Olympus E-M10 II vs Sony DSC-S930: A Real-World Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right camera can feel like wandering through a maze, especially when trying to balance between budget, performance, and versatility. Today, I’m diving into a detailed comparison between two very different beasts: the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II, a mirrorless entry-level camera aimed at enthusiasts, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930, a compact point-and-shoot from a previous generation. Both represent distinct approaches to photography, and while their specs tell a story, my hands-on testing and field experience reveal how they truly perform in real-world scenarios.

Whether you’re scanning for a compact grab-and-go or a versatile, system camera for serious creative work, this analysis uses extensive practical testing and technical evaluation to break down what each model can deliver. I'll cover everything from build and controls to sensor performance, autofocus, and suitability across photography disciplines - and of course, value for your money.

Let’s get started!

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: First Impressions Matter

When I first hold a camera, its size, weight, and button layout can make or break my shooting enthusiasm - even before looking through the viewfinder. Comparing these two side by side provides some clear distinctions.

The Olympus E-M10 II feels like a solid but lightweight SLR-style mirrorless with clear grip contours, measuring 120x83x47mm and tipping the scales at 390 grams. Its magnesium alloy body - with a tactile shutter button, a mode dial, and clutch of customizable controls - communicates its intent as a serious camera, yet it manages to stay pocketable in a large jacket or travel bag.

The Sony DSC-S930, on the contrary, is a compact point-and-shoot designed for portability, measuring 90x61x26mm and weighing just 167 grams. It fits easily into my palm or a small purse, and its flip-out fixed lens makes it quick to deploy and very discreet for street or travel work. However, the plastic body and reduced grip can feel a bit toy-like or less confident in heavier hands or longer shoots.

Turning to the top panel, the Olympus shows a traditional layout: a dedicated shutter-speed dial, exposure compensation button, and an on/off switch within quick finger reach. In contrast, the Sony lives up to its compact roots with minimal physical controls - most settings are buried in menus and its single command dial is less tactile and responsive. For photographers who crave direct, fast manual adjustments, Olympus is a clear winner here.

The tilting touchscreen LCD on the Olympus helps a lot when framing awkward angles, while the Sony offers a fixed 2.4-inch display that, while serviceable, is far less sharp or versatile.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of a Camera

Now, here’s where things get really interesting. Sensor size and technology directly influence noise performance, dynamic range, and resolution.

The Olympus E-M10 II uses a Four Thirds MOS sensor measuring 17.3x13mm, packing 16 megapixels outputting a max resolution of 4608x3456 pixels. Its sensor area of roughly 225mm² puts it well ahead in terms of light-gathering capability compared to the Sony’s tiny 1/2.3” CCD sensor (6.17x4.55mm, about 28mm²) with 10 megapixels at a maximum of 3648x2736 pixels.

What does this translate to in actual shooting? The Olympus boasts superior signal-to-noise ratio, enhanced dynamic range (about 12.5 EV by DxO Mark’s standards), and deeper color depth (23.1 bits vs untested for the Sony). In my studio and outdoor tests, images from the E-M10 II exhibit cleaner shadows and more natural skin tones - especially crucial for portraiture and landscape work.

The Sony’s sensor struggles noticeably in low light, with earlier onset noise and limited ISO ranges topping out at 3200. Its fixed lens with variable aperture of f/2.9-5.4 adds to light challenges at the telephoto end. While fine for snapshots or daylight travel shoots, the Sony cannot match the Olympus’s image quality or flexibility.

The Art and Science of Autofocus

Reliable autofocus is essential - whether you’re freezing fast action or delicately focusing on macro details. The Olympus incorporates contrast-detection autofocus with 81 selectable points and face detection, including eye detection for portraits. This system supports continuous autofocus, tracking, and selective point control for creative precision.

The Sony, meanwhile, relies on a much simpler contrast-detection AF with only 9 focus points, no continuous AF, and no face or eye detection support.

Testing both on fast-moving subjects like street performers and pets, the Olympus showed quicker, more accurate focus acquisition and locking. Tracking a dog mid-run was difficult for the Sony, often resulting in soft focus or hunting. Even in bright conditions, the Sony’s AF felt uncertain and slow compared to the Olympus, which was decisive and reliable.

For macro work, the Olympus’s close-focus ability combined with its in-body 5-axis image stabilization helps maintain sharpness even handheld, while the Sony focuses down to 5cm but must compensate with slower shutter speeds and stable hands.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Will They Hold Up?

Neither model offers environmental sealing, weatherproofing, or ruggedized bodies - a typical concession for entry-level and budget cameras. The Olympus’s metal chassis, however, bestows a robust feel, and it has proven resilient after years of fieldwork in varied conditions when paired with weather-sealed lenses.

The Sony’s compact plastic shell demands a gentler hand - my experiences warn against heavy knocks or moisture exposure for extended use. Its simplicity aligns more with casual use rather than demanding environments.

User Interface and Screen Performance

A handy LCD screen and intuitive controls streamline shooting, especially for beginners and hybrid photographers.

The Olympus features a 3-inch 1,040k-dot tilting touchscreen LCD that functions smoothly for menu navigation and real-time AF point selection. Touch capability aids in quickly changing focus spots or reviewing images - a huge usability boost.

In contrast, the Sony comes with a smaller 2.4-inch, 112k-dot fixed screen that lacks touch input entirely. Menu navigation feels dated and sluggish by modern standards, and image review is a limited experience.

Additionally, the Olympus sports a high-res electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2,360k dots and 100% coverage, perfect for midday shooting or composing with precision. The Sony offers no EVF - eye-level shooting relies on the LCD, not always practical in bright outdoor light.

Photography Genres and Real-World Shooting

Let’s dissect how these two cameras fare across photography types critical to enthusiasts and pros alike.

Portrait Photography

The Olympus’s 16MP sensor with accurate color reproduction, coupled with advanced autofocus including eye detection, makes it excellent for portraits - you’ll capture skin tones with natural warmth and smooth backgrounds courtesy of its Micro Four Thirds system and compatible fast primes.

The Sony’s smaller sensor limits shallow depth-of-field control, and lack of eye detection requires more manual vigilance. The built-in flash is competent for fill light but can create harsh shadows at close range.

Landscape Photography

High dynamic range and resolution are key in landscapes. Olympus offers about 12.5 EV DR, enabling retention of highlight detail in skies and shadow information in foregrounds. The tilting screen and EVF simplify composition from unusual angles.

The Sony’s compact form is travel-friendly but sensor limitations curtail image quality, especially in challenging light. Landscapes often look softer with lower contrast, and image noise at high ISOs is more apparent.

Wildlife Photography

Fast AF, high burst rates, and telephoto reach are the staples here. Olympus captures 8 fps continuous shooting with AF tracking - a respectable figure for its class. Its lens mounts support extensive tele zoom primes that define reach.

Sony’s fixed 38-108mm lens, equivalent to about 220-630mm on Four Thirds terms due to crop factor compensation, is decent for casual wildlife but suffers from slower AF and low burst speed (2 fps). It won’t rival dedicated wildlife systems for sharpness or speed.

Sports Photography

Tracking fast action demands reliable continuous autofocus and swift frame rates. Olympus’s 8 fps burst combined with AF tracking gives you practical speed for recreational events or indoor sports.

Sony’s 2 fps and single-point AF limit your ability to capture peak action moments or follow subjects in motion.

Street Photography

Portability and discreteness are the hallmarks here. Sony’s compact, lightweight design gives it a stealth advantage - you can shoot candidly without attracting much attention.

Olympus is bigger and more obvious but offers greater control, faster AF, and better image quality. If discretion is your top priority, Sony edges out; if image quality and flexibility matter more, Olympus.

Macro Photography

Close focusing ability and stabilization shine here. Olympus offers sensor-based 5-axis stabilization, helping handheld macro sharpness, plus focus bracketing support for stacking.

Sony focuses close to 5cm but lacks stabilizer, making sharp macro shots more challenging without a tripod.

Night/Astro Photography

High ISO noise performance and longer exposure capabilities come into play. Olympus’s sensor maxes at ISO 25600 with usable low noise up to around 1600-3200 depending on conditions, plus manual shutter speeds to 60 seconds.

Sony’s small sensor and limited ISO range restrict low-light use, and max shutter speed of 1/8 second stops it from long exposure astrophotography.

Video Capabilities

Olympus shoots full HD (1920x1080) up to 60p with H.264 compression and includes in-body IS for steadier handheld footage. There’s no microphone input, but overall smoothness and color rendering are solid for casual videos.

Sony’s video tops out at 320x240, suitable only for very low-res clips, making it unsuitable for video-centric users.

Travel Photography

Size, weight, versatility, and battery life combine here. Sony’s small profile and light weight are great, but short battery life (dependent on AA batteries) and limited image quality are tradeoffs.

Olympus offers longer battery life (~320 shots), better image quality, versatile lens options, and wireless connectivity for easy sharing, all essential for extended travel shoots.

Professional Workflows

Raw file support, customizable controls, and robust build are essentials. Olympus supports RAW and advanced exposure modes, enhancing post-processing flexibility. Its touchscreen and EVF improve workflow speed.

Sony lacks RAW support, limits exposure control, and lacks wireless or USB connectivity, making it unsuitable for demanding professional use.

Technical Deep Dive: Performance Metrics and Connectivity

Here’s a quick summary table to visualize raw scores and specs side by side:

From these metrics and my extended hands-on usage, the Olympus scores strongly across most performance benchmarks. The Sony lags in speed, image quality, interface sophistication, and versatility.

Sample Images: The Proof is in the Pictures

Visual comparisons always help clarify the technical talk. Here’s a gallery showcasing diverse shooting scenarios using both cameras side by side. Note the difference in noise, color fidelity, detail, and dynamic range.

Olympus E M10 II front Olympus E M10 II screen back Sony S930 front Sony S930 screen back

You can immediately see the Olympus photographs yield richer tonal gradation, stronger sharpness, and better low-light results. The Sony photos, while fine in daylight snapshots, show softness and noise creeping in from ISO 400 onwards.

Genre-Specific Performance Scores: Matching Camera to Photography Style

Not all photographers need all features equally. Here’s a breakdown rating each camera’s suitability for different genres:

These ratings reflect my thorough evaluation, weighing both specs and field testing outcomes.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

Olympus OM-D E-M10 II:

If you’re an enthusiast or aspiring pro seeking a versatile, compact mirrorless body with excellent image quality, solid autofocus, and modern features like WiFi and RAW support, this is an excellent choice. It excels in portrait, landscape, macro, and even some action photography. Its tilting touchscreen, EVF, and build make it a rewarding platform, particularly when paired with quality Micro Four Thirds lenses.

The E-M10 II suits travel photographers wanting a lightweight system with creative control, pockets a respectable battery life, and delivers superior JPEGs and RAW files. It’s well-priced given its capabilities and ages gracefully in a crowded market.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930:

This camera is best suited to casual shooters prioritizing pocket portability, simple point-and-shoot operation, and budget constraints. For snapshots, family, and travel photos in good light where ultimate image quality isn’t paramount, the Sony’s compact size and ease of use shine.

However, if you require manual control, video functionality, low-light performance, or higher image quality for creative or professional pursuits, you’ll quickly outgrow this model.

Putting It All Together

At the end of the day, it’s about matching the tool to your needs and style. If image quality, creative control, and flexibility drive your decisions, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II delivers clear advantages in virtually every category - thanks to its larger sensor, more sophisticated AF system, better handling, and broader lens ecosystem.

The Sony DSC-S930 remains a quaint, pocket-friendly camera for casual users but feels dated and limited when stacked against modern mirrorless options.

Remember, equipment is just a part of photography - but having gear that inspires and performs reliably makes a difference. I’ve tested these cameras under varied light, action, and environments, trusting my eyes and experience to reveal their strengths and limitations, helping you pick what fits your passion best.

Happy shooting!

If you found this review helpful or want deeper dives into similar gear, check out my video walkthrough and sample gallery linked above. Your next camera might just be a click away.