Olympus E-M1X vs Sony W570

Comparing the Olympus E-M1X and Sony W570: A Deep Dive into Two Disparate Cameras for Distinct Needs

In the constantly evolving photography landscape, camera offerings vary greatly - from compact point-and-shoots to professional-grade mirrorless systems. This article undertakes a comprehensive comparative evaluation of two fundamentally different cameras: the Olympus OM-D E-M1X, a flagship professional mirrorless camera introduced in early 2019, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570, an entry-level ultracompact fixed-lens camera launched in 2011. By examining technical specifications, real-world usability, and domain-specific performance across various photography genres, this analysis seeks to guide serious enthusiasts and professionals in making informed choices tailored to their shooting contexts and budgets.

The two cameras represent starkly different ends of the photographic tool spectrum both in size and capability. Their juxtaposition highlights how camera design philosophy, sensor technology, and operational complexity influence photographic results and user experience. This review extends beyond spec comparison to include nuanced assessments drawn from extensive hands-on testing methodologies and standardized evaluation criteria.

1. Form Factor, Handling, and Ergonomics

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is a robust, SLR-style mirrorless camera designed for extended professional use, weighing nearly 1 kilogram (997g). Its dimensions (144x147x75 mm) afford substantial grip, extensive button placement, and comprehensive control options enabling tactile precision and operational efficiency in demanding environments. Conversely, the Sony W570 weighs just 116g and measures a compact 91x52x19 mm, emphasizing extreme portability and convenience for casual use at the expense of manual control capability.

Ergonomically, the E-M1X features a large articulated 3-inch touchscreen (1037k dots) and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a generous magnification (0.74x) and 2.36 million-dot resolution, facilitating accurate framing under challenging lighting conditions. The Sony W570’s 2.7-inch fixed display, by comparison, offers a much lower resolution (230k dots) and lacks an EVF, relying solely on rear LCD composition which is less effective in bright environments.

The dual TruePic VIII processors within the Olympus confer rapid responsiveness to user input alongside dual battery compartments extending shooting duration, underscoring its role as a professional tool for prolonged sessions. In contrast, the W570’s limited processing and single NP-BN1 battery restrict its endurance and operational scope. Physical button placement on the Olympus is extensive albeit complex, whereas the Sony is minimalist with most functions automated and absent of manual exposure modes.

Practical Takeaway: Professionals valuing ergonomic control and durability will find the E-M1X’s heft and build advantageous, particularly in fieldwork involving harsh weather – thanks to its environmental sealing. Casual users prioritizing unobtrusiveness and convenience will benefit from the W570’s pocket-friendly profile but will relinquish manual control and advanced features.

2. Sensor Technology and Image Quality

At the core, the Olympus E-M1X employs a Four Thirds type CMOS sensor measuring 17.4 x 13 mm (226.2 mm²) with a native resolution of 20 megapixels, integrating a conventional optical anti-aliasing filter. The image sensor's size strikes a balance between compact system design and image fidelity, paired with the Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem encompassing 107 native lenses, offering versatility and professional-grade optics. The E-M1X supports RAW capture, critical for post-processing latitude.

In stark contrast, the Sony W570 utilizes a significantly smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, 28.07 mm²), with a 16-megapixel count and integrated anti-aliasing filter. The fixed lens optics offer a focal range equivalent to 25–125mm (5x optical zoom) at f/2.6–6.3 aperture, aimed at general purpose snapshots rather than precision image making. The W570 lacks RAW support, limiting post-capture adjustments and constraining professional workflow adaptability.

Image Quality Metrics: The E-M1X's Four Thirds sensor exhibits superior dynamic range, reduced noise at high ISOs, and richer color depth under controlled testing, benefiting from advanced sensor readout and the dual TruePic VIII processors’ noise reduction algorithms. Meanwhile, the W570’s small sensor yields acceptable image quality in bright daylight but exhibits increased noise and limited dynamic range in low-light or high-contrast scenarios.

The Olympus native ISO range spans 200–25600 (expandable down to 64), directly translating to flexibility in varied lighting conditions, whereas the Sony native ISO tops at 3200 with a minimum of 80, emphasizing daylight and well-lit interiors.

Practical Takeaway: Professionals requiring superior image fidelity, dynamic tonal gradation, and substantial post-processing flexibility should consider the E-M1X unequivocally. Casual photographers capturing spontaneous moments in well-lit environments may find the W570 sufficient, though image quality compromises at higher ISOs are pronounced.

3. Autofocus System and Performance

The Olympus E-M1X boasts a sophisticated autofocus (AF) system featuring 121 contrast and phase-detection points, along with eye-detection AF capability, expanded face tracking, and continuous autofocus suitable for high-speed subjects. This AF system is complemented by customizable AF modes including single, continuous, selective, and tracking, tailored for diverse photographic scenarios. Face and eye detection extend to human subjects, augmenting portrait accuracy, although animal eye detection is not supported.

Conversely, the Sony W570 offers a rudimentary contrast-detection AF system with only 9 focus points, lacking face or eye detection capabilities. Autofocus speed and accuracy are modest, adequate for casual snapshots but unsuitable for precise or fast-moving subjects.

Continuous AF or AF tracking is not supported by the W570, which also lacks manual focus assistance or focus peaking - a potential frustration for users attempting close-up compositions or action captures.

Testing Methodology Reference: In controlled testing environments involving multiple moving subjects and varying light conditions, the E-M1X’s AF tracking maintained accurate focus with minimal hunting, even at the maximum 60 fps burst rate. The W570 showed inconsistent focusing on moving objects and slow acquisition in dimmer scenes.

Practical Takeaway: Serious professionals and enthusiasts requiring reliable AF for wildlife, sports, or fast-action shooting will find the E-M1X’s autofocus system indispensable. For casual users capturing static subjects or general family moments, the W570’s modest AF may suffice, though situational limitations should be anticipated.

4. Continuous Shooting Speed and Burst Mode

Burst shooting capabilities directly influence a camera’s ability to capture decisive moments in fast-paced photography genres such as sports and wildlife. The Olympus E-M1X provides a remarkable 60 fps continuous shooting rate (with continuous AF enabled), an industry-leading figure for mirrorless cameras at announcement time, facilitated by the dual TruePic VIII processors. Buffer depth supports extended bursts with minimal slowdown, suitable for action-intensive workflows.

The Sony W570 allows a single frame per second for continuous shooting, effectively limiting its capacity for rapid sequential captures. This restriction, combined with slower AF, makes the W570 ill-suited for dynamic scenarios requiring rapid temporal resolution.

Practical Takeaway: Professionals specializing in sports, wildlife, or any fast-action photography will find the Olympus’s burst rate a compelling advantage. The W570 is best reserved for stationary or slow-moving subjects where burst speed is inconsequential.

5. Video Capabilities and Stabilization

The Olympus E-M1X records 4K UHD video at 24 fps with high-bitrate (237 Mbps) H.264 compression in MOV containers, coupled with Linear PCM audio, providing high-quality footage suitable for professional multimedia projects. The camera includes in-body 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization, significantly reducing handheld shake and expanding handheld video usability. External microphone and headphone ports facilitate advanced sound recording and monitoring setups, an essential feature for videographers.

In comparison, the Sony W570 offers 720p HD video at 30 fps with MPEG-4 format and lacks external audio inputs. Its catch-up to stabilization is optical only, centered on lens-based mechanisms, which are insufficient for professional or complex video applications. Frame rate limitations and compressed codecs constrain video quality fidelity.

Practical Takeaway: Specialists demanding professional 4K video functionality with extensive stabilization and audio control will select the E-M1X. The W570 provides only rudimentary video functionality geared towards casual recording.

6. Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Constructed with professional fieldwork in mind, the Olympus E-M1X features comprehensive weather sealing against dust and moisture, aligning with rugged usage profiles commonly encountered in outdoor sports, wildlife, and landscape photography. This resilience affords confidence in challenging climates without auxiliary protection.

The Sony W570 lacks any weather sealing or reinforced build characteristics, typical of ultracompact cameras designed for light, casual use and indoor to mild outdoor conditions.

Practical Takeaway: Professional users requiring reliable shooting in harsh weather must prioritize cameras like the E-M1X. Casual photographers prioritizing facile transport can tolerate the W570’s lack of environmental protection.

7. Battery Life and Storage

The E-M1X utilizes dual removable batteries with a combined life rated at roughly 870 shots per charge, extendable via external charging and USB power delivery options during use. Two SD card slots enable dual-slot recording for backup or overflow, critical in professional workflows.

The W570 uses a proprietary NP-BN1 battery with significantly shorter life, likely below 300 shots per charge, and a single memory card slot accommodating a variety of formats (SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick varieties). USB 2.0 connectivity supports data transfer but not charging.

Practical Takeaway: Extended shooting sessions and dual-slot redundancy make the E-M1X attractive for professional assignments. The W570’s limited battery and single slot suit casual daily shooting.

8. Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The Olympus E-M1X’s native Micro Four Thirds mount accesses an extensive ecosystem of 107 lenses, from fast primes optimized for portraits to super-telephoto zooms for wildlife, supported by image stabilization and autofocus compatibility. This ecosystem enables fine-tuned optical choices per genre.

The Sony W570’s fixed lens configuration restricts user control over optical characteristics, fixed at 25–125mm equivalent range with variable aperture, limiting flexibility.

Practical Takeaway: The Olympus system’s modularity accommodates specialized needs and delivers superior optical performance. The W570 serves as an all-in-one travel snapshot device but lacks the capacity for optical experimentation.

9. Genre-Specific Photography Performance

Using industry-standard evaluation metrics alongside extensive empirical testing, we assess both cameras across major photographic disciplines:

• Portraiture: The E-M1X’s eye detection AF, color reproduction, and bokeh from fast lenses outperform the W570, which lacks facial recognition and renders shallow depth of field only minimally given sensor size.

• Landscape: Superior resolution, dynamic range, weather sealing, and articulation favor the Olympus for landscape shooters.

• Wildlife: The E-M1X’s burst speed and AF tracking are essential; the W570 cannot deliver consistent results.

• Sports: Similar to wildlife, Olympus dominates. The Sony is restricted to static subjects.

• Street Photography: The W570’s quiet operation and compact size offer discreet shooting, though limited image quality and absence of manual controls could frustrate serious street shooters. The E-M1X is more obtrusive but offers better image quality and flexibility.

• Macro: Olympus supports focus bracketing and stacking with compatible lenses, a serious advantage over the W570’s fixed lens and minimal macro capability.

• Night / Astrophotography: The larger sensor and high ISO performance of the Olympus facilitate longer exposures and less noise; the Sony struggles with noise and lacks manual exposure controls.

• Video: Olympus supports 4K video with advanced audio and stabilization; Sony limited to 720p with no external audio.

• Travel: The W570 is pocketable and light but limited in capability; the E-M1X is heavier and more versatile but may be cumbersome for minimalist travel.

• Professional Work: E-M1X’s RAW, speed, reliability, and workflow integration make it appropriate; W570 is unsuitable.

Olympus E M1X front Olympus E M1X screen back Sony W570 front Sony W570 screen back

10. User Interface and Screen Quality

The 3-inch articulated touchscreen on the E-M1X with high resolution and touch-to-focus capability markedly improves operational flexibility, allowing image review and settings adjustment from various angles. Its EVF offers critical compositional assistance in bright light and rapid subject acquisition.

The W570’s low-resolution, fixed LCD restricts compositional precision; the absence of an EVF and touchscreen may diminish user experience, especially outdoors.

11. Connectivity, Wireless, and Additional Features

The Olympus E-M1X incorporates built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, dual SD slots, USB power delivery, microphone & headphone jacks, and HDMI output - features facilitating remote control, geotagging, professional video workflows, and reliable data management.

The Sony W570 provides Eye-Fi connectivity and HDMI out but lacks Bluetooth, GPS, or audio input, limiting wireless convenience and multimedia control.

12. Pricing and Value Proposition

At an MSRP of approximately $3,000 USD (body only), the Olympus E-M1X targets professional photographers who require uncompromising performance and durability.

Retailing at approximately $159 USD, the Sony W570 represents a value-oriented entry-level compact, aimed at casual users without advanced demands.

Final Recommendations

• For Professionals and Enthusiasts: The Olympus OM-D E-M1X delivers an unparalleled blend of ruggedness, image quality, speed, and versatility for demanding photography across genres. Its complexity and cost are warranted only if extended functionality and uncompromised quality are required.

• For Casual and Entry-Level Users: The Sony W570 offers a straightforward, easy-to-use ultracompact camera for snapshot photography and travel simplicity. Its low price and pocket-ready form factor come at the expense of image quality, control, and operational speed.

• For Mixed Use: Users desiring a serious photographic tool with portability may consider intermediate or entry-level mirrorless models bridging the gap rather than choosing between these extremes.

This comparative analysis underscores that camera suitability depends primarily on use case, professional demands, and budget. The Olympus E-M1X substantiates its flagship status with robust engineering and comprehensive features. The Sony W570 remains a cost-effective, convenient option for casual point-and-shoot purchasers.

This review integrates technical expertise drawn from hands-on testing protocols including standardized autofocus tracking, dynamic range measurement, ergonomic assessments, and real-world field trials - aiming to empower photographers with evidence-based guidance for optimized gear choice.