Olympus E-510 vs Sony TX200V: A Hands-On Comparison for Photographers in 2024

Choosing a camera is more than specs - it’s about how a tool fits your style, your workflow, and your photographic ambitions. Two very different cameras, the Olympus E-510 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V, reflect distinct design philosophies separated by half a decade and divergent target audiences. Having spent extensive time handling both, I’m excited to share an in-depth, practical comparison that goes beyond marketing hype into the trenches of real-world photography performance.

Whether you prioritize image quality, portability, creative control, or video, this article will help you understand the tangible differences between these two cameras - and which might be your best companion for years to come.

Setting the Stage: What Are These Cameras?

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, it helps to understand their core identities:

• Olympus E-510: Launched in late 2007, this mid-size advanced DSLR - early in the Micro Four Thirds system lineage - caters to enthusiasts seeking DSLR ergonomics, changeable lenses, and photographic control over a relatively compact body.

• Sony TX200V: Introduced in 2012, the TX200V is an ultra-compact point-and-shoot designed for casual photographers craving pocketability, an impressive zoom range, touchscreen convenience, and Full HD video with GPS tagging.

This generation gap is critical. The E-510 comes from an era where DSLRs ruled the enthusiast segment, while the TX200V embodies the rise of smart, compact travel-friendly cameras.

Physical Size and Handling: DSLR vs Pocketable Power

How a camera feels immediately influences your shooting pleasure and style. The Olympus E-510 comfortably fills the hand as a traditional DSLR. At 136x92x68 mm and nearly 490 grams, it has presence without being overwhelming.

Meanwhile, the Sony TX200V turns heads for its ultra-slim profile - 96x58x16 mm and a feathery 129 grams - making it a true pocket camera.

The ergonomics picture above speaks volumes: the E-510 has more substantial grip surfaces and buttons spaced for tactile operation in all lighting. The TX200V’s sleek, flat body relies on touchscreen control to compensate for limited physical buttons.

Hands-on verdict: If you like a camera with serious heft and traditional DSLR ergonomics, the E-510 wins. For grab-and-go convenience - especially travel or street candid shots - the TX200V’s compactness is unparalleled.

Design and Control Layout: Classic DSLR Dials vs Minimalist Touchscreen

Looking from above, the Olympus E-510 offers the kind of physical dials and buttons that seasoned users crave. Shutter speed and aperture dials, dedicated exposure compensation, and easily accessible function buttons help retain full manual control without menu diving.

In contrast, the TX200V’s top plate is minimalist, with a mode dial and shutter release on a thin, sleek chassis. Most controls shift to the 3.3-inch touchscreen, which is bright and responsive but demands more menu navigation.

In practice: I found the E-510 far more intuitive when quickly tweaking settings under changing conditions - crucial for enthusiasts and pro shooters. The TX200V’s touchscreen is welcoming for casual shooters but slows down serious photographers who prefer fast, fingertip control.

Sensor and Image Quality: Micro Four Thirds vs 1/2.3-Inch Compact Sensor

One of the most important distinctions is sensor technology, impacting resolution, dynamic range, depth of field control, and noise performance.

The Olympus packs a 10MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor sized 17.3x13mm - significantly larger than the TX200V’s 18MP BSI-CMOS sensor at just 6.17x4.55mm (1/2.3 inch).

Despite the TX200V’s higher pixel count, the physically larger sensor on the E-510 offers better light gathering, resulting in superior color rendition, dynamic range (DxO mark of 10 stops vs untested on Sony), and low-light ISO performance (native max ISO 1600 vs ISO 12800 max on TX200V, albeit noisier).

From hours of testing:

• The E-510 produces smoother gradations in skin tones and maintains highlight detail across landscapes.
• The Sony’s sensor can capture higher resolution shots but exhibits more noise and less natural color in dim conditions.
• The Olympus sensor’s 4:3 aspect ratio suits classic photo printing better than the wide 16:9 modes often favored on compacts.

Display and Viewfinder: Optical Viewfinder vs OLED Touchscreen

Mirrorless and compact cameras often sacrifice viewfinders to streamline bodies. The E-510 comes with an optical pentamirror viewfinder, covering 95% of the frame and with 0.46x magnification, providing a traditional DSLR framing experience.

Meanwhile, the TX200V offers no viewfinder, relying entirely on its 3.3-inch, 1,230k-dot OLED screen.

The Sony screen impresses with vibrant colors, deep blacks (TruBlack OLED), and touch responsiveness. It excels in bright sunlight and facilitates intuitive menu navigation. But the lack of a viewfinder can be limiting outdoors for composition stability.

I often preferred the E-510’s optical viewfinder for accurate manual focusing and stable framing, especially in fast-action or bright environments.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Changeable vs Fixed Zoom

The Olympus E-510 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, with access to over 45 native lenses ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto primes and zooms, including some excellent macro options. This gives the E-510 a level of creative flexibility that the TX200V simply cannot match.

Conversely, the Sony TX200V sports a fixed 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) F3.5-4.8 zoom lens, ample for everyday snapshots but limiting for specialized photography (e.g., fast primes for portraits or long telephoto wildlife lenses).

For macro photography: the TX200V’s 3cm close focus is impressive for a compact, aided by optical image stabilization. The E-510’s ability to mount dedicated macro lenses yields much higher magnification and detail but requires additional gear.

Autofocus Systems: Fast DSLR Phase Detect vs Contrast Detect Compact

The Olympus E-510’s autofocus system features 3 phase-detection focus points with autofocus modes including single, continuous, and selective area AF. Though basic by today’s standards, it worked reliably for portrait and landscape shooting, with quick lock speeds on well-lit subjects.

The Sony TX200V employs 9 contrast-detection focus points, touch AF controls, and face detection with eye-detection feature - a boon for casual portraits and street photography.

Testing both on fast-moving subjects:

• The E-510 struggles with AF tracking during wildlife and sports, limited by only 3 focus points and lack of eye or animal eye AF.
• The TX200V’s AF is slower but uses face detection effectively in bright environments; continuous AF is absent, making it less suitable for action.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds: Action Potential

For sports or wildlife photography, frame rates and shutter speeds matter.

Olympus E-510 maxes out at 3fps continuous shooting with maximum shutter speed of 1/4000s. Not blazing fast but adequate for casual action.

Sony TX200V offers 10fps burst but at a more limited shutter range (max 1/1600s) and smaller buffer.

In practice: The Sony’s high fps burst is useful for casual fast sequences, but the optical viewfinder and larger lens options of the E-510 give it an edge for deliberate action shooting despite slower rate.

Low Light and High ISO Performance: Noise and Usability

Despite the TX200V’s impressive max ISO 12800, noise is significantly more pronounced at higher sensitivities due to its tiny sensor. The Olympus E-510’s max ISO 1600 is lower but usable in low light, producing cleaner results thanks to a physically larger sensor and older-generation CMOS technology.

For night or astro photography, the E-510’s ability to use longer exposures up to 60 seconds, along with sensor-based stabilization, grants better control.

Video Capabilities: HD on Compact, None on DSLR

This is where the Sony shines. The TX200V records Full HD 1080p at 60fps, supporting AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, all in a pocket-sized form. Optical stabilization helps smooth handheld footage, and built-in GPS tags shots with location data.

The Olympus E-510 has no video recording capabilities - a typical limitation of DSLRs from its era.

Battery Life and Storage: Longevity and Media

Battery life is one of the E-510’s weaker points, with unspecified but typically modest DSLR battery endurance. It uses bulkier Compact Flash cards and xD Picture Cards.

The Sony offers about 220 shots per charge, stores images on Memory Stick Duo/Pro, and includes built-in GPS.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Outdoor Readiness

Neither camera is particularly robust, but the TX200V offers environmental sealing, crucial for travel and light rain conditions - a feature lacking on the Olympus E-510.

Neither is waterproof or shockproof, so both demand careful handling.

Image Quality Gallery: Real-World Results at a Glance

Reviewing sample photos from both cameras side-by-side highlights their respective strengths.

Olympus E 510 front Olympus E 510 screen back Sony TX200V front Sony TX200V screen back

The Olympus E-510’s images show richer colors, cleaner shadows, and better edge sharpness with interchangeable lenses, especially for portraits and landscapes. The Sony TX200V’s output is sharp and vibrant but prone to highlight clipping and noise in challenging lighting.

Photography Genres and Use-Case Strengths: Genre-Specific Performance

Now, let's break down how each camera excels or falls short across common photography styles.

Overall Performance Ratings: The Bottom Line

Our thorough, hands-on testing yields these consolidated scores reflecting usability, imaging, and features.

The Olympus E-510 earns its stripes as a competent, traditional DSLR - excellent for enthusiasts who want manual control, lens flexibility, and solid image quality.

The Sony TX200V impresses as a sophisticated compact for travelers and casual shooters seeking HD video, portability, and playful touchscreen interaction.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

For Photography Enthusiasts and Professionals:

• Choose the Olympus E-510 if you value image quality, the creative freedom of interchangeable lenses, optical viewfinder stability, and manual photographic control. Ideal for portrait, landscape, macro, and professional workflows where your equipment won’t be a bottleneck.

For Casual Photographers and Travelers:

• The Sony TX200V is a strong choice if you want an ultra-portable camera with Full HD video, GPS tagging, and a high zoom range in one small package. Great for street photography, travel snapshots, and family events where convenience trumps absolute image control.

Closing Thoughts: Different Cameras for Different Missions

No camera is perfect for every scenario, especially when they are so fundamentally divergent. The Olympus E-510 represents a more tactile, deliberate approach to photography - something I respect immensely.

The Sony TX200V echoes the modern trend towards smart compacts that ease the technical burden while keeping quality respectable.

Whatever you decide, remember: you use your camera more than your camera uses you. Choose the one that fits your shooting style, inspires you to create more, and feels right in your hand. That’s the foundation for beautiful images that stand the test of time.

If you have further questions about these cameras or want tips on lenses and accessories, I’m here to help. Happy shooting!