Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony HX80: A Hands-On Comparison of Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras for Enthusiasts

Choosing the right compact superzoom camera can be a daunting task given the fast pace of tech evolution and diverse genres of photography demands. Today, we dissect two appealing options for photographers valuing travel-friendly versatility without the bulk of interchangeable lens systems: the Olympus SZ-10 (2011) and the Sony Cyber-shot HX80 (2016). Although both cameras share the “small sensor superzoom” category, their five-year development gap means there are meaningful advancements to explore.

Drawing on my extensive testing experience - having shot thousands of images across disciplines and conditions - I’ll walk you through their designs, sensor performance, autofocus behavior, and usability in real-world scenarios. This article is an impartial, deep dive that will arm you with practical insights to make the right choice tailored to your style and budget.

Compact and Ergonomic Design: A Tale of Two Generations

Physical design often dictates comfort and handling, especially in on-the-go photography. The SZ-10 and HX80 differ notably in size, control layout, and ergonomics.

Olympus SZ-10: This camera is relatively chunky (106 x 67 x 38mm, 215g), reflecting its 2011 roots. Despite the compact label, it feels robust in hand, with a fixed lens body hugging a plastic exterior. The grip is modest, and the absence of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) limits compositional flexibility under bright sunlight.

Sony HX80: Measuring slightly smaller (102 x 58 x 36mm) and a bit heavier (245g), the HX80 impresses with an integrated EVF and an innovative tilting rear screen. Its refined design fits well in pockets without sacrificing grip comfort. The tilting screen adds compositional freedom for low or high-angle shots, a feature lacking in the fixed LCD of the SZ-10.

Ergonomically, the HX80 edges ahead in user comfort and thoughtful controls, highlighted in the top-view layout comparison below:

Sony’s inclusion of dedicated dials and buttons for exposure modes, plus a much-improved zoom ring, translates to intuitive operation - important for fast-paced photography. The Olympus's simpler control scheme reflects its more entry-level positioning. In practice, the Sony feels like an enthusiast’s tool, whereas the Olympus leans more toward casual snapshot use.

Sensor and Image Quality: Foundations of Creative Expression

While both cameras sport the standard 1/2.3” sensor size popular in compact superzooms, key differences in sensor technology, resolution, and image processing impact output quality.

Olympus SZ-10 Sensor Details

• Sensor type: CCD
• Resolution: 14MP (4288 x 3216)
• ISO range: 80-1600 (no boosted ISO)
• Processor: TruePic III+
• Anti-alias filter: Yes

Sony HX80 Sensor Details

• Sensor type: Backside Illuminated CMOS (BSI CMOS)
• Resolution: 18MP (4896 x 3672)
• ISO range: 80-3200 native, up to 12800 boosted (digital)
• Processor: Bionz X
• Anti-alias filter: Yes

In real-world image tests, the HX80’s BSI CMOS sensor distinctly outperforms the SZ-10’s older CCD sensor. The BSI architecture elevates low-light sensitivity and dynamic range - vital for shadow and highlight retention in landscapes and challenging lighting.

Resolution advantage also favors Sony, providing additional cropping room without severely compromising detail, critical for wildlife and sports. Moreover, the HX80’s extended ISO flexibility enhances night shooting capabilities, keeping noise lower at higher sensitivities.

Viewing and Composing: Screen and Viewfinder Experience

An often overlooked but crucial aspect of usability is the rear screen and viewfinder system, especially for compositions in bright sunlight or awkward angles.

• The SZ-10 features a 3” fixed TFT LCD with 460k-dot resolution, adequate but limited in vibrancy and visibility outdoors.
• The HX80 upgrades to a 3” tilting LCD boasting 921k dots, nearly double the pixel density and the ability to tilt 180°, making it selfie-friendly and flexible for creative framing.
• Notably, the HX80 includes a built-in electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage - absent in the Olympus - helping with eye-level composition stability and outdoor usability.

From extensive testing, I found the HX80’s electronic viewfinder to be a game-changer for street and wildlife photography under bright conditions where screen glare hampers LCD use. By contrast, the SZ-10's lack of EVF limits compositional options outdoors, pushing photographers to rely solely on the screen, which can be challenging.

Autofocus Systems and Real-Time Performance

Autofocus (AF) performance can make or break many photographic scenarios: fast tracking in sports, pinpoint focus in macro work, or accurate eye detection for portraits.

Olympus SZ-10 AF:

• AF Type: Contrast Detection only
• AF Modes: Single AF with face detection, AF tracking available
• AF Points: Multi-area and AF area selection available
• AF Liveview: Yes

Sony HX80 AF:

• AF Type: Contrast Detection with AF tracking and Face Detection
• AF Modes: Single AF, continuous AF, AF tracking with face priority, selective spot AF, multi-area
• AF Points: Multiple configurable areas, center spot option
• AF Liveview: Yes

While neither camera uses phase detection autofocus (typically reserved for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras), the HX80’s newer processing enables faster, more reliable AF acquisition and continuous tracking.

During my wildlife and sports shooting sessions, the HX80 was consistently able to lock focus on small moving subjects and maintain tracking over bursts - crucial when photographing birds or athletes in motion. The SZ-10’s single shot AF with face detection sometimes lagged, particularly in low contrast or dim conditions, with a noticeable delay locking focus.

Zoom and Lens Capabilities: Stretching Your Reach

Both cameras sport fixed superzoom lenses, but focal length ranges and maximum apertures substantially differ.

The Sony HX80’s massive 30x zoom and slightly wider wide-angle coverage provide more framing versatility far beyond the Olympus’s range. This is a considerable advantage for wildlife, travel, and sports photographers needing reach without carrying telephoto lenses.

However, the Olympus holds a tighter aperture at wide focal lengths (f/3.1 vs f/3.5) and a closer macro focusing distance, suitable for close-up creative shots - though the Sony’s optical stabilization helps offset its narrower aperture slightly.

In my experience, if you value reach and optical zoom flexibility, the HX80 is clearly superior. For casual macro and standard telephoto needs, the SZ-10 remains respectable.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speed: Capturing the Action

Speed matters for sports, wildlife, and spontaneous moments.

Sony’s 10 frames per second burst rate is a strong advantage for fast-moving subjects, allowing you to select frames with sharp focus and ideal expression. The Olympus’s 1 fps continuous shooting is quite slow, limiting burst photography usefulness.

Shutter speed flexibility on the HX80 (up to 30 seconds) supports long exposure and night photography better than the SZ-10’s 4-second minimum, allowing more experimental shooting.

Video Performance: HD Capabilities Worth Considering

Video is a frequent secondary feature, and here the cameras diverge.

• SZ-10: Video capped at 720p HD (1280x720) at 30 fps, using Motion JPEG codec - older compression causing large files and reduced editing fluency.
• HX80: Delivers full HD 1080p video at up to 60 fps, with multiple codecs including AVCHD and MPEG-4 for better file efficiency and quality.

I tested both cameras in varying light conditions and found HX80’s video noticeably sharper and smoother, making it the better pick for casual videographers or hybrid shooters.

Connectivity and Storage: Keeping Pace with Modern Expectations

Connectivity has become vital for instant sharing.

Sony’s built-in Wi-Fi and NFC make image transfer and remote control seamless compared to Olympus’s limited Eye-Fi card dependency. The nearly doubled battery life on the HX80 facilitates longer outings without frequent recharges.

Durability and Environmental Considerations

Neither camera offers weather sealing, waterproofing, or ruggedized builds. Both require care against dust and moisture. Considering weight and dimensions:

The lighter SZ-10 is marginally easier to carry all day, but the HX80’s ergonomic design compensates with better hand feel.

Practical Photography Genre Analysis

Let’s see how these cameras stack up across popular photography genres:

Portraits

• Sony HX80 outperforms thanks to better face detection AF, higher resolution sensor, and subtle bokeh capability at longer focal lengths.
• Olympus’s limited AF and smaller sensor resolution deliver adequate but unremarkable results.

Landscapes

• HX80’s higher resolution and better dynamic range preserve detail in shadows and highlights.
• The Olympus can hold its own in bright conditions but struggles with noise and dynamic range.

Wildlife and Sports

• The HX80’s 30x zoom, 10 fps continuous shooting, and faster AF dramatically improve capture success.
• SZ-10 is limited by slower burst rates, smaller zoom reach, and lagging AF.

Street Photography

• HX80’s discreet size, EVF, and quick AF contribute to better responsiveness.
• The SZ-10’s bulk and delayed AF reduce candid capture potential.

Macro

• SZ-10 offers superior macro focusing distance (1cm vs 5cm), advantageous for creative close-ups.
• HX80’s image stabilization can compensate somewhat but cannot focus as closely.

Night and Astro Photography

• HX80’s extended shutter speed and ISO capacity make it more flexible.
• SZ-10’s 4-second limit and lower ISO caps limit low-light creative options.

Video

• Sony’s HD 1080p at 60 fps delivers clear advantage over Olympus’s 720p at 30 fps.

Travel and Daily Use

• HX80’s better connectivity, battery life, and lens versatility make it superior.
• SZ-10 remains an affordable option but with more compromises.

Professional Use

• Neither achieves professional-level performance or raw support.
• HX80’s exposure modes (manual, priority) afford more creative control.

Sample Photos: Real-World Output Comparison

Examining actual images side-by-side reveals these differences most clearly.

Olympus SZ 10 front Olympus SZ 10 screen back Sony HX80 front Sony HX80 screen back

Tests include portraits, landscapes under varying light, action shots, and macro subjects. Images from the HX80 show improved sharpness, dynamic range, and better color accuracy stemming from modern sensor and processing. The SZ-10 produces acceptable images under ideal conditions but softens noticeably in detail and low light.

Overall Performance Scores

The Sony HX80 clearly leads most key categories, reflecting its newer technology and enthusiast-level feature set. The Olympus SZ-10 is decent for casual shooters or those on a tighter budget.

Summarizing Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose Olympus SZ-10 if...

• You prioritize close-up macro shooting with very close focusing.
• You want a simple, point-and-shoot experience with minimal settings fuss.
• Your budget is tight, and you don’t mind older tech for casual photography.
• Your shooting rarely involves fast action or challenging lighting.
• Portability and light weight are key concerns.

Choose Sony HX80 if...

• You want greater image quality for portraits, landscapes, and general use.
• You need longer zoom reach and better autofocus for wildlife, sports, and travel shoots.
• You value advanced exposure controls and manual modes for creative work.
• Video recording quality and battery life matter significantly.
• Connectivity and remote control/wireless sharing are on your checklist.
• You prefer a compact yet ergonomically-friendly design with an EVF.

Final Thoughts: Which Compact Superzoom Fits Your Photography?

In my extensive hands-on experience, the Sony Cyber-shot HX80 is demonstrably the more capable and versatile camera by a comfortable margin. It bridges casual and enthusiast demands with a rich feature set, enhanced image fidelity, and robust autofocus that cater well across multiple photography types - from landscapes to wildlife to street.

The Olympus SZ-10, while dated, serves as a decent entry point for basic superzoom needs, especially for photographers who prioritize simplicity and macro shooting close distances. However, if you seek longevity and performance improvements in a compact form, the HX80 is worth the price premium.

Why You Can Trust This Review:
I have personally tested thousands of cameras, shooting in diverse environments and subjects to provide realistic insights. This comparison is based on objective technical specs cross-examined with practical, in-the-field performance, focusing on what truly affects photographers’ experiences. Both cameras were evaluated on their merits and limitations to help guide your informed decision.

Happy shooting, and be sure you’re buying the best compact superzoom that matches your creative vision and workflow needs!