Olympus Stylus 1s vs Sony Cyber-shot HX400V: An In-Depth Small-Sensor Superzoom Showdown

In the world of bridge cameras, few contenders have sparked as much interest among enthusiast and amateur photographers alike as the Olympus Stylus 1s and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V. Both arrived in the mid-2010s, offering compact, SLR-style bodies packed with versatile superzoom lenses, appealing for those who want a “jack-of-all-trades” camera without the bulk of DSLRs or mirrorless systems.

Having tested thousands of cameras over my career - from pro-level rigs to point-and-shoots - I’ve found that these two bridge cameras occupy an interesting crossroad in terms of feature set, optics, and usability. Today, we'll strip back the specs, share real-world impressions, and ultimately clarify which camera shines brightest across different photographic disciplines.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty - starting, as usual, with the most tactile experience: handling and ergonomics.

Handling & Ergonomics: Size, Weight, and Usability Walkthrough

When it comes to a bridge camera, the tactile relationship between photographer and body can make or break the experience, especially given fixed-lens designs where you rely entirely on the integrated controls.

Here, the Olympus Stylus 1s commands immediate attention with its trim and lightweight profile - clocking in at a mere 402g against Sony’s considerably heftier 660g HX400V. The 1s measures a compact 116x87x57mm, whereas the HX400V sprawls out to 130x93x103mm - that’s a significant difference in footprint and thickness. Whether you’re trekking city streets or hiking mountain trails, carrying a lighter, more compact body like the Olympus inevitably feels less burdensome.

Both cameras sport the classic bridge camera “SLR-like” ergonomic silhouette, but the Olympus excels in creating a snug grip thanks to a subtly molded grip area with ample textured rubber. The Sony’s grip is functional, but a bit boxier, reflecting its larger dimensions.

Subtle details matter here. The Olympus’s relatively narrow width allows a snug two-thumb hold, which I found particularly advantageous for extended handheld shooting, reducing fatigue during long excursions. In contrast, the Sony demands a firmer grip, which, combined with its weight, can cause strain after a while - especially if you’re trekking or shooting sports handheld.

From above, both incorporate physical dials and controls that evoke DSLR tradition. The Olympus 1s benefits from a well-thought-out control layout focused on quick dial access and tactile feedback - important for manual settings or aperture priority work. The Sony, while comprehensive in control provision, feels a touch less intuitive with smaller buttons clustered closer, which could slow down operation when in a hurry.

A notable Olympus strength is the inclusion of a tilting touchscreen (3” at 1040k dots), an increasingly standard feature that enhances operational speed, particularly for focus selection and menu navigation. Sony’s 3” display runs at slightly lower resolution (921k dots) and eschews touchscreen functionality, favoring a traditional button-only interface.

Summing up ergonomics, if you prize compactness and quick tactile interaction, Olympus edges ahead for prolonged use comfort. Sony, while offering a larger body and presumably greater optical reach, asks for a tradeoff in heft and some usability compromise.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Powerhouse Under the Hood

No amount of style or ergonomics can eclipse fundamental image quality - where sensor tech and lens optics define the camera’s real-world capability.

Both cameras sit firmly in the small sensor superzoom bracket, each employing a backside-illuminated CMOS sensor:

• Olympus 1s boasts a 1/1.7” sensor (7.44 x 5.58 mm) with 12 megapixels.
• Sony HX400V utilizes a smaller 1/2.3” sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm) boasting a higher resolution 20 megapixels.

At first glance, Sony’s sensor claims significantly more pixels crammed onto a smaller surface area - translating to smaller individual photosites. That usually implies trickier low-light performance and dynamic range compared to larger pixel sensors, but can offer finer crop flexibility and higher resolution prints.

Olympus’ 1/1.7” sensor is notably larger (~41.5 mm² vs Sony’s ~28 mm²), lending inherently better light-gathering potential and less noise at higher ISOs - a crucial advantage for enthusiasts shooting diverse conditions. The 12MP resolution strikes me as a smart balance: sufficient detail for prints up to A3 size while maximizing noise control.

I ran side-by-side comparisons photographing a high dynamic range scene - an autumnal forest canopy with sun-dappled leaves. The Olympus’s larger sensor captured subtly better gradation in shadows and midtones, resulting in smoother falloff rather than the Sony’s slightly harsher tone transitions. Even with Sony’s higher resolution, noise was more pronounced above ISO 800 on the HX400V, making Olympus the preferred choice for critical low-light shooting or night/astro photography.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking Confidence

If you’re photographing fast-moving subjects - wildlife, sports, or street scenes - autofocus speed and tracking are paramount.

Olympus 1s offers a contrast-detection AF system with 35 focus points, including face detection and continuous AF tracking modes. It supports touchscreen AF point selection, arguably a boon for framing moving subjects with precision.

Sony’s HX400V runs a contrast-detection AF too but with only 9 focus points. While it includes center-weighted metering and face detection, it lacks touch-to-focus.

I conducted high-tempo shooting tests at a local sports event, targeting fast runners and cyclists:

• The Olympus 1s managed more consistent focus lock-ons, reacting snappily across its denser AF grid.
• The Sony, despite a higher burst rate of 10fps (Olympus: 7fps), struggled to maintain sharp focus across moving subjects, especially off-center. This occasionally resulted in frustrating focus hunting or missed frames.

For wildlife photography, where telephoto range is essential, Sony’s 50x optical zoom lens (24-1200mm equiv.) is a tempting proposition. In comparison, Olympus’s shorter 28-300mm (10.7x) reach feels limiting from a distance.

That said, zoom reach is only as useful as the AF can support it. Olympus’s 1s stabilizes well and nails focus gradually even at telecompressed extremes, whereas Sony’s HX400V, despite longer reach, can falter noticeably in low contrast or low light situations.

Lens and Optical Performance: Aperture, Zoom, and Macro Abilities

The core identity of these bridge cameras hinges on their fixed superzoom lenses - lens quality defines much of the ultimate image signature.

Olympus’s 28-300mm equivalent f/2.8 constant aperture lens is impressive. A constant f/2.8 is rare in this zoom range. It offers shallow depth of field for portrait-style bokeh effects at longer focal lengths, and more importantly, maintains faster shutter speeds in dimmer conditions.

Sony’s 24-1200mm lens is groundbreaking in terms of zoom reach but exhibits an aperture variable from f/2.8 at wide to f/6.3 at full telephoto - meaning light gathering diminishes drastically at long zooms. This negatively impacts low-light usability and depth-of-field control at telephoto lengths.

On sharpness tests, Olympus’s lens delivers noticeably crisper images, especially in the center, maintaining solid contrast edge-to-edge. Sony’s lens softens at full telephoto and wide apertures, though it still holds its own for casual applications.

Olympus 1s front Olympus 1s screen back Sony HX400V front Sony HX400V screen back

Regarding macro capabilities, Olympus claims focusing as close as 5 cm, Sony can focus down to 1 cm. Playing around in the garden, Sony was able to pick out minute detail on flower petals up-close but with softness creeping in wide-open. Olympus’s f/2.8 aperture gave it an edge for portraits with nicely blurred backgrounds and smoother bokeh quality - not just a technical number. If macro work and shallow depth effects appeal, the Olympus gives you more creative latitude.

Both integrate optical image stabilization - which is critical given their telephoto reaches - and both performed admirably in reducing blur, with Olympus’s stabilization feeling marginally more responsive on handheld shots over mixed terrains.

Video Capabilities: How Do They Shoot Moving Pictures?

The Olympus camera shoots Full HD 1080p video at 30fps using MPEG-4/H.264 format; Sony steps up with 1080p at 60p/60i/24p recordings, and supports AVCHD - catering to semi-pro videographers.

In handheld video testing, the Olympus’s optical image stabilization smoothed jitter effectively, though the fixed 30fps rate limits capture of fast movement. Sony’s 60fps mode allows smoother slow-motion playback, which might appeal for action sequences.

Olympus lacks a microphone input, restricting audio control - a notable omission for serious video users. In contrast, Sony includes a microphone port, enabling external audio recording; however, it does not feature headphone monitoring.

Neither camera supports 4K video or more advanced codecs; they firmly sit in the entry to mid-level video category.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered Out in the Field

Olympus 1s impresses slightly with a rated 450 shots per battery charge - a strong figure for compact bodies - while Sony HX400V offers 300 shots per charge.

Testing in day-to-day shooting with image review and zooming in, Olympus typically lasted longer before needing a recharge. Sony’s larger sensor and brighter screen likely contribute to its higher power draw.

Both use proprietary rechargeable battery packs (Olympus BLS-50, Sony NP-BX1) and accept SD memory cards. Sony boasts expanded compatibility with Memory Stick Duo formats as well, giving users more media options.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless, GPS, and Smart Features

For on-the-go photographers who like immediate sharing or geotagging, connectivity is key.

Olympus 1s incorporates built-in Wi-Fi but lacks Bluetooth or NFC, requiring manual pairing for image transfer.

Sony HX400V includes Wi-Fi plus NFC and built-in GPS - a huge plus for travel photographers or wildlife shooters who want accurate geo coordinates pinned to photos.

Neither cameras support Bluetooth, a minor disappointment in the modern connected era, but Wi-Fi at least enables remote control and image transfer via smartphone apps.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Ready for Rough Handling?

Neither Olympus Stylus 1s nor Sony HX400V claims environmental sealing or ruggedized construction. Both lack weatherproofing, shockproofing, and freezeproofing. If you expect severe weather exposure, these cameras are not designed for the elements without supplementary protection.

Real World Use Across Photography Genres: Who Shines Where?

To provide actionable advice, let’s examine how these cameras perform across popular photography styles.

Portrait Photography:
Olympus leads with a constant f/2.8 lens allowing beautiful subject isolation and smooth bokeh. Its face-detection AF and touchscreen for manual focus placement work well. Sony’s longer zoom range might not help here as much; slower telephoto aperture and fewer AF points reduce portrait flexibility.

Landscape Photography:
Sony’s higher megapixel count provides benefits for cropping and large prints, but Olympus’s larger sensor offers better dynamic range and cleaner shadows. Both lack weather sealing, though.

Wildlife Photography:
Sony wins on sheer zoom reach (up to 1200mm equiv.), invaluable for distant subjects like birds or small mammals. However, Olympus’s faster AF tracking and stabilization means higher keeper rates, albeit with shorter reach.

Sports Photography:
Sony’s faster burst shooting is attractive, but limited AF points and slower autofocus performance diminish its enthusiast-sports usability. Olympus strikes a balance of solid AF, reduced burst speed, and better handling in chaotic scenes.

Street Photography:
Olympus’s compact body and quieter shutter make it more discreet and nimble on city streets. Sony’s bulkier frame and somewhat noisy zoom put it at a disadvantage here.

Macro Photography:
Sony allows very close focusing distance for capturing fine detail but Olympus’s faster aperture lets you play with depth and background blur for artistic effect.

Night and Astro Photography:
Olympus’s larger sensor and cleaner ISO performance outperform Sony in noise control after dark. Neither has dedicated astro modes, but Olympus’s raw support offers more postprocessing latitude.

Video:
Sony is a modestly better choice for video, with 60p capture, microphone input, and better codec options - handy for casual videographers.

Travel Photography:
The smaller, lighter Olympus body fits better for long travel days. Sony’s GPS is a sweet feature for travelers eager to journal their journey via geotagging.

Professional Work:
Neither camera fits fully in professional workflows relying on full-frame or APS-C sensors, extensive raw flexibility, and rugged bodies. Olympus offers raw support, Sony does not.

Price and Value: Investment Perspectives

At the time of their releases, Olympus 1s carried a near $700 price tag; Sony HX400V was approximately $450. Considering current availability and used pricing, this gap persists roughly.

Olympus demands a premium for compactness, constant aperture lens, touchscreen, and raw capture. Sony’s value lies in extraordinary zoom range, GPS, and video capabilities at a friendlier price.

Summarizing performance across our testing benchmarks:

• Olympus Stylus 1s scores highest in ergonomics, image quality, portrait, low-light, and macro photography.
• Sony HX400V shines in zoom reach, video, sports burst rate, and travel geotagging.

Final Verdict: Which Bridge Camera Should You Choose?

The Olympus Stylus 1s and Sony Cyber-shot HX400V target overlapping but distinct user needs. Here’s my distilled advice based on firsthand testing and evaluation:

• Choose the Olympus Stylus 1s if you prioritize image quality, portability, ergonomics, and creative control like manual focus, aperture priority, and reliable autofocus for portraits, landscapes, and street photography. Its constant f/2.8 lens and better sensor give it the edge for noisy environments, shallow depth of field, and low light. Ideal for enthusiast photographers valuing balanced features and compactness.

• Choose the Sony HX400V if you require extreme zoom reach for wildlife or sports, want better video frame rate options, geotagging GPS functionality, and can tolerate a heavier, bulkier body. Its 50x zoom makes photographing distant subjects easier, while the mic input appeals to casual videographers. Best suited to those who want versatility in zoom and video without spending on interchangeable lens systems.

Closing Thoughts

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital cameras, bridge models like these are fascinating hybrids bridging simplicity and advanced controls. Neither Olympus nor Sony offers the everyman’s “do it all” solution, but each carves out unique niches.

I hope this comparison sheds light on the technical and practical differences, helping you select the camera best aligned to your photographic passions and shooting style. And, of course, if budget permits, trying each model in-store or via rental prior to purchase always pays dividends.

Happy shooting!

If you want to revisit key specs and sample images or consult detailed shooting results, check out the galleries above. These visual comparisons make the differences tangible beyond words.

Thanks for joining me in this deep dive. Feel free to share your experiences shooting with either camera or ask questions in the comments section!