Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony W380

Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony W380: An Expert Comparison for Real-World Photography Needs

In the evolving landscape of digital imaging technology, cameras designed for vastly different user segments sometimes invite side-by-side comparisons that can shed light on both the rapid development pace and the diversity of photographic tools available. Here, we conduct a thorough, practical examination of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III (hereafter, E-M10 III) and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380 (W380) - two cameras released seven years apart, targeting entry-level and ultracompact markets respectively.

This analysis draws upon extensive hands-on testing, sensor performance data, and real-world usage scenarios to deliver an authoritative assessment for photographers considering these models.

Physical size and ergonomics comparison: Olympus E-M10 III (left) vs Sony W380 (right)

Form Factor and Handling: Bulk and Control Layout

At first glance and to the tactile enthusiast, the Olympus E-M10 III and Sony W380 occupy fundamentally different design philosophies and body types.

Olympus E-M10 III adopts a classic SLR-style mirrorless form factor, measuring 122 x 84 x 50 mm and weighing 410g with battery. This provides substantial grip area, physical controls, and a modular feel. The physical dimensions reflect a focus on tactile feedback, durability, and ease of manual operation.

Sony W380, by contrast, embodies the ultracompact category, measuring just 91 x 52 x 20 mm and weighing only 117g. Its diminutive profile emphasizes portability and pocketability but severely limits ergonomic refinement and manual control surfaces.

While the W380’s compactness appeals to minimalists and casual point-and-shoot users, the Olympus affords more substantial handhold stability, vital for extended shooting sessions and manual adjustments crucial in advanced photography disciplines.

Ergonomically, the E-M10 III’s body includes a joystick for autofocus point control and multiple dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation - essential tools for experienced shooters seeking precision. The W380, lacking manual dials or customizable buttons, restricts operation mostly to automated modes, severely limiting creative control.

Top-Down View: Controls and User Interface

Top view design and control layout comparison highlights Olympus’s dedicated dials and Sony’s simplified interface.

A detailed look at the top plate reveals the Olympus’s advanced ergonomics: dedicated mode dial, exposure compensation button, customizable Fn button, and physical shutter release with lever; these features support rapid parameter adjustments without menu digging.

The Sony’s top controls consist primarily of a shutter button and a minimal mode dial. Its user interface is necessarily streamlined, with most settings adjusted via menus and no touchscreen capability. This design sacrifices operational fluidity and responsiveness.

The Olympus’s tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD and high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) provide versatile framing options in varying shooting scenarios, whereas the Sony W380 has a fixed 2.7 inch non-touch LCD with mere 230k-dot resolution and no viewfinder, limiting precise composition in bright conditions.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Sensor specifications and resultant image quality differences informed by sensor area and pixel count.

The most consequential technological disparity lies in the cameras' sensors.

• Olympus E-M10 III employs a Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.4 x 13 mm with an area of 226.2 mm², featuring 16 megapixels at a native ISO range of 200-25600. Its sensor design benefits from the TruePic VIII processor for efficient noise reduction and color fidelity.

• Sony W380 relies on a small 1/2.3” CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, 28.07 mm²), offering 14 megapixels with a much lower maximum ISO of 3200.

The almost eightfold difference in sensor surface area translates directly to marked superiority in dynamic range, color depth, and low-light performance for the Olympus. Practically, E-M10 III’s images exhibit cleaner shadows, richer tones, and finer detail preservation, especially at higher ISOs.

The W380’s sensor, constrained by size and CCD technology, produces adequate daylight images but struggles notably with noise at ISO levels above 400. This sensor is representative of compact cameras from the early 2010s, where pixel density and noise reduction tech were comparatively limited.

Display and Viewfinder

Articulating touchscreen of the Olympus offers compositional versatility, unlike Sony W380’s fixed non-touch LCD.

The Olympus’s 3-inch tilting OLED touchscreen with 1040k-dot resolution supports intuitive touch AF point selection and menu navigation. The tilting mechanism aids low or high-angle shooting scenarios and macro framing assistance.

In contrast, the Sony’s fixed 2.7-inch LCD with 230k-dot resolution provides a basic live view with no touch capabilities, diminishing user interactivity and convenience. The absence of an EVF forces framing exclusively through the LCD, hampering usability under bright sunlight.

For precise composition and fast focusing feedback, the Olympus’s 2.36M-dot OLED EVF with 100% coverage and 0.62x magnification is a decisive advantage, enabling more reliable manual focusing and subject tracking.

Autofocus Capabilities and Performance

Autofocus (AF) system robustness significantly affects suitability for various photography genres.

The Olympus E-M10 III features a contrast-detection AF system with 121 focus points and face detection capabilities but lacks phase-detection AF. Despite this, it demonstrates reliable accuracy and acceptable speed in good light conditions. It also supports continuous AF tracking for moving subjects, which benefits wildlife and sports shooting at an entry level.

The Sony W380 offers a much simpler AF system with only 9 focus points based on contrast detection. It lacks face or eye detection and offers no continuous AF ability beyond limited single-shot focus. Consequently, AF speed and focusing reliability are modest and best suited for static subjects or casual snapshots.

Performance in Various Photography Disciplines

To assist targeted buyers, we analyze each camera’s capability across major photography genres.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus E-M10 III: The larger sensor and better color fidelity enable superior skin tone rendering. The lens ecosystem allows for fast primes capable of pleasing bokeh effects. Its face detection AF and 121-area AF grid improve eye focus reliability, essential for sharp portraits.

• Sony W380: Its smaller sensor yields flatter skin rendering with less dynamic range. Limited lens flexibility and default kit lens aperture (F2.4-5.9) constrain background separation. AF reliability for eye or face detection is absent, reducing ease of use in portraiture.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus E-M10 III: Offers high resolution (16MP), wide dynamic range, and the use of high-quality MFT lenses. The camera’s weather sealing is absent, which requires caution in adverse environments. Its articulating screen aids handheld composition. ISO performance allows for handheld shooting in variable light.

• Sony W380: The small sensor limits dynamic range and detail, and the slow kit lens limits low-light landscape shooting. Lack of manual exposure controls limits creative choices for landscape photography.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Olympus E-M10 III: Burst shooting at 8.6 fps and continuous AF make it reasonably competent for entry-level wildlife or sports. The Micro Four Thirds lens availability includes compatible telephoto options to leverage the 2.0x crop factor for extended reach.

• Sony W380: Continuous shooting capped at 2 fps and limited AF points reduce tracking ability. The fixed lens’s focal range is only moderately telephoto (up to 120mm equivalent), restricting wildlife reach.

Street Photography

• Olympus E-M10 III: While relatively compact for a mirrorless, it is still larger and more conspicuous than the W380. Its noisier shutter and larger body may draw more attention, but superior image quality and manual controls offer serious advantages.

• Sony W380: Ultraportable, highly concealable, and ready for spontaneous street captures, it excels in discreteness but sacrifices image quality and creative control.

Macro Photography

• Olympus E-M10 III: Sensor stabilization coupled with compatible MFT macro lenses offers reliable close-focus capability and sharp results.

• Sony W380: Macro focus down to 5cm is decent for casual closeups, although limited optical quality and small sensor hinder detail resolution.

Night and Astrophotography

• Olympus E-M10 III: Offers ISO up to 25600 and features in-body 5-axis sensor stabilization, essential for handheld low-light and night shooting. However, noise becomes challenging at very high ISO settings. The camera supports timelapse recording for astrophotography sequences.

• Sony W380: Limited ISO ceiling (3200), slow lens apertures, and absence of stabilization restrict performance. The camera cannot shoot manual long exposures needed for astrophotography.

Video Capabilities

The Olympus supports 4K UHD (3840x2160) video at 30p with an exceptional 102 Mbps bit rate, leveraging the TruePic VIII processor. It records in MOV format with H.264 codec internally and linear PCM audio. The combination of 5-axis sensor stabilization and electronic image stabilization ensures smooth handheld footage.

The Sony W380 provides limited HD 720p video at 30 fps, recorded as Motion JPEG, resulting in larger file sizes and lower video quality. No manual controls or stabilization during video are available, and no external mic input restricts audio quality improvement options.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Reliability

Neither camera features extensive weather sealing or rugged body construction, imposing usage restrictions in harsh environments. The Olympus’s metal chassis affirms better durability and reliability under field conditions compared to the plastic-bodied Sony.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds mount supports over 100 lenses from Olympus and third-party makers, enabling photographers to tailor their gear across prime, zoom, macro, and super-telephoto options. This modularity is critical for professional or serious amateur workflows.

Sony W380’s fixed lens system confines users to its proprietary 24-120mm equivalent zoom range with no possibility for lens changes or upgrades.

Ergonomics, Interface, and User Experience

Olympus’s interface merges physical controls, an articulated touchscreen, and a bright EVF to offer versatile, hands-on photo-making. User menus are logically structured with quick access to common parameters.

Sony W380 relies heavily on basic buttons and menu cycles with no touchscreen or viewfinder assistance, offering a less satisfying and less efficient photographic experience.

Battery Life and Storage

Olympus E-M10 III uses the BLS-50 battery pack with approximately 330 shots per charge, typical for mirrorless cameras but shorter than DSLR counterparts. The W380’s Li-ion NP-BN1 battery life is undocumented but generally limited due to size and power constraints.

Both cameras use single card slots; the Olympus supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards including UHS-I/II for fast write speeds, improving workflow efficiency. The Sony supports SD cards but also proprietary Memory Stick formats, potentially complicating future media compatibility.

Connectivity

Olympus includes built-in Wi-Fi for wireless image transfer and remote control, beneficial for tethered workflows and quick sharing. It lacks Bluetooth and NFC.

Sony W380 contains no wireless connectivity options, restricting image transfer to cable or card readers.

Price-to-Performance Evaluation

At launch, the Olympus E-M10 III was priced around $650, reflecting its sophisticated sensor, hybrid manual controls, and advanced feature set. The Sony W380’s very low historical price (~$44) corresponds with its budget ultracompact positioning.

From a value perspective, the Olympus delivers compelling performance and versatility for entry-level to enthusiast photographers. The Sony W380 suits casual snapshot users on extreme budgets who prioritize portability over quality or flexibility.

Olympus E M10 MIII front Olympus E M10 MIII screen back Sony W380 front Sony W380 screen back

Summarized Performance Ratings

Specialized Genre Scores and Recommendations

Practical Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

• Choose Olympus E-M10 III if:

  • You require manual control over exposure and focus.
  • Prioritize image quality with better noise performance.
  • Shoot in various genres: portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, macro, and video.
  • Desire an expandable lens system.
  • Need stabilization for handheld low-light shooting.
  • Value connectivity and raw file support.

• Choose Sony W380 if:

  • Ultra-compact size and weight are paramount.
  • Budget is extremely limited.
  • You shoot casual stills in good lighting.
  • Portability outweighs image quality concerns.
  • Simplicity and automation are desired over manual control.
  • Video and wireless features are unnecessary.

Conclusion: Contextualizing the Olympus E-M10 III and Sony W380

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III stands as a versatile entry-level mirrorless camera delivering advanced image quality, a rich feature set, and a robust system for photographers looking to grow their skills and creative expression. Its sensor size and controls confer significant advantages across all practical photography disciplines relevant to enthusiast and semi-professional use.

Conversely, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380, representative of older generation compact cameras, caters to limited use cases focused on point-and-shoot convenience, sacrificing image quality, control, and flexibility. Its design prioritizes compactness and simplicity, making it a viable choice only in highly constrained budget or space scenarios.

For discerning photography enthusiasts and professionals evaluating either camera, the Olympus E-M10 III offers a more future-proof, capable, and rewarding photographic experience, whereas the Sony W380 is a niche ultracompact with inherent limitations.

This thorough comparison should empower readers to align their photographic requirements, budgets, and ergonomic preferences with the cameras’ capabilities documented herein. The assessment reflects exhaustive testing and technical appraisal consistent with expert photographic evaluation standards.