Olympus 550WP vs Sony WX300: An Expert Hands-On Comparison for Practical Photography

Choosing the right compact camera often feels like walking through a maze of specs, jargon, and marketing jargon. As someone who's tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, I know how daunting it can be to separate hype from reality - especially with compact cameras aimed at casual users but packing sharply different features. Today, I’m diving deep into a detailed comparison of two small-sensor compacts: the Olympus Stylus 550WP, a ruggedized entry-level point-and-shoot from 2009, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300, a more recent 2013 small sensor superzoom compact.

Both cameras share a compact form factor and fixed lenses, but their target users and capabilities couldn’t be more different. I’ve spent real-world hours testing and comparing them across major photography axes - portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, and more - while sharing honest takes on strengths, quirks, and value for money. Let’s unpack their features, image quality, handling, and performance, so you can decide which fits your style and budget.

First Impressions: Size, Handling & Ergonomics

When buying a compact, how a camera feels in your hands matters a lot. Does it slip? Do the controls make sense, or do you fumble? Here’s where we start.

Both the Olympus 550WP and Sony WX300 are pocketable but differ subtly in dimensions and ergonomics:

• Olympus 550WP: Measuring approximately 94x62x22 mm and weighing 167g, this camera is compact but built with rugged environmental sealing. It feels solid, with a rubberized grip area to keep it from flying out of sweaty palms. Its design screams "outdoor-ready," though it lacks sophisticated grip contours.

• Sony WX300: Slightly longer and thicker at 96x55x25 mm and 166g, the WX300 feels more refined in shaping despite being a few mm bulkier. The slick finish and modest curve to the grip make it comfortable for steady hold over extended shoots.

Looking at top-down controls, the WX300 offers a noticeably better layout:

• Dedicated zoom rocker surrounding the shutter - super intuitive given its 20x zoom.
• Easy access playback and mode buttons.
• The Olympus 550WP is more minimalist, lacking physical controls for exposure modes or priority settings - which, as you’ll see later, limits manual intervention.

Neither camera sports a viewfinder, so all composing is screen-based. The Olympus’s fixed 2.5-inch, 230k-dot display feels outdated next to the Sony’s 3-inch, 460k-dot screen. More on that shortly.

In sum, the WX300 excels in ergonomics with smarter button placement, while the 550WP focuses on durability over finesse. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys feeling every control under your fingertips during a shoot, Sony has the upper hand here.

Sensor Technologies and Image Quality: CCD vs BSI-CMOS

The heart of any camera’s image-making is the sensor. Despite superficially similar “1/2.3-inch” sensor sizes, internal sensor designs and pixel array make huge differences.

Olympus 550WP houses a 10MP CCD sensor, typical for its era (2009). CCDs were common then - offering decent color reproduction but with:

• Limited dynamic range (the span between darkest shadows and brightest highlights).
• Modest high-ISO noise control.
• Lower maximum resolution compared to later sensors.

Sony WX300 features an 18MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor. BSI design improves low-light sensitivity by rearranging the sensor’s circuitry to allow more light onto photosites.

In practical terms, the WX300 produces:

• Cleaner images at higher ISOs (up to ISO 3200 native vs ISO 1600 max on the Olympus).
• Finer detail due to higher resolution (18MP vs 10MP).
• Better dynamic range - helping retain detail in complex lighting.

In controlled testing, shots from the Sony exhibit less noise under dim conditions, like indoor or dusk scenes, and richer tonal gradations in landscape shadows.

Admittedly, Olympus’s CCD can produce punchy color and sharp images in good light, but the lack of RAW support means you’re stuck with straight JPEGs, limiting post-processing flexibility.

LCD and User Interface: Composing and Reviewing Shots

How clearly you can judge your images in the field is essential, especially when shooting outdoors and on the move.

Sony’s 3-inch LCD with 460k dots is noticeably brighter and crisper than the Olympus’s smaller 2.5-inch screen with 230k.

The WX300’s interface offers quick access to custom white balance and has a face detection autofocus system, making portraits easier to nail on-the-fly.

On the other hand, the Olympus’s screen is more reflective, harder to read in direct sunlight - a frequent frustration for outdoor photographers.

No touchscreens or electronic viewfinders on either model means all focusing and settings rely entirely on physical buttons and the LCD, which is important to note if you’re accustomed to modern touch-control systems.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: How Fast and Accurate Are They?

Autofocus (AF) systems differ significantly between these two cameras, which affects candid shots, sports, wildlife, and events.

The Olympus 550WP offers:

• Contrast-detection AF only, single-shot with no tracking.
• No face or eye detection.
• No continuous autofocus.
• Noticeable lag in low light.

Sony WX300 impresses by comparison:

• Also contrast-detection AF but enhanced with face detection, and importantly,
• Autofocus tracking for moving subjects.
• Continuous AF available in video mode.
• Bursts of up to 10 frames per second, great for fast action.
• Faster AF acquisition in daylight and decent in moderate light.

This makes the Sony a much more capable tool for sports, street, and wildlife, where quick and reliable focus is critical. The Olympus is better suited to static subjects or casual snapshots.

Lens and Zoom Range: Versatility on Demand

Let’s talk optics - fair warning, these are fixed lenses:

This is a massive difference: Sony offers a much wider angle at the short end (25mm vs 38mm) and a long telephoto reach of 500mm, excellent for wildlife or distant subjects.

Olympus’s moderate 3x optical zoom limits versatility but enables better optical quality across the range.

Optically, I found Olympus lens shows less distortion and slightly better sharpness on the wider end, but the Sony’s zoom lets you get closer from far away without carrying extra glass.

Neither camera offers manual aperture control or focal ring - zoom is controlled electronically.

Image Stabilization: Steady Shots in Your Hands

Both cameras include image stabilization, but implementation differs:

• Olympus 550WP uses digital image stabilization, which crops the image slightly and can degrade image quality.
• Sony WX300 provides optical image stabilization, which compensates for hand shake without cropping or quality loss.

In low-light or telephoto zoomed shots, Sony’s system produces noticeably sharper images handheld. Olympus’s digital stab is better than nothing but often falls short in demanding conditions.

Video Capabilities: From Slideshow to Full HD

If video is on your checklist, there are clear winners here.

The Sony WX300 records smooth full HD video with optical stabilization - making handheld videos much more watchable.

The Olympus’s video is limited to low-res clips with significant compression artifacts. If video matters, Sony is the no-brainer choice.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

Both cameras use proprietary rechargeable batteries, but official battery life numbers are sparse.

• Sony WX300 uses a widely available NP-BX1 battery, known for decent run times around 320 shots per charge.
• Olympus’s battery specs are vague, and being an older camera, spare batteries may be less accessible.

On storage:

• Olympus 550WP supports xD-Picture Card, microSD, and even internal storage.
• Sony WX300 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Pro Duo cards - a more modern and readily available format.

Sony wins in convenience and longevity here.

Durability and Build Quality: How Rough Can You Go?

The Olympus 550WP is targeted at the rugged usage segment with environmental sealing claimed (though not fully waterproof or shockproof).

The Sony WX300 has no weather sealing, designed for casual urban use.

If you are the outdoorsy type hiking, camping, or shooting in damp or dusty environments, Olympus’s build might give you peace of mind.

Hands-On in Key Photography Scenarios

Portrait Photography

• Sony WX300: Face detection and autofocus tracking help nail portraits with sharp eyes and accurate skin tones, especially under natural light. The longer zoom lets you shoot flattering headshots without invading personal space.
• Olympus 550WP: Limited AF and no face detection make portraits less consistent. Skin tones are OK but lack the vibrancy and depth of the WX300’s images. Macro focus at 7cm is decent for close-ups.

Landscape Photography

• Sony WX300 again edges out with its wider angle (25mm) and 18MP resolution for large prints. Dynamic range isn’t class-leading but acceptable for casual shots.
• Olympus 550WP is limited to 38mm starting focal length, which restricts wide sweeping vistas. Its CCD sensor struggles to capture shadow details in high-contrast scenes.

Both cameras lack RAW format support, limiting advanced editing.

Wildlife and Sports

• The Sony’s fast 10fps burst and autofocus tracking make it suitable for casual wildlife or sports photography.
• The Olympus can’t keep up here - slow AF and no burst mode mean many missed shots.

Street Photography

• Compact size and discreet design suit both.
• Sony’s faster AF and silent shooting option (excluding the shutter noise) favor street work.
• Olympus’s rugged build might be overkill on a quick city walk but will take shocks outdoors.

Macro and Close-Up

• Olympus’s 7cm macro focus is serviceable but not outstanding.
• Sony lacks dedicated macro but uses its long zoom to frame subjects creatively.

Night and Astro

• Sony’s BSI CMOS sensor and higher max ISO make it the better choice for low-light and night.
• Olympus’s CCD struggles above ISO 400, resulting in noisy images.

Sample Images: Real-World Visual Proof

Let’s look at side-by-side photo samples under typical conditions.

Olympus 550WP front Olympus 550WP screen back Sony WX300 front Sony WX300 screen back

Here you’ll notice:

• The Sony’s photos are sharper with more detail.
• Better color rendition and dynamic range.
• Olympus photos can look softly lit and less crisp, especially in shadow areas.

Verdict by Photography Type: Who Wins What?

Overall Performance and Value

While the Olympus 550WP impresses as a rugged compact with simple operation, the Sony WX300 outperforms it across virtually all technical and practical dimensions despite being only modestly more expensive.

Sony’s 20x zoom, sharper sensor, optical stabilization, advanced autofocus, and full HD video positioning make it a versatile shooter suitable for diverse scenarios and enthusiastic hobbyists.

Olympus’s appeal lies in its durability and rugged build, appealing to those shooting in adverse conditions or who prioritize simplicity.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If your priority is versatility, image quality, and modern features for general-purpose photography, wildlife, sports, or video, the Sony WX300 is the obvious recommendation. Its balance of zoom reach, sensor capability, and speedy autofocus delivers punch well beyond its price point.

However, if your shooting is mostly casual snapshots, often outdoors where environmental sealing is a priority, and you value a simple, rugged design, the Olympus 550WP remains a solid choice (especially if found used at a bargain).

Consider Your Specific Needs:

• Budget-conscious buyers wanting ruggedness and point-and-shoot ease: Olympus 550WP
• Enthusiasts wanting zoom reach, image quality, and video capabilities: Sony WX300

Both cameras have aged in the market - if your budget allows, looking at more recent compacts will yield better results, but if these two are in the running, the above considerations should guide your pick.

Remember, I’ve spent hours shooting portraits in natural light, landscapes during golden hour, wildlife at local parks, and capturing street life with both cameras. Neither is a professional-grade powerhouse, but they each shine in their niche.

Happy shooting, whichever path you choose!

Summary Table

Feel free to reach out with specific use case questions - I’m happy to help you match gear to your photographic ambitions.