Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony WX350: Choosing Your Next Camera with Confidence

When stepping into the realm of photography gear, the sheer number of choices can overwhelm even seasoned enthusiasts. Today, I’m placing two wildly different cameras head-to-head: the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX350. At first glance, comparing these cameras might seem like mixing apples and grapefruits - one’s a mirrorless advanced camera, and the other a compact superzoom point-and-shoot. But therein lies an opportunity: they target very different users and use cases, yet both claim to offer serious photographic capabilities at entry to mid-level budgets. I’ve tested both with thousands of frames across various scenarios over the years, so let's dig deep and help you decide which one fits your needs best.

First Things First: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Listening to how a camera feels in your hands is every bit as important as specs - let me save you from surprises after purchase.

Olympus E-M5 II: This mirrorless camera sports a classic DSLR-style grip and a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, weighing in at around 469g - a comfortable medium weight. The size (124x85x45mm) is compact but substantial, with tactile dials, buttons, and an EVF that make changing settings a joy for those who like physical feedback. It has a fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen with a decent 1.04 million dots resolution. In practice, this means you can shoot from tricky angles and access menus fluidly.

Sony WX350: On the flip side, the WX350 is a pocket-friendly compact at 164g and just 96x55x26mm. Super lightweight and slim, it fits easily in any bag or large pocket. The price for portability, though, is a plasticky build with no weather sealing and a fixed 3-inch LCD with a lower 460k-dot resolution. No viewfinder means you often rely on the screen, which can be challenging in bright daylight.

Handling-wise, the Olympus - with its clubs-for-thumbs grips and customizable buttons - caters to photographers who want speed and control. The Sony, aimed at casual shooters or travelers who crave reach in a pocket camera, keeps things simple with fewer buttons and menus designed for accessibility rather than pro-level manipulation.

Bottom line: If physical presence and ergonomics matter for fast-paced shooting or professional use, the Olympus wins. The Sony is all about grab-and-go convenience and discrete shooting.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Real Difference Maker

This is where we move into territory that divides professional-grade cameras from compacts. The sensor is the heart of image quality, and the Olympus uses a Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, while the Sony matches a tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor at 6.17 x 4.55 mm.

Olympus E-M5 II: Its 16MP Live MOS sensor, combined with the TruePic VII image processor, offers excellent dynamic range (12.4 EV), strong color depth (23 bits), and solid noise performance up to ISO 25600, though native ISO tops out effectively at 1600-3200 for usable grain levels. The sensor size and processing mean images have better detail, smoother tonality, and richer colors, particularly in tricky lighting.

Sony WX350: Sporting an 18MP BSI-CMOS sensor - but much smaller - the WX350’s sensor heavily limits light-gathering capability. It maxes out at ISO 12800, which sounds impressive but is often very noisy above 800 ISO. It also lacks raw file support (shoots JPG only), further limiting post-processing latitude.

To illustrate, I ran comparative exposure tests in standard and challenging conditions. The Olympus consistently renders shadows with subtle gradation, retains highlight details, and produces cleaner high ISO images. The Sony delivers decent daylight snaps with its versatile zoom but falters in low light or complex scenes - details become muddy and colors less vibrant.

Simply put: the Olympus will please serious photographers or anyone looking to expand into high quality printing and meaningful editing workflows. The Sony excels as a point-and-shoot travel option for casual use but falls short on ultimate image quality.

LCD Display and Viewfinder: Getting Your Composition Right

When framing your shot, having clear and flexible viewing options can elevate your experience.

Olympus E-M5 II: The fully articulated touchscreen is fantastic for shooting from low to high angles, vloggers, or macro shooters working close to the ground. The 2.36 million-dot EVF is bright and sharp - proof that electronic viewfinders have matured - and it covers 100% of the frame with a respectable 0.74x magnification. Focusing through the EVF in bright sunlight is a breeze and less straining than an LCD.

Sony WX350: The compact lacks an EVF and instead relies solely on its fixed LCD. While the 3-inch screen size is good, the resolution is low, and glare can be an issue outdoors due to the fixed angle. There’s no touchscreen, so menu navigation and focusing require the physical buttons, which isn’t the most fluid experience.

Quick takeaway: The Olympus clearly offers higher framing flexibility and precision tools, benefiting everything from street to macro and portrait photography. The Sony’s fixed screen means concessions on framing versatility and ease of use in bright conditions.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Intuition

In practical photography, autofocus (AF) is where the rubber meets the road - whether you’re freezing wildlife in motion or nailing portraits with tack-sharp eyes.

Olympus E-M5 II: Packs an 81-point contrast-detection AF system with face & eye detection and a variety of AF modes including continuous, single, tracking, and selective AF area. While contrast-detection AF can be slower than phase detection in some scenarios, Olympus’ implementation here is impressive due to its fast processing. The focus is precise even in low light and works well for both static and moving subjects, though it’s not quite on par with flagship systems.

Sony WX350: Offers a contrast-detection AF system without phase detection and no touch AF support. It uses wide-area AF or center-point AF, relying on simpler algorithms, which makes it prone to hunting in low light or on fast-moving subjects. For casual snapshots and daylight scenes, it's surprisingly reliable, but it’s not fit for demanding wildlife or sports photography.

I tested AF tracking on birds in flight and found the Olympus far more capable of maintaining focus across sequences, essential for wildlife and sports enthusiasts. The Sony was apt for street and travel shots when subjects are generally static or slow moving.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speed – Capturing the Decisive Moment

Photography is often about timing. How fast can your camera capture a series of images?

• Olympus E-M5 II: Offers 10 fps mechanical shutter speed with a max of 1/8000s and a silent electronic shutter option up to 1/16000s. This combination allows freezing high-speed action and shooting discreetly (great for street or events). The buffer holds quite a few RAW files, facilitating sports or wildlife bursts.

• Sony WX350: Also records at 10 fps, but limits maximum shutter speed to 1/1600s with no silent shutter. Without raw shooting, high-speed action shots have little post-processing latitude. The buffer is shallow so extended bursts are impossible.

For sports and wildlife fans, Olympus' faster shutter combined with buffer and AF performance makes it a winner.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Shooting in Tough Conditions

Weather sealing is crucial if you frequently shoot outdoors under variable conditions.

• Olympus E-M5 II: Rigorously weather-sealed with dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof designs (operates down to -10°C). The magnesium alloy body feels robust and ready for fieldwork. You can pair it with similarly weather-sealed lenses to create a resilient combo.

• Sony WX350: Has no weather sealing or toughness claims. Made from plastic-bodied components, it’s vulnerable to moisture, dust, and rough handling.

This makes the E-M5 II far superior for landscape, wildlife, and travel pros needing dependable tooling.

Lenses and Zoom Capabilities: Flexibility vs Convenience

Olympus E-M5 II: Uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, granting access to an extensive lineup of over 100 native lenses, from ultra-wide primes to long telephotos and fast-aperture portrait lenses. This flexibility is invaluable for specialists - landscape shooters appreciate ultra-sharp, wide glass, while portrait enthusiasts can exploit fast f/1.8 or f/1.2 lenses for creamy bokeh.

Sony WX350: Has a fixed 25-500mm equivalent (20x optical zoom) F3.5-6.5 lens built-in. Great for travel snapshots spanning wide scenery to distant subjects without lens changes. However, variable max aperture means low-light performance drops off dramatically at longer focal lengths, and you sacrifice optical quality and depth of field control compared with interchangeable lenses.

If you want growth potential and creative options, Olympus wins hands down. The WX350 caters to users who prioritize convenience and zoom reach in a pocketable package.

Battery Life and Storage: Keeping Up With Your Shoot Days

Cameras that die mid-shoot are the pits - so let’s talk endurance.

• Olympus E-M5 II: Rated at around 310 shots per charge (CIPA standard), which is average for mirrorless cameras. Real-world usage with LCD and EVF combos can run this down faster, but carrying a spare battery remedies that quickly. Uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, standard among serious shooters.

• Sony WX350: Rated at 470 shots per charge, significantly higher, benefiting from simpler electronics and no EVF. Also supports SD cards plus Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats, which may complicate storage options but still manageable.

For extended photography trips, the Sony requires less battery management but lacks the power and creative control pros desire.

Video and Audio Capabilities: How Do They Stack Up?

Video has become integral to general content creation.

• Olympus E-M5 II: Offers Full HD 1080p recording at up to 60 fps, with versatile frame rate options (including 24p) for cinematic looks. It incorporates a microphone input (no headphone jack, unfortunately). The 5-axis sensor stabilization effectively smooths handheld footage, a feature not all entry-level mirrorless cameras have. However, it lacks 4K video and advanced video-centric features.

• Sony WX350: Also shoots 1080p video with AVCHD and MP4 formats at 60i/30p. No mic or headphone ports and no optical image stabilization beyond lens stabilization. Fixed lens limits cinematic creativity. No articulating screen means awkward framing for video selfies or vlogging.

For amateur video creators wanting better control and stabilization, Olympus is clearly the stronger option. The Sony suffices for casual video snippets but is limited in creative scope.

Performance Summary and Scores

Let’s visualize the cameras’ overall strengths based on professional testing plus hands-on experience.

Olympus leads in image quality, durability, handling, and creative versatility. Sony earns points for portability, zoom reach, and battery life but lags behind in fundamental photographic controls.

How They Perform Across Different Genres of Photography

Looking at specific disciplines reveals stark contrasts.

• Portrait: Olympus shines with attractive bokeh, reliable eye-detection AF, and superior skin tone rendering. Sony’s small sensor yields weaker background blur and less nuanced color.

• Landscape: Olympus’ larger sensor and dynamic range capture wide tonal vistas better; weather sealing aids rugged outdoor use. Sony offers good focal length but noisy images in challenging light.

• Wildlife: Olympus’ AF tracking and fast burst speeds support action sequences. Sony’s fixed lens zoom range is good but limited by AF slow speeds.

• Sports: Olympus again leads due to continuous AF and higher shutter speeds.

• Street: Sony’s form factor and silent operation make it stealthier; Olympus bulkier but quicker with settings and focus.

• Macro: Olympus supports close-up lenses and focus stacking; Sony disappointed due to fixed optics.

• Night/Astro: Olympus delivers cleaner high ISO and long exposure options; Sony struggles with noise.

• Video: Olympus’ mic inlet and stabilization provide more polished video.

• Travel: Sony’s compact size and battery life suit casual trips; Olympus is a more serious travel partner but with the bulk and the extra weight.

• Professional work: Olympus fits established workflows with raw files, tethering, and interchangeable lenses. Sony is more a snapshot travel camera here.

Real-World Image Comparison Highlights

To wrap up image-quality impressions, here are sample photos taken from both cameras covering daylight landscapes, muted portraits, and indoor scenes.

Olympus E M5 II front Olympus E M5 II screen back Sony WX350 front Sony WX350 screen back

Notice the richer tonality, greater sharpness, and cleaner shadows from the Olympus. The Sony photos, while competent in good light, show notably less refined color gradients and detail in low light.

Price and Value: Are You a Cheapskate or Investing Wisely?

At launch, the Olympus E-M5 II was a mid-range advanced mirrorless priced around $699 body-only, and the Sony WX350 was more budget-friendly at $270.

If you are a beginner, casual shooter, or someone who wants a simple, ultra-compact camera with excellent zoom for travel or family events, the WX350 offers decent bang for the buck. But if you value image quality, potential to grow, and a robust system to support creative photography over years - especially if you invest in lenses - the Olympus E-M5 II is worth the higher stakes.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Buy?

Choose the Olympus E-M5 II if you:

• Want advanced control, superb image quality, and lens flexibility
• Shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or video seriously
• Need ruggedness and weather sealing for outdoor shooting
• Are ready to invest time learning camera settings and post-processing
• Desire an EVF and articulating screen for various shooting styles

Choose the Sony WX350 if you:

• Need a highly portable, everyday camera that fits your pocket
• Favor extreme zoom range without carrying lenses
• Shoot mostly casual travel, street, or social snapshots
• Seek long battery life without worrying about spares
• Have a strict budget and don’t prioritize manual controls or RAW files

Wrapping Up

Both cameras suit distinctly different photographic lifestyles. The Olympus E-M5 II is a well-rounded advanced mirrorless with features that serve enthusiasts and pros alike. The Sony WX350 is a compact superzoom aimed at travelers and casual shooters prioritizing size and reach over image finesse. Use this evaluation to pinpoint which strengths matter most in your photography journey.

Happy shooting - and may your next camera be the perfect partner on your creative adventures!