Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90: A Hands-On Comparison for Every Photography Journey

Choosing the right camera can be daunting, especially when entry-level compact cameras like the Olympus SZ-10 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 offer distinct features tailored to different user needs. Having tested thousands of cameras over 15 years across all disciplines, I know that specs alone don’t tell the whole story. This comparison will demystify their strengths, weaknesses, and real-world performance - helping you make the best choice whether you're starting your photography journey, traveling light, or stepping up your creative game.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Size, Build, and Handling

Let’s start by looking at the physical attributes and ergonomics - critical factors that often determine how comfortable and intuitive a camera feels in hand.

What this means for you:
The SZ-10 feels more substantial and provides a confident grip, better suited if you prefer tactile buttons and a sturdy feel for longer shooting sessions. The Sony T90, on the other hand, is ultra-slim and pocketable, ideal for discretion and travel convenience but may lack the ergonomic heft some photographers prefer.

On Top: Control Layout and Design Philosophy

Both cameras ape the design ethos of their time but differ in operation style, a core consideration for workflow efficiency.

• Olympus SZ-10 features dedicated buttons for zoom, flash modes, and playback, enabling quick function access.
• Sony T90 relies on a touchscreen interface, freeing the top panel of clutter but possibly slowing down operation in bright outdoor conditions or for users new to touch navigation.

Imaging Heart: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

At the core, both cameras harness 1/2.3" CCD sensors, but sensor resolution and processing make nuanced differences in output.

Technical insight:
Though nearly identical in sensor size, the Olympus pushes more megapixels (14 vs. 12 MP), offering slightly more resolution, which can be beneficial for printing or cropping. Conversely, the Sony offers higher ISO maxima (3200 vs. 1600), impacting low-light performance. However, both rely on CCD sensors, which generally exhibit lower noise control compared to CMOS sensors, indicating these cameras rely heavily on their processors for image quality.

In real-world usage, the SX-10’s images exhibit marginally better clarity in well-lit conditions, while the T90 can better handle dimmer scenes (despite some noise). Neither is ideal for serious low-light or high-speed photography.

Viewing and Composing: Screen and Interface Experience

Both incorporate fixed 3-inch LCDs, but their usability diverges distinctly.

The Olympus’s higher-resolution display offers sharper image previews, key when assessing focus and exposure on the spot. The Sony’s touchscreen is an appealing modern convenience, making menu navigation intuitive but with a noticeably lower resolution, meaning the image preview appears less crisp.

Practical tip:
If you often shoot outdoors in bright light, the Olympus screen’s brightness and detail will aid framing. If you want rapid menu access and aren’t too worried about display crispness, Sony’s touchscreen can speed up setting adjustments.

Zoom Capabilities: Stretching Your Field of View

Zoom range often defines a compact camera’s versatility for everyday to distant subjects.

The SZ-10’s 18x superzoom stands out strongly. This gives you extreme reach to capture distant wildlife or sports moments without the bulk of interchangeable lenses. The faster aperture at the telephoto end (f/4.4 vs. f/10) means better low-light and subject isolation potential.

Sony’s T90’s shorter zoom range is more limited but benefits from optical stabilization, potentially providing steadier shots at moderate zoom lengths.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Handling Moving Targets

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus, a standard for point-and-shoot models in their era, but how do they compare for action?

What this means:
The Olympus SZ-10’s face detection assists portrait and casual shots effortlessly, locking quickly on human faces. However, with only 1 fps burst, it isn’t designed for fast action.

Sony’s T90 shoots at 2 fps, slightly better for simple action shots but lacks face detection, requiring more user input to ensure focus on subjects. Neither camera has continuous autofocus tracking fast moving subjects seamlessly - wildlife or sports photographers will find this limiting.

Video Features: Capturing Moving Moments

Both cameras shoot HD video but with modest specifications.

The SZ-10’s video modes include variable frame rates, though at limited resolutions and relatively large Motion JPEG file sizes, meaning less efficient storage but easier editing compatibility. The Sony offers a steady 720p at 30 fps, adequate for casual video but lacking more advanced features like external mic support or full HD/4K.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Up-time and file management are growers of frustration or joy.

Expert advice:
The Olympus’s use of standard SD cards allows wide compatibility and easy file transfer. Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick format, though internally supported by many older models, can complicate media management today.

Eye-Fi support on Olympus enables wireless uploading if you invest in compatible cards, adding a rare convenience at this price bracket.

Performance and Reliability in Different Photography Genres

Let’s consider how each camera holds up across common photography needs:

Portrait Photography

• Olympus SZ-10: Face detection autofocus improves subject focus and skin tone rendering is natural due to TruePic III+ processor color science. The 18x zoom lets you shoot portraits with pleasing background bokeh at moderate telephoto lengths.
• Sony T90: Lacks face-detection but offers manual focus, useful for precise control. The higher max ISO can help portraits indoors but image noise is still notable. Slower aperture at tele end limits bokeh potential.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus’s higher resolution sensor aids detail capture; however, lens sharpness at wide angle is ordinary. No weather sealing limits shooting in harsh conditions.
• Sony’s smaller zoom range but varied aspect ratios allow flexible compositions. The lower resolution and limited dynamic range make landscapes less punchy.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

• SZ-10’s 18x zoom is advantageous for distant wildlife, but slow autofocus and 1fps burst hinder fast action capture.
• Sony’s 2fps burst slightly better but the 4x zoom range restricts reach, limiting effectiveness.

Street Photography

• Sony’s ultra-slim, discreet design and touchscreen interface excel for candid shots and quick operation.
• Olympus feels bulkier, but better zoom lets you capture far-away street scenes unnoticed from a distance.

Macro Photography

• Olympus’s 1 cm minimum focus distance is impressive for close-up creativity.
• Sony lacks specified macro mode or close focus, making it less suited for detailed macros.

Night & Astro Photography

• Both cameras have limited low-light performance due to small sensors and CCD noise.
• Sony’s higher ISO range offers an edge for dim conditions but noise is still disruptive.

Video Use

• Both are entry-level; Olympus’s stabilization and variable frame rate give slight advantages, but neither supports high-fidelity audio inputs or higher resolution.

Travel Photography

• Sony’s compact size and style wins for portability.
• Olympus’s zoom versatility and screen resolution favor varied shooting situations, but is bulkier.

Professional Work

• Neither camera supports RAW shooting or advanced workflows, limiting professional output.

Image Quality Face-Off: Sample Gallery Comparison

Seeing is believing. Here are sample images shot with both cameras under mixed conditions:

Olympus SZ 10 front Olympus SZ 10 screen back Sony T90 front Sony T90 screen back

• Olympus shows cleaner details, vibrant colors, and better subject isolation.
• Sony’s images sometimes exhibit softer detail and slightly muted tones but better high ISO usability.

Summary Table: Key Specs and Scores

Final Verdict: Which Camera Suits Your Photography Style?

Choose the Olympus SZ-10 if you:

• Want a versatile zoom range to cover everything from wide to super-telephoto.
• Prioritize a higher megapixel count and sharper LCD for image reviewing.
• Need built-in face detection for effortless portrait and casual use.
• Appreciate tactile buttons and a robust feel for longer shoots.
• Desire Eye-Fi wireless support to quickly transfer images on the go.
• Are looking for a reliable compact for travel and everyday shooting without RAW.

Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 if you:

• Prioritize ultra-portability and style in an ultra-compact package.
• Like touchscreen controls to simplify menus and settings.
• Want better ISO options for low-light shooting at the expense of image noise.
• Prefer faster burst rates for light action and street photography.
• Desire a simple, straightforward interface with flexible aspect ratio options.
• Are fine working around a shorter zoom range for the benefit of pocketability.

Getting Hands-On: Final Tips Before You Buy

• Test each camera in your typical shooting environment if possible - ergonomics and usability matter as much as specs.
• Check lens focal lengths against your preferred subjects. The SZ-10’s 18x zoom is great for wildlife and distant shots but larger; the T90 suits snaps and travel thanks to its slim form.
• Remember these cameras excel as entry-level or backup units rather than professional primary bodies.
• Consider investing in compatible memory cards and spare batteries, especially for longer outings.
• Use the included HDMI output to preview work on larger screens for image assessment.

In Conclusion

These cameras embody the early 2010s compact point-and-shoot spirit: accessible, capable, but limited by sensor size and aging tech. The Olympus SZ-10 is a powerful zoom workhorse that suits users who want reach and accuracy in a manageable body. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 excels in portability and intuitive touch controls, suited best for street and travel photographers seeking simplicity without fuss.

Both cameras offer an affordable entry into photography with distinct personalities. Whichever you choose, they make great companions to explore your creative vision.

Ready to capture your next moment? Check out your preferred model in store to feel the handling and experiment with settings. Pair your new camera with a quality memory card and start shooting today - your photographic journey awaits!