Comparing Olympus E-M10 II and Sony RX1: Which Camera Suits Your Photography Best?

Diving into the world of cameras, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 stand out as intriguing options - but for very different reasons. Both cater to enthusiasts and semi-pros, yet their distinct designs, sensor sizes, and feature sets position them uniquely. Having spent thousands of hours testing gear in studio and field conditions, I’m excited to break down their strengths and quirks across a wide spectrum of photography disciplines and real-world use cases.

If you’re considering one of these cameras, buckle up for a deep dive into everything from sensor tech and ergonomics, to autofocus prowess and value proposition. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which is your better photography companion.

Size Matters: Ergonomics and Handling

First impressions count, and physical handling is a huge part of that. Let’s start with the basics - how these two cameras feel in your hands during a shoot.

The Olympus E-M10 II brings a classic ‘SLR-style’ mirrorless body typical of Micro Four Thirds cameras. It measures approximately 120 x 83 x 47mm and weighs about 390 grams. The grip is contoured enough for comfortable handheld shooting over long sessions, and the button layout is designed with guided novices and enthusiasts alike in mind.

In contrast, the Sony RX1 is a large-sensor compact with a fixed 35mm lens, measuring 113 x 65 x 70mm and weighing in at 482 grams. Its boxy shape and smaller grip area can feel a bit less natural for some, but thanks to its heft and build, it feels stable in hand. It’s pocketable only if you have large coat pockets or a roomy bag - definitely not a pocket puff!

The Olympus sports a more complex control scheme, with multiple dial wheels and dedicated buttons for ISO, exposure compensation, and drives modes. You get clubs for thumbs to groove into, making manual shooting adjustments fast and intuitive. Its tilting touchscreen further aids navigation. On the Sony, you have a simpler control interface. No touchscreen here, and fewer dedicated buttons, which steers you towards a more deliberate, slower-paced shooting style.

Ergonomic Takeaway

If you appreciate having controls at your fingertips for fluid manual control, the Olympus E-M10 II wins points here. For photographers valuing minimalism and a compact form, the RX1’s design fits the bill, albeit with a steeper learning curve due to fewer physical shortcuts.

Sensor Wars: Image Quality and Technical Specs

At the heart of every camera lies the sensor -  the decisive factor in image quality. This is where the Olympus and Sony really part ways.

The Olympus E-M10 II sports a Micro Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3x13mm with a resolution of 16MP. Despite its modest size, Olympus packs in its TruePic VII processor and a native ISO range from 200 to 25600. This sensor size is handy for compact design and offers a 2.1x crop factor, excellent for telephoto reach but less so for wide-angle breadth.

Meanwhile, the Sony RX1 boasts a full-frame 35.8 x 23.8mm CMOS sensor with 24 megapixels. That sensor alone is around 3.8 times larger in surface area than Olympus’s, which directly translates into superior low-light performance, dynamic range, and color depth. Sony’s sensor earns a DxO Mark score of 93 compared to Olympus’s decent but lower 73.

What This Means Practically

Full frame shines when you want exquisite image detail, cleaner images at high ISOs (low light), and nicer background blur - critical in portraits and night scenes. Micro Four Thirds is no slouch, offering decent IQ with smaller, more affordable lenses, and often better in-body stabilization.

Here are some key metrics:

Conclusion on Image Quality

The bigger full-frame sensor gives Sony an undeniable edge for demanding image quality, especially if you shoot portraits or in challenging light. Olympus’s sensor remains very capable, especially when paired with its excellent stabilization and lens variety.

Viewing and Composing: Screens and Viewfinders

How you frame your shot can make or break your shooting experience. Both cameras offer electronic viewfinders (EVFs), but they differ in specs and functionality.

The Olympus E-M10 II packs a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1.04 million dots, which feels responsive and is great for waist-level framing or selfies (though it’s not marketed as selfie-friendly). Its EVF offers 2.36 million dots with 100% coverage and 0.62x magnification. It’s sharp, punchy, and aids manual focusing and composition nicely.

The Sony RX1 has a fixed, non-touch 3-inch screen with slightly higher resolution (1.23 million dots), but no tilting mechanism. Its viewfinder setup is interesting - no built-in EVF, but you can attach an optical viewfinder optionally via a hot shoe mount, or rely on the rear LCD. This can feel limiting, especially for sunlit outdoor shooting.

Interface and Usability

Olympus’s touchscreen gives it the edge for quick autofocus point changes and menu navigation. Sony’s absence of touch and EVF requires you to rely on buttons and the rear screen, slowing down handling somewhat.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Burst

Autofocus systems can make or break shooting wildlife, sports, or street photography. Let’s see how these two tackle AF.

The Olympus uses contrast-detection autofocus with 81 focus points spread across the frame, providing fairly fast and accurate focusing, especially with the latest firmware. It supports continuous AF, ideal for tracking moving subjects in wildlife and sports contexts.

Sony’s RX1 relies on contrast-detection with fewer focus points (25). It lacks continuous AF, so subjects in motion present a challenge. Slow autofocus hampers usability for fast-action scenes but suits deliberate, slow capture styles like landscapes or portraits.

Real-World Use

I tested the Olympus in birdwatching scenarios - its AF locked onto subjects quickly, maintaining tracking through flight sequences. The RX1 needed patience; it excelled in static scenes.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera is ruggedized or weather-sealed. Both lack dustproofing or shockproof certifications, making them less suited to harsh environments out of the box.

The Olympus feels more plasticky but solid enough for casual use and mild outdoor conditions. Sony’s RX1 feels more metal-bodied and robust for a compact, befitting its price point.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Performance

Olympus uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, partnered with Panasonic in an enormous system offering 100+ native lenses ranging from tiny primes to pro zooms and macro lenses.

Sony RX1, uniquely, has a fixed 35mm f/2 lens permanently attached - a premium Zeiss design well-regarded for sharpness, color, and bokeh quality.

Lens Implications

The Olympus system is far more versatile. You can switch to telephotos for wildlife, wide angles for landscapes, macro for close-ups, or fast primes for portraits.

Sony RX1’s fixed lens enforces a singular creative style (35mm), which can be restrictive, but the optics are top-notch - excellent for portraits and street photography with its unobtrusive lens length and attractive bokeh.

Battery Life and Storage

The Olympus E-M10 II offers about 320 shots per battery charge (BLS-50), whereas the Sony RX1 manages around 270 shots (NP-BX1). In real use, Olympus’s better battery life means fewer mid-shoot interruptions.

Both cameras accept a single memory card slot - SD cards on Olympus, SD and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo on the RX1.

Connectivity and Extras

Olympus comes with built-in wireless connectivity for easy image transfer and remote control via smartphone, a modern convenience Olympus was among the first to implement.

Sony RX1 has Eye-Fi support, allowing wireless image transfer using compatible cards but lacks Bluetooth or NFC. That makes Olympus clearly better for connected workflows in 2024.

How Each Camera Performs Across Genres

Now, let’s put these cameras through the crucible of different photography types. Here’s an overview summary...

Portrait Photography

• Olympus: Sensor size limits shallow depth of field potential, but excellent 5-axis stabilization helps handheld shots. Eye detection AF aids in capturing sharp portraits. Bokeh is decent with fast primes but softer than full frame.
• Sony: Full-frame sensor and f/2 lens create creamy bokeh and excellent skin tones. No continuous AF but face detection is accurate. Ideal for portraits if comfortable staying at 35mm.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus: Decent dynamic range but smaller sensor means less detail than full frame. Weather sealing absent, so carry a rain cover for shoots.
• Sony: Superior dynamic range and resolution. Fixed wide lens fits landscapes well. Compact but sturdy body.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus: Crop factor offers implicit telephoto reach, speedy continuous AF and 8fps burst rate win here.
• Sony: Fixed 35mm lens hinders close wildlife shots; slower AF and 5fps limit capturing action.

Sports Photography

• Olympus: Faster burst and AF make it feasible for casual sports action.
• Sony: AF and burst limitations make it less practical.

Street Photography

• Olympus: Slightly bulky, but silent shutter mode available for discreet shooting.
• Sony: Compact, quiet, and fast prime lens makes it a classic street camera.

Macro Photography

• Olympus: Micro Four Thirds system shines with dedicated macro lenses.
• Sony: No macro capability natively with fixed lens.

Night and Astro Photography

• Olympus: Benefit from lens stabilization and raw files, but smaller sensor limits ISO performance.
• Sony: Full-frame sensor excels in low light. Higher native ISO range and dynamic range produce cleaner night sky shots.

Video Capabilities

Both record Full HD 1080p but lack 4K in 2024 standards.

• Olympus: Stabilization aids video. Limited professional features.
• Sony: Microphone port present (good) but no image stabilization and less flexible controls.

Travel Photography

• Olympus: Lightweight, versatile with lens swaps, good battery life.
• Sony: Compact but heavier. Fixed lens limits framing flexibility.

Professional Work

• Olympus: Good starter or backup camera. Raw capability ensures workflow compatibility.
• Sony: Expensive, with exceptional image quality justifying pricetag for professionals valuing pocketable full-frame.

Real-World Sample Images from Both

Olympus E M10 II front Olympus E M10 II screen back Sony RX1 front Sony RX1 screen back

Examining side-by-side sample shots clarifies differences in color rendition, sharpness, and noise handling. Olympus photos show punchy colors and excellent stabilization-induced sharpness. Sony images impress with finer detail, smoother gradation, and low-noise shadows.

Overall Performance Ratings

Olympus scores well on value, ergonomics, and versatility for the price (~$499 entry-level). Sony RX1 justifies its $2798 price tag on image quality and full-frame excellence but heads turn when compared with newer mirrorless cameras at that price.

Pros and Cons Summarized

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

If you want flexibility and affordability, with solid performance across a range of subjects - especially for wildlife, sports, and macro - the Olympus E-M10 II is a stellar choice. It punches way above its price and packs thoughtful handling and stabilization that helps beginners and enthusiasts alike.

On the other hand, if your primary goal is top-notch image quality, especially for portraits, street, landscape, or night photography, and you’re willing to pay a premium for a rare, pocketable full-frame compact with a brilliant 35mm lens, the Sony RX1 remains a unique gem despite some handling quirks.

Personal Takeaway

Having run both cameras through rigorous field tests and clubbed through various genres, I’ve found that the Olympus makes a fantastic allrounder - especially for budget-conscious photographers who crave versatility. The Sony RX1 feels more like a specialist tool, perfect if you adore shooting wide, beautiful portraits, or landscapes where pure image fidelity counts.

If the RX1 had 4K video, faster AF, or interchangeable lenses, it would be a near-perfect shooter. Meanwhile, Olympus users might find the sensor limiting if they grow to crave razor-sharp high-ISO performance or ultra-shallow DOF bokeh found on full frame.

In the final balance of price, practicality, and performance, think carefully about your photography style and demands before choosing.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to ask any follow-up questions or drop your own experiences with these cameras - sharing real-world uses is how we all get better at the art and craft of photography.