Olympus Stylus 1 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX55: An Expert, Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

In the realm of compact and bridge cameras, two models often surface for their unique blends of portability and versatility - the Olympus Stylus 1 (hereafter “Olympus 1”) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX55 (“Sony TX55”). Announced in late 2013 and mid-2011 respectively, these cameras cater to overlapping but distinct niches, making a direct comparison a worthwhile exercise.

Having spent considerable time testing both cameras across various photographic disciplines and real-world conditions, this article unpacks their technical merits, practical performance, and value to help you decide which suits your photographic ambitions. We dig beyond specs into how each camera behaves in your hands, under changing light, and through workflows.

Let’s start by sizing them up...

Getting a Handle on Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Physical comfort and control are often overlooked but critical to shooting joy and success. The Olympus 1 comes in an SLR-like, bridge style body, dramatically contrasting with the ultra-compact slate form factor of the Sony TX55.

Weighing 402g against Sony’s featherweight 109g, the Olympus 1 clearly demands more pocket space and hand presence. Its dimensions (116x87x57mm) offer a firm, secure grip thanks to rubberized contours and a thumb rest, which matters greatly when zooming or shooting burst sequences. In contrast, Sony’s sleek 93x54x13mm frame fits effortlessly into a jacket pocket or small purse, designed for spontaneous street or travel work but sacrificing tactile engagement.

Top-side controls further reinforce these diverging philosophies:

Olympus equips the 1 with dedicated dials for exposure compensation, mode selection, and manual adjustments - a boon for photographers who crave direct tactile feedback and swift parameter changes on the fly. The TX55, conversely, simplifies to essential buttons and a mode dial, reflecting its casual, point-and-shoot leanings. The absence of a viewfinder on the Sony shifts all framing duties to the screen, while Olympus offers a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, a distinct advantage in bright outdoor conditions.

Ergonomically, if you value a confident, DSLR-esque feel that supports deliberate shooting, Olympus 1’s build outweighs its size penalties. For grab-and-go portability sacrificing custom control, Sony TX55 excels.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size Matters, But Not Always

Sensor technology lies at the heart of any camera’s image quality, influencing resolution, dynamic range, color depth, and low light capability. Neither camera houses a full-frame or APS-C sensor; they straddle the realm of small sensors but differ significantly within.

Olympus 1 sports a 1/1.7-inch BSI CMOS sensor measuring 7.44x5.58mm with a surface area of about 41.5mm² and 12 megapixels (3968 x 2976). Although 12 MP may seem low by today’s standards, it is well optimized here for noise control and dynamic range, delivering a DxOmark overall score of 51 - a respectable benchmark for a small sensor. Its usable ISO range extends up to 12800 native, albeit with increasing noise beyond ISO 800.

The Sony TX55’s sensor is smaller at 1/2.3-inch (6.17x4.55mm, 28mm²) but offers a higher resolution of 16 MP (4608 x 3456). Unfortunately, the smaller sensor area and higher pixel density limit each pixel’s light-gathering capability, often leading to reduced dynamic range and more noise in shadows and high ISO exposures - compounded by the lack of raw format support. Sony’s processor, BIONZ, performs admirably for JPEG quality in good light but struggles to match the cleaner, more nuanced tones rendered by Olympus’s TruePic VI engine under challenging conditions.

In everyday use, Olympus images have richer color gradations, smoother tonal transitions on skin and landscapes, and better shadow detail retention, making it more versatile across disciplines. Sony’s images tend to emphasize sharpness and vibrancy but at the cost of highlight clipping and visible grain in low light.

There’s an undeniable trade-off: Olympus aims for better noise management and dynamic range, while Sony leans toward resolution and compactness. Your choice hinges on priorities - smooth, versatile output versus pixel count and pocketability.

Viewing and Composing: Screen and Viewfinder Experience

Flipping the camera on and framing your shot is an intimate part of photography. Olympus and Sony diverge here with noticeably different approaches to LCD screens and viewfinders.

The Olympus features a 3-inch tilting LCD with 1040k dot resolution and touch functionality, perfect for creative angles including low and high shooting positions. The electronic viewfinder sports a sharp 1440k dot display with full coverage - making outdoor framing crystal clear even under bright sun, as well as providing eye-level stability for both photos and videos.

The Sony TX55 offers a slightly larger but fixed 3.3-inch touchscreen OLED display at 1230k dots. Its superior contrast and deeper blacks create an appealing image preview, but the fixed screen orientation limits compositional variety. The lack of any viewfinder means face or eye-level shooting requires deft hand-holding or risk of shake.

For outdoor landscape or wildlife photography where scrutiny is key, Olympus’s EVF delivers decisive framing and exposure checks. For casual travel or street shooting focused on quick snaps, Sony’s large, vivid screen suffices.

Zoom Lenses and Autofocus: The Frontline Tools

Both cameras come with fixed zoom lenses but cater to different focal reach and aperture ranges which matter greatly for subject isolation, low light, and telephoto needs.

Olympus 1’s lens covers 28–300mm (10.7x zoom), consistently bright at a fixed f/2.8 aperture throughout, an impressive feat in a compact bridge package that benefits low light and smooth background separation (bokeh). Its 5cm macro capability is robust for close-ups.

Sony TX55 offers a 26–130mm zoom (5x optical) at f/3.5–4.8 - slower lenses reducing light intake and bokeh potential particularly toward tele. Its macro mode focuses slightly closer at 3cm but with lesser detail and sharpness.

Autofocus systems reflect each camera’s era and design philosophy:

Olympus’s 25-point contrast-detection AF includes face detection, continuous AF, and touch focus. It feels snappy and reliable indoors and outdoors, locking accurately on portraits with lovely eye-detection performance given its technology vintage. Tracking performance during continuous bursts is competent though conservative compared to later mirrorless systems.

Sony’s 9-point AF relies on contrast detection without face or subject tracking. Its single AF mode feels slower and less decisive, particularly in dim or complex scenes. Manual focus is available but fiddly on the tiny, fixed screen.

For portraits and wildlife shots demanding trustable focus on moving subjects or critical eye-sharpness, Olympus comes out ahead comfortably. Sony’s lens and AF suit static scenes and casual snapshots.

Shooting Speed and Burst Modes: Catching the Action

Sports or wildlife photography depends heavily on fast shooting and accurate autofocus tracking. Here’s how the Olympus 1 and Sony TX55 compare.

Olympus 1 offers 7 frames per second continuous shooting with AF tracking - respectable for its class - allowing for capturing lively moments like children playing or fluttering birds. Its shutter range supports up to 1/2000s, useful for freezing fast motion.

Sony TX55 delivers a faster 10 fps burst but limited to fixed focus and with a shallow buffer depth, less practical for sustained shooting sessions. Maximum shutter speed of 1/1600s limits exposure freezing somewhat.

In real-world field trials, Olympus’s more reliable AF combined with a slightly slower but sustained burst rate yields more keeper frames on dynamic subjects. Sony’s faster speed doesn’t compensate for slower AF and smaller zoom reach.

Portraits: Rendering Skin and Features

Portrait photography is a mixed bag of sensor performance, color science, lens aperture, and autofocus nuance.

Olympus’s fixed f/2.8 lens and larger sensor area produce delicately rendered skin tones with natural warmth and minimal noise up to ISO 800. Its face and eye detection simplify perfect focusing. Background blur at tele end is creamy enough to isolate subjects without harsh edges. Color fidelity feels well balanced - not overly saturated - and flattering under varied lighting.

Sony TX55’s higher resolution sensor can capture more detail, but slower f/3.5-4.8 apertures reduce background separation and low light usability. Lacking eye tracking, manual AF or re-focusing is often required. Skin tones render slightly flatter and cooler, needing post-processing adjustments for warmth.

For portraits where character and gentle bokeh matter, Olympus 1 is the clear winner.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Build Durability

Landscape photographers prize dynamic range, resolution, and durability.

Olympus, despite lower resolution, offers a wider dynamic range (11.6 EV at base ISO) allowing for better shadow detail, essential when shooting high contrast scenes like sunlit mountains against shadowed valleys. Its on-sensor architecture handles gradation and color subtly.

Sony’s sensor resolution is higher, which nominally aids in fine detail reproduction in good lighting, but a diminished dynamic range hampers highlight retention and shadow details. The lack of environmental sealing on either camera means protective care outdoors is advised.

Wildlife and Sports: Telephoto Reach and Stability

For wildlife or sports enthusiasts on a budget, lens reach, autofocus speed, stabilization, and burst rates are paramount.

Olympus’s 300mm maximum equivalent focal length grants access to distant subjects not possible with Sony’s 130mm max zoom. Optical image stabilization on both cameras is effective in limiting shake - critical handheld at tele lengths or slow shutter speeds.

Olympus’s continuous AF coupled with decent burst shooting makes tracking birds or athletes feasible while Sony’s smaller zoom, slower AF, and burst mode limitations constrain action photography capabilities.

Street and Travel: How Discrete and Portable?

When wandering urban streets or traveling light, size and discretion matter.

Sony’s ultra-compact profile and quiet operation edge out the bulkier Olympus 1, which is more noticeable and draws curiosity. However, the Olympus’s better viewfinder and manual control arguably deliver a more satisfying street shooting experience for those serious about composition.

Battery life favors Olympus with about 410 shots per charge versus Sony’s 250, crucial on trips with limited recharge options.

Macro Photography: Close-Up Detail

Neither camera is a macro specialist, but worth considering.

Olympus focuses as close as 5cm, with stabilized optics, allowing detailed close-ups with sharpness across the frame. Sony’s 3cm macro mode reaches closer but often delivers softer results due to lens limitations and smaller sensor.

Olympus’s stable platform and fast aperture aid handheld macro shots, a definite bonus for nature or product photographers dabbling in the genre.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

Low-light clarity separates competent cameras from crowd-pleasers.

Olympus’s larger sensor and more efficient image processor provide superior low-light noise control up to ISO 1600, even pushing to ISO 3200 with acceptable grain. The presence of manual exposure modes with shutter and aperture priority, along with exposure bracketing, facilitates creative night or astro photography techniques.

Sony’s capped ISO 3200 and limited exposure control reduce flexibility, and higher noise levels challenge quality in dark conditions. Lack of raw support compounds limitations in post-processing.

Video Capabilities: Specs and Usability

Video shooters must weigh resolution, frame rates, and audio features.

Both cameras offer Full HD 1080p video but Olympus records at 30 fps maximum versus Sony’s ability to shoot at 60 fps - useful for smoother motion capture or slow-motion conversion. Olympus supports touch autofocus in video, enhancing focus pulling, whereas Sony’s single AF point is less responsive.

Neither has external microphone inputs, limiting sound quality upgrades. Optical stabilization helps smooth handheld footage on both.

For casual video bloggers, Sony’s higher frame rates may entice, but for hybrid photo/video creatives, Olympus’s manual exposure and better focus control serve better.

Workflow and Connectivity: Storage, Battery, and Wireless

Storage options differ: Olympus uses standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards while Sony employs microSD and proprietary Memory Stick Micro formats, impacting cost and transfer speed minimally.

Batteries are proprietary in each: Olympus’s BLS-5 affords longer shooting runs (approx 410 shots) than Sony’s NP-BN (250 shots). This difference can affect daylong fieldwork.

Connectivity-wise, Olympus offers built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and camera control - an advantage for tethering or remote shooting. Sony relies on Eye-Fi card compatibility, more limited and dated by comparison.

USB and HDMI ports on both provide video output and charging but no USB 3.0 speeds or advanced tethering features.

Overall Performance Summary: Rating Across Genres

Here’s a synthesized look at how each camera scores for different photography types based on hands-on experience and benchmark data:

• Portraits: Olympus excels with color, bokeh, and focus accuracy.
• Landscapes: Advantage Olympus for dynamic range and exposure latitude.
• Wildlife & Sports: Olympus leads on zoom reach and AF reliability.
• Street & Travel: Sony shines in portability and low weight.
• Macro: Olympus’s optics and stabilization excel.
• Night/Astro: Olympus’s higher ISO capability and manual modes win.
• Video: Sony’s higher frame rates balance Olympus’s focus control.

Verdict and Recommendations

Having tested more than a thousand cameras over my career, identifying the right tool boils down to intended use and shooting style. Here’s how I’d guide prospective buyers:

• Choose Olympus Stylus 1 if:

  • You want a versatile, all-around bridge-style camera with impressive zoom reach (28–300mm f/2.8).
  • You seek better image quality, dynamic range, and noise control.
  • You prefer manual exposure controls and an electronic viewfinder for precision.
  • You frequently shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or low-light scenes.
  • You appreciate a robust grip and traditional control dial ergonomics.
  • You value longer battery life and built-in Wi-Fi for workflow convenience.

• Choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX55 if:

  • Portability and pocketability are paramount for spontaneous street or travel snapshots.
  • You prioritize higher resolution images for static subjects in ample light.
  • You desire a vibrant OLED screen for image review without a viewfinder.
  • You want burst shooting at 10 fps for simple action (while accepting slower AF).
  • You prefer a simpler, straightforward point-and-shoot experience without manual complexity.
  • Cost savings and ultra-compact dimensions are decisive.

Final Scores and Visual Recap

Here is a comparative visualization of their overall scores based on DxOmark assessments, lab testing, and real-world field experience:

And some sample shots from both cameras, highlighting their color rendition and detail across a range of scenarios:

Olympus 1 front Olympus 1 screen back Sony TX55 front Sony TX55 screen back

Closing Thoughts: Which Camera Is Right for You?

The Olympus Stylus 1 feels like a steadfast companion for discerning enthusiasts who want a serious superzoom that punches above its small sensor weight class. It’s a versatile, dependable workhorse that blends manual control heritage with modern convenience - great for those who enjoy exploring multiple genres seriously.

The Sony TX55 is the quintessential travel-friendly, pocket powerhouse - less customizable, less ambitious, but a sweet little device for documenting trips, holidays, or everyday life without fuss.

Both cameras represent thoughtful design in their target categories, but your photography goals and preferences for control versus convenience will dictate the best match.

As someone who has personally handled both across diverse shooting environments, I hope this comparison empowers you with nuanced, actionable insights to make your next camera purchase a pleasure rather than a puzzle.

Happy shooting!