Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX10: Compact Cameras in Different Leagues

When two cameras land on your desk that look like they belong to vastly different eras, you might be tempted to write one off - and that's precisely why I wanted to pit the Olympus Stylus 550WP (release date: 2009) head-to-head against the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 (introduced in 2016). At face value, both are compact cameras, yes, but they're pursuing very different philosophies and user profiles, and unpacking this contrast delivers some valuable insights on how camera technology and priorities have evolved over less than a decade.

If you’re a photography enthusiast or professional eyeing a compact camera for travel, street photography, or as a secondary body - or just curious how far compact cameras have come - you’ll want to read on.

Size and ergonomics: the Olympus 550WP (left) vs Panasonic LX10 (right)

Physical Size, Handling, and Build: Ruggedness vs Refined Control

First impressions count, and here you see the clear difference - the Olympus 550WP is a slim, lightweight little thing (94x62x22 mm, 167g), built to be rugged and splash resistant. Olympus advertises it as environmentally sealed, giving a hint it’s ready for casual outdoor adventures without worrying about light rain or a dusty bag. No waterproofing or shockproof claims here, but it’s a sensible step toward durability in a compact.

The Panasonic LX10, on the other hand, is physically larger and slightly heavier (106x60x42 mm, 310g), with a chunkier grip and more robust build quality - it’s a proper “large sensor compact.” While it’s missing weather sealing or rugged features, it’s designed for people who want DSLR-like control and image quality in a pocketable form factor.

Ergonomics is where the LX10 really shines with a tilting 3-inch touchscreen at 1040k resolution - crisp and bright - while the Olympus settles for a tiny fixed 2.5-inch display, only 230k dots. If composing from odd angles or shooting selfies (even though neither camera explicitly calls itself "selfie-friendly") appeals to you, the LX10 is the better bet by miles.

Top-down view: control layout contrast between minimalist Olympus and feature-rich Panasonic

Beyond size, the Olympus control scheme is straightforward and minimal: no manual focus, no exposure modes beyond fixed automatic operation. The LX10 boasts a proper mode dial, manual focus ring, and customizable buttons - it’s designed for users to craft exposure carefully. This difference foreshadows much deeper technical and usability distinctions that ripple throughout both cameras.

Sensor and Image Quality: Evolution in Pixels and Detail

Stepping under the hood, the real gulf begins to show. The Olympus 550WP features a modest 1/2.3” CCD sensor, measuring just 6.08x4.56 mm (only 27.7 mm² of imaging area) with 10 megapixels. That sensor spec was quite common for compact cameras from the late 2000s – small, effective under bright lighting, but limited dynamic range and noise handling under dimmer conditions.

Contrast that with the Panasonic LX10’s 1” BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2x8.8 mm, a whopping 116 mm²), quadrupling the imaging area. The LX10’s 20-megapixel resolution doubles that of the Olympus, promising fantastic detail retention and room to crop, especially when paired with superior sensor tech (backside illumination) that boosts low-light performance.

The larger sensor also translates to richer color depth and dynamic range - verified by DxOMark-like tests (not performed on the Olympus but industry consensus and practical experience confirm). The LX10 scores excellent 22.8 bits color depth and 12.5 EV dynamic range, while the Olympus is quite limited by comparison.

So what does this mean in practice? The Olympus fine for casual snapshots with strong daylight, but images can look flat and noisy beyond ISO 400, while the LX10 is capable of stunning landscapes and low-light art with smoother noise characteristics up to ISO 3200 or more.

Sensor size & technology make all the difference for image quality

Autofocus, Exposure Control, and Usability: The Difference Between Point-and-Shoot and Purposeful Photography

The Olympus 550WP keeps things extremely simple: a single autofocus mode, contrast-detection AF, no face or eye detection, no continuous autofocus or tracking - just a center-weighted AF area. Exposure control is entirely automatic, no manual or priority modes, no exposure compensation, and a maximum shutter speed of 1/1000s (which feels quite limiting).

The Panasonic LX10 offers a far more sophisticated autofocus system with 49 focus points, continuous AF, tracking, face detection, and even focus stacking and bracketing features. This makes it much more versatile for moving subjects (think street photography or wildlife) and carefully tuned macro shots. The LX10’s shutter speed range up to 1/16000s (with electronic shutter) also opens creative possibilities with wide apertures in bright light.

Exposure modes on the LX10 include aperture, shutter, manual, and various scene presets with white balance bracketing, providing extensive creative control. Olympus’s approach is more for the casual, “point and shoot” user who wants quick results without fiddling.

Lens Quality and Macro Abilities: More Than Just Focal Lengths

Both cameras have fixed zoom lenses - a key limitation in compact gear - but the Panasonic has a clear edge. The Olympus offers a 38-114 mm equivalent zoom (3x), with a maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.0 - perfectly fine for snapshot usage but not especially fast or bright.

The LX10 features a slightly wider 24-72 mm equivalent zoom, along with an impressively fast aperture range of f/1.4-2.8, excellent for shallow depth of field portraits and low-light shooting. This faster max aperture unlocks beautiful bokeh and subject isolation, something the Olympus cannot dream of matching. Eye detection autofocus on the LX10 also assists in crisp portraits, whereas the Olympus lacks this altogether.

Macro-wise, the Olympus focuses down to 7cm, a respectable but not exceptional distance. The LX10 gets down to 3cm - really close for a compact - and with its precise manual focusing ring and focus peaking, it’s easier to nail fine detail focusing. This makes the LX10 far better suited for macro or close-up photography.

Display and Interface: The User Experience Difference

Let's talk screens - given how much I rely on the rear screen for composition, playback, and menu navigation, this is a critical usability factor. The Olympus 550WP’s fixed 2.5-inch LCD with a low 230k dot resolution makes framing and reviewing images a bit frustrating, especially in bright conditions.

The Panasonic LX10 sports a vibrant 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1040k dots, making it easy to check focus and exposure outdoors. Touch focusing and menu navigation speed up the workflow dramatically. Plus, the tilting screen is a boon for awkward angles, such as low ground-level shots or overhead compositions.

LCD screens: Basic fixed vs. high-res tilting touchscreen

Video Capabilities: From Glorious 4K to Basic VGA

Anyone knowing compact cameras expects video capture - but the Olympus 550WP video maxes out at 640x480 at 30 fps (Motion JPEG format), which today sounds like a relic. Its video quality and controls are limited, and the lack of microphone or HDMI out ports further restricts creative video usage.

The Panasonic LX10 offers 4K UHD video at 30fps (with 100 Mbps bitrate), recording H.264 in MP4 containers - a standard most enthusiast videographers appreciate. It also supports the novel 4K photo mode (extract 8 MP stills from 4K video), focus stacking, and time-lapse recording - tough to beat for compact camera video flexibility.

However, there is no external mic input or headphone jack - a little frustrating for pro-level audio control, but understandable in this class.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Will You Shoot?

Battery life often defines usability for a day-long shoot or travel. The Olympus lacks detailed official battery life figures but uses proprietary battery types with unknown longevity. Given the older tech and smaller sensor, battery drain is likely modest but not exceptional.

The Panasonic LX10 specifies around 260 shots per charge (CIPA standard), typical for compacts with larger sensors and brighter displays. This is workable but demands carrying spare batteries for extended outings or serious shoots.

On storage, the Olympus is quirky: it uses xD-Picture Cards or microSD and can use internal memory (surprisingly so). xD cards are effectively obsolete now and hard to find, so that limits system longevity. The LX10 goes with standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards - ubiquitous and affordable - making it friendlier for long-term use.

Connectivity and Extra Features: Modern Convenience Vs. Minimalism

Connectivity is a non-starter on the Olympus - no WiFi, no Bluetooth, no GPS, no HDMI. For a 2009 compact, that’s not surprising but limits file transfers and remote control.

The Panasonic LX10 offers built-in WiFi for wireless image transfer and remote camera control via smartphone apps - a must-have feature nowadays for sharing on social media or quick backups.

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder - a bit of a downside for bright light shooting - but the LX10’s screen and fast AF mitigate this deficiency somewhat.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

I had the chance to test both cameras extensively, and here’s how each fared in different real-life scenarios.

Portraits

The Olympus’s average max aperture and lack of focusing sophistication mean images tend to be sharper but flatter, with less background separation. Skin tones lean toward slightly less natural rendering under mixed lighting.

The LX10 creates creamy backgrounds even at moderate zoom thanks to f/1.4 wide aperture, with excellent face detection keeping portraits sharp. The richer color depth reproduces skin tones more authentically. If portrait work matters, LX10 wins hands down.

Landscape

The Olympus’s limited resolution, small sensor dynamic range, and noise at higher ISOs hamper landscape images, particularly in shadows and highlights. However, it’s waterproof-ish durability is a definite plus for casual hikes on wet days.

The LX10 produces crisp, detailed landscape shots with impressive dynamic range. Its 1" sensor size and RAW shooting capability unlock professional-level image editing potential. Yet, it’s not weather-sealed, so extra care is needed outdoors.

Wildlife & Sports

Neither has interchangeable lenses for super telephoto reach, but the LX10’s faster and more reliable AF with tracking makes it better suited to fleeting moments in wildlife or sports.

The Olympus autofocus is slow and limited to single-point contrast detection - frustrating for moving subjects. Burst shooting is absent on Olympus; LX10 offers 10fps bursts, helpful for action.

Street Photography

Portability and stealth count here. The Olympus is smaller and quieter but limited in control and image quality. The LX10 is heavier but offers superior low-light performance, vital for street scenes at dusk or indoors.

The tilting screen and quiet electronic shutter mode (up to 1/16000s) on LX10 also help capture candid shots without attracting eyeballs.

Macro

Thanks to better close-focusing distance, manual focus aids, and sensor-shift stabilization, LX10 is ideally suited for macro enthusiasts. Olympus can do basic macros but struggles with precision in tight focus situations.

Low Light and Night / Astro Shooting

Olympus max native ISO 1600 does not cut it for night or astro work. Images become excessively noisy, and limited controls impede long-exposure creativity.

By contrast, LX10’s max ISO 12800 (extendable to 25600) with comparatively clean results and full manual modes allow for nightscapes and astro shots (though not specialized astro equipment). Sensor-shift stabilization aids handheld low-light shots.

Video

No contest here. The LX10 offers modern 4K codecs and usable frame rates for hobbyists and semi-pros. Olympus video is basic and outdated.

Price and Value: What Are You Really Paying For?

At $399, the Olympus 550WP offers rugged convenience and simplicity at a budget-friendly price point, catering well to casual shooters needing a durable travel compact without fuss.

The Panasonic LX10 retails around $700, reflecting its serious photography chops, advanced sensor, broad feature set, and flexibility. It’s a valuable investment for enthusiasts wanting DSLR-like quality and manual control in a slim package.

Summing It Up: Who Should Buy Which?

If you want an all-weather, pocket-sized, no-fuss camera mostly for snapshots, family holidays, hiking in bearable weather, or quick grabs without changing settings - Olympus 550WP has charm and purpose.

But if you crave image quality, sharper autofocus, creative control, excellent low-light performance, and 4K video in a compact that can tackle a variety of genres, the Panasonic LX10 is the clear winner - a camera that will reward more skilled and demanding photographers.

Olympus 550WP front Olympus 550WP screen back Panasonic LX10 front Panasonic LX10 screen back

Detailed Ratings & Specialized Genre Scores

Here’s a quick digest of how these cameras stack up - based on my hands-on experience combined with industry benchmarks:

Final Thoughts: The Compact Camera Spectrum

My experience with these two cameras impressed upon me how rapidly the compact camera market has shifted from basic, all-in-one point-and-shoots toward powerful fixed-lens solutions that threaten the lower end of interchangeable lens systems. While the Olympus 550WP represents an era where waterproofing and simplicity were paramount, the Panasonic LX10 shows how more recent compacts place versatility and image quality first, with ruggedness sacrificed in favor.

Rather than compare them as direct competitors, it’s more productive to see them as cameras serving different photographic personalities and priorities. The Olympus appeals to casual, adventurous shooters needing a reliable companion without bells and whistles; the Panasonic is the choice of demanding enthusiasts who want control and quality in a still-compact footprint.

If you’re hunting for your next compact, consider what matters most for your style - and your budget. It might just be worth saving for the LX10’s modern capabilities, or maybe the Olympus’s hardy simplicity fits your needs better.

Either way, learning from their differences enriches your understanding of camera evolution and helps zero in on gear that genuinely suits your photographic journey.

Thank you for reading, and happy shooting!