Clicky

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony HX1

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus SH-50 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony HX1 Key Specs

Olympus SH-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 269g - 112 x 63 x 42mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Launched April 2009
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony HX1 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Olympus SH-50 and Sony HX1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the SH-50 (16MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the SH-50 (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") posses different sensor measurements.

Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

The SH-50 was announced 3 years later than the HX1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SH-50 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the SH-50 scores vs the HX1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-50 over the Sony HX1

 SH-50 HX1 
LaunchedJanuary 2013April 2009More recent by 46 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Olympus SH-50

 HX1 SH-50 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Olympus SH-50 and Sony HX1

 SH-50 HX1 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera often, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SH-50 offers outside measurements of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Sony HX1 has dimensions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SH-50 and Sony HX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SH-50 against the HX1.

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SH-50 and HX1 is 88 and 67 respectively.

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out specs. The visual here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SH-50 and HX1.

All in all, both the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SH-50 with its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus SH-50 will provide more detail with its extra 7MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The newer SH-50 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Portrait photography camera
44
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
has manual focus
no external flash support
low resolution (9MP)
sensor is small (1/2.4")
has no RAW format
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Street Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus via touch
lighter than others (269 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
50
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is small (1/2.4")
has no RAW format
more heavy than others in class (544 grams)
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Sports photography factors
Sony HX1 Sports photography factors
48
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
36
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
low resolution (9 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.4")
has no phase detect auto focus
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Travel photography factors
Sony HX1 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than others (269 grams)
comes with focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
48
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (544g)
low resolution (9MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX1 Landscape photography highlights
49
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
39
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low resolution (9 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.4")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Vlogging details
Sony HX1 Vlogging details
34
rather wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (269 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic jack
22
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1440 x 1080 pixels)
does not have microphone support
more heavy than others in class (544 grams)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-50 and Sony HX1
 Olympus SH-50Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SH-50 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-08 2009-04-22
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 9MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 9.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1440x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lbs) 544 grams (1.20 lbs)
Physical dimensions 112 x 63 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID SLB-10A NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $300 $47,999