Olympus FE-3010 vs Samsung NX mini: A Thorough Hands-On Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When pairing cameras separated by half a decade in design philosophy and intended audience, the contrasts are bound to be illuminating. The Olympus FE-3010, a 2009 ultracompact shooter, and the 2014 entry-level Samsung NX mini mirrorless, might seem like apples and oranges at first glance. Yet, both offer intriguing options for photographers prioritizing portability without sacrificing outright control or image quality. Drawing on years of rigorous testing and a deep understanding of camera tech evolution, I explore how these two cameras hold up across varied photography disciplines - from portraiture to astrophotography - and where their respective strengths and compromises lie.

Design & Handling: Pocketability Meets Control

Starting with ergonomics, the Olympus FE-3010 earns points for its featherweight, pocket-ready dimensions. Measuring 93x56x18mm and weighing a mere 108 grams, this ultra-compact digs into the philosophy of “shoot and forget.” It fits comfortably in any coat pocket, making it a reliable companion for casual or travel shooters mindful of bulk.

Conversely, the Samsung NX mini - though still small by mirrorless standards - tips the scales at 196 grams and measures 110x62x23mm. It’s a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera, delivering a more substantial feel in hand, alongside a thoughtfully designed control layout. The top-mounted dials and buttons, illustrated clearly in the following image, offer tactile feedback missing in many compacts.

From a user interface perspective, the NX mini's inclusion of manual dials for exposure parameters - shutter priority, aperture priority, manual exposure modes - and customizable white balance positions it well for enthusiasts seeking creative input. The Olympus, in contrast, is clearly designed for fully automated use; it lacks manual exposure controls, shutter priority, and aperture priority modes altogether.

This means if your shooting style veers towards fully manual adjustments or even semi-auto modes, the NX mini will serve you better. The FE-3010’s simplicity will appeal to beginners or those who want grab-and-go functionality with minimal fuss.

Image Quality: Sensor Size and Resolution Differences

The heart of any camera comparison lies in sensor technology, and here the gulf widens impressively. Olympus’s FE-3010 houses a modest 12 MP 1/2.3" CCD sensor - standard fare for compact cameras of its era, measuring just 6.08 by 4.56 mm, with an image area of approximately 27.72 mm². While sufficient for casual snapshot resolution, this sensor is constrained in dynamic range and low-light prowess.

Compare that to the NX mini’s 20.5 MP 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2x8.8 mm, roughly 116 mm² area), and the advantage shifts significantly in Samsung’s favor. Not only does this deliver roughly four times the physical sensor area, but the back-illuminated CMOS design promotes superior low-light sensitivity and dynamic range - attributes critical for enthusiasts shooting in varied conditions.

This visual below contextualizes the sensor size differential:

Initial in-studio lab evaluations confirm this: the NX mini delivers sharper images with richer color depth, and notably cleaner high ISO files - acceptable up to ISO 3200, manageable even at ISO 6400. The FE-3010 maxes out at ISO 1600, but noise becomes evident just past ISO 400, as expected from a small CCD sensor.

Resolution-wise, the Olympus outputs up to 3968x2976 pixels in a 4:3 aspect ratio, whereas the Samsung can shoot up to a whopping 5472x3648 pixels at 3:2 crop - a boon for landscape and portrait photographers seeking large prints or aggressive cropping freedom.

Viewing and Interface: Screens and Usability

When shooting handheld, a quality LCD is paramount. The Olympus’s 2.7-inch fixed display with 230k pixels reflects its era’s budget compact design but feels cramped by today’s standards. Meanwhile, the Samsung NX mini sports a 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with a high resolution of 461k pixels and 180-degree tilt, dramatically enhancing usability for composing at odd angles or for self-portraits.

Though neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder - a common omission in compact designs - the touchscreen capability on the NX mini greatly accelerates focusing and menu navigation, a welcome asset during fast-paced shoots.

By contrast, Olympus’s lack of touchscreen and a more rudimentary menu system reflects its stance as a simple point-and-shoot. The Samsung also supports customizable buttons and exposure compensation dial, enriching the user experience for photographers who appreciate quick adjustments in the field.

Autofocus Performance and Speed

AF speed and accuracy heavily influence usability in disciplines like sports and wildlife. The Olympus FE-3010 utilizes a fixed-lens contrast detection autofocus system with face detection but no continuous autofocus or tracking. Focus speed is sluggish, especially under less-than-ideal lighting, making it ill-suited for action or wildlife.

The NX mini, though lacking phase-detection AF, employs a 21-point contrast-detection system augmented by touch AF, center AF, and selective-area AF modes. Continuous AF at 6 fps burst shooting makes it respectable for capturing moderately fast-moving subjects, though it falters when tracking erratic wildlife or high-speed sports action.

In my testing, with stationary subjects and natural light, both perform acceptably. When tracking erratic movement, the NX mini's faster AF and burst enable a higher keeper rate, whereas the Olympus struggles to lock focus swiftly.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

Olympus’s FE-3010 features a fixed 36-108 mm equivalent lens (3x zoom, F3.1-5.9). The lens is stabilized digitally - which is less effective than optical or in-body stabilization - helping reduce shake in bright conditions but less so handheld in low light. Macro mode kicks in from 5 cm, a nice touch for close-ups, but image quality degrades noticeably at the longest focal lengths.

Samsung’s NX mini, as a mirrorless system camera, supports interchangeable lenses via the NX-M mount. At launch, there were two lenses available, balancing portability and moderate zoom ranges. The 1-inch sensor combined with fast primes or zooms unlocks creative control, including shallow depth-of-field for portraits, and better optical quality overall.

A fixed-lens design simplifies operation but restricts creative leeway. The NX mini’s interchangeable lenses, while limited in number, expand its photographic vocabulary.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

While Olympus offers limited specs on battery life - typical compacts from that period averaged around 200 shots per charge - the Samsung NX mini's B740 battery delivers a robust 650 shots per charge, a major convenience for extended outings.

Storage-wise, Olympus utilizes outdated xD-Picture Cards and microSD, whereas Samsung leans solely on the more modern and capacious microSD standard, facilitating faster workflows and ample storage.

Weather Resistance and Durability

Though both cameras lack severe weather sealing, the Olympus FE-3010 is noted to have some form of environmental sealing, making it resistant to light splashes or dust - an unexpected feature for such a compact camera and noteworthy for travel users who might operate in less forgiving environments.

The NX mini does not advertise weather sealing, so cautious use under adverse weather is advised.

Video Capabilities: From VGA to Full HD

Video is an increasingly vital camera feature. Olympus’s video maxes out at an anachronistic 640x480 resolution at 30 fps, limiting its usefulness for today’s content creators.

Samsung’s NX mini impressively offers 1080p Full HD video at 30 fps, encoded in H.264, and supports external microphone input - an advanced feature for creators wanting decent audio quality. HDMI output and Wi-Fi connectivity provide straightforward integration into modern workflows.

Performance Across Photography Genres

Understanding these cameras’ strengths and weaknesses across photography genres helps distill buying decisions.

Olympus FE 3010 front Olympus FE 3010 screen back Samsung NX mini front Samsung NX mini screen back

Portrait Photography

The NX mini’s larger sensor and interchangeable lenses deliver smoother skin tones, natural bokeh, and effective eye detection AF. Olympus’s limited zoom range and small sensor produce flatter rendering and less background separation.

Landscape Photography

The NX mini’s superior resolution and dynamic range capture richer detail and highlight recovery, critical for landscapes. Olympus’s smaller sensor and lower resolution limit print size and post-processing flexibility. Weather sealing on the FE-3010 is a minor plus here but perhaps not enough to outweigh image quality compromise.

Wildlife Photography

Neither camera is ideal for serious wildlife shooters. Olympus lacks continuous AF and speed. NX mini does better, but its limited lens lineup and AF tracking hinder success with fast-moving animals.

Sports Photography

Again, the NX mini outperforms the Olympus in burst shooting and AF speed, but professionals will find its 6 fps rate modest, and autofocus can be inconsistent at tracking fast sport action.

Street Photography

Olympus’s compact size lends excellent discretion and portability. NX mini is slightly bulkier but still manageable. Low-light performance favors Samsung, but Olympus is less intimidating in candid scenarios.

Macro Photography

Olympus offers macro focus from 5cm, useful for casual close-ups, while the NX mini’s lens options provide superior optical quality. Samsung’s lack of stabilization means good technique or a tripod is beneficial here.

Night and Astrophotography

Samsung’s larger sensor and high native ISO make it far more suited for low-light and astrophotography pursuits, particularly when paired with fast primes.

Video and Travel Photography

NX mini’s Full HD video, microphone input, and Wi-Fi dramatically outclass Olympus. Battery life and lens versatility make Samsung better for serious travel shooters, despite Olympus’s edge in size and light splash resistance.

Professional Workflows

Raw support on the NX mini enables richer post-processing workflows, lacking entirely on the Olympus. Samsung’s more advanced control schemes and file formats make it a better professional bridge camera.

Technical Summary and Scoring

Reflecting on image quality, versatility, and feature set, the NX mini comprehensively outmatches the FE-3010 as both a stills and video camera. However, Olympus’s featherweight form and simplicity cater well to snapshot enthusiasts, casual users, or travelers prioritizing pocketability over control.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Is the Olympus FE-3010 still relevant in 2024? For absolute portability and simple point-and-shoot usage, yes. Its environmental sealing (light) and ease-of-use appeal to tourists or family photographers who want instant snaps without complexity.

But if you're an enthusiast or pro seeking creative control, better sensor performance, and solid video capabilities in a compact package, the Samsung NX mini remains a compelling choice. It better straddles portability and performance with a larger sensor, manual controls, and an ecosystem - albeit limited - which scales with growing skills.

For beginners or casual shooters: Olympus FE-3010 offers simplicity and lightness that may appeal.

For amateurs stepping up: Samsung NX mini provides enhanced image quality, control, and versatility without overwhelming complexity.

In conclusion, these two cameras occupy markedly different strategic niches, reflective of their design intentions and era. While the Olympus FE-3010 shines in ultra-compact convenience, the Samsung NX mini delivers a more modern imaging experience - providing photographers with real choice based on their artistic needs and shooting preferences. Having tested both extensively, I encourage you to weigh these trade-offs carefully against your shooting style and budget to make a confident choice.

Happy shooting!