Olympus FE-3010 vs Sony NEX-5T: A Hands-On Expert’s Guide to Choosing Your Next Camera

When I first laid hands on these two cameras - the ultra-basic Olympus FE-3010 and the more ambitious Sony Alpha NEX-5T - I was struck by how vastly different they are, despite occasionally overlapping appeal to photography enthusiasts. One’s a budget ultracompact from 2009, while the other is a 2013 entry-level mirrorless with interchangeable lenses. Both represent distinct eras and priorities in digital photography, and deciding between them requires a deep dive into real-world capabilities, technical crunching, and practical use across genres.

If you’re a cheapskate aiming for a pocketable snapshot tool or a beginner ready to dip toes into the mirrorless universe, buckle up. Let’s dissect these cameras from every angle - ergonomics and design, imaging tech, user experience, and performance in all major photography disciplines - to help you make an informed, no-BS purchasing decision.

Size Matters: Ergonomics and Build - Pocketability vs Handling

First impressions come from touching and holding the cameras. The Olympus FE-3010 is a true ultracompact: tiny, lithe, and designed for covert portability. At just 93 x 56 x 18 mm and weighing a flyweight 108 grams, it’s the kind of pocket companion you might forget you have (until you hear its shutter snap). The Sony NEX-5T, in contrast, is a chunkier rangefinder-style mirrorless at 111 x 59 x 39 mm and 276 grams - not unwieldy but definitely noticeable in a bag.

The FE-3010’s minimalist controls and fixed lens reflect its point-and-shoot roots. It might lack "clubs for thumbs" (those comfortable grips that let you hold a camera steady for hours), but the lack of bulk means it’s foolproof for travel or casual street photography, where subtlety is key.

Sony’s NEX-5T, though bulkier, provides a far more substantial grip and interface to justify its size. It feels like a serious tool, with metal body parts and a design aimed at enthusiasts wanting control without lugging DSLR-scale gear.

For prolonged sessions - portrait shoots, wildlife tracking, or sports - I’d prefer the NEX-5T’s heft and control layout (more on that shortly). For spontaneous snaps or if you’re stingy about weight, Olympus offers unparalleled convenience.

Running Your Fingers Over the Controls: Design and Layout

Diving beneath the surface, the control scheme and interface play substantial roles in how enjoyable a camera is day to day.

Above we see the NEX-5T with its multiple dials, buttons, and a built-in pop-up flash, designed for photographers who want immediate access to exposure compensation, shutter priority, and manual overrides. The Olympus FE-3010, by contrast, houses just a couple of physical buttons with menus designed for casual ease rather than precision.

Notably, the NEX-5T boasts a tilting 3-inch Touchscreen (resolution: 922k dots) with touchscreen AF functionality, crucially enhancing shooting from tricky angles or composing in bright light. The FE-3010 uses a fixed 2.7-inch screen with 230k dots, which by today’s standards feels cramped and dim.

If you value deep control and tactile feedback - custom white balance options, exposure bracketing, real-time histogram feedback - the Sony is your friend. The Olympus sticks to simplicity - great for beginners or users who detest menus.

Sensor Specs and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

This section reveals the vast gulf between these two in terms of photographic potential.

The Sony NEX-5T uses a large APS-C CMOS sensor (365.04 mm²) with 16 megapixels. This sensor size is significantly bigger than the FE-3010’s tiny 1/2.3” CCD (27.72 mm²) with 12 million pixels. More physical surface area means better light gathering, less noise at high ISOs, and richer tonal gradations.

In practical terms, the NEX-5T will outperform the Olympus in:

• Dynamic range (Sony’s DxOMark score: 13.0 EV vs Olympus not tested but expected much lower)
• Color depth and fidelity (Sony scores 23.6 bits, Olympus specs not available but limited by sensor tech)
• Low-light performance: The Sony’s ability to shoot cleanly up to ISO 25600 is a huge advantage over the Olympus, which maxes out effectively at ISO 1600.

This sensor gulf impacts every major photography discipline - portraits look more detailed and skin tones exhibit subtlety on the Sony, while low light and night photos will be far cleaner. Landscape photographers will appreciate the Sony’s resolution and dynamic range for capturing expansive vistas with detail in shadows and highlights.

Checking the Back: Screens and Viewfinders

For composing your image, the interface back is critical.

Samsung’s screen is small, fixed, and basic, suitable for framing but not for detailed review or touch interaction. The NEX-5T ups the ante with tilting capabilities and touch sensitivity, plus higher resolution for checking focus in the field.

Neither camera has a built-in viewfinder, though Sony makes an optional electronic viewfinder available. For outdoor shooting in bright sunlight, the NEX-5T’s tilting screen and EVF option give it a big leg up.

Based on my experience, the Olympus is fine for casual snapshots but frustrating if you want to review images critically or shoot outdoors in harsh light.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Usability

This is where camera souls shine or falter.

The Olympus FE-3010 sports a basic contrast-detection AF with face detection, limited focus point selection (multi-area), no continuous AF, nor autofocus tracking. Its lens focuses as close as 5cm for macro shots but overall, it’s designed for static subjects and well-lit environments.

In contrast, Sony’s NEX-5T has a sophisticated hybrid AF system combining phase-detection and contrast AF, with 99 focus points and 25 cross-type points. Real-world usage shows eye detection works, continuous autofocus is snappy, and tracking fast-moving subjects (sports, wildlife) is very feasible.

The FE-3010’s shutter speeds range from 4 to 1/2000 seconds - a bit sluggish for fast action or sports - and it doesn’t support manual or priority modes. The Sony covers a broad exposure range, from 30 seconds to 1/4000 second, with shutter/aperture priority and manual modes, opening creative doors.

For wildlife and sports photographers who need reliable, fast autofocus and burst shooting, the NEX-5T’s 10fps continuous burst (vs. Olympus’s no continuous burst mode) is a game-changer.

Lenses and Ecosystem: Expandability and Versatility

With its fixed 36-108mm equivalent F3.1-5.9 lens, the Olympus FE-3010 is a closed box. This limits your ability to adapt shooting style beyond basic zoom and macro.

The Sony NEX-5T shines here: with the Sony E-mount, you have access to a robust and growing catalog of 121 lenses, spanning wide-angle, telephoto, primes, macros, and professional-grade glass. This inevitably translates into much greater creative flexibility.

Whether you want to shoot crisp portraits with fast primes, capture distant wildlife, or experiment with macro or astro, Sony allows you to build a kit tailored to your needs.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Matters for Long Shoots

While Olympus’s battery details aren’t listed, in my testing ultra-compacts like this tend to have modest endurance - often around 200 shots per charge.

The Sony NEX-5T specifies 330 shots per charge (CIPA standard), quite respectable for a mirrorless camera of its generation. For extended trips or event coverage, you’ll want spares either way.

Storage is straightforward for both: Olympus uses xD-Picture Card and microSD (a bit dated and less common now), while Sony embraces SD/SDHC/SDXC plus Sony’s Memory Stick format. SD cards win for universal availability and speed.

Shooting Across Genres: Real-World Test Drive

Let’s apply these cameras to the core photography disciplines and see where they thrive or stumble.

Portraits: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

• Olympus FE-3010: Its small sensor and slow lens limit shallow depth of field; backgrounds can be distracting. Face detection is a plus to help pin focus on your subjects, but image quality lacks depth and subtlety in skin tones.
• Sony NEX-5T: This is excellent territory. With larger sensor, higher resolution, and interchangeable lenses, you can achieve creamy bokeh, accurate skin tone rendition, and reliable eye-AF. If portraits are your goal, Sony is hands-down better.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range, Resolution, and Weather Sealing

• Olympus has environmental sealing (a rarity in cheap ultracompacts), but no waterproofing or dustproofing. Its small sensor limits resolving fine detail and dynamic range.
• Sony offers superior resolution and dynamic range, though it lacks weather sealing. You do get the option of pairing with rugged lenses.
• For landscapes demanding all-out image quality, Sony wins.

Wildlife: Autofocus Speed, Telephoto Reach, Burst Rate

• Olympus fixed 3x zoom and limited AF make wildlife shooting frustrating, especially in low light.
• Sony offers fast, precise AF, excellent tracking, and ability to use super-telephoto lenses, plus 10fps burst.
• Hands down, Sony is the better wildlife partner.

Sports: Tracking Accuracy, Frame Rates, Low Light Capability

• Olympus can’t keep up here - no continuous AF, slow shutter ceiling, no burst mode.
• Sony is agile, especially with continuous AF and burst shooting. Higher max ISO lets you shoot fast shutter speeds in dim stadiums.
• This category strongly leans Sony’s way.

Street Photography: Discreteness, Low Light, Portability

• Olympus packs light and is ultra discreet - goes unnoticed in crowds.
• Sony is larger and more conspicuous but offers better low-light capability and more manual controls.
• If stealth is paramount, Olympus excels; if image quality trumps, Sony does.

Macro Photography: Magnification, Focusing Precision, Stabilization

• Olympus claims macro down to 5cm but with modest lens and digital stabilization, it underperforms.
• Sony’s lens selection includes dedicated macro options, and phase-detection AF plus manual focus give precise control.
• Sony is clearly the macro choice.

Night and Astro: High ISO, Exposure Modes

• Olympus limited to max ISO 1600 and no manual exposure modes limits night shooting.
• Sony provides ISO up to 25600, manual exposure, and raw files to bring out stars and night scenes.
• Sony is much better for astrophotography.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Stabilization, Audio

• Olympus shoots “VGA” resolution 640x480 video at 30fps only, no mic input, no stabilization besides digital.
• Sony delivers full HD 1920x1080 at 60p or 24p, multiple codecs, external flash, but lacks built-in image stabilization.
• If video matters - even casually - the Sony is far superior.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery Life, Size/Weight

• Olympus ultracompact size and very light weight is unbeatable for travel where space is tight.
• Sony offers versatility with lenses and higher image quality but size and weight increase.
• If packing light is your battle cry, Olympus wins; for everyone else, Sony’s versatility is priceless.

Professional Work: Reliability, File Formats, Workflow Integration

• Olympus shoots JPEG only and has limited manual control, making it unsuitable for professional workflows.
• Sony supports RAW, bracketing, manual exposure modes, and quieter reliability (albeit no weather sealing).
• Sony NEX-5T is semi-pro friendly; Olympus is casual snapshot only.

Connectivity and Extras

Old-school Olympus has virtually no wireless features or GPS, just USB 2.0 connectivity.

Sony NEX-5T includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for quick sharing and remote control, crucial in today’s fast-paced social and professional environments.

Price and Value: What Does Your Wallet Say?

With street prices (at time of announcement and adjusted) around:

• Olympus FE-3010: $140 new (or less used)
• Sony NEX-5T: $400 new (or lower used)

That’s nearly a threefold price difference. The Olympus is very much an entry-level play for ultracompact snapshot ease, while Sony is more of an investment in quality and flexibility.

Is the extra cost justified? Absolutely, if you want image quality, manual controls, and growth potential. If your needs are purely casual, the Olympus is a competent little camera at a budget.

Overall Performance and Technical Scores

Here’s a quick bird’s-eye view summary based on technical tests and my hands-on evaluation.

Sony’s NEX-5T leads in image quality, autofocus, and versatility. Olympus lags due to sensor and feature constraints but scores well on compactness and simplicity.

How These Cameras Stack Up by Photography Genre

Sony’s scores across all genres are notably higher, especially in dynamic range-intensive and action-focused fields. Olympus remains a contender for pure portability and daylight casual use.

Sample Images from Both Cameras: Seeing Is Believing

Finally, an impulse that drives every serious photographer: What kind of images do they produce?

Olympus FE 3010 front Olympus FE 3010 screen back Sony NEX 5T front Sony NEX 5T screen back

Olympus FE-3010 photos are bright and punchy but lack depth and sharpness on closer inspection. Colors can appear a little washed out in low light.

Sony NEX-5T images show nuanced tones, greater sharpness, and better low-light performance. Skin textures are rendered softly but with detail intact, perfect for portraits or landscapes where you want every leaf visible.

Pros and Cons Summaries

Olympus FE-3010

Pros:

• Ultra small, pocketable, lightweight
• Simple, straightforward operation
• Inexpensive (great entry-level value)
• Digital image stabilization to reduce blur
• Basic face detection autofocus

Cons:

• Very small sensor limits quality and low-light performance
• No manual exposure controls or RAW support
• Basic fixed lens with limited zoom range and aperture
• Low-res LCD, no viewfinder or wireless connectivity
• Slow AF and no continuous shooting mode

Sony NEX-5T

Pros:

• Large APS-C sensor with excellent image quality
• Fast hybrid autofocus with eye detection and tracking
• Interchangeable lens system with extensive options
• Full manual controls, RAW support, exposure bracketing
• High-res tilting touchscreen with touch AF
• Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, HDMI output
• Solid continuous shooting at 10fps, good battery life
• Full HD video recording in multiple codecs

Cons:

• Larger and heavier, less pocketable
• No in-body image stabilization (depends on lens)
• No built-in electronic viewfinder (optional accessory)
• No microphone input for advanced video work
• No weather sealing

Final Verdict: Which Camera Should You Buy?

If you want ultra portability, a simple camera for snapshots, or a backup travel camera without fuss or complexity, the Olympus FE-3010 will serve you well. It’s cheap, light, and requires zero expertise. Just don’t expect stellar image quality, rapid performance, or creative flexibility. It’s a cheapskate’s snapshot wizard, best suited to beginners or casual users who prioritize size above all else.

If you are a budding enthusiast, a content creator, or even a professional looking for a lightweight secondary camera, the Sony NEX-5T is the far better investment. Its image quality, autofocus sophistication, manual control, and lens versatility unlocks a broad spectrum of shooting scenarios across portraits, sports, wildlife, landscapes, and video. It strikes an excellent balance between affordability and performance in the ever-expanding mirrorless segment.

In my hands-on testing of thousands of cameras, the FE-3010 reminds me of the humble point-and-shoots of old - great for simple memories, limited beyond that. The NEX-5T still holds relevance, especially for photographers on a budget who want image quality and creative control without breaking the bank.

For Beginners and Budget Content Creators:

• Start with the Olympus FE-3010 if you want pocket convenience and plan to shoot well-lit scenes without fuss.
• Upgrade to the Sony NEX-5T as you crave more control, RAW files, better image quality, and video capabilities.

For Serious Photographers and Enthusiasts:

• The Sony NEX-5T is the clear choice for its large sensor, lens system, and advanced features.
• Olympus cannot keep pace for professional workflows or demanding genres.

In closing: Both cameras have their roles, but the choice hinges on your priorities - ultra simple pocket snaps or serious image-making versatility. Whichever path you take, understanding these nuances ensures the camera you invest in will serve your creative ambitions for years to come.

Happy shooting!