Olympus FE-5010 vs Samsung NX300: A Hands-On Comparison for Modern Photographers

Choosing your next camera is a pivotal moment in any photography journey. Whether you're just starting out or looking to add a nimble travel companion or specialist tool to your gear lineup, understanding the real-world strengths and limitations of your options is essential. Today, we’re diving deep into a detailed comparison of two very different cameras: the Olympus FE-5010, a budget-friendly small-sensor compact from 2009, and the Samsung NX300, a 2013 entry-level mirrorless powerhouse.

While these cameras originated in entirely different eras of digital photography and targeting distinct user needs, their respective features and performance still provide valuable lessons about how camera technology evolves, and what it means for your creative workflow. We will explore their specs, real-world handling, imaging capabilities, and suitability across a spectrum of photographic disciplines. Let’s start with a physical and ergonomic overview to set the stage.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Size, Handling, and Control

The Olympus FE-5010 is a compact, pocketable camera designed primarily for casual shooters who prioritize portability and convenience. Its dimensions are a mere 96 x 57 x 21 mm, weighing approximately 130 grams - ultra-light and easy to slip into any bag or even a pocket. Contrast this to the Samsung NX300, which is a more substantial entry-level mirrorless camera sporting a rangefinder-style body measuring 122 x 64 x 41 mm and tipping the scales at 331 grams.

Olympus FE-5010:

• Ultra-compact, slim profile conducive to street and travel photography.
• Simple fixed-lens design with minimal physical controls, favoring point-and-shoot ease.
• Fixed 2.7-inch screen offering limited resolution for composing and reviewing images.
• No viewfinder available, relying solely on the rear LCD.
• Very lightweight body, practically inconspicuous.

Samsung NX300:

• More substantial handgrip and rangefinder-style design for improved handling.
• Larger, tilting 3.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen facilitating flexible composition angles.
• Touch responsiveness enhances UI navigation and autofocus area selection.
• No built-in viewfinder but ports for external electronic viewfinders.
• Physical dials and buttons provide manual control options, including shutter/aperture priority modes and full manual exposure.

In terms of ergonomics and usability, the NX300 clearly targets enthusiasts and entry-level professionals who demand more control over settings. The FE-5010 trades off that for simplicity and portability, aiming at casual users or as an everyday carry device.

For a direct comparison of the control surfaces, let's look down from the top:

• The NX300 boasts dedicated mode dials, customizable buttons, and a pop-up flash hot shoe for external flashes.
• The FE-5010 has very few physical controls, no manual exposure modes, and a built-in flash with a modest 4-meter range.

As you consider how you like to interact with your camera and how much manual control you want readily available, this initial handling difference will be crucial.

Peeling Back the Layers: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

At the heart of any camera is the sensor, which fundamentally determines image quality, dynamic range, and low-light abilities. This is where the Olympus FE-5010 and Samsung NX300 diverge most significantly.

The larger APS-C CMOS sensor of the NX300 offers a substantial advantage in light gathering capability, resolution, and flexibility. On the other hand, the FE-5010’s smaller 1/2.3" CCD sensor confines image quality by modern standards. While it can produce decent photos under good lighting, expect significant noise buildup and loss of detail at higher ISO settings and in challenging lighting scenarios.

The NX300’s RAW file support opens up extensive post-processing latitude - essential for professionals and serious enthusiasts aiming for studio-quality output or heavy processing workflows. The FE-5010 is restricted to JPEGs only, offering a more straightforward but less versatile shooting experience.

Both cameras employ anti-aliasing filters to curb moiré artifacts but at a slight cost of sharpness. The NX300's much higher resolution combined with superior sensor size results in crisper, more detailed photographs with accurately rendered textures.

Seeing is Believing: The Rear Screen and User Interface

The only window you have to framing and reviewing images for these cameras is their LCD screens, as neither features a built-in viewfinder.

• The Olympus’s fixed 2.7" LCD screen with 230,000 dots can feel cramped and less sharp by contemporary standards.
• Samsung offers a 3.3" tiltable Active Matrix OLED with 768,000-dot resolution, providing both more flexibility and superior image quality for preview.
• Touchscreen functionality on the NX300 enhances user experience with intuitive touch focusing, zooming, and menu navigation - a significant ergonomic advantage.

For photographers who like shooting from unconventional angles or want convenient live-view focusing, the NX300’s screen is clearly the better tool. The Olympus’s fixed, lower-res screen may suffice for quick snapshots but hinders critical focus checking.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness

Autofocus systems are complex and pivotal in real-world usage and differ dramatically between these two cameras.

• Olympus FE-5010 relies on contrast-detection autofocus through live view with a single AF mode. There’s no continuous autofocus or tracking, meaning moving subjects will often slip past.
• Samsung NX300 features hybrid autofocus combining phase and contrast detection across 247 focus points. This allows rapid, accurate focus acquisition, face detection, and continuous AF tracking - beneficial across genres from portraiture to sports.

Continuous shooting rates also highlight the technological gap:

If you regularly photograph wildlife, sports, or active kids, the NX300’s advanced autofocus and burst shooting provide significant advantages. The FE-5010’s limitations mean it’s best suited to static subjects in good light.

Exploring Photography Genres: Where Each Excels

Portrait Photography

Capturing pleasing skin tones with a beautiful bokeh is a common challenge.

• Olympus FE-5010: The small sensor and fixed lens with modest max apertures (f/3.5-5.6) mean shallow depth of field is hard to achieve. Soft background separation is limited. No face or eye detection autofocus hampers reliable portrait focus, resulting in less professional results.

• Samsung NX300: The larger APS-C sensor combined with a broad lens ecosystem (32 compatible lenses available) expands creative control over depth of field for gorgeous bokeh. Face detection autofocus helps nail critical focus on eyes, yielding striking, professional-appearing portraits.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range, resolution, and weather sealing are key here.

• The Olympus does have some environmental sealing, but its small sensor restricts dynamic range and detail capture - less ideal under demanding lighting contrasts.
• The NX300 has no weather resistance but its larger sensor and higher resolution deliver expansive tonal gradations and sharp detail, fueling more impactful landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Fast autofocus, high frame rates, and long telephoto lenses are critical.

• Olympus’s 36-180mm zoom (equivalent focal length due to 5.9x crop factor) offers telephoto reach but with slower AF and no continuous shooting, limiting its utility for action.
• Samsung NX300’s quick 9fps burst, large focus coverage, and compatibility with long NX-mount telephoto lenses deliver more engaging capture possibilities for wildlife and sports.

Street and Travel Photography

Portability, discretion, and battery life matter.

• Olympus’s petite size and light weight shine here; carry it everywhere unnoticed.
• The Samsung is heavier but still compact for a mirrorless; better suited if image quality is a priority while traveling.

Battery life favors the NX300 (approx. 330 shots per charge) compared to unspecified but generally lower endurance of the FE-5010’s smaller battery.

Macro Photography

The Olympus offers a close focusing distance of 3cm, enabling tight macro shots with reasonable focus accuracy.

Samsung’s ability to use dedicated macro lenses expands creative options but requires additional investment.

Night and Astrophotography

Low-light performance and high ISO capabilities separate these cameras significantly.

The NX300 with ISO up to 25600 and superior low-light noise control far outshines the FE-5010’s ISO max 1600 and older sensor technology.

Video Capabilities

• Olympus FE-5010 records only low-res 640x480 video at 30fps.
• Samsung NX300 supports Full HD 1080p at 30fps, encoded in modern H.264 format, though lacking microphone ports.

Lens Ecosystem: Fixed Lens vs Interchangeable System

• The FE-5010’s fixed 36-180mm lens covers a versatile zoom range but confines you to its native capabilities.
• The NX300 adopts Samsung’s NX mount system with a growing library of 32 lenses, including primes, zooms, macros, and specialist optics. This flexibility is invaluable for growing photographers who want to explore.

Build Quality and Environmental Reliability

• The Olympus FE-5010 offers some environmental sealing, unusual for a small compact, but it lacks true weatherproofing.
• The NX300 does not feature weather sealing - typical for its class - necessitating more care in adverse conditions.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

The NX300’s built-in Wi-Fi simplifies image sharing and remote control, a big advantage for social media content creators. The FE-5010’s lack of wireless coupled with obsolete xD cards limits usability today.

Summarizing the Strengths and Limitations

To clarify practical impacts, here’s a side-by-side:

Olympus FE 5010 front Olympus FE 5010 screen back Samsung NX300 screen back

From the sample images above, note the NX300’s significant advantage in tonal gradation and detail preservation, especially in challenging lighting with shadows and highlights. The Olympus images are respectable for casual use but lack fine detail and dynamic range.

How Do These Cameras Rate Overall and by Genre?

As expected, the NX300 outpaces the FE-5010 in virtually every technical and performance category, reflected in its higher overall scores. More insight emerges when breaking down scores by photographic discipline:

• The FE-5010 can handle casual street and travel photography but is outclassed in every demanding field.
• The NX300 excels in portrait, landscape, wildlife, and sports genres given its advanced feature set.

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Consider the Olympus FE-5010 if:

• You want a compact, lightweight camera for casual snapshots or travel where minimal bulk is key.
• Budget constraints are tight.
• You rarely shoot action or challenging low-light scenes.
• You’re content with fully automatic controls without manual tweaking.
• You want something simple for quick family photos or social sharing.

Consider the Samsung NX300 if:

• You seek entry-level mirrorless image quality with APS-C sensor advantages.
• Manual control, RAW capture, and lens choice matter to your creative vision.
• You photograph sports, wildlife, portraits, or landscapes requiring accurate autofocus and high resolution.
• You want modern connectivity like Wi-Fi to streamline workflows.
• Video capability and tilting touchscreens are beneficial.

Final Thoughts: Technology Evolution Informs Choice

Comparing the Olympus FE-5010 to the Samsung NX300 is, in many ways, a juxtaposition of two generations. The FE-5010 reflects a time when compact cameras ruled for casual users, focusing on simplicity and convenience with limited manual options. The NX300 embodies the mirrorless revolution, marrying DSLR-level quality in a compact form factor backed by interchangeable lenses and touchscreen innovation.

From our extensive hands-on testing across numerous cameras, sensor size and autofocus advancements remain paramount for photography versatility and image quality. The NX300’s larger sensor, faster AF, and broader controls provide a platform that encourages growth and creativity. The Olympus stays relevant where size, ease, and cost take precedence over advanced features.

If you are just starting out or want to invest in a capable system for stepping into serious photography, the Samsung NX300 presents a solid foundation with technologies and capabilities that hold up impressively today. The Olympus FE-5010 works as a compact backup, travel stranger, or simple point-and-shoot, but its technological constraints limit creative and professional potential.

Ready to explore?

If you lean toward creative control and superior image quality, check out the Samsung NX300 alongside its extensive lens lineup. For ultra-portability and straightforward shooting, the Olympus FE-5010 might still carve out a niche.

Think about your photographic ambitions, preferred genres, and budget. I encourage you to get hands-on if possible - practical use will cement which camera fits your visual storytelling best. Whichever side you choose, both cameras represent steps on the fascinating arc of personal photographic evolution.

Happy shooting!