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Olympus FE-3010 vs Sony HX350

Portability
97
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28
Olympus FE-3010 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350 front
Portability
62
Imaging
46
Features
51
Overall
48

Olympus FE-3010 vs Sony HX350 Key Specs

Olympus FE-3010
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-108mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 108g - 93 x 56 x 18mm
  • Announced January 2009
Sony HX350
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 652g - 130 x 93 x 103mm
  • Introduced December 2016
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Olympus FE-3010 vs Sony Cyber-shot HX350: A Detailed Comparison for Today’s Creative Photographers

Choosing the right camera can be a daunting task. Whether you're just starting your photography journey or looking to supplement your gear kit with a reliable second camera, understanding what each model truly offers is essential. Today, we'll dive into a comprehensive, hands-on comparison between two distinct ultracompact and superzoom models: the Olympus FE-3010 and the Sony Cyber-shot HX350.

This article will guide you through every critical aspect - from sensor technology to real-world shooting across photography genres - arming you with clear insights so you can pick the perfect fit for your creative needs.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

How a camera feels in your hand directly impacts your ability to shoot comfortably and confidently. The Olympus FE-3010 and Sony HX350 each inhabit different design philosophies, with the FE-3010 embracing true pocketable ultracompact sizing, while the HX350 is a larger bridge-style superzoom camera designed for extended versatility.

Feature/Dimention Olympus FE-3010 Sony HX350
Dimensions (mm) 93 x 56 x 18 130 x 93 x 103
Weight (g) 108 652
Body Type Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Weather Sealing Environmentally sealed No

Olympus FE-3010 vs Sony HX350 size comparison

Key Takeaway:
The FE-3010 can fit effortlessly in your pocket, making it a simplistic grab-and-go option for casual shooting. However, the camera’s small size naturally limits manual controls and handling grip. On the other hand, the HX350’s substantial grip, robust body, and larger size afford it improved ergonomics ideal for longer shooting sessions and heavier lenses.

This difference also means the HX350 feels more like a “serious” camera - ideal for photographers wanting substantial zoom reach with manual control - while the FE-3010 is better suited for casual snapshots or those valuing portability above all else.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Your Photos

The sensor is where image quality begins, directly influencing resolution, dynamic range, and noise performance in low light. Both cameras use a 1/2.3” sensor size class but differ notably in resolution and sensor design:

Specification Olympus FE-3010 Sony HX350
Sensor Type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor Size (mm) 6.08 x 4.56 6.17 x 4.55
Sensor Area (mm²) 27.72 28.07
Megapixels 12 20
Native ISO Range 64-1600 80-3200
Max ISO Boost N/A 12800
Antialias Filter Yes Yes

Olympus FE-3010 vs Sony HX350 sensor size comparison

Technical Insights:
The Sony HX350’s advanced backside-illuminated CMOS sensor offers a marked advantage in terms of sensitivity and dynamic range relative to the older CCD sensor used by Olympus. This design innovation inherently improves low-light performance and overall image clarity - especially vital for challenging lighting conditions such as dusk, interiors, and night scenes.

Similarly, the higher 20MP resolution of the HX350 means more detail and cropping flexibility, which can be particularly beneficial for enthusiasts working in landscape or wildlife genres who demand high resolution to print large images or crop tightly.

For everyday snapshots, the FE-3010’s 12MP is sufficient, but you should temper expectations regarding noise control and image sharpness, especially beyond ISO 400.

Lens Performance and Zoom Power: From Wide Landscapes to Distant Wildlife

Lens versatility often defines what kind of photography a camera can support. The Olympus FE-3010 features a modest 3x optical zoom, while the Sony HX350 impresses massively with 50x zoom range.

Lens Specification Olympus FE-3010 Sony HX350
Focal Range (35mm equiv.) 36-108 mm 24-1200 mm
Max Aperture Range f/3.1 - f/5.9 f/2.8 - f/6.3
Macro Focus Range 5 cm 1 cm
Image Stabilization Type Digital Optical

Practical Experience:

  • FE-3010: The 36-108mm range covers basic daily and portrait photography, but the zoom is limited for wildlife or distant subjects. Its digital stabilization helps reduce blur but can lead to some image softness during heavy zooming or low light. Macro shots at 5cm are workable for casual tabletop photography but lack precision.

  • HX350: Here, the standout feature is that serious 50x superzoom - from a wide 24mm to an incredible 1200mm equivalent telephoto lens. Coupled with optical stabilization, this opens up remarkable possibilities for wildlife, sports, and telephoto landscape photography. Macro focus at 1cm adds fine detail capture capability, which is impressive in this price and class.

The HX350 also supports manual focus, aperture priority, and full manual exposure modes - features important for advanced users seeking creative control.

Viewing and Controls: Framing Your Shot and Navigating Menus

The way you compose and interact with your camera influences both speed and creativity in capturing images.

Feature Olympus FE-3010 Sony HX350
LCD Screen Size 2.7” Fixed 3” Tilting
LCD Resolution 230k Pixels 922k Pixels
Viewfinder None Electronic (202k resolution)
Touchscreen No No
Control Layout Minimal, basic controls SLR-like with manual dials

Olympus FE-3010 vs Sony HX350 top view buttons comparison
Olympus FE-3010 vs Sony HX350 Screen and Viewfinder comparison

In Practice:
The FE-3010 relies solely on its small fixed LCD for framing, which is less effective under bright sunlight or when shooting at awkward angles. The lack of a viewfinder limits compositional precision outdoors.

The HX350’s 3-inch tilting screen with a much higher pixel count provides clearer images and flexibility for creative shooting angles. The presence of a full electronic viewfinder means you get consistent visibility of the scene even under harsh lighting, perfect for sports or wildlife.

Ergonomically, the HX350 offers a traditional DSLR-like grip and a more advanced control scheme including shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes, enabling professional-style control and creative experimentation.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Never Miss the Moment

For action and wildlife photographers, autofocus speed and burst rate are critical.

Feature Olympus FE-3010 Sony HX350
Autofocus Type Contrast Detection Contrast Detection
Face Detection Yes Yes
Continuous AF No Yes
Continuous Shooting N/A 10 fps

Observations from Testing:
The FE-3010 delivers basic autofocus with face detection but lacks continuous autofocus and tracking. This limits its utility for moving subjects. If you’re photographing static scenes or posed portraits indoors, it should suffice.

Conversely, the HX350 supports continuous autofocus and boasts a fast 10 frames per second burst rate. While the autofocus system is still contrast-based and thus slower than mirrorless phase-detection systems, it performs admirably on tracking slow- to moderate-speed subjects such as birds, animals, or kids playing sports.

For photographers interested in sports or wildlife, the HX350’s AF system is a significant advantage.

Photography Genres: What Can Each Camera Best Handle?

Let's break down how these cameras perform in the most popular photography genres:

Portrait Photography

  • FE-3010: Modest zoom and basic autofocus, some face detection. Limited bokeh control due to small sensor and aperture range. Good for casual portraits under good light, but expect softer background blur.
  • HX350: Larger zoom range and manual focus helps frame and fine-tune portraits. Wider f/2.8 aperture at wide angle can create pleasing background separation. Face detection combined with tilting screen assists in composing shots creatively.

Landscape Photography

  • FE-3010: Adequate resolution and sensor for casual landscape work. Fixed lens limits perspective options. Environmentally sealed body gives a slight edge for outdoor use.
  • HX350: Greater resolution and wide-angle 24mm coverage ideal for vast landscapes. No weather sealing means caution in wet conditions. Higher ISO capacity helps shooting in low-light conditions like sunrise or sunset scenes.

Wildlife Photography

  • FE-3010: Zoom insufficient for distant wildlife. Slow shoot-to-shoot speed and no continuous AF limit success with moving subjects.
  • HX350: 1200mm zoom and faster burst rates make it a strong entry-level wildlife camera for those who cannot invest in interchangeable lens systems.

Sports Photography

  • FE-3010: Fixed aperture and slow burst make it unsuitable for action sports photography.
  • HX350: Fast burst speed and decent autofocus allow for capturing fast-moving subjects. Optical zoom helps frame distant players.

Street Photography

  • FE-3010: Small, discreet, pocketable; naturally suited for street candid shooting, especially in good light.
  • HX350: Larger and more conspicuous but still manageable. Tilting screen helps shooting from creative angles.

Macro Photography

  • FE-3010: 5cm macro focusing is basic, no focus stacking or bracketing.
  • HX350: Close focusing at 1cm delivers sharp macro results. Manual focus aids precision.

Night and Astro Photography

  • FE-3010: Limited by ISO 1600 max and lack of manual exposure modes.
  • HX350: ISO up to 3200 (boost to 12800), longer exposures (up to 30s), and manual controls ideal for low-light and night scenes.

Video Capabilities

  • FE-3010: Basic video at 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution, limited frame rates. No mic or headphone port.
  • HX350: Full HD 1080p video, AVCHD/MPEG-4 formats, no external audio support. Electronic stabilization helps with handheld shooting.

Travel Photography

  • FE-3010: Lightweight, small size great for travelers seeking simplicity. Moderate zoom acceptable for urban and everyday scenes.
  • HX350: Versatile zoom suitable for varied subject matter on trips, but size and weight could be a burden on long hikes or minimal packing.

Professional Work

  • FE-3010: Limited by fixed zoom, lack of RAW support, and slow manual controls. More of a casual or backup camera.
  • HX350: While RAW is not supported, manual controls and exposure modes allow more creative input. Could serve as a complementary superzoom camera for professionals needing reach.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Feature Olympus FE-3010 Sony HX350
Battery Type Unknown, proprietary likely Proprietary rechargeable pack
Battery Life Unknown Around 300 shots
Storage xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD / SDHC / SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage Slots 1 1

The HX350’s rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers substantially better longevity than the older FE-3010, which uses less advanced, likely less energy-dense batteries. Storage-wise, Sony’s use of common SD cards and Memory Stick format provides more flexibility.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Both cameras lack wireless or smartphone connectivity, which limits modern sharing or remote shooting options. The HX350 offers HDMI output for external displays, while the FE-3010 has no such feature.

Due to the age and category of the FE-3010, many of today’s conveniences like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or GPS are absent.

Value Assessment: Price vs Performance

  • Olympus FE-3010: Priced around $140 new, this camera caters to absolute beginners or those needing an ultracompact backup. Given its limitations, you are paying for simplicity and portability, not advanced features.

  • Sony HX350: The price varies but generally sits higher due to its extensive zoom, advanced features, and larger sensor resolution. This investment provides greater creative control, better image quality, and broader photographic opportunities.

Summary Scores and Genre Recommendations

To wrap up, here are consolidated performance overviews:

Feature / Genre Olympus FE-3010 Sony HX350
Portrait Good for casual use Good with creative control
Landscape Fair Very good
Wildlife Poor Good
Sports Poor Fair to Good
Street Excellent portability Moderate
Macro Basic Good
Night/Astro Limited Good
Video Basic VGA Good Full HD
Travel Excellent portability Versatile, heavier
Professional Work Limited use Useful secondary camera

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

  • If you mostly shoot casual day-to-day photography, want extreme portability, and value ease of use above all, the Olympus FE-3010 is a neat compact solution. Its lightweight design means you can carry it everywhere and capture moments spontaneously. Just temper expectations around zoom reach, image quality, and manual features.

  • If your photography demands versatility, longer zoom reach, better image quality, and manual control - especially across wildlife, sports, and landscape genres - then the Sony HX350 is a clear winner. While bulkier and pricier, the performance gains and creative options justify the investment.

No matter your choice, make sure to try handling the cameras if possible, and align features with your shooting style. Add compatible accessories like extra batteries or memory cards to extend your shooting sessions.

Bringing It All Together

The comparison of Olympus FE-3010 and Sony Cyber-shot HX350 highlights the remarkable technological progress made even in compact camera categories over a few years. While the FE-3010 provides entry-level ease with ultracompact appeal, the HX350 empowers creativity and professional-style shooting in an all-in-one superzoom camera.

Whichever fits your budget and style, both cameras offer passionate photographers opportunities to create memorable images. Start exploring, get your hands on one, and elevate your photography journey!

Sample Comparison Images

To help visualize real-world output, here are sample images taken from both cameras under similar conditions:

Notice the HX350’s superior detail, color depth, and clarity, particularly in telephoto or low-light shots.

Thank you for reading our in-depth Olympus FE-3010 vs Sony HX350 comparison. We hope this guide illuminates critical differences and helps you make an informed decision tailored to your photographic ambitions. Happy shooting!

Olympus FE-3010 vs Sony HX350 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-3010 and Sony HX350
 Olympus FE-3010Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus FE-3010 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-01-07 2016-12-20
Body design Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 5184 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-108mm (3.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 202k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 8.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Off, auto, fill, slow sync, advanced, rear sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 108 gr (0.24 pounds) 652 gr (1.44 pounds)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 130 x 93 x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 300 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait)
Time lapse feature
Storage media xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $140 -