you appreciate the reassuring heft and balanced grip of a DSLR - or are already invested in Sony Alpha lenses - the A500 remains comfortable despite its weight.

Design Details: Control Layout and Interface

Ergonomics aren’t just size - they extend to how intuitively a camera operates when shooting.

The E-M10 II leverages a retro-inspired control scheme: large dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation on the top plate, a Mode dial with tactile feedback, and an exposure compensation rocker easy to click mid-shoot. Its tilting 3" touchscreen (1040k dots) feels modern, responsive, and adapts well for creative angles.

The Sony A500’s top controls are more traditional and slightly dated. It offers a familiar shooting experience with a Mode dial and a few customizable buttons, but no touchscreen capability. The electronic interface revolves around button navigation rather than touch, which feels slower now but was standard in its release period.

For those accustomed to fast, touch-driven adjustments - especially on-the-go - the Olympus’s interface is more fluid, while the Sony keeps things straightforward and tactile.

Sensor Showdown: Image Quality from the Heart of the Camera

At the core, image quality boils down to sensor technology and processing - different sensor sizes, resolutions, and ISO performance power the photography experience.

The Olympus E-M10 II sports a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3x13mm) paired with the TruePic VII image processor. Its sensor is physically smaller with a 2.1x crop factor, leading to inherently more depth-of-field but also excellent in-body 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization, a game-changer for sharper handheld shots and video.

The Sony A500 features a physically larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6mm) at 12MP resolution, giving it a milder 1.5x crop factor and delivering stronger inherent noise-control and dynamic range performance typical of bigger sensors.

DxOMark scores reinforce this:

• Olympus E-M10 II: Overall score 73, Color Depth 23.1 bits, Dynamic Range 12.5 EV, Low Light ISO 842
• Sony A500: Overall score 64, Color Depth 21.8 bits, Dynamic Range 11.6 EV, Low Light ISO 772

While Olympus’s sensor is higher megapixel, Sony’s larger sensor offers better tonal transitions and noise handling, especially at mid-ISO and above. In practical use, Olympus’s stabilization partially compensates the smaller sensor by enabling close to 2-3 stops slower shutter speeds without blur.

If ultra-high resolution and low-light are your priority, Olympus feels like the more versatile tool. Yet, for natural depth and smoother image gradation at base ISO, Sony’s APS-C yields pleasing results - particularly for landscapes and portraits where subtle tonality matters.

Viewing and Framing: Electronic vs Optical Viewfinder Strengths

How you see your shot frames your creativity - a decision to weigh carefully.

The Olympus E-M10 II’s electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers a 2360k dot resolution, 100% coverage, and 0.62x magnification, delivering preview accuracy of exposure, white balance, and focus in real time. Its 3" tilting touchscreen aids composition versatility and menu quick-access.

In contrast, the Sony A500 uses a traditional optical pentamirror viewfinder, with 95% coverage and 0.53x magnification. What you see is through-lens optical reality, excellent for bright daylight shooting, but no preview of exposure or color changes.

For dynamic shooters who want that ‘what you see is what you get’ EVF feedback, Olympus leads. But some prefer the lag-free, natural optical view, especially in fast-action scenarios where electronic viewfinders may stutter.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Flexibility

Autofocus can make or break your ability to capture fleeting moments.

The Olympus E-M10 II employs contrast-detection autofocus with 81 focus points and features face detection, tracking, and continuous AF optimized by the TruePic processor. It’s a competent system but doesn’t match the phase-detection speeds found on modern mirrorless cameras. Still, it is quick and responsive enough for portraits, travel, and moderate action.

The Sony A500’s 9-point phase-detection AF is more traditional but robust for its day, delivering reliable focus on still subjects and moderate movement. However, it lacks face-tracking and continuous AF during burst sequences, which today limits usefulness for fast-paced sports or wildlife shooting.

In real-world testing, Olympus’s AF shines in versatility - better tracking of faces and moving subjects - while Sony is suited to deliberate compositions or static subjects. For wildlife and sports, neither is ideal, but Olympus’s 8 fps burst rate (vs Sony’s 5 fps) also gives it an edge in action photography.

Sample Gallery: Real-World Imaging Comparisons

Nothing tells the story better than images side-by-side.

Olympus E M10 II front Olympus E M10 II screen back Sony A500 front Sony A500 screen back

Images from the Olympus E-M10 II reveal sharp details, vibrant yet natural colors, and excellent stabilization-aided sharpness in handshake-prone scenarios. Portraits show smooth skin tones and pleasant bokeh, though the Micro Four Thirds sensor inherently limits shallow depth-of-field compared to larger formats.

Sony A500 photos emphasize wider dynamic range in landscapes with smoother tonality but occasionally miss peak sharpness due to lower megapixel count. Skin tones are natural but less punchy, reflecting sensor age.

Both cameras excel at delivering pleasing JPEGs straight from-camera, but Olympus offers more creative in-camera filters and art modes, appealing to those who enjoy creative experimentation.

How Each Camera Excels Across Photography Genres

Different photography styles demand distinct strengths. Here’s how these cameras stack up in key genres.

• Portrait: Olympus leads with face detection, eye focus, and pleasing color reproduction though DSLR’s APS-C has better background blur. For studio or controlled lighting, both perform well.
• Landscape: Sony A500 shines with larger sensor and better dynamic range, ideal for nuanced skies and textures.
• Wildlife: Neither is a dedicated choice, but Olympus’s faster burst and AF tracking edges ahead.
• Sports: Olympus offers better continuous AF and frame rate; Sony’s slower burst limits action capture.
• Street: Olympus’s compact size and silent shutter make it more discreet.
• Macro: Olympus’s lens ecosystem and stabilization favor precise close focusing.
• Night/Astro: Thanks to stabilization and higher ISO range, Olympus provides more flexibility.
• Video: Olympus provides Full HD 60p recording, while Sony lacks video capability entirely.
• Travel: Olympus’s compact, lightweight form paired with stabilization suits travel better.
• Professional Work: Neither replaces flagship cameras but Olympus’s better file quality, stabilization, and connectivity offer more integration.

Durability, Battery Life, and Connectivity

Neither camera has weather sealing or ruggedization, so neither suits extreme environments without extra protection. Battery life differs:

• Olympus E-M10 II: Around 320 shots per charge (BLS-50 battery)
• Sony A500: Around 520 shots per charge (NP-FM500H battery), a solid DSLR endurance advantage

Connectivity also differs significantly. Olympus includes built-in Wi-Fi with remote shooting and image transfer; Sony A500 has no wireless features, showing its age.

For modern shooting on the go with sharing in mind, Olympus offers much more convenience.

Lenses and System Ecosystem

Lens availability and system adaptability are crucial for long-term satisfaction.

• Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds mount boasts over 100 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties - wide ranging from ultra-wide, super-telephoto, prime, macro, and specialty lenses. Being mirrorless means compact lenses, and the sensor stabilization complements smaller apertures.

• Sony A500’s Sony/Minolta Alpha mount supports roughly 143 lenses, heavily weighted toward older DSLR glass designed for APS-C and full frame Sony bodies. Lenses tend to be larger and heavier, though optical quality can be excellent.

If you prefer a compact system with plenty of new lens development, Olympus’s ecosystem offers greater versatility and innovation for its size. Sony offers some legacy glass but fewer new APS-C lenses designed specifically for it.

Price and Value: Which Makes Sense Today?

Looking at current market prices:

• Olympus E-M10 II: Around $499 new, making it a powerful bargain for a versatile mirrorless system.
• Sony A500: About $638, often found used at discount given its age and lack of video and modern features.

For your dollar, Olympus delivers more modern specs, superior stabilization, video, and wireless features, yielding a more complete package.

Overall Performance Ratings

Let’s take a quantitative snapshot of their overall capabilities.

Olympus scores higher across the board in image quality, autofocus, video, and portability. Sony holds up for battery life and certain landscape image aspects thanks to the sensor size.

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?

• Select the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II if:

  • You want a portable mirrorless camera with solid image quality.
  • Video recording (Full HD 60p) is part of your workflow.
  • You prioritize in-body stabilization and advanced autofocus for portraits, street, and travel.
  • Wireless connectivity and touchscreen operation matter.
  • You want access to a rich, compact lens ecosystem designed around smaller sensors.

• Pick the Sony A500 if:

  • You prefer a DSLR optical viewfinder experience.
  • Battery life endurance is essential for long shoots without recharge.
  • You have a collection of Sony/Minolta Alpha mount lenses or prefer a DSLR style body.
  • Your photography is mainly landscape or requires larger sensor benefits within a budget.
  • Video capabilities and wireless features are not priorities.

Closing Thoughts: Personal Reflections After Years of Testing

Having put both cameras through extensive workflows, from wildlife wanders to street captures and indoor portraits, I lean towards the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II as the more adaptable and future-proof system. Its blend of image stabilization, compact design, touchscreen ease, and solid lenses solves many real-world challenges photographers face.

The Sony A500, meanwhile, remains a charming DSLR option for those who appreciate optical viewfinders and don’t require video or wireless - though technology has moved on.

Ultimately, your choice depends on how you prioritize size, operational style, and feature sets. Hopefully, this direct, detailed comparison helps frame your decision in a way that fits your shooting style and creative ambitions perfectly.

Happy shooting!

If you found this comparison useful, check out my full review video on both cameras linked above, where I highlight side-by-side autofocus, image quality, and usability in live scenarios.