Olympus SP-565UZ vs Sony Cyber-shot WX5: A Hands-On Superzoom Compact Showdown

Choosing a compact camera these days can feel like picking from a never-ending buffet. But back in the transition era from traditional compacts to advanced superzooms, two models that caught my eye were the Olympus SP-565UZ and the Sony Cyber-shot WX5. Both pack some serious punch for their size and price, yet cater to somewhat different user priorities.

Over many hours of testing - put through paces ranging from family portraits to impromptu wildlife encounters - I’ve developed a clear sense of how these two stack up in the real world. If you’re weighing up whether to shell out for the mighty 20x zoom of the Olympus or prefer the sleeker, more nimble Sony, read on. I’ll guide you through their strengths, quirks, and ideal photographic uses with an expert eye and a cheapskate’s wallet in mind.

Size, Ergonomics & Handling: Comfort Beyond the Numbers

First impressions count, especially when you’re lugging a camera all day. The Olympus SP-565UZ is the beefier of the two - a true superzoom compact but closer to a pocket DSLR replacement in heft and heftiness. It measures roughly 116 x 84 x 81 mm, weighing in at 413 grams (plus batteries!). The Sony WX5 is svelte in comparison at 92 x 52 x 22 mm and 146 grams, more truly pocketable and travel-friendly.

Handling-wise, the Olympus offers a more DSLR-inspired grip, with clubs for thumbs and fingers alike, giving solid confidence especially with long telephoto shots where stability is key. The dedicated zoom and control rings make for pretty intuitive manual zooming.

The Sony, designed for ease of carry, lacks the grip depth and feels a tad fiddly for bigger hands, but its minimalist, lightweight body makes it less conspicuous for everyday strolls or street photography sessions.

My takeaway: If ergonomics and zoom versatility matter more than weight, Olympus wins. For pocketability and walk-around discretion, Sony is the clear champ.

Design & Control Layout: Clubs for Thumbs or Minimalist Magic?

Once in hand, the way controls are laid out can make or break shooting enjoyment. Olympus’s top view is positively studded with buttons and dials - a welcome playground for those who love manual control and quick settings tweaks. You get dedicated exposure compensation, shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual modes.

Conversely, Sony’s WX5 adopts a pared-down approach, prioritizing auto modes with limited manual control - no aperture or shutter priority modes here. Its top plate is clean, sporting a pop-up flash button and the zoom toggle, but lacks the tactile feedback and granular controls for enthusiast shooters.

While Olympus demands a bit more menu wrangling, its physical controls earn major kudos for fast, precise shooting. Sony’s WX5 caters to the point-and-shoot crowd with a “set and forget” philosophy, letting you focus on framing instead of fiddling.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Digging under the hood, both cameras use relatively small 1/2.3” sensors - standard for their class - but with some notable differences.

Olympus relies on a 10MP CCD sensor, a technology that, in my extensive testing, tends to render pleasing colors and rich contrast but suffers in low light and speed. Sony employs a 12MP backside-illuminated CMOS (BSI-CMOS) sensor. This modern architecture typically offers better low-light sensitivity and dynamic range, even at small sizes.

On paper, Sony’s slightly larger sensor area and newer tech should produce clearer images with less noise. In practice, this holds true: the Sony WX5 excels at capturing crisp, colorful photos with less grain at higher ISOs (up to 3200 native versus the Olympus’s 6400 max, although the Olympus introduces noticeable image softening past ISO 400). Dynamic range - the extent of detail in shadows and highlights - is modestly better on the Sony, yielding more post-processing flexibility.

That said, the Olympus’s CCD sensor, when used with care in good lighting conditions, produces pleasing skin tones and vibrant landscapes, a testament to Olympus’s color science of the era.

Screens & Viewfinders: Framing Your Shot

Display quality and viewfinder presence are non-negotiables for most enthusiasts.

Olympus’s fixed 2.5-inch 230k-dot LCD is serviceable but lacks brightness and resolution to judge critical focus or exposure in bright sunlight accurately. It does have an electronic viewfinder (EVF), though the specs aren’t published, and its utility is limited by modest coverage and resolution.

Sony’s WX5 drops the EVF entirely but compensates with a larger, sharper 2.8-inch 461k-dot LCD - more than double the resolution of the Olympus’s screen - making it a pleasure for live framing, review, and menu navigation, especially outdoors.

Verdict: If you prefer framing with an EVF - particularly in bright conditions - Olympus nudges ahead despite lower LCD quality. If you’re happy with LCD-only framing and crave pixel-rich, bright displays, the Sony WX5 is your pick.

Zoom & Lens Performance: Reach Versus Versatility

Here’s where the Olympus SP-565UZ flexes its muscles with an imposing 26–520mm equivalent lens (20x zoom) compared to the Sony WX5’s 24–120mm (5x zoom). The Olympus lens starts at a bright f/2.8, maintaining decent aperture performance even as you zoom in to f/4.5.

Sony’s lens opens wider at f/2.4 on the wide end but slows quickly to f/5.9 at telephoto, limiting low light performance when zoomed in.

In wildlife and telephoto-heavy shooting, Olympus gives you a far more flexible range - those 520mm reach shots were great for bird hunting during field tests. However, the long zoom also means slower autofocus and noticeable image softness at max zoom, coupled with some chromatic aberrations unless you stop down.

Sony’s shorter zoom isn’t ideal for distant subjects but delivers consistently sharp images across its range for everyday shooting.

Autofocus Experience: Speed, Accuracy & Tracking

Olympus’s contrast-detection AF system includes 143 focus points but is single-shot only, lacking continuous or face-detection AF. It’s accurate for static subjects but struggles with moving targets, often hunting at longer focal lengths.

The Sony WX5 features only nine focus points, but adds face-detection and rudimentary AF tracking, making it more responsive for candid portraits and subjects in motion. The WX5’s autofocus is generally faster and more dependable in daylight, though it can falter in low light.

Neither camera suits high-end sports or wildlife AF demands, but as a cheapskate’s general-purpose camera, Sony WX5’s AF system offers a bit more versatility.

Burst Modes & Shutter Speeds: For the Action Shot

Olympus’s continuous shooting maxes out at a rather leisurely 1 frame per second - practically locked behind the “don't rush” speed limit. Sony WX5 punches way above its weight here, hitting 10 fps burst in its highest speed mode (albeit at reduced resolution), useful for fleeting moments in casual sports or street scenes.

Regarding shutter speed range, Olympus offers from 1/2000s to 1 second, giving more flexibility for bright conditions and long exposures. Sony’s shutter tops at 1/1600s, adequate but less versatile.

Video Capabilities: SD vs HD in the Handheld World

For shooters who want video, this is a huge differentiator.

Olympus trails badly here with VGA (640 x 480) max resolution at 30fps - basically DVD quality, nothing resembling modern HD. No stereo or external microphone inputs further limit quality.

Sony WX5 is far ahead with 1080p Full HD video at 50 fps (though PAL region), using AVCHD compression for much better detail retention and efficient storage. HDMI output is also available for external display, adding to versatility.

So if video matters, Sony is the clear winner - great for casual videographers needing sharp HD clips from a compact.

Battery Life & Storage: Practical Everyday Use

Olympus runs on 4 x AA batteries - a blessing and a curse. You can grab spare alkalines or rechargeables in an emergency almost anywhere, but it adds bulk and weight. Its battery life is middling, running out after a couple hundred shots.

Sony’s WX5 uses a proprietary NP-BN1 lithium-ion battery with a claimed ~210 shots per charge, better suited to light travel needs but requires a charger and spares must come from Sony or third-party vendors.

Storage-wise, Olympus uses the now-defunct xD Picture Card format, harder to find and more expensive today. Sony’s SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Duo support gives wider, cheaper options.

Connectivity & Extras: More Than Meets the Eye

When it comes to connectivity, Olympus comes up empty - no wireless or HDMI output.

Sony, on the other hand, boasts Eye-Fi connectivity (WiFi card support) for direct photo transfers, HDMI output, and USB 2.0, making it more compatible with modern workflows and sharing on the go.

Neither has Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, or touchscreens - not surprising given their age and market positioning.

Build Quality & Weather Resistance: Can They Take a Beating?

Both cameras lack weather sealing, dustproofing, or ruggedization, so neither is suited for harsh environments or pro-level outdoor abuse. Bodies feel reasonably solid but are primarily plastic.

The Olympus, with its heft, feels more robust and resistant to accidental bumps in my experience. Sony’s WX5 is more delicate but forgivable, given the smaller size.

Real-World Testing Across Photography Genres

Having laid out specs, here’s how these two shape up in key photographic scenarios I’ve extensively tested:

Portraits

• Olympus delivers warmer, natural skin tones thanks to CCD color science but lacks face detection autofocus, making eye sharpness a bit of a manual chase.
• Sony’s WX5, though cooler in tone, benefits from face detection and more reliable AF, providing consistently sharper portraits out of the box.

Landscape

• Olympus’s 10MP sensor with wider f/2.8 aperture and expansive zoom offers flexibility to shoot vast vistas or compressed distant scenes with dramatic telephoto framing.
• Sony’s higher resolution 12MP sensor combined with better dynamic range captures more detail and tonal gradation - but 120mm max zoom limits creative framing for distant subjects.

Wildlife

• Olympus’s long 520mm reach dominates here, though autofocus lag and lower burst rates mean you won’t catch rapid action perfectly.
• Sony’s 5x zoom and faster AF burst mode favor accidental wildlife shooting but won’t replace a proper telephoto rig.

Sports

• Neither camera is ideal, but Sony’s 10fps burst outpaces Olympus’s dawdling 1fps for capturing sequences.
• Olympus’s superior manual controls benefit experienced shooters wanting to tweak exposure, but you’ll miss critical autofocus speed.

Street

• Sony WX5’s compact size and quiet operation combined with quick AF tracking give it a clear edge when blending in.
• Olympus feels bulky and overt but rewards those prioritizing zoom reach over subtlety.

Macro

• Olympus boasts an impressive 1cm macro focus range versus Sony’s 5cm. This enables close-ups with strong foreground detail.
• Both lack advanced focus stacking or bracketing, but Olympus’s optical stabilization helps nail steadier macro shots.

Night & Astro

• Olympus’s max ISO 6400 offers theoretical advantage but practical image quality is poor beyond ISO 400 due to noise.
• Sony’s native ISO 125–3200 range with BSI-CMOS sensor gives cleaner results in low light, with smoother gradations essential for night photography.

Video

• Sony WX5’s 1080p AVCHD video is the go-to choice; Olympus’s VGA video is really just a bonus feature.
• No touchscreen or mic ports limits audio controls on both.

Travel

• Olympia is versatile in zoom but heavy; Sony is compact and travel-friendly with better connectivity.
• Battery and card format considerations favor Sony for convenience.

Professional Use

• Neither camera fully meets pros’ needs for ruggedness, sensor size, lens interchangeability, or workflow.
• Olympus’s RAW shooting provides more editing latitude; Sony lacks RAW but uploads and shares conveniently.

Summary of Strengths & Weaknesses

Olympus SP 565UZ front Olympus SP 565UZ screen back Sony WX5 front Sony WX5 screen back

Real-World Recommendations: Who Should Consider Which?

Buy the Olympus SP-565UZ if:

• You crave a superzoom, with 20x reach ideal for distant subjects in wildlife, travel, or landscape compression.
• You want more manual control options and RAW shooting for post-processing flexibility.
• You don’t mind the bulk and slightly sluggish autofocus.
• You occasionally shoot macro and want that 1cm working distance.
• You don’t need HD video and prioritize still image versatility.

Choose the Sony WX5 if:

• Portability, pocketability, and ease of use top your list; ideal for street, travel, and snapshots.
• You want superior low-light images and HD video recording.
• Face detection and faster autofocus burst shooting are important.
• You prefer better LCD quality and HDMI connectivity.
• You use SD cards and want seamless workflow integration.

Technical Analysis Wrap: Sensor & AF Performance Deep Dive

Over years of pixel-peeping and benchmarking, I have a handful of go-to measurement tools (DxOmark, Imatest, side-by-side lab testing) and practical shooting scenarios to evaluate cameras.

The Olympus CCD’s high color depth and pleasant color rendition come from its strong suppression of sensor noise and carefully calibrated color filters. It however exhibits low dynamic range, reducing its appeal in scenes with both bright highlights and deep shadows. ISO performance degrades quickly beyond 400, with chroma noise and loss of detail rampant.

Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor harnesses backside illumination to increase the sensor’s light collection efficiency, consequently improving low light ISO sensitivity, dynamic range (~1 stop better than Olympus), and reducing noise levels at base and boosted ISOs. The WX5’s sensor is also capable of faster readout speeds, enabling high frame rate video and burst shooting.

AF systems in both cameras rely on contrast detection, but Sony’s simpler 9-point array is paired with more intelligent tracking algorithms allowing faster initial lock-on and continuous AF in video mode. Olympus’s large 143-point system is static single-shot only, offering less tracking agility but slightly finer precision for stationary subjects.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Fits Your Photography Life?

Both the Olympus SP-565UZ and Sony Cyber-shot WX5 remain noteworthy entries for budget-conscious buyers who want more than basic point-and-shoots. Their divergence embodies the classic tradeoff in small-sensor compacts: Olympus goes big on zoom and control, Sony opts for smart simplicity and video.

If you’re a hobbyist wildlife or landscape shooter who prioritizes reach, manual control, and RAW files, Olympus’s superzoom will serve well despite its clunky autofocus and video limitations.

For casual travel photography, street candid shots, and HD video capture, the WX5’s compact form, responsive autofocus, and superior sensor tech deliver a friendlier, more modern experience.

Parting Thoughts

If you’re the sort who likes crawling through the woods to snap birds at 500mm or fiddling with exposure modes to nail the perfect sunset, Olympus SP-565UZ is your trusty sidekick.

If you instead carry your camera everywhere, want crisp daytime shots with quick focus, and dabble in HD video to upload to social media, Sony WX5 wins your pocket space and your affections.

No matter which you favor, both represent the era’s compelling options and are worth considering if found at a good price today. Just keep in mind their limitations based on your shooting style and tech expectations.

Feel free to drop me a line if you want shooting tips or thoughts on newer compacts - after all, the best camera is the one you know and enjoy using.

Happy shooting, and may your next frame be your best yet!