Head-to-Head: Olympus OM-D E-M10 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 - An In-Depth Comparative Analysis for Photographers

Selecting the right camera is a decision grounded in nuanced trade-offs between sensor capabilities, ergonomics, autofocus performance, and feature sets tailored to your photographic discipline. This detailed comparison pits the Olympus OM-D E-M10, an entry-level mirrorless camera from 2014, against the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310, an ultra-compact point-and-shoot released in 2010. Both target vastly different segments and use cases yet sometimes occupy overlapping buyer interest for casual-to-enthusiast photographers on budget.

This evaluation dissects every critical facet - from sensor technology to real-world performance - drawing on industry-standard testing methodologies and extensive hands-on trial. Each camera is tested under similar conditions to derive practical conclusions to empower your purchase decision.

Physical Design and Ergonomics: Size, Handling, and Controls

At first encounter, the Olympus E-M10 offers substantially larger physical dimensions (119x82x46mm, 396g) compared to the Sony W310 (95x55x19mm, 137g). The E-M10’s SLR-style mirrorless body affords a tactile grip, robust button layout, and dials conducive for manual adjustments. This design reflects Olympus’ mirrorless flagship lineage, emphasizing comprehensive control customization and long shooting sessions with minimal fatigue.

In contrast, the Sony W310 is a compact ultra-portable device intended for opportunistic snapshot photography. Its minimal size and pocketability come with sacrifices in manual control and handling comfort during prolonged use. The device eschews physical dials, relying on basic menu navigation and limited physical controls.

The top view further highlights these distinctions: the E-M10’s dedicated mode dial, shutter speed, and exposure compensation dials enable photographers to parameterize exposure quickly and tailor the experience beyond automatic modes. The W310’s top interface is functionally minimal with reduced control scope, prioritizing simplicity but curtailing professional workflow integration.

Takeaway: For photographers valuing direct tactile feedback, fast exposure tweaking, and ergonomic comfort, the Olympus E-M10 stands clearly ahead. The Sony W310’s design suits travelers or casual users prioritizing compactness over manual precision.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

The Olympus E-M10 features a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm sensor area of 224.9 mm²), assisted by the TruePic VII image processor. The Four Thirds sensor size is notably larger than Sony W310’s tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (12MP, 6.17 x 4.55 mm sensor area of 28.07 mm²), with nearly eight times the surface area, directly translating into vastly superior light-gathering capability and image quality.

Practically, this means the Olympus produces significantly superior dynamic range (DxO Mark scores: ~12.3 EV for Olympus vs untested but known inferior performance for Sony CCD), better color depth (22.8 bits vs untested), and cleaner high ISO performance (native ISO 200-25600 vs 100-3200 max on Sony). The E-M10’s inclusion of an anti-alias filter and support for RAW format further consolidates its suitability for advanced photography workflows and post-production flexibility.

On the other hand, the W310’s smaller sensor coupled with CCD technology limits its performance in challenging lighting - resulting in increased noise, reduced tonal subtleties, and diminished color fidelity, particularly at ISO speeds above 400. Additionally, the fixed lens and lack of RAW support restrict the scope for creative control.

Autofocus Systems: Precision, Speed, and Tracking Capability

The Olympus E-M10 employs a contrast-detection autofocus system operating across 81 focus points, augmented by face detection and eye detection autofocus (AF) capabilities, which are critical in genres such as portrait photography. The camera supports continuous, single, and tracking AF modes, enabling responsive focus locks on moving subjects with moderate accuracy and speed.

In contrast, the Sony W310 uses a contrast-detection AF system with only 9 focusing points, lacks face detection or eye AF, and does not support continuous AF or tracking. Its autofocus is calibrated for still, static scenes and struggles under low-light or fast-motion conditions.

This divergence is starkest in:

• Portraiture: Olympus’s eye detection AF allows precise focus on subjects’ eyes for sharp, engaging portraits.
• Wildlife and Sports: Olympus’s tracking AF and faster continuous autofocus are better suited for dynamic subjects.

Testing Methodology Insight: Using live tracking sequences and subject motion analysis in controlled studio and outdoor environments, the Olympus E-M10 consistently maintained focus lock with minimal hunting, unlike the Sony W310, which exhibited delayed focus acquisition and losses under rapid movement.

Display and Viewfinding Experience

The Olympus features a robust tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 1,037k-dot resolution, facilitating composition from unconventional angles and simplifying menu navigation and focus point selection. The electronic viewfinder (EVF), at 1,440k-dot resolution and 100% coverage, provides a reliable, eye-level framing experience even in bright daylight - indispensable for mindful compositions in landscape and street photography.

The Sony W310 relies solely on a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with only 230k-dot resolution, offering limited usability in bright environments and no viewfinder whatsoever. No touchscreen functionality is present, which compounds operational difficulty in fast-paced situations.

User Interface Analysis: While basic menus and operation suit the Sony's target demographic, Olympus provides a more flexible and ergonomic shooting experience, especially important in output-critical work and multi-angle photography.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Versatility

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 employs the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, which accesses a wide array of 107 native lenses spanning focal lengths and price points - from wide-angle primes ideal for landscapes and astrophotography to super-telephoto zooms crucial for wildlife and sports. This vast ecosystem allows tailored optical solutions and supports third-party manufacturers.

Sony W310 is a fixed-lens system featuring an integrated 28-112mm equivalent zoom (4x optical) with max apertures f/3.0-5.8. While serviceable for casual shooting, it fails to offer interchangeable optics and corresponding creative latitude.

The Olympus is compatible with lenses that offer image stabilization and fast apertures, directly influencing bokeh quality in portraits and low-light performance, whereas the Sony’s fixed lens provides limited background separation due to smaller sensor size and slower apertures.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds

The Olympus features a max mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000 sec and continuous shooting up to 8 frames per second (fps), beneficial for sports, wildlife, and action photography. While its maximum shutter speed might be modest compared to top-tier models, it suffices for freeze-frame capture in most normal scenarios.

The Sony offers a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000 sec and continuous shooting at a mere 1 fps, underscoring its limited suitability for fast subjects.

Video Recording Capabilities

The Olympus E-M10 records 1080p Full HD video at 30fps with H.264 codec support and offers advanced features like manual exposure during video and sensor-based image stabilization which helps reduce handheld shake.

Sony W310 records low-resolution VGA (640x480) video only at 30fps and stores data in Motion JPEG format. Additionally, it lacks microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio recording quality and post-production monitoring.

Videographers seeking usable full-HD recording with stabilization will find the Olympus vastly preferable.

Battery Life and Storage

The Olympus E-M10’s BLS-5 battery supports approximately 320 shots per charge (CIPA standard), a respectable number given its feature set and electronic viewfinder demands. It uses standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

Sony W310's specifications do not provide official battery life figures; however, ultra-compact cameras typically offer around 200-300 shots per charge using small proprietary batteries like NP-BN1, with support for SD and Memory Stick formats.

Connectivity and Additional Features

In terms of connectivity, the Olympus includes built-in wireless (Wi-Fi), allowing for image transfer, remote control via smartphone apps, and instant sharing workflows increasingly important to modern photographers. It supports HDMI output and USB 2.0, integrating well with external accessories and computers.

The Sony W310 lacks wireless connectivity and HDMI out. It has USB 2.0 but no GPS, Bluetooth, or NFC capabilities, limiting integration with modern workflows.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or weatherproofing. The Olympus, however, has a solid-feeling body typical of mirrorless cameras with metal components, whereas the Sony’s plastic construction reflects its budget-centric ultra-compact segment.

Performance Scores and Genre Suitability

Industry scoring reflects Olympus’s superiority in dynamic range, color depth, and low-light ISO. Sony’s overall DxO Mark figures are untested but can be inferred as relatively low based on sensor characteristics and dated technology.

This table, derived from combined lab and field tests, illustrates usage suitability:

• Portraits: Olympus excels with larger sensor and eye-detection AF.
• Landscape: Superior dynamic range and resolution make Olympus optimal.
• Wildlife and Sports: Olympus’ autofocus, burst shooting, and lens system are fit for purpose.
• Street: Sony’s discrete size advantages in urban candid shooting sometimes helpful but at cost of image quality.
• Macro and Night: Olympus gains from manual focus capabilities and improved high-ISO performance.
• Video: Olympus supports higher-quality capture and stabilization.
• Travel: Sony’s compact size and light weight are attractive but limited versatility.
• Professional Work: Olympus supports RAW, manual controls, and workflow integration required for professionals; Sony does not.

Sample Image Quality Comparison

Olympus E M10 front Olympus E M10 screen back Sony W310 screen back

In controlled lighting, Olympus E-M10 images exhibit richer tonal gradients, clearer details, and pleasant bokeh background blurring facilitated by its larger sensor and interchangeable lenses. Sony W310 images are prone to noise, limited depth of field, and reduced fine detail by comparison.

Summary Recommendations by Use Case

Conclusion

This exhaustive comparison crystallizes the Olympus OM-D E-M10 as a capable, feature-rich entry-level mirrorless camera suitable for advanced amateurs and professionals prioritizing image quality, optical versatility, and manual operation. Its Four Thirds sensor and robust control interface deliver superior images across genres commonly encountered in portrait, landscape, wildlife, and low-light photography.

Conversely, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 represents an early 2010 ultra-compact point-and-shoot aimed at convenience and casual shooting, lacking in manual controls, sensor size benefits, and video capabilities. It remains attractive for absolute beginners or travelers where minimal size and ease of operation overrules creative control and image fidelity.

Ultimately, the Olympus E-M10 offers substantially superior practical and technical performance for those willing to carry a larger camera and invest in lenses. The Sony W310 is a compact solution for straightforward snapshots but severely limits photographic growth and image quality potential.

The choice between these two cameras should be informed by your creative ambitions, portability requirements, budget constraints, and whether you prioritize image quality or convenience. Having personally tested and evaluated both, I affirm that the Olympus E-M10 is the more future-proof investment for photographers seeking meaningful control and performance.