Olympus SZ-10 vs. Olympus Stylus 7010: A Hands-On Comparative Review for the Discerning Photographer

When exploring compact cameras from early 2010s Olympus lineups, the SZ-10 and Stylus 7010 (also known as mju 7010) present an interesting case study. Both aimed at casual users craving zoom versatility and easy handling, they still offer features that classic compact enthusiasts and entry-level photographers might appreciate today.

Having tested and field-reviewed both cameras extensively, I’ll take you through a detailed, experience-backed comparison across all critical facets - from sensor performance to real-world usage for various photography styles. Despite their overlapping categories, these two cameras tell quite different operational stories when put head-to-head.

Design and Handling: Ergonomics Matter in a Compact

Starting with the physical aspects, both cameras are compact, but key differences influence handling.

The Olympus SZ-10 measures 106 x 67 x 38 mm and weighs 215 grams, while the Stylus 7010 is smaller and lighter at 98 x 56 x 26 mm with a 145-gram body weight. Those extra millimeters and grams on the SZ-10 afford a more substantial grip area. In practice, this translates to slightly better in-hand stability, especially important when shooting at the SZ-10’s telephoto reach.

Neither model sports a dedicated viewfinder, a notable limitation for bright daylight shooting or those who prefer framing with their eye rather than an LCD. Both rely on their rear LCDs for composition.

The SZ-10’s 3-inch screen feels more comfortable and legible compared to the 2.7-inch 7010 screen - not just in size but also in resolution, which we’ll dive deeper into shortly.

Control-wise, both remain minimalist, befitting their user-friendly design. The SZ-10 upgrades with a dedicated zoom ring and a more tactile mode dial, improving handling while zooming or switching modes on the fly. The 7010’s controls are a bit more compressed and basic, reflecting its entry-level intentions.

Overall, if you appreciate a compact that feels a bit more ‘camera’ than ‘point and shoot’, the SZ-10 nudges ahead ergonomically.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Imaging

Image quality often comes down to the sensor and processor combination. Both cameras share a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, common for compacts of their era. But differences emerge from their resolution, sensor design, and image processing engines.

The SZ-10 boasts 14 megapixels, over the Stylus 7010’s 12-megapixel sensor. This higher pixel count theoretically promises finer resolution, though real-world detail capture can be sensor-size and noise-performance dependent.

Squinting past the RAW absence in both cameras (neither supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility), let’s consider noise and dynamic range, areas where CCDs can sometimes shine despite small physical sizes.

The SZ-10’s TruePic III+ processor is an upgrade over the 7010’s TruePic III, offering improved noise reduction and color fidelity in daylight and low-light shooting. This difference becomes especially noticeable when shooting at higher ISOs up to 1600 - both cameras max out there.

While both cameras struggle beyond ISO 400 with evident noise, the SZ-10 shows marginally better noise control and smoother tonal transitions. The 7010, meanwhile, exhibits slightly muddier shadows and highlights compression, limiting dynamic range.

Color reproduction from the SZ-10 benefits from its newer processor with more natural skin tones and richer blues, which makes portrait and landscape shots more pleasing straight out of the camera.

In low-contrast or indoor scenes, the SZ-10’s advantage in sensor resolution and processing is more pronounced.

LCD Screens and User Interface: Your Window to the Shot

Reviewing images and composing shots largely happens through the rear LCD on these fixed-lens compacts.

The SZ-10’s 3-inch TFT color LCD with 460k-dot resolution offers a bright, detailed preview window. Colors pop accurately, and screen brightness is adjustable through menus - a big help outdoors.

In contrast, the Stylus 7010’s 2.7-inch, 230k-dot display is less sharp and dimmer under direct sunlight. This limitation hampers framing and reviewing images in bright environments, a notable usability challenge.

Neither model offers touchscreen capabilities, understandable for devices designed before touch controls became the norm, but the SZ-10’s improved resolution softens this shortfall with better menu legibility.

The interface layout is straightforward on both: simple menus and physical buttons guide users through exposure options and playback. However, the SZ-10’s slightly more responsive controls and better button feedback make navigation less of a chore during spontaneous shooting.

Zoom and Lens Performance: Telephoto Reach vs. Versatility

Lens specs define compact zoom cameras, especially when superzoom ambitions come into play.

• Olympus SZ-10: 28-504 mm equivalent, 18x optical zoom, aperture F3.1–4.4
• Olympus Stylus 7010: 28-196 mm equivalent, 7x optical zoom, aperture F3.0–5.9

The SZ-10's zoom range towers over the 7010 - 504 mm telephoto coverage is substantial for an all-in-one compact, enabling distant wildlife or sports subjects without changing lenses.

On the flip side, the longer zoom extends minimum aperture to F4.4 at the telephoto end (vs. F5.9 on the 7010), helping in lower light by capturing more available light, albeit still limited compared to larger sensor cameras.

Macro performance is also better on the SZ-10 with a close focusing distance of 1 cm, versus the 7010’s 10 cm minimum. If you enjoy snuggling up to small subjects - insects or flowers - the SZ-10’s lens is hands-down more flexible.

That said, the 7010 retains respectable optical quality across its shorter zoom, with less corner softness visible, likely due to simpler lens construction at a less extreme range. Lens distortion is minimal on both, though barrel distortion crops up at full wide angle slightly more on the SZ-10.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy Tested

Neither camera offers manual focus - autofocus accuracy and speed are critical for handheld shooting success.

The SZ-10 uses a more advanced contrast-detection AF system with face detection and multi-area focusing, while the Stylus 7010 sticks to contrast AF without face detection.

Testing under various light conditions, the SZ-10 locks focus reliably and swiftly on faces and subjects, including in dimmer rooms. The face detect AF prevents hunting and improves portrait captures.

The 7010’s AF sometimes lags or hunts longer, particularly in low light or on low-contrast subjects. Without face detection, portraits require more patient framing or manual effort.

Continuous shooting is minimal on both. The SZ-10’s 1 fps burst rate doesn’t excite sports or wildlife shooters, and the 7010 lacks continuous burst specs altogether, making either a poor choice for action sequences.

Flash and Stabilization: Lighting and Shake Control

Both cameras have built-in flashes with a decent range - 7.1 meters on the SZ-10 and 5.8 meters on the 7010. The SZ-10 includes a Fill-in mode that helps reduce harsh shadows in portraits.

Neither supports external flashes, limiting lighting versatility but aligning with their casual audience target.

Image stabilization is sensor-shift based on TruePic processing - both claim it, with effective shake reduction noticeable in handheld telephoto shots on the SZ-10. The 7010’s stabilization is modest but less effective at longer focal lengths.

Video Capabilities: Modest Offerings for Casual Use

Video recording is less emphatic in these models, reflective of older compact standards.

• SZ-10: HD 720p video at 30 fps (Motion JPEG format)
• 7010: VGA 640 x 480 at 30 fps (Motion JPEG format)

Neither camera records in full HD or modern codecs, which limits use for pro or serious video content creators. The SZ-10’s HD recording is a step above the 7010 but still lacks sophistication such as external mic jacks or image stabilization for video.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Shoot Time and Saving Photos

Battery life favors the SZ-10 with a 220 shot-per-charge rating based on CIPA standards, compared to unknown but presumably less for the 7010, partially due to smaller battery and older design.

Both cameras accept SD family cards, but the 7010 also supports xD Picture Cards and microSD internally - a handy tri-card compatibility that could mitigate forgotten SD cards.

USB 2.0 connectivity on both aids quick transfers, with the SZ-10 adding HDMI out for monitoring photos on larger screens.

Performance Breakdown Across Photography Genres

Let’s see how each camera fares in various real-world photography disciplines.

Olympus SZ 10 front Olympus SZ 10 screen back Olympus 7010 front Olympus 7010 screen back

Portraits

The SZ-10’s face detection AF and better color processing produces more flattering skin tones and more reliable focus, crucial for portraits. Its wider zoom range helps frame subjects tightly with decent background blur.

Landscapes

The 14 MP SZ-10 delivers higher-res images suitable for moderate print sizes, and its slightly improved dynamic range captures more shadow and highlight detail. However, neither camera offers weather sealing, so landscape adventures require cautious handling.

Wildlife

The SZ-10’s 504 mm zoom is the winner here, providing telephoto reach for distant animals. However, slow continuous shooting and modest AF speed limit effectiveness for fast wildlife action.

Sports

Neither camera thrills the sports shooter: the SZ-10’s 1 fps burst is too slow, and the 7010 lacks continuous shooting. AF tracking features are absent, hence both cameras are best reserved for casual sports snapshots.

Street Photography

The smaller 7010 offers better discretion, thanks to its size and weight. SZ-10’s bigger body is less stealthy but still manageable. Both cameras have quiet operation, though the SZ-10's zoom ring may give away your intentions in candid contexts.

Macro Photography

SZ-10’s 1 cm minimum focus distance makes it substantially better for close-up shots. The 7010’s less capable macro range limits framing freedom.

Night and Astro

Both cameras hit their noise ceilings early, making night or astro photography challenging. Neither has long exposure control beyond 4 seconds or ISO boosts that favor dark scene detail.

Video

Modest video specs in both constrain usage to casual memories only. SZ-10’s HD recording is preferable to 7010’s VGA.

Travel

Battery life, zoom range, and build quality favor the SZ-10 for travel versatility. The 7010’s smaller size wins on packing convenience but loses in functional flexibility.

Professional Use

Neither camera meets professional standards for RAW support, robust controls, or sensor quality. Their value lies in beginner-friendly design and casual everyday shooting rather than professional workflows.

Reliability, Build Quality, and Weather Resistance

Neither the SZ-10 nor the Stylus 7010 offers rugged environmental sealing or durability features. Both models require gentle handling and protection from dust and moisture.

Build quality on both is plastic but adequately solid. The SZ-10’s slightly chunkier body feels more resilient.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

The SZ-10 supports Eye-Fi wireless connectivity for flash SD card data transfer - a niche feature at the time but useful for quick image sharing when paired with compatible cards.

The 7010 lacks wireless features entirely.

Both have USB 2.0 ports, while only the SZ-10 has an HDMI output for big-screen image viewing.

Pricing and Value Proposition

At their respective launch prices ($299 for SZ-10 and $199 for 7010), the SZ-10 positioned itself as a more feature-rich compact superzoom worth the premium.

Today’s used market values reflect this, with SZ-10 models generally fetching higher resale prices due to enhanced zoom, better sensor, and processing upgrades.

Summarizing the Scores

And looking more granularly at genre-specific usability:

Final Thoughts: Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Olympus SZ-10: Your Best Bet for Versatile Casual Photography

If you value a generous zoom range, improved image quality, and slightly better low-light performance, the SZ-10 stands out. Its better ergonomics and face detection improve your chances of consistently decent shots - from macro close-ups to distant subjects. Its battery life and interface also support longer outings. However, shutter lag and video limitations keep it in the casual category.

Olympus Stylus 7010: A Compact Companion for Simplicity and Travel

If portability trumps all else, the 7010’s smaller size and lightweight make it very pocketable. It’s a straightforward camera for daylight snapshots, traveling light, or for beginners who don’t need zoom extremes or many features.

Insider Tips for Choosing Between These Cameras

• Prioritize SZ-10 if you shoot outdoors regularly and want telephoto capabilities.
• Lean 7010 if absolute portability and ease of use win out, and you shoot mostly at wide-angle or moderate zoom.
• Avoid both for low-light heavy or action photography needs; modern mirrorless or DSLRs excel here.
• Neither camera is suitable for evolving professional workflow needs - look elsewhere if RAW and high flexibility matter.

This comparison reflects my own long-term testing experience and a rigorous side-by-side evaluation with consistent lighting, scenes, and lenses (fixed in both’s case).

While undeniably dated now, these cameras still teach lessons about balancing zoom power, sensor limitations, and user experience in compact designs. The SZ-10 emerges as a modest but meaningful upgrade over the earlier 7010, preserving Olympus’ commitment to intuitive photography.

If you’re drawn to these models for nostalgic or budget reasons, this review hopefully clears up where each one shines or stumbles, so you can pick the right fit for your shooting style.

Happy shooting!

For detailed sample shots and side-by-side image comparisons, please see the “Sample Images” gallery above.