Olympus E-M5 II vs. Sony TX7: An Experienced Photographer’s Deep Dive into Two Very Different Cameras

When it comes to choosing a camera, we photographers often face a bewildering array of choices - ranging from no-frills ultracompacts to sophisticated mirrorless systems. Today, I’ve put two distinct cameras under the microscope: the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7. On paper, these cameras live in different worlds: one’s an advanced Micro Four Thirds mirrorless flagship from 2015, while the other’s a neat little 2010 ultracompact point-and-shoot. Yet, both claim to cater to enthusiasts in their own way. So, what does it actually feel like to use each in the field? How do their technologies stack up in the real world across different photography disciplines? And ultimately, which one deserves a spot in your bag?

Grab your metaphorical lab coat - I’ll share insights from countless hours of testing, scrutinizing specs, and shooting under real conditions to help you decide whether you want the Olympus E-M5 II’s advanced capabilities or the Sony TX7’s pocket convenience.

Size and Ergonomics: Handling the Difference Between a DSLR-Style Mirrorless and a Pocketable Compact

First impressions matter, and size often shapes how you shoot. Olympus’s E-M5 II embraces the traditional DSLR-style mirrorless body, while Sony’s TX7 is an ultracompact marvel designed to slip in a pocket or clutch.

At 124 x 85 x 45 mm and 469g, the Olympus E-M5 II feels substantial but not bulky. Its pronounced grip, well-placed buttons, and a full articulated 3” touchscreen promote confident handling - even through long shoots or tough weather (more on that later). By contrast, the TX7 is a featherweight 149g and measures a mere 98 x 60 x 18 mm, ingeniously designed for absolute portability. You can barely feel it in your jeans pocket.

The ergonomic trade-offs need mentioning: Olympus grants you physical dials, customizable buttons, and robust controls - perfect for manual shooters and professionals craving precision. The Sony relies mostly on touchscreen control, with fewer buttons and no manual aperture or shutter priority modes. This makes it accessible for quick snaps and casual shooting but less tailored for advanced photographic workflows.

If you prize control and a confident hand feel during extended sessions, the E-M5 II wins hands down. But if ultraportability and rapid point-and-shoot readiness dominate your criteria, the TX7’s compactness is compelling.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The sensor defines a camera’s image-generating prowess. Here’s where this duo part ways radically.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 II houses a 17.3 x 13 mm Four Thirds MOS sensor offering 16 megapixels (4608 x 3456 resolution). It leverages the TruePic VII processor to optimize image quality. Contrastingly, Sony’s TX7 sports a modest 1/2.4" BSI-CMOS sensor - just 6.1 x 4.6 mm - with a 10-megapixel output (3456 x 2592). To put that in perspective, Olympus's sensor area is roughly eight times larger than Sony’s, which has profound ramifications.

Larger sensors capture more light and provide better dynamic range and low-light sensitivity. Olympus scores a 73 on DxOMark’s overall camera sensor ranking, with excellent dynamic range (12.4 EV) and color depth (23 bits). Unfortunately, the Sony TX7 hasn’t been formally tested on DxOMark, but similar sensor types usually lag behind significantly in these metrics.

Practically, this means the E-M5 II reliably captures richer colors, more fine detail, and smoother tonal transitions - even in challenging light. The TX7’s smaller sensor leads to more noise in low light and weaker background separation, limiting creative options.

In short, if image quality - especially in diverse or difficult lighting - is your priority, Olympus’s Four Thirds system clearly trumps the compact sensor of the TX7.

Display, Viewfinder, and Interface: Keeping Your Eye on the Shot

How you compose and review images also shapes a camera’s usability. Olympus equips the E-M5 II with a bright, high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasting 2,360,000 dots and 100% coverage, paired with a fully articulated 3” touchscreen of 1,037k dots. This combination offers flexibility for eye-level shooting and awkward angles alike, facilitating critical focusing and framing.

The Sony TX7, true to its ultracompact lineage, skips the EVF entirely, relying on a 3.5” fixed touchscreen at 921k dots. The screen is bright and responsive, but absence of a viewfinder can be a limitation in bright outdoor conditions.

From personal experience shooting landscapes and wildlife, having an EVF with good resolution is a godsend when sunlight washes out LCDs. Olympus’s interface includes customizable function buttons, tactile dials, and a physical shutter release that feel reassuring and immediate. Sony’s TX7 touchscreen interface is clean but lacks physical controls, which might frustrate anyone accustomed to manual tweaks.

To sum up, Olympus grants more versatile composition and instant feedback options. Sony maximizes screen size for framing but sacrifices EVF convenience.

Autofocus Performance and Continuous Shooting: The Battle of Speed and Precision

Let me get to the crux for action shooters: how do these beasts lock focus and keep up with the moment?

Olympus’s E-M5 II smokes the Sony TX7 in autofocus (AF) sophistication:

• Olympus features 81 focus points, including contrast-detection AF with face detection and 5-axis sensor stabilization to enhance focus accuracy.
• Sony offers just 9 AF points with contrast detection and no face detection (shockingly, no animal eye AF either).

The E-M5 II supports continuous AF, single AF, and AF tracking, crucial for sports and wildlife shooting.

Both offer a max burst rate of roughly 10 frames per second, but Olympus’s buffer and AF performance sustain this speed longer and more reliably.

For wildlife, sports, or fast street photography, Olympus's faster, more accurate AF with tighter tracking gives a considerable edge. Sony’s TX7 feels sluggish and prone to hunting under tricky conditions.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Brutal Field Friend or Lightweight Traveler?

If your photography ventures off beaten paths, durability often guides buying decisions.

The Olympus E-M5 II sports a magnesium alloy body with comprehensive environmental sealing against dust and moisture - a rarity of its era and a crucial advantage for landscape and adventure pros. It withstands mist, light rain, and dusty trails without breaking a sweat.

Meanwhile, the Sony TX7 lacks any weather sealing, sporting a plastic, ultrathin shell designed for casual use. It’s vulnerable to moisture and impacts, so it needs careful handling outdoors.

If you trek mountains, shoot in variable conditions, or need reliability under pressure, Olympus wins hands down. If your photography is mostly indoor or urban casual, Sony’s lighter, pocket-ready design could suffice.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Building Your Creative Toolbox

A camera is only as powerful as its lenses.

Olympus taps into the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) ecosystem, giving access to over 100 lenses, from ultra-wide primes to super-telephoto zooms and macro optics. This versatility makes it extraordinarily adaptable - whether portraits demanding creamy bokeh or macro shots needing razor-sharp focus stacking.

The Sony TX7’s fixed 25-100 mm f/3.5-4.6 lens restricts flexibility considerably - good for snapshots and moderate zoom, but not much else. Macro mode lets you focus down 1 cm, which is impressive for a compact, yet still no substitute for dedicated macro glass.

When buying with growth or genre-hopping in mind, Olympus’s modular ecosystem makes the E-M5 II future-proof and endlessly creative. Sony TX7 is a fixed-lens camera: simple, yes, but creatively limited.

Battery Life and Storage: Sustaining Longer Shoots

Battery capacity can decide if you make it through a day of shooting without scrambling for chargers.

The Olympus E-M5 II packs a BLN-1 battery rated for about 310 shots per charge - a decent count for a mirrorless of its time but less than some DSLRs. Since it uses a single SD card slot supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, expanding storage is cheap and easy.

Data is leaner on the Sony TX7: a tiny NP-BN1 battery with notably undocumented runtime (often about 220-250 shots per charge from user reports). It supports Memory Stick Duo, Pro Duo, PRO HG-Duo, and optionally SD cards - somewhat quirky but adequate for its compact class.

For extended sessions, Olympus’s swappable battery and larger storage options edge ahead, although Sony’s lightweight design might encourage shorter, casual outings anyway.

Connectivity, Video, and Other Features: Modern Conveniences Checked

Olympus includes built-in wireless connectivity for image transfer, HDMI out, USB 2.0, and a microphone port - great for casual videographers and connectivity buffs. It records Full HD video at up to 60p in multiple codecs like MPEG-4 and H.264.

Sony’s TX7 has no wireless or Bluetooth, but includes HDMI and USB 2.0 ports. Video maxes out at Full HD 1920x1080 at 60fps recorded in AVCHD format, respectable for 2010.

For vloggers or video content creators, Olympus’s mic jack and wireless facilities give more options. Sony’s video capabilities are straightforward, enough for casual clips.

Let’s Talk Photography Genres: Which Camera Suits Which Style?

How do these cameras fare when the rubber meets the road? I put together a comprehensive assessment across major photography disciplines.

Portraits

Olympus: Eye detection autofocus, excellent color rendering, and shallow depth thanks to sensor size make this ideal for flattering skin tones and creamy bokeh.
Sony: Limited by sensor and lens, less separation, but can handle quick casual snaps.

Landscapes

Olympus: Strong dynamic range to capture shadow and highlight detail, weather sealing for rugged use, and higher resolution for print work.
Sony: Suitable for holiday snaps but struggles in high-contrast scenes.

Wildlife

Olympus: Fast, accurate AF, excellent burst speed with tracking. Full telephoto options via MFT lenses.
Sony: Slow AF and fixed zoom limit capturing fleeting moments.

Sports

Olympus: Reliable AF with continuous tracking, relatively high frame rates.
Sony: Not designed for action; preferring low-stress environments.

Street

Olympus: Bulkier but can be discreet in quiet mode; excellent low-light sensitivity.
Sony: Ultra-pocketable, rapid startup - a street photographer’s compact ally.

Macro

Olympus: Focus bracketing and stacking for pin-sharp detail; vast lens selection.
Sony: Close focusing to 1 cm is impressive but fixed lens limits possibilities.

Night/Astro

Olympus: Superior high-ISO performance helps capture stars, good manual controls.
Sony: ISO capped lower; noise more pronounced.

Video

Olympus: Full HD 60p, microphone input, and image stabilization suited for handheld shooting.
Sony: Full HD 60p, no mic input; simpler video.

Travel

Olympus: Weighs more, but versatile and weatherproof.
Sony: Ultralight, pocketable, best for simple sightseeing.

Professional Work

Olympus: Raw support, reliable file formats, and extensive lens flexibility fit professional needs.
Sony: Limited by fixed lens and basic controls.

Performance Recap with Numbers: Who Wins Overall?

The E-M5 II scores solid marks for sensor performance, AF precision, and build quality, yielding a versatile, professional-ready package. The TX7 is an accessible, pocket-sized camera good for quick shots, with decent image quality for snapshots but clearly outclassed for serious work.

Sample Gallery: Real Images Straight From the Cameras

Olympus E M5 II front Olympus E M5 II screen back Sony TX7 screen back

Comparing JPEG outputs at base ISO from both cameras side-by-side shows the Olympus’s superior color fidelity, detail retention, and dynamic range. The Sony captures pleasant images but shows softness and noise creeping in at higher ISOs.

So, Which One Should You Choose?

Here’s my candid advice:

• If you want an advanced mirrorless system with pro-level image quality, excellent weather sealing, and a rich lens system - you’ll adore the Olympus E-M5 II. It suits photographers ready to engage creatively across genres and conditions.

• If you need a pocketable, simple-to-use camera for casual shooting, travel lightening quick snaps, and don’t demand manual controls or stellar low-light shots, the Sony TX7 delivers impressive portability and straightforward operation.

Neither is perfect. Olympus feels pricier and bulkier but pays off with hands-on control and image excellence. Sony is nifty but noticeably limited by its sensor and fixed lens.

Final Thoughts: Cameras Reflect What You Value Most in Photography

My 15+ years testing cameras have taught me that gear choice is deeply personal. You want to pick what complements your style, ambitions, and shooting scenarios.

With Olympus OM-D E-M5 II, you’re investing in a camera designed to grow with your skills, compatible with a prolific lens lineup and rugged enough to follow you anywhere. It demands more from you but offers more in return.

The Sony TX7 reminds me of that friend who’s always ready for an impromptu snapshot, no fuss. For beginners or pocket-carry advocates, it’s a trustworthy companion.

Whichever you pick, remember a camera is only as good as the photographer behind it - and neither will replace thoughtful composition, patient light, or a creative eye. But having appropriate tools like these can certainly help bring your vision to life.

Happy shooting!

If you have questions about other cameras or lenses in this competitive range, I’m happy to share even broader insights and hands-on comparisons.