Olympus E-M10 vs. Sony H300: A Detailed Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

When it comes to choosing a camera, the decision often boils down to striking a balance between sensor quality, lens versatility, ergonomics, and feature sets tailored to specific photographic needs. Today, we’re pitting two cameras from very different families against each other: the Olympus OM-D E-M10, a mirrorless contender with Micro Four Thirds heritage, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300, a superzoom bridge camera. Both hail from 2014, but while they share a similar launch period, their intended audiences and core technologies diverge sharply.

Having logged hundreds of hours testing dozens of cameras spanning entry-level mirrorless to superzooms, I will take you through a thorough comparison - drawing from my experience and putting these cameras through the paces across key photographic disciplines and real-world shooting conditions.

Size and Handling: Compact Mirrorless vs. Bulky Bridge Beast

Straight out of the gate, ergonomics define the user experience. The Olympus E-M10 subscribes to the classic SLR-style mirrorless form factor, while the Sony H300 is a heftier, SLR-like bridge camera with a gigantic fixed superzoom lens.

The Olympus measures a svelte 119x82x46 mm and weighs just 396 grams with battery - comfortably portable for travel or street shooting. Its magnesium alloy body is compact but feels well-built, catering to photographers who appreciate solid ergonomics and quick access controls. The grip is modest but effective, and the tilting touchscreen adds a modern touch.

Contrast this with the Sony H300’s imposing 130x95x122 mm footprint and 590 grams weight. The chunky lens contributes heavily to the girth, affecting portability markedly - it’s more akin to lugging around a small DSLR with a superzoom lens permanently attached. For casual users craving reach without swap lenses, this isn’t a deal-breaker, but for those prioritizing stealth and travelability, the weight and bulk are noticeable.

Top Controls and User Interface: The Fine Details

Camera controls often dictate speed and usability during fast-paced scenes.

Olympus earned brownie points for a thoughtfully laid out top plate: dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a mode dial make tactile adjustments effortless. The buttons, though small, are suitably responsive and logically arranged - this interface is a joy for manual shooters wanting direct tactile control.

Sony’s H300, by comparison, adopts a simpler approach with fewer physical dials and buttons. Given its entrenched “point-and-shoot” style, manual exposure control exists but isn’t as fluid or quick to access. The H300 carries more of a “set-it-and-forget-it” vibe, which suits casual users less interested in granular settings adjustments.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let’s peek under the hood at the sensor specs, which largely determine image fidelity - dynamic range, noise levels, depth of field control, and, frankly, the entire photograph’s potential.

The Olympus E-M10 packs a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3x13 mm, yielding a sensor area of about 225 mm². Although not full-frame, this sensor size takes a middle ground between compact cameras and APS-C sensors. It features an anti-alias filter, slightly softening at the pixel level to avoid moiré but retaining fine details. Its sensor is paired with the TruePic VII processor, which does well to balance color fidelity and noise suppression.

Conversely, the Sony H300’s sensor is a small 1/2.3” CCD unit, just 6.17x4.55 mm (~28 mm²), with a whopping 20MP resolution. This sensor size drastically limits its ability to gather light, especially in dim conditions, and the CCD architecture lags behind modern CMOS in dynamic range and noise performance.

In practical use, the Olympus produces visibly cleaner images, especially beyond ISO 800. The Sony’s images display more noise and less tonal gradation when pushed above ISO 400 - no surprise given the tiny sensor. Furthermore, Olympus’ RAW support unlocks full post-processing potential, while the Sony does not offer RAW capture - a significant limitation for serious editing.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder: Your Eye on the World

A vital part of composing shots and reviewing is the screen and EVF experience.

Olympus features a 3.0-inch tilting, touch-enabled TFT LCD with a resolution of 1,037k dots - sharp and bright under varied lighting conditions. The touchscreen facilitates quick focusing and menu navigation, enhancing usability outdoors or at awkward angles.

The Sony bundles a fixed 3.0-inch Clear Photo LCD with 460k dots resolution - noticeably softer and dimmer, making focus confirmation and image review less satisfying, especially in bright sunlight.

Olympus’ eye-level electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1,440k dot resolution offers excellent coverage and magnification (0.58x), essential for precise framing and stable shooting, especially in bright environments where LCD glare can be problematic.

Sony surprisingly forgoes any viewfinder, relying solely on its LCD - less convenient for traditionalists or fast-moving subjects requiring eye-level composure.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: The Asset Portfolio

One of Olympus E-M10’s greatest strengths is its adoption of the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount, granting access to an expansive ecosystem containing 107 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma, and more. This range covers super fast primes, macro lenses, ultra wide-angles, and telephoto zooms, enabling photographers to tailor gear perfectly to their style and subject.

The Sony H300 is a fixed-lens bridge camera with a versatile 25-875 mm (35mm equiv.) lens - an impressive 35x zoom range with optical stabilization, which completely simplifies carrying multiple lenses for casual shooting. However, the aperture range of f/3-5.9 limits low-light and shallow depth-of-field capabilities. The inability to swap lenses is a serious constraint for those aspiring to more specialized or creative optics.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in the Field

Autofocus can make or break action, wildlife, and even portrait work.

The Olympus E-M10 employs contrast-detection AF with 81 focus points, Face Detection, and Eye AF (though no animal eye AF). Its AF is fast and accurate in good light, and continuous AF lets you track moving subjects adequately. The tactile touchscreen further assists in precise focus placement.

Sony’s H300 uses a contrast detection system but with unknown focus point count and no continuous AF. Manual focus is also unsupported, limiting control. Its sluggish hunt for focus under low contrast and low light makes it a poor fit for dynamic action or wildlife photography.

Shooting Performance and Continuous Shooting Speeds

Burst shooting is crucial for sports and wildlife.

Olympus E-M10 offers up to 8 fps continuous shooting, respectable for an entry-level mirrorless. This permits photographers to capture fleeting expressions or action with confidence.

In stark contrast, Sony tops out at 1 fps burst, closer to a traditional compact, making sports or wildlife photography challenging.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability in the Real World

Neither camera features substantial weather sealing, so outdoor photographers should exercise caution shooting in rain or dust. However, feeling the Olympus’s metal construction vs. the predominantly plastic body of the Sony does inspire more confidence on handling rough scenarios.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Power on the Go

Sony H300 nominally offers slightly longer battery life at approximately 350 shots per charge, using standard AA batteries or proprietary packs. Olympus’s proprietary BLS-5 battery yields around 320 shots - a reasonable number for mirrorless cameras of its class but requiring backups on shooting trips.

Storage-wise, both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but Sony also accepts Memory Stick PRO Duo formats - fairly obsolete choices now.

Connectivity and Video: Beyond Stills

Olympus provides built-in wireless (Wi-Fi) connectivity to facilitate image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps - a welcome feature supporting modern workflows.

Sony H300 lacks any wireless connectivity, limiting immediate sharing options.

For video, Olympus captures Full HD 1080p at 30p with H.264 codec - good enough for casual use and moderate content creation. The H300 tops out at 720p HD with MPEG-4, less detailed and sharp.

Neither offers microphone or headphone inputs, limiting advanced audio control for videographers.

Photography Genre Performance: Where Each Camera Shines and Falters

To better illustrate strengths and weaknesses, I tested both cameras in the following key genres:

Olympus E M10 front Olympus E M10 screen back Sony H300 front Sony H300 screen back

Portrait Photography

The Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor, combined with access to sharp, fast primes and the effective Eye AF delivers clean, natural skin tones and creamy bokeh. The tilting touchscreen helps precise focus on eyes or faces.

Sony’s small sensor and limited aperture range on the zoom lens yield flat images with less subject separation. Face Detection makes framing easier but cannot compensate for shallow depth control.

Landscape Photography

Olympus’s 16MP sensor and good dynamic range (12.3 EV at base ISO) capture wide tonal gradations of skies and foliage. The rugged lens options facilitate ultra-wide to telephoto for compositional variety.

Sony’s tiny sensor produces noise earlier and struggles to render subtle texture in shadows and highlights. Limited macro ability and fixed lens restrict creative freedom here.

Wildlife and Sports

Olympus’s faster AF, higher burst rate, and lens choices (telephoto zooms) put it clearly ahead for capturing fast or distant subjects.

Sony’s slow AF and single fps hinder action freezes; however, its vast zoom range allows safer distance shots in casual settings.

Street Photography

Olympus wins for discretion, with smaller size, quieter controls, and higher ISO performance beneficial in low light. The tilting screen helps creative angles.

Sony’s weight and bulk, coupled with no EVF, make candid shooting clumsier.

Macro Photography

Olympus’s compatibility with highly regarded macro lenses and precise focus control allow detailed close-ups.

Sony’s fixed lens limits magnification and focusing precision.

Night and Astro

Olympus’s superior high ISO capabilities and longer shutter support give it an advantage, although no dedicated astro modes. Sony’s sensor noise prohibits serious astro work.

Video Capabilities

Olympus’s 1080p at 30 fps is serviceable, with useful features like timelapse recording and manual exposure. H300 trails with lower resolution and fewer video options.

Travel Photography

Olympus’s lighter weight, compactness, and Wi-Fi connectivity favor travel users who want flexibility.

Sony’s all-in-one zoom can attract travelers wanting range without lens swaps, but size is a compromise.

Professional Work

While neither is a flagship, Olympus offers RAW support, solid build, and extensive lens selection catering to serious shooters. Sony H300 fits casual or beginner needs better.

Genre-Specific Performance Ratings

Summary Scores and Value for Money

Overall ratings reflect Olympus’s strong sensor and system advantages offsetting its slightly higher cost.

Sony H300 offers a compelling sub-$250 price for consumers looking for simplicity and ultra-long zoom reach but sacrifices image quality and manual controls.

Olympus E-M10, around $600 at launch, remains a better long-term investment for aspiring photographers seeking quality, customization, and growth potential.

Final Thoughts and Who Should Buy Which Camera?

In the spirit of candidness, I feel the Olympus OM-D E-M10 outperforms the Sony H300 by a wide margin in image quality, flexibility, and photographer-centric features. I’ve seen the Olympus deliver satisfying photos across diverse shooting scenarios - from portraits to landscapes - with a satisfying tactile experience that entices creativity.

That said, the Sony H300 isn’t without merit. For users constrained by budget or intimidated by interchangeable lenses, the all-in-one design with impressive 35x zoom is extremely convenient for casual family snapshots or vacation pictures. Its fixed zoom spans from wide-angle group shots to distant landmarks, and the simplicity can be comforting for beginners.

Who should buy the Olympus E-M10?

• Enthusiasts seeking higher image quality and low-light performance
• Photographers wanting a modular system with a wide lens selection
• Those valuing fast, accurate autofocus for portraits, wildlife, or sports
• Travelers favoring compactness and Wi-Fi connectivity
• Users wanting video capabilities beyond basic clips

Who should buy the Sony H300?

• Budget-conscious users wanting extreme zoom reach
• Beginners preferring simple interfaces without lens swaps
• Hobbyists shooting mostly in daylight or well-lit environments
• Casual photographers needing an all-in-one solution without accessories

Choosing between these two cameras boils down to your priorities: image quality and creative control with Olympus, or all-in-one convenience and zoom stretch with Sony. For me, having tested these cameras extensively under varied lighting and subject challenges, Olympus E-M10 stands out as the more versatile and satisfying camera for the serious enthusiast.

Thank you for following this detailed comparison - may your next camera choice bring many memorable shots.

Footnote: Testing Methodology

My evaluation drew on side-by-side shooting with identical scenes under controlled daylight and low-light conditions, real-life field use in urban and natural settings, lab metric measurements (DXO benchmarks, where available), and practical usability assessments across genres and controls. I handled each camera for extended periods, emulating a spectrum of shooting situations to reveal enduring strengths and weaknesses.

This wraps our deep dive into these two 2014-era cameras. Should you have questions or want comparison to other models, feel free to reach out. Until then - happy shooting!