Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony A350: An Expert’s Hands-On Comparative Review

Selecting your next camera is a blend of art and science - weighing specs and pixel peeping through the lens of real-world experience. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 might look like distant relatives on paper (thanks to their different generations, sensor sizes, and design philosophies), but diving deep into their capabilities unveils surprising parallels and shifts in photographic priorities.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the last 15 years - from top-tier pro bodies to niche compacts - I’m here to unpack what each of these cameras excels at, where they wobble, and how they fit into various photography disciplines today. So, buckle up your camera strap - this is going to be a comprehensive ride.

Getting a Feel: Size, Ergonomics and Handling

It’s often the tactile experience that cements (or breaks) one’s love affair with a camera. When I've held the Olympus E-M5 II alongside the Sony A350, the size and handling stood out immediately.

Olympus’s E-M5 II adopts the SLR-style mirrorless form factor, packing its impressive sensor-shift 5-axis stabilization technology into a compact, well-machined magnesium alloy body weighing roughly 469g. Its dimensions (124x85x45mm) translate into a firm yet nimble grip that begs for extended handheld shooting sessions. Compare that to the bulkier Sony A350, a more traditional, entry-level DSLR (131x99x75mm, 674g) that feels heavier and chunkier in hand - more old-school SLR than sleek travel companion.

Olympus’s grip and button placement feel more intuitive to my large hands, especially considering its physical compactness. Plus, the E-M5 II’s fully articulated and 3” touchscreen - more on that later - significantly ups the user-friendly quotient. Sony counters with a tilting, but non-touch, 2.7” LCD that feels dated today. This has always drawn mixed reactions, particularly from those who love to shoot at odd angles or crave touchscreen focus control.

If you’re packing light or need a stealthy rig for street or travel photography, Olympus’s lighter body and compactness give it a serious edge here. Sony’s heft might appeal to those used to traditional DSLR ergonomics or preferring a sturdier grip when wielding heavy lenses.

Sensor Technologies, Image Quality & Resolution

Let’s level with each other: The heart of the camera is the sensor. Olympus E-M5 II features a 16MP Four Thirds size MOS sensor (17.3x13mm) while Sony A350 rocks a 14MP APS-C CCD sensor (23.6x15.8mm). At a glance, the Sony’s sensor surface area of about 373mm² comfortably outpaces the Olympus’s smaller 225mm², offering more light-gathering potential and finer tonal gradations.

However, sensor size is just part of the quality puzzle. Olympus incorporates the advanced TruePic VII processor, which intelligently handles noise reduction, detail extraction, and color fidelity. The Four Thirds sensor system gains an isotropic advantage when paired with Olympus’s vast Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem, enabling image quality optimized for its sensor scale. For instance, the E-M5 II’s DxO mark scores strong: 73 overall, with a color depth of 23 bits and a wide dynamic range of 12.4 EV stops - notable for a sensor its size.

Sony’s A350, released in 2008, lags with an overall score of 65, color depth of 22.6 bits, and a narrower dynamic range of 11.5 EVs. Furthermore, CCD sensors, while renowned for color rendition, generally show more noise at high ISO than MOS/CMOS sensors, and here Sony maxes ISO at 3200 compared to Olympus’s 25600 native ISO range (with a 200 base).

What does this mean in practice? In well-lit conditions and lower ISOs, both cameras deliver vibrant, detailed images. But push the sensitivity, and Olympus’s sensor and processing edge translates to cleaner images retain great shadow detail - vital for landscape and event shooters battling tricky lighting.

The Olympus’s added aspect ratios (1:1, 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9) also provide creative flexibility beyond the Sony’s 3:2 and 16:9 options.

Viewing the Scene: Viewfinders and LCD Screens

Once upon a photography time, optical viewfinders ruled supreme. Sony’s A350 opts for a traditional pentamirror optical viewfinder with 95% coverage and a modest 0.49x magnification. This tried-and-true setup offers a bright through-the-lens image that many DSLR fans adore for its real-time clarity and lack of electronic lag.

In contrast, Olympus E-M5 II leverages a high-res electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasting 2.36 million dots, 100% coverage, and 0.74x magnification, making it ridiculously detailed and immersive. As a long-time EVF advocate, I find this a step-change in framing precision and exposure feedback - especially in tricky lighting or when using manual focus.

The back screens further emphasize this generation gap. Olympus sports a fully articulated 3” touchscreen with 1,037k-dot resolution. I’ve often caught myself using the touchscreen focus and touch-to-shoot features without even thinking, especially in macro or wildlife setups where flexibility is gold.

Sony’s fixed, tilting 2.7” LCD with 230k dots looks quaint by comparison - functional but nothing to write home about. No touchscreen here, so focus point selection remains button and dial-driven, which slows down dynamic situations.

In dim or bright conditions, the Olympus EVF and higher-res LCD prove their worth with sharper detail and minimal glare. If you’re the type who frames through the eyepiece a lot but craves LCD flexibility and brightness, Olympus commands this category.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Autofocus (AF) systems can make or break your experience when shooting fast-paced subjects - more so in wildlife or sports.

Olympus’s E-M5 II employs a contrast detection AF system with 81 focus points and advanced algorithms that track subjects with impressive smoothness, although it lacks phase detection on sensor. It pairs face and eye detection, and intelligently switches focus modes on the fly during video recording. Continuous AF running at 10fps (frames per second) lets you capture fleeting wildlife moments with reliable accuracy.

Sony’s A350 debuted with a 9-point phase detection AF system – solid for its day but comparatively primitive now. The continuous shooting rate maxes out at 3fps, slower than Olympus’s 10fps burst rate. Notably, Sony does not support face or eye detection AF, meaning portrait and event shooters may find focus not as confidently locked on moving targets.

Autofocus tracking also favors the Olympus, which is evident when shooting sports or birds in flight. Sony’s AF performance is perfectly adequate for static scenes or slower subjects, but lags when quick-reacting autofocus is paramount.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Durability often flies under the radar until you’re caught in unforgiving outdoor conditions. The Olympus E-M5 II stands tall with a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, designed to withstand dust and splashes - a boon for landscape photographers and adventurers shooting in rain or dusty trails. Although not waterproof or shockproof, it hints at robustness beyond the average enthusiast camera.

Sony’s A350, from the earlier DSLR era, lacks environmental sealing altogether. Its plastic-heavy construction is less resilient in harsh environments and feels less reassuring in demanding professional settings.

For those whose camera endures heavy outdoor use, Olympus clearly wins on reliability and peace of mind.

Lens Ecosystems and Compatibility

Choosing a camera involves more than the body - lenses shape vision. Here Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds mount shines by supporting over 107 native lenses ranging from ultra-wide zooms to specialized macros and super-telephotos. Olympus and Panasonic have cultivated an extensive ecosystem that’s affordable yet professional-grade, with many compact primes lending themselves well to travel.

Sony’s Alpha mount supports a larger number of lenses - around 143 - especially due to legacy Minolta compatibility. That’s a vast arsenal covering everything from budget-friendly zooms to top-tier glass. However, many older lenses tend to bulk up the system’s weight and size, somewhat offsetting the body’s compactness.

It boils down to shooting style: MFT lenses are generally smaller, lighter, and excellent for travel and street shooters. APS-C alpha lenses often target enthusiasts who prefer DSLRs’ optical viewfinder feel and are willing to carry heftier setups.

Battery Life and Storage Media

Any seasoned photographer will tell you battery life is the underappreciated hero of a shoot day. Olympus’s E-M5 II delivers respectable stamina - rated around 310 shots per charge using the BLN-1 battery pack. This is decent for a mirrorless camera with an EVF, though aspiring event shooters might want spares.

Sony’s A350, representing an older design without power-hungry EVF tech, doesn’t have manufacturer-specified battery life in the specs provided, but in practice, many users report high endurance due to the low-res optical viewfinder and CCD sensor.

On storage, Olympus uses the ubiquitous SD card format, including SDHC and SDXC compatibility, making it easy to find fast cards with large capacity. Sony’s A350 accepts compact flash and Memory Stick Duo cards, a bit more niche and potentially costlier for large capacities.

Specialty Use Cases: How These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres

Time to put theory into practice - how do these cameras handle different photographic challenges?

Portrait Photography: Capturing Flawless Skin and Brilliant Bokeh

Portraiture demands precise skin tone rendering, smooth background blur, and reliable eye detection.

Olympus’s 16MP MOS sensor paired with advanced image processing renders natural colors with excellent skin tone reproduction. The E-M5 II also offers in-body 5-axis image stabilization, easing handheld portrait work in tricky lighting. Its face and eye detection AF makes nailing crisp eyes effortless, a true saving grace.

Sony A350 lacks eye AF and face detection, relying on a simpler 9-point phase detection system - functional but less refined. Additionally, the relatively lower dynamic range can challenge subtle skin tones in complex lighting.

Due to the Micro Four Thirds’s 2x crop factor, achieving the creamy bokeh typical in portraits demands faster lenses or creative framing - a trade-off Olympus shooters accept.

Landscape: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Environmental Toughness

Landscape photographers need wide-angle capability, high resolution, and robust weather resistance.

The Olympus E-M5 II scores with its 16MP resolution standard for the format, excellent dynamic range (12.4 EV), and dust/water resistance. The articulated screen lets you frame with creativity even on uneven terrain, and silent shutter options reduce the risk of vibration.

Sony A350’s APS-C sensor ups resolution very slightly but lags behind on dynamic range and lacks weather sealing - a drawback in rainy or windy conditions. Its older sensor tech struggles with shadow recovery compared to Olympus.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus Speed, Telephoto Reach, and Burst Rate

Wildlife enthusiasts demand fast, accurate AF, high frame rates, and long reach.

Olympus E-M5 II’s 10fps continuous shooting rate and 81-point AF system provide decisive advantages here. Plus, Micro Four Thirds lenses with 2x crop factor effectively double the focal length, meaning a 300mm lens behaves like a 600mm - a compelling proposition for birders and wildlife shooters on a budget.

Sony A350 caps at 3fps and has a slower AF system, with fewer focus points, making it less suitable for unpredictable wildlife action.

Sports Photography: Tracking and Low Light

Fast action requires precise tracking and low-light sensitivity.

Again, Olympus’s continuous autofocus with eye and face detection combined with 10fps shooting makes it notably more capable. Its sensor’s superior high-ISO performance (up to ISO 25600) allows shooting indoors or at dusk with greater confidence.

Sony’s lower max ISO (3200) and slower burst rate constrain its effectiveness in this domain. Plus, limited AF tracking capabilities hamper freezing fast subjects.

Street Photography: Discreetness and Portability

Here the Olympus E-M5 II shines. Its compact body, silent electronic shutter option, articulate rear display, and lightweight lenses form a stealthy package. Add built-in Wi-Fi for quick sharing, and it’s tough to beat for life-in-the-moment street shots.

Sony’s bulkier A350, louder shutter, and lack of wireless connectivity make it feel clunkier in discreet shooting scenarios.

Macro Photography: Magnification, Focus Precision, Stability

Macro requires pinpoint focus and stability.

While both systems offer capable macro lenses, Olympus’s 5-axis stabilization and touchscreen focus assist excel here. Focus stacking options add creative control. Sony’s lack of image stabilization in this context is a disadvantage, although solid optics mitigate some effects.

Night and Astro: High ISO and Exposure Modes

Olympus’s higher ISO ceiling combined with superior noise control grants it an edge for night and astrophotography. Advanced exposure modes including silent shutter help avoid vibration.

Sony’s lower max ISO and higher noise at upper ISOs limit its nighttime versatility.

Video Capabilities and Audio Options

This is one area where Olympus clearly leads the pack.

E-M5 II shoots full HD 1080p video up to 60fps with microphone input for crisp audio recording. In contrast, Sony A350 lacks video recording entirely - a reflection of its 2008 design timeline.

For vloggers or hybrid shooters, Olympus’s video features are a major value-add.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

Thanks to its size, versatile lens mount, and weather sealing, Olympus packs a punch for travelers seeking a do-it-all system. Sony’s larger size and shorter lens selection feel less travel-friendly.

Battery life tilts slightly toward Sony but is manageable with spare Olympus batteries.

Professional Workflows: File Formats and Reliability

Both cameras shoot RAW and JPEG, appealing to pros who demand editing latitude.

Olympus’s File formats (with good color depth) and overall weather sealing suit semi-pro and adventurous pros. Sony, while solid for its generation, feels dated amidst modern professional demands.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Olympus’s built-in Wi-Fi enables remote control and easy image transfer - handy when you want to offload shots quickly or use your phone as a wireless shutter. Sony’s A350 lacks any wireless, limiting modern workflow integration.

Price-to-Performance: Which Gets You More Bang for Your Buck?

At list prices, Olympus E-M5 II and Sony A350 range similarly in the sub-$700 market. However, the Olympus’s more advanced sensor, superior AF, video capabilities, and weather sealing suggest better value for long-term use - especially given its continuing wide lens availability.

The Sony remains attractive for budget shooters happy with optical viewfinders and simpler features but willing to accept dated performance.

Summing It Up: Who Should Choose Which?

To boil this exhaustive review into practical recommendations:

• Choose Olympus OM-D E-M5 II if:

  • You want a compact, weather-sealed, mirrorless body with advanced autofocus and image stabilization.
  • You shoot across diverse genres including wildlife, sports, travel, and video.
  • You value high-res electronic viewfinder and articulated touchscreen for versatile composition.
  • You need modern features like built-in Wi-Fi and microphone support.
  • You appreciate a wide Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem with many affordable options.

• Choose Sony A350 if:

  • You want a budget-friendly DSLR with a traditional optical viewfinder experience.
  • Your shooting style favors static subjects like portraits or landscapes.
  • You are comfortable with simpler autofocus and slower burst rates.
  • Built-in flash and legacy lens compatibility are appealing.
  • Video shooting isn’t a requirement.

Performance Scores and Genre Analysis

Let's crystallize all these assessments with performance charts:

And how each camera fares across specific photographic domains:

Gallery: Sample Images Side-by-Side

To cap off, here are some real-world image comparisons from both cameras – raw files processed identically to illustrate differences in color rendition, detail, and dynamic range.

Olympus E M5 II front Olympus E M5 II screen back Sony A350 front Sony A350 screen back

Final Thoughts: Is the E-M5 II Still Worth It?

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, launched nearly a decade after Sony’s A350, remains surprising in how well it holds up today. Its mix of portability, advanced features, and image quality delivers a modern user-friendly experience that far outpaces the aging Sony in almost every technical and practical dimension.

That said - nostalgia for optical viewfinders and the charm of classic DSLRs keeps Sony models like the A350 relevant in their own right, especially among enthusiasts indulging in vintage glass or those on tight budgets.

Ultimately, your decision hinges on your shooting style, willingness to embrace mirrorless tech, and how much you prioritize features like stabilization and video.

Happy shooting - may your next camera unlock a new world of creative possibility! And remember: sometimes the best camera in your hands is the one that simply feels right.

(Images sourced as per integration instructions)