Comparing Olympus PEN E-PL7 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570: A Hands-On Expert’s Perspective

As someone who has spent over fifteen years behind countless camera bodies - testing, critiquing, and recommending gear to everyone from curious beginners to seasoned pros - I’ve seen just about every type of shooter out there. Two cameras recently caught my eye for a detailed side-by-side comparison, not because they’re rivals locked in the same category (spoiler: they’re not), but precisely because they appeal to different kinds of users on very different budgets.

The Olympus PEN E-PL7 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570 sit at opposite ends of the mirrorless vs compact camera spectrum, yet both offer a compelling entry point into photography. Let’s dive deep into how they measure up from sensor tech to usability, and how each performs across the photography disciplines - so you know which one deserves a spot in your camera bag.

First Impressions: Size, Design & Handling

When you pick up a camera, the feel in your hands can make or break the experience. The Olympus PEN E-PL7 is a mirrorless camera, offering a rangefinder-style body that’s compact but substantial enough to feel confident. Meanwhile, Sony’s W570 is an ultracompact point-and-shoot designed for absolute portability.

Here’s a visual size and ergonomics comparison:

The E-PL7 tips the scales at 357 grams with dimensions roughly 115 x 67 x 38mm, while the Sony W570 is feather-light at just 116 grams and a petite 91 x 52 x 19mm.

The Olympus has proper camera clubs for your thumbs and dedicated dials, making it easier to navigate settings fast - ideal once you get a grip on its controls. The Sony’s slim profile means it easily fits in your pocket or tiny purse, but handling it for long periods can feel cramped.

Looking from above, you notice the Olympus gives you more direct access to key functions compared to Sony:

Olympus’s top deck features dedicated mode dials and customizable buttons, suiting photographers who like manual control. The Sony is stripped to basics with just a power button and shutter release, which works fine for quick shoot-and-go snaps but limits your creative input.

Bottom line: For ergonomics and control, the Olympus E-PL7 shines. The Sony W570 is for when portability is king and you don’t want to fuss over settings.

Sensor Size & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Sensor technology separates mere cameras from true image-makers. The Olympus PEN E-PL7 boasts a Four Thirds 17.3 x 13 mm CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels, while the Sony W570 packs a smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor of the same pixel count.

Check this sensor comparison to appreciate the physical difference:

The Four Thirds sensor on Olympus is roughly eight times larger in surface area than Sony’s tiny chip (about 225 mm² vs 28 mm²). Why does this matter? Bigger sensors gather more light, producing better dynamic range, less noise, and superior color fidelity.

The E-PL7’s TruePic VII processor further enhances image quality, delivering rich colors and cleaner files, especially at higher ISOs compared to the W570’s BIONZ processor and CCD sensor combo from 2011.

Testing daylight pictures from both cameras side by side reveals clear advantages for the Olympus in detail retention and color accuracy. Here’s a gallery showcasing JPEGs straight from both bodies resized:

Olympus E PL7 front Olympus E PL7 screen back Sony W570 front Sony W570 screen back

Look closely at skin tones, subtle textures in foliage, and shadow recovery - the E-PL7 simply produces cleaner, more natural images even out of the box.

Sony W570’s strong suit? It can still churn out nice pictures under good lighting conditions for social media or casual snaps, but struggles with noise and lacks RAW support for post-processing flexibility.

Display & User Interface: Making Settings Access Friendly

Touchscreens and display quality matter for quick composition and review. The E-PL7 packs a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1037k-dot resolution - vibrant, bright, and selfie-friendly. Sony’s W570 offers a fixed 2.7-inch screen with only 230k-dot resolution and no touch.

A direct look at the screens:

Olympus’s tilting screen lets you comfortably shoot at tricky angles or frame selfies with ease. The touchscreen interface works smoothly with touch-to-focus and menu navigation. For beginners or content creators who appreciate a flexible interface, this is a big plus.

Sony’s screen does the job but can feel cramped and dull, with a fixed angle limiting compositional creativity. There’s no touchscreen control, which makes focusing and menu browsing a step slower.

Autofocus Systems Put to the Test

Fast and accurate autofocus is critical outside of static studio setups. The E-PL7 uses a contrast-detection autofocus system with 81 focus points including face detection and touch AF. On the other hand, Sony W570 sports a more basic 9-point contrast-detection AF without face or eye detection.

In my hands-on testing with moving subjects - whether kids running in the park, or street photography moments - Olympus’s E-PL7 lock-in and tracking prove far more reliable, with fewer missed shots. Its AF speed isn’t blazing by today’s standards but perfectly respectable for entry-level mirrorless cameras.

Conversely, the Sony W570, with a single continuous shooting frame per second, is not built for action and showed lag chasing quick subjects.

Pixel Power: Portraiture & Bokeh Quality

Portrait photographers prize skin tone rendition, eye detection, and that creamy bokeh aesthetic. The Olympus E-PL7’s bigger sensor combined with a Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem lets you create beautifully blurred backgrounds with fast primes or even kit zooms at wide apertures.

The Sony’s fixed lens maxes out at f/2.6 in the widest focal length but ramps up to f/6.3 tele, limiting shallow depth of field and subject isolation.

In portrait lighting tests, the E-PL7 maintained natural-looking skin tones and smooth background separation (even without the optional electronic viewfinder). The subject’s eyes remain crisp enabled by AF face detection, something the Sony W570 can’t match.

If you relish close-up portraits or want to dabble in selective focus, Olympus holds major advantages here.

Landscape and Outdoor Performance: Resolution and Resilience

Landscape shooters demand high resolution, wide dynamic range, and ideally, weather sealing for unpredictable conditions.

Olympus PEN E-PL7 has a resolution of 16 MP at 4608 x 3456 pixels, decent dynamic range (12.4 EV on DXOMark), and effective ISO range up to 25600 native - allowing flexibility for tricky light scenarios.

Sony W570, with the same pixel count but smaller sensor and ISO ceiling of 3200, cannot compete. Moreover, neither camera features formal weather sealing or ruggedized build - a downside for outdoor adventurers.

Olympus partially counters this with an interchangeable lens system, letting you pair super sharp primes or wide-angle lenses with neutral density filters to craft crisp landscapes. Sony’s fixed zoom lens limits focal length creativity.

Wildlife, Sports, and Burst Shooting: Speed and Tracking

Nothing tests autofocus and mechanical speed like wildlife or sports photography. The Olympus E-PL7 delivers 8 fps continuous shooting with AF tracking, respectable for an entry-level mirrorless camera, but well below modern pro-grade bodies.

Sony’s W570 manages only 1 fps burst, inadequate for capturing decisive action.

The Olympus Micro Four Thirds lens lineup includes long telephoto zooms perfect for wildlife, while Sony’s fixed 25-125mm equivalent is not ideal for distant subjects or demanding sports scenes.

Bottom line: serious action shooters will find the Olympus E-PL7 far better equipped to track moving subjects and shoot combo bursts.

Street and Travel Photography: A Question of Discreetness and Portability

Street photographers favor cameras that blend into the environment while retaining sufficient controls and image quality.

Sony W570’s compact design excels here; its pocketability and discreet appearance let you shoot candidly without drawing attention.

That said, its poor low-light performance and limited ISO range can hamper results during evening walks or indoor shots.

The Olympus is bigger but still highly portable for a mirrorless system. Its usable joystick and touchscreen speed up reaction times for street photography where moments flash fast.

For travel, Olympus benefits from longer battery life (350 shots per charge vs Sony’s blank spec), Wi-Fi for instant sharing, and versatile lens swapping - useful for putting together varied travel portfolios.

Macro Photography and Close-Up Capabilities

The Olympus PEN E-PL7’s compatibility with over 100 Micro Four Thirds lenses means you can tap into specialized macros for stunning detail shots. Built-in sensor-shift image stabilization further aids handheld macro work.

Sony W570 offers a minimum macro focus of 5 cm with its fixed lens - but no dedicated macro mode or stabilization geared for ultra-close work. Results are acceptable but don’t expect professional-grade precision.

If macro photography ranks high on your list, Olympus’s ecosystem reigns supreme.

Night and Astro Photography: Sensitivity and Noise Handling

For night or astro photographers, sensor size, noise performance at high ISO, and manual exposure flexibility are crucial.

Olympus E-PL7’s ISO peaks at 25600, with effective low-light ISO tested to 873 on DXOmark, delivering usable images even when ambient light is scarce. Manual exposure modes and shutter speeds up to 1/4000 sec allow control over long exposures needed for star trails.

Sony’s max ISO of 3200 is limiting, with noisier results at higher ISOs. Shutter speed caps at 1/1600 sec with no manual exposure mode are a hurdle for advanced night photography.

I recommend the Olympus for astrophotography beginners keen on experimenting without breaking the bank.

Video Capabilities: What Can These Cameras Offer?

Video content creation has become a pillar of the photography world. Here, Olympus offers Full HD 1080p video at 30 fps with H.264 encoding, plus timelapse recording. Stabilization is sensor-based, helping smooth handheld clips.

Sony W570 maxes out at HD 720p 30 fps, with MPEG-4 compression and optical stabilization. It lacks mic or headphone jacks, as does Olympus.

Neither camera delivers 4K or high frame-rate slow motion, so they aren’t ideal for serious videographers, but Olympus’s higher resolution and built-in stabilization provide more options for casual video shooters.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Both cameras lack official weather or dust sealing, which means care in harsh environments is needed.

Olympus’s build feels more robust though, given its mirrorless construction vs Sony’s plastic ultracompact shell.

Neither are shockproof or freezeproof, so neither is recommended for extreme adventure photography without external protection.

Battery Life and Storage Options

The Olympus PEN E-PL7 uses a dedicated BLS-50 battery with around 350 shots per charge (CIPA standard). The Sony W570 uses the NP-BN1 battery, but battery life specs are not well documented.

For storage:

• Olympus: one SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot
• Sony: compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and Sony Memory Sticks, also one slot

More storage flexibility favors Olympus, especially for RAW shooting.

Connectivity, Wireless Features, and Workflow Integration

Olympus E-PL7 features built-in Wi-Fi for remote control and image transfer - a huge plus for instant sharing or studio tethering.

Sony W570 supports Eye-Fi connectivity (SD card wifi tech), but lacks modern direct Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

USB 2.0 and mini-HDMI ports exist on both for file transfers and external monitors.

For professional workflows, Olympus’s RAW support and wireless transfer align better with editing pipelines.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Money

Currently, Olympus PEN E-PL7 hovers around $499, positioning it as an affordable entry-level mirrorless camera with real creative potential.

Sony W570 at $159 is ultra-budget, aiming at consumers wanting a straightforward compact without investing in lenses or learning curves.

Here’s a snapshot comparing their overall performance ratings from DXOMark and user reviews:

And for a quick glance at genre-specific competencies:

Wrapping It Up: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Olympus PEN E-PL7 if:

• You want a versatile entry-level mirrorless camera that grows with you
• You care about image quality, RAW files, and manual controls
• You plan to experiment with lenses for portrait, macro, or landscape work
• You need reliable autofocus and decent low-light performance
• You are interested in casual video shooting and Wi-Fi connectivity
• Your budget allows for a mid-range investment with long-term value

Go for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570 if:

• Ultra portability and pocket-friendly size are top priorities
• You want a simple point-and-shoot for everyday snapshots without fussing with settings
• Budget is tight and you want an affordable camera with decent image quality in good light
• You prioritize convenience and ease over technical features or expandability

My Final Verdict

I must admit, comparing these two cameras felt a bit like apples and oranges, but it highlights an important truth in choosing photography gear: your needs and shooting style dictate the best tool, not just specs or brand names.

The Olympus PEN E-PL7 is a compelling device that punches well above its price class in quality, adaptability, and user engagement. It's for the enthusiast who wants to build skills, experiment, and make serious images.

The Sony W570 plays the role of a camera you grab on your way out - lightweight and ready to capture memories without doubt or delay. It sacrifices performance for portability and ease.

Personally, I’d go Olympus if I had to pick one for a creative journey or travel, but Sony's W570 is a friendly companion for cheapskate buyers or those who just want something that works straight away.

Ultimately, understanding these trade-offs is what separates a satisfied owner from a buyer's remorse story.

Happy shooting!

For more detailed testing notes, sample galleries, and lens recommendations that pair well with the Olympus PEN E-PL7, feel free to reach out or check my dedicated mirrorless archives. And if you’re leaning Sony but want better video or manual options, I can suggest alternative models.