Olympus FE-5020 vs Sony HX300: A Hands-On Dive Into Two Compact Cameras from Different Eras

In the ever-shifting landscape of digital cameras, it’s fascinating to compare models that emerged from different technological epochs but share a similar compact appeal. Today, we're looking at two such contenders: the Olympus FE-5020, a 2009 small sensor compact designed for casual shooters craving simplicity, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300, a 2013 superzoom bridge camera aimed at enthusiasts wanting all the versatile reach and controls wrapped in one package.

Having spent years reviewing cameras from pocketable compacts to professional beasts, I find that these two cameras - though separated by time, design philosophy, and price points - still prompt some interesting discussions about how camera tech advances, what “compact” really means, and whether advanced specs always translate to better photos in the real world.

So buckle up. We’re about to unpack sensor tech, autofocus prowess, ergonomics, and more - all peppered with real-world shooting anecdotes and candid assessments to help you decide which camera might still deserve a spot in your bag… or if it’s time to move on.

First impressions matter: size and ergonomics dictate how long you’ll actually want to hold a camera.

First Things First: Physicality and Handling

When I first held these two cameras side-by-side, the contrast was striking. The Olympus FE-5020 is a true pocket-friendly gem - offering a sleek, minimalistic design measuring just 93 x 56 x 25 mm and weighing in at a mere 137 grams with battery. It’s the kind of camera you'd slide into a jacket pocket or grab for a quick family snapshot without fuss. The fixed 24-120 mm equiv. zoom lens is modest but covers the basic landscape and portrait range.

In stark contrast, the Sony HX300 is a beastier 'bridge' camera with SLR-like ergonomics, measuring 130 x 103 x 93 mm and tipping the scales at 623 grams. This heft translates into a more substantial grip and control surface, but no doubt impacts portability. The HX300 attempts to bridge the gap between compact and DSLR, offering a whopping 50x zoom (24-1200 mm equiv.) - making it a compelling choice for wildlife and sports shooters needing extreme reach without carrying a heavy lens collection.

While I’m no fan of lugging around bulky gear for casual shooting, there’s something reassuring about a solid, well-balanced camera that feels good in the hand for extended shoots - which the Sony delivers admirably. If sheer portability rules your decisions, though, Olympus steals easy points here.

Top view reveals not only design choices but also control accessibility: something every enthusiast appreciates.

Control Layout and User Interface: Simple vs. Sophisticated

The Olympus FE-5020 keeps things ultra-simple - there's no manual focus, no exposure modes beyond auto, and a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with 230k dots. Controls are sparse, targeted at users who want point-and-shoot convenience. There's no viewfinder at all, so framing on bright days can be challenging.

Sony’s HX300, however, delivers a more engaging user experience. It features a 3-inch tilting LCD with a sharp 921k-dot resolution and an electronic viewfinder. These additions improve framing flexibility and shooting comfort across varied lighting situations. The camera offers manual focus, shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure modes, plus exposure compensation. If you want to experiment beyond automatic presets, the HX300 encourages it.

Having spent hours shooting with both, I can tell you that while Olympus tries to keep it straightforward, sometimes you feel limited by the lack of any manual overrides - particularly for tasks such as creative portraits or low-light photography where exposure tweaks are essential. The Sony’s button placement isn’t perfect, but its richer controls and liveview info make a significant difference once you crack open its menus.

It’s not just size: sensor tech and resolution differences can make or break image quality.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Diving under the hood, both cameras utilize the same sensor size: a 1/2.3-inch sensor (~28 mm²), pretty standard for compacts but small compared to APS-C or full-frame sensors. That said, the sensors differ not only in their resolution but also their underlying technology and processing.

The Olympus FE-5020 features a 12-megapixel CCD sensor paired with the TruePic III image processor. CCD sensors from that era are known for decent color fidelity but are typically noisier at higher ISOs and offer limited dynamic range. The maximum ISO tops out at 1600.

Conversely, the Sony HX300 packs a 20-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, enabling better light-gathering ability and lower noise levels across its extended ISO 80-12800 range. This sensor, combined with Sony’s more advanced processing (albeit unspecified), should theoretically deliver cleaner images with improved detail and wider dynamic range.

While sensor size caps ultimate image quality, the HX300 can better balance resolution and noise, particularly useful when cropping or printing larger photos.

In shooting tests, I noticed the Olympus images are generally softer and noisier above ISO 400, with limited highlight recovery in bright scenes. Meanwhile, Sony produced crisper results with richer details and maintained usable image quality even at ISO 1600 and beyond - a huge benefit for low-light or telephoto work where longer shutter speeds aren’t an option.

LCD design and clarity may seem trivial but can make or break your shooting experience.

Viewing Experience: LCD Screens and Viewfinders Compared

The 2.7-inch fixed LCD on the Olympus is serviceable but feels a bit dated considering its 230k pixel resolution - details can appear grainy, and the lack of any articulation hampers composition from tricky angles.

The HX300 ups the ante with a 3-inch tilting screen featuring 921k dots. Tilting functionality is especially handy for low or high-angle shots without needing contortionist skills. Plus, the larger, vibrant display aids in checking focus and exposure accuracy, critical when you don’t have a raw file to fall back on (both cameras lack RAW support).

The HX300 also boasts an electronic viewfinder - a lifesaver in bright outdoor conditions where LCD glare can frustrate framing. Despite lower resolution specs, it provides reliable, flicker-free viewing, making it easier to track fast-moving subjects or maintain stability while shooting.

In practical terms, the better viewfinder and superior screen on the Sony translate directly into a more enjoyable shooting session, especially during longer outings.

Autofocus and Burst Capabilities: Catching the Action

When it comes to autofocus, technological improvements shine through as you move from Olympus to Sony. The FE-5020 uses contrast-detection AF and offers only single autofocus mode, without face detection or tracking. This minimalist AF system is adequate for static scenes but struggles with moving subjects or low light. On several wildlife outings - or even with restless kids - the Olympus often misses the critical focus mark or hunts endlessly, resulting in missed shots.

On the other hand, the Sony HX300 offers a more sophisticated AF system with 9 focus points, center-weighted, multi-area, face detection, and crucially, autofocus tracking. This is a game changer when shooting sports, wildlife, or street photography where subjects rarely hold still. The HX300 also supports continuous autofocus (AF-C) which helps maintain focus on moving targets.

Burst shooting confirms this difference: the FE-5020 lacks any continuous shooting mode, while the HX300 can shoot up to 10 frames per second. For fast-paced photography - sports events or wildlife - this speed difference can mean the difference between getting a sharp moment or a frustrating blur.

From experience, the Sony is far better suited for capturing action, while Olympus leans strictly toward casual, static subjects.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility Versus Simplicity

The Olympus FE-5020 sports a fixed (non-interchangeable) 24-120 mm equivalent zoom lens with maximum apertures from f/3.3 to f/5.8 and minimum focus distance of 1 cm - offering moderate versatility, including macro shots. But the modest zoom range (5x optical) limits reach for landscape or wildlife photographers.

By contrast, the Sony HX300 boasts a phenomenal 50x zoom, spanning 24-1200 mm equivalent, with aperture ranging between f/2.8 and f/6.3. This jaw-dropping range covers ultra-wide landscapes up to distant wildlife or sports action, all without swapping lenses - a true superzoom marvel.

While the aperture narrows towards the telephoto end, the HX300 includes optical image stabilization to help counteract camera shake during handheld long-zoom shots.

Testing this lens in the field, I found the Olympus lens decent for everyday shooting and close-up macros. However, it quickly becomes limiting if you want to capture distant subjects or expansive landscapes with precision.

Sony’s superzoom gives you much more creative freedom. Yes, image quality softens somewhat at max zoom (typical of superzooms), but it opens doors to shots you’d otherwise need multiple lenses for - making it ideal for a traveling enthusiast.

Olympus FE 5020 front Olympus FE 5020 screen back Sony HX300 front Sony HX300 screen back

Image Samples: Color, Detail, and Overall Aesthetic

Looking at side-by-side sample shots - portraits, landscapes, and macro - gives a clearer picture of the actual output quality.

• Portraits: Sony’s higher resolution and improved sensor technology capture more flattering skin tones and retain better detail in eyes and hair. Olympus occasionally produces softer images with less pronounced bokeh due to fixed aperture and lens quality. Neither camera supports eye autofocus or sophisticated face detection, but Sony’s AF tracking still helps get closer to perfect focus.

• Landscapes: The HX300’s wider aperture range and longer zoom allow for dynamic framing and a decent level of detail even when cropping. Olympus scenes tend toward the flatter look, with less shadow detail and restricted DR.

• Macros: Olympus surprisingly shines here with its 1 cm focusing distance - offering decent magnification for detail shots, whereas Sony does not specify macro capabilities, making it less ideal for close-up nature photography.

In sum, Sony images generally hold extra punch and flexibility, while Olympus is a capable companion for casual, quick shots.

Video Capabilities: From Hobbyist to Enthusiast

Neither camera could be classified as a video powerhouse, but Sony’s specifications edge past Olympus considerably.

Olympus FE-5020 offers only VGA-quality video (640 x 480 pixels) at 30fps max, stored in Motion JPEG format. No audio input, no HD resolution, and virtually no manual control during video. Good for tiny clips, but no cinematic ambitions here.

Sony HX300 supports Full HD 1080p recording at 60 or 50 fps, delivering sharper, smoother footage. The inclusion of optical image stabilization helps stabilize handheld video. Although lacking microphone input or advanced codecs, HX300 serves well for casual HD video capture.

For casual family videos, either might suffice, but Sony’s HD video capabilities make it more appealing for multimedia enthusiasts.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

Both cameras rely on proprietary lithium-ion batteries (Olympus uses LI-42B; Sony unspecified) with moderate battery life typical of compact and bridge cameras. Real-world usage suggests the HX300’s larger sensor and EVF might drain batteries faster, necessitating spares for long trips.

Storage-wise, Olympus supports xD-Picture Cards and microSD cards - a slightly archaic choice replaced by SD cards in most cameras. Sony uses standard SD cards, which is more universal and convenient - especially for backup and workflow integration.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers wireless features - no wifi, Bluetooth, or NFC - meaning image transfer involves cables or card readers only. The Sony includes an HDMI port for direct playback on HDTVs, an advantage over Olympus.

Neither provides GPS tagging or rugged environmental sealing (Olympus offers very limited environmental sealing, but not waterproofing), meaning you’ll need to be mindful about conditions during travel or outdoor shoots.

Overall Scorecard: What the Numbers Say - and What They Don’t

While neither has official DxOMark scores, our performance ratings collected from field testing suggest:

• Olympus FE-5020 scores well for portability, casual ease of use, and macro capability.
• Sony HX300 dominates in versatility, image quality, speed, and video.

Who Should Choose Which? Matching Cameras to Photography Disciplines

• Portrait Photography: Sony HX300’s higher resolution and better focusing make it the superior choice. Olympus may work for snapshots but lacks nuanced skin tone handling or focus accuracy.

• Landscape Photography: The HX300 wins with higher resolution and wider zoom for framing flexibility; Olympus is limited by lower resolution and zoom range.

• Wildlife Photography: Sony’s autofocus tracking, burst shooting, and 1200mm equivalent zoom make it a clear winner.

• Sports Photography: Only the Sony HX300 has burst modes and fast autofocus suitable for fast moving subjects.

• Street Photography: Olympus FE-5020’s pocketability appeals for discreet shooting, but limitations in AF and zoom restrict creative framing. Sony is bulkier but offers more control.

• Macro Photography: Olympus excels with close focusing distance; Sony lacks dedicated macro.

• Night/Astro Photography: Neither camera’s sensor size really excels here; Sony’s better ISO performance gives it an edge for low-light shots.

• Video: Sony HX300 with Full HD video and stabilization is preferable.

• Travel Photography: Olympus is ultra-light and portable; Sony’s versatility and zoom justify the bigger size for serious travelers.

• Professional Work: Neither camera is suitable as a professional tool; lack of RAW support and smaller sensor size limit prospects.

Final Verdict: Two Cameras for Different Souls

If you’re a casual photographer - someone who wants a no-fuss, affordable compact for family snapshots with occasional macro shots - the Olympus FE-5020 is still a charming little shooter. It’s fast to deploy, pocket-friendly, and simple enough for beginners.

On the other hand, if versatility, zoom range, and manual control entice you - and you don’t mind the bulk - the Sony HX300 is a far more capable companion. It offers a bridge between compact and DSLR-like controls, allowing you to explore the full breadth of photography styles from wide landscape to distant wildlife. Its superior sensor and video support only add to the value.

As someone who has tested thousands of cameras, I advocate choosing equipment that encourages creativity on your terms - not just chasing specs on paper. Both these cameras serve different niches well. And given their prices (with Olympus at around $160 and Sony near $340), they offer interesting perspectives on what “compact camera” meant in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

If budget permits, I’d steer most enthusiasts toward the Sony for its broader feature set and image quality. However, for true point-and-shoot spontaneity - and you’re okay with basic video and limited zoom - the Olympus remains a pocket-sized nostalgia trip worth considering.

Happy shooting!

If you want to dive deeper into the specs or see more side-by-side comparisons, feel free to reach out. Camera tech is a fascinating journey, and the right choice can inspire your photography for years to come.