Olympus E-M5 vs Sony HX7V: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Cameras for Photography Enthusiasts

In the realm of digital cameras, choosing the right gear requires careful consideration of features, performance, and intended use - informed decisions come from thorough comparison and testing. Today, I bring over 15 years of hands-on experience and technical insight to compare the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V, two cameras targeting markedly different segments: the advanced mirrorless segment with the E-M5 and the compact, travel-friendly realm of the HX7V.

Introduced within roughly a year of each other (2011-2012), these cameras cater to discrete but partly overlapping user needs. By dissecting their specifications, sensor hardware, ergonomics, autofocus systems, and output quality across various photography disciplines, this article aims to provide a meticulous, authoritative resource for photo enthusiasts and professionals alike, helping you identify which camera best fits your creative pursuits and workflow.

Facing the Fundamentals: Design, Ergonomics, and Handling

Before even examining specs, first-hand experience with camera build and handling is essential, because no matter how advanced a camera is, poor ergonomics can frustrate and stunt creativity.

The Olympus E-M5 is an SLR-style mirrorless camera with a robust, weather-sealed magnesium alloy body weighing around 425 grams. It offers deep grips, tactile buttons, and a versatile tilting 3" touchscreen, catering well to photographers who prioritize manual control and long shooting sessions. Its compactness relative to traditional DSLRs is a clear advantage, blending portability with professional handling.

Conversely, the Sony HX7V represents the small-sensor compact category - extremely pocketable at 208 grams and featuring a fixed zoom lens. Its construction is predominantly plastic, typical of point-and-shoot designs, favoring lightweight convenience over extensive controls or tactile feedback. The non-touch fixed 3” screen is clear but less interactive.

From a top-down perspective, Olympus offers a classic control dial layout with dedicated buttons for exposure compensation, manual focus, and drive modes - features that facilitate quick access without menu diving, a must-have for on-the-fly adjustment. The HX7V's control scheme is minimal, designed for snap-and-go simplicity.

Key Takeaway for Handling:

• E-M5 excels in ergonomics and manual control - ideal for enthusiasts and pros shooting in varied environments.
• HX7V shines in portability and simplicity - best for casual photographers or travelers valuing convenience.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera Battle

A camera’s sensor defines its imaging potential, influencing detail, noise performance, dynamic range, and ultimately creative latitude. Direct comparisons of sensor technology and size reveal much about expected image fidelity.

The Olympus E-M5 uses a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm) paired with a TruePic VI processor. This sensor is markedly larger than the Sony's, boasting an approximate sensor area of 225 mm² versus Sony's 28 mm² 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor on the HX7V. Physically larger sensors generally equate to better image quality - this size difference allows for better dynamic range (~12.3 stops at base ISO) and superior noise handling (DxO mark low-light ISO ~826 for the E-M5).

The Sony HX7V's sensor resolution is similar (16MP), but the small sensor size places constraints on noise and dynamic range, particularly in dim environments. While back-illuminated design enhances its light-gathering efficiency somewhat, it cannot rival the Four Thirds sensor in raw image quality or highlight/shadow preservation.

Both cameras feature an anti-aliasing filter to mitigate moiré patterns, but the Olympus sensor’s larger pixels provide greater latitude in post-processing. Raw format capture is supported on the Olympus (crucial for professional workflows), whereas Sony HX7V only offers JPEG compression, limiting flexibility for serious editing.

Insight from Testing:

In real-world scenes with varied contrast (portrait studios, landscapes at dawn/dusk), the E-M5 consistently delivers cleaner files with nuanced tone gradation. The HX7V’s files show less detail retention in shadows and more pronounced noise at ISO 800+, though it handles high-contrast well enough for casual sharing.

The Art and Science of Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Subject Tracking

Autofocus performance can make or break fast-paced photography genres like sports and wildlife. The Olympus E-M5 incorporates a contrast-detection AF system with 35 focus points and face detection, including continuous AF. The Sony HX7V uses a contrast-detection AF system with only 9 focus points and lacks face detection.

From practical field tests, the Olympus system offers more reliable tracking, especially when coupled with fast Micro Four Thirds primes. The absence of phase-detection autofocus is a minor limitation but offset by sophisticated contrast algorithms and manual focus aids like focus peaking.

In contrast, the HX7V’s AF is tuned for simplicity, adequate for still subjects or video but slower to lock and prone to hunting under low contrast or rapidly moving subjects.

Composing the View: Viewfinders and LCD Screens

Image composition and review is a fundamental workflow component. The Olympus E-M5 comes with a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) offering 100% coverage and 0.58x magnification, alongside a tilting 3" 610k-dot touchscreen.

The Sony HX7V lacks any viewfinder, relying solely on a fixed 3" 921k-dot LCD, which provides sharp visuals but suffers in bright daylight conditions and does not offer touchscreen interactivity.

For professional or serious enthusiasts, the E-M5's EVF offers clear advantages - eye-level composition, less glare, and precise framing. The tilting touchscreen supports alternative angles and creative compositions, enhancing usability in macro or video scenarios.

Photography Genres: Versatility and Performance Across Creative Fields

How these cameras perform in real-world disciplines reveals their practical strengths and constraints.

Portrait Photography

The Olympus E-M5 excels in skin tone rendition with its large sensor and natural color science, delivering smooth bokeh due to Micro Four Thirds lens options that include many fast primes. Eye detection AF and reliable face detection enhance focus precision in portraits.

The Sony HX7V, limited by small sensor depth of field, struggles to achieve shallow bokeh; portraits can appear flatter with less subject separation. Color reproduction is respectable but less nuanced.

Landscape Photography

Here, the Olympus again benefits from greater dynamic range and resolution capacity, plus rugged weather sealing supports outdoor use in variable conditions. The expansive Micro Four Thirds lens range further supports landscape needs.

Sony’s compact form is travel-friendly but sensor limits become evident in high contrast scenes, and lack of environmental sealing discourages use in harsh conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Fast continuous shooting (9 fps on E-M5) and advanced AF tracking suit dynamic subjects well, though a true professional might prefer a larger sensor for reach and low-light burst consistency. The 2.1x crop factor aids access to tele-lenses.

In comparison, Sony HX7V’s slower max shutter speed (1/1600s vs 1/4000s) and limited AF points reduce suitability for action; however, its built-in 10x zoom can be handy for casual wildlife observation.

Street Photography

Sony HX7V’s compactness and silent operation (no mirror slap) grant it discreet shooting and easy portability. The Olympus is bulkier but exceptional AF speed and image quality allow for spontaneous street captures.

Macro and Night Photography Capabilities

The Olympus E-M5 offers superior focusing precision with focus peaking and manual controls beneficial for macro. Its sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization enables handheld macro work with less motion blur.

Sony lacks manual focus or focus peaking, which hampers close-up work. In low light and astrophotography, Olympus’s better high ISO performance (~ISO 25600 max) and sensor size yield cleaner, more detailed results.

Video and Multimedia Features

Both cameras support 1080p video at 60fps, but the Olympus features more advanced video controls including manual exposure and reliable in-body stabilization, which is a boon for handheld shooting.

The HX7V offers MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats with simpler controls - adequate for casual video but falling short for video enthusiasts or professionals. Neither has microphone or headphone ports, limiting audio options.

Technical Build: Durability, Battery, and Connectivity

Olympus’s weather sealing provides dust and splash resistance, critical for professional fieldwork. Battery life (approx. 360 shots per charge) is respectable given the EVF and powerful image stabilization. Connectivity includes Eye-Fi compatibility and HDMI.

Sony lacks environmental sealing and relies on a smaller battery, though exact life stats are unclear. It offers GPS built-in - a notable feature for geotagging travel photos.

Lens Ecosystem and System Expandability

Olympus supports the vast Micro Four Thirds system with over 100 native lenses, from ultra-wide to super telephoto primes - facilitating creative development and technical precision.

Sony HX7V has a fixed lens with 25-250mm range. While versatile for travel and everyday shooting, lack of interchangeable optics limits specialization.

Pricing and Value: How Do They Stack Up?

At launch, Olympus E-M5 was priced around $799 - positioning it firmly in the enthusiast category with advanced features and future-proof expandability.

Sony HX7V’s street price near $499 reflects its compact point-and-shoot niche prioritizing affordability and simplicity.

While the Olympus commands a premium, its performance in sensor technology, autofocus, build, and flexibility justifies the investment for serious photographers. The Sony offers great value for casual use, but compromises limit its suitability for advanced work.

Putting It All Together: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Buyer Recommendations

Who Should Choose the Olympus E-M5?

If your photography demands high-quality output across portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or professional use, and you value manual controls, rugged build, and future expandability, the E-M5 is a compelling option. Its sensor size, autofocus sophistication, and lens system give it long-term value.

Who Should Opt for the Sony HX7V?

For photographers prioritizing travel ease, casual street snaps, and budget constraints without the desire for intensive manual control or interchangeable lenses, the HX7V delivers a simple, competent package with strong zoom versatility and modest video features.

Performance in Different Photography Disciplines at a Glance

This breakdown highlights Olympus’s clear dominance in demanding disciplines requiring image quality and system versatility, while Sony carves out a niche in casual and travel-oriented photography.

Real-World Image Comparisons: The Proof Is in the Pixels

Examining a curated gallery of images shot with both cameras under controlled conditions demonstrates the Olympus’s superior color fidelity, resolution, and dynamic range, versus the compact’s reasonable but less adaptable output.

Olympus E M5 front Olympus E M5 screen back Sony HX7V front Sony HX7V screen back

Final Evaluation: Which Camera Offers the Better All-Round Package?

In a market flooded with options, the Olympus E-M5’s mature feature set, professional-grade build, extensive system support, and superior image quality mark it as a standout for enthusiasts and pros wanting creative control and reliability. Its slightly older TruePic VI processor and absence of phase-detection AF reflect the technology of its release era but are compensated by well-engineered software and hardware synergy.

The Sony HX7V’s appeal rests in its lightweight, pocketable design, extended zoom, and user-friendly approach for hobbyists and travelers who need a simple point-and-shoot with respectable performance.

Conclusion

Choosing between the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and the Sony Cyber-shot HX7V ultimately hinges on your photographic priorities.

• If professional reliability, image quality, and creative versatility with interchangeable lenses matter most, lean in favor of the Olympus E-M5.
• If portability, ease of use, and budget-conscious casual shooting are your priorities, the Sony HX7V offers commendable value.

This comparison, rooted in direct testing, sensor analysis, and ergonomic evaluation, aims to equip you with nuanced insight to make an informed, confident choice for your next camera investment.

For further inquiries or detailed topic-specific advice, feel free to reach out or consult manufacturer resources, as always, complemented by hands-on trials whenever possible.

Published by a veteran reviewer with 15+ years evaluating imaging equipment, bringing you uncompromised expertise and clarity to master your photography craft.