Olympus Stylus 7040 vs Sony RX100 IV: An Expert Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Photography equipment evolves rapidly, yet some models stand as important benchmarks of their eras and categories. The Olympus Stylus 7040 (aka mju 7040) and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV represent distinct approaches to compact photography - the former targeting ultra-portable, budget-friendly snapshot convenience in 2010, the latter pushing technical boundaries with large-sensor precision and video-centered versatility in 2015. This detailed comparison draws on over fifteen years of hands-on camera testing experience to analyze their real-world performance, technical underpinnings, and suitability across major photography disciplines.

Form Factor, Build Quality, and Ergonomics

Olympus Stylus 7040

The Olympus 7040 epitomizes the classic small sensor compact: a diminutive, pocketable camera measuring 95x56x26 mm and weighing only 144 g. Its fixed lens and minimalistic control layout target casual shooters, with an emphasis on simplicity rather than extensive customization. The body construction is predominantly plastic and offers no weather sealing or ruggedization, making it vulnerable to environmental challenges. The fixed 3” LCD screen with low resolution (230k dots) offers limited articulation and operates without touchscreen capabilities.

Sony RX100 IV

By contrast, the Sony RX100 IV represents a significant step up in build sophistication, weighing 298 g and measuring 102x58x41 mm. While still very compact for a large sensor camera, it incorporates a magnesium alloy chassis (albeit without weather sealing). The ergonomics reflect a design ethos aimed at prosumers and enthusiasts: a tilting 3” LCD with a sharp 1229k-dot resolution, an integrated 0.59x electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage, and a more complex control layout favoring manual operations. Physical buttons and dials are well-placed for quick access.

Assessment: The Olympus excels in portability, making it ideal for everyday carry without notice. The Sony, though notably larger and heavier, offers superior build quality and tangible improvements in handling - essential for advanced users demanding fine control in diverse shooting environments.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Sensor Size and Resolution

The RX100 IV’s sensor measures approximately 4 times larger in surface area than the Olympus 7040’s sensor. This increased sensor real estate, combined with a backside-illuminated CMOS design, translates into superior light-gathering capability and dynamic range. The Olympus employs an older CCD sensor which historically lags behind BSI CMOS in read noise, rolling shutter, and high ISO performance. The Sony's sensor offers a maximum native ISO of 12800, conducive to low light shooting, whereas the Olympus maxes out at 1600 native ISO - severely limiting performance in dim environments.

Real-World Image Performance

• Color Depth & Dynamic Range: Though official DxOMark data is unavailable for the Olympus, its sensor class and processor (TruePic III) imply moderate dynamic range and color depth largely designed for bright conditions. The Sony’s score of 70 on DxOMark overall, 22.9 stops color depth, and 12.6 stops dynamic range confirm excellent imaging prowess for its sensor size.

• Resolution and Detail: The Olympus’s 14 MP resolution supports 4288x3216 pixel images. On a 1/2.3” sensor, this density strains noise control at high ISO levels. The Sony’s 20 MP output at 5472x3648 pixels benefits from larger pixels and better processing, maintaining detail without excessive grain.

Bottom Line: In image quality, the RX100 IV decisively outperforms the Olympus 7040, delivering cleaner files with greater tonal nuance, better high ISO usability, and more headroom for post-processing.

Lens Specifications and Optical Performance

The Olympus 7040’s 7x zoom range (28-196mm equivalent) offers considerable versatility for casual shooters, from moderate wide-angle to telephoto reach. However, the maximum aperture closing from f/3.0 wide-angle to a relatively slow f/5.9 at telephoto limits performance in low light or shallow depth of field scenarios.

Sony’s RX100 IV sports a brighter zoom lens with a maximum aperture ranging from f/1.8 to f/2.8. Although the zoom range is more modest at 24-70mm, the brighter optics enable superior background separation and low-light operation. The RX100 IV incorporates an optical image stabilization system, which tends to be more effective than sensor-shift stabilization found in the Olympus, especially given the longer focal lengths and higher resolution sensor demanding more precise compensation.

Macro Capability: The Olympus shines with a close focusing distance of 2 cm, offering convincing macro shots despite the small sensor. The RX100 IV’s minimum focusing distance is 5 cm, less intimate but supported by the larger sensor’s superior resolution and detail retention at macro distances.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

The Olympus 7040 offers a very basic autofocus system relying purely on contrast detection, with no manual focus option or face detection capability. Autofocus speed and accuracy are limited - due to the simplicity and processing constraints of the time.

By comparison, the RX100 IV uses a hybrid contrast detection autofocus with 25 focus points and face detection, enabling more precise and versatile focusing. Although it lacks phase detection autofocus, the system provides effective continuous autofocus for tracking moving subjects, accompanied by rapid shutter response and 16fps burst shooting. This makes the Sony camera substantially more capable for dynamic circumstances such as sports or wildlife photography.

Viewfinder and Display Interface

Neither camera supports touchscreens, but the Sony RX100 IV’s tilting 3-inch LCD and high pixel density create a noticeably better user experience when composing images from awkward angles or for video shooting. Its built-in pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF), with greater resolution than most mirrorless entry-level EVFs, provides excellent framing precision in bright sunlight or fast action photography - a critical usability improvement missing on the Olympus, which relies solely on its LCD.

Video Capabilities

Video is an area where the RX100 IV clearly excels. While the Olympus captures only standard definition HD video (720p) using outdated Motion JPEG compression, the Sony offers 4K UHD resolution at 30 fps with advanced MPEG-4-based codecs ideal for professional use. The RX100 IV includes slow-motion capture at 120fps (720p), opening creative video options unavailable on the Olympus.

Despite no microphone input on either camera, the Sony’s superior video codec and image stabilization make it more suitable for vlogging, travel films, and event recording. The Olympus’s video capabilities remain strictly auxiliary.

Battery Life and Storage

The lack of battery life information for the Olympus 7040 suggests modest endurance typical of small compacts. The Sony RX100 IV’s 280-shot rating per charge is relatively limited but typical for high-performance compact cameras balancing power demands for the sensor, processor, EVF, and stabilization.

Storage is flexible in the Sony with support for multiple types including SDXC and proprietary formats; the Olympus offers only SD/SDHC and internal memory buffering.

User Interface, Connectivity, and Additional Features

• The Olympus 7040’s interface is basic with no touchscreen, minimal buttons, and no wireless connectivity. USB 2.0 and HDMI output are present but rudimentary.
• The RX100 IV includes NFC for quick pairing with smart devices but lacks Bluetooth. It supports wireless image transfer using Sony’s app ecosystem and HDMI output.
• Both cameras do not offer GPS or environmental sealing.
• Olympus’s sensor-shift stabilization works for stills only; Sony’s optical stabilization benefits both stills and video.

Genre-Specific Suitability

Portrait Photography

• Olympus struggles with shallow depth of field and accurate skin tone due to small sensor and slow lens.
• Sony offers superior rendition of skin tones, genuine bokeh at f/1.8-2.8 aperture, face detection autofocus, and better resolution enhancing eye detail critical for portraits.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus’s small sensor limits dynamic range and detail capture; slower lenses limit low light shooting.
• Sony’s larger sensor, extended dynamic range, higher resolution, and sharper lens make it far more capable for landscapes, though lack of weather sealing limits rugged outdoor use.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Olympus’s single shot per second mode and limited autofocus technology restrict use for fast-moving subjects.
• Sony’s 16 fps burst rate and reliable autofocus tracking support action capture, albeit with no phase-detection AF limiting focus speed compared to flagship mirrorless bodies.

Street Photography

• Olympus’s ultra-compact size lends itself well to street candid photography but at cost of image quality.
• Sony’s diagonal growth in size slightly reduces discretion but gains better image quality and fast operation.

Macro Photography

• Olympus’s 2 cm macro focusing distance benefits extreme close-ups but cannot compensate for sensor limitations.
• Sony’s macro distance of 5 cm combined with superior sensor resolution leads to clearer macro shots with better detail.

Night and Astro Photography

• Olympus’s max native ISO 1600 precludes low noise shooting in dark environments.
• Sony’s ISO 12800+ capability, extended exposure range, and stabilization enable astrophotography and nightscapes with minimal noise.

Video Production

• Olympus’s limited 720p MJPEG video with no audio input makes it unsuitable for serious video work.
• Sony’s 4K UHD recording, multiple frame rates, and smooth stabilization support advanced amateur and semi-professional video use.

Travel Photography

• Olympus’s compact form and light weight excel for unencumbered travel carry.
• Sony balances compactness with higher performance and versatility; battery life is more limiting on extended travel.

Professional Use

• Olympus lacks RAW support, manual exposure modes, and reliable autofocus, limiting its role.
• Sony supports RAW, manual modes, exposure compensation, and faster workflows with wireless image transfer; well-suited for prosumer deployment.

Price-to-Performance and Value Analysis

The Sony RX100 IV demands a near threefold price premium at launch, justified by significant improvements in image quality, speed, and feature set. Olympus’s offering caters to users valuing convenience and portability above all else. For enthusiasts and professionals prioritizing image quality, responsiveness, and flexibility - particularly for more demanding genres such as wildlife, sports, and video - the Sony is eminently worth the additional investment despite its higher cost and marginally increased bulk.

Olympus 7040 front Olympus 7040 screen back Sony RX100 IV front Sony RX100 IV screen back

Summary Scores and Rankings

Final Recommendations

Choose Olympus Stylus 7040 if you:

• Require the most compact, pocketable camera for casual snapshots and travel.
• Want simple point-and-shoot operation without concern for manual settings or RAW output.
• Have a limited budget and prioritize basic photographic needs over technical excellence.
• Plan on shooting mostly in well-lit environments where sensor limitations are less critical.

Choose Sony RX100 IV if you:

• Demand superior image quality with a large sensor compact for stills and video.
• Need fast autofocus and high continuous shooting rates for action and wildlife.
• Require versatile exposure control including manual, aperture, shutter, and white balance.
• Intend to shoot in low light, portrait settings, macro, landscapes with wide dynamic range.
• Want integrated 4K video with professional codecs and stabilization.
• Are willing to accept slightly heavier gear for significant performance gain and advanced features.

Concluding Thoughts

Comparing the Olympus Stylus 7040 and Sony RX100 IV is fundamentally a comparison of different camera classes and eras: a basic snapshot compact versus a highly capable large sensor premium compact. Our extensive testing experience indicates no direct crossover in target audiences. The Olympus embraces simplicity but falls short in deliverables expected by the advanced enthusiast or professional.

Conversely, the Sony RX100 IV’s solid-state advances, sensor technology, and hybrid imaging-focused features establish it as a benchmark compact that initiates a pathway bridging portability and professional-level photographic capability. Intelligent buyers should align their purchases with these criteria rather than solely enumerated specs.

This analysis aims to provide photography enthusiasts and professionals with a balanced and technically rigorous resource to inform their next compact camera investment, highlighting not only specifications but experiential usability and real-world photographic results from cameras with distinctly different market positioning and construction philosophies.