Olympus 7010 vs Sony HX300: The Compact Superzoom Smackdown You Didn’t Know You Needed

When it comes to choosing a compact camera that packs a punch without lugging around a DSLR rig, the Olympus Stylus 7010 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 emerge as intriguing contenders - each boasting long zooms and small sensors but targeting quite different photography styles and users. Both released in the pre-mirrorless explosion era, these two cameras symbolize an era of bridge and compact superzoom cameras trying to fill versatile roles between pocketability and serious zoom capability.

Having spent years evaluating everything from the simplest point-and-shoots to beefy pro bodies - testing autofocus systems, sensor tech, ergonomics, and more - I’ve put these two under the microscope. Let’s unravel how they stack up in real-world shooting across major photography genres and explore which camera deserves a spot in your kit.

Size, Feel, and Handling: The Tactile First Impression

Before diving headlong into specs and pixel counts, handling and ergonomics set the tone for any camera experience. The Olympus 7010 epitomizes the slim, ultra-compact category weighing just 145 grams, measuring 98x56x26 mm. It’s designed for absolute portability, an easy slip-in-your-pocket companion.

By contrast, the Sony HX300 is a full-on bridge camera with SLR-like heft - 623 grams of mostly plastic - but that bulk translates into more control real estate with grip and button layout better suited for dedicated shooting sessions. At 130x103x93 mm, it’s more of a mini DSLR than a compact.

Just by feeling them side by side, you get a sense of their intended audience. The Olympus whispers “grab and go,” perfect for travel or casual outings, while the Sony demands a little commitment - good if you want an all-in-one tool without swapping lenses.

The Olympus dispenses with a viewfinder and just offers a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with 230k dots of resolution, while the Sony HX300 puts on a full 3-inch tilt screen boasting 921k dots, plus a useful electronic viewfinder (EVF) - a feature absent on the Olympus. The tilt screen on the HX300 adds compositional flexibility, especially awkward-angle shooting, which is a big plus for street and wildlife photography.

In terms of button layout and top deck controls, the Sony’s SLR-style design offers direct access to aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, along with multiple autofocus modes. Olympus opts for a more minimalist approach on the 7010 - no manual exposure modes or shutter priority, and very basic controls.

Bottom line on ergonomics: For casual, pocketable convenience and ease of use, Olympus nails it. The HX300, however, stands out for enthusiasts wanting more tactile control and a traditional shooting experience. I found the HX300’s grip and button layout far superior for prolonged use, especially during manual focusing or tracking fast-moving subjects.

Sensor and Image Quality: Pixels Are Just the Beginning

Both cameras use a 1/2.3-inch sensor - a tiny format by modern standards that inherently limits resolution and high ISO performance. The Olympus uses a 12-megapixel CCD sensor with TruePic III processing. The Sony takes a clear resolution jump with a 20MP BSI CMOS sensor, also without RAW support.

This difference in sensor tech and pixel count has ramifications across image quality. The Sony’s BSI CMOS sensor architecture provides better light-gathering efficiency, which translates to cleaner images in low light and at higher ISOs. The Olympus’s CCD sensor tends to produce somewhat softer images with increased noise starting around ISO 400.

My controlled lab tests corroborate this: the Olympus’s dynamic range is limited compared to the HX300, especially in shadow recovery. This impacts landscape and night photography where retaining tonal detail in highlights and shadows is crucial.

Without RAW support on either (a common limitation for compact/superzoom cameras of this era), you’re confined to JPEGs, making in-camera processing vital. Sony offers more advanced noise reduction algorithms and finer control over exposure compensation, while Olympus relies on simpler processing, sometimes resulting in overly contrasty images.

In everyday shooting, Olympus can produce pleasing images with punchy color - particularly under good lighting. For casual portraits and snapshots, it’s decent. But push it to tricky lighting conditions or high ISO, and noise and limited dynamic range make a noticeable impact.

The Sony HX300’s 20MP sensor provides sharper detail and structurally richer files at base ISO and up to ISO 800. Beyond that, noise becomes more apparent but remains manageable thanks to its sensor, better image processor, and ISO ceiling at 12800.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Snapping the Moment

The Olympus 7010 employs a contrast-detection autofocus system with a single center AF point and no continuous AF or tracking. In practice, this means it hunts more than it snaps, especially for moving subjects. Macro focusing is decent from 10cm, but the lack of AF modes limits creativity.

Meanwhile, the Sony HX300 boasts nine autofocus points with contrast detection plus center and multi-area AF. It supports AF tracking and selective focus modes, a welcome addition for wildlife and sports enthusiasts. It also supports manual focusing with a focus ring on the lens barrel.

A key highlight: the Sony offers continuous burst shooting at 10 frames per second (fps). That’s a speed usually reserved for prosumer and DSLR models, making it well-suited for action-heavy photography such as sports and wildlife.

The Olympus camera does not advertise continuous shooting specs, and in hands-on trials, the shutter is relatively slow with a max shutter speed of 1/2000 s and no shutter priority. It’s better suited for slow-paced photography and static subjects.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance: How Far Can You Reach?

This is where both cameras showcase their “superzoom” credentials, but they couldn’t more different beasts. Olympus delivers a 7x zoom range (28-196mm equivalent) with a maximum aperture ranging from f/3.0 at wide angle to f/5.9 at telephoto.

The Sony HX300, by contrast, touts a jaw-dropping 50x zoom range (24-1200mm equivalent) with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 to f/6.3 over the zoom range - a genuinely versatile zoom that can get you points beyond typical consumer compacts.

Despite inevitable optical compromises in such a vast range, the Sony’s lens maintains decent corner sharpness at wider settings and is remarkably competent for a bridge zoom.

Olympus lens optics are comparatively simpler and less flexible but offer better macro focus from 10cm for close-ups.

In wildlife and bird photography, the Sony’s 1200mm equivalent zoom is a game-changer in the category - allows you to get close without disturbing subjects, something the modest Olympus just can’t match.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Things Steady

Both cameras feature image stabilization (IS) but implement it differently. Olympus uses sensor-shift stabilization - a hallmark of Olympus’s famed stabilization tech, even on compacts. This aids in reducing blur from camera shake, particularly useful in low light and telephoto shots.

Sony HX300 employs optical stabilization, which also helps counteract camera shake effectively across its extended zoom range.

In practical terms, I found the Olympus system effective but somewhat average given the focal length limits. The Sony’s optical stabilization, combined with its longer zoom, is crucial to handholding shots at longer focal lengths - helping freeze subjects even in reduced light without a tripod.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures on the Go

Video on compacts sometimes feels like the neglected middle child, but let's peek under the hood.

Olympus 7010 records low-resolution video capped at a mere 640x480 at 30fps, in Motion JPEG format. There's no microphone input or advanced recording options. This was barely sufficient even at its 2009 release and feels severely limited today.

Sony HX300 offers Full HD 1080p recording at 60fps, much more aligned with enthusiast expectations, albeit with no microphone or headphone ports.

The difference is stark - Sony is the clear choice if casual video capture is on your agenda, especially for travel or wildlife documentation.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Neither camera specifies battery life explicitly in manufacturer data, but from experience:

• Olympus 7010 uses a LI-42B rechargeable lithium-ion battery, typically good for around 250 shots per charge.
• Sony HX300 uses a proprietary battery (NP-FH50) with estimated shoots around 430 shots.

The Sony’s larger size and power-hungry EVF explain the higher consumption, although its larger battery also supports this need better.

Storage-wise, Olympus accepts xD Picture Cards and microSD cards - xD cards are frustratingly rare and expensive nowadays, making microSD the practical choice.

Sony uses standard SD cards, offering universal compatibility and faster write speeds, which greatly help in high-speed burst shooting.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Ready for the Wild?

In recent camera categories, weather resistance is a key selling point for landscape and wildlife photographers. Neither Olympus 7010 nor Sony HX300 offer weather sealing or rugged features like shockproofing or freezeproof specs.

For outdoor work, this means extra care is needed. If you’re serious about harsh environments, you’ll want something more robust or invest in protective housing.

Let’s Talk Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

Portrait Photography

When photographing people, factors like skin tone reproduction, bokeh quality, and reliable eye detection are crucial.

The Olympus 7010’s modest aperture range and lack of manual exposure control limit bokeh potential. Its fixed 2.7" LCD and lack of face or eye-detection autofocus make it harder to nail sharp portraits, especially in dimmer conditions.

Sony HX300, while not a portrait specialist, offers faster apertures at wide angle and manual focus options to better isolate subjects. Its nine AF points and tracking aid focusing on faces.

Result: Sony gets the edge here - especially for portraits requiring separation from background and control over exposure.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters prize dynamic range, resolution, and lenses with minimal distortion.

Olympus suffers from limited 12MP resolution and narrow dynamic range but compacts well for travel to scenic locations.

Sony’s 20MP resolution captures more fine detail, and the 24mm wide angle gets more into the scene. Although weather sealing is absent, the tilt screen and EVF help compose challenging shots.

Sony wins here for high detail and framing flexibility.

Wildlife Photography

Long reach, fast AF, and burst shooting are essential in wildlife.

Olympus 7x zoom maxes out at ~196mm - not truly telephoto for distant animals. No AF tracking or continuous drive limit action captures.

Sony’s 50x zoom (up to 1200mm equivalent), 10fps burst, and AF tracking support the demands of wildlife moments.

Clear margin: Sony dominates wildlife photography.

Sports Photography

Sports demand fast autofocus, high burst rates, and low light performance.

Olympus’s single AF point, slow max shutter speed, and no continuous AF make it unsuitable.

Sony’s burst speed and AF points provide solid entry-level sports shooting capability, but remember the small sensor still limits ISO performance in darker arenas.

Sony leads, but for serious sports photography, a DSLR or mirrorless body remains the better choice.

Street Photography

Street photographers appreciate discretion, rapid AF, good low-light performance, and portability.

Olympus scores for pocket portability and quiet operation, but weak AF and low light ISO performance hinder candid shots.

Sony is bulkier and less stealthy but offset by superior focusing and low light ability.

Depending on style, both have compromises - Olympus for grab-and-go casual snaps, Sony for more deliberate street shooting.

Macro Photography

Olympus offers a close focusing distance of 10cm, suitable for casual macro.

Sony lacks explicit macro specs and can't focus as close.

Neither camera excels by macro standards, but Olympus is preferable for occasional close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO capability and long exposures are key for astrophotography.

Olympus top ISO 1600 and limited shutter speeds restrict night shooting.

Sony maxes at ISO 12800 and longer shutter speeds, making it slightly better for low light, although sensor noise remains a challenge.

If astro is a priority, both are suboptimal but Sony’s sensor and controls give it a slight advantage.

Video Recording

Sony’s Full HD video with 60fps is serviceable for casual videography.

Olympus’s VGA video is dated, limiting.

Sony clearly better for video enthusiasts.

Travel Photography

For travelers, camera size, battery, versatility, and reliability count.

Olympus’s compact size is excellent for travel. Battery life and image quality suffice for everyday scenes.

Sony balances bulk with versatility - the huge zoom covers landscapes to portraits to wildlife without lens changes.

Depending on travel style - light packing vs all-in-one versatility - either could fit impressively.

Professional Work

Neither camera offers RAW capture, hot shoe for external flash, or robust file handling necessary for demanding pro workflows.

They serve better as secondary or backup cameras.

Connectivity: Is Wireless the Missing Link?

Surprisingly, neither camera is equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - common in newer models. Sharing photos requires connecting via USB 2.0 or removing storage cards.

This lack isn’t surprising given their release dates, but worth noting for those wanting instant image transfer or remote control features.

Price to Performance: What’s Your Budget Worth?

Current used market prices hover around $200 for Olympus 7010 and ~$340 for Sony HX300.

For under $200, Olympus offers extremely portable superzoom photography, acceptable image quality in daylight, and a simple user experience.

Sony’s higher asking price buys more zoom, better image quality, fast shooting modes, and improved low light abilities.

Given the large performance gap, Sony offers much more bang for the buck if you prioritize versatility and image quality.

Summary Comparison Scores

So, Which Camera Should You Pick?

Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Cameras Bridging Different Worlds

Comparing Olympus 7010 and Sony HX300 is an interesting study in trade-offs between compact convenience and enthusiast functionality. The Olympus 7010 is an accessible, pocket-ready camera for casual shooting - perfect if you want a lightweight snap-anywhere tool that won’t overwhelm you with settings.

The Sony HX300, meanwhile, is a Swiss Army knife bridge camera that excels in versatility through its sprawling 50x zoom, improved autofocus, and higher-resolution sensor. It demands more investment, space, and attention but rewards with richer image quality and creative options.

Neither camera replaces an advanced mirrorless or DSLR setup, but each fulfills a specific niche from casual to serious superzoom needs.

If budget and space are at a premium, Olympus 7010 could be a fun, no-fuss companion. If you want a single camera that will let you tackle landscapes, wildlife, and portraits with more confidence, the Sony HX300 is the clear winner.

Choosing between these two vintage superzooms ultimately comes down to your shooting style, needs, and tolerance for bulk and complexity. Happy hunting in the world of zoom and capture!

Olympus 7010 front Olympus 7010 screen back Sony HX300 front Sony HX300 screen back