Olympus E-600 vs Sony HX20V: A Hands-On Expert Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing a camera can feel like walking through a minefield of specs, acronyms, and marketing hype. As someone who has tested hundreds - scratch that, thousands - of cameras over 15+ years, I’m here to cut through the noise and give you a candid, down-to-earth comparison of two very different cameras: the Olympus E-600, a 2009 entry-level DSLR rooted in the Four Thirds system, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V, a 2012 compact superzoom with a tiny sensor but an ambitious zoom range.

These two aren’t just separated by specs but by design philosophy and intended users. One’s a DSLR with an interchangeable lens mount, the other a pocket-friendly superzoom with a fixed lens and built-in GPS. But which suits your style, bankroll, and shooting demands better? I’ve got you covered with a thorough, hands-on perspective that spills the beans on everything from sensor performance to ergonomics, real-world use, and suitability across photography genres.

Let’s dig in.

Sitting Side-by-Side: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

First impressions matter when you pick up a camera, and here the E-600 and HX20V start to tell divergent stories. The Olympus is an entry-level DSLR - a compact SLR to be precise - with a solid grip and a body designed for traditional camera users. The Sony is a small-sensor superzoom compact that aims to slip easily into travel bags or pockets.

With dimensions of 130x94x60mm and a weight tipping the scales at 515g, the Olympus E-600 is noticeably chunkier and heavier than the Sony HX20V, which measures 107x62x35mm and weighs just 254g. For anyone who counts grams or tends to shoot on the go, the HX20V's lightweight frame can be a blessing. Conversely, if you prefer clubs for your thumbs (ergo, a grip you can really hold on to), the E-600 offers a more substantial feel that will not slip out of your hands easily - even when adding heavier lenses.

The EOS-like button layout on the Olympus is straightforward yet gives you more tactile control over exposure settings and modes than the Sony’s minimalistic button cluster. The HX20V’s fixed lens and compact form translate to fewer controls - fewer dials, fewer customization options - which keeps things simple but also limits how much quick tweaking you can do without digging through menus.

If you want to shoot handheld photography over long sessions, especially in varied lighting, the Olympus' heft might reduce shake fatigue, albeit packing more bulk.

Design Evolution Seen From the Top: Controls and Interface

When getting serious about photography, quick access to key settings and ergonomic button placements can be the difference between a missed shot and a keeper. Here’s a look from above the camera:

The E-600’s top plate boasts a traditional mode dial with distinct, physical marks for Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, and even some automated modes ideal for beginners. There’s a dedicated ISO button and a handy switch for the built-in pop-up flash. Meanwhile, the HX20V sues a more minimalist approach - its mode dial is gone (no shutter/aperture priority), and most settings are accessible only through on-screen controls or menu navigation.

For street photographers or fast shooters, the Olympus wins points for its tactile dials - your fingers can flip to manual or aperture priority without taking eyes off the scene. The Sony’s reliance on menus slows things a bit but may appeal to casual users or beginners not keen on fiddling with exposure settings.

Under the Hood: Sensor, Resolution, and Image Quality

Here’s where these cameras’ core differences kick in: sensor size and performance.

The Olympus E-600 sports a Four Thirds-sized CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm with 12MP resolution, made in 2009. It benefits from a sensor area of about 225 mm², which at its time struck a good balance between image quality and affordability. Olympus’s TruePic III+ processor handles the image data.

Contrast that with the Sony HX20V’s tiny 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm), packing 18MP. It is a smaller sensor by a factor of roughly 8x less surface area than the Olympus. The upside? Higher pixel count for bigger crops and longer zoom reach. The catch? Smaller pixels are noisier and struggle more in low light.

In terms of image quality, the E-600 consistently delivers cleaner files with better dynamic range and more natural colors - thanks to the larger sensor and established Four Thirds optical lineage. It boasts a DxO overall score of 55 (for context, modern enthusiast cameras can score above 80), color depth of 21.5 bits, and a dynamic range (DXO DR) of roughly 10.3 stops.

The HX20V wasn’t tested by DxO, but small sensor compacts in this era typically lag behind DSLRs, especially above ISO 400. The E-600 captures richer skin tones and more believable landscapes, with less noticeable noise or artifacts at base ISO. The Sony’s range is more versatile given the 20x zoom (effective focal length from 25-500 mm), but expect softness and noise in shadows or dim light.

The Live View and Rear Screen Experience

In the golden age of articulating screens, both cameras have pretty different implementations.

Olympus’s E-600 boasts a fully articulated 2.7” HyperCrystal LCD, though its modest 230k-dot resolution feels a bit dated by today’s standards. Its articulation lends itself nicely to macro, low-angle, or high-angle shooting. The screen is not touch-sensitive but remains responsive enough for framing and reviewing shots.

Sony’s HX20V takes a slightly bigger 3” XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD with a far superior resolution (922k dots), which means clearer playback and easier menu navigation. Unfortunately, it’s fixed and not touch-enabled, which can limit shot flexibility. The lack of an electronic viewfinder means using the LCD in bright daylight is tough without shading it.

If you value composing at odd angles or checking detail while on the move, the Olympus’s articulating screen wins. If you want a sharper, brighter LCD for reviewing images, the Sony’s screen edges it out.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Tracking Your Subjects

Autofocus can make or break certain types of photography - especially wildlife, sports, or street shooting.

The Olympus E-600 offers 7 autofocus points with contrast and phase-detection mix (for its live view), face detection support, and several modes including single and continuous AF. However, its AF is quite dated - lack of modern cross-type points and no animal eye AF means tracking moving subjects isn’t as confident or snappy as we’d expect nowadays.

The Sony HX20V sports 9 AF points, centered on contrast detection with face detection and even AF tracking for dynamic subjects - a rarity in point-and-shoot categories back in 2012. The continuous shooting is faster too, at 10fps, compared to Olympus's 4fps.

For wildlife or sports, the Sony’s burst rate and focusing algorithms give it a slight edge in rates, but image quality tradeoffs mean the Olympus might yield cleaner, usable frames if your subjects aren’t lightning fast. Still, for casual wildlife or street shooters, the HX20V is surprisingly nimble, and the monster zoom range allows cropped-in framing without changing lenses.

What You’ll Shoot Best: Real-World Use by Genre

Let’s review practical use cases, starting from portraiture to night photography.

Portrait Photography

With TruePic III+ processing and a sensor substantially larger than most compacts, Olympus delivers better skin tone rendition and natural bokeh from interchangeable lenses compatible with the Micro Four Thirds mount (remember: E-600 uses a larger 4/3 sensor, not micro4/3, but lenses are varied). The articulating LCD and face detection autofocus help nail composition.

Sony’s HX20V, constrained by a small sensor and fixed lens, lacks shallow depth of field but uses digital processing to soften backgrounds. Its built-in lens range isn’t fast (f/3.2-5.8), so low light or dim environments pose challenges.

Winner: Olympus E-600 for portraits - cleaner backgrounds and more natural colors.

Landscape Photography

Here, dynamic range and resolution count. The E-600’s 10.3 stops dynamic range is decent; paired with RAW capture support and weather-resistance in premium lenses (though body itself not sealed), you can capture high-dynamic scenes effectively.

Sony’s HX20V offers higher nominal megapixels but falls short on image quality in shadows and highlights. The 25 mm wide angle equivalent is acceptable for landscapes, but the small sensor limits fine detail capture.

Winner: Olympus E-600 again, for image quality and RAW support.

Wildlife Photography

When chasing flaky critters, zoom and autofocus are king.

HX20V’s 20x zoom (25-500 mm equivalent) and fast burst shooting can bag photos of distant birds or unpredictable pets. The Olympus system requires swapping out lenses (available 45 lenses back then), but limited body autofocus speed contradicts wildlife action speed.

Winner: Sony HX20V for telephoto reach and burst speed; Olympus for image quality if you can get close.

Sports Photography

High frame rates and sharp autofocus are here critical.

Olympus offers 4fps continuous shooting, limited AF points, and older tracking - adequate but not first choice for serious sports. Sony’s faster 10fps bursts with AF tracking edge out; yet low-light performance and overall image quality suffer.

Winner: Tie - Sony for speed but quality tradeoff; Olympus for clarity but slower.

Street Photography

Discreetness and portability count here.

Sony HX20V’s compact form, fast burst and zoom, plus GPS for geotagging fits in a jacket pocket unnoticed. Olympus larger and heavier.

Winner: Sony HX20V for portability and low profile.

Macro Photography

E-600’s articulating screen and compatibility with dedicated macro lenses make it flexible here. Sony HX20V’s 1 cm macro focus is impressive for a compact in close-ups, but limited lens control hampers ultimate precision.

Winner: Olympus E-600 for more control and specialized glass.

Night and Astro Photography

Sensor size and ISO performance dominate.

Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor delivers cleaner images up to ISO 800/1600, while Sony’s tiny sensor with ISO up to 12,800 ISO claims is mostly digital noise - honestly not great for serious astro.

Winner: Olympus E-600 for authentic low-light advantage.

Video Capabilities

This is a one-sided battle. Olympus E-600 offers no video recording. Not even a pixel.

Sony HX20V records Full HD (1920x1080p at 60fps), supports multiple video formats (MPEG-4, AVCHD), and even has optical stabilization for video smoothness.

For vloggers or casual video shooters, HX20V is clearly better.

Winner: Sony HX20V.

Travel Photography

Combining versatility, size, and battery life for travel?

Olympus has better battery life (~500 shots vs. 320 on Sony) but is bigger and heavier. Sony packs huge zoom into a pocket-sized body, has built-in GPS for location tracking, and HDMI out for quick playback.

Winner: Sony HX20V for portability and added features.

Build, Weather Resistance, and Power

Both cameras lack environmental sealing, so caution is advised in harsh weather. Olympus's more robust body feels solid; Sony’s compact plastic construction is sturdy enough but less rugged.

Battery life favors Olympus considerably, with 500 shots per charge versus Sony’s 320. Storage-wise, Olympus has dual compatibility with Compact Flash or xD Picture Cards (quite rare now), Sony uses modern SD cards, a point for convenience.

Network and Connectivity

Sony HX20V bests Olympus here with built-in GPS and Eye-Fi card support for wireless image transfers (pretty niche but useful). Olympus offers no wireless or GPS, and USB 2.0 on both is antiquated by today’s standards.

Price and Value Considerations

Today, the Olympus E-600 can be found secondhand for very low prices - sometimes dirt cheap. Its larger sensor and DSLR ergonomics mean great bang for the buck if you already have or plan to invest in Four Thirds lenses.

Sony HX20V, though discontinued, commands prices around $300-$400 used. It’s a handy, versatile compact for travelers who want an all-in-one without lens swaps but you pay for convenience over ultimate image quality.

Gallery of Sample Images

I tested both cameras shooting the same scenes, under similar conditions - landscapes, portraits, telephoto wildlife snaps, and night shots - offering a clear peek at image quality tradeoffs between sensor size, lens speed, and processing.

Olympus E 600 screen back Sony HX20V front Sony HX20V screen back

The Olympus files show better dynamic range and less noise, with more respectable bokeh on portraits. The Sony images demonstrate impressive reach but have a softer overall look and more noise creeping in at high ISO.

Numerical Score Breakdown

For those who love numbers, I compiled overall and genre-specific performance scores based on lab tests and my experience.

Summing Up the Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Buy Which? Target Audience Recommendations

• Photography beginners or enthusiasts who want to learn more and expand: The Olympus E-600 is an excellent introduction to DSLR photography, particularly for portraits, landscapes, and macro alike. The option to change lenses, shoot in RAW, and control exposure manually provides room to grow. You’ll appreciate the solid ergonomics and articulated screen.

• Travelers, casual shooters, or content creators needing versatile zoom and video: Sony HX20V is your pocket arsenal. It gives you full HD video, fantastic zoom reach without changing lenses, and GPS for geotagging memories. The tradeoff is somewhat softer images in tricky light but the convenience is undeniable.

• Wildlife and sports casual shooters who prioritize action capture: Sony’s faster burst and zoom lens help here, while Olympus edges ahead if you can shoot in good light and use fast glass.

• Budget-conscious buyers wanting image quality: The Olympus, especially secondhand, delivers stronger value with options to upgrade glass and accessories.

Final Verdict

If you’re weighing image quality, versatility, and tactile control, and don’t mind the slightly bigger size or no video, the Olympus E-600 is the better choice - even more than a decade on. Especially if you’re considering dipping your toes into interchangeable lenses and want a solid DSLR foundation.

But if you crave compact convenience, broad zoom for travel or casual wildlife, fun Full HD video, and GPS metadata, the Sony HX20V shines, especially for photographers on the go or those who dislike lugging DSLR gear.

Whichever you pick, both have quirks and charms. For those on a shoestring, secondhand Olympus E-600 bodies bundled with inexpensive Four Thirds lenses offer a brilliant photographic playground. For travelers who prize convenience and zoom reach, the HX20V remains a stealthy companion.

Hope this hands-on comparison helps clear things up. Whispers from my clubs-for-thumbs tells me: test your grip on both before buying, make sure your lens count plans fit the lifestyle, and don’t be afraid to try both in real life. Happy shooting!

Note: All performance insights stem from side-by-side testing sessions with these cameras across multiple environments, both studio and natural light, supplemented by lab data and DxOMark reports where available.