Olympus SZ-10 vs Samsung NX10: A Deep Dive to Help You Choose Your Next Camera

In the fast-moving world of cameras, picking the right gear can feel like clubbing for thumbs in a dark room. The Olympus SZ-10 and Samsung NX10 come from very different eras and philosophies - one a compact superzoom shooter aiming at casual grab-and-go users, the other an entry-level mirrorless designed for those stepping into interchangeable-lens photography. Both have their charms and quirks. Having spent years testing thousands of cameras across genres, I’m here to break down what these two mean in practical terms - who they serve best, their real-world performance, and how they stack up on everything from image quality to ergonomics.

Let’s jump into the nitty-gritty, and I’ll help you figure out which suits your photographic style and budget.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Design

Before you get lost in megapixels and ISO stats, handling and size are what shape your shooting experience day to day.

The Olympus SZ-10 is a petite, pocket-friendly compact superzoom - small, light, and tailor-made for folks who prioritize portability and the convenience of a long zoom range without fuss or additional lenses. Its dimensions (about 106x67x38 mm) and weight (just 215 grams) make it an easy companion for travel or casual strolls. However, this comes at the cost of limited physical controls and a more casual feel.

Contrast that with the Samsung NX10, an SLR-style mirrorless camera built to feel more intentional in the hands of a budding enthusiast or pro looking for a straightforward, lightweight interchangeable lens system. Weighing in at 499 grams and measuring 123x87x40 mm, it’s about double the weight and larger in hand, but still much more compact than traditional DSLRs of its time.

Handling-wise, the NX10 sports a much more substantial grip and a notable array of physical controls, appealing to those who like finger clubs for thumbs and buttons that don’t require menu dives. The SZ-10 keeps things very minimal with no manual focus rings or dials, favoring automatic simplicity.

On top, the NX10’s layout includes an electronic viewfinder, mode dial offering PASM (Program, Aperture, Shutter, Manual), and external flash hot shoe, all of which give more control and adaptability for advanced shooting.

So, if you prize discretion and pocketability, the Olympus scores. But for deliberate control and grow-your-skills style photography, Samsung nails it.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Core Difference

This is where the rubber meets the road: sensor size and its resulting image quality.

The Olympus SZ-10 uses a 1/2.3" CCD sensor - tiny by today’s standards, weighing in at roughly 28 mm². This smaller sensor limits light gathering and dynamic range, affecting low-light performance, noise levels, and depth of field control.

The Samsung NX10 boasts a larger APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.4x15.6 mm (approx. 365 mm²) - over 13 times the surface area of the SZ-10’s sensor! It offers higher resolution at 15 megapixels (vs. SZ-10’s 14 MP) but more importantly, leaps in image quality due to sensor size dominate.

In practical terms, larger sensors mean richer, cleaner images with far better detail retention especially in shadows and highlights - a must for any serious landscape or portrait work. Also, the NX10 has a maximum native ISO of 3200 (vs. Olympus’s max 1600) and supports RAW shooting, preserving flexibility for post-processing. The SZ-10 sticks to JPEGs, restricting creative latitude.

One of my longtime testing methodologies involves side-by-side comparisons of ISO performance and dynamic range captured under controlled lighting. The NX10’s APS-C sensor consistently delivers lower noise and much wider exposure latitude, lending itself well to demanding scenarios, such as evening events and backlit portraits.

Backscreen, Viewfinder, and Interface: How You Frame Your Shot

While the Olympus SZ-10 offers a fixed, 3-inch TFT LCD at 460k dots, the Samsung NX10 steps up with a 3-inch OLED screen (614k dots) and a sharp electronic viewfinder with 920k dots.

Using the NX10’s EVF is a game-changer, especially under bright sunlight when LCDs often wash out. It provides 100% frame coverage at moderate magnification, helping compose shots with confidence. The SZ-10 has no viewfinder and relies purely on the LCD, making bright outdoor use a challenge.

Liveview autofocus works on both but is faster and more precise on the NX10, thanks to contrast-detection AF on a bigger sensor and better processor. Olympus’s TruePic III+ processor feels dated now, resulting in slower responsiveness and no manual focus option, limiting control when precision is key.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Staying Power and Creative Range

Here’s a critical practical factor: the lens mount and options.

The Olympus SZ-10 has a built-in, fixed superzoom lens (28-504 mm equivalent, 18x zoom), with an aperture range of f/3.1-4.4. It’s a jack-of-all-trades lens designed for convenience. You get close macro focusing at 1 cm, decent for casual plant or object shots. However, you’re locked into this all-in-one glass with limited low-light capability and no possibility to swap in faster or specialty lenses.

In contrast, the Samsung NX10’s Samsung NX mount supports 32 lenses officially, ranging from kit zooms and prime lenses to macro and telephoto options. This versatility opens doors to effectively cover every genre - portrait lenses with juicy bokeh, fast primes for low-light shooting, and supertelephotos for wildlife. The 1.5x crop factor means native APS-C lenses work similarly to many DSLR lenses - familiar territory for working pros.

If you want creative extension and higher image quality lenses, Samsung’s system wins hands down.

Autofocus and Shutter Performance: Capturing the Action

Looking through my extensive autofocus testing archives, here’s what stands out:

• Olympus SZ-10 uses a basic contrast-detection AF system with face detection and multi-area AF. Not bad for casual shooting, but continuous AF and tracking are limited, and burst shooting caps at 1 fps - not suitable for moving subjects or sports.

• Samsung NX10 features 15 contrast-detection AF points and offers continuous autofocus and a burst shooting mode at 3 fps. It supports shutter and aperture priority modes and full manual controls, helpful for sports and wildlife shooting where flexibility and speed matter.

The NX10’s autofocus is more reliable for tracking, but even by today’s standards, neither camera is geared toward high-speed action photography. That said, the Samsung is clearly better suited if you want to shoot moving subjects without frustration.

Shooting Across Genres: Which Camera Fits Your Style?

Let’s speak plainly about their practical uses in photography disciplines.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus SZ-10: Limited bokeh control (due to small sensor and fixed aperture lens), but face detection and decent color reproduction are helpful for snapshots.
• Samsung NX10: Large sensor and interchangeable lenses give superior skin tones, selective focus, and eye detection potential with the right lens. A better choice for portraits particularly if you invest in primes.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus SZ-10: Lightweight and convenient for travel, but limited dynamic range and lower resolution constrain detail-rich landscapes.
• Samsung NX10: Bigger sensor, broader ISO range, and RAW shooting allow you to capture fine textures and skies better. However, the lack of weather sealing is a concern for harsh environments.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Neither camera is a superstar here since burst rates are modest and AF systems are contrast-based, but between the two:
• NX10 with tele lenses and faster AF modes fares better.
• SZ-10’s superzoom is handy but image quality and focusing lag limit serious use.

Street Photography

• Olympus SZ-10 shines with compactness and quiet operation.
• Samsung NX10 is bulkier but offers better image quality; not the best pick for stealth and responsiveness.

Macro Photography

• SZ-10 offers a respectable 1 cm macro focus distance.
• NX10 depending on lens choice (macro primes) allows much greater control and magnification.

Night and Astrophotography

• The Samsung NX10’s larger sensor, higher ISO, and exposure control edge out Olympus by a mile.
• Olympus is hampered by noise, low max ISO, and no manual exposure mode.

Video Capabilities

• Both max out at 720p HD video.
• Samsung uses more efficient H.264 compression; Olympus opts for Motion JPEG.
• Neither offers microphone inputs or advanced stabilization for video, limiting serious shooting.

Travel Photography

• Olympus excels as a lightweight, in-your-pocket camera with massive zoom.
• Samsung trades portability for image quality and flexibility.

Professional Workflows

• NX10 supports RAW images and integrates better with industry-standard editing.
• Olympus’s JPEG-only output and limited manual control reduce professional viability.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Battery Life

Neither camera is weather sealed, so caution around moisture.

The Olympus SZ-10 is built mainly of plastic, feeling less hefty but adequate for casual use. Its battery life is around 220 shots per charge - a bit tight but manageable for day trips.

The Samsung NX10 has a more robust SLR-style chassis and tops out at roughly 400 shots per battery cycle - solid for enthusiast use.

Connectivity and Storage

• Both use standard SD/SDHC storage.
• Olympus has Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer (useful in 2011).
• Samsung lacks built-in wireless but offers optional GPS add-ons.

Putting It All Together: Performance Scores and Value

Here’s a quick neutral snapshot of how they rank on overall performance metrics derived from my testing and industry benchmarks:

And a genre-specific breakdown demonstrates who shines where:

Sample Images to Compare Real Output

Here are typical JPEG samples straight out of camera for side-by-side scrutiny - notice detail, noise, dynamic range, and color:

Olympus SZ 10 front Olympus SZ 10 screen back

Pros and Cons Recap

Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose Olympus SZ-10 if you:

  • Want a pocketable ‘just point and shoot’ with long zoom
  • Are on a tight budget (circa $300)
  • Primarily shoot daylight, casual travel, or family snaps
  • Dislike fiddling with settings or lenses

• Choose Samsung NX10 if you:

  • Want to grow your photography skill set with manual controls
  • Need higher image quality and low-light performance
  • Want the flexibility to swap lenses for portraits, landscapes, macros
  • Plan on using RAW files for professional workflows
  • Can live with the larger body and a $600+ price tag secondhand

Final Verdict: Practical Wisdom from 15+ Years Testing Cameras

The Olympus SZ-10 still offers an admirable superzoom package for those who prize ease and portability above image excellence. It’s an accessible stepping stone for casual shooters or as a reliable backup point-and-shoot.

Conversely, the Samsung NX10 stands out as a surprisingly capable entry-level mirrorless. Its larger APS-C sensor and flexible lens system mean it remains relevant for enthusiasts on a budget who want serious image quality and room to learn photographic craft. Even though it’s an older design now, it punches above its weight compared to compacts in every creative category.

If I had to pack one in my bag for an upcoming trip with limited weight allowance and value clear, crisp images, I’d reach for the NX10 without hesitation - especially if you plan to shoot portraits, landscapes, or anything demanding control and quality.

But if your needs skew towards lightweight convenience, long zoom reach without changing lenses, and simplicity, the SZ-10 holds value as a no-nonsense grab-and-go travel buddy.

Whichever you lean toward, this duo highlights the dramatic differences sensor size, controls, and system flexibility make. Remember, as someone who has tested thousands of cameras, the biggest single quality jump comes from larger sensors and better optics - not megapixels alone.

Happy shooting!

If you want to dive deeper or see how these cameras handle specific shooting conditions, just give me a shout. I’m here to help you make the best choice for your photographic journey.