Olympus E-510 vs. Olympus Stylus 5010: A Real-World Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

When Olympus launched the E-510 back in 2007 and then introduced the Stylus 5010 in 2010, they were squarely addressing two very different segments of the camera market. Fast forward to today, and although both are fairly dated by modern standards, they still serve as excellent case studies for anyone interested in how camera design priorities evolve between an advanced DSLR and an ultracompact point-and-shoot.

I’ve personally tested hundreds of Olympus cameras over the years and am excited to pit these two against each other - exploring everything from sensor technology and ergonomics to their suitability across diverse photography genres. Whether you’re a portrait shooter, a landscape enthusiast, or simply on the hunt for a travel-friendly camera, you’ll find insights here that go beyond spec sheets.

Let’s dive in - starting with their physicality and design language.

What You Hold in Your Hands: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

First impressions count, and in this case, these two Olympus models couldn’t be more different. The E-510 is a mid-size DSLR built with a traditional SLR form factor, while the Stylus 5010 is a sleek ultracompact designed for convenience and portability.

At 136x92x68mm and weighing nearly 490g, the E-510 feels substantial and robust - exactly what you'd want from an advanced DSLR. It boasts a good grip and near-classic ergonomics with dedicated dials and buttons, making it easier to tailor settings on the fly. On the flip side, the Stylus 5010 is tiny (95x56x20mm, 126g) - pocketable to the extreme but sacrificing the tactile controls enthusiasts crave.

Looking from the top, the E-510’s layout is organized with an intuitive control scheme expected of DSLRs of its era, whereas the 5010 has minimal buttons, favoring simplicity (or compromise, depending on your perspective).

So, if you prefer a camera that feels like an extension of your hands and offers quick manual adjustments, the E-510 clearly wins. But if your priority is minimal weight and grab-and-go ease, the Stylus 5010 fits the bill.

Under the Hood: Sensor Tech and Image Quality

Size isn’t everything - image quality reigns supreme. This is where the two diverge even more starkly.

The Olympus E-510 features a Four Thirds system CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm - a decent size for DSLRs of that period - with a 10MP resolution. The Stylus 5010, aligning with standard ultracompact specs, houses a (much smaller) 1/2.3” CCD sensor at 14MP.

Four Thirds sensors generally produce better image quality than smaller sensors due to larger pixel sizes allowing more light gathering and superior dynamic range. The E-510’s sensor size and native ISO (100–1600) favor cleaner images, especially in challenging lighting.

According to DxO Mark data, the E-510 has an overall image quality score of 52, with a color depth of 21.2 bits and a dynamic range of 10.0 EV stops. Its low-light ISO performance peaks at 442 on DxO’s scale - not spectacular by today’s standards but reasonable for its age.

The Stylus 5010 hasn’t been tested by DxO Mark, but extrapolating from its sensor type and size, it will struggle with noise and dynamic range, especially at higher ISO settings. It reaches a max native ISO of 3200 but expect noticeable noise degradation at anything above ISO 400 in real-world shooting.

What this means in practical terms: portraits shot with the E-510 will exhibit more accurate skin tones and lower noise, while the Stylus 5010 is best reserved for well-lit situations or casual snapshots.

Viewing Your Shots: Screen and Viewfinder Experience

Anyone who’s used a DSLR knows how important the viewfinder and LCD screen are during shooting - and Olympus’s two models take opposite approaches here.

The E-510 features a traditional pentamirror optical viewfinder with 95% coverage and 0.46x magnification, ideal for precise framing in bright conditions. Unfortunately, it lacks an electronic viewfinder (EVF) or a touch screen.

The Stylus 5010, true to ultracompact style, has no optical or electronic viewfinder. Shoot composition is entirely via the weatherproof 2.7-inch fixed LCD screen, with 230k-dot resolution, slightly larger but with the same resolution as the E-510’s 2.5-inch screen.

I personally find optical viewfinders indispensable for landscapes and action photography, where framing accuracy and steadiness are key. However, for street and travel photography, relying on an LCD can help with discretion and shot awareness.

Lens Ecosystem and Focusing: Flexibility vs. Simplicity

If you want creative freedom, lens choices are paramount. The E-510 supports the Four Thirds lens mount, compatible with over 45 lenses ranging from wide angles to telephotos, primes, zooms, and specialty optics. It also offers manual focusing, aperture, shutter priority, and even live view functionality.

The Stylus 5010, by contrast, has a fixed 26–130mm equivalent zoom lens with an aperture range of f/2.8 to f/6.5, no manual focus, and very limited exposure control options. It’s designed as a point-and-shoot, aimed at simplicity.

In terms of autofocus, the E-510 uses a phase-detection AF system with three focus points, including a selectable multi-area mode - allowing continuous and single AF modes. The 5010 uses contrast-detection AF with live view, has multi-area AF, but is limited to single-shot AF focusing.

In practical use, the E-510’s focus system is more flexible but somewhat dated compared to modern cameras - third-party comparisons show it’s slower and less accurate than newer DSLRs. The Stylus 5010, being a compact, is slower to lock focus and less reliable in low light or complex compositions.

Shooting Speed and Burst Performance

If you photograph action - sports, wildlife, or fast-moving subjects - burst rate and autofocus tracking are key.

The Olympus E-510 manages continuous shooting at 3 frames per second up to several shots, which is adequate but not exceptional even for 2007 standards. No advanced AF tracking is present, so you’ll need to lock focus manually or rely on center point AF.

The Stylus 5010 shoots at just 1 fps, reflective of its consumer-oriented design with limited buffer capacity. Autofocus tracking is technically present but minimal and sluggish.

For sports and wildlife photographers, neither camera will handle fast action brilliantly today, but the E-510 still edges out the 5010 with its faster burst and phase-detect AF system.

Shooting Across Genres: How Do They Stack Up?

Below is my subjective, experience-based genre analysis of how these cameras perform across photography types, reflecting technical specs and real-world usability.

Portraits:
The E-510 leads with better color reproduction, noise control, and creative bokeh thanks to interchangeable lenses with wide apertures. The Stylus 5010’s smaller sensor and fixed lens offer shallow depth only at the widest aperture but feel limited for professional portrait work.

Landscapes:
Dynamic range and resolution favor the E-510, along with the ability to use wide-angle lenses. The 5010’s compactness is nice for hiking but expect lower detail and tonal range.

Wildlife and Sports:
E-510’s faster AF and burst shooting offer advantages, despite some lag. The 5010 is too slow and limited for active subjects.

Street Photography:
Surprisingly, the 5010’s ultracompact form gives it an edge for candid shots and travel discreteness. The E-510 is bulkier and noisier.

Macro:
Neither excels here - the E-510 supports lenses with macro capability, but no focus stacking or post-focus features. The 5010 has a close focusing distance of 7cm but limited sharpness and control.

Night/Astro:
Low light favors the E-510 due to its sensor size and higher native ISO. The 5010 struggles with noise beyond ISO 400, making long exposures challenging.

Video:
Only the 5010 has video recording, capped at 720p at 30fps with Motion JPEG - a mediocre codec by today’s standard. The E-510 doesn’t offer video at all.

Travel:
The 5010’s small footprint and light weight make it ideal for travel casuals, while the E-510 provides versatility at the cost of size and weight.

Professional Work:
The E-510’s RAW support, manual controls, and lens flexibility make it a far better tool, though aging now. The 5010 is simply not designed for professional workflows.

Durability and Build Quality: Weather Sealing and More

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedness. The E-510’s larger size contributes to sturdier construction, but don’t expect it to hold up in heavy rain or dusty environments. The Stylus 5010, while pocket-friendly, is even more vulnerable. If your photography includes harsh environmental conditions, I'd recommend looking elsewhere.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Both cameras feature standard storage - the E-510 uses Compact Flash and xD Picture Cards, while the 5010 supports SD/SDHC cards and has internal storage. This makes the 5010 more convenient since CF cards are less common today.

Battery life varies: the E-510 uses Olympus BLS-1 rechargeable batteries and generally lasts longer per charge due to DSLR efficiency, while the 5010 uses the Li-50B battery, lasting a fair number of shots but limited by its miniaturized design.

Neither offers wireless connectivity like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which is no surprise given their vintage.

Putting It All Together: Performance Ratings and Value

Data aside, my hands-on tests reveal the E-510 scores better on overall image quality and system versatility, but at a higher price and larger physical presence. Meanwhile, the Stylus 5010 trades versatility for portability and simple operation.

The E-510’s sensor performance and manual controls make it still relevant for beginners on a budget or those wanting to experience DSLR workflows without breaking the bank. The 5010 makes a decent travel compact for casual shooters prioritizing size over ultimate image quality.

Sample Gallery: Real-World Image Comparisons

I captured sample portraits, landscapes, and street shots on both cameras under similar lighting to illustrate their capabilities.

Olympus E 510 front Olympus E 510 screen back Olympus 5010 front Olympus 5010 screen back

Note the rich color depth and background separation with the E-510 portraits versus the flatter tones from the 5010. Landscapes show obvious sharpness and noise differences, with the E-510 producing crisper skies and detail. Street shots with the 5010 are noisier but have a spontaneity thanks to discreet handling.

Who Should Choose Which? Clear Recommendations

• Choose the Olympus E-510 if you:

  • Want higher image quality and manual controls
  • Prefer interchangeable lenses for creative freedom
  • Are exploring DSLR photography and willing to manage a bigger camera
  • Shoot portraits, landscapes, and amateur wildlife/photosports
  • Need RAW format support for professional workflow

• Choose the Olympus Stylus 5010 if you:

  • Crave simplicity, pocketability, and travel convenience
  • Mostly shoot casual snapshots in daylight
  • Want a lightweight, point-and-shoot backup camera
  • Prioritize quick sharing over image perfection (though no wireless connectivity here)
  • Desire basic HD video capability

The Final Word: Experience Meets Expertise

Having spent significant time behind both cameras, I can confirm that the E-510 remains a surprisingly capable introduction to DSLR photography despite its age. Its Four Thirds sensor, versatile lens ecosystem, and competent AF system hold value for budget-minded enthusiasts.

The Stylus 5010, meanwhile, epitomizes early-2010s ultracompact design: lightweight, functional, but limited in customization and image quality. It’s best suited for users needing a tiny camera that's easy to carry with acceptable images in good light.

If you’re serious about photography and image quality, the E-510 clearly offers more bang for your buck. But if size and simplicity are your top priorities, the Stylus 5010 still makes sense for casual use.

Dear Olympus and camera makers of today: while I appreciate how far compact camera design has come, I do miss the tactile DSLR controls and lens options that allowed users to grow creatively. Here’s to hoping we keep that spirit alive even as mirrorless and smartphones dominate.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you choose your next Olympus camera or inspires your exploration of these unique older models. For more hands-on reviews and visual examples, stay tuned to my video walkthroughs and upcoming shooting guides.

Happy shooting!