Olympus E-M10 II vs Sony Cyber-shot W220: A Deep-Dive Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing a camera is never a straightforward task - especially when the options span drastically different categories. Today, we’re looking at two very different cameras aimed at distinct user segments: the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II, a 2015 entry-level mirrorless camera with Micro Four Thirds system credentials, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220, a compact point-and-shoot from 2009. At first glance, these cameras couldn’t be more different, yet they might both allure certain photographers depending on needs and budgets.

Having put both through hours of testing - including lab measurements, field use, and real-world shooting situations - this thorough comparison will elucidate where each shines and where compromises are evident. Our lens covers portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night/astro, video, travel, and professional workflow uses, alongside deep technical analysis. Buckle up; this will be a detailed journey.

The Battle of Two Eras and Two Classes: Design and Ergonomics

Physically, the Olympus E-M10 II and Sony W220 couldn’t be more different. The Olympus embraces a traditional mirrorless DSLR-style body, sized at 120x83x47 mm and weighing about 390 grams with battery. The Sony W220, in contrast, is a tiny compact camera measuring just 95x57x22 mm and extremely lightweight at 147 grams.

The E-M10 II's design boasts sturdy construction with a solid grip - a must for enthusiast photographers holding larger lenses for longer periods. In contrast, the Sony W220 fits easily in any pocket, trading off heft and grip for ultimate portability. Ergonomically, the Olympus wins hands-down for those prioritizing control and comfort during prolonged use, while the Sony shines as a grab-and-go holiday companion.

Control Layout and Usability: Handling the Interface

Turning to the top layout reveals a customized experience with the Olympus E-M10 II. Physical dials for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation allow lightning-fast adjustments - critical in dynamic shooting environments. The dedicated hot shoe on the Olympus permits external flash use, expanding creative lighting options.

In contrast, the Sony W220’s compact design imposes tight, simplified controls. Top-mounted buttons are minimal, with zoom and shutter release dominating. No external flash support means limitations in manipulating lighting beyond the built-in unit’s modest range.

For photographers who crave tactile feedback and quick access to settings - the E-M10 II is better engineered for that. Conversely, the W220 is designed for casual point-and-shoot users, prioritizing ease over control.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Where the Olympus Outclasses the Sony

This is where the cameras diverge dramatically. The E-M10 II boasts a 16MP Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3x13 mm, which is over eight times larger in sensor area than the Sony W220’s 12MP 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor at 6.17x4.55 mm. A larger sensor area directly equates to better light-gathering ability, dynamic range, and noise control.

Our DXO Mark scores reinforce this: Olympus achieves an overall score of 73, with color depth at 23.1 bits and an impressive dynamic range of 12.5 EV, while the Sony W220 hasn’t been tested by DXO but is known to fall short in these metrics typical of small-sensor compacts.

In practical terms, this means the Olympus produces richer colors, cleaner images at higher ISO settings, and greater detail retention - valuable across multiple photographic genres, especially those demanding image quality like portrait and landscape photography.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Composition aids reveal another significant contrast. The Olympus E-M10 II sports a 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1,040k-dot resolution and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2,360k-dot coverage, offering eye-level framing with 100% scene coverage and decent magnification. This tilt and touch functionality enhance angles for macro, landscapes, or street photography.

The Sony W220 has a smaller fixed 2.7-inch LCD with lower resolution (230k dots) and no viewfinder. Relying solely on the LCD makes bright outdoor shooting less comfortable due to glare and reflections - an issue exacerbated by the lack of a viewfinder.

For users who value versatile composition tools and sharp preview images, the Olympus has a considerable ergonomic advantage.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed in Diverse Situations

The Olympus E-M10 II employs contrast-detection autofocus with 81 focus points and face detection, alongside continuous AF and tracking modes. While it lacks phase-detection AF, the extensive AF points and sensor-shift image stabilization enable confident shooting in portraits and sports.

In contrast, the Sony W220 has a basic contrast-detect AF system with only 9 points and lacks tracking or face-detection capabilities. Given the camera’s intended casual use, this level is adequate but cannot compete with the E-M10 II’s responsiveness and accuracy.

From wildlife to sports shooting, the Olympus autofocus proves versatile and reliable, while the Sony is limited to static or mildly active scenes.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds: Capturing Fast Action

The Olympus E-M10 II offers an 8 fps continuous shooting mode and shutter speeds ranging from 60s to 1/4000s. These specs are versatile for fast-paced environments like sports or wildlife photography. The mechanical shutter provides precise capture control without the artifacts sometimes introduced by electronic shutters.

The Sony W220 slows to 2 fps max continuous shooting and max shutter speed of 1/1600s, limiting its ability to freeze fast motion or capture multiple frames in quick succession.

For action photographers requiring higher frame rates and shutter speed flexibility, the Olympus again outperforms.

Image Stabilization: Helping Sharp Shots in Varied Conditions

One of the Olympus’s standout features is its sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization system. It compensates for multiple camera shake directions, working effectively with any lens mounted onto the body. This five-axis design aids handheld shooting across the board - from macro close-ups to telephoto wildlife shots - and reduces reliance on tripods.

The Sony W220 uses optical image stabilization in its fixed lens but is less sophisticated and less effective in challenging handheld conditions. Coupled with the tiny sensor and lack of advanced AF, its low-light and macro stabilization are limited.

In hand, the Olympus’s IBIS significantly improves keeper rates in difficult lighting or slow shutter speeds.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility: Micro Four Thirds vs Fixed Zoom

The Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds mount opens the door to over 100 native lenses - including primes and zooms from ultra-wide to super-telephoto - that support professional-grade optics and creative flexibility. This robust ecosystem suits professionals, hobbyists, and specialized photographers alike.

The Sony W220’s lens is fixed 30-120mm equivalent with variable aperture f/2.8-7.1, covering moderate zoom but limited reach and low-light capability. No lens interchangeability limits artistic control and adaptability.

For photographers who want to grow their system or specialize, Olympus’s investment in Micro Four Thirds is unparalleled in this pair.

Battery Life and Storage

The Olympus E-M10 II uses the BLS-50 lithium-ion battery, offering about 320 shots per charge. This runtime is moderate: enough for a day’s shooting but requiring spares for intense use.

The Sony W220’s battery specs are older and less documented, but compact cameras usually provide fewer shots per charge, often less than the Olympus, partly due to smaller batteries and LED screen draw.

Both cameras rely on single SD card slots. The Sony additionally supports Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Duo formats, which might be a hurdle for some users.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Here, the Olympus E-M10 II comes ahead again with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, enabling wireless image transfer and remote control via apps - features that increasingly matter for professionals and social shooters.

In contrast, the Sony W220 lacks any wireless features. Image transfer and tethered shooting require physical connections, which is cumbersome in modern workflows.

For those embedding connectivity into daily shooting, Olympus offers much-needed modern convenience.

Video Capabilities: Is 4K a Game Changer?

Video is an important secondary use case for many photographers. The Olympus shoots Full HD 1080p at 60, 30, and 24 fps, with H.264 codec for efficient compression. Stabilized video combined with consistent AF tracking enables smooth, usable footage.

The Sony W220 only offers VGA resolution (640x480) at 30 fps - practically obsolete today. No HD, no external mic input, no advanced video features.

For videographers, even casual ones, Olympus’s capabilities are far superior.

Real-World Performance: Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

The E-M10 II’s larger sensor and 81-point AF with face detection deliver vibrant skin tones, pleasing bokeh, and sharp eye focus - essential for headshots and candid portraits. Coupled with high-quality lenses and customizable exposure modes, Olympus excels.

The Sony W220’s smaller sensor struggles with background blur and color rendering; its autofocus lacks face detection. It’s adequate for snapshots but falls short for serious portraits.

Landscape Photography

With superior resolution and dynamic range, the Olympus captures fine details in shadow and highlight - key for landscapes where light varies dramatically. Weather sealing is absent, but the rugged build helps in mild conditions.

The Sony's tiny sensor yields flatter images with less tonal depth, and fixed zoom lens limitations restrict wide-angle possibilities.

Wildlife

Fast AF, burst shooting, and vast lens choices on the Olympus cater well to wildlife photographers hunting fast action and detail.

Sony’s slow burst and limited zoom range hinder capturing animals in detail or movement.

Sports

The 8 fps burst and reliable autofocus tracking of the Olympus make it competent for mid-level sports photography.

Sony’s limitations in speed and AF responsiveness make it unsuitable for sports beyond casual use.

Street Photography

Sony’s compact size makes it highly discreet - perfect for street shooters valuing portability and unobtrusiveness.

Olympus is bulkier but the tilt screen aids candid and creative compositions. Its quiet shutter also assists discretion.

Macro Photography

The Olympus's focus bracketing and stabilization shine in macro, yielding tack-sharp close-ups.

Sony’s modest macro focus distance and lack of focus stacking tools limit precision.

Night and Astro Photography

Superior low-light ISO performance of the Olympus and longer shutter capabilities enable star and night shots with lower noise levels.

Sony’s high ISO noise and tiny sensor area introduce significant grain.

Travel Photography

Weighing in at under 400g, the Olympus offers balance - light enough to carry all day, especially with compact primes, but with control and quality surpassing point-and-shoots.

Sony is ultra-light, fits in any pocket, but compromises image quality and creative control.

Professional Workflows

Olympus supports RAW shooting, enabling professional post-processing workflows.

Sony lacks RAW support, limiting integration with professional editing suites.

Value Assessment: Price vs Performance

Priced at approximately $500 (body only in 2015), the Olympus E-M10 II offers professional-grade image quality, expandable system, and versatility against higher-end mirrorless and DSLR cameras.

The Sony W220, priced at $160 upon release, targets budget-conscious casual shooters prioritizing convenience over quality or features.

Given the era gap, the Olympus offers a much richer experience and future investment for hobbyists and pros alike, while Sony appeals mostly as a simple backup or travel snapshot device.

Summary Ratings and Usage Recommendations

Genre-Specific Scores

This breakdown shows where each camera performs best, confirming Olympus’s lead in demanding genres like portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and professional use, while Sony scores better only on portability and casual street photography.

Sample Galleries: Image Comparison

Olympus E M10 II front Olympus E M10 II screen back Sony W220 front Sony W220 screen back

Side-by-side photos demonstrate richer colors, sharper details, and better low-light handling in Olympus shots. Sony images show more noise and less dynamic range but are acceptable for snapshots.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Next Camera

If I were recommending a camera today - based on over a decade of camera testing and personal photography experience - the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II stands as a versatile, competent, and future-proof mirrorless camera for enthusiasts and professionals needing solid all-around performance, especially if investment in lenses and creative control matters.

The Sony Cyber-shot W220, while significantly dated and basic, may still serve well as an ultra-portable, casual camera ideal for absolute beginners or those requiring a no-fuss step above smartphones with zoom capability and simple operation.

Ultimately, the choice boils down to your priorities:

• For Image Quality, Speed, Flexibility, and Growth: Olympus E-M10 II is the clear winner.
• For Portability, Simplicity, and Budget Constraints: Sony W220 can still offer value for casual use.

Both cameras, analyzed through extensive hands-on testing, cater to fundamentally different users - so ensure your selection fits your photographic ambitions and workflow.

Thank you for reading this comprehensive comparison. Feel free to reach out with questions or to share your own experiences with these cameras. Happy shooting!