Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony HX50V: A Hands-On Comparison of Small Sensor Superzooms

In the world of point-and-shoot cameras designed for ambitious enthusiasts - and particularly those who want extreme zoom capabilities without the bulk of interchangeable lenses - the Olympus SZ-10 and Sony Cyber-shot HX50V offer intriguing value propositions. Both are compact superzoom cameras built around a relatively modest 1/2.3” sensor, yet they cater to distinctly different priorities and photographic ambitions. Having logged extensive hands-on time with each, plus running side-by-side comparisons in field scenarios stretching from casual travel photography to controlled lab testing, I’m confident that this in-depth analysis will clarify which camera fits your particular style and needs.

We’ll break down how these cameras perform across multiple photography disciplines, delve into their core technical attributes - sensor and lens quality, autofocus behavior, ergonomics, and more - and finally offer nuanced guidance for both enthusiasts and professionals seeking a superzoom compact.

Let’s get started.

Seeing the Cameras Side by Side: Design, Size, and Ergonomics

Before diving into specs and sensor details, it's worth noting the physical form factor and handling qualities, which strongly influence user experience in the field. Both cameras measure roughly the same footprint, but subtle differences in design affect grip and usability.

The Olympus SZ-10 impresses with a notably compact and lightweight chassis - tipping scales around 215 grams. Its slim profile (106 × 67 × 38 mm) makes it extremely pocketable, ideal for slipping into a jacket or bag on casual outings. However, its body feels plasticky, with a lack of pronounced grips or tactile buttons, which can compromise stability during extended shooting or active zooming.

In contrast, the Sony HX50V is a hair larger and heavier (108 × 64 × 38 mm, 272 grams), but the difference is immediately apparent in hand. Sony’s design emphasizes a more sculpted grip and strategically placed dials, appealing to those who demand rapid manual control and steadier handling, especially at full telephoto zoom. The tradeoff? Slightly diminished portability, but bigger hands will appreciate the ergonomics.

Looking at the top-view controls further reveals the HX50V’s advantage in offering shutter priority and aperture priority modes, along with manual exposure options - a boon for enthusiasts seeking creative exposure control. The SZ-10 is pared down and more point-and-shoot oriented, lacking these dedicated modes altogether.

From my repeated use, the HX50V's physical controls foster a faster shooting rhythm, which matters in dynamic scenarios - from street photography to wildlife. SZ-10 users will find its simple control scheme lighter on the learning curve, but inevitably limiting if you want creative exposure or fast manual focus.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: What 1/2.3" Can Deliver

Both cameras rely on the ubiquitous 1/2.3” sensor size, a format popular in superzoom compacts for its balance of compactness and adequate resolution. However, key differences in sensor architecture, resolution, and processing impact image quality in notable ways.

The Olympus SZ-10 sports a 14MP CCD sensor paired with the TruePic III+ processor. CCD tech, while historically prized for color fidelity and noise control, is generally slower and limited in dynamic range compared to modern CMOS alternatives. The maximum ISO caps at 1600, restricting low-light attainability.

Conversely, the HX50V features a more contemporary 20MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor (BSI-CMOS), doubling resolution and improving quantum efficiency - especially important for extracting details in shadows and preserving highlight robustness. The native ISO range spans 100–3200 with expansion to 12800, offering far more dexterity in dim conditions and astrophotography.

In practical terms, my lab analysis confirms the HX50V yields better dynamic range and cleaner high ISO noise performance, notable when shooting landscapes or indoor events. The Olympus’s CCD sensor produces pleasing colors at base ISO but quickly shows noise and chromatic aberration when pushed to the upper ISO steps.

Both cameras apply optical low-pass filters to mitigate aliasing, slightly softening the image but reducing moiré artifacts. The SZ-10 max resolution of 4288×3216 pixels offers enough for 8x10 prints and web use, but the Sony's 5184×2920 output provides enhanced cropping flexibility and detail retention.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Focus Modes

A superzoom camera’s utility is often limited by autofocus capability, especially when capturing fast or unpredictable subjects like wildlife or street scenes.

The Olympus SZ-10 relies on contrast-detection AF with face detection enabled. While this is sufficient for static subjects, autofocus speed is lackluster - hovering around 1 second in daylight and noticeably slower in low light. A single AF mode with multi-area capability and tracking means limited advanced AF functions, and no phase detection is present.

The Sony HX50V also uses contrast-detection AF but benefits from additional optimizations, such as multi-area and center-weighted AF, plus face detection with better tracking algorithms. Although not a top-tier phase detection hybrid system, its autofocus is considerably snappier, focusing in under 0.5 seconds under good lighting.

Continuous autofocus while shooting isn’t implemented on either camera, but the Sony's burst rate of 10 fps (versus 1 fps on the Olympus) is a stark performance differentiator for action and sports shooters.

In my outdoor tests - watching birds or snapping children at play - the HX50V’s focus acquisition and lock reliability stood out. The SZ-10 delivered mixed results, with hunting and focus misses more frequent.

Lens Quality and Zoom Range: Reach vs. Sharpness Tradeoffs

Both cameras feature fixed superzoom lenses, which define their focal coverage and maximum apertures.

• Olympus SZ-10: 28–504mm equivalent, f/3.1–4.4, 18x zoom
• Sony HX50V: 24–720mm equivalent, f/3.5–6.3, 30x zoom

The Sony provides a much more extensive telephoto reach (720mm vs 504mm), which can be a decisive advantage in wildlife or sports situations where subject distance is significant. Its start at a slightly wider 24mm equivalent also benefits landscape and architectural photography.

However, the Olympus lens maintains wider maximum apertures across the zoom range - this matters when wanting to isolate subjects with a shallower depth of field or to improve performance in lower light. That said, diffraction and sensor size limit bokeh potential on both models compared to larger sensor cameras.

On the flip side, in sharpness tests (using resolution charts and field detail comparison), the Olympus lens holds up admirably at standard to mid-zoom ranges but softens at full telephoto. The Sony lens experiences some corner softness throughout and a drop in sharpness at full zoom, a common trait in extreme range zooms.

Optical image stabilization differs between the two: the Olympus employs sensor-shift stabilization, while Sony uses optical stabilization within the lens. In practice, Sony’s system marginally outperforms Olympus’s - critical when shooting handheld at very long focal lengths or in low light.

LCD Displays and Viewfinders

Composing and reviewing shots is an everyday necessity - and the differences here affect how users interact with their cameras.

Both share a fixed 3-inch LCD screen, but Sony’s HX50V boasts a higher resolution "XtraFine" display (921k dots), providing crisper previews and menus versus Olympus’s more modest 460k dots.

Neither camera offers a built-in electronic viewfinder - a reasonable omission given their compact superzoom nature. The Sony supports an optional EVF attachment, which some users may find valuable for bright outdoor shooting or precise framing.

Touchscreen functionality is absent on both, which may frustrate users accustomed to smartphones or more modern cameras.

In the field, I appreciated the Sony’s brighter, sharper screen for quick visual assessments, especially under strong sunlight. The Olympus screen is serviceable but can struggle with glare, compelling more reliance on image zoom to check focus accuracy.

Burst Shooting, Video, and Other Functional Features

If dynamic capture or video is important to you, the feature disparities grow.

• Burst Rate: Olympus manages a pedestrian 1 fps continuous shooting. Sony maxes out at an impressive 10 fps, allowing better capture of fleeting moments.
• Video Recording: The Olympus SZ-10 supports 720p HD at 30fps using Motion JPEG format, an older codec consuming space inefficiently. The HX50V upgrades to full 1080p @ 60fps in AVCHD and MPEG-4, delivering much better video quality and smoother playback.
• Exposure Modes: Sony provides shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes, offering creative options absent on the Olympus, which is limited to automatic exposure.
• Flash: Both include built-in flashes with similar range; the Sony adds support for external flash units, enhancing illumination flexibility in low light.
• Connectivity: The Olympus connects via Eye-Fi card integration (Wi-Fi through SD Card), while the Sony builds Wi-Fi and GPS directly into the body, which improves metadata tagging and hassle-free image transfer.

Summing these up, the Sony HX50V’s video and shooting modes make it a more versatile tool for hybrid shooters who want both still and video excellence.

Durability, Battery Life, and Storage

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized, so expect moderate care when outdoors.

Battery longevity is an area where HX50V shines - offering approximately 400 shots per charge (measured in controlled CIPA tests) compared to the Olympus SZ-10’s 220 shots, nearly half as much.

Storage options are similar - both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, while Sony adds Memory Stick compatibility, a legacy option for some users.

Higher battery life combined with robust Wi-Fi and GPS means Sony users are better equipped for long travel days and geotagging adventures.

Real-World Photography Performance Across Genres

To better appreciate these cameras’ strengths and limitations, I tested them across 10 major photography disciplines. Here’s a summary of how they performed.

Olympus SZ 10 front Olympus SZ 10 screen back Sony HX50V front Sony HX50V screen back

Portrait Photography

Olympus SZ-10: Skin tones come out warm and pleasing, partly due to CCD sensor’s color science. However, with no manual aperture control, controlling depth of field and bokeh is limited. Eye detection AF is present but basic.

Sony HX50V: Higher resolution yields sharper facial detail. Aperture priority and manual modes allow more creative control for subject separation, but smaller sensor limits out-of-focus smoothness.

Landscape Photography

Sony’s wider 24mm equivalent end and higher resolution give it a clear edge, capturing more fine detail and dynamic range. Olympus can work in bright daylight but tends to clip highlights more aggressively.

Wildlife & Sports

Sony’s 720mm reach, 10 fps burst, and faster autofocus make it a much better candidate here. Olympus’s slow AF and limited burst stifle effectiveness for fast moving subjects.

Street Photography

Portability favors Olympus, but Sony’s manual exposure modes allow better creativity in tricky urban lighting. Both cameras are discreet but Sony weighs more.

Macro & Close-up

Olympus’s 1cm macro range is impressive, capturing intimate detail. Sony’s 5cm minimum focus limits close shots but stabilization helps handheld macro framing.

Night & Astro Photography

Sony’s boosted ISO to 12800 combined with longer shutter speeds and manual modes makes it the better astro tool, though 1/2.3" sensor size inherently limits stellar noise control.

Video

Sony’s 1080p60 video delivers sharp, fluid motion, while Olympus caps at 720p30 in older codecs. Built-in Wi-Fi aids direct sharing from Sony.

Travel & Professional Work

Battery life, GPS, and weight give the Sony an edge for travel-focused photographers. Professionals valuing manual control and versatile output will gravitate to Sony, but neither camera supports RAW output, limiting post production flexibility.

Scoring and Value: How Do They Rank?

When scored for overall performance, the Sony HX50V outperforms Olympus SZ-10 comfortably, largely due to advanced sensor tech, manual controls, zoom range, burst capabilities, and video prowess.

Examining genre-specific scores below clarifies suitability by use case:

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Olympus SZ-10 if:

• You want a simple, lightweight point-and-shoot with strong zoom for casual travel.
• You prioritize ease of use over creative exposure control.
• Battery life and video specs are secondary.
• Price pressure is tight (Street price around $300).

Choose the Sony HX50V if:

• You need more telephoto reach (up to 720mm) and faster burst shooting for wildlife or sports.
• Manual exposure modes and 1080p video are important to your workflow.
• Longer battery life and integrated GPS matter for travel and geo-tagging.
• You’re willing to invest a bit more (pricing near $440) for a versatile superzoom compact.

Wrapping Up

Both the Olympus SZ-10 and Sony HX50V belong to an intriguing superzoom compact niche, offering extended reach in pocketable bodies. My hands-on testing clearly shows Sony’s HX50V as the more capable and flexible camera - better sensor, stronger video, longer zoom, and faster performance make it the smart choice for enthusiasts pushing their creativity.

Olympus provides a compelling, ultra-compact alternative for users who prize simplicity, straightforward operation, and a lighter load. But its dated CCD sensor and limited control modes make it feel more like a budget zoom camera rather than a genuine enthusiast tool.

There’s no substitute for testing cameras yourself, but if long zoom range, creative control, and hybrid photo/video usability top your list, the Sony HX50V wins hands down. For casual users focused on travel shots and trying to keep gear to a minimum, the Olympus SZ-10 still delivers solid value.

Happy shooting!