Comparing the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560: An Expert Evaluation Across Photography Genres

Selecting a camera tailored to your photographic aspirations involves a nuanced understanding beyond headline specifications or marketing allure. In this thorough comparison, we scrutinize two markedly different cameras: the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III, a highly capable advanced mirrorless system, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560, a compact point-and-shoot model from an earlier generation. Drawing from extensive hands-on testing and industry-standard evaluation protocols, this article traverses technical attributes, real-world usability, and photographic output across key disciplines to deliver actionable insights for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Frames and Feel: Size, Build, and Handling Considerations

At first glance, the Olympus E-M5 III and Sony W560 inhabit radically different design philosophies that anticipate distinct user interactions.

Olympus E-M5 III - Advanced Mirrorless with Robust Ergonomics

• Dimensions: 125 x 85 x 50 mm
• Weight: 414 g (body only)
• Body Type: SLR-style mirrorless
• Build: Magnesium alloy chassis, weather-sealed (resistant to dust and moisture)
• Handling: Deep grip with tactile controls; articulating 3-inch touchscreen enhances compositional versatility

Sony W560 - Ultracompact Pocketability

• Dimensions: 94 x 56 x 19 mm
• Weight: 110 g
• Build: Plastic shell without environmental sealing
• Handling: Compact and light, optimized for quick casual shooting; fixed 3-inch low-res LCD without touch

The physicality of the Olympus places it firmly in the realm of serious shooters requiring rugged reliability and comfortable repeated use over extended sessions. Conversely, the Sony favors discreet carry and spontaneous point-and-shoot convenience, though at the expense of nuanced ergonomics or durability under challenging conditions.

Control Layout and User Interface: Navigating Complexity vs. Simplicity

An experienced photographer’s efficiency often hinges on intuitive access to key settings.

• Olympus E-M5 III:

  • Dedicated dials for exposure compensation, shooting modes, and drive settings
  • Customizable buttons mapped for rapid adjustments (ISO, autofocus modes, white balance)
  • Touch interface supports focusing and menu navigation
  • Electronic viewfinder with 2360k-dot resolution offers a detailed and lag-free preview

• Sony W560:

  • Minimalist button array reflecting fixed-function constraints
  • No electronic viewfinder; reliant solely on the fixed rear Clear Photo LCD (230k dots, no touch)
  • Simplified exposure control with no manual priority or shutter/aperture adjustments
  • Menu driven by directional pad navigation – less efficient for advanced tasks

Testing each model in live shooting conditions, the Olympus’s comprehensive controls enable rapid context-dependent setting shifts essential for dynamic photography, such as wildlife or sports. The Sony’s stripped-down interface is approachable but limits creative control and speed.

Sensor and Image Quality: Evaluating Core Capture Capabilities

Sensor technology defines the fundamental boundaries of image quality, dynamic range, low-light performance, and resolution.

Technical Implications:

• The Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor offers a significant advantage in light gathering, noise handling, and depth of field control. Its state-of-the-art TruePic VIII processor complements this with rapid image processing and noise reduction algorithms.
• The Sony’s smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor restricts dynamic range and exacerbates noise at higher ISO levels. Additionally, the lack of raw image capability restricts post-processing flexibility, a decisive factor for image quality-centric users.

Practical Impact:
In side-by-side shooting under varied lighting conditions, the E-M5 III consistently delivers cleaner shadows, richer tonal gradations, and superior detail retention. The W560’s images show increased grain and limited editing latitude, conflating its role as a casual snapshot camera.

Viewfinding and Display: Composing and Reviewing Your Images

Accurate framing and feedback during capture underpin photographic precision.

• Olympus E-M5 III:

  • High-resolution 3" fully articulated touchscreen (1,040k dots)
  • Bright, color-accurate OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.68x magnification and 100% coverage
  • Touch-focus, swipe navigation, and customizable live histogram

• Sony W560:

  • Fixed 3" Clear Photo LCD (230k dots), non-touch
  • No viewfinder; requires composing solely via screen in bright conditions
  • Limited information overlays and slower live view response

Test Notes:
The articulated screen of the Olympus offers invaluable flexibility for compositional experimentation, such as low or overhead perspectives, crucial for macro or street photography. The W560’s screen, while adequate indoors, falters outdoors under strong sunlight and limits shooting angles, notable drawbacks for creative framing.

Olympus E M5 III front Olympus E M5 III screen back Sony W560 front Sony W560 screen back

Photography Genres: A Comparative Performance Analysis

Robust camera choice depends on genre-specific attributes measuring autofocus, speed, sensor characteristics, and ergonomics.

Portrait Photography

Analysis:
The Olympus’s precise eye detection autofocus and lens selection (including fast primes) enable creamy subject isolation and consistently sharp eyes, whereas the Sony lacks subject-tracking sophistication and cannot achieve comparable background blur.

Landscape Photography

Analysis:
Extended dynamic range and weather sealing make the Olympus an ideal companion for outdoor and landscape photographers facing variable conditions, capturing subtleties in sky and shadow zones. The Sony is less suited for demanding landscape work due to limited sensor performance and ruggedness.

Wildlife Photography

Analysis:
The Olympus delivers the agility required for fast-moving subjects, with rapid burst rates and precise continuous autofocus. Its native ecosystem includes long telephoto lenses crucial for wild subjects. The Sony’s sluggish AF and limited focal length range curtail its utility in capturing fleeting wildlife moments.

Sports Photography

Analysis:
The Olympus’s burst shooting capability combined with tracking autofocus and moderate low-light tolerance provide an effective toolset for sports scenarios. The Sony’s single shot limitation and slower shutter speeds impede capturing peak action moments.

Street Photography

Analysis:
Although the Sony excels in size and stealth, the Olympus E-M5 III’s silent electronic shutter and superior imaging pipeline make it more capable in challenging light, albeit at the cost of bulk. Photographers prioritizing ultimate discretion may prefer the W560, but with compromises.

Macro Photography

Analysis: The Olympus’s support for focus bracketing and stacking enhances depth of field control in macro work. Its lens selection includes specialized macro optics delivering superior reproduction ratios. The Sony’s macro capability is basic, suitable only for casual close-up shots.

Night and Astro Photography

Analysis: The Olympus’s 5-axis IS combined with advanced exposure controls facilitates long exposures necessary for night and astrophotography. The Sony lacks bulb mode and suffers heavy noise at elevated ISOs, limiting its usability in low-light creativity.

Video Capabilities

Analysis:
The Olympus provides a professional-grade video suite, suitable for filmmakers requiring 4K capture and external audio input, enhanced by powerful IS. The Sony’s video is serviceable for casual home videos but lacks advanced controls or quality.

Technical Performance Summary and Ratings

Although no DxOMark scores are available for these models, our controlled testing benchmarks suggest the Olympus E-M5 III delivers excellence across almost all performance aspects: resolution, noise control, focusing, and speed. The Sony W560 delivers an entry-level experience appropriate for snapshots but limited for technically demanding use.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

The Olympus brand’s Micro Four Thirds mount offers an extensive system with over 107 lenses ranging from ultra-wide fisheyes to super-telephoto primes and macros, accommodating every photographic style and budget.

The Sony W560’s fixed lens provides no flexibility – a considerable constraint when photographic ambitions evolve.

Power, Connectivity, and Workflow Integration

The Olympus integrates modern connectivity facilitating image transfer and remote control, streamlining workflow for professional contexts. Sony’s reliance on Eye-Fi cards and lack of Bluetooth limit wireless remote capabilities and tethering.

Value Proposition: Pricing and Intended Users

• Olympus E-M5 III: Approx. $1,199 (body only)
• Sony W560: Approx. $139 (fixed lens compact)

This disparity reflects the Olympus’s technological advances, system flexibility, and professional feature set versus the Sony’s entry-level snapshot utility.

Final Recommendations: Matching Cameras to Photographer Profiles

Choose Olympus OM-D E-M5 III if you:

• Prioritize image quality, dynamic range, and professional-level output
• Require versatile interchangeable lens options
• Shoot in diverse genres including portrait, wildlife, sports, macro, and low-light scenarios
• Need durable, weather-sealed build and advanced control ergonomics
• Intend to integrate into a modern workflow with wireless and tethered shooting

Choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560 if you:

• Seek an ultra-compact, budget-friendly camera for casual snapshots
• Prefer a point-and-shoot with minimal setup and maintenance
• Desire a simple camera for travel as an occasional companion device
• Are not concerned with manual controls, raw files, or advanced focusing
• Need a lightweight option with basic image quality sufficient for social media sharing

Conclusion

Through systematic evaluation across design, sensor performance, autofocus systems, user interface, and photographic discipline adaptability, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III emerges as a sophisticated tool suitable for demanding photographers and creative workflows. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560, while respectable for its class and era, remains confined to casual point-and-shoot roles due to fundamental hardware and functional limitations.

Your choice ultimately depends on technical requirements and shooting ambitions. The E-M5 III represents a substantial investment in creative capability and image excellence, whereas the W560 fulfills basic imaging needs in an ultra-portable package.

This analysis is grounded in direct empirical testing protocols aligned with industry best practices in camera evaluation, ensuring that photographers receive an expert, practical guide toward selecting their next imaging partner.