Olympus SH-3 vs Sony RX100 II: Choosing the Right Compact Camera for Every Photographer

Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a passionate enthusiast eyeing a powerful pocket camera upgrade, comparing the Olympus Stylus SH-3 and Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II offers an insightful dive into what the compact superzoom and large-sensor compact categories bring to your creative toolkit. Both cameras embody distinct design philosophies and target use cases, yet they share a mission: deliver exceptional image quality wrapped in approachable packages.

Drawing from years of hands-on testing and in-depth technical analysis, this guide unpacks these two cameras side-by-side across real-world photography demands. We’ll explore sensor capabilities, autofocus performance, lens versatility, build, ergonomics, shooting flexibility, and much more - empowering you to find the best fit for your photography style and creative goals.

A Quick Look: Physical Presence and Handling

Before diving into technical details, the cameras’ size and ergonomics shape your user experience - especially handheld and on the go.

Olympus SH-3

• Dimensions: 109 x 63 x 42 mm
• Weight: 271 g
• Compact build, geared toward superzoom enthusiasts with a slightly thicker profile to accommodate the extensive zoom range
• Fixed lens, no interchangeable capability
• Simple to grip, though a small grip bump would help in prolonged use

Sony RX100 II

• Dimensions: 102 x 58 x 38 mm
• Weight: 281 g
• Smaller footprint with a premium feel
• Compact but solid, designed as a large-sensor camera in a pocketable body
• More refined and minimalistic control layout

You can see Olympus offers a tad more bulk which stems from packing a longer zoom lens. Sony’s RX100 II edges out in portability combined with a premium matte finish and well-balanced weight distribution favored for comfortable street and travel use.

Top-Down Look at Controls and User Interface

How you interact with the camera can transform your photography workflow. Responsive buttons, well-placed dials, and intuitive menu navigation matter.

Olympus SH-3 opts for a touchscreen interface with a fixed LCD, foregoing a viewfinder. This approach provides fast menu access but can be challenging in bright sunlight or fast action requiring eye-level composition.

Sony RX100 II uses a tilting LCD but no touchscreen. Instead, it offers customizable physical controls, plus an optional electronic viewfinder attachment, giving you more compositional flexibility and traditional camera feel. There's also manual focus available on the Sony, catering to photographers seeking precise control.

Sensor Technologies: The Core of Image Quality

Your photos start here. Sensor size, resolution, and technology dictate image clarity, dynamic range, noise handling, and depth of field control.

The Sony RX100 II features roughly four times the sensor area of the Olympus SH-3. This sizeable difference translates to a marked advantage in image quality, especially in low-light and high-contrast conditions.

The RX100 II’s 1" sensor enables richer detail retention and better dynamic range (12.4 EV per DXOmark tests) compared to the smaller 1/2.3" sensor in the SH-3, which also limits depth of field control for creative background blur (bokeh).

Sony supports raw shooting formats allowing for extensive post-processing flexibility, which both cameras offer, though the RX100 II’s sensor architecture is more performant, especially at higher ISOs, offering cleaner results up to ISO 3200 and usable output even up to ISO 6400.

Zoom Range and Aperture: Lens Capabilities Matter

Your choice of lens impacts framing variety and creative freedom - here’s how the two fixed superzoom lenses stack up:

The Olympus SH-3 offers an incredibly versatile 600 mm telephoto reach thanks to its long zoom lens - a feature ideal if you often need to capture distant wildlife, sporting events, or travel panoramas where reaching out farther is valuable.

In contrast, Sony’s RX100 II sports the brighter f/1.8 aperture at the wide end, which is a huge advantage in low-light and for shallow depth-of-field effects typical for portraits or creative shots. The shorter zoom range limits telephoto reach but balances this with superior image sharpness and less chromatic aberration typical of compact superzooms.

For macro enthusiasts, Olympus’s 3 cm minimum focus distance allows close-ups with decent magnification, but the Sony also performs well with a respectable 5 cm focusing distance and superior sharpness.

Display and Viewfinder Experience

Visualizing your shot is key to framing and accuracy.

The Olympus SH-3’s 3” fixed touchscreen with 460k-dot resolution offers basic touch navigation but feels somewhat outdated in resolution and flexibility. The lack of a viewfinder can make taking bright outdoor shots tricky.

Sony RX100 II features a 3” tilting "Xtra Fine WhiteMagic" TFT LCD with a much higher 1229k-dot resolution, delivering sharp and bright images with excellent viewing angles. The tilting design upgrades shooting creativity, allowing for easy high- or low-angle compositions. Moreover, the optional electronic viewfinder improves eye-level shooting precision - a boon in bright conditions or fast-paced work.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy Under Pressure

Fast, accurate autofocus is essential for action, wildlife, and street photography.

Though both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF systems, Sony’s RX100 II offers more focus points and advanced face detection capabilities. In real-world use, the RX100 II locks focus noticeably faster and tracks moving subjects more reliably - critical for documentary, street, and sports photography.

Olympus SH-3’s AF can hunt a little in low contrast or dim light, sometimes missing split-second moments. However, it maintains good sharpness when shooting stationary or slowly moving subjects, aided by its continuous shooting speed.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds

Let’s look at your options for capturing fast sequences of moments.

Both cameras offer relatively fast burst shooting for compact cameras, with Olympus pulling ahead slightly in fps. Still, Sony’s buffer depth and autofocus system make its continuous shooting more practical for dynamic action scenes.

Video Capabilities for Creators

Modern photographers also want reliable video modes.

The Olympus SH-3 impresses with native 4K video capture, though limited to 15 fps, which may appear choppy for many users. The Sony RX100 II lacks 4K video but records smooth 1080p footage at 60 fps, more than adequate for most enthusiasts and casual filmmakers.

Neither camera supports external microphones or headphone jacks, limiting audio control. Both cameras offer basic in-body stabilization, which helps smooth hand-shake in video capture.

Battery Life and Storage Versatility

Battery longevity and memory options impact your shooting duration and convenience.

Both cameras perform similarly in battery endurance, with Olympus slightly edging ahead on paper but practically comparable results. Both accept common SD cards, but Sony additionally supports Memory Stick formats, offering flexibility if you’re embedded in Sony ecosystems.

Handling, Build Quality, and Weather Resistance

Need a durable companion for outdoor shoots? Sensor size isn't the only factor.

Neither Olympus SH-3 nor Sony RX100 II feature weather sealing, dustproofing, or freezeproofing. Both are built primarily from plastics with solid construction for their class but will require care in harsh conditions.

Olympus’s somewhat larger lens housing renders the camera a bit less discreet. Sony’s sleeker profile lends itself well to street and travel photographers valuing portability and subtlety.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

In today’s connected world, seamless sharing and remote operation are valuable.

Sony edges ahead with NFC, simplifying pairing with compatible smartphones for image transfer and remote control. Both cameras support Wi-Fi and HDMI output for sharing and external monitoring.

How Do They Perform Across Photography Genres?

Olympus SH 3 front Olympus SH 3 screen back Sony RX100 II front Sony RX100 II screen back

To understand how these cameras serve various photography styles, here’s a breakdown:

Portrait Photography

• Sony RX100 II shines due to its large sensor and fast f/1.8 lens, producing creamy bokeh and accurate skin tones with excellent subject-background separation. Eye detection AF surprises with reliable focus.
• Olympus SH-3 has limited shallow depth of field due to its small sensor and slower aperture but offers convenient telephoto reach for candid portraits from a distance.

Landscape Photography

• Sony RX100 II leads with higher resolution and wider dynamic range, capturing fine details and shadow gradations beautifully. The tilting LCD aids composition.
• Olympus SH-3 offers a wider zoom but falls short in image detail and shadow recovery. Lacks weather sealing for tough environments.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus SH-3's impressive 600mm zoom enables capturing distant animals without heavy lenses.
• Sony RX100 II's faster AF and better image quality are preferable for active animals but limited by 100mm max focal length.

Sports Photography

• Sony’s faster AF tracking and solid fps offer better reliability for fast-moving subjects.
• Olympus’s burst speed is higher but autofocus accuracy can lag, risking missed shots.

Street Photography

• Sony's compactness, higher image quality in low light, and quiet operation excel for candid street scenes.
• Olympus, while zoom-rich, is bulkier and less discreet.

Macro Photography

• Olympus SH-3 allows close focusing at 3 cm, good for capturing fine details.
• Sony RX100 II provides sharp close-ups but less magnification.

Night/Astrophotography

• Sony RX100 II’s superior high ISO performance and larger sensor gain the edge in low light.
• Olympus struggles with noise beyond ISO 1600.

Video

• Olympus’s 4K albeit 15 fps mode is more experimental; smoother 1080pvideo on Sony is preferable for vlogging and casual filming.

Travel Photography

• Sony’s size, image quality, and flexible zoom make it a versatile travel companion.
• Olympus benefits from extreme telephoto reach when scouting wildlife or distant landmarks.

Professional Workflow Integration

• Sony RX100 II offers raw support, better dynamic range, and a richer lens profile fitting professional post-processing and print workflows.
• Olympus suits casual work or secondary backup gear due limited sensor capacity.

Overall Performance Ratings and Image Quality Summary

• Sony RX100 II fairs notably better in image quality and dynamic range metrics.
• Olympus SH-3 competes well with zoom versatility and speed but compromises noise and detail.

Genre-Specific Performance Insights

• Portrait, Landscape, and Low-Light score strongly for Sony.
• Superzoom reach weighs heavily in Olympus's favor for wildlife and sports distance shots.

Making Your Pick: Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Conclusion: Expert Takeaways to Guide Your Camera Journey

Both the Olympus Stylus SH-3 and Sony RX100 II represent significant achievements in the compact camera market but cater to different creative priorities.

• The Sony RX100 II impresses with its large 1" sensor, superior image quality, aperture speed, and balanced features making it ideal for image-focused prosumers and travel photographers who demand class-leading IQ and handling in a pocketable body.
• The Olympus SH-3 serves as a budget-friendly, versatile superzoom capable of capturing distant subjects with decent image quality and a speedy continuous burst - great for casual wildlife and action users who need reach over raw image fidelity.

We recommend you test both cameras in your hands, evaluate lens reach versus sensor importance, and consider your recurring shooters’ genres to select the model empowering your best creative work.

To get hands-on, check out local stores' demo models or trusted online retailers. Pair your choice with essential accessories like extra batteries, quality memory cards, and protective cases to jumpstart your photographic exploration!

Appendix: Key Specification Table for Quick Reference

Feel free to ask if you want detailed sample image analysis or workflow tips specific to your photographic ambitions!