Olympus E-P2 vs Sony WX5: A Hands-On Comparison for the Thoughtful Photographer

Choosing the right camera can feel overwhelming, especially when the models differ so widely in design, target users, and intended uses. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to test both high-end mirrorless and compact cameras over my 15-plus years reviewing, and today I’ll bring you a thorough, first-hand comparison between two rather unique offerings from the year 2010: the Olympus PEN E-P2 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5. While separated by category - a mirrorless interchangeable lens versus a small sensor compact - both cameras intrigue enthusiasts with very different priorities.

Let’s walk through their core strengths and weaknesses, and uncover which might suit your photographic ambitions best.

Getting To Know The Cameras: Size, Handling, and Build Quality

First impressions matter, right? And I find physical ergonomics often pull the trigger on buying decisions. The Olympus E-P2 is a rangefinder-styled mirrorless camera, sporting a classic retro vibe reminiscent of film cameras, while the Sony WX5 is a sleek, pocket-friendly compact designed for casual grab-and-go shooting.

Take a look at this size comparison for a clear idea:

At 121 x 70 x 36 mm and 355 grams, the Olympus E-P2 commands a more substantial, confident grip, especially when paired with Olympus’s extensive lineup of Micro Four Thirds lenses. Its magnesium alloy body offers decent durability - though it lacks weather sealing - making it a solid proposition for everyday use but less so for harsh environments.

In contrast, the Sony WX5’s tiny footprint (92 x 52 x 22 mm) and featherweight 146 grams make it incredibly pocketable. The primarily plastic construction reveals its budget-friendly focus but does not inspire confidence for rugged shooting. However, if travel light and spontaneous shooting matter most, the WX5 will rarely be a burden.

The control layout further illustrates their user-focus differences:

The Olympus thoughtfully arranges physical dials and buttons for shutter speed, aperture compensation, and white balance - all accessible without diving into menus, perfect for photographers wanting direct manual control. There's a provision for an optional electronic viewfinder, which can help compose in bright outdoor conditions.

Meanwhile, the Sony offers a simplified interface - typical of point-and-shoots - with minimal dedicated controls. This suits casual shooters or holiday snappers who prefer automatic modes without fuss.

If you like holding a camera that feels like a creative tool, the E-P2 wins here hands down. But if absolute portability and simplicity appeal, Sony’s WX5 is tough to beat.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

Now, the crucial question - how do image quality and sensor technology stack up? Let's dig into their imaging cores.

Olympus’s E-P2 uses a Four Thirds-sized 12MP CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm. Sensor size directly impacts light-gathering ability and, consequently, image quality, especially at higher ISO settings and in complex lighting.

Sony’s WX5 has a far smaller 1/2.3-inch 12MP BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm), typical for compact cameras of its era, and understandably limited in dynamic range and noise performance.

DxOMark scores reinforce these points. Though the Sony isn't tested there, the Olympus records a respectable overall score of 56, with a wide dynamic range of 10.4 EV and a color depth of 21.5 bits, reflecting more flexibility in post-processing.

The larger sensor of the E-P2 also benefits from a native ISO range of 100-6400, allowing cleaner images at low light, while the WX5 tops out at 3200 ISO, with noisier results when pushed beyond base levels.

In practical shooting, you’ll notice the Olympus delivering richer color gradations and sharper detail, particularly with prime lenses. The Sony is no slouch in bright conditions and excels in casual scenarios where portability trumps resolution nuances.

Framing Your Shot: LCD Screens and Viewfinder Experience

Being able to see your subject clearly, especially in tricky lighting, is vital.

Olympus’s 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD offers a resolution of 230k dots - the technology provides solid visibility even in daylight, though by today’s standards it feels a bit grainy. The E-P2 lacks a built-in viewfinder but supports an optional electronic one you’ll want for street or landscape shooting in bright sun.

Sony’s WX5 sports a 2.8-inch LCD with a much higher resolution of 461k dots, yielding a sharper, more vibrant display. However, it has no viewfinder at all, which can challenge composition under direct sunlight.

Neither camera offers touchscreen functionality, so you’ll resort to physical buttons for navigation - adequate, though not as intuitive as modern touch interfaces.

For photographers who prefer eye-level stabilization and framing, Olympus’s optional EVF is a worthy accessory. Casual users might prefer Sony’s brighter, crisp screen for image review.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing the Moment

When it comes to autofocus (AF) performance and burst shooting, different designs come through:

• Olympus E-P2 uses an 11-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection but no animal eye AF. While contrast detection is slower and less precise than phase-detection, the E-P2 holds up well in controlled environments, quickly focusing on humans, especially stationary subjects. Continuous AF is supported but prone to hunting in low contrast.

• Sony WX5 employs a 9-point contrast-detection AF with center-weighted priority and includes AF tracking but no face detection. It lacks manual focus controls altogether, focusing entirely on point-and-shoot convenience.

One standout difference is burst shooting speed: Olympus caps at 3 frames per second - adequate for casual portrait or street shooting but insufficient for sports or wildlife. Sony’s faster 10 fps burst rate enables better chances of catching fleeting moments, within the limits of its compact sensor and lens.

For professionals or enthusiasts needing fast, accurate AF - especially with fast-moving subjects - neither camera is ideal today, but Olympus grants more creative control and consistent results in portrait and still life scenarios.

Lens Systems and Versatility: Expandability Matters

Interchangeable lenses often define a camera system’s long-term value.

The Olympus E-P2 employs the Micro Four Thirds mount, compatible with over 100 lenses, spanning wide-angle primes, telephoto zooms, macro lenses, and specialty optics. This expansive ecosystem offers immense flexibility across genres - portrait, landscape, macro, and wildlife photography alike.

Conversely, the Sony WX5’s fixed 24-120mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens with a moderate F2.4-5.9 aperture spectrum is its only option. While covering useful focal lengths, it lacks the fast apertures and interchangeable options to match evolving creative demands.

Here's a useful visual to remind you of how much lens potential the Olympus system wields:

Olympus E P2 front Olympus E P2 screen back Sony WX5 front Sony WX5 screen back

If your vision includes versatile optics and upgrading your gear over time, Olympus has the clear edge. Sony is more like a ready-to-go tool for snapshots.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Strengths and Limitations

Let’s survey how each camera holds up across popular photography specializations.

Portrait Photography

The Olympus E-P2 shines here, thanks to:

• Larger sensor that renders smoother skin tones and finer details
• Sensor-based image stabilization (crucial for handheld portraits)
• Decent face detection autofocus ensuring focus locks on eyes
• Fine manual exposure and aperture control for creative depth of field

The Sony WX5 struggles with shallow depth of field and softer detail due to sensor limitations, although its fast autofocus and burst can catch candids.

Landscape Photography

In landscape, dynamic range and resolution count. Olympus’s 12MP Four Thirds sensor captures wide tonal range and fine textures, enhanced by RAW support for max post-processing flexibility.

Sony’s small sensor clips highlights more readily and struggles in low light or HDR scenes. Physical build - not weather sealed in either - limits outdoor ruggedness.

Wildlife Photography

Neither camera was built for serious wildlife shooting, but Olympus’s lens versatility and stabilization come closer to viability, especially when paired with telephoto zooms.

Sony’s 10 fps burst is tempting but limited by slow lens aperture and smaller sensor.

Sports Photography

Speed and tracking responsiveness favor Sony’s faster burst mode. However, both cameras lack dedicated phase-detection AF or robust AF locking/tracking, impairing action reliability.

Street Photography

The Sony WX5’s discreet size and light weight make it excellent for candid street shots, especially if you want something always ready in your pocket.

Olympus’s larger, more conspicuous body might attract attention but offers far superior manual controls for those who value creative intent.

Macro Photography

Olympus’s extensive lens options with specialized macro optics offer better focusing precision and magnification.

Sony’s minimum focusing distance of 5 cm is acceptable for casual macro but won’t satisfy enthusiasts.

Night and Astro Photography

Olympus wins here with a cleaner sensor, higher max ISO, and manual exposure options. Its maximum shutter speed of 1/60 to 1/4000 sec caters to longer exposures needed for stars.

Sony caps out shutter speed at 1/1600 sec and suffers from noise at high ISOs.

Video Capabilities

Sony WX5 supports Full HD 1080p at 50 fps with AVCHD codec, thus offering better quality and smoother video compared to Olympus’s capped 720p/30fps Motion JPEG output, which is heavier and lower-res.

Neither has microphone inputs or modern stabilization features, but Sony is preferable for videographers on a budget.

Battery Life and Storage: Longevity on the Road

Olympus’s proprietary BLS-1 battery delivers approximately 300 shots per charge. Sony’s WX5 uses an NP-BN1 battery, but official battery life figures are unavailable (generally lower given compact camera class).

Storage-wise, Olympus supports SD/SDHC cards; Sony supports SD/SDHC/SDXC as well as Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, offering greater storage flexibility.

If battery endurance is mission-critical for your travel or event work, expect to carry spares regardless. Olympus’s slightly larger body can accommodate an extra battery or grip for extended shooting.

Connectivity and Extras

While neither camera supports Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, Sony’s “Eye-Fi Connected” feature enables wireless image transfers with compatible SD cards - handy for quick sharing. Olympus offers no wireless features, reflecting the era and entry-level stance.

Both cameras provide HDMI output and USB 2.0 ports, the Olympus’s being modestly better suited for tethered shooting due to its more creative focus.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Money

The Olympus E-P2 launched around $799, reflecting its positioning as an entry-level but expandable mirrorless system camera.

Sony’s WX5 retailed closer to $250, making it an ultra-affordable, conventional compact camera - great for shopping on a budget or as a second camera.

Here’s a side-by-side performance summary showing their relative strengths:

And a look at their capabilities across photography genres:

Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?

To wrap things up, here is how I would advise different users based on my hands-on experience with these models.

• Serious Enthusiasts and Entry-Level Creatives: The Olympus E-P2 is your better choice. Its superior sensor size, manual controls, and huge lens lineup invite photographic growth and creative control. Portrait, landscape, and macro shooters will especially appreciate its image quality and versatility. Just be prepared to invest in lenses and possibly carry an optional electronic viewfinder.

• Casual Photographers and Travelers Looking for Convenience: Sony WX5 is your pocket rocket. Tiny, easy to use, and with decent video capabilities, it’s perfect for vacation snapshots, street photography, and quick social media sharing. If you value portability over ultimate image quality, this camera delivers solid value.

• Video Hobbyists on a Budget: Sony WX5 offers Full HD video at 50 fps versus Olympus's 720p - an important distinction for cine enthusiasts.

• Buyers Concerned with System Longevity and Upgradability: Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds mount has stood the test of time. You’ll find there’s always another lens or accessory waiting to be added.

Ultimately, these cameras represent two distinct philosophies from 2010: Olympus pushing mirrorless innovation for enthusiasts and creatives; Sony delivering compact affordability and convenience.

I hope this comprehensive comparison helps you decide which of these vintage-but-respectable cameras better aligns with your photographic journey. Remember, a camera is only as good as the photographer behind it - so whatever you choose, get out there and create!

If you want to see actual sample images from both cameras to gauge real-world image quality, here is a quick gallery for your inspection:

Olympus E P2 front Olympus E P2 screen back Sony WX5 front Sony WX5 screen back

Happy shooting!