Olympus SP-100 vs Sony HX99

On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus SP-100 and Sony HX99, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SP-100 (16MP) and the HX99 (18MP) is very well matched but the SP-100 (1/2.3") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) offer different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The SP-100 was released 5 years prior to the HX99 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX99 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SP-100 scores vs the HX99 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus Stylus SP-100 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus SP-100 Gallery & Sony HX99 Gallery.

For those who are going to lug around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus SP-100 comes with outside measurements of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") with a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Sony HX99 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SP-100 and Sony HX99 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the SP-100 and the HX99.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-100 and HX99 is 63 and 91 respectively.

Sometimes, its hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements simply by checking specs. The visual underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-100 and HX99.

All in all, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SP-100 due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh easier and the Sony HX99 will resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images more aggressively. The older SP-100 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.