Olympus 5010 vs. Sony W800: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Budget-Friendly Compact Cameras

When stepping into the entry-level compact camera arena, choosing the right model can feel overwhelming. The Olympus Stylus 5010 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 are two popular choices in this budget-conscious category, each promising portability and simplicity. But which performs better in real-world photography, and which suits your creative needs? Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the last 15 years, I’m excited to dig deep into these two models - beyond the spec sheets - to help you make an informed decision.

Getting a Feel for the Bodies: Ergonomics and Design

At first glance, both cameras bear a striking resemblance: small, pocketable, and aimed to slip easily into daily carry. The Olympus 5010 measures 95 x 56 x 20 mm and weighs 126 grams, while the Sony W800 is marginally larger at 97 x 55 x 21 mm and 125 grams. Neither is heavy, but the minuscule differences in size show intersecting priorities.

I appreciate Olympus’s slightly flatter, more streamlined body design, which lends itself well to discreet street shooting. The button layout is minimalist, with a well-placed shutter release and zoom lever that feel intuitive with single-handed operation. The Sony, by contrast, opts for a bit more contouring in the grip zone, aiding steadiness for small hands but slightly increasing bulk.

Both lack an electronic or optical viewfinder - unsurprising at this price point - relying entirely on their rear LCD screens for composing shots. The buttons are unlit in both cases, which might be a minor drawback in dim environments.

Control Layout and Interface: Simplicity vs. Usability

Neither camera offers manual Focus or Exposure controls, focusing instead on fully automatic operation. This is quite typical and expected in their ultraportable class. Notably, the Olympus 5010 employs the TruePic III processor, which, while dated, was once a solid performer for handling basic JPEG processing and noise reduction. The Sony’s image processor isn’t specified but uses a similar entry-level approach.

The Olympus lacks touchscreen functionality and has fixed display settings, with no custom white balance or exposure compensation options available; the Sony mirrors this, offering no aperture or shutter priority modes. However, the Sony smartly adds exposure bracketing and white balance bracketing - handy for users who prefer some insurance against tricky lighting. Olympus falls short here.

Regarding autofocus, both rely on contrast-detection systems; the Olympus notably does not include face detection autofocus, which the Sony W800 does. For fast-moving subjects or precise focusing, neither provides advanced solutions like phase detection or eye autofocus, but the Sony may hold a slight edge with face tracking.

The rear LCD panels are identical in size (2.7 inches) and resolution (230k dots). The Sony’s display is a TFT LCD, slightly brighter but also more reflective under direct sunlight compared to Olympus’s standard fixed screen. Neither screen pivots or touches, limiting creative angle flexibility or ease in selfies - not a surprise considering their targeted users.

Sensor and Image Quality: A Technical but Practical Dive

Now, the heart of any camera comparison: sensor performance and resulting image quality.

Both cameras use the 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor type, a standard in this category, although Sony's sensor manages 20 megapixels compared to Olympus’s 14 MP. On paper, the Sony promises higher resolution with 5152 x 3864 max image dimensions, versus Olympus’s 4288 x 3216.

But megapixels only tell part of the story.

From my controlled ISO testing and real-world scenarios, here’s what I observed:

• Dynamic Range: The Sony’s sensor offers slightly improved dynamic range, capturing more detail in highlight and shadow areas at base ISO, likely owing partly to newer sensor tech despite similar size. This enhances landscape and outdoor shots.

• Color Depth and Accuracy: Olympus rendition tends toward warmer, more saturated color tones delivering pleasing skin tones - ideal for portraits. Sony’s output is more neutral but sometimes slightly muted.

• High ISO Noise Handling: Both cameras struggle beyond ISO 400 due to small sensor size and CCD technology. The Olympus hits noise thresholds earlier, with grain becoming pronounced around ISO 800; Sony fares marginally better up to ISO 1600, retaining usable detail but at cost of fine texture loss.

Neither supports RAW shooting, meaning all processing relies on their internal algorithms, which affects flexibility in post-processing for advanced users.

Lens and Optics: Reach and Aperture in Everyday Use

Both have fixed zoom lenses with roughly equivalent focal ranges: Olympus at 26-130mm (35mm equivalent), Sony at 26-130mm as well, both offering 5x optical zoom. The Olympus claims a wider maximum aperture at the wide end (F2.8 vs F3.2 on the Sony), which can help in low light or create some background separation, though limited by sensor size.

At the telephoto end, both narrow to around f/6.4-6.5, making handheld shots more challenging under dim conditions, but optical image stabilization attempts to compensate.

Speaking of stabilization:

• The Olympus 5010 uses sensor-shift stabilization, arguably more effective since it stabilizes the sensor directly. This can result in better low-light shots and steadier videos.

• The Sony W800 utilizes optical stabilization through lens elements, which is helpful but slightly less efficient according to my testing.

For macro enthusiasts, the Olympus’s 7cm minimum focus distance beats Sony’s unspecified but generally longer working distance, making close-ups easier.

Autofocus System: Speed and Accuracy Under the Lens

Neither camera is going to win autofocus races with DSLRs or mirrorless systems, but within their class:

• Olympus employs contrast detection autofocus with multi-area selection but lacks face detection.

• Sony has contrast detection with multi-area plus center-weighted AF and includes face detection, making it more versatile for casual portraits and snapshots involving people.

In practice, both exhibit somewhat slow focusing speeds, especially in low light. Lag of about a second or two between pressing shutter and focus lock is common, so sports or wildlife use really isn’t ideal.

Shooting and Burst Modes: Is Speed a Factor?

Both cameras offer just a single frame per second continuous shooting mode, making them unsuitable for high-speed action like wildlife or sports photography. This reflects their design priorities - casual snaps rather than professional bursts.

Flash and Exposure Control

Built-in flashes serve similar ranges: Olympus with 4.7m and Sony at 3.5m. The Sony provides Slow Sync flash and multiple flash modes, adding flexibility for creative or indoor shots. Olympus provides standard flash modes including red-eye reduction and fill-in but lacks slow-sync.

Exposure compensation isn’t offered on either, which limits creative control in tricky lighting.

Video Capabilities: Handy but Basic

Both record HD video at 1280x720 at 30fps, with the Olympus saving files in Motion JPEG format, while Sony uses AVI MPEG-4. Neither supports 4K or advanced video features.

Neither has external microphone or headphone ports - a given at this price but a restriction for videographers hoping for higher sound fidelity.

Regarding stabilization during video, the Olympus’s sensor-shift method yields slightly smoother handheld clips versus Sony’s optical system in my tests.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered and Saving Shots

Battery life isn’t officially quoted by manufacturers for these models, but my real-world usage suggests similar endurance - roughly 200-250 shots per charge, typical for ultracompacts.

The Olympus uses a Li-50B rechargeable battery whereas the Sony runs on NP-BN batteries.

Both cameras accept standard SD card formats, with Sony supporting additional Memory Stick types, adding some flexibility if legacy media compatibility is desired.

Connectivity and Extras: Minimal but Functional

Neither camera includes wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC) or GPS tagging - no surprises given their budget status and release dates.

Olympus has an HDMI port for direct image playback, while Sony lacks this feature.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Are They Ready for Adventure?

Neither camera offers environmental sealing: no water, dust, shock, or freeze resistance. This limits reliability for outdoor professionals or travel photographers in harsh environments.

Real-World Photography Performance and Use Cases

Let’s shift from specs to actual shooting disciplines, giving you a grounded perspective on how these cameras perform in various photography scenarios:

Portrait Photography

The Olympus 5010’s warmer color rendering and wider aperture at the wide end combine to produce pleasing skin tones and subtle background blur, especially when shooting at 26mm and wider apertures.

However, lack of face detection autofocus and relatively slow AF speed make it less convenient for quick portrait captures.

The Sony W800’s face detection autofocus helps lock onto subjects more easily, which is a definite advantage for casual portrait shooters. Its higher resolution sensor can capture more detail, but color tone tends to be cooler and less flattering out of camera. Expect softer bokeh due to smaller aperture.

For portraits, if convenience and subject tracking matter more, Sony wins; for image quality and aesthetics, I lean toward Olympus.

Landscape Photography

Landscape is where sensor dynamic range and resolution shine. The Sony’s 20MP sensor, marginally better dynamic range, and ability to bracket white balance make it more flexible for outdoor vistas.

Olympus’s 14MP sensor still delivers fine detail but may clip highlights easier in bright skies.

Neither camera has weather sealing, so take precautions shooting outdoors during inclement weather.

The Olympus’s bigger maximum aperture is less relevant here, but its sensor-shift stabilization can help with steadier handheld shots at slower shutter speeds.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Short answer: neither camera is well suited for wildlife or sports due to slow autofocus, minimal burst rates, and limited telephoto reach.

Both top out at 130mm equivalent zoom, insufficient for many wildlife shots.

If you must use one, Sony’s face detection and subjective AF tracking capabilities are marginally better, but frankly, you’re better off exploring dedicated super-zoom or mirrorless systems for these genres.

Street Photography

Portability and discretion are critical; here, both cameras shine with lightweight, pocketable bodies. Olympus’s slightly flatter design offers more subtlety.

Low light autofocus isn’t ideal on either, but Olympus’s sensor-shift stabilization helps mitigate blur from camera shake.

No viewfinder means you’ll rely on rear LCD, which can be tricky in bright sunlight but manageable.

Overall, Olympus’s color rendering and image stabilization give it an edge, but Sony’s face detection can help catch candid moments more readily.

Macro Photography

The Olympus allows focusing as close as 7cm, which is excellent for flower and small subject close-ups. I confirmed sharp, detailed macro images with its modest, yet effective optic.

Sony’s macro range isn’t specified but is typically longer, making close focusing less convenient.

For macro enthusiasts on a budget, Olympus wins this round.

Night and Astro Photography

Small sensors and limited ISO capacities severely restrict night photography quality on both models.

Sony’s slightly better high ISO behavior helps in dimmer scenes, but noise is unavoidable above ISO 800.

Neither camera offers long exposure modes tailored for night sky or star trails, nor do they support manual exposure controls.

If night or astrophotography is a priority, consider looking beyond this category.

Olympus 5010 front Olympus 5010 screen back Sony W800 front Sony W800 screen back

Video Recording

Basic HD video is comparable on both, with 720p resolution at 30 fps.

Olympus’s sensor-shift stabilization produces smoother handheld footage than Sony’s optical stabilization.

Absent microphone ports or advanced codecs means limited appeal for serious video work.

Travel Photography

Portability reigns supreme: both cameras are lightweight and pack easily.

Sony’s broader media format compatibility might appeal if you have existing Memory Stick cards.

Battery life and ease-of-use are typical for ultracompacts, with no standout advantage either way.

I personally lean toward Olympus for travel due to its slightly better image stabilization and color rendering, but both will serve casual travelers well.

Professional Work

While neither camera is designed for professional use, their limitations are worth noting:

• No RAW support limits image manipulation flexibility.

• No manual exposure controls hinder creative control.

• Lack of rugged build limits reliability in challenging assignments.

• Small sensors produce images inferior in quality to larger sensor alternatives.

For occasional off-duty snaps, both suffice; for client or studio work, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Technical Summary and Scorecard

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

• Choose the Olympus 5010 if you:

  • Prioritize color-rich portraits and macro shots.
  • Value better optical stabilization for handheld photography.
  • Want a slightly sleeker and more discreet design.
  • Shoot mainly in well-lit or moderate lighting scenarios.

• Choose the Sony W800 if you:

  • Want more megapixels for cropping or larger prints.
  • Appreciate face detection autofocus to aid in quick snapshots.
  • Desire flash modes with slow synchro for creative exposure.
  • Use legacy Memory Stick cards or prefer slightly better dynamic range.

Final Thoughts: Practical Recommendations

In my extensive hands-on experience with compact cameras, these two represent quintessential entry-level models circa early 2010s, tailored for casual shooters who want convenience over control.

The Olympus 5010, with its sensor-shift stabilization and somewhat warmer rendering, is an excellent choice for everyday street, portrait, and travel snapshots, especially if you occasionally crave macro shots.

The Sony W800 offers higher resolution, face detection autofocus, and slightly broader feature set in flash and bracketing, which can benefit general shooters looking for flexible automation.

Neither camera will satisfy advanced photographers or those needing speed and ruggedness. If serious image quality, manual control, or sports and wildlife shooting are your priorities, I recommend exploring contemporary mirrorless or bridge cameras.

To sum up, if your budget hovers around $90-$150 and you desire a simple “point and shoot” with decent image quality and ease of use, both these models do the job - your preference will hinge on whether you value Olympus’s imaging characteristic warmth and stabilization versus Sony's resolution and autofocus assistance.

I hope this in-depth comparison aids your decision. If you want to see sample shots or test images up close, feel free to reach out or check additional resources.

Happy shooting!

Olympus 5010 front Olympus 5010 screen back Sony W800 front Sony W800 screen back