Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony A230

Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony A230: A Hands-On Guide to Two Budget Classics

When it comes to entry-level cameras that still pack a punch, both the Olympus E-PL7 and the Sony A230 have carved out fanbases. Though these two models weren’t launched in the same era - the Sony A230 arrived in 2009, and the Olympus E-PL7 in 2014 - they continue to appeal to photographers who want an affordable, capable camera without breaking the bank. After spending weeks shooting side-by-side with these cameras, in real-world scenarios spanning portraiture, landscapes, macro, and more, I’m here to give you the nitty-gritty on how each stacks up in practical use and technical know-how.

So whether you’re launching into photography for the first time or hunting for a solid backup camera, read on for a comprehensive, honest comparison.

Size, Build, and Handling: Comfort Meets Portability

Any longtime photographer will tell you: if the camera doesn’t feel good in your hands, you’ll find excuses not to shoot. Olympus has always emphasized compact, stylish designs, while Sony’s entry-level DSLRs tend toward the traditional bulkier SLR shape.

Here, the Olympus E-PL7 makes a strong first impression. Weighing in at just 357 grams and measuring a petite 115x67x38mm, this mirrorless camera fits comfortably into casual carry or travel setups without adding bulk. Its rangefinder-style body with a tilting touchscreen also appeals to those who like to experiment with angles or vlog content. The grip is modest, which might not thrill those with cheapskate-sized mitts craving ‘clubs for thumbs,’ but for the average user, it strikes a decent balance.

On the flip side, the Sony A230 is a classic compact DSLR shape but feels noticeably heftier at 490 grams and chunkier with dimensions of 128x97x68mm. This heft can actually help some users with stability, especially when paired with larger lenses. However, the fixed 2.7-inch LCD screen with low resolution is a letdown compared to whatever you’d consider a ‘modern’ viewfinder or interface.

Here’s a quick visual:

Ergonomically, Olympus’s touchscreen interface is a win for casual photographers transitioning from smartphone usage, where tapping is intuitive. Sony’s DSLR-style buttons and dials will resonate better with photographers used to traditional controls.

Summary: If portability and intuitive touchscreen control appeal to you, Olympus E-PL7 feels fresher and friendlier. Sony A230 offers a more substantial grip but at the expense of bulk.

Design and Control Layout: Old School SLR vs. Modern Mirrorless

Moving beyond size, the command center - how the cameras communicate with you - is equally important.

The Olympus E-PL7 sports a clean, streamlined top plate with minimal physical buttons, partly owing to its touchscreen-driven interface. Panasonic’s TruePic VII processor helps the camera maintain speedy performance while keeping control fatigue low. The layout favors beginners or those who want quick access to basic settings like exposure compensation, shutter, and aperture priority modes.

Contrast this with the Sony A230, which boasts a traditional DSLR control layout with dedicated dials for mode, ISO, and exposure compensation. The optical pentamirror viewfinder has 95% coverage, which can feel limiting but still delivers a real-time, lag-free experience that some purists swear by.

A snapshot from above tells the story better:

For tactile shooters, Sony’s physical dials provide a sense of precision and immediacy. Olympus’s reliance on the touchscreen demands a bit of acclimatization but rewards with a modern user experience.

Summary: Beginners or vloggers lean Olympus; experienced DSLR users lean toward Sony’s traditional controls.

Sensor Showdown: Image Quality and Sensory Performance

Now, let’s talk about what really matters - how these cameras capture light and translate it into images.

Sensor Technology & Size

Olympus E-PL7 features a 16 MP Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, using CMOS technology. Micro Four Thirds sensors have a 2.1x crop factor, making lenses appear more zoomed in compared to full-frame.

Sony A230 uses a 10.2 MP APS-C sized CCD sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm, sporting a 1.5x crop factor. APS-C sensors are larger than Four Thirds, and CCD sensors were more common in older DSLRs.

The Olympus’s CMOS sensor generally offers superior noise control and dynamic range, especially at higher ISOs, compared to Sony’s CCD, which tends to struggle above ISO 800.

Here’s a straightforward sensor size and specification visual:

Image Quality and Dynamic Range

According to DxOMark testing, Olympus E-PL7 scored 72 overall (DxO overall score), with color depth at 22.7 bits and dynamic range at 12.4 EV. Its low-light ISO was rated at 873, showing decent performance in dim lighting.

Sony’s A230 had a DxO overall score of 63, color depth at 22.3, and dynamic range at 11.4 EV, with low-light ISO capabilities capped at 531.

From practical experience, Olympus’s sensor delivers cleaner, sharper files especially noticeable when shooting JPEGs straight out of camera and even more evident in RAW post-processing. Sony’s CCD sensor produces warm tones with a slightly dated look and struggles more in shadows.

Resolution

Olympus’s better pixel count not only means higher resolution images (4608 x 3456 pixels) but also more flexibility for cropping and large prints.

Summary: Olympus E-PL7’s sensor is the clear winner for image quality, flexibility, and dynamic range. The Sony A230’s larger APS-C size is technically an advantage but offset by older CCD technology and lower resolution.

User Interface and Screen: Touchscreen vs. Fixed LCD

For everyday shooting and framing your shots, the rear screen plays a crucial role.

The Olympus E-PL7’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1,037k-dot resolution is a joy to operate. Being tiltable, it enables shooting at tough angles such as waist-level or overhead without contorting yourself into a yoga pose. The touchscreen is responsive and natural to use, reducing time fumbling through menus.

In contrast, the Sony A230’s 2.7-inch fixed LCD has only a 230k-dot resolution, which pales compared to modern or even mid-range camera displays. No live view mode here means you cannot use the LCD for framing, restricting you to an optical viewfinder - helpful for tracking but limiting creative composition.

Here’s how the back screens stack up:

Summary: Olympus’s articulating, high-res touchscreen is significantly better for composing, reviewing, and navigating menus, enhancing the overall shooting experience.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Action and Animal Performance

When it comes to speed and accuracy, autofocus can make or break your shoot - whether that’s an impromptu portrait session or a sneaky squirrel in the backyard.

The Olympus E-PL7 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 81 focus points, face detection, and continuous tracking autofocus modes. It also supports touch AF - meaning you can simply tap where you want the camera to focus on the screen, a nice convenience.

Sony A230 uses a hybrid AF system combining 9 phase-detection points with contrast-detection. However, subject tracking is limited, and face detection is not supported.

From my side-by-side experience:

• Olympus E-PL7 locks focus quickly in well-lit conditions, with reasonably reliable tracking - ideal for portraits and casual street photography.
• Sony A230 autofocus is slower overall, especially in continuous mode or lower light. The 3 fps burst is notably sluggish in comparison to E-PL7’s faster 8 fps continuous shooting.

Summary: Olympus’s E-PL7 autofocus system offers flexibility, speed, and ease-of-use for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Sony A230’s AF system is adequate but less versatile and slower in practice.

Genre-Specific Real-World Testing: Which Camera Excels Where?

For those who love niche shooting styles, let me break down how each performs across different photography types based on extensive shooting sessions.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus E-PL7: The higher resolution sensor, accurate face detection, and smooth bokeh from Micro Four Thirds lenses produce flattering skin tones and crisp eye focus. The optional external EVF aids eye-level shooting.
• Sony A230: Lower resolution and weaker live view AF complicate tight AF on eyes and faces. Optical viewfinder helps some but bokeh falls short due to older lenses available for Minolta Alpha mount.

Verdict: Olympus wins portraits with skin tone rendering and AF sophistication.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus: High dynamic range and better base ISO performance help retain shadow and highlight detail. The plentiful MFT lens options include sharp prime and wide-angle choices. Lack of weather sealing limits harsh weather shooting.
• Sony: Larger sensor surface ideal for landscape detail but CCD sensor restricts dynamic range. Solid lens lineup but fewer ultra-wide lenses. Bulkier body may be less fun for trekking.

Verdict: Slight edge to Olympus for shooting versatility, but Sony owns sensor size advantage.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus: Faster burst and tracking AF help capture moving wildlife when paired with MFT telephoto zooms. The 2.1x crop factor doubles apparent reach but impacts low-light performance.
• Sony: Slower burst and autofocus make critical framing harder. Has bigger sensor so better noise control when cropping, but 10 MP limits large prints.

Verdict: Olympus preferred for active wildlife hunters due to burst and AF; Sony’s lower burst rate hobbles fast action.

Sports Photography

• Olympus: 8 fps burst and advanced AF make it decent for slow to moderate action.
• Sony: 3 fps insufficient for fast-paced sports; autofocus tracking lacks sophistication.

Verdict: Olympus far better suitable for amateurs shooting sports.

Street Photography

• Olympus: Small size, silent shutter mode, and touchscreen control make it discreet.
• Sony: Bulkier, noisier DSLR shutter hard to sneak around.

Verdict: Olympus more street-friendly for casual shooters.

Macro Photography

• Olympus: Sensor stabilization plus adjustable screen enable close work.
• Sony: Less friendly with fixed LCD and slower focusing.

Verdict: Olympus again a better companion.

Night and Astro Photography

• Olympus: Higher ISO capability and sensor’s dynamic range help pull out stars and detail.
• Sony: CCD sensor limitations noticeable at high ISOs.

Verdict: Olympus holds the edge.

Video Capabilities

• Olympus E-PL7 shoots Full HD 1080p at 30 fps, supports H.264, and offers in-body stabilization.
• Sony A230 has no video mode, a significant limitation.

Verdict: Olympus is the obvious choice for videographers.

Travel Photography

• Olympus’s compact body, touchscreen, and wireless connectivity shine on the go.
• Sony’s bulk and lack of wireless features make it less convenient.

Verdict: Olympus the travel champ.

Professional Work

Both cameras present limitations for pros - Olympus with its smaller sensor and Sony by age and slow AF. Neither has weather sealing or professional durability. Still, Olympus offers RAW and wireless transfer, which is helpful; Sony’s optical viewfinder and legacy lens options appeal to some working pros on a budget.

Flash, Stabilization, and Connectivity

Olympus lacks a built-in flash but supports an external unit. It also benefits from sensor-based stabilization, which most Olympus users laud for reducing camera shake.

Sony A230 includes a built-in popup flash and supports external flash setups. It employs sensor-based stabilization too, but stability depends on the lens, and compatibility is more limited.

Wireless-wise, Olympus has built-in Wi-Fi, convenient for quick image sharing or tethering. Sony A230 lacks wireless connectivity entirely - expect to physically transfer files.

Battery Life and Storage

Olympus E-PL7 offers around 350 shots per charge, a solid number for mirrorless cameras of its generation. Sony A230’s 230-shot battery life is somewhat limiting, especially considering the lack of quick recharging options.

Both cameras rely on a single card slot - Olympus supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; Sony uses SD and proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo cards (less common today).

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Buck

Today, both cameras hover around the $500 price point in used or refurbished markets. Given Olympus E-PL7’s superior sensor, touchscreen, video capability, sensor stabilization, and Wi-Fi, it offers a stronger value proposition for modern photography needs.

Sony A230 might appeal to those who prefer optical viewfinder shooting, need access to Minolta Alpha lenses, or who are comfortable with a basic DSLR.

Sample Images for Visual Reference

Here are some example shots from both cameras - crop, detail, and color rendering starkly illustrate the sensor performance and lens pairing differences.

Olympus E PL7 front Olympus E PL7 screen back Sony A230 front Sony A230 screen back

Overall Performance Ratings

This summary infographic gives a snapshot of overall handling, image quality, and technology scores.

Final Pros and Cons

Olympus E-PL7

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight, excellent for travel and street
• Touchscreen and tilting LCD for easy framing and menu navigation
• Superior 16MP CMOS sensor with better dynamic range and ISO performance
• Faster continuous shooting (8 fps) and more advanced AF system
• Video recording capability (1080p)
• Built-in Wi-Fi and sensor stabilization

Cons:

• No built-in electronic viewfinder (optional add-on)
• No weather sealing - cautious in harsh environments
• Micro Four Thirds sensor smaller than APS-C (affects shallow depth of field)
• Grip might feel small for large hands

Sony A230

Pros:

• Larger APS-C sensor (albeit CCD) for better light gathering at base ISO
• Optical pentamirror viewfinder preferred by some traditionalists
• Built-in flash and dedicated physical controls easy for SLR fans
• Legacy of extensive Minolta Alpha lens compatibility

Cons:

• Outdated CCD sensor with weaker high ISO and dynamic range
• Slow autofocus and only 3 fps continuous shooting
• No video functionality
• Fixed, low-res LCD with no live view
• No wireless connectivity
• Bulkier and heavier

So, Which Should You Choose?

If you value modern features, versatility, and a cheaper-to-keep-up micro four thirds lens ecosystem, the Olympus E-PL7 is your camera. It’s particularly suited for enthusiasts who want a light carry and user-friendly interface, with decent performance across photo and video. Portrait, street, travel, and casual wildlife shooters will find it a capable companion.

If you’re more of a traditionalist DSLR user who prefers an optical viewfinder and access to Minolta Alpha lenses, and you don’t mind slower performance or lack of video, the Sony A230 could serve as an affordable introduction to DSLR photography.

Either way, both cameras reflect their era and price point with strengths and compromises. Your decision hinges on what photographic style you embrace and which quirks you’re willing to live with.

I hope this comparison helps you find the right fit for your next photography adventure! Feel free to ask if you want hands-on advice or lens recommendations for either system.

Happy shooting!