Olympus E-M10 IV vs. Sony WX350: A Hands-On Comparison From an Experienced Photographer’s Perspective

Choosing a camera today can feel like navigating a jungle - so many models, sensor sizes, features, and price points. Having tested thousands of cameras over 15+ years, I’ve learned that the “best” camera is the one that matches your shooting style, priorities, and budget. Today, I’m diving into a detailed, practical comparison between two very different cameras: the Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV, an entry-level mirrorless from 2020, and the older Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX350, a compact superzoom from 2014.

At first glance, they share little besides a 3-inch LCD screen and wireless connectivity, but both cater to photographers wanting a convenient, all-around shooter. The Olympus is a focused mirrorless system with interchangeable lenses and deep manual controls, while the Sony WX350 is a pocketable point-and-shoot with a lengthy 20x zoom lens built-in. Let’s break down exactly what you get, how they perform across photography types, where each excels and falls short, and which photographer each is best suited for.

How They Feel in Your Hands: Ergonomics and Build Quality

Size and weight often make or break daily use, so let’s start by seeing how these two shape up physically.

The Olympus E-M10 IV is a 383g camera with an SLR-style mirrorless form factor measuring roughly 122x84x49mm. This gives it a comfortably chunky grip with dedicated dials and buttons - a godsend for those who like clubs for thumbs rather than tiny fiddly controls. It feels solid and balanced with weather sealing though not rugged or waterproof.

In contrast, the Sony WX350 is truly compact - just 164g and 96x55x26mm - small enough to disappear in a jacket pocket or purse, which is excellent for casual use or travel when you want minimal gear. The downside is the smaller controls and fixed lens mean reduced handling versatility but quicker grab-and-shoot operation.

Here’s a look at their top control layouts:

The E-M10 IV has a mode dial, exposure compensation dial, a dedicated movie record button, and a rear dial rolling under your right thumb. It’s designed for photographers who want to shoot RAW, tweak settings on the fly, and switch quickly between modes.

The WX350 goes with a more minimalist approach: power, shutter, zoom toggle, and a mode dial that mixes modes and scene selections. It lacks customizable buttons or dials, so everything happens through menus or automagic.

Bottom line: If you want physical controls and grip comfort for longer shooting sessions, Olympus wins. If you’re an on-the-go casual shooter who values pocketability, Sony’s smaller size is hard to beat.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Now to the nitty-gritty - image quality starts with the sensor. The Olympus features a Micro Four Thirds sensor (17.4x13mm, 20MP), while the Sony uses a smaller 1/2.3-inch sensor (6.17x4.55mm, 18MP).

Micro Four Thirds sensors have a 2.1x crop factor and an active surface area roughly eight times larger than the WX350’s. This size advantage translates to better noise control, dynamic range, and color fidelity. The Olympus’s TruePic VIII processor handles image signal processing well, boosting clarity and detail, particularly at mid-range ISOs.

In real-world terms:

• The Olympus E-M10 IV produces cleaner images in low light up to ISO 3200 or 6400, with better highlight and shadow detail thanks to more dynamic range headroom.
• The Sony WX350, while capable in bright daylight, struggles with noise and detail loss at ISO 800 and above. Its sensor size limits image quality especially in shadows.

Olympus’s antialiasing (AA) filter helps sharpen images without creating artifacts. The Sony also uses an AA filter but can't compete on noise or tonal gradation.

Practical takeaway: If you value image quality - whether for large prints, careful editing, or shooting in mixed lighting - Olympus’s sensor tells a better story. The Sony is more about convenience than fine detail.

Viewing and Interfaces: Finding Your Framing Sweet Spot

Seeing your shot is just as critical as taking it. The Olympus packs a high-resolution (2,360k dots) electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage and 0.62x magnification. The Sony WX350, on the other hand, lacks any viewfinder and relies solely on its 3-inch fixed LCD screen with a modest 460k-dot resolution.

The Olympus’s tilting touchscreen adds versatility for shooting at low or high angles, selfie-friendly framing, and intuitive autofocus selection via touch. The Sony’s fixed screen has lower resolution - making it harder to judge fine focus and exposure in bright light - and no touch controls.

Through testing, I noticed:

• The Olympus EVF is a standout feature for outdoor shooting, giving a clear, lag-free preview even in direct sunlight.
• The Sony’s screen may suffocate your creativity in glaring conditions or awkward angles, demanding patience and guesswork.

If you’re a “look-through-the-lens” shooter or need tactile focus and exposure control, Olympus has the edge. For casual framing and compact form, Sony’s LCD suffices but with limitations.

Autofocus and Burst Rates: Catching Fast-Moving Moments

Autofocus speed, accuracy, and burst shooting capability heavily influence sports, wildlife, and street photography.

The E-M10 IV uses a contrast-detection AF system with 121 focus points spread across the frame, complemented with face detection and tracking capabilities. It supports continuous AF and can shoot at 8.7 frames per second (fps) in burst mode.

Sony’s WX350 employs a contrast-detect only AF with less detailed point coverage and a faster burst of 10 fps, but with notable hunting in low light or moving subjects.

• Olympus’s AF is buttery smooth for static and slow-moving subjects but can struggle tracking erratic wildlife due to lack of phase-detection.
• Sony’s AF, while snappier in burst speed, is more reliant on lock and shoot rather than fluid subject tracking.

Neither features eye-autofocus or animal detection - something more recent models boast - but Olympus’s face and live view AF help portraits. Sony’s WX350 lacks live-view AF capabilities on the rear screen, slowing down responsiveness somewhat.

Real-world verdict: For hobbyist wildlife or sports shooters on a budget, Olympus offers a more balanced package. The Sony is a decent backup for quick action but no contender for professional tracking.

Handling Different Photography Genres: From Portraits to Night Skies

Let’s break down how both cameras fare across popular photography types, supported by sample shots side by side.

Olympus E M10 IV front Olympus E M10 IV screen back Sony WX350 front Sony WX350 screen back

Portraits: Skin Tones and Background Separation

Olympus’s MFT sensor and native lens options (over 100 available) allow for beautiful bokeh and creamy background blur, especially with primes like the 45mm f/1.8. Its 121-point AF with face detection locks tightly, delivering crisp eyes and natural skin tones.

Sony WX350, with a small fixed lens starting at f/3.5, cannot shallow depth of field well - background blur is limited, making portraits less dimensional.

Who wins? Olympus for portraits hands down.

Landscapes: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Olympus’s 20MP sensor, coupled with in-body 5-axis stabilization (great for handheld HDR and focus stacking), captures detailed vistas with good shadow and highlight retention. The camera's weather sealing (limited) adds some confidence in misty or dusty terrain.

Sony’s sensor and smaller lens do a decent job in good light but lack flexibility in focal length and can lose highlight detail quickly due to smaller dynamic range.

Wildlife: Telephoto and AF Performance

Sony’s 20x zoom (25-500mm equivalent) is tempting for casual wildlife shooters who don’t want to invest in lenses. But the small sensor hampers image quality at full zoom.

Olympus lacks a native super-tele lens in kit form but, paired with MFT telephotos (e.g., 75-300mm equivalent), produces better images and AF accuracy. However, low light and fast animal action will challenge both.

Sports: Tracking and Burst Speed

Neither camera is designed for pro sports photography, but Olympus’s higher frame rate and reliable AF make it the better choice for casual sports events.

Street Photography: Discreetness and Speed

Sony WX350’s tiny pocketable form delivers a huge advantage for stealth shooting in urban environments. Olympus is bulkier but quicker to adjust settings manually.

Macro: Precision and Stabilization

Olympus supports focus bracketing but lacks focus stacking; however, its 5-axis sensor stabilization and compatible macro lenses outperform Sony’s single zoom lens.

Night and Astro: ISO and Exposure Control

Olympus’s larger sensor and ISO 25600 capacity plus manual exposure modes excel here. Sony’s WX350 maxes at ISO 12800 but with more noise.

Video: Resolution and Audio

Olympus offers 4K UHD recording at up to 30p with decent bitrate and manual controls, though no mic input. Sony caps at 1080p but has decent 60p options. Neither camera supports external audio.

Travel: Battery, Weight, and Versatility

Sony edges out Olympus in battery life (470 vs 360 shots) and portability. Olympus’s lens ecosystem and superior image quality reward those who travel with extra gear and want versatility.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow

The Olympus shoots RAW and supports manual exposure, solid for pro workflows. The Sony shoots JPEG-only, limiting post-processing flexibility.

Technical Insights: Build, Connectivity, and Lenses

Let’s dive into the under-the-hood specs that shape each camera’s strengths and limitations.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera offers serious weather sealing or ruggedness. Olympus feels more premium and ergonomic but lacks pro-level resistance.

Lens Ecosystem Compatibility

Olympus boasts a vast Micro Four Thirds lens lineup, from primes to zooms. The WX350’s fixed lens means zero flexibility, a deal-breaker for serious enthusiasts.

Battery Life and Storage

Sony’s smaller sensor and limited processing afford it longer battery life (470 shots vs. Olympus’s 360 shots). Both take SD cards; Olympus also supports faster UHS-II speeds.

Connectivity Features

Olympus offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control and easy sharing. Sony offers built-in Wi-Fi but no Bluetooth or NFC.

Putting It All Together: Scores and Genre-Specific Performance

Let’s see how these cameras stack up across the board.

The Olympus E-M10 IV scores higher in image quality, autofocus, video, and versatility. The Sony WX350 scores well in portability, burst rate, and zoom reach but trails significantly in quality and control.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV
Pros:

• Larger MFT sensor, better image quality
• 4K video capability
• Articulating touchscreen and EVF
• In-body 5-axis stabilization
• Extensive lens selection
• Good manual controls
• Face detection AF

Cons:

• Bulkier form factor
• Shorter battery life
• No weather sealing beyond splash resistance

Sony WX350
Pros:

• Ultra-compact and pocketable
• Long 20x zoom lens
• Decent burst rate (10 fps)
• Longer battery life
• Easy to use for quick shots

Cons:

• Small 1/2.3" sensor limits image quality
• No RAW support
• Limited manual control and no touch screen
• No viewfinder, reliance on small LCD
• Older video specs (1080p max)

Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Olympus E-M10 IV if: You’re a photography enthusiast or beginner looking for a proper interchangeable lens system with strong image quality, manual control, and 4K video. Great for portraits, landscapes, macro, and video projects. Perfect if you don’t mind carrying some extra weight for better performance.

• Choose the Sony WX350 if: You want an easy-to-use, pocket-sized superzoom for casual travel and snapshots. Ideal if you want a no-fuss camera to slip in a bag or pocket and zoom into distant subjects without swapping lenses. Budget-minded buyers or cheapskates who prize simplicity and portability. Not for serious post-processing or manual shooting.

Final Thoughts

Both cameras have charm - the Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV is a versatile and capable mirrorless that punches above its price class. It opens doors to photography growth thanks to manual controls, lens options, and superior image quality. The Sony WX350 is the quintessential grab-and-go superzoom for point-and-shoot simplicity but with clear image quality and functional trade-offs.

If I had to pick one for someone serious about photography yet balancing budget, the Olympus E-M10 IV would be my recommendation every time - its sensor and lens ecosystem offer real creative potential. Meanwhile, if you just want a pocket pal to capture everyday moments with no fuss, the WX350 fills that niche with aplomb.

Remember: there’s no single “best” camera universally - only the one that fits your personal journey, budget, and shooting style. Hopefully, this detailed comparison has shed light on which of these two contenders suits your photography needs best.

Happy shooting!

End of Review