Olympus Stylus 7010 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

In the dense jungle of compact cameras circa 2009, two models stood out by carving their unique paths: the Olympus Stylus 7010 (aka mju 7010) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. Both represent distinct philosophies - the Olympus favoring a sleek, straightforward compact form factor; the Sony embracing a more robust, bridge camera style with expanded zoom and control options. After spending substantial time with both, testing across photography disciplines, and considering their specs and ergonomics, here’s my thorough evaluation.

Whether you’re hunting for a pocket-friendly travel companion or a versatile superzoom powerhouse, this detailed comparison aims to guide your decision by revealing what these cameras really deliver beyond the spec sheet.

Compactness and Handling: Small and Sweet vs. SLR-Styled Bulk

Right out of the gate, size and ergonomics set these two apart dramatically. The Olympus 7010 sports the compact size category, boasting an impressively slim and light chassis measuring 98×56×26mm and tipping the scales at a mere 145 grams. Its petite stature makes it ideal for spontaneous street photography or travel where minimalism and low profile matter. In contrast, the Sony HX1 is more of an SLR-style bridge camera, physically substantial at 115×83×92mm and weighing 544 grams.

The Olympus’s fixed lens and minimalist controls favor swift point-and-shoot usage. The body’s smooth edges and straightforward button layout minimize distractions during quick snaps but limit manual intervention. By comparison, the Sony’s more substantial grip and extensive physical buttons lend it a professional feel, allowing deeper exposure control and comfortable handling during extended shoots - especially with the heavier lens zoom extended.

The top control arrays illustrate this well.

Sony places priority on dedicated dials for shutter and aperture priority modes, exposure compensation, and manual shooting - which Olympus lacks entirely. If you value physical controls and a tactile shooting experience, the HX1 feels more like a proper camera in hand.

Sensor and Image Quality: Similar Size, Different Technologies

At the heart of both cameras lies a small sensor measuring roughly 6.1×4.57mm (about 28mm² effective area), typical for the compact segment at the time. The Olympus uses a CCD sensor with 12 megapixels, while the Sony packs a 9MP CMOS sensor.

From a raw technical perspective, Olympus’s TruePic III processor combined with the CCD sensor typically yields vibrant colors and relatively low noise at base ISO settings. The max ISO topping at 1600 adds some flexibility but starts showing grain quite early due to the sensor’s size. The relatively high native ISO 64 however can help in bright conditions and smoother tones.

Sony’s CMOS sensor and Bionz processor, on the other hand, offers advantages in speed and dynamic range, with a wider ISO range spanning up to 3200 native. While the resolution is slightly lower at 9MP, the increased sensitivity and sensor design support better performance in low light and faster readout for continuous shooting.

In summation: Olympus edges out with slightly sharper resolution potential and vibrant color in daylight, while Sony leans on low-light capability and dynamic range. Neither boasts raw support, limiting post-processing flexibility.

Viewing and Composition Tools: LCD and Viewfinder Experiences

LCD screens often make or break the shooting experience on compact cameras. The Olympus 7010 features a fixed 2.7-inch 230k dot LCD, while the Sony HX1 upgrades to a larger 3-inch tilting screen, also at 230k resolution.

Sony’s tilting screen offers a clear advantage in versatility, enabling eye-level and high-angle shooting, convenient in macro or street situations where awkward angles matter. The fixed screen of the Olympus is serviceable but less adaptable to creative framing.

A major benefit for the Sony is its electronic viewfinder (EVF). While the EVF resolution isn’t specified, having this option for composing shots under bright sunlight or steadying the camera adds considerable value for serious users. Olympus lacks any viewfinder altogether, relying solely on live view on the LCD, which can be hindered outdoors.

If you favor composing with your eye to the camera and appreciate the flexibility of tilting screens, Sony takes this round handily.

Lens and Zoom Capability: Reach and Aperture Shaping Your Frame

Lens versatility is critical when choosing a compact or bridge camera.

The Olympus 7010’s fixed lens spans 28-196mm equivalent, a moderate 7x zoom. Its aperture ranges from f/3.0 at the wide end to f/5.9 telephoto. This focal length suits everyday shooting - street, portraits, casual landscapes - but might feel limiting if you want to get closer to distant subjects.

In comparison, Sony’s HX1 impresses with an expansive 28-560mm (20x) equivalent zoom lens, significantly extending reach for wildlife, sports, and far-off details. Aperture starts brighter at f/2.8 wide-angle, providing better low-light capability and depth-of-field control than Olympus’s f/3.0 start. Telephoto aperture at f/5.2 is slightly faster than Olympus.

Macro focusing distances further differentiate: Sony allows focusing as close as 1cm, Olympus 10cm. This suggests Sony would be the better pick for macro enthu-siasts or those wanting extreme close-ups.

Olympus 7010 front Olympus 7010 screen back Sony HX1 front Sony HX1 screen back

In practice, Sony’s lens versatility opens doors for a broader range of photography styles, while Olympus keeps things simpler and lighter.

Autofocus and Speed: Fast Enough for Action?

Autofocus systems on these cameras reveal their target audience intentions.

Olympus uses contrast-detection only, with a single autofocus mode and no tracking. It has no face or eye detection, and no continuous AF or burst shooting. In other words, it’s basic - they forego speed and complexity, focusing instead on reliable simple point-and-shoot operation.

Sony steps up with 9-point contrast-detection AF, center-weighted, multi-area, and single AF modes. It lacks phase-detection AF, but the ability to select among 9 focus points, plus a faster continuous shooting mode at 10 fps, makes it more suitable for capturing action.

Both lack tracking or animal eye AF, but Sony’s manual focus option and shutter/aperture priority modes add creative flexibility.

Physical Durability and Environmental Resistance: Indoors Only

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, dustproofing, or shock resistance. Both are designed for casual shooting rather than harsh conditions or professional rugged use.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

Neither manufacturer provides detailed battery life ratings, which is common for cameras of this era and class. Olympus uses a smaller, lighter LI-42B battery, Sony uses the larger NP-FH50 battery - indicative of the greater power demand from the HX1’s larger screen and more advanced features.

Storage types differ slightly: Olympus supports xD Picture Cards, microSD cards, plus internal storage, making it versatile if outdated. Sony uses proprietary Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo cards and internal storage.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Connectivity Lacking

Both cameras lack wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS.

Olympus offers a fixed lens with sensor-shift image stabilization, vital for sharp handheld shots at slower shutter speeds or longer zooms. Sony offers optical image stabilization, preferable for retaining image quality without resolution loss typical in sensor-shift systems.

Sony adds HDMI output for external viewing, missing from Olympus.

Video Performance: Modest but Serviceable

Video specs reveal interesting contrasts:

• Olympus shoots VGA (640×480) at 30fps max, using Motion JPEG codec.

• Sony can capture higher resolutions up to 1440×1080 (about HD), 720p, and VGA, using more efficient H.264 compression.

Neither supports modern HD or 4K formats, but Sony provides more versatility and better compression to reduce file size.

Neither has microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio control.

Real-World Photography Tests Across Genres

Now to the heart of any camera comparison: how do these two perform in real-world scenarios? I tested both extensively across major photography disciplines to see where their strengths and weaknesses lie.

Portraits: Skin Tone and Bokeh

Portraiture in compact cameras is always challenging. The Olympus offers a 7x zoom with f/3.0 lens wide open, providing decent background separation at 28mm but telephoto apertures getting slower at f/5.9. The fixed lens and simple AF mean no eye detection, so focusing on eye sharpness requires steady hands and good lighting.

Sony’s brighter f/2.8 aperture on the short end and longer reach allow more creative framing and background compression. Although no eye detection here either, the faster AF points and manual focus help nail focus on critical eyes.

In practice, Olympus yields pleasing color in skin tones with slightly punchier saturation, though bokeh quality is average, and background blur is somewhat restrained by the slower lens. Sony provides more flexibility to isolate subjects even at both ends of the zoom.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Landscape photographers want high resolution, good dynamic range, and reliability under various conditions.

Olympus’s 12MP CCD presents sharper images in daylight with balanced colors but limited dynamic range due to sensor size and lack of raw support. The 28mm wide end is versatile, but the 196mm telephoto limit restricts distant compression.

Sony’s 9MP sensor, despite marginally lower resolution, offers improved dynamic range and wider exposure latitude thanks to CMOS tech and Bionz processing. The 20x zoom lens can reach far-flung mountain peaks easily but lens sharpness at full telephoto softens.

Neither camera provides weather sealing, a drawback for outdoor specialists.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Performance

For fast-moving subjects, autofocus responsiveness and burst shooting define success.

Olympus’s single contrast AF point and lack of continuous shooting make it unsuitable for dynamic scenes like wildlife or sports. Manual shooting here becomes a struggle.

Sony, with 9 AF points and 10fps continuous shooting, is better positioned for sports and wildlife. While not cutting-edge by today’s standards, it delivers respectable tracking speeds and enough buffer to capture action moments.

Street Photography: Portability and Discretion

Street shooters appreciate discreet size and silent operation.

Olympus’s ultra-compact design and quiet operation rate highly here. Its sensor-shift IS helps in dim conditions, and 12MP detail captures crisp scenes.

Sony’s bridge camera bulk and louder zoom motor might be intrusive. Still, its electronic viewfinder aids in bright sunlight street shooting where LCD visibility falls short.

Macro Work: Close-Up Capability

Sony’s 1cm macro focus distance outperforms Olympus’s 10cm minimum, letting you capture intimate details brilliantly. Plus, Sony’s tilting screen aids low-angle work.

Night and Astro: Low Light Performance

Sony’s higher ISO ceiling and optical stabilization favor night scenes better than Olympus, which quickly shows noise beyond ISO 400. Both cameras struggle with very long exposures.

Video Shoots: Moving Picture Capabilities

Sony’s ability to shoot nearly HD video with efficient H.264 codec and HDMI output lightly nudges Olympus out for casual videographers. Olympus’s limited low-res video and Motion JPEG format are outdated today.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Ease of Use

If your camera is your travel mate, weight, zoom, and battery life count.

Olympus offers unmatched portability and simple point-and-shoot operation, great for casual snapshots. Sony brings superzoom versatility and exposure modes that cater to various situations but at the expense of bulk and weight.

Professional Application: Workflow and Reliability

Neither supports raw files, limiting photographic post-processing control. Sony’s greater exposure control modes and manual focus improve workflow flexibility. Olympus, with its simpler interface, better suits casual or backup roles.

Scoring the Cameras: Where They Shine and Where They Falter

I rated both on overall performance and genre-specific points to give you a snapshot for easy decision-making.

Sony consistently scores higher in versatility, speed, and creative control, while Olympus excels in convenience, compactness, and image detail at base ISO.

Who Should Buy Which: Recommendations Based on Use Case

• If you crave a pocketable, fuss-free camera for casual everyday use, travel, and street photography, the Olympus 7010 is a solid choice. Its size, lightweight, and respectable 12MP output fit spur-of-the-moment shooting and light setups without requiring photography expertise. Expect limited creative control; this is a nice step up from smartphone cameras circa 2009.

• If you want versatility, superzoom reach, manual mode options, and better performance for action, macro, wildlife, or semi-pro work, the Sony HX1 offers a richer feature set worth the bulk trade-off. Its 20x zoom, dedicated controls, electronic viewfinder, and superior video recording present a far more capable creative tool. Just be ready to carry it around.

Final Thoughts: Olympus 7010 vs Sony HX1 - A Tale of Compact Minimalism vs Bridge Versatility

Choosing between these cameras boils down to priorities. The Olympus Stylus 7010 delivers classic simplicity, lightweight portability, and decent image quality for enthusiasts who want the least fuss with respectable results. Meanwhile, Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 is a more ambitious camera, pushing the boundaries of bridge cameras in zoom, control, and shooting speed.

Having personally tested both in multiple real-world scenarios and reviewed their technical merits, I feel confident in saying there’s no one-size-fits-all here. Rather, each serves a distinct niche in early compact camera evolution.

If you’re nostalgic for compact ease or archive-quality snapshots with minimal learning curve, Olympus still impresses. For a more serious, jack-of-all-trades shooter from the late 2000s, Sony’s HX1 arguably remains the better creative companion, provided you make peace with its size and somewhat dated sensor.

I hope this comprehensive review helps you navigate their strengths and weaknesses clearly. Whichever path you choose, both cameras offer a snapshot into digital imaging’s last decade of innovation before the smartphone surge transformed the market forever.

Happy shooting!

Note: All images and sample comparisons are based on in-depth personal testing and calibrated side-by-side analyses in consistent lighting conditions to offer accurate reflections of performance.