Olympus Stylus 1s vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300: An Expert Deep Dive Into Two Small Sensor Superzooms

As someone who has spent well over 15 years testing a wide range of cameras - from high-end DSLRs to compact point-and-shoots - I relish opportunities to explore the nuances hidden beneath specification sheets, especially in niche categories like small sensor superzooms. Today, I’m diving headfirst into comparing two stalwarts in this area: the Olympus Stylus 1s and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300. Both models carry a similar bridge camera form factor, target photography enthusiasts seeking substantial zoom without the heft or cost of interchangeable lens systems, and offer distinct feature sets that cater differently across shooting styles and priorities.

In this article, I’ll walk you through everything from sensor performance and autofocus, to ergonomics and real-world usability, providing candid focal points for various photographic genres. If you’re on the fence between these two, or just curious how they stack up, by the end of this comparison you’ll have robust insight grounded in hands-on evaluation.

Getting Up Close: Size, Build, and Handling

Let’s start with what you physically interact with: the cameras themselves. Ergonomics can make or break your shooting experience, especially for extended use.

The Olympus Stylus 1s sports a solid SLR-like bridge design with dimensions of 116 x 87 x 57 mm and a weight of 402 grams. Meanwhile, the Sony H300 is notably bulkier and heavier, measuring 130 x 95 x 122 mm and tipping the scales at 590 grams - a considerable difference.

I found the Olympus far more comfortable in hand, its textured grip and well-placed buttons promoting extended shooting sessions without fatigue. The Sony, despite being bigger, feels somewhat front-heavy due to its extended zoom lens barrel. This impacts portability, especially for those considering travel photography or street shooting.

The Olympus’s tilting 3-inch touchscreen (1,040k dots) also proved invaluable when shooting at varied angles - a feature absent from the Sony’s fixed, non-touch 3-inch screen with just 460k dots resolution. The tiltable display enhances flexibility in creative compositions and reduces strain.

In short: If you prize ergonomics and ease of handling, especially when on the move, the Olympus Stylus 1s feels like a thoughtfully designed tool, while the Sony’s bulk could be a drawback in casual or travel contexts.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Both cameras operate within the small sensor superzoom category, meaning compromises are inevitable compared to larger APS-C or full-frame sensors. However, sensor design plays a vital role in the overall image outcome.

• Olympus Stylus 1s: 1/1.7-inch BSI CMOS sensor, 12 MP resolution, sensor size 7.44 x 5.58 mm (41.5 mm² effective area)
• Sony DSC-H300: 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, 20 MP resolution, sensor size 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.1 mm² effective area)

The Olympus benefits from a backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, a notable technology advantage over Sony’s CCD. BSI sensors typically yield superior low-light performance, cleaner signal-to-noise ratio, and improved dynamic range, especially at higher ISOs.

Despite Sony packing 20 megapixels, the smaller sensor size leads to smaller photosites, which tends to amplify noise and reduce dynamic range. The Olympus’s moderate 12 MP count coupled with a larger sensor area provides a better pixel pitch balance.

This technical detail was readily apparent in my testing outdoors and in low-light scenarios. Olympus produced cleaner images at ISO 1600 compared to Sony, which started to show noise beyond ISO 400. The Olympus also pulls away in dynamic range - skies and shadows retain more detail, crucial for landscape photographers.

To complement this, Olympus wisely includes an antialiasing filter, balancing sharpness against moiré artifacts well, while Sony’s lack of raw output support further limits post-processing latitude.

Control Layout and Interface: How Intuitive Are These Cameras?

An often underrated factor, user interface and control ergonomics strongly influence photographic success when time is tight or light is fading.

The Olympus features a retro-modern top-deck design with dedicated dials for shutter speed and aperture - a rarity in this class but invaluable for speed and precision. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasts a crisp 1,440k-dot resolution with 100% coverage, offering reliable eye-level framing and review. The inclusion of touchscreen AF and menu navigation adds modern convenience without sacrificing tactile control.

Conversely, the Sony H300’s control scheme is basic, with no dedicated dials for exposure modes and a small, fixed LCD as the primary interface. It lacks a viewfinder entirely - completely relying on the LCD for composition, which is dim and low-res by today’s standards.

I often found myself fumbling on the Sony in fast-changing scenes, wishing for exposure dials or a viewfinder to stabilize composition. The Olympus gives you tools for rapid adjustments - ideal for sports, wildlife, or street photography where moments won’t wait.

Autofocus Performance and Burst Rates: Tracking the Action

Next, autofocus (AF) is critical, particularly for wildlife, sports, or fast-paced events. The Olympus employs a contrast-detection-only AF system with 35 focus points, including face detection and continuous AF modes.

While contrast detection is generally slower than phase detection, Olympus’s hybrid AF implementation here is surprisingly responsive. During my test shoots chasing birds in flight and kids playing soccer, the 1s locked focus quickly enough to capture sharp images. Its continuous shooting rate of 7 fps provides room for action bursts.

By contrast, the Sony H300 struggles considerably. It offers contrast-detection AF only, with no continuous AF during burst shooting (which is limited to just 1 fps). Face detection exists, but overall AF is slower and less reliable in tracking moving subjects.

The lack of electronic/digital viewfinder on the Sony means extraneous focusing delays and greater missed shots.

This is a key difference if your main use case involves capturing movement - and places the Olympus decidedly ahead in this domain.

Zoom Range and Lens Quality: Versatility and Optical Considerations

Both cameras boast superzoom fixed lenses, a major appeal of bridge cameras.

• Olympus 1s: 28-300 mm equivalent zoom with a fast and constant f/2.8 aperture
• Sony H300: 25-875 mm equivalent zoom, variable aperture f/3-5.9

At face value, Sony’s 35x zoom dwarfs Olympus’s 10.7x range. However, zoom reach alone is not everything. Optical quality and maximum aperture influence sharpness and low-light usability dramatically.

The Olympus’s relatively short zoom is extremely sharp across focal lengths with impressive corner-to-corner clarity, benefiting from a fast constant aperture that supports shooting in dimmer light and produces more pleasing bokeh at wider apertures - key for portraits and macro.

Sony’s lens flares and softness increase noticeably at long zoom lengths. Coupled with the slow variable aperture, it hampers low-light and depth-of-field control. Its macro capabilities are also limited with no specified close focusing distance.

Screens and Viewfinders: Composing & Reviewing Your Shots

I mentioned earlier the advantages of the Olympus’s tilting touchscreen and high-res EVF. These features significantly enhance framing versatility outdoors in sunlight and for creative low-angle or overhead shots.

The Sony’s fixed LCD is harder to see in bright conditions and offers no touchscreen functions. Moreover, the lack of any viewfinder reduces compositional stability and battery efficiency if you rely heavily on the LCD.

For me, the Olympus’s viewfinder and flexible screen were often lifesavers - especially when photographing on busy streets or uneven terrain where holding the camera steadily is crucial.

Image Quality in Practice: Sample Comparisons

Practical sample images from diverse real-world settings underscore these technical points:

• Portraits: Olympus rendered skin tones naturally with gentle bokeh separation due to the faster lens aperture.
• Landscapes: Olympus images exhibited rich dynamic range and precise detail in foliage and skies.
• Wildlife: Better autofocus and burst rate helped Olympus capture motion crisply.
• Macro: Olympus allows 5 cm close-up focus, producing sharp, detailed macro shots.
• Low Light: Olympus’s BSI CMOS sensor handles higher ISO well with subdued noise.

Sony’s strong suit is zoom reach, handy for casual wildlife photos or surveillance-style shots where image quality is secondary. Its 20 MP output looks impressive at first glance but reveals softness and noise on closer inspection.

Olympus 1s front Olympus 1s screen back Sony H300 front Sony H300 screen back

Video Capabilities: What to Expect

Neither camera aspires to be a video powerhouse, but Olympus’s capability edges out Sony’s slightly:

• Olympus shoots full HD 1080p 30fps videos with H.264 compression, offering decent bitrate and sharpness.
• Sony is limited to HD 720p at 30fps.

Built-in image stabilization helps both cameras smooth handheld footage. Unfortunately, neither supports external microphones or headphone outputs, limiting audio quality control.

For casual video recording - holiday trips or family moments - Olympus offers clearer, better-resolved video files.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

The Olympus Stylus 1s boasts around 450 shots per charge - above average for the category - and uses a rechargeable BLS-50 battery. Sony H300 offers about 350 shots and uses a proprietary battery model (undisclosed in specs).

Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but Sony also offers compatibility with Memory Stick formats - more of a legacy holdover.

The Olympus’s higher battery longevity enhances usability for daytripping photographers.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Olympus includes built-in wireless connectivity (exact specifications not detailed), enabling easy image transfer to smartphones or tablets, and timed shooting modes useful in creative work.

Sony has no wireless features, which could be a dealbreaker if you rely on wireless sharing workflows.

Neither camera offers GPS or environmental sealing. Both expose to everyday weather risks, so treat them with care outside controlled settings.

Price and Value: What Are You Getting?

At launch and retail pricing:

• Olympus 1s: approximately $699
• Sony H300: approximately $249

The price gap reflects Olympus’s superior build quality, sensor technology, faster lens, and advanced controls.

The Sony H300 targets a budget-conscious audience prioritizing zoom range and affordability over image quality or user experience refinements.

How These Cameras Stack Up In Various Photography Genres

Looking across disciplines, here’s where they might fit best:

Final Performance Ratings Overview

Bringing the key measurements together:

Olympus 1s clearly leads in image quality, controls, responsiveness, and versatility. Sony H300’s strengths are limited to super zoom reach and affordability.

My Hands-On Verdict

Having put both cameras through my field tests - covering cityscapes, wildlife parks, low light, and family portraits - the Olympus Stylus 1s offers a far superior photography experience that justifies its premium price. Its balanced feature set, excellent image quality thanks to the BSI CMOS sensor and fast constant aperture lens, and responsive handling make it a versatile tool for enthusiasts who want a capable bridge camera without sacrificing speed or flexibility.

The Sony H300, meanwhile, is best positioned as an entry-level zoom-for-the-money option. The extended focal range is appealing if you absolutely need massive zoom reach on a tight budget, but be ready to accept trade-offs in image quality, slow autofocus, and front-heavy bulk.

If you’re a traveler or street photographer valuing portability and image quality, Olympus is the clear winner. For casual wildlife snapping or people who prize zoom above all else with minimal learning curve, Sony’s H300 remains a competent budget choice.

Recommendations by User Profile

• Enthusiast Traveler / Street Photographer: Olympus 1s - compact, fast controls, tilting touchscreen, quality sensor for varied lighting
• Portrait and Macro Lover: Olympus 1s - superior bokeh and close focus capabilities
• Wildlife Amateur: Olympus 1s for AF speed & burst; Sony H300 only if extended zoom is essential and quality is secondary
• Budget-Conscious Beginner: Sony H300 - huge zoom, straightforward use, ideal for casual shooting
• Casual Video Shooters: Olympus 1s - Full HD recording and stabilization edge out Sony’s 720p limit

Final Thoughts

In my experience, the camera you choose must align with how you shoot and what you prioritize most. The Olympus Stylus 1s impresses me as a thoughtfully engineered bridge camera that punches well above its category’s weight, bringing features and quality close to enthusiast standards without the burden of interchangeable lenses.

The Sony H300 delivers on enormous zoom and affordability but feels compromised in the essentials core photographers seek: image quality, speed, and ergonomics.

Hopefully, this detailed comparison helps you chart a confident course toward the camera that will inspire your creativity and deliver images you’ll love sharing.

Should you have questions about specific shooting scenarios or want tips on maximizing either camera's performance, I’m happy to share further insights from my testing and fieldwork.

Happy shooting!

(I have no commercial affiliations with Olympus or Sony; all opinions stem from rigorous personal evaluation and established testing methodologies.)