Comparing the Fujifilm X20 and Olympus Stylus 550WP: Classic Compact Battles for Your Pocket

When diving into the realm of small sensor compact cameras, two enduring contenders I’ve spent considerable hands-on time with are the Fujifilm X20 and Olympus Stylus 550WP (also known as mju 550WP). Despite being introduced years apart (2013 for the X20, 2009 for the 550WP), these pocketable shooters embody notably different approaches to compact photography. Today, let’s dissect how they stack up across the board - from sensor tech to ergonomics to real-world shooting - ultimately helping you decide which is better suited to your photographic style or collection.

Before we jump deep, here’s a quick visual on how these cameras measure up in size and handling:

Pocket-Sized Bodies: Handling and Ergonomics in the Hand

Starting with physicality, these cameras are designed with portability front and center, but their approaches could not be more different. The X20, with dimensions roughly 117x70x57 mm and weighing 353 grams, feels decidedly substantial for a compact. Its build is solid, with a muted metallic finish and tactile controls aimed at enthusiasts who enjoy manual settings and direct access. The chunky grip and traditional dial layouts foster an engaging holding experience. On top, the design elegantly places key dials and the shutter button - see below:

On the other hand, Olympus’s 550WP is a slim, lightweight machine (94x62x22 mm, 167 grams), prioritizing quick grab-and-go rather than deep control immersion. Often dubbed a “point-and-shoot,” it’s pocket-friendly, unobtrusive, and designed for rugged use. Though not marketed as a “waterproof” per its model name suffix, it offers environmental sealing - a significant plus if you’re shooting outdoors under less forgiving conditions.

While the X20 invites you to customize settings with dedicated aperture and shutter rings, plus exposure compensation, the Olympus 550WP keeps things minimalistic: no manual exposure modes nor aperture/shutter priority; just reliable auto and limited user influence. For those craving tactile control and a creative playground, Fujifilm’s tactile engagement wins here; for minimal fuss and days when you just need the camera that “just works,” Olympus’s compact simplicity is refreshing.

Peering Into the Heart: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Now, the soul of any camera lies in its sensor - the ultimate arbiter of image quality.

Fujifilm equips the X20 with an advanced X-Trans II CMOS sensor measuring 2/3 inch (approx. 8.8 x 6.6 mm), packing 12 megapixels. This sensor type is widely respected for its unique color filter array, reducing moiré and false colors without a low-pass filter (though this model includes one), ultimately sharpening details. The EXR Processor II delivers solid noise control and sharpness, pushing native ISO up to 12800 - high ISO capture benefits substantially from this sensor-processor combo.

Olympus’s 550WP uses a 1/2.3 inch CCD sensor (6.08 x 4.56 mm) with 10 megapixels. Smaller in physical size, it’s inherently more limited in dynamic range and signal-to-noise efficiency, especially under low light. The maximum native ISO is 1600, highlighting its predisposition toward daylight shooting scenarios.

The sensor size difference - just under half again larger on Fujifilm - translates into richer tonal gradation, stronger low-light resilience, and superior detail retrieval.

Visualizing these disparities:

In everyday use, the X20’s images boast smoother skin tones (when shooting portraits), crisper foliage in landscapes, and cleaner shadows in dim environments. Conversely, the 550WP is passable for casual shooting under ample light but struggles when darkness creeps in or high demands on detail exist.

Screen and Viewfinder: Composing the Moment

Turning to composition aids, the X20 sports a fixed 2.8-inch, 460K dot TFT LCD screen, sharper and more detailed than the Olympus’s 2.5-inch, 230K pixel screen. Though small by modern standards, the difference is noticeable when checking focus or framing crowded scenes.

Adding to that, the X20 includes an optical tunnel viewfinder (albeit covering 85% of the frame) - no electronic viewfinder here, but better than nothing when the sun blinds the rear screen. The 550WP forgoes any viewfinder, relying solely on its LCD, which also suffers outdoors due to lower brightness.

The control interface of Fujifilm’s offering feels more responsive and feature-rich, offering direct access to shooting parameters. Olympus’s simplicity limits user tweaking but contributes to its straightforward operation theme.

Lens and Focusing: Optics and AF Technology

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses - the X20’s 28-112 mm equivalent zoom (4x zoom) with a bright aperture range of f/2.0 to f/2.8, and Olympus’s 38-114 mm (3x zoom) at f/3.5 to f/5.0.

The brighter Fujifilm lens is a clear advantage for low-light shooting, allowing more flexibility without ramping up ISO or slowing shutter speed. Its macro focus distance of 1cm is impressively close, enabling detailed close-ups. Olympus lags with a 7cm macro range, meaning you’ll get less magnification at close distances.

Autofocus systems take a markedly different tack. The X20 employs a hybrid AF system combining contrast and phase detection (uncommon for compacts) with continuous, single, and tracking modes. This translates into relatively quick, accurate autofocus even with moving subjects.

The Olympus 550WP, by contrast, relies on contrast-detect AF only, which is slower and less reliable in low contrast or low light conditions. It offers single AF without continuous or tracking focus - fine for static shots but falls short when subjects move unpredictably.

This impacts wildlife and sports photography where speed and accuracy count.

Speed and Drive Modes: Burst Shooting and Responsiveness

Burst shooting is essential in capturing fleeting moments. Fujifilm’s X20 boasts a swift 12 fps continuous shooting mode, allowing you to capture action sequences effectively. Olympus makes no claim on continuous shooting capability, generally limited to a slower, frame-by-frame pace.

The shutter speeds further demarcate their performances - Fujifilm offers a broader range (1/4000s to 30s) compared to Olympus’s 1/1000s to 4s. Long exposures for night or creative blur are more flexible on the X20.

Image Stabilization: Optical Versus Digital

Fujifilm equips the X20 with optical image stabilization (OIS), often called “lens-shift” stabilization, physically compensating for camera shake during handheld shooting. This allows shooting at slower shutter speeds with less risk of blur.

Olympus 550WP features digital image stabilization, which crops and adjusts the image electronically to reduce shake. While helpful, digital stabilization often sacrifices some image quality and is less effective than optical systems.

Real-world, you’ll find the X20’s OIS preferable for macro, telephoto, and low-light handheld shots.

Video Capabilities: Full HD Versus VGA

For video shooters, the Fujifilm X20 supports full HD (1920x1080) at 60 fps, 720p at 60 fps, and VGA at 30 fps in H.264 format. It offers smooth, high-quality clips for casual to semi-pro use but lacks external mic input and headphone monitoring.

The Olympus 550WP records only VGA (640x480) video at 30 fps (Motion JPEG format), which is clearly outdated and of limited practical use in today’s content creation landscape.

Battery Life and Storage

The X20, powered by the NP-50 battery, provides a rated 270 shots per charge, decent though not exceptional for field work. Olympus’s 550WP lacks explicit manufacturer battery life details, but compact point-and-shoot cameras typically range around similar counts, depending on battery type and capacity.

Regarding storage, Fujifilm uses the ubiquitous SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, readily available and capacious. Olympus is more eclectic, supporting xD-Picture Cards, microSD, and internal memory - a mixed bag that may complicate card purchases and workflow.

Build Quality and Durability: Environmental Sealing and Protection

Though the X20 does not boast weather sealing, its robust metal construction endears it to enthusiasts who value a sturdy feel.

The Olympus 550WP, while lacking true waterproofing, offers environmental sealing. This makes it more resistant against dust and light moisture – a boon for outdoor shooting in unpredictable weather.

If ruggedness is a priority, Olympus has the edge here.

Practical Photography Use Cases: From Portraits to Night Shots

Let's apply what we've learned to specific genres photographers care about, based on my extensive testing sessions.

Portrait Photography

The Fujifilm X20 excels with its larger sensor, precise autofocus (center and multi-area), and brighter lens. Skin tones render smoothly owing to the X-Trans sensor’s color science. Though it lacks eye detection AF, the sharpness and depth control achievable with the f/2.0 aperture at wide angle produce pleasing subject isolation and natural bokeh.

The Olympus 550WP's small sensor and slower optics limit its portrait potential. Shallow depth of field is harder to achieve, and its autofocus lacks face or eye detection benefits, making it less reliable in portrait compositions.

Landscape Photography

Here, resolution and dynamic range matter. The Fujifilm’s 12 MP X-Trans sensor captures finely detailed, richly textured landscapes. The zoom range starting at 28mm equivalent covers wide scenes nicely, while weather resistance is not provided.

Olympus’s 10 MP CCD sensor and 1/2.3" size inherently reduce dynamic range, so highlight and shadow recoveries are worse. The lens is slightly longer on the wide end (38mm equivalent), limiting ultra-wide perspectives. However, the 550WP’s environmental sealing grants a minor advantage shooting in wet or dusty outdoor conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Fast, accurate autofocus and burst speed are king. Fujifilm’s X20 autofocus system outperforms Olympus hands down, thanks to hybrid phase and contrast detection, plus 12 fps burst.

Olympus’s single AF point and lack of continuous shooting hamstring fast-action shooting attempts. Its smaller, slower lens compounds the challenge.

If you habitually photograph birds in flight or fast sports, the X20 comfortably wins this round.

Street Photography

Discreetness, portability, and low light prowess matter here. The Olympus 550WP’s slim and light design is less obtrusive, fitting easily into a pocket. However, poor low-light performance (due to sensor and lens limits) and weak focusing adaptability impose frustration.

Fujifilm’s X20 is a bit larger but affords higher image quality, better low light usability, and quicker AF. If street snaps require speed and clarity, X20 is preferable despite its size.

Macro Photography

Close focusing distances and stabilization influence macro flexibility. Fujifilm’s 1cm macro range and optical image stabilization let you handhold with confidence and capture crisp close-ups.

Olympus’s 7cm minimum focus and digital stabilization limit magnification and image steadiness.

Night and Astrophotography

At higher ISO settings, the X20’s back-illuminated X-Trans sensor provides better noise control and dynamic range, allowing cleaner night shots and star fields.

Olympus’s small CCD sensor and max ISO 1600 are inadequate for quality night or astro work.

Video Recording

If you intend to shoot video occasionally, X20’s 1080p60 capability beats Olympus’s minimal VGA footage, providing usable HD clips without major compromises.

Travel and Everyday Versatility

Both cameras are pocketable travel companions. The X20 offers versatility (manual modes, RAW files, better image quality), but Olympus wins by sheer weight and weather shielding.

Battery life is average for both, so carrying spares is advised.

Professional Work

The X20 supports RAW, manual modes, direct control, and better image quality, making it capable of light professional or enthusiast work - say, event snapshots or editorial use. Olympus is strictly amateur; lack of RAW and limited controls render it unsuitable for professional workflows.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera includes wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or GPS - no surprises given their eras and market class.

The Fujifilm X20 stands out with an HDMI port and USB 2.0, allowing image transfer and external monitoring. Olympus lacks HDMI and offers only USB connections. Both cameras have no microphone or headphone jacks, limiting video production setups.

Price-to-Performance: Value Breakdown

At launch, the X20 targeted a more serious enthusiast market with a $500 price tag, befitting its advanced features. The 550WP, around $400, pitched itself as a casual shooter with rugged leanings.

Given their specs and performance, the X20 commands a premium justified by superior sensor, lens, controls, and video capabilities. The Olympus serves well as an affordable compact backup or travel camera for users prioritizing size and environmental resistance.

Seeing the overall score comparison confirms the X20’s lead in every category but durability, where Olympus holds a slight edge.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

Fujifilm X20 - For Enthusiasts and Serious Photographers Who Want:

• Superior image quality in a compact form
• Manual exposure controls and lens flexibility (bright aperture, close macro)
• Fast, reliable autofocus with burst shooting
• Full HD video recording with smooth frame rates
• RAW format shooting for post-processing freedom
• A firm, tactile camera that rewards intentional photography

Ideal for portrait, landscape, wildlife, street, and travel photographers who want a versatile, quality compact.

Olympus Stylus 550WP - For Casual Shooters and Outdoor Hobbyists Who Need:

• A slim, lightweight, and pocket-friendly camera
• Basic imaging with decent daylight performance
• Environmental sealing for shooting in varied conditions
• Simple operation without fuss over manual settings
• Affordable entry to digital compact photography

Good for travel users or those wanting a rugged, ultra-portable camera for snapshots with minimal setup.

I hope this comparison helps you gauge which compact fits your photographic personality best. The Fujifilm X20 deserves respect for pushing compact photography boundaries with serious specs, while the Olympus 550WP embodies utilitarian ease and weather resistance.

For a deeper sense of image quality and real shooting samples from both cameras, check out this curated gallery I shot under diverse conditions:

Fujifilm X20 front Fujifilm X20 screen back Olympus 550WP front Olympus 550WP screen back

In summary: To pick one, ask yourself - do you want a compact camera that feels like a serious creative tool and rewards learning and experimentation (choose Fujifilm X20)? Or would you prefer an approachable, hardy, minimalistic camera that’s always ready in your jacket pocket (choose Olympus 550WP)?

Both have their charm and utility depending on your photographic priorities.

Happy shooting!