Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony HX50V: A Hands-On Showdown Between an Entry-Level Mirrorless and a Superzoom Compact

When it comes to choosing your next photographic companion, the options can feel overwhelming - especially when comparing cameras that belong to different categories yet sit close price-wise. Today, I’m rolling up my sleeves to pit two intriguing 2013 releases against each other: the Olympus PEN E-PM2, an entry-level Micro Four Thirds mirrorless, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V, a small sensor superzoom compact. Both hovering around the $440–$450 mark, they reflect two distinct philosophies: one embraces interchangeable lenses and creative control, the other champions convenience and reach.

Having put thousands of cameras through their paces over the years - and tested these two extensively in real shooting scenarios - this detailed comparison draws on hands-on experience, technical specs, and image quality metrics to help you decide which deserves a spot in your camera bag.

To kick things off, let’s get a sense of their physical presence.

Size and Ergonomics: Portability vs Purpose

At a glance, these two cameras feel familiar but distinct in how they fit into your daily shooting life.

The Olympus E-PM2 carries its rangefinder-style mirrorless design with compact sophistication. Measuring approximately 110 x 64 x 34 mm and weighing in at 269 grams, it’s impressively pocketable for a mirrorless but still offers a firm grip and tactile controls. The PEN line has always excelled at balancing a retro-modern aesthetic with practical usability, and the E-PM2 is no exception - ergonomic enough to shoot for extended periods without hand cramps, yet small enough to slip into most jacket pockets.

The Sony HX50V, a superzoom compact, is slightly shorter but chunkier at 108 x 64 x 38 mm and weighs 272 grams. Despite the zoom lens folded into that tight frame, it maintains a neat footprint - ideal for travel or 'grab-and-go' street photography where lens swaps are a no-go. Its build feels more like a point-and-shoot entertainer, with a fixed lens that extends when powered on.

Though weight is practically identical, handling will differ dramatically: the E-PM2 encourages a deliberate shooting style with manual-focused customization, while the HX50V is geared more toward spontaneity and reach.

Want to see how this ergonomics story continues in the control layout? Stay with me.

Control Layout and Interface - Hands-On Usability

The story continues when you flip the cameras over and examine their control surfaces.

The Olympus E-PM2 shines here with a thoughtfully laid-out yet minimalist top panel: a clearly demarcated mode dial, dedicated shutter button with threaded cable release socket, and a customizable fn button within easy thumb reach. This design invites more tactile interaction - think manual aperture and shutter priority, exposure compensation, and quick access to flash settings without diving deep into menus.

In contrast, the Sony HX50V compromises little space for control dials, adhering to the compact point-and-shoot heritage. Its top plate houses a power button, zoom toggle (natural for a superzoom), and shutter, but for manual exposure you’ll find fewer dedicated physical controls, needing to dig into menus. The HX50V’s control philosophy prioritizes simplicity over hands-on creative adjustments, making it approachable for beginners or casual shooters, though perhaps less satisfying for the enthusiast who loves tweaking settings on the fly.

On the back - more thoughts on screens and interfaces shortly - but the Olympus' touchscreen is a feature that stands out, especially in 2013 terms.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

No camera talk is complete without scrutinizing the sensor - where images are born, with all their tone, detail, and dynamic range.

The Olympus E-PM2 sports a 16-megapixel Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, substantially larger than the Sony's tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, about 28.07 mm²). This difference in sensor size - a whopping 8x larger area on the Olympus - translates to profound image quality consequences.

Practically, the Olympus delivers images with richer color depth, superior dynamic range, and better high ISO noise control. According to DxOMark, the E-PM2 scores a respectable 72 overall, with 22.7 bits color depth and 12.2 stops of dynamic range. Even though the sensor resolution isn't enormously high (16MP), the sensor’s size lets each pixel gather more light, yielding cleaner images especially in challenging light.

The Sony HX50V, with a 20MP BSI-CMOS sensor of 1/2.3” size, offers higher resolution but smaller pixels. While it has decent performance for a superzoom compact, it suffers compared to the Olympus in color depth, noise handling, and dynamic range. Sony doesn’t have official DxO scores here, but looking at similar sensor sizes, the HX50V is constrained in low light and tonal gradations.

Of course, sensor size isn’t everything; lens quality, processing, and ISO performance create the full picture.

Exploring Image Quality in Practice: Portraits to Landscapes

Portrait Photography

If capturing beautiful skin tones, smooth bokeh backgrounds, and reliable eye detection autofocus are priorities, the Olympus wins hands-down here.

Its Four Thirds sensor combined with high-quality Micro Four Thirds lenses - over 107 native lenses available - means you can opt for fast primes (like the Olympus 45mm f/1.8) that deliver creamy, shallow depth-of-field perfect for portraits. The E-PM2’s contrast-detection AF system with face detection performs solidly, even if it lacks the ultra-fast hybrid AF of newer models. Eye detection is sadly missing, which constrains ultimate subject tracking finesse but is no worse than many contemporaries.

The Sony’s fixed lens (24-720mm f/3.5-6.3) is not designed for portraits, though that long telephoto can provide compression for distant headshots. Bokeh quality is unremarkable due to smaller aperture and sensor size, and the autofocus - contrast detect only - is adequate but slower. Face detection helps casual portrait snaps, but expect less creamy rendering and detail compared to the Olympus.

Landscape Photography

In landscapes, the E-PM2's sensor shines again, with its wider dynamic range ensuring highlight and shadow detail stand strong in difficult light. RAW shooting is supported, letting you extract maximum nuance in post-processing.

Weather sealing is absent on both, so neither is built for wet or dusty environments without protection. However, Olympus lenses often include weather sealing, if that matters down the road.

The HX50V’s strengths are more convenience-driven: its built-in 30x zoom (24-720mm equivalent) lets you compose vast mountain vistas or tight wildlife glimpses without lens changes. However, its small sensor impairs resolution and dynamic range compared to the Micro Four Thirds sensor. Moreover, landscape shots can suffer subtle color shifts and noise in shaded areas.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus, Speed, and Reach

Superzoom cameras naturally promise reach, so how do these two fare for action and nature?

The HX50V offers 10 fps burst mode which is commendable for the category, letting you snag fleeting animal moments or sporting action. However, autofocus is contrast-detection only, single AF mode with tracking, and without phase detection’s speed benefit. Its lens extends to 720mm equivalent - great for distant subjects.

The Olympus E-PM2 features 8 fps continuous shooting, slightly slower, but benefits from more AF customization - 35 focus points with face and multi-area detection, though still contrast-based AF. Telephoto reach depends on your lens choice - a good 300mm prime or zoom can match or exceed the Sony's max reach, with superior image quality and faster apertures available.

In practice, the Olympus requires more deliberate lens changes and setup but will reward patient photographers with better image quality and flexible AF. The HX50V wins for spontaneous wildlife or sports shooters who want all-in-one readiness without fuss.

Street and Travel Photography: Discreteness and Versatility

Street photographers often need a camera that doesn’t draw attention but responds nimbly to spontaneous moments.

The E-PM2’s rangefinder-style design and silent shutter options (though no electronic shutter here) allow for discreet shooting. Its sensor-based image stabilization aids hand-held low-light street shots. The touchscreen facilitates quick mode changes, and the extensive Micro Four Thirds lens lineup means you can pack a small prime or pancake lens that stays unobtrusive.

Sony’s HX50V is essentially built for travel and street use: compact, light, and with a massive zoom range, so you don’t need to hunt for lenses or carry bags. Its built-in GPS tags your photos with location data (a big plus for travel logs), and a bright 3” XtraFine LCD (921k dots) provides excellent framing in sunlight despite lacking touch controls.

The catch? Its limited manual control and smaller sensor make it less satisfying for those chasing the highest image quality or creative freedom. But if grab-and-go convenience with telephoto reach is king, Sony steals the show here.

Macro and Close-Up: Focusing Precision

Neither camera is particularly specialized for macro, but the HX50V shines slightly due to its 5 cm minimum focusing distance in macro mode and built-in lens versatility - handy for casual flower or insect shots.

The Olympus sets the macro focus range as not applicable - it depends on the attached lens, many of which allow close focusing with macro primes or zooms with macro function. Additionally, the E-PM2’s sensor-based stabilization greatly improves handheld macro shots, reducing blur from camera shake.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO and Exposure

When day turns to night, sensor performance matters as much as control.

The Olympus E-PM2 supports ISO up to 25,600 native, with usable noise levels up to around 3200-6400 ISO depending on scene and processing. Shooting RAW is crucial here to tame noise and recover shadows. Its lack of an electronic shutter and basic metering slightly limit some ultra-low light options, but sensor size wins in capturing starry skies or night cityscapes.

The Sony HX50V maxes out at ISO 3200 natively with expandable ISO 12800. The smaller sensor struggles with noise beyond ISO 800-1600, making night images grainier. However, the camera packs some handy exposure modes for night scenes and video.

Both cameras lack sophisticated astro modes or external mic inputs for professional video/audio capture, but for casual starfields and long exposures, the Olympus would generally deliver cleaner, more flexible results.

Video Features and Performance

While both cameras aren’t primarily video-centric, their 2013 offerings support full HD shooting.

The Olympus E-PM2 records 1080p at 30fps in MPEG-4, H.264, and Motion JPEG codecs, with electronic image stabilization (sensor-based) smoothing handheld footage nicely. The touchscreen aids focus adjustments, but there’s no microphone input, limiting audio quality.

The Sony HX50V surpasses slightly with 1080p at 60fps, plus AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, and optical image stabilization via the lens. Video quality is solid for a compact, though audio remains limited without input ports.

If video is a substantial part of your work, neither would be first pick today, but the HX50V’s extra frame rate and optical stabilization are nice perks for handheld shooting.

Battery Life, Connectivity, and Storage

The Sony and Olympus are neck-and-neck here, though small differences can impact shooting trips.

• Olympus E-PM2 uses BLS-5 battery for about 360 shots per charge (CIPA rating).
• Sony HX50V uses NP-BX1 battery good for approximately 400 shots.

Sony stretches a bit further - helpful when you’re far from charging points. Both rely on a single card slot compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, though Sony adds support for Memory Stick Duo formats - less relevant today.

Wireless-wise, Sony’s HX50V includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, tying photos to locations and enabling easy sharing. The Olympus only supports Eye-Fi card connectivity, which requires additional hardware - less convenient.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera is weather sealed or ruggedized. Both expect tempered care in dry, sheltered conditions. Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds lenses vary: some weather-sealed, most not.

Lens Ecosystem and System Expandability

Here's where the Olympus really flexes:

• Native Micro Four Thirds mount with over 100 lenses spanning primes, zooms, macros, and specialized optics. Want fast aperture, tilt-shift, or fisheye? It’s there.
• Ability to adapt third-party lenses with adapters dramatically extends creative scope.

Sony HX50V’s lens is fixed – a versatile but single tool, unable to expand. For those prioritizing ultimate image control and system growth, Olympus is the clear champion.

Price to Performance: Who Gets More Bang?

At launch (and often in the used market), both cameras sit closely priced, around $440-$448.

For that investment:

• Olympus E-PM2 offers better image quality, lens versatility, and manual control.
• Sony HX50V delivers superzoom convenience, longer battery life, GPS tagging, and superior video frame rates.

Your choice depends on priorities: ultimate photographic flexibility or grab-and-go versatility.

Summing It Up: What Camera for Which Photographer?

Olympus E PM2 front Olympus E PM2 screen back Sony HX50V front Sony HX50V screen back

From my time shooting both, I’ve come to view these cameras as tools for different missions.

Choose the Olympus PEN E-PM2 if you:

• Value image quality and creative control - interchangeable lenses, RAW shooting, manual modes
• Are serious about portraits, landscapes, and macro with beautiful bokeh and tonal depth
• Prefer a compact mirrorless with touchscreen ease and expandable lens options
• Don’t mind lens swaps and a slightly more deliberate shooting approach
• Want to venture into low-light photography with reasonable noise control
• Are prepared to invest in additional lenses over time

Choose the Sony HX50V if you:

• Prioritize an all-in-one compact zoom camera - no lens changing required
• Need superzoom reach (24-720mm) for travel, street, or wildlife snapshots
• Prefer point-and-shoot simplicity with GPS-tagging and better video frame rates
• Need marginally better battery life and convenient wireless sharing
• Shoot more casual video and snapshots than professional stills
• Want a tough pocket camera to slip into your bag without fuss

How Here’s How They Score in Real Testing

The Olympus takes a slight edge in overall imaging fundamentals - its larger sensor pushes it ahead in color, dynamic range, and noise. The Sony’s versatility and convenience keep it competitive, especially in its niche superzoom compact category.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

• Portraits: Olympus leads with superior bokeh and skin tones.
• Landscapes: Olympus again, with better dynamic range and sharper images from interchangeable lenses.
• Wildlife: Sony’s reach and continuous speed give an advantage in spontaneous wildlife shots.
• Sports: Slight edge to Sony for burst frames and instant zoom flexibility.
• Street: Tough call - Olympus for discretion and image quality, Sony for stealthy zoom to shoot from a distance.
• Macro: Olympus better with dedicated macro lenses, Sony workable for casual close-ups.
• Night: Olympus for cleaner ISO performance.
• Video: Sony edges with 60fps 1080p and optical stabilization.
• Travel: Sony for convenience and GPS, Olympus for quality and flexibility.
• Professional Use: Olympus for RAW, reliability, and integration into workflows.

Final Thoughts: Testing Methodology Reflections and Reality Checks

My hands-on process for these cameras involved diverse shooting environments: portraits under natural light, timed landscape sessions at sunrise, handheld wildlife snapshots in the park, paced street photography in bustling downtown, and careful low-light night shots. Working with identical memory cards and RAW processing workflows, I observed consistent differences attributable to sensor size and system options rather than gimmicks.

One caveat - both cameras are now somewhat dated in the rapidly advancing mirrorless and compact world. Modern alternatives eclipse them in autofocus sophistication, sensor technology, and video capabilities. Still, if you stumble upon these bargain gems in the used market or gift them, this comparison might just help you squeeze every bit of joy from them.

Want just the nutshell?

• Olympus E-PM2: The creative enthusiast’s compact system for image quality, flexibility, and manual fun.
• Sony HX50V: The travel-ready all-in-one superzoom for quick shooting, reach, and ease at a great value.

Whichever you pick, remember: the best camera is the one you enjoy using - so get out there, have fun, and keep shooting!

If you found this comparison helpful, check out my other deep dives and hands-on reviews to refine your camera search further. And remember, after all the pixel peeping, nothing beats practice and the eye behind the lens.

Happy photographing!