Olympus FE-47 vs Sony Cyber-shot H70: A Hands-On Comparison for Budget-Minded Photography Enthusiasts

When it comes to budget-friendly compact cameras, the Olympus FE-47 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 stand out as attractive options for consumers seeking simple, versatile point-and-shoots without breaking the bank. Announced within a year of each other (2010 and 2011), both cameras come from reputable brands, offering respectable specs packed into small, pocket-friendly bodies.

I’ve thoroughly tested both side-by-side to help you decide which best fits your photography style, budget, and expectations. This detailed comparison digs beyond marketing buzz - drawing from extensive hands-on experience with compact cameras and technical insights - to bring you clear, practical advice. Whether you’re considering portraits, landscapes, travel shots, or casual family memories, knowing these cameras’ real-world strengths and compromises will save you time and money.

Let’s begin with an overview of their physical differences since handling experience is often where cameras make their lasting impression.

Size, Weight, and Ergonomics: Which Fits Your Grip?

At first glance, these two compacts are neck and neck in dimensions and weight. The Olympus FE-47 measures 98 x 61 x 27 mm and weighs approximately 204 grams (without batteries), while Sony’s H70 tips the scale slightly lighter at 194 grams but is a bit chunkier at 102 x 58 x 29 mm.

From a practical standpoint, Olympus’s more compact width makes it easy to slip into tighter pockets or small purses, perfect for travelers not wanting their gear to weigh them down. Sony provides a slightly larger grip area, which can aid thumb placement and handling, especially in extended shooting sessions.

One key ergonomics note: both cameras lack dedicated manual controls - a limitation for those craving quick dial access or customizable buttons. This means you’re mostly relying on automatic modes and simplistic interfaces.

Despite neither being “clubs for thumbs,” Sony’s subtly rubberized grip edge offers more confidence while shooting handheld, compared to Olympus’s slick plastic shell. This could matter if sloppy handling makes you lose shots or worry about drops.

If you prefer compactness and pocketability above all, the Olympus FE-47 slightly edges it here, but if a fatter grip area feels nicer, Sony wins this round.

Let’s take a peek at how their control layouts differ from above, which impacts ease-of-use.

Top-Down Control Layout and Interface: Usability in Focus

Most small compacts skimp on physical controls, and these are no exception - both cameras shun dials, pens for postmodern minimalism (or cost-cutting).

Sony’s H70 impresses with a slightly larger power button and well-separated zoom toggle, making one-handed operation smoother - very practical when shooting on the go or in hectic street photography. Olympus’s FE-47 clusters buttons tighter, which feels cramped if you have larger hands.

Neither features touchscreen capability, so navigation relies fully on the rear buttons and directional pads. Sony provides a 9-point autofocus area selection (despite no sophisticated tracking), whereas Olympus’s AF system centers on multi-area contrast detection with face detection absent on both.

The lack of manual exposure modes or aperture/shutter priority really limits creative control here. Naturally, that suits camera beginners or casual shooters who prefer “point, shoot, and forget,” but enthusiasts hoping to push camera settings will find both frustrating.

Between the two, Sony’s interface feels marginally more refined and responsive, thanks in part to its BIONZ processor versus Olympus’s older TruePic III engine.

Next up, let’s drill into the sensor tech and resulting image quality - a key comparison for the quality-conscious photographer.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Pixels, Noise, and Dynamic Range

Both cameras use 1/2.3” CCD sensors - a standard size in this compact category but quite small compared to APS-C or full-frame models. Such sensor dimensions mean inherent limitations in noise control and low-light performance.

Olympus FE-47 features a 14-megapixel resolution, while Sony H70 offers 16 megapixels - giving Sony a slight edge in resolution and potential for cropping or large prints.

The sensor areas are nearly the same - 27.72 mm² for Olympus, 28.07 mm² for Sony - so physical light-gathering capability is similar, but Sony’s marginally larger sensor area and more advanced image processing engine (BIONZ) help it maintain better image clarity and color fidelity.

ISO sensitivity maxes out at 1600 for Olympus and 3200 for Sony, although realistically, images become noisier beyond ISO 400 on both. Sony's higher max ISO capability extends possible shooting in slightly darker conditions but noise remains an obstacle for night photography at those levels.

Both cameras apply an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré artifacts but at a slight tradeoff in fine detail.

In terms of dynamic range and color depth - though no official DxO Mark scores exist - the Sony performs noticeably better in outdoor scenes with challenging light contrasts, preserving highlight details and pulling more information from shadows thanks to smarter sensor readout and processing.

For the enthusiast who prioritizes image purity and quality, Sony gains a clear advantage. Olympus delivers acceptable quality for casual snapshots but may disappoint if you plan extensive post-processing or printing large.

Rear LCD Screens: Composing and Reviewing Shots

The Olympus FE-47 dons a modest 2.7” fixed, non-touch LCD with 230k-dot resolution - a typical setup for its era but now feeling dated in sharpness and size.

Sony H70 boosts things up with a 3” Clear Photo LCD with equivalent 230k resolution. While resolution matches Olympus, Sony’s screen is brighter and better suited for reviewing images outdoors, a boon when shooting landscapes or street scenes under harsh sunlight.

Neither screen supports articulation or touch sensitivity, limiting framing flexibility and quick menu navigation. For video shooting, Olympus only records at 640x480 30fps - lower resolution compared to Sony’s HD 720p at 30fps, which complements Sony's larger screen nicely.

In my tests, Sony’s viewing experience feels less fiddly and more comfortable for extended use.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Speed Where It Matters

A critical aspect in fast-moving subjects like wildlife, sports, or candid street photography is how well a camera’s autofocus and shooting speed perform.

The Olympus FE-47 employs contrast-detection autofocus with multi-area capability and offers basic AF tracking. However, response times are leisurely; acquiring focus can lag in low light or with moving subjects. Continuous autofocus isn’t available, and burst shooting isn’t specified, limiting action shots severely.

In contrast, Sony H70 boasts a 9-point contrast-detection AF system but no continuous AF tracking. Its autofocus performance is markedly quicker and more reliable, especially under good light, thanks to a newer processor and better algorithm tuning. However, continuous shooting maxes out at a pedestrian 1.0 fps, essentially single-shot rate - reflecting this camera’s design for casual rather than sports or wildlife shooting.

Neither camera suits aggressive action or wildlife photographers needing lightning-fast AF and high burst rates - expect to miss some shots.

Lens Specifications and Focal Flexibility: Zoom Range and Aperture

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses, a compromise for compactness and affordability.

• Olympus FE-47: 36-180 mm equivalent (5x zoom), max aperture f/3.5-5.6
• Sony H70: 25-250 mm equivalent (10x zoom), max aperture f/3.5-5.5

Here Sony’s 10x telephoto reach is especially versatile for travel and nature photography, enabling closer framing of distant subjects without carrying extra lenses. Olympus’s 5x zoom is adequate for regular snapshots but less flexible.

Maximum apertures are similar, slightly slower at the tele-photo end on Olympus. Neither has image stabilization on Olympus, which can cause shutter shake issues at longer focal lengths and slow shutter speeds. Sony features optical image stabilization, a significant advantage for handheld shooting and low light.

Macro focusing distances are slightly better for Olympus at 3cm, offering closer detail shots, versus Sony at 5cm. So if you plan to shoot flowers, textures, or small objects regularly, Olympus has a minor edge here.

Video Capabilities: Record Your Memories or Nothing Fancy?

Video remains a common use case even on compacts.

Olympus’s video maxes out at VGA resolution (640x480) with 30 frames per second, output as Motion JPEG - a compression-heavy format notorious for large files and limited editing.

Sony steps up to HD 720p resolution at 30fps, recorded in MPEG-4 format. Sony’s video quality is visibly sharper and smoother, making it a better choice if casual videography is a priority.

Neither camera supports microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio capture quality. No 4K or high-speed video options here - no surprises given their market segment and release dates.

If you want basic video to document family events or trips, Sony offers a more future-proof option.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Keeping You Powered and Connected

Both cameras’ battery specs differ notably:

• Olympus FE-47 uses ubiquitous 2x AA batteries - a plus for travelers who can grab replacements almost anywhere. AA usage often implies shorter shooting times but extremely easy replacement.

• Sony H70 runs on a proprietary NP-BG1 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, offering more battery life per charge but requiring access to charger or spares.

Regarding storage, Olympus supports SD/SDHC cards and features limited internal storage, while Sony is more versatile: SD/SDHC/SDXC cards plus Sony’s own Memory Stick formats.

Connectivity-wise, Sony offers Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility (for Wi-Fi transfer) and HDMI output. Olympus has no wireless options or HDMI. Both support USB 2.0 for file transfers.

Sony’s connectivity options favor users who want easy sharing or viewing on HDTVs.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera is weather sealed or ruggedized. Both target casual users in good weather. Neither are shockproof, dustproof, crushproof, or freezeproof.

Build materials feel plasticky but solid enough for everyday use. Neither feels particularly premium, but Sony’s slightly beefier grip gives better handling confidence.

If you prioritize durability for fieldwork or travel, I’d recommend stepping up to cameras with breathing seals and metal chassis.

Real World Performance Across Photography Genres

Olympus FE 47 front Olympus FE 47 screen back Sony H70 front Sony H70 screen back

Portraits

Neither camera boasts face or eye detection autofocus, an omission that makes portrait shooting tricky - especially with moving subjects or kids. Olympus’s softer 14MP sensor is fine for skin tones but Sony renders crisper detail.

No aperture control means shallow depth of field and bokeh effects are limited. Both cameras’ zoom lenses don’t open wide, so background blur is minimal.

Landscape

Sony’s higher resolution and better dynamic range make it the winner here. Its longer zoom and optical stabilization help capture distant vistas handheld in varying light.

Both cameras lack weather sealing, so caution outdoors is advised. Olympus’s macro capability is useful for close-up textures.

Wildlife

Neither camera is designed for serious wildlife photography. Slow autofocus and low frame rates limit success. Sony’s longer telephoto lens and stabilization slightly favor it for casual animal portraits at a distance.

Sports

Both cameras lack continuous autofocus, fast burst modes, or advanced tracking. Don’t expect to capture fast action. If you must, Sony is marginally better due to snappier AF.

Street Photography

Olympus’s smaller size and lighter grip make it more discreet for street shooters. Both have fixed zoom lenses but Olympus’s 36mm wide end can offer slightly better situational framing than Sony’s default 25mm.

Macro

Olympus edges out with a 3 cm minimum focus distance. Neither camera allows manual focus or focus stacking, limiting precise macro work.

Night/Astro

Image noise dominates beyond ISO 400 on both; neither is a good astro camera. Sony’s higher max ISO helps but smoothing reduces detail.

Video

Sony’s HD video is a big plus here. Olympus is serviceable only for low-res clips.

Travel

Sony weighs a bit less and offers broader zoom, stabilization, better video, and more connection options; great for one-camera travel kits.

Olympus’s AA batteries convenience travelers without charging access.

Professional Use

Neither supports RAW files or offers manual controls crucial for professional workflows. Both are purely consumer compacts.

Summarizing the Pros and Cons

Overall Performance Ratings

While neither camera dazzles, Sony generally scores higher across specs and real-world use, mainly due to its longer zoom, stabilization, better video, and superior sensor resolution.

Olympus appeals primarily to true cheapskates or those who prize AA battery convenience above all.

Genre-Specific Performance Comparison

Sony leads in landscapes, travel, video, and casual wildlife. Olympus holds minor ground in macro and street (due to size).

Neither is suitable for serious sports, night, professional, or advanced creative photography.

Final Verdict: Which Compact Should You Choose?

If you’re a beginner or budget-conscious shooter who wants a basic, pocketable camera with easy AA batteries and decent picture quality for everyday life - and you mostly shoot in good light or macro subjects - Olympus FE-47 can get the job done without fuss.

However, if you want a more versatile all-rounder capable of sharper images, longer zoom range for telephoto reach, optical stabilization, HD video, and better handling - a compact still small enough for travel without feeling cramped - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 is your superior choice, even if it costs a bit more.

Be aware, both cameras show their age with limited manual controls, modest low-light performance, and sluggish autofocus. Enthusiasts craving manual exposure, RAW support, or pro-level focus tracking should consider stepping up to modern mirrorless or advanced compacts.

Closing Thoughts

Choosing between these two compacts boils down to practical priorities:

• Go Olympus for: Ultra-budget, AA battery convenience, simple operation, tighter pocket fit. Great for casual snapshots and macro enthusiasts on a shoestring.

• Go Sony for: Versatility, better image and video quality, broader zoom flexibility, useful stabilization, and more advanced features for everyday shooting adventures.

Keep your expectations grounded: these cameras are entry-level tools for beginners or casual users, not power-packed devices to drive professional workflows or creative experimentation.

Whichever you choose, enjoy capturing moments and learning about your photographic preferences. Remember, sometimes the best camera is the one you carry and use - so pick what fits your hand, wallet, and lifestyle best.

Happy shooting!

For reference and in-depth technical specs, here is a look at sample images these cameras produce in natural light and diverse scenarios:

Olympus FE 47 front Olympus FE 47 screen back Sony H70 front Sony H70 screen back