Olympus FE-4000 vs Sony WX300: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Cameras

Selecting your next compact camera inevitably involves balancing features, image quality, and budget. Today I’m sitting down with two distinct contenders from a few years back, the Olympus FE-4000 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300. While both fall under the “compact” umbrella, their specifications hint at different ambitions - one championing simplicity and affordability, the other aiming for broader versatility with more zoom and modern amenities.

Having put hundreds of cameras through their paces over 15 years - measuring everything from sensor output to autofocus finesse - I’ll walk you through how these two stack up across the photography disciplines you care about. Whether you’re eyeing portraits, wildlife, travel shots, or handheld video, this detailed, no-nonsense comparison will give you practical insights into how they perform in the real world.

A Tale of Two Compacts: Form Factor and Handling

First impressions count, and size + ergonomics play into how often you’ll reach for a camera.

Both of these cameras are compact, pocketable shooters geared toward casual users rather than hardcore photographers lugging DSLR-sized gear. The Olympus FE-4000 is sneakily small and light at 95 x 57 x 22 mm and 136 grams. Sony WX300 is a little chunkier at 96 x 55 x 25 mm and 166 grams, largely because of its longer zoom lens and beefier build.

In hand, the Olympus FE-4000 fits discreetly and is easiest on those wanting a fuss-free point-and-shoot experience. The grip isn’t sculpted, and controls are simple and minimal - great for beginners or cheapskates wanting to keep it effortless. The Sony WX300, on the other hand, feels slightly more solid but still pocketable, sporting a comfortable grip bulge that helps when zooming in tightly.

Looking from above, the Sony makes better use of space with a balanced, thoughtfully laid-out top plate featuring a dedicated zoom lever and shutter button, while the Olympus is spartan with fewer physical controls, which might frustrate more serious users who like direct settings adjustments.

Ergonomics verdict:

• Olympus FE-4000: ultra-compact, light, super simple.
• Sony WX300: slightly bigger, more refined grip and controls for quick operation.

Sensor Specs and Image Quality Essentials

Sensor tech is the heart of any camera, and here’s where the two diverge sharply.

Both use a 1/2.3-inch sensor measuring about 6.17 x 4.55 mm (about 28 mm² area), typical for small sensor compacts. However, Olympus employs an older CCD sensor rated at 12MP, while Sony packs an 18MP BSI (Backside Illumination) CMOS sensor - a key technological leap.

What does this mean in practice?
CCD sensors, while historically producing pleasing colors and sharp images, tend to lag in low-light performance and speed. The FE-4000 tops out at ISO 1600 but is noisy beyond ISO 400 in real-world use - typical of a 2009 compact. No RAW shooting limits post-processing creativity.

Sony’s WX300 benefits from a more modern CMOS type sensor with backside illumination that increases light gathering efficiency. It reaches ISO 3200 with less noise and supports higher resolution (18MP vs 12MP). This higher pixel count helps with tightly cropping or making larger prints. Again, no RAW support here - both cameras keep toward JPEG simplicity.

Image quality summary:

• Olympus FE-4000: decent daylight shots, struggles in low light and noise control.
• Sony WX300: sharper images, better dynamic range, improved noise handling, especially in tricky lighting.

LCD Screens and User Interface: Your Window to the World

Neither camera sports an electronic viewfinder - a limitation in bright outdoor shoots - but their rear LCDs offer the interface for framing and reviewing shots.

The Olympus FE-4000 has a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with a resolution of 230k dots - a modest screen that can feel dim or grainy under bright sunlight.

Sony WX300 steps it up with a fixed 3-inch LCD boasting 460k dots, delivering a noticeably clearer, brighter, and more detailed image. This makes settings navigation and shot composition easier and more pleasant.

Sony also stakes a claim with smarter menus - offering face detection autofocus, multiple aspect ratios (4:3 and 16:9), and some custom white balance control. Olympus keeps things barebones with no touchscreen, no customization, and only basic center-weighted metering.

Interface recommendation:

• Olympus FE-4000: best for those who want simple and straightforward, with minimal fuss.
• Sony WX300: superior screen and more modern UI features enhance usability and creative control.

Who Wins in Portrait Photography?

Portraits demand accurate skin tones, good background separation, and solid autofocus on faces and eyes.

The Olympus FE-4000’s older contrast detection AF and absence of face detection mean you’ll likely wrestle to nail focus on a subject’s eyes, especially if they move. The lens’ maximum aperture range (f/2.6-5.9) helps a bit, but stopping down quickly reduces background blur.

Sony’s WX300 offers face detection autofocus and can track faces reasonably well in good light. With an 18MP sensor, photos capture finer details, and its longer zoom enables flattering shooting distances.

However, neither camera has eye-detection AF - the kind of feature newer models offer - and their small sensors limit the lens bokeh quality due to deeper depth of field inherent to tiny sensors.

Still, the WX300 gives you more confidence to capture sharp, well-exposed portraits in daylight or mild indoor lighting.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Detail

If horizons and landscapes are your playground, resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing come into focus.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, so be wary in wet or dusty environments.

The Sony WX300’s 18MP sensor and higher max ISO give wider exposure latitude and greater detail resolution, especially when printing at larger sizes. Its 25mm equivalent wide angle is just a touch wider than Olympus’s 26mm, a negligible difference.

Olympus FE-4000’s 12MP sensor handles daylight landscapes fine but falls short for intricate textures and low-contrast shadow detail.

Sony’s sensor technology and higher resolution translate to richer tonal gradations, making it a better pick for demanding landscape shooters on a budget.

Wildlife and Sports Capability: Handling the Action

Here’s where things get interesting if your subject is fast-moving critters or athletes.

Burst rate and autofocus speed decide how many keepers you’ll get in hectic moments.

Olympus FE-4000 doesn’t offer continuous shooting modes or AF tracking; its max shutter speed caps at 1/2000s - adequate but basic. Contrast-detection AF tends to hunt in challenging light or with moving subjects.

Sony WX300 includes a 10 fps burst mode (though autofocus is locked on first frame), and face detection can help track subjects to some extent. Shutter tops out at 1/1600s, still serviceable, but autofocus performance is less snappy than more advanced compacts.

Telephoto reach is vital in wildlife. Sony’s zoom lens covers a massive 25-500mm equivalent, 20x optical zoom - hugely enabling distant subjects to fill the frame. Olympus maxes out at 105mm equivalent (4x zoom), limiting reach significantly.

Wildlife/sports takeaway:

• Olympus FE-4000: marginal at moving subjects - best for still scenes.
• Sony WX300: versatile superzoom and decent burst mode favor casual wildlife and some sports.

Street Photography: Portability and Low-Light Ninjutsu

Quick, unobtrusive shooting is the bread and butter of street photographers.

Olympus FE-4000 shines in sheer stealth thanks to small size and low weight. It’s nearly pocket-sized in shirts and jackets. The loud zoom on Olympus, however, can be a giveaway depending on lens movement.

Sony WX300 is a tad bulkier but still easy to slip into a bag. Its longer zoom might be overkill for candid street snaps but handy for discreet distant captures (think: comfortable compression of city scenes).

Low-light performance favors Sony by a mile due to newer sensor tech and ISO 3200 ceiling versus Olympus’s ISO 1600 with noisy images beyond ISO 400. Sony also offers optical image stabilization - a boon for handheld shots at night or indoors.

Macro Photography: Close-up Adventures

Getting close and capturing tiny details requires a good macro mode and fine focusing precision.

Olympus FE-4000 boasts a macro mode down to 3 cm, allowing very close focus - a boon for flower or insect snaps. Its autofocus works acceptably at close range but can be slow.

Sony WX300 doesn’t specify macro range but likely won’t focus as closely as Olympus’s dedicated mode. However, image stabilization can help handheld macro shots not blur.

So for macro enthusiasts with tight budgets, Olympus wins here.

Night and Astro Photography: Seeing in the Dark

Capturing stars or nighttime scenes demands low noise and long exposures.

Both cameras have minimal long exposure capabilities: Olympus max shutter speed of 2 seconds (which is quite short) and Sony 4 seconds max - to say nothing of star trails requiring 15+ second exposures.

ISO performance in low light favors Sony’s BSI CMOS sensor - offering usable images up to ISO 1600 and sometimes beyond. Olympus’s CCD here drags behind with noisy results past ISO 400.

No RAW support on either means noise reduction and sharpening flexibility is limited.

Bottom line: Sony WX300 is your better bet for casual night shots, but both have limitations for true astro work.

Video: Moving Pictures with Sound

If video’s on your mind, differences become more visible.

Olympus FE-4000 shoots video maxing out at 640x480 (VGA) at 30 fps - basically low-res video by 2024 standards, with Motion JPEG compression. No mic or headphone input, no image stabilization, and no HD options make it a legacy toy in video terms.

Sony WX300 delivers Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps with AVCHD compression - very respectable for a compact. It includes optical stabilization that smooths handheld footage. No external mic input, but at least video is up to modern quality for casual use.

If shooting videos for social media or family memories is high on your list, Sony clearly leaves Olympus in the dust.

Travel and Everyday Use: Versatility and Battery Life

When globetrotting or commuting, you want a camera that’s light, reliable, and flexible.

Both cameras have similar battery life rated around 300 shots per charge (official specs vary), but Sony uses a widely available NP-BX1 rechargeable battery, while Olympus lacks specified battery info, possibly using proprietary or less common types.

Sony WX300 accepts SD cards (SDHC/SDXC) and Memory Stick Pro Duo, while Olympus relies on older xD Picture Cards and microSD - significantly less common today.

Sony’s built-in wireless connectivity is a plus for quick photo sharing on the go, a big time-saver for travelers.

Physically, Sony is somewhat thicker but still pocketable.

Professional Usage: Raw Files and Workflow

Neither camera supports RAW image capture, a drawback for professionals who rely on post-capture flexibility for retouching or color accuracy.

Build quality on both is consumer-grade plastic; no weather or dust sealing exist - no go for harsh professional environments.

Connectivity is minimal - no HDMI or mic inputs, no GPS, USB 2.0 only.

Hence, both cameras are better suited as lightweight backup or casual shooters rather than primary professional tools.

Price and Value Analysis

At launch, Olympus sold for around $130, while Sony retailed near $330.

The price difference corresponds to notable upgrades in sensor performance, zoom range, stabilization, and video capabilities of the WX300.

Today, neither is a flagship contender, but for budget-conscious buyers hunting for bargains via used gear or clearance sales, weighing cost vs capability remains valid.

Summing It Up: Who Should Buy Which?

To recap, here’s a bite-sized pros and cons list:

Olympus FE-4000

Pros:

• Exceptionally compact and lightweight
• Tight macro focusing down to 3 cm
• Simple, easy-to-use for complete beginners
• Very affordable price point

Cons:

• Older CCD sensor; noisy low-light images
• No image stabilization or continuous shooting
• Poor video quality (VGA only)
• Limited zoom range (26-105 mm)

Sony WX300

Pros:

• Modern BSI CMOS sensor with 18MP resolution
• Massive 20x zoom (25-500 mm equivalent)
• Optical image stabilization
• Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps
• Face detection autofocus and better UI
• Built-in wireless connectivity for sharing

Cons:

• Slightly bigger and heavier
• No RAW capture
• No weather sealing or advanced manual controls
• Older model now superseded

Final Verdict: Picking Your Compact Companion

If you’re a total beginner or cheapskate hobbyist who values pocket portability and just wants a simple, affordable camera for daylight snapshots and occasional macro fun, the Olympus FE-4000 serves as a tiny, fuss-free point-and-shoot that won’t break the bank.

Conversely, if you crave greater zoom flexibility, better image quality in diverse conditions, video capability, and features that help lock onto faces or move with subjects, the Sony WX300 is worth the price premium as a versatile travel and general-purpose companion.

Neither camera holds up to demands of professionals needing RAW, ruggedness, or advanced manual control, but both deliver solid if basic performance suitable for casual enthusiasts or as a lightweight backup.

Olympus FE 4000 front Olympus FE 4000 screen back Sony WX300 front Sony WX300 screen back

Scoring the Cameras Overall and by Genre

Based on sensor specs, features, and hands-on impressions, here are my overall performance ratings out of 10:

Specialized scores by photography genre:

• Portraits: Sony WX300 leads with face detection and resolution.
• Landscape: Sony’s better sensor and zoom win again.
• Wildlife: Sony’s zoom and burst mode are clear advantages.
• Sports: Both limited, but Sony’s burst is somewhat helpful.
• Street: Olympus favored for size; Sony for low light.
• Macro: Olympus has an edge with closer focusing.
• Night/Astro: Sony better thanks to ISO and longer exposures.
• Video: Sony outclasses Olympus vastly.
• Travel: Sony’s versatility edges out, but weight matters.
• Professional: Neither ideal; Sony closer for casual pro usage.

Closing Thoughts: Experience Matters

From running tests with these, I can say that small sensor compacts like Olympus FE-4000 and Sony WX300 serve very different roles despite surface similarity. Advances in sensor design, image stabilization, and video within just a few years made huge leaps, embodied by these two cameras’ generations.

If you’re in the market for truly capable compact photography wrapped in a pocketable shell - and budgets allow - the WX300 is the far superior choice. But if your use is truly casual, and you prize simplicity or extreme portability above all, you might appreciate what Olympus offers for pennies on the dollar.

Hope this real-world rundown saves you hours researching and helps you pick the best camera for your style and needs. Feel free to drop any questions or share your own comparisons below!

Happy shooting!

• Your Camera Gear Insider