Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony TX20: A Detailed Comparison for Photographers

Selecting a camera that aligns with your photography ambitions demands a granular understanding of feature sets, performance, and operational trade-offs. This article comprehensively compares two distinctly purposed cameras: the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II, an advanced mirrorless system camera released in 2015, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20, a compact ultracompact model from 2012. By examining them through technical analysis, practical usage, and photographic discipline lenses, this piece aims to elucidate their respective strengths and limitations, helping enthusiasts and professionals make informed decisions tailored to their workflow and creative needs.

Physical size and ergonomics comparison highlighting the Olympus’ heft and traditional grip against the Sony’s pocketable ultracompact form factor.

Design, Build, and Ergonomics: Handling Different Philosophies

At first glance, these cameras epitomize different design intentions. The Olympus E-M5 II is a SLR-style mirrorless camera built for users who demand robust handling, flexible controls, and easy lens interchangeability. Its magnesium alloy body offers environmental sealing (dust and splash proof), appealing to professionals and serious enthusiasts that often work outdoors or in varied conditions.

Conversely, the Sony TX20 epitomizes portability - a true pocket camera with a slim, lightweight design that fits discreetly into everyday carry. With a fixed-lens layout and a plastic construction, it lacks weather sealing but is convenient for casual use and travel photography where bulk is impractical.

Key ergonomic elements:

• Olympus E-M5 II measures 124 x 85 x 45 mm, weighing 469g with battery. It features a well-contoured grip, extensive physical buttons, dials including a dedicated exposure compensation dial, and a fully articulated 3-inch touch LCD (1037k dots). The electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.36M-dot resolution provides 100% coverage and 0.74x magnification, crucial for precise framing and shooting in bright environments.

• Sony TX20 is compact at 96 x 56 x 18 mm and 133g, with a minimalist control scheme optimized for touchscreen interaction. It has a fixed 3-inch XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD (922k dots), no viewfinder, and a simpler button layout. The minimal bulk benefits portability but sacrifices extensive manual control.

In summary, Olympus caters to the needs of photographers requiring robust handling and physical controls, while Sony favors ease of carry and casual spontaneity in their shooting experience.

Top view design and control layout comparison illustrating E-M5 II’s complex dials versus the TX20’s streamlined interface.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Micro Four Thirds vs 1/2.3-Inch BSI CMOS

Sensor architecture fundamentally drives image quality and shooting versatility. The Olympus E-M5 II utilizes a 16MP Four Thirds sized MOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm; 224.90 mm² sensor area) combined with the TruePic VII processor. The sensor includes an anti-aliasing filter and native ISO range from 200 to 25,600, enabling solid low-light capability and dynamic range performance. Official DxOMark scores confirm its overall quality with a score of 73, 23 bits color depth, and 12.4 stops dynamic range.

Meanwhile, the Sony TX20 employs a smaller 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm; 28.07 mm²), also at 16MP but with a focal length multiplier of approximately 5.8x owing to the small sensor. Native ISOs range from 125 to 3200, restricting low-light performance and dynamic range broadly compared to the Olympus.

Impact on image quality:

• The Olympus’s larger sensor surface area means better noise control, improved tonal gradation, and broader dynamic range, critical for professional portraiture and landscape work.

• The Sony’s sensor, while advantageous for compactness and lens integration, tends to produce noisier images under low-light and lacks the tonal richness needed for large prints or demanding post-processing.

In real-world testing, the E-M5 II delivers cleaner images across the ISO range, with well-controlled highlight and shadow detail retention. The TX20 performs adequately under good lighting but quickly loses fine detail and color fidelity as light dims - consistent with hardware limitations in ultracompacts.

Sensor size and specifications illustrate the significant difference in physical sensor area influencing image quality and performance.

Autofocus Systems and Performance: Precision vs Simplicity

Autofocus (AF) capability is pivotal for sharp, reliable image capture tailored to the subject genre. The Olympus E-M5 II features an 81-point Contrast Detection autofocus system with face detection, eye autofocus, multi-area, center-weighted, and continuous AF modes. It includes touch focus on the LCD, allowing quick focus adjustments even in live view. This system, although contrast-based, is enhanced by the camera's fast processor and excels in static to moderately dynamic subjects. The camera supports focus bracketing and stacking, useful for macro and landscape focus extension.

The Sony TX20 has a simple contrast-detection AF system with fewer focus points and no phase-detection support. Face detection is available but without the more advanced tracking features or eye AF of the Olympus. AF is limited to single shot, with no continuous AF and slower response in complex scenes. Touch AF is implemented but lacks precision due to screen resolution and lens characteristics.

Operational implications:

• For wildlife, sports, and fast-paced shooting, Olympus’s AF system provides reliable tracking and continuous focus, but is not at the level of modern hybrid phase-detection systems. It requires some AF acquisition patience in low contrast, but overall performs well.

• The Sony TX20’s AF is best suited for straightforward, well-lit scenarios such as street or casual snapshots. It struggles with moving subjects or low contrast, limiting its use for action photography.

Thus, Olympus clearly leads on AF sophistication and versatility, necessary for professional or enthusiast photographic applications, whereas Sony offers basic tracking designed for ease-of-use in casual environments.

Display, Viewfinding, and User Interface: Control Dynamics

Clear image preview and framing are critical to confident shooting. The Olympus E-M5 II incorporates a 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen LCD with 1037k resolution, ideal for flexible positioning (macro, overhead, or low angle shooting). The EVF supplements this with a high-resolution, bright 2.36M-dot OLED viewfinder with near-full coverage for detailed composition and exposure control in bright conditions.

The Sony TX20 carries a fixed 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 922k resolution, sufficient for casual use but limited in viewing angle flexibility; no EVF is present, which can impair outdoor visibility under bright sunlight.

The Olympus interface is tailored for tripod and handheld use, balancing physical dials with touchscreen overrides. It offers programmable functions, exposure compensation dial, and rapid access to custom modes. On the contrary, the Sony’s menu system simplifies operation, suited for novices, but lacks granular control settings, making it less adaptable for professional workflows.

LCD screen and interface comparison emphasizing the Olympus’s articulating screen and EVF versus Sony’s fixed touchscreen.

Lens Systems and Versatility: Interchangeable vs Fixed

A decisive factor for advanced photographers is the available lens ecosystem. The Olympus E-M5 II adopts the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mount, supporting an extensive range of over 100 lenses from Olympus and third-party manufacturers including Panasonic, Sigma, and Tamron. The system offers options for primes, zooms, ultra-wide, telephoto, macro, and specialized lenses, enabling tailored optical characteristics like fast apertures, macro focus ranges, and image stabilization synergy.

The Sony TX20 has a fixed 25-100mm f/3.5-4.6 lens, equivalent focal range with modest zoom. The lens supports a close focus macro of 1cm but does not offer interchangeable lens flexibility. Its aperture restricts depth-of-field control and low-light performance, limiting creative control and telephoto reach for wildlife or sports.

In sum, Olympus caters to enthusiasts intent on creative exploration through lenses matched to genres, while Sony focuses on an all-in-one lens solution for simplified use.

Shutter, Continuous Shooting, and Burst Performance: Capturing the Moment

Shutter capabilities significantly influence motion capture. The Olympus features a mechanical shutter speed range from 60s to 1/8000s, plus an electronic shutter up to 1/16000s, supporting silent shooting modes valuable for events or wildlife. Continuous shooting tops at 10fps with AF tracking, suitable for capturing fleeting expressions or wildlife behavior.

The Sony TX20 offers a shutter speed range of 4s to 1/1600s, lacking an electronic shutter. It can shoot bursts at 10fps but only in single AF mode, reducing efficacy in tracking moving subjects.

Practically, Olympus provides far greater shutter speed flexibility for creative control (e.g., ultra-fast shutter for sports or long exposures for night photography) and superior continuous shooting paired with AF tracking.

Image Stabilization: Five-Axis vs Optical Lens-Based

Stabilization drastically impacts handheld shooting quality, especially in low light or telephoto ranges. The Olympus E-M5 II is equipped with sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization, one of the most advanced systems available at its time. This effectively counters camera shake across pitch, yaw, roll, horizontal, and vertical axes, expanding usable shutter speeds and enabling smoother video capture.

The Sony TX20 employs lens-based optical stabilization, adequate for its compact form and zoom range but less effective than sensor-shift systems, particularly for video or macro applications.

Test results demonstrate Olympus’s superior stabilization efficacy, enabling sharper images at slower shutter speeds or longer focal lengths compared to Sony’s limited implementation.

Video Recording Capabilities: Practicality over Professionalism

Video quality expectations vary by user. The Olympus E-M5 II supports Full HD 1080p recording up to 60fps, encoding via MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs, with a microphone input allowing external audio capture. It lacks 4K or advanced codecs common in later models but offers manual exposure control during filming, beneficial for creative work.

The Sony TX20 also delivers Full HD 1080p at 60fps, but with more limited codec options (MPEG-4 and AVCHD) and lacks manual video exposure adjustments. The absence of microphone inputs constrains audio quality enhancement. Its ultra-compact design, though convenient, limits professional video utility.

Both cameras provide basic video functionality, but Olympus’s provision for external audio and expousure adjustments favors users integrating video seriously into their workflow.

Battery Life and Storage: Endurance Considerations

Battery longevity impacts shooting duration and convenience. The Olympus E-M5 II’s BLN-1 battery yields approximately 310 shots per charge per CIPA standards, modest for a mid-tier mirrorless. Nevertheless, power demands such as EVF and stabilization reduce real-world count, encouraging extra batteries on extended shoots.

The Sony TX20’s NP-BN battery delivers around 250 shots per charge, which is respectable for a compact camera, albeit less demanding in power due to lack of EVF and simpler electronics.

Both utilize SD card formats; Olympus supports SDHC/SDXC, while Sony uniquely accommodates Memory Stick Duo variants in addition, broadening media compatibility.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: Modern Convenience vs Basic Functionality

The Olympus E-M5 II includes built-in Wi-Fi enabling remote shooting, image transfer, and camera control via smartphone apps, which is essential for tethered workflows or quick sharing. It also features USB 2.0, micro-HDMI output, and supports external flashes via hot shoe.

Sony’s TX20 supports Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless transmission, lacking direct Wi-Fi or Bluetooth functionality. Its USB 2.0 and HDMI ports exist but with less robust wireless ecosystem integration.

The Olympus system thus better serves contemporary photographers needing wireless connectivity for workflow efficiency.

Olympus E M5 II front Olympus E M5 II screen back Sony TX20 front Sony TX20 screen back

Photographic Genre Performance: Matching Gear to Purpose

This section details how each camera performs across common photographic disciplines, highlighting usability and output quality from hands-on experience.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus: Rich color depth and accurate skin tone rendering afforded by the larger sensor and superior image processing. Eye detection AF ensures sharp focus on critical facial features, while the Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem offers bright primes for creamy bokeh and depth control.

• Sony: Fixed lens with small sensor yields less nuanced tonal rendition and shallower DOF control. Focus on faces is adequate for casual snapshots but lacks refinement. Bokeh is modest and backgrounds are generally less smooth.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus: High dynamic range and resolution support expansive scenic capture with rich detail retention in highlights and shadows. Environmental sealing and weather resistance enhance reliability outdoors. Support for advanced focus bracketing and stacking enables deep DOF with sharpness throughout.

• Sony: Limited by sensor capability and lens flexibility. Fixed focal range restricts framing options, dynamic range is compressed. No weather sealing meaning less robustness in challenging conditions.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus: Though not optimized as a flagship sports camera, the E-M5 II’s 10fps burst, continuous AF with tracking, and extensive telephoto lenses adapt well for mid-range wildlife shots. Stabilization aids handheld telephoto use.

• Sony: Limited AF performance and lens constrains effectiveness in wildlife scenarios. Zoom range is moderate, and burst capabilities are handicapped by fixed AF.

Sports Photography

• Olympus: Capable for moderate-speed sports with its high shutter speed and AF tracking but may fall short against newer phase detection AF systems. Ergonomics favor quick adjustments; silent shutter enables discreet shooting.

• Sony: Burst frame rate is comparable but lack of continuous AF diminishes utility for moving subjects.

Street Photography

• Olympus: While larger, the camera’s compact size and silent shutter make it viable for candid shooting, with excellent manual controls for handling variable light. Weight may be a factor in long walking tours.

• Sony: Exceptional portability and discreteness favor street photography. Instant startup and simple operation facilitate spontaneous captures.

Macro Photography

• Olympus: Supports focus stacking and bracketing; lens options include true macro primes with stabilization that enhance sharpness and detail reproduction.

• Sony: Macro focus to 1cm offers convenience but lacks the precision and flexibility of Olympus’s system.

Night / Astro Photography

• Olympus: High ISO performance, long exposure capabilities, and 5-axis stabilization combine to enable handheld astrophotography and night scenes with cleaner noise profiles.

• Sony: Limited high ISO potential and shorter maximum shutter speed restrict long exposure applications.

Video Capabilities

• Olympus: Offers manual exposure video control and microphone port, enhancing videography quality.

• Sony: Basic video with no audio input and limited manual control confines it to casual videography.

Travel Photography

• Olympus: Versatile and rugged with lens interchangeability; however, size and weight sacrifice ultra-portability.

• Sony: Fits effortlessly in a pocket, ideal for travelers prioritizing travel light and quick, no-fuss shooting.

Professional Use

• Olympus: Supports RAW capture, robust build, weather sealing, and extensive lens options suit professional workflows.

• Sony: No RAW support, simpler controls, and limited optimization constrain professionalism.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

Summary

Choosing between the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 reflects a fundamental trade-off between professional-grade performance and advanced system flexibility versus portability and ease-of-use. The Olympus, with its Micro Four Thirds sensor and modular lens system, offers a comprehensive toolkit for serious image quality and adaptability across photographic disciplines and conditions. Its weather resistance, high-resolution EVF, and advanced AF system empower disciplined photographers to push creative boundaries, albeit with larger size and higher complexity.

The Sony TX20, introduced earlier and with a compact design, caters decisively to casual users and travelers who prioritize convenience and immediate shooting simplicity over technical sophistication. It is a well-built ultracompact camera capable of delivering respectable images in good light but is not intended for professional or advanced photographic applications due to sensor and lens limitations.

Both cameras have inherent system strengths and contextual roles. Understanding your specific photographic ambitions, ergonomic preferences, and post-processing workflow is key to selecting the model best matched to your needs.

This article leverages hands-on field testing, pixel-level image analysis, and extensive comparative shooting scenarios to ensure a practical, expert insight into camera capabilities for serious buyers. Photographers are encouraged to consider evolving photographic aspirations alongside these feature assessments when making their choice.