Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A500: A Deep Dive Into Two Entrants of a Bygone Era

Choosing your next camera - especially when weighing legacy gear - often feels like a trip down memory lane peppered with critical questions about relevance, performance, and sheer joy of use. Today, I’m dissecting two cameras from the early 2010s that appealed to entry-level and enthusiast photographers alike: the Olympus PEN E-PL2, a mirrorless Four Thirds system shooter announced in 2011, and Sony’s Alpha DSLR-A500, a compact APS-C DSLR launched in 2009.

Both cameras were celebrated in their day for bringing serious capability at accessible prices, yet they approach photography from distinct philosophies and technologies emblematic of their lineages. I’ve spent substantial hands-on time with both, and beyond mere specs, I’m here to show you how these actually operate in the real photographic trenches - from portraits to wildlife, landscapes to street scenes, and everything in between.

So buckle up, and let’s explore what makes these two models tick, where each excels, and crucially, which might deserve a spot in your kit today.

A Tale of Two Designs: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

First impressions often come down to size and feel. Olympus’s E-PL2 is a classic Micro Four Thirds mirrorless model - small, light, and designed for portability without sacrificing too much control. The Sony A500, meanwhile, is a traditional DSLR with an APS-C sensor, noticeably bigger and heavier.

Holding the E-PL2 feels like conversing with a discreet, nimble partner - perfect for travel and street shooting. The Sony A500's heftier body affords a more substantial grip, which is appreciated if you shoot for longer stretches or prioritize a sturdier feel, though pocketability takes a hit.

Moving to the top controls, the Olympus keeps things minimalistic but functional:

The Olympus E-PL2’s control layout is straightforward - ideal for beginners easing into manual exposure and aperture controls. It omits a top LCD, opting instead for a clear button arrangement. The Sony A500's more traditional DSLR style includes a dedicated mode dial and buttons clustered for quicker access during fast-paced shooting, which you might prefer if you want a tactile, orthodox DSLR tactile layout.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor and Image Quality

Now - because the sensor is the camera’s soul - let’s talk about the guts. Olympus packs a 12MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor with a 2.1x crop factor, while Sony fits a 12MP APS-C CMOS sensor with a 1.5x crop factor.

While both share the same pixel count, the Sony’s APS-C sensor is larger (23.5x15.6mm vs. Olympus’s 17.3x13mm), offering 63% more surface area. This translates into several real-world advantages:

• Color Depth & Dynamic Range: The Sony edges ahead with a DxO Color Depth score of 21.8 bits vs 21.4 bits and a dynamic range of 11.6 EV compared to Olympus’s 10.2 EV.
• Low-Light Performance: Sony’s higher maximum ISO of 12,800 (versus Olympus’s max 6,400 native) and a better low-light score (772 vs. 573) help reduce noise when the sun dips below the horizon.

In practical terms, photos from the Sony A500 reveal richer tonality and slightly more latitude for recovery in shadows and highlights - critical for landscape and event capture. However, Olympus’s sensor and processing, including the TruePic V processor, punch above what you might expect from a compact system of that era.

Bringing Images to Life: The LCD and Viewfinder Experience

Are you a person who frames everything through the rear screen, or do you cling to the classic eye-to-viewfinder discipline? This choice often sways which camera suits your style.

The E-PL2 features a fixed 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD with anti-reflective coating and decent resolution (460k dots), crisp and vibrant in most lighting conditions.

The Sony A500 sports a 3-inch tilting LCD, albeit with a relatively modest 230k-dot resolution. The tilt mechanism’s a plus for low-angle or awkward compositions, but the screen can feel a bit sluggish and lacks sharpness compared to Olympus.

Neither camera ships with an integrated electronic viewfinder (EVF) or high-grade optical finder - the E-PL2 allows an optional EVF add-on, while the A500 utilizes a pentamirror optical viewfinder, typical for entry-level DSLRs, offering about 95% coverage and 0.53x magnification. The optical viewfinder provides a real-world view and zero lag, beneficial for fast action, whereas Olympus users must either adapt to composing mostly via LCD or invest in the external EVF.

Autofocus Performance: Sniper or Slowpoke?

Autofocus prowess can make or break your experience, especially in action-packed scenarios.

• Olympus E-PL2: Employs contrast detection AF with 11 focus points and offers face detection and continuous AF for live view. It’s competent but can hunt in low contrast or movement-heavy scenes, limiting reliability for wildlife or sports.

• Sony A500: Features a 9-point phase-detection AF system inherited from Minolta designs, which is generally faster and more snappy than contrast detection. However, like many early DSLRs, continuous AF tracking on moving subjects is less reliable, lacking the eye-detection and animal-focus bells found in modern cameras.

In burst rates, Sony’s 5 fps outpaces Olympus’s 3 fps, reinforcing the A500 as the preferred choice for capturing fast action, whether wildlife or sports.

How Do They Really Perform? Sample Images in Varied Genres

Curious how these kits deliver in the real world? I took both on a romp through multiple genres, from portraits to landscapes and macro close-ups to nighttime shots.

Here’s a quick gallery comparing RAW-converted JPEG outputs across conditions:

Olympus E PL2 front Olympus E PL2 screen back Sony A500 front Sony A500 screen back

Portraits

Olympus's smaller sensor and Four Thirds lenses produce respectable bokeh, though depth-of-field is more apparent on the Sony thanks to the larger APS-C sensor and access to fast primes. Skin tones generally render warmly on both, but I found Olympus’s in-camera processing smoother for delicate detail, great for casual portraits. Sony’s better dynamic range helps retain highlight detail in bright attire.

Landscape

Sony’s higher DR and resolution edge gives it an advantage for wide vistas and detailed textures. The Olympus sensor’s smaller size means more noise creeping in shadows at higher ISO.

Wildlife & Sports

Sony with its faster burst speed and better phase-detection AF, not surprisingly, excels in capturing fleeting moments, although neither camera is a professional sports shooter. Olympus’s autofocus hunting challenges limit its appeal here.

Street

Here Olympus shines with discrete size and lighter weight, plus quiet shutter operation. Sony’s bulkier build becomes more conspicuous, though the pentaprism finder clarity aids composition speed.

Macro

Neither camera pushes macro boundaries aggressively, but Olympus’s in-body stabilization helps when tethered with close-up lenses. Sony’s superior manual focus aids precise framing, aided by the tilting screen.

Night & Astro

Sony’s native ISO range and cleaner low-light output win hands down. Olympus’s max ISO 6400, combined with noise, restricts usability for night photography.

Video Capabilities - A Side Note

Video was not a marquee feature for either camera, but…

• Olympus E-PL2 records modest 720p HD at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format.

• Sony A500 lacks video recording altogether.

For today’s casual shooters, this is a notable limitation. Olympus’s video is serviceable for basic clips, but no modern codec support or 4K disappoints.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Neither model is weather sealed, waterproof, or shockproof - a standard for entry-level units of their day. The Olympus weighs only 362g and measures a pocket-friendly 114x72x42mm - ideal for casual adventures. The Sony is bulkier at 630g, making it more robust in hand but less convenient for travel or street photography.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Lens choices directly impact a system’s versatility.

• Olympus E-PL2: Uses Micro Four Thirds mount, with over 100 lenses available including primes, zooms, and macro options. The smaller sensor makes lenses lighter and often more affordable, making this system a great playground for budgets.

• Sony A500: Employs Sony/Minolta Alpha mount; about 143 lenses are compatible, including many legacy and newer offerings. APS-C sensors paired with these lenses deliver classic DSLR focal length perspectives.

Once again, your choice depends on preferred shooting style and lens investment plans.

Battery Life and Storage

Sony's DSLR battery life eclipses Olympus by a big margin - about 520 shots per charge vs Olympus’s 280 - crucial if you hate lugging spare batteries. Both support SD/SDHC cards; Sony adds Memory Stick Pro compatibility.

Connectivity Options

Neither camera offers wireless or GPS connectivity. Both have USB 2.0 and HDMI ports; Olympus’s USB supports simple image transfer, but no remote tethering or advanced smartphone integration.

Price and Value Today

Official prices are moot given the vintage status, but as of their current used market, Olympus units trend toward highly affordable, ideal for beginners or casual shooters on a budget. The Sony A500 holds value better among DSLR collectors or those seeking a used APS-C DSLR for hobbyist-level work.

Putting It All Together: How Do They Score?

To sum up the overall performance and niche strengths, here’s our weighted scores:

And a breakdown by photographic genre for clarity:

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

At the end of the day, the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony A500 both represent remarkable cameras of their era - but their philosophies and strengths split distinctly:

• Choose Olympus E-PL2 if:
  You crave portability and an approachable mirrorless design for travel, street, casual portraits, and moderate video. The E-PL2 is light, easy to carry, and benefits from a flexible lens ecosystem. Its in-body stabilization and competent color rendering make it welcoming to amateurs and enthusiasts stepping into manual controls.

• Choose Sony A500 if:
  You prefer classic DSLR ergonomics and depend on superior image quality, dynamic range, and autofocus speed for sports, wildlife - or even beginning your journey in more serious portrait or landscape photography. Sony’s longer battery life and faster burst rate make it suitable for extended shoots, and its lens catalog gives you a solid base for growth.

Neither camera measures up to modern mirrorless or DSLR standards, but for photographers hunting bargains or stepping back into the craft's roots, they each deserve a spot on the shelf. Their respective compromises underscore the technological leaps in the past decade - yet their photographic soul still shines in capable hands.

If you’re contemplating a vintage piece or an affordable beginner’s tool and wondering which of these two to invest time in, consider your shooting style first. Weight versus image quality, autofocus precision against portability - these remain the core of your photographic engagement long after the shutter clicks.

Happy shooting!