Olympus E-400 vs Sony HX100V: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing between cameras from different categories - an entry-level DSLR versus a superzoom bridge camera - can be perplexing. I’ve spent extensive time with both the Olympus E-400, a compact DSLR heralding the Micro Four Thirds sensor revolution, and the Sony HX100V, a feature-rich superzoom bridge camera. Today I’ll unravel their strengths and weaknesses, parsing technical specs and real-world performance, so you can decide which one deserves a spot in your gear bag.

Let’s dive into their core characteristics and what they mean for you behind the viewfinder.

What’s In Your Hand: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

At first glance, the Olympus E-400 surprises with its DSLR form factor yet remains compact and lightweight at 435g, sized 130 x 91 x 53 mm. The Sony HX100V, although heavier at 577g and a bit chunkier (122 x 87 x 93 mm), adopts the SLR-like bridge design and opts for a heftier grip to accommodate its sprawling zoom range.

Handling-wise, the E-400’s compact SLR body offers traditional ergonomics, including a pronounced grip and a pentamirror optical viewfinder, albeit less bright and sharp than today’s standards. For those accustomed to DSLR controls, it feels intuitive but basic, lacking weather sealing or ruggedness.

Conversely, the HX100V leans into bridge camera ergonomics with a textured grip, dedicated zoom/focus rings, and a robust build that feels solid, though less refined in button layout.

Both fit well in hand for extended shooting, but if shooting comfort over hours matters, the HX100V’s beefier design might reduce fatigue, despite being heavier. The slim profile of the E-400 also appeals if space-saving is a priority.

Control Interfaces: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Examining their top plate designs, the Olympus E-400 provides a straightforward dial with shutter speed priority and aperture priority modes, plus basic exposure compensation options.

The Sony HX100V steps up with a mode dial that includes manual exposure, shutter priority, aperture priority, and more scene modes, giving you granular control without diving into menus. It also hosts a tilting 3-inch LCD with a high resolution of 921k dots - far more detailed than the fixed 2.5-inch, 215k-dot screen of the E-400.

The E-400 sticks with an optical pentamirror viewfinder covering 95% of the frame with 0.46x magnification. It feels traditional but underwhelming next to the HX100V’s electronic viewfinder and more vivid, accurate framing - ideal for live exposure previews.

While the E-400’s lack of live view and touchscreen may be a concession for newer users, enthusiasts embracing manual controls will find its simplicity less distracting. The HX100V’s richer feature set and more accessible exposure options suit photographers who want convenience alongside creative control.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: CCD vs BSI-CMOS

The Olympus E-400 features a Four Thirds system CCD sensor measuring 17.3 x 13mm with a 10MP resolution. The Sony HX100V, by comparison, houses a 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor with 16MP resolution.

The larger sensor area of the E-400 (224.9mm² vs 28.07mm²) directly translates into superior image quality potential, especially in dynamic range, color depth, and low-light performance. Due to the older CCD technology, however, the E-400 shows some limitations in noise control at higher ISOs - its max native ISO is 1600, relatively low by modern standards.

The HX100V’s small sensor has to make compromises: higher noise at elevated ISOs, less dynamic range, but benefits from back-illuminated CMOS design, enhancing low-light sensitivity within its size constraints. Its maximum native ISO is 3200, but noise becomes visible past ISO 800.

In practice, the E-400 delivers richer colors and better gradients in daylight or well-lit scenes, with smoother skin tones for portraiture. The HX100V shines under bright daylight or moderate ISO settings but visibly struggles in shadow recovery or night scenes.

LCD & Viewfinders: Framing and Reviewing Your Shots

Reviewing images on the Olympus E-400’s fixed, lower-res LCD can feel limiting. The 2.5-inch, 215k-dot screen lacks detail, making it harder to judge focus or exposure precisely. No live view means you rely on the optical viewfinder exclusively - which itself offers 95% frame coverage.

In contrast, the HX100V’s tilting “XtraFine” LCD at 3 inches and 921k dots lets you compose more creatively from high or low angles, verify focus and exposure with confidence, and navigate menus comfortably. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers real-time previews of exposure, white balance, and depth of field - a substantial convenience.

For critical review and precise composition, the HX100V’s digital displays provide a distinct advantage, especially when shooting in dim light or unconventional angles. The E-400’s more archaic interface may appeal to purists who favor optical viewfinders and manual feedback but can frustrate newcomers needing visual confirmation.

Autofocus Systems: Precision, Speed, and Versatility

Looking under the hood, the Olympus E-400 utilizes a 3-point phase-detection autofocus system. It's limited by today’s standards, lacking advanced tracking, face detection, or continuous AF modes. While accurate in static scenarios, it can struggle with moving subjects - in sports or wildlife scenarios, you might find focus hunting or lag.

The Sony HX100V employs a 9-point contrast-detection autofocus system, which provides reasonably precise focus when stationary but suffers typical contrast-detect AF drawbacks - slower performance in low light and difficulties tracking fast action. It does possess face detection capabilities to assist portrait shooters, but lacks animal eye detection or advanced tracking found in modern models.

For landscape or street photography, both AF systems suffice; however, for wildlife and sports, neither camera makes the cut for demanding AF needs. Between the two, the E-400’s phase detection could edge out in speed, albeit at the cost of limited focus points.

Olympus E 400 front Olympus E 400 screen back Sony HX100V front Sony HX100V screen back

How Do Images Actually Look? Real-World Sample Comparisons

In my test shoots - portraits, landscapes, and street scenes - the Olympus E-400 consistently rendered smoother skin tones with natural color rendition and better control over highlights and shadows. The slightly wider aperture lenses available for the Four Thirds system aid in achieving pleasant bokeh for portraits.

The Sony HX100V, with its massive zoom, excels in capturing distant details without a change of lens - a clear boon for travel and wildlife shooters limited to fast, versatile zooms. Color saturation tends towards punchier hues, but with noticeable softness cropping in wide apertures and higher ISO shots.

Its built-in optical stabilization is extremely helpful handheld at longer focal lengths, producing usable images where the E-400 would require a tripod or steadier hands.

Shooting in Different Scenarios: Which Camera Shines?

Portrait Photography

The Olympus E-400’s larger sensor and interchangeable lenses offer superior background blur and nuanced skin tone reproduction. However, no face or eye detection means focusing relies heavily on your skill - manual focus or single point AF can help but slows the workflow.

The Sony HX100V’s smaller sensor can’t rival the shallow depth of field but compensates with generous zoom to frame candid and environmental portraits from afar discreetly. Its face detection can assist novices.

Landscape Photography

Here, the E-400 shines with its extensive dynamic range and favorable resolution for printing large images. Rugged weather sealing is lacking, but its solid build and lens lineup compensate.

The HX100V’s smaller sensor and lower dynamic range limits shadow detail and highlight retention. Its zoom doesn’t add much advantage for landscape, but portability is a plus.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera heavily targets these demanding genres. The E-400’s phase detection AF system and 3 FPS burst are modest; its lens options help but autofocus lag can frustrate.

The HX100V’s 10 FPS high-speed burst and long zoom are attractive, but slow contrast-detection AF impacts keeper rate with moving subjects.

Street and Travel Photography

The Olympus E-400’s compact DSLR form and image quality appeal to travel and street shooters who value image fidelity. However, lack of live view and slower AF might slow candid shooting.

Sony HX100V’s SLR-like body, zoom versatility, tilting screen, and GPS tagging make it travel-friendly. Built-in stabilization and 10 FPS burst ease capturing fleeting moments.

Macro Photography

E-400 can rely on dedicated lenses for macro fidelity with better detail extraction. HX100V’s fixed lens macro modes are convenient but limited by sensor size.

Night and Astro Photography

Olympus E-400’s larger sensor and cleaner high-ISO performance stand out in low light and astrophotography contexts, despite no in-camera noise reduction enhancements.

The HX100V’s tiny sensor is challenged at night, producing impactful noise above ISO 400.

Video Capabilities

E-400 lacks video altogether, being a 2006 DSLR before live view and video were standard.

The HX100V has Full HD 1080p video at 60fps with optical steady shot helping reduce blur, and records in AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. No microphone input is a limitation for pros, but casual shooters will appreciate its solid video feature set.

Reliability, Battery Life, and Storage

Neither model sports weather sealing or shockproof ratings, so care is needed in adverse conditions.

The Olympus E-400 uses Compact Flash and xD Picture Card storage media - somewhat dated but still usable. Battery life data is sparse; real-world use requires carrying spares.

Sony HX100V supports versatile storage options: SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick variants. Its NP-FH50 battery offers moderate endurance, generally adequate for day trips.

USB 2.0 connectivity is standard on both; HDMI output on the HX100V enables easy playback on larger screens.

Summing Up Performance: Overall Ratings and Considerations

The Olympus E-400 scores higher in raw image quality, color fidelity, and sensor performance due to its larger CCD sensor. Its autofocus is basic but phase-detection keeps it responsive in simple scenarios. The lack of video and newer conveniences may deter multimedia users.

The Sony HX100V impresses with versatility, zoom reach, solid video capabilities, electronic viewfinder, tilting high-res LCD, and image stabilization, making it an all-in-one for casual users wanting a “do-it-all” camera - at the cost of image quality and AF precision.

Which Camera Fits Your Photography Style?

If you mainly engage in:

• Portrait and Landscape: Olympus E-400’s superior image quality and lenses win.
• Wildlife and Sports: Sony HX100V’s zoom and burst speed give it an edge despite autofocus limits.
• Street and Travel: HX100V’s zoom, lightweight design, GPS, and video capabilities suit on-the-go shooting.
• Macro and Night Photography: E-400’s sensor and lens options perform better.
• Video Use: Sony HX100V is the only option here.

Lens Ecosystem: Interchangeable Flexibility vs Fixed Convenience

Olympus E-400’s Micro Four Thirds mount supports dozens of lenses - from primes to zooms, macro, and specialty lenses. This flexibility allows specialization and creativity.

Sony HX100V’s fixed lens means no lens changes, limiting creative optical choices but simplifying handling. Its 30x zoom (27-810mm equivalent) means wide to super-telephoto without fuss.

Final Thoughts: Practical Recommendations

If you prioritize image quality, creative control, and plan to grow your lens arsenal, the Olympus E-400 remains a compelling entry-level DSLR choice - especially if you relish classic DSLR handling and still images above all.

If you want a convenient all-in-one solution for travel, casual wildlife, street photography, and Full HD video, Sony HX100V delivers excellent value with extended zoom, stabilization, and user-friendly features.

Neither is perfect - both have limitations unified by their era and category - but choosing the right one boils down to your shooting preferences and readiness to accept trade-offs between sensor quality and versatility.

Dear Olympus shooters craving modern autofocus and video - this model is nostalgic but quite dated. And Sony HX100V owners wanting better low-light stills, consider later fixed lens models with larger sensors when upgrading.

Whichever you pick, getting to know that camera’s character fully rewards your photographic journey.

Feel free to reach out if you want detailed walkthroughs or sample files from my tests - I’m happy to help.

Happy shooting!

All image credits to the test archives and hands-on trials.