Olympus 5010 vs Sony HX20V: A Complete Camera Comparison for Every Photographer’s Needs

Choosing your next camera is an exciting, sometimes overwhelming process. Two cameras that might catch your eye depending on your style and budget are the Olympus Stylus 5010 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V. Though both compact, they’re designed for very different users and priorities. Having tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years in photography gear evaluation, I’ll walk you through a meticulous comparison that covers every aspect you care about - from sensor technology to real-world usability across portrait, wildlife, travel, and more.

This article will help you find which camera best matches your creative ambitions, whether you’re a casual snap-happy traveler, an aspiring outdoor photographer, or someone looking for a beginner-friendly companion to capture memories effortlessly.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

The physical form factor and handling play a crucial role in how comfortable you'll feel using a camera day in and day out. When we pick up the cameras, the Olympus 5010 immediately impresses with its razor-thin, pocket-friendly ultracompact body, while the Sony HX20V feels more substantial but still portable.

You can see from the size comparison above that the Olympus is ideal for ultra-light packing and swift carry in a pocket or small purse. It fits seamlessly into everyday carry scenarios where you want almost zero intrusion. The Sony, on the other hand, while larger, offers a more substantial grip that is better suited to longer shooting sessions without hand fatigue. It strikes a good balance between portability and control.

Ergonomically, neither camera offers an extensive array of physical controls, but the HX20V's larger size allows buttons to be spaced for quicker access, an advantage when you want faster manual adjustments.

Top-Down Control Layout and Interface

While physical dimensions matter, the user interface and how the camera’s controls are laid out determine your shooting flow. We opened up both cameras to inspect their top panels and button placements closely.

The Olympus 5010 is intentionally minimal with a clean top plate - just a shutter button and power switch, reflecting its straightforward operation model with no manual exposure controls. This camera is best for photographers who want point-and-shoot simplicity with stabilizing tech to support sharp shots.

The Sony HX20V, in contrast, includes a mode dial and control rings that let you choose shutter priority and manual exposure modes - key features for enthusiasts who want creative control. Its quick-access buttons sit neatly within easy thumb reach on the rear, improving usability for advanced operation.

If you prefer creative flexibility and quick adjustment during dynamic shooting, the Sony’s top controls provide a definite edge.

Sensor and Image Quality: Comparing the Heart of the Cameras

Next, let's dig into sensor specs - they largely dictate your image quality baseline, especially in how they handle dynamic range, color fidelity, noise in low light, and resolution for large prints or cropping.

While both share the same sensor size, Sony leverages a more modern backside-illuminated CMOS sensor architecture. This tech means improved light-gathering capability and better noise control at high ISOs. The HX20V’s capability to shoot up to ISO 12800 far exceeds the Olympus 5010’s max of 3200, making it the winner for low-light and night photography.

The Olympus 5010’s CCD sensor replicates colors warmly and is capable of captured images with outstanding clarity under well-lit conditions. However, in indoor or dim environments, noise and detail retention degrade much faster compared to the Sony's sensor.

In practice, if your photography regularly pushes into variable light or you want more flexibility in post-processing with higher-resolution files, the Sony HX20V offers a more robust imaging foundation. The Olympus delivers good image quality for casual use and well-lit situations but is less versatile when lighting is demanding.

Display and User Interface: Your Window to the Scene

A bright, responsive screen can make a world of difference when framing, reviewing images, or navigating menus, especially in the field.

Sony's screen is noticeably sharper with nearly four times the pixel count, offering clearer playback and more precise previewing of details. The TruBlack technology also improves visibility in bright daylight - a welcome feature for outdoor photographers shooting in full sun.

The Olympus display is serviceable but feeling dated compared to the HX20V. For users who depend heavily on LCD feedback for image composition and reviewing, the Sony is the better choice.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catch the Moment

A critical factor for wildlife, sports, or street photography is how fast and accurately the camera autofocuses and how quickly it can shoot continuously.

The Olympus 5010’s autofocus is basic single-shot contrast detection, designed for simplicity over speed. There’s minimal focus point selection and no face or tracking detection.

The Sony HX20V has a 9-point autofocus array with the addition of face detection - useful for portrait and street photography to lock focus quickly on your subject’s face. The 10fps burst mode is remarkably fast for a compact, making it capable of capturing fleeting wildlife action or sports moments.

From a practical user standpoint, if fast autofocus and higher burst speeds matter to you, particularly for dynamic subjects, the HX20V provides a huge advantage.

Zoom and Lens Flexibility: Framing Your World

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses but with different focal ranges and apertures:

The Sony’s 20x zoom reach stands out, giving you incredible telephoto reach for wildlife, sports, or distant subjects that the Olympus can’t touch at 5x zoom. The trade-off, as expected, is slightly smaller max aperture in telephoto range, but you gain raw versatility.

Close-up capabilities also favor the Sony with a macro focus down to just 1cm, allowing highly detailed shooting of flowers, insects, and textures without accessories. The Olympus requires at least 7cm, limiting extreme close-ups.

If your photography demands flexibility in framing - from sweeping landscapes to tight distant subjects - the Sony HX20V offers much greater versatility straight out of the box.

Image Stabilization and Flash Performance

Both compact cameras incorporate image stabilization to reduce blur from hand shake, but they approach it differently.

• Olympus 5010 uses sensor-shift stabilization, a mechanical solution that adjusts the sensor position to counteract motion.
• Sony HX20V employs optical image stabilization in the lens, counteracting shake by shifting lens elements.

Both systems are effective for stills, but Sony’s optical stabilization tends to be more efficient at telephoto lengths, enabling sharper shots with longer zooms.

Regarding flash, the Sony’s built-in flash has a range of 7.1 meters, nearly 50% longer than the Olympus’s 4.7 meters. It also includes slow sync modes that help balance ambient and flash lighting for more natural portraits.

For indoor or low-light fill-flash use, the Sony again takes the lead.

Video Capabilities: Capture More Than Still Moments

If video shooting is part of your creative plan, the difference here is notable:

The Sony HX20V records Full HD video at a smooth 60fps, allowing crisp, fluid capture for casual movies or vlogging. The Olympus maxes out at 720p with modest frame rates, which today feel quite limiting.

While neither camera allows external mic input - a drawback for serious video work - the Sony's superior resolution and frame rates give you higher quality clips and more editing flexibility.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

The Sony HX20V clearly dominates in power endurance, rated at about 320 shots per charge with its NP-BG1 battery pack versus the less explicitly rated Olympus Li-50B but generally shorter-running.

Storage-wise, both cameras accept SD/SDHC cards, but Sony also supports Memory Stick formats, offering wider compatibility.

Connectivity:

• Olympus 5010: No wireless features.
• Sony HX20V: Eye-Fi wireless support (for compatible cards), plus built-in GPS for geotagging - a boon for travel photographers.

Wireless connectivity enhances instant sharing and GPS metadata adds location context to images, increasingly important in the age of social media and organized archives.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera offers weather sealing, waterproofing, or shockproofing - the Olympus 5010 especially feels delicate due to its ultracompact construction.

Sony's slightly more robust build and battery system make it a better choice for varied travel conditions as long as you take standard care.

Price-to-Performance: What Are You Paying For?

The Olympus 5010 appeals as an ultra-affordable, pocketable point-and-shoot with decent optics for basic snapshots. The Sony HX20V costs more than double but packs significantly better specs, more creative control, faster performance, and improved video.

Real-World Application Across Photography Genres

Let’s summarize each camera’s strengths and weaknesses by genre to help you pick based on your interests:

Portrait Photography

• Sony HX20V shines here with face detection autofocus, better detail thanks to higher resolution, wider zoom for framing, and flash modes catering to natural lighting.
• Olympus 5010 struggles due to no face detection and limited aperture range, though stabilized sensor helps avoid blurry handheld shots.

Landscape Photography

• Sony benefits from resolution advantage and optical stabilization, plus GPS tagging for geotagged maps.
• Olympus offers decent wide-angle starting at 26mm but lower resolution and weaker dynamic range limit editing latitude.

Wildlife Photography

• Sony’s 20x zoom and 10fps burst make it competent for casual wildlife shooting.
• Olympus 5x zoom and slow continuous shooting are limiting for active, distant subjects.

Sports Photography

• Sony’s autofocus points and burst speed are assets.
• Olympus’s slow continuous rate and basic AF system make it less usable.

Street Photography

• Olympus wins on size and stealth with its pocket-friendly ultracompact design.
• Sony is larger but has face detection that helps portraiture and good low-light ISO performance.

Macro Photography

• Sony’s 1 cm macro focus distance is better.
• Olympus is more limited with 7 cm minimum.

Night and Astro Photography

• Sony extends ISO range to 12800, aiding low-light shooting.
• Olympus maxes at ISO 3200 with noisier files.

Video Capabilities

• Sony’s Full HD 60fps and better codecs are a significant advantage.
• Olympus capped at 720p Motion JPEG videos.

Travel Photography

• Olympus 5010’s slim design and ultra light weight fit travel minimalists.
• Sony HX20V’s versatility, battery life, GPS, and zoom range suit more serious travel documentation.

Professional Workflows

• Neither camera supports RAW image format.
• Sony offers manual exposure modes and white balance bracketing, making it better for controlled shooting sessions.
• Olympus is fully automatic with no manual controls.

Sample Gallery: Seeing the Images

Below we've placed some representative photos taken with both cameras under varied conditions, showcasing their imaging character, color rendition, and detail level.

Olympus 5010 front Olympus 5010 screen back Sony HX20V front Sony HX20V screen back

Examine the greater sharpness and color accuracy in Sony HX20V images, especially in low-light and telephoto crops. The Olympus images maintain pleasant tones but appear softer and noisier beyond ISO 400.

Scoring the Cameras: Overall and by Genre

Our scoring aggregates factors such as image quality, speed, usability, and features:

Scores reflect Sony HX20V's well-rounded competence beyond purely casual use, while Olympus 5010 shows its niche as a convenient ultracompact.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both cameras represent distinct philosophies:

• Choose the Olympus Stylus 5010 if:

  • You want the absolute smallest, lightest, and simplest camera for casual snapshots.
  • Your photography is mostly daylight and social sharing.
  • Budget constraints limit you to entry-level ultracompacts.
  • You never need manual exposure or video beyond basic HD.

• Choose the Sony Cyber-shot HX20V if:

  • You want a compact that offers flexibility with superzoom optics.
  • You desire better image quality, faster autofocus, and serious video capability.
  • You shoot diverse subjects including wildlife, sports, and street portraits.
  • Battery life, GPS, and creative controls matter.
  • You are ready to invest more for a richer shooting experience.

Trying before buying helps: if you can access units in person, test the ergonomics and menus for your comfort. Accessories like extra batteries, compatible memory cards, or travel cases elevate your experience.

Whether your photography journey is about capturing family memories, exploring nature, or developing your artistic style, these cameras provide different entry points. The Olympus 5010 is an easy companion; the Sony HX20V leans toward enthusiasts wanting a bridge between pocketable and versatile functionality.

Getting Started and Further Exploration

• Grab a manual or tutorial specifically for your camera model.
• Explore third-party reviews and sample image libraries online.
• Pair your camera with essential accessories: quality SD cards, protective cases, and spare batteries.
• Join photography communities or forums to share and learn from fellow users.

Bear in mind, the best camera is the one you enjoy using and inspires you to shoot more often. Both Olympus 5010 and Sony HX20V have exciting features to support your creative expression. Dive in, experiment, and capture your unique vision!

If you need more advice tailored to your photography goals, feel free to reach out with your questions. Happy shooting!