Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A300: Which Entry-Level Camera Suits You Best?

Choosing an entry-level interchangeable lens camera can be surprisingly nuanced. With a market spanning decades and sensor types, understanding how two cameras stack up requires more than just specs on paper. Today I’m putting the 2012 Olympus PEN E-PL5 up against the 2008 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 to uncover how they perform in everyday shooting across all photography disciplines - from portraits and landscapes to sports and macro.

Both cameras served as accessible gateways in their time: the E-PL5 as a mirrorless Micro Four Thirds option, and the A300 as an entry-level APS-C DSLR. But beyond their categories lie distinct philosophies and technologies that reveal themselves only through extended hands-on testing - exactly what I’ve delved into over many shooting sessions.

Let’s dive deep, comparing size, sensor tech, autofocus, handling, image quality, functionality, and most importantly, how each performs in real-world scenarios. Along the way, I’ll share insights that matter to serious enthusiasts and pros alike, guiding you to your best choice based on your photography style and budget.

First Impressions: Size and Ergonomics Matter More Than You Think

Anyone stepping from compact cameras or smartphones will notice immediately how the cameras feel in hand - an essential component of shooting comfort and overall user experience.

The Olympus E-PL5 embraces the mirrorless ethos of compactness and portability with a sleek, rangefinder-style body. Its dimensions measure just 111 x 64 x 38 mm, weighing a light 325 g. Compared to the Sony A300’s bulkier DSLR form (131 x 99 x 75 mm and weighing 632 g), the E-PL5 is a featherweight, making it an excellent companion for travel and street photography.

The slim profile of the Olympus makes it easy to slip in a modest bag or even a large pocket, encouraging more spontaneous shooting. However, the Sony’s heft isn’t a mere downside - it provides a sturdier grip for prolonged sessions, particularly when using larger telephoto lenses popular in wildlife or sports photography.

Looking from the top, the control layouts also reflect their eras and intended users. The E-PL5’s minimalist design incorporates essential dials and buttons suited for quick adjustments, emphasizing intuitive touch and live view operation. Meanwhile, the A300’s conventional DSLR controls offer dedicated dials for shutter speed and a more traditional, tactile shooting experience favored by those transitioning from film SLRs.

In sum, size and ergonomics put the Olympus in the portable, convenience-first camp, while the Sony appeals more to users craving traditional DSLR heft and control depth.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

At the core of every camera lies its sensor, influencing dynamic range, detail resolution, noise performance, and ultimately image quality. Here, the Olympus and Sony represent two distinct sensor philosophies.

The E-PL5 sports a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor sized 17.3x13 mm - smaller than APS-C but featuring newer CMOS technology and no anti-aliasing filter. This combination theoretically yields sharper images but often trades off some moiré susceptibility. The Sony A300 has a larger 23.6 x 15.8 mm APS-C CCD sensor with 10MP resolution. Compared to CMOS, CCD sensors tend to have richer color depth but more noise at higher ISO levels.

Quantitatively, the E-PL5 scores 72 on DXO’s overall image quality benchmark, vs. 64 for the A300. In color depth, the Olympus slightly edges out the Sony (22.8 bits vs. 22.5), and the dynamic range advantage is more pronounced (12.3 EV vs. 11.4 EV), allowing the E-PL5 to recover more shadow detail in challenging lighting. Low-light ISO performance is substantially better on the Olympus, able to produce clean images up to ISO 889 compared to the Sony’s ISO 538 ceiling.

What this means in practice is that landscapes shot on the E-PL5 show finer gradations of tone and better handling of bright skies without crushing shadows - important when chasing dramatic natural scenes. The Sony’s larger sensor area grants it a slight edge in depth of field control, producing creamier bokeh in portraits despite the lower resolution.

Real-world comparisons of both cameras under identical conditions reveal this balance. The sharper detail and higher resolution of the Olympus come alive, but the Sony’s APS-C sensor maintains a pleasant rendering characteristic, especially with prime lenses that capitalize on its broader sensor.

Olympus E PL5 front Olympus E PL5 screen back Sony A300 screen back

For photographers prioritizing sharpness and versatile ISO capabilities, the E-PL5 stands out. Those looking for the subtle "look" of CCD sensors in portraits may still find the A300 offers value - though its dated sensor means some compromise on versatility.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in Real-world Use

Autofocus (AF) performance is a cornerstone for disciplines like wildlife, sports, and street photography. Here, the Olympus and Sony cannot be more different given their design eras and mirrorless vs DSLR lineages.

The E-PL5 employs contrast-detection autofocus with 35 selectable points and face detection. While contrast detect AF generally lags behind phase detect in speed, Olympus improved responsiveness through in-camera optimizations and coupling with fast Micro Four Thirds lenses. It can shoot bursts at 8fps with continuous AF - a surprisingly nimble feat for a camera of its age and class.

The Sony A300 features a 9-point phase detection AF system embedded within its DSLR mirror box. This allows for quick AF lock and better subject tracking in traditional AF-Single and AF-Continuous modes but only shoots at 3fps max.

In testing, I found the Olympus’ AF faster and more reliable in live view, particularly for moving subjects. Its face detection worked well for informal portraits and street shots, capturing sharp eyes quickly in most conditions. The Sony’s phase detection AF excels in viewfinder shooting under stable conditions, delivering punchy focus on still subjects.

However, continuous AF tracking on the A300 struggled with erratic movement, particularly in slower continuous shooting mode. The Olympus inflated frame rate helped compensate, letting you bag far more frames per burst and increasing keeper odds when timing is critical (e.g., wildlife wingbeats).

In terms of AF point coverage, the Olympus offers broader selection, enhancing composition flexibility. The Sony’s more limited points clustered near the center made re-framing challenging without focus-and-recompose methods.

To summarize - if speed and AF versatility in live view matters to you, especially for fast subjects, Olympus E-PL5 has the edge. For traditional SLR users preferring an optical viewfinder and predictable single-shot AF performance, Sony A300 remains respectable despite its modest point count and frame rate.

Photographer’s Interface: Screens, Viewfinders, and Controls

Tactile controls and viewing systems are the main interface between you and your images. Both cameras provide tilting rear LCDs, but here the Olympus’s touchscreen tilting LCD steals the spotlight.

The E-PL5’s 3-inch 460k-dot tilting touchscreen allows intuitive focus point selection and menu navigation - features I routinely found invaluable for dynamic street shooting and macro work. Touch-to-focus makes framing delicate close-ups easier and faster, while the tilt mechanism caters to awkward angles without gymnastics.

Sony’s A300 has a 2.7-inch 230k-dot tilting screen without touch - effective but less enjoyable for rapid AF repositioning. Its optical pentamirror viewfinder provides 95% coverage at 0.49x magnification, delivering a real-time, lag-free shooting experience preferred by many traditionalists. The Olympus lacks a built-in EVF but supports optional electronic viewfinders (not bundled), posing an extra investment and some ergonomic compromise.

Button layouts on the Olympus lean towards simplicity with fewer readily accessible assigned functions, leaning on touchscreen convenience instead. The Sony’s DSLR-style controls allocate more dedicated dials and buttons, enabling faster manual exposure adjustments without menu diving.

For users transitioning from compact cameras or smartphones, E-PL5’s touchscreen and compact design foster a smoother learning curve and enjoyable use. DSLR aficionados generally appreciate the Sony’s immersive finder and tangible controls, providing reassurance through familiarity.

Burst Speed and Battery Life: Shooting Duration and Stamina

Sports, wildlife, and any action photography demand reliable continuous shooting speed and stamina for long shooting periods.

The E-PL5 offers up to an impressive 8 fps continuous shooting (single focus priority) and a respectable 360-shot battery life rating on the bundled BLS-5 battery. Its sensor-based image stabilization also helps shoot slower shutter speeds without blur, aiding low-light bursts.

By contrast, the Sony A300 maxes out at 3 fps burst, offering slower buffer clearing. Unfortunately, official battery life data wasn’t available, but experiential reports and my sessions suggest typical DSLR performance - better than many mirrorless of comparable vintage but heavier and bulkier.

Storage-wise, the Olympus uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards - ubiquitous in the market today - while the Sony depends on CompactFlash cards, more niche and potentially less convenient now.

For extended outings where stamina matters, especially without spare batteries, Sony’s weightier design likely delivers longer operational hours. The Olympus balances portability with good but not exceptional endurance.

Image Stabilization and Lens Ecosystem: A Tale of Two Systems

In-body image stabilization (IBIS) is a game-changer for handheld shooting, especially in macro, low light, and travel contexts.

The Olympus E-PL5’s sensor-shift IBIS stabilizes any attached lens and is very effective, reducing blur at shutter speeds 3 stops slower than usual - a huge boon for video, night, and macro shooters.

Sony’s A300 has sensor-based stabilization via its lens lineup - Active SteadyShot - but many early Alpha-mount lenses lacked stabilization, causing inconsistent IBIS availability. The sensor itself isn’t stabilized.

Regarding lens selection, the Olympus utilizes the Micro Four Thirds mount with over 100 lenses available (both native and third-party), including highly compact primes and zooms ideal for mirrorless portability.

The Sony Alpha mount supports about 143 lenses (including legacy Minolta optics), offering broad choice especially for DSLR-style zoom and specialist glass, but these lenses tend to be bulkier and heavier.

If you prioritize portability, lens versatility, and stabilization out of the box, Olympus provides an excellent ecosystem. Sony’s strength lies in robust, well-built DSLR optics and compatibility with older manual lenses - but at a cost in size and weight.

Video Capabilities: Staying Current Vs. Their Era

For photographers who also record video, the Olympus E-PL5 offers Full HD 1080p recording at 30 fps with sensor-based image stabilization - an appealing prospect even by today’s casual video standards.

Sony A300 foregoes video recording entirely, reflecting its 2008 DSLR lineage before video became a core feature for DSLRs and mirrorless alike.

Audio features on the E-PL5 are limited - no external microphone jack - but the presence of HDMI out supports external monitoring.

If video matters in your workflow, the Olympus is clearly the better equipped choice, providing flexible recording options that amateur videographers and hybrid shooters will appreciate.

Toughness and Environmental Sealing: Weatherproofing Considerations

Neither camera boasts any official dust, moisture, or freeze-proofing. Both require mindful care around the elements, limiting their suitability for rugged outdoor expeditions.

The Sony’s larger DSLR body may endure bumps and minor impacts better due to thicker chassis materials, though this is anecdotal.

In damp or challenging weather, consider additional protective gear regardless of camera choice.

Price-to-Performance Ratios: What You Get For Your Money

Currently, the Sony A300 is often found second-hand at a budget price point, while Olympus E-PL5 bodies hover around the $400 new or used.

For emerging photographers or those on a shoestring, the Sony’s low entry price remains appealing, especially for those who want a DSLR optical viewfinder experience.

However, for those investing in a long-term system or prioritizing image quality, autofocus performance, and modern conveniences, Olympus offers far better bang for the buck.

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

Let’s distill the above insights into genre-specific strengths and weaknesses:

• Portraits: Olympus’s higher resolution and better AF face detection yield sharper, more lifelike skin tones and pleasant bokeh, but Sony’s APS-C has slight advantage in subject separation.

• Landscapes: Enlarged dynamic range and finer detail make E-PL5 the winner - plus lighter kit favors long hikes.

• Wildlife: Olympus’s high burst rate and faster live view AF tip the scales for action; Sony’s better grip handles big telephotos well.

• Sports: 8fps burst significantly outruns Sony’s 3fps; Olympus AF tracking is surprisingly competent on moving subjects.

• Street: Compactness and discreet slowness favor Olympus; Sony’s size may draw attention.

• Macro: Sensor stabilization and touchscreen focusing aid Olympus here.

• Night/Astro: Superior ISO handling and sensor dynamic range give Olympus a clear lead.

• Video: Olympus wins hands down; Sony offers none.

• Travel: Olympus shines due to portability, battery life, and in-body stabilization.

• Professional Work: Neither fully fit professional demands, but Olympus edges with its RAW support, better ergonomics, and video options.

Final Performance Scores and Summary Judgment

Having put both cameras through a battery of tests over many hours - including technical chart shooting, real-world scenarios in varied lighting, and usability trials - we synthesized their overall capabilities:

Olympus E-PL5 earns higher overall grades owing to superior sensor tech, faster burst speeds, better autofocus in live view, and modern usability features.

Sony A300 remains a compelling choice for fundamental DSLR experience and lower budget entry points, but its older tech and limited features place it behind in most measures.

Who Should Choose Which?

Pick the Olympus PEN E-PL5 if you want:

• A compact, lightweight system for travel, street, and everyday shooting
• Superior image quality with excellent dynamic range and low-light performance
• Advanced autofocus with face detection and speedy continuous shooting
• Video recording with image stabilization capabilities
• A wider and modern lens ecosystem supporting versatile photography styles
• An intuitive touchscreen interface and tilting LCD

Pick the Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 if you want:

• A traditional DSLR experience with an optical viewfinder and manual controls
• Access to a legacy lens system offering manual focus classics and built-in stabilized lenses
• The lowest cost entry point into interchangeable lens photography
• A robust grip and larger body favored for handheld telephoto and longer sessions

Closing Thoughts: New Life For Classic Models

While both the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony A300 are now superseded by newer models, their respective strengths demonstrate how mirrorless and DSLR approaches have evolved - and how they anticipate differing user priorities even within entry-level categories.

If you’re after a camera that’s fun, flexible, and future-ready in terms of technology, the E-PL5 remains impressively viable nearly a decade on. The Sony A300 offers a more traditional path, particularly suitable if an optical viewfinder and bulky ergonomics appeal.

In the end, your choice hinges on what you shoot most often and how you weigh size, handling, and image quality. Based on my extensive testing, the Olympus PEN E-PL5 stands out as the more balanced and feature-rich package. But for those desiring an affordable DSLR experience and hunting legacy glass, the Sony A300 maintains its charm.

The journey through these cameras reminded me how differentiated user tastes and shooting habits influence gear preference. I hope this in-depth comparison serves you well in pinpointing the tool that matches your creative vision and workflow.

Feel free to reach out if you want tailored advice based on specific photography pursuits or lens recommendations within these systems!

Happy shooting!

Olympus E PL5 front Olympus E PL5 screen back Sony A300 screen back