Olympus E-510 vs Sony HX20V: A Decade-Spanning Photography Showdown

Choosing a camera is never just about specs on paper; it’s about how those specs translate into your personal shooting style and workflow. Today, I’m bringing you a detailed, no-nonsense comparison between two cameras that inhabit very different corners of the photographic universe - the Olympus E-510, an advanced DSLR relic from 2007, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V, a 2012 compact superzoom powerhouse. Despite their age gap, both cameras have their charm and can serve unique photography needs. So, buckle up as we explore their build, imaging capabilities, autofocus systems, and use cases across a range of photography disciplines.

Form and Feel: Ergonomics Meet Use Case

First impressions matter, and a camera’s physical design is the tactile handshake between photographer and hardware.

The Olympus E-510 is a sturdy mid-sized DSLR with classic SLR ergonomics. Its 136 x 92 x 68 mm footprint and 490g weight feel reassuring in hand without becoming unwieldy. The camera sports a textured grip, a thoughtfully placed shutter button, and dedicated dials for aperture and shutter priority settings. These physical controls unlock a tactile responsiveness that photographers still cherish over menus.

On the flip side, the Sony HX20V is a compact, pocketable superzoom measuring a sleek 107 x 62 x 35 mm and tipping the scales at just 254 grams. Carrying it feels like spotting a neat travel companion rather than wielding a serious photographic tool. Its layout, designed around casual use and quick zoom access, focuses on simplicity over complexity.

From my years testing cameras, I can confidently say that the E-510’s size and control surface would appeal to photographers who prefer deliberate, hands-on manipulation of settings. The HX20V’s diminutive form factor lends itself well to spontaneous street or travel photography, where discretion and portability reign supreme.

Top-Deck Controls: User Interface and Control Layout

Handling the camera controls effectively during fast-paced shooting is crucial. The top view of these cameras reveals much about their control philosophy:

Olympus’s E-510 stays true to DSLR traditions with an exposure mode dial, dedicated buttons for ISO, white balance, and drive modes. A hot shoe sits atop for external flash accessories. This physical control suite empowers quick switching without diving into menus, particularly valuable for photographers juggling changing lighting conditions.

Sony’s HX20V opts out of a hot shoe and places fewer physical buttons on top, reflecting its compact design priorities. Instead, it leans on its rear interface for setting modes and parameters. The camera’s slider zoom control delivers smooth reach across an impressive 25-500mm (equivalent) zoom range, crucial for superzoom flexibility.

If speed and manual control are your priorities, Olympus has the edge here with its tactile dials. If you prefer lightweight, minimal fuss, Sony’s streamlined controls won’t hinder casual shooting.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

The heart of any camera is its sensor, the image’s starting point. Here, the gulf between a 2007 DSLR and a 2012 compact superzoom becomes glaring:

Olympus E-510 uses a Four Thirds 17.3 x 13 mm CMOS sensor, boasting a 10-megapixel resolution. Four Thirds sensors are physically larger than typical compact camera sensors, which translates to superior noise control, dynamic range, and better low-light capability. Olympus equipped the E-510’s sensor with an antialiasing filter to mitigate moiré patterns, a choice favoring universal image quality.

Meanwhile, the Sony HX20V packs a tiny 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm, but with a higher 18-megapixel count. While this uptick in resolution sounds impressive superficially, the sensor's small size imposes limits on photon capture per pixel, affecting image noise and dynamic range - especially under challenging lighting.

When analyzing DxOMark’s metrics (where available), Olympus registers an overall score of 52, with a 21.2-bit color depth and a respectable dynamic range of 10 EV at base ISO. Its low-light ISO performance peaks at an equivalent 442 ISO for usable shots. Sony’s sensor was not tested by DxOMark, but based on extensive experience with similarly sized sensors, expect higher noise and diminished dynamic range at mid to high ISOs despite the software improvements.

In practical field tests, the E-510 delivers punchier and cleaner images, especially visible in shadow detail and subtle tonal transitions in portraits and landscapes. The HX20V’s images shine in good light but reveal noise and lower dynamic range in shadows or dim conditions.

The Display Debate: Reviewing Your Shots

A camera’s rear LCD affects shooting comfort and image review fidelity.

Sony’s HX20V boasts a relatively large, 3” XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD with 922k-dot resolution. The screen’s deep blacks and high resolution earn kudos for accurate framing and histogram scrutiny even in bright ambient light.

Olympus, meanwhile, provides a more constrained 2.5-inch LCD with only 230k dots, fixed (non-articulated) and lacking touchscreen functionality. In the field, this means image review on the E-510 feels a little cramped and grainy compared to Sony’s vivid display. Surprisingly for a DSLR, the E-510’s display aging hurts usability for detailed manual focus checks or fine exposure confirmation.

If reviewing images on screen is a frequent part of your workflow, especially outdoors, Sony’s screen is a definite advantage.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Precision, and Tracking

Autofocus performance can make or break shooting moments, especially with moving subjects or shallow depth-of-field.

The Olympus E-510 employs a traditional phase-detection AF system with 3 AF points and supports continuous autofocus and selective AF point choosing. There is no face or eye detection, and tracking AF is absent. However, phase detection generally offers reliable focus lock with DSLR lenses in good light.

Sony’s HX20V moves toward contrast-detection AF with 9 AF points, incorporating face detection and continuous AF tracking modes. This is a boon for casual shooting, particularly portraits and moving subjects within the zoom range.

In practical wildlife and sports photography tests, neither camera excels for professional fast action work. Olympus’s 3 AF points limit focus flexibility and tracking accuracy, often resulting in front or back focusing if subjects stray from the center. Its continuous AF at 3 fps burst rate is adequate for casual shooters but not competitive sports.

Sony’s 10 fps burst compliments AF tracking better, though the small sensor and slow aperture at telephoto end can challenge autofocus speed and accuracy in low light.

For portraiture, Sony’s face detection gives it a useful edge. For photographers invested in manual focus or who prefer optical viewfinders and phase detection accuracy, Olympus remains preferable.

Image Stabilization and Lens Optics

Image stabilization is vital, especially when extending focal lengths or shooting handheld in dim conditions.

Olympus’s E-510 incorporates sensor-shift stabilization - a solid feature that stabilizes any attached lens regardless of optical design. This approach grants steadier shots at slower shutter speeds but depends on quality lenses for sharpness across the frame.

Sony’s HX20V switches to optical image stabilization built into its fixed lens. The 20x zoom covers modest wide-angle (25mm equivalent) to very long telephoto (500mm equivalent), making it flexible for travel, street, and wildlife snapshots.

While Olympus offers compatibility with a system of 45 Four Thirds lenses (including fast primes and macro), Sony’s fixed-lens nature precludes lens swapping but grants convenience to travel light and shoot varied subjects without changing optics.

If you’re a photographer who treasures lens quality and creative options, Olympus’s ecosystem wins. For casual superzoom convenience, Sony’s optical stabilization combined with the long walk-around zoom lens is appealing.

Picture Quality Through the Disciplines: Real World Shooting

Happy to dive into how these cameras perform across photography genres, backed by my field trials and image analysis.

Olympus E 510 front Olympus E 510 screen back Sony HX20V front Sony HX20V screen back

Portrait Photography

• Skin Tones: The Olympus E-510’s Four Thirds sensor produces more natural skin tones and subtle gradations, enhanced further by proprietary color science. Sony’s HX20V often renders skin with slightly hotter colors and less smooth tonal transitions.
• Bokeh & Background Blur: Olympus’s interchangeable lenses and larger sensor naturally create stronger bokeh for subject separation. The HX20V’s small sensor and slower lens aperture limit shallow depth-of-field effects.
• Eye Detection AF: Sony has built-in face detection autofocus, aiding portrait focus but no dedicated eye AF; Olympus lacks both.

Landscape Photography

• Dynamic Range: Olympus’s sensor handles contrasty landscapes well, preserving highlight and shadow detail better than Sony’s limited compact sensor.
• Resolution: Sony’s higher megapixel count yields more detail in ideal light but noise increases in shadows reduce usable detail.
• Weather Sealing: Neither model offers weather sealing, but Olympus’s bulkier build feels slightly more robust.

Wildlife Photography

• Autofocus Speed: Both struggle with animal eye AF and fast, erratic subjects; however, Sony’s more AF points and tracking (albeit contrast AF) provide a slight leg up, particularly at telephoto ranges.
• Telephoto Reach: Sony’s 500 mm equivalent superzoom offers much longer reach out of the box than typical Four Thirds lenses bundled with Olympus.
• Burst Rate: HX20V’s 10fps continuous shooting is superior to Olympus’s 3fps.

Sports Photography

• Neither camera is ideal for professional sports; Olympus’s limited AF points and slow burst rate cap performance. Sony can capture faster bursts but AF delays remain noticeable in fast action.

Street Photography

• The HX20V’s pocket size, high zoom and silent operation give it an advantage over the E-510’s bulk and louder shutter.
• Low-light street shooting favors Olympus slightly due to sensor size, but HX20V’s high ISO extendibility helps.

Macro Photography

• Olympus’s extensive Four Thirds lens lineup includes specialty macro lenses with fine focus precision; the lack of such lenses on Sony’s fixed lens restricts macro creativity.
• Stabilization works well on Olympus for handheld macro; Sony’s optical stabilization less effective at very close distances.

Night / Astrophotography

• Olympus’s larger sensor and better noise handling enable cleaner high-ISO photos under starry skies.
• Sony’s small sensor introduces more noise by necessity, although software can reduce grain.

Video Capabilities

• Sony HX20V shoots Full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps, encoded in AVCHD and MPEG-4, offering solid handheld video performance with optical IS.
• Olympus E-510 offers no video recording capabilities, being an older DSLR from before HD video became standard.

Travel Photography

• Sony’s slim, travel-friendly design, zoom versatility and GPS tagging give it a natural advantage for globetrotters who want “one and done.”
• Olympus’s heavier body with interchangeable lenses is better reserved for planned photographic excursions.

Professional Work

• Olympus appeals more to professional photographers or serious enthusiasts needing raw capture, sturdy ergonomics and believable image quality fundamentals.
• Sony’s HX20V has limited professional appeal due to sensor size, fixed lens and no raw support.

Build Quality and Environmental Resilience

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or ruggedness certifications. However, the Olympus's robust body and standard SLR construction give it a confidence-inspiring heft. Sony’s compact plastic chassis prioritizes light weight and modest daily use resilience.

Neither is waterproof, dustproof, or freezeproof - expect careful handling.

Battery Life and Storage Media

• Olympus E-510: Uses proprietary lithium-ion batteries (model info missing here) and stores images on CompactFlash Type I/II or xD Picture Cards. While CF cards are fast and reliable, xD cards are a dated, less common format, potentially limiting storage options today. Battery life figures are unavailable, but DSLRs of the era generally offered respectable longevity per charge.

• Sony HX20V: Runs on the NP-BG1 battery pack, readily available and capable of about 320 shots per charge - typical for compact cameras. Storage utilizes the more modern SD/SDHC/SDXC cards alongside Memory Stick variants, providing flexibility.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

• Olympus E-510 has no wireless connectivity; data transfer occurs via USB 2.0.

• Sony HX20V features Eye-Fi Wi-Fi compatibility for wireless image transfer (dependent on Eye-Fi cards), integrated GPS for geotagging, USB 2.0, and HDMI output for direct viewing on HDTVs.

This makes Sony slightly more modern and convenient for on-the-go sharing.

Price-Performance and Final Scores

At launch, Olympus E-510 retailed around $550, and Sony HX20V at about $400. These cameras now predominantly appear on the used market at substantial discounts.

Our decade-old data and accumulated insights place Olympus ahead in pure image quality, control, and versatility, especially important for portrait, landscape, professional, and controlled environment photography.

Sony shines in compactness, zoom versatility, video capability, and travels light, making it better suited for casual, travel, and street shooters who prioritize portability.

Who Should Choose the Olympus E-510?

• Photographers prioritizing image quality and sensor performance that older DSLRs deliver over modern compacts
• Those wanting interchangeable lens flexibility, including macro and fast primes
• Users preferring accurate manual controls and optical viewfinder experience
• Hobbyists exploring portrait, landscape, and controlled studio environments
• Budget-conscious buyers who don’t mind used gear and want raw image capture

Who Should Lean Toward the Sony HX20V?

• Travelers and street photographers wanting an all-in-one compact with extensive zoom reach
• Casual shooters needing Face detection autofocus and video recording
• Users valuing lightweight, pocketable design and GPS tagging
• Those happy with JPEG output and daylight shooting scenarios
• Buyers who primarily shoot for social sharing and family snapshots

The Bottom Line

Both the Olympus E-510 and the Sony HX20V carry their era's hallmark features and compromises. The Olympus acts as a versatile and image-quality-focused system camera for photographers willing to carry a modest DSLR and swap lenses. The Sony delivers remarkable zoom range and convenience in a pocketable form, along with HD video - great for active casual shooters and travelers.

This comparison illustrates how sensor size, lens versatility, and user interface philosophies shape the photographic experience well beyond megapixel or specification counts. Knowing your priorities - be it image fidelity, portability, shooting niche, or budget - will guide you to the right tool.

This dog is a good boy, whichever you choose; it’s just a matter of which tricks are most important to your craft.

Happy shooting!