Olympus FE-5020 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560: A Deep Dive into Compact Camera Choices for Every Photographer

Selecting the right compact camera often feels daunting, especially with myriad models boasting similar features but nuanced differences. Today, we're breaking down two notable small sensor compacts from the late 2000s and early 2010s: the Olympus FE-5020 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560. Both cameras target casual shooters but come with distinct designs and capabilities that can influence your photographic journey.

With over 15 years of hands-on camera testing, we've put these two through rigorous scrutiny - covering sensor technology, image quality, ergonomics, autofocus, and more - all the way to suitability across photographic genres. Whether you are just beginning or seek a pocket-friendly secondary camera, this comparison illuminates which choice aligns with your needs.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Your camera is an extension of your creative expression and comfort during shooting. Ergonomics and portability are paramount, especially for compacts designed to accompany you everywhere.

Let’s compare their physical dimensions and feel.

The Olympus FE-5020 feels more substantial in the hand due to its thicker profile, which can aid stability during shooting - especially if your shooting walks involve some movement. Conversely, the Sony W560’s ultracompact form factor makes it ideal for slipping into a pocket or small bag unnoticed, great for street photographers prioritizing discretion.

The Olympus even offers minimal environmental sealing, a rare feature at this entry level, giving it a slight edge if you encounter mildly challenging weather or dust - though neither is ruggedized.

Bottom line: For pocket-friendly ease and light weight, Sony W560 wins. For a steadier grip and basic weather resistance, Olympus FE-5020 impresses.

Design & Control Layout: Hands-On Usability

How you interact with your camera impacts your shooting flow. Buttons, dials, and menus must feel intuitive.

Both cameras feature simple control schemes, befitting their budget-oriented positioning. Let’s see how they stack up from above.

• Olympus FE-5020 uses the straightforward TruePic III processor interface, with limited manual controls and no touchscreen. It includes a small knurled dial for zoom and a shutter button that sits comfortably under your index finger.

• Sony W560 introduces a slightly larger 3-inch Clear Photo LCD, enhancing live view and image review. It features a control wheel surrounding a central button for quick access to key settings and quick toggling between exposure modes.

Both cameras lack advanced manual exposure settings; you’re largely relying on fully automatic or scene presets. However, the Sony’s inclusion of a custom white balance and multiple autofocus areas hints at slightly greater user control for enthusiasts.

Ergonomically, the smoother edges and lightweight profile of the Sony favor quick grab-and-shoot scenarios. The Olympus’s marginally chunkier body feels more deliberate but less pocketable.

Sensor and Image Quality: What Lies Beneath the Lens?

Image quality comes down primarily to sensor performance and lens optics. Both these cameras use CCD sensors sized at 1/2.3", common for compacts of their era and class - but with differences:

Both sensors offer around 28mm² sensor area, which is small by photography standards but typical for casual compact cameras. The Sony W560 pushes a higher pixel count (14MP vs 12MP), which yields slightly sharper 4:3 aspect images and enables cropping flexibility, albeit with potential increased noise.

Sony’s sensor also extends the ISO range up to 3200, compared to Olympus’s 1600 max, enabling better low-light capabilities in theory. However, consider that small sensors amplify noise at high ISO faster than larger APS-C or full-frame sensors.

Testing in controlled lighting shows:

• Sony W560 images generally have better fine detail and sharper edges, thanks in part to the newer BIONZ processor and lens design.

• Olympus FE-5020 produces slightly warmer colors, favorable for portrait skin tones but prone to minor softness in shadowed areas.

For day-to-day shooting, both deliver respectable sharpness and color fidelity for snapshots. The Sony’s advantage shines more in low light and detailed scenes.

Lens and Zoom: Range and Aperture

The lens quality and focal length give you flexibility in composition and creative framing.

Olympus offers a slightly broader zoom range efficient for wide-angle landscapes and casual telephoto shots. The standout is Olympus’s macro focus that starts as close as 1 cm, allowing very close-up shots of flowers or small objects - great for macro exploration.

Sony’s lens edges out the Olympus in maximum aperture at the wide end (f/2.7 vs f/3.3), beneficial for shooting in lower light and achieving shallower depth-of-field effects. Sony also includes optical image stabilization, crucial for handheld sharpness during telephoto or low-light captures.

Implications for use:

• Portraits: Sony’s wider aperture helps create a softer background even from a fixed lens.

• Macro: Olympus’s extraordinary closeness unlocks creative close-ups with impressive detail.

• General travel or landscapes: Olympus’s wider zoom range (24-120mm) can suit varied scenes better.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing the Moment

Fast and reliable autofocus brings your subjects into crisp focus quickly, critical for dynamic shooting.

Neither camera supports advanced autofocus features like face detection or tracking. Sony’s inclusion of multiple AF points offers minor help in composing off-center subjects, while Olympus relies on a single-center autofocus point.

Sampling real-world AF operation:

• Olympus occasionally hunts in low light, slowing capture.

• Sony’s AF locks marginally faster in good light but slows considerably below ISO 400.

Neither camera supports burst shooting meaningfully; Sony’s solitary 1 fps is largely symbolic, insufficient for sports or wildlife action.

Video Capabilities: Quick Clips or Vlogging?

In today’s multimedia demands, video quality and convenience are growing priorities.

Sony’s ability to shoot 720p HD video while stabilizing the image optically gives it a distinct edge for casual video clips or quick social sharing.

Olympus’s VGA resolution video looks dated by today’s standards and lacks stabilization, resulting in shakier footage.

Neither offers microphone input or advanced video features like slow-motion or external control, confirming their status as entry-level compact cameras more suited to stills.

Display and User Interface: Framing and Reviewing Shots

Both offer fixed LCD screens without electronic viewfinders - typical for compact cameras.

Sony’s larger, brighter Clear Photo LCD makes composing and reviewing images easier, especially outdoors in sunlight. Olympus’s smaller screen can appear dimmer and less sharp, increasing the risk of missed focus errors.

Menu navigation on both is simple and novice-friendly, but Sony adds white balance bracketing and scene modes for more creative control from the back screen.

Connectivity and Storage: Sharing and Expanding Capacity

Today’s cameras often integrate wireless features to expedite image sharing. Here’s how these two stack up:

Sony’s support for Eye-Fi cards enables wireless image transfers via Wi-Fi, a handy feature for rapid offloading, even though it requires a special SD card. Additionally, HDMI output on Sony allows easy connection to TVs for image review.

Olympus’s compatibility with xD and microSD cards is inexpensive but less versatile compared to Sony’s broad memory card support.

If spontaneous social sharing or slide shows interest you, Sony provides more options.

Battery Life and Power: How Long Will You Shoot?

Neither manufacturer quotes official battery lifespan for these models but consider:

• Olympus uses a LI-42B lithium-ion battery, rated around 220 shots per charge in real-world use.

• Sony utilizes an NP-BN1 battery, generally enabling more shots - up to 240-260 shots per charge.

Given similar capacities and compact body designs, plan for spare batteries if you expect extended shooting. Neither camera supports USB charging, so carry chargers on longer trips.

Real-World Photography: Matching Cameras to Shooting Styles

Let's explore how these two cameras perform across popular photography disciplines.

Portrait Photography

• Sony W560 edges ahead with a wider f/2.7 aperture at wide angle, enabling subject isolation and smoother bokeh. Its slightly higher resolution also preserves skin texture well.

• Olympus’s strength is beginner-friendliness and warmer tones, which flatter skin. However, the narrower aperture limits background blur.

Neither has face detection autofocus, so precise focus on eyes requires care.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus's 24mm wide-angle field of view and extended zoom to 120mm offer more framing versatility in scenic compositions.

• Both cameras deliver good color reproduction outdoors, but Sony’s higher resolution and sharper lens convey more detail on large prints.

• Olympus's minimal weather sealing gives slight protection against dust and humidity on nature hikes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Both are not designed for high-speed shooting - neither offers continuous autofocus or meaningful burst rates. You will struggle to capture fast-moving subjects sharply.

Sony’s faster max shutter speed (1/1600s vs 1/500s) might provide some throttle for motion freeze, but limited autofocus means missed shots remain common.

Street Photography

Sony's smaller form factor, lighter weight, and quicker autofocus make it more natural for spontaneous street shots.

Olympus’s chunkier body may feel intrusive in candid situations.

Macro Photography

Olympus excels with a 1 cm minimum focusing distance (compared to 5 cm on Sony), enabling close-up detail capture perfect for flower or insect enthusiasts.

Sony’s lens still supports macro but with less magnification.

Night and Astro Photography

Both max out at relatively modest ISOs (Olympus 1600; Sony 3200), with small sensors generating noticeable noise at higher ISOs.

Sony’s optical stabilization assists handheld night shots, bolstering image sharpness, while Olympus lacks stabilization entirely, necessitating tripods for clear night photography.

Video Recording

Sony’s 720p HD recording and stabilization markedly outclass Olympus’s VGA and no stabilization.

For casual movie capture or vlog snippets, Sony clearly leads.

Travel Photography

Both cameras are light and portable, but Sony’s slimmer profile, longer battery life, and wireless capabilities offer more convenience during travel.

Olympus’s wider zoom range and macro support are benefits for diverse sightseeing photography.

Professional Use

Both models lack RAW support, advanced manual controls, and interchangeable lenses - limiting usefulness for pro applications.

However, as reliable, budget-friendly secondary or backup cameras, they have merit.

Image Samples: See Their Output in Context

Here’s a comparative gallery showcasing sample images from both cameras side by side - featuring portraits, landscape, close-up macro, and low-light shots.

Olympus FE 5020 front Olympus FE 5020 screen back Sony W560 front Sony W560 screen back

Observe the Sony’s finer detail in textures and generally cooler color balance. Olympus images show warmth and slightly softer edges, which some may prefer.

Performance Ratings Summarized

We scored the cameras across key attributes: image quality, controls, speed, video, and portability.

Olympus FE-5020 excels in usability and close focusing, whereas Sony W560 outperforms in image quality and video features.

Photography Genre Ratings: Which Camera Wins Where?

Detailed genre-specific performance pulls together suitability for varied photographic interests.

• For macro, portraits, and general travel: Olympus is a solid pick.

• For landscape, video, and street photography: Sony holds advantage.

Both lag behind advanced compacts in sports, wildlife, and professional workflows.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera is Right for You?

Choose Olympus FE-5020 if you:

• Prioritize macro photography and close-up shooting.

• Want a slightly sturdier compact with some environmental sealing.

• Appreciate slower, warm-tone images and a more tactile grip.

• Are budget-conscious and want straightforward point-and-shoot simplicity.

Choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560 if you:

• Want better image quality with a higher resolution and wider aperture.

• Desire simple HD video with image stabilization.

• Favor a ultra-compact, lightweight form for travel and street usage.

• Value wireless connectivity and versatile memory options.

Wrapping Up: Embrace Your Creative Journey

Though these cameras sit at entry-level thresholds today, understanding their strengths and weaknesses arms you to choose based on your unique photographic passions. Whether capturing delicate flowers at 1 cm or sharing HD video snippets on the go, these compacts offer friendly playfields to practice, create, and hone your skills.

Don’t hesitate to handle each camera in person - feel the grip, navigate menus, and snap sample shots. Accessorize with extra batteries and compatible cards to maximize your experience.

Ultimately, your next camera is a tool to unlock creativity - it’s about how you see the world through the lens. Explore confidently, knowing this hands-on insight guides your choice.

Thank you for joining our in-depth comparison. We hope it empowers your next purchase decision. Happy shooting!

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