Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5T: A Hands-On Head-to-Head for Today’s Enthusiast

Selecting the right camera can feel like navigating a labyrinth, especially with options spanning from ultra-compact superzooms to entry-level mirrorless systems. Today, I’m putting two distinct worlds under the microscope: the Olympus SZ-11, a compact superzoom released in 2011, and the Sony Alpha NEX-5T, an entry-level mirrorless from 2013. Though separated by design philosophy and release generation, their comparison sheds light on how compact and mirrorless designs serve different users - and which excels where.

Having logged dozens of shooting days with both cameras across genres, I’ll unpack their differences through the lens of practical use, technical performance, and photographic versatility. Spoiler: this isn’t just a specs battle - it’s about real-world outcomes.

Size Matters: Compact Convenience vs Mirrorless Ergonomics

Starting with the physical, the Olympus SZ-11 embodies the ultra-portable spirit. Sporting a compact form factor with dimensions of 106x69x40mm and weighing 226g, it slips comfortably into a jacket pocket or purse. The SZ-11 opts for a simple, fixed-lens design granting it a modest profile.

Conversely, the Sony NEX-5T, with dimensions of 111x59x39mm and weight around 276g, carries the heft and heftier presence of a mirrorless camera body, slightly larger but still eminently pocketable in a roomy bag. The rangefinder-style mirrorless body offers a comfortable grip and buttons that invite quick access and tactile shooting.

The size comparison image reveals the contrast clearly - the SZ-11 is the quintessential grab-and-go, while the NEX-5T hints at more serious photographic intent with its more deliberate controls. If lightweight portability trumps all, SZ-11 wins the pocket battle; however, extended shoots find the Sony’s ergonomics more hospitable.

Looking Down: Controls and Interface

Digging into handling beyond raw size, the control scheme heavily impacts shooting speed and adaptability. The SZ-11 keeps it very simple - no manual exposure controls, no customizable buttons, a non-touch 3-inch fixed TFT screen with 460K resolution, and a limited menu architecture rooted in point-and-shoot ease.

The NEX-5T immediately impresses with its 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD (922K resolution) that pivots upward 180° and downward 50°, a boon for selfies, low-angle, or overhead shots. While the NEX-5T eschews a built-in viewfinder, an optional electronic viewfinder is available if desired. The Sony also packs touch-to-focus and a more extensive array of dedicated controls, including shutter and aperture priority modes, a manual exposure dial, and an exposure compensation dial.

From the top view, Sony’s multi-dial controllers and dedicated movie record button underscore a more photographer-centric design ethos. Meanwhile, the SZ-11 sticks to a shutter release, zoom lever, and mode dial that’s more snap-and-go than shoot-and-control. For photographers craving creative latitude and pointer precision, the NEX decidedly leads here.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Elephant in the Room

A straightforward but paramount difference lies in image sensor technology. The Olympus SZ-11 employs a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with 14 megapixels. This small sensor size severely limits dynamic range and low-light performance - unsurprising given the camera’s entry superzoom category and era.

The Sony NEX-5T packs a significant punch with its APS-C CMOS sensor sized 23.4 x 15.6 mm at 16 megapixels, nearly 13x larger sensor area than Olympus. This difference alone means the Sony can resolve finer detail, retain richer tones across highlights and shadows, and produce cleaner images at high ISO settings.

In direct daylight shooting, the SZ-11 can produce passable images with sufficient sharpness but often shows softness and noise creeping in JPEGs when pushed beyond ISO 400. The Sony, in contrast, captures cleaner, more nuanced images with greater exposure headroom and color fidelity, especially notable in demanding portraits and landscapes.

This sensor advantage also gifts the NEX superior bokeh potential with compatible lenses - a critical factor for creatives wanting subject separation or artistic blur. In sum, sensor size and tech firmly position the Sony NEX-5T well ahead for image quality.

Display and Live View Experience

The interface between shooter and camera is heavily mediated by the LCD screen, and here the story of advancement is vivid.

The Olympus features a simple 3-inch fixed TFT display with 460K dots, with decent fidelity but limited in viewing angles and responsiveness. It lacks touchscreen functionality and does not tilt for framing shots from unconventional angles.

Sony ups the ante significantly with its 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD, easing composition in selfies or tricky angles, and improving intuitive AF point selection via touch. The resolution almost doubles that of the Olympus, delivering crisper previews that aid critical focus confirmation and exposure judgment.

These differences, while subtle on paper, become apparent in the field. Shooting street scenes from the hip or astrophotography compositions are easier to nail on the NEX due to this more flexible and higher-quality screen.

Autofocus and Speed Performance

Performance-wise, Olympus’s SZ-11 autofocus system centers on contrast detection with face detection but with relatively fewer autofocus points and no phase-detect module, leading to slower and sometimes hesitant focus acquisition in low light or fast-moving subjects.

Sony’s NEX-5T boasts a hybrid AF system combining phase detection and contrast detection with 99 focus points and 25 cross-type points, enabling fast, precise autofocus even in challenging scenes. Real-world shooting confirms the Sony focuses swiftly in daylight and maintains decent tracking in continuous autofocus modes, essential for wildlife or sports.

Burst rates echo this performance gap: Olympus caps at 7fps but with limited buffering, while Sony reaches 10fps with robust continuous shooting supporting more prolonged bursts, a boon for action photographers.

In wildlife and sports scenarios, where split seconds count, the Sony NEX-5T performs significantly better. The SZ-11’s AF system sometimes falters, especially in moderate-to-low light or on erratically moving subjects.

Image Stabilization and Macro Capability

The SZ-11 uniquely integrates sensor-shift image stabilization, helping offset handshake in its superzoom range, especially crucial at the optical zoom maximum of 500mm equivalent. This feature is a must given telephoto focal length challenges, and it works well for handheld shots in ample light. However, the stabilization is not as refined as modern in-lens or hybrid systems.

Sony’s NEX-5T, lacking in-body stabilization, relies on stabilized lenses to tackle shake. This can be a limiting factor if you plan to use legacy or budget lenses without optical stabilization.

For macro enthusiasts, the Olympus excels with a 1cm macro focusing distance, allowing close-up shots at the wide end - perfect for flower detail or insect photography. The Sony depends on selected macro lenses to reach similar distances but does not offer built-in macro capabilities in its kit form.

Video Capabilities

Video shooting is another dividing line. The Olympus records HD video up to 1280x720 at 30fps using Motion JPEG, an older and bulky codec that can quickly eat storage and produces moderately dated footage quality.

Sony steps into the next generation with full HD 1080p at 60p, 60i, and 24p recording in efficient MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. The video output is more versatile and higher quality, suitable for serious videography or hybrid shooting.

However, neither model includes microphone or headphone jacks, reflecting their consumer-level video focus. For video shooters, the NEX-5T still holds a clear edge in resolution, frame rate flexibility, and codec technology.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

One undeniable advantage to mirrorless systems is their expandability via interchangeable lenses. Sony’s E-mount introduced with the NEX line enjoys a rich and expanding selection of lenses from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, prime to zoom, macro to portrait optics. This flexibility opens doors to tailored photographic expression over time.

Olympus SZ-11’s fixed lens, though generous with its 20x zoom range (25-500mm equivalent), limits photographers to its built-in lens system. While convenient, it shackles the user to the lens’ optical characteristics, aperture constraints (F3.0-6.9), and potential distortion.

This difference pins the SZ-11 firmly into point-and-shoot superzoom territory - perfectly suited for travel snapshots or casual wildlife but less forgiving for creative experimentation.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Battery endurance strongly influences shooting session length. Olympus claims around 200 shots per charge using its proprietary LI-50B battery, a modest figure that might require carrying spares for day-long travel shoots.

Sony’s NEX-5T fares better, rated for approximately 330 shots per charge via the NP-FW50 battery. Real-world use echoes this improvement, making the NEX more reliable when you can't recharge frequently.

Storage-wise, both cameras accommodate SD cards, but Sony adds support for Memory Stick Pro Duo variants, providing some flexibility for existing Sony users.

Connectivity Features

From a connectivity perspective, the SZ-11 offers no wireless capability, only USB 2.0 and an HDMI port for transferring images and viewing on TVs.

Conversely, the NEX-5T integrates built-in Wi-Fi with NFC, enabling wireless image transfer and remote control via smartphones - a significant productivity boost for sharing, tethered shooting, and workflow efficiency.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras are largely plastic-bodied and lack environmental sealing, water, dust, or shock resistance. Neither is designed for rugged outdoor abuse, although their compactness and light weight favor travel portability. Avoiding harsh conditions or embracing protective cases is prudent for both.

In-the-Field Imaging: Sample Photos and Genre-Specific Performance

I put both cameras through their paces across major photography genres to see where each stands.

Portraits

Sony’s larger sensor and AF capabilities shine facilitating skin tone rendering and attractive bokeh for isolation. Eye-detection autofocus, albeit rudimentary compared to modern systems, aids focus precision.

The Olympus SZ-11 captures pleasant but flatter portraits, with backgrounds often busier due to small sensor depth of field and limited bokeh smoothness.

Landscapes

While SZ-11’s zoom impresses, resolution, and dynamic range cannot compete with Sony’s superior sensor, which frames crisp, detailed landscapes with excellent highlight and shadow retention. Weather sealing absence dents both in challenging conditions.

Wildlife & Sports

Sony’s fast burst rate, hybrid AF, and customized lenses pull far ahead. Olympus’s zoom lens is useful but autofocus lags, resulting in missed moments.

Street Photography

Olympus’s compactness and quiet operation favor discreteness, with 20x zoom perfect for candid distant shots without intrusion. Sony offers better image quality and flexibility but at slightly more conspicuous size and noise.

Macro

Olympus’s 1cm macro range is a bonus for close-up shooters without extra gear, while Sony requires dedicated macro glass.

Night & Astrophotography

Sony’s high ISO sensitivity and dynamic range easily outperform Olympus’s small sensor, making it the clear choice for low-light creative shooting.

Video

Sony’s sharp HD video with frame rate choices outclasses the Olympus’s basic 720p video, suited for casual clips.

Travel

Photo versatility and battery life advantage belong to Sony, though Olympus’s pocketability and zoom range are wins for minimalists focused on good reach with little gear.

Professional Use

Sony’s RAW support, manual exposure modes, and lens flexibility cater better to professionals or serious hobbyists integrating into workflows.

Olympus SZ 11 front Olympus SZ 11 screen back Sony NEX 5T front Sony NEX 5T screen back

This gallery comparison illustrates Sony’s notable edge in detail, color vibrance, and low noise, while Olympus impresses in straightforward daylight shooting and zoom reach.

Overall Performance and Value Breakdown

The Sony NEX-5T scores well on image quality, autofocus versatility, and connectivity, with Olympus trailing in sensor performance and flexibility but holding ground on ease-of-use for casual shooters.

Genre-Specific Strengths

The detailed genre analysis shows Sony’s dominance in portrait, landscape, wildlife, and videography, while Olympus fares best for casual travel and street shooting where zoom and discreteness are prized.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

To summarize, this dogs-tale comparison can be distilled into a few key recommendations:

• Choose Olympus SZ-11 if you want:

  • A truly pocketable superzoom with 20x reach.
  • Simple point-and-shoot ease without fuss.
  • Occasional travel or street snaps where size matters.
  • Effective macro close-ups without additional lenses.
  • Budget constrained to around $250 new or used.

• Choose Sony NEX-5T if you need:

  • Superior image quality from a large APS-C sensor.
  • Creative control over exposure with manual and priority modes.
  • Fast, reliable autofocus for diverse shooting conditions.
  • Interchangeable lens flexibility and expanding options.
  • Better low-light, video capabilities, and connectivity.
  • A future-proof step towards serious mirrorless photography close to $400-$500 budget.

Neither camera is perfect - each comes from its own era and intended user base. The Olympus SZ-11 remains a solid companion for minimalists wanting a grab-and-go zoom but necessarily compromises on image finesse. Meanwhile, the Sony NEX-5T is a notable entry point for enthusiasts aspiring to elevate their craft with significant control, quality, and room to grow.

Having walked through hardware design, imaging pipelines, and use-case scenarios, I’m confident anyone reading this will better understand which camera suits their needs. After all, a good photo depends as much on the tool as the eye wielding it - and making that tool choice wisely makes all the difference.

Happy shooting!