Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 vs. Sony Alpha NEX-3N: A Thorough Comparison for Modern Photographers

Choosing the right camera often boils down to understanding the distinct tools each offers and matching that to your shooting style, subject, and environments. Today, we're looking at two very different cameras - the Olympus Stylus Tough 6010, a rugged compact announced in 2009, and the Sony Alpha NEX-3N, a mirrorless entry-level offering from 2013. While at first glance they occupy entirely separate photographic worlds, comparing them side-by-side reveals interesting insights about camera evolution, use-case suitability, and value for specific genres.

I’ve spent countless hours testing gear across all photography disciplines, putting these two through their paces, and here’s my detailed breakdown. Whether you're gearing up for harsh outdoor adventures, eyeing creative flexibility with interchangeable lenses, or balancing budget and image quality, this analysis has got you covered.

What You’re Holding: Size and Ergonomics

Starting from the outside, the Olympus 6010 is an ultra-compact, ruggedized point-and-shoot designed to be nearly indestructible. Its petite frame (95x63x22 mm) weighs a light 179 grams, making it an unbeatable carry-along for hiking, snorkeling, or snowboarding. Notably, it’s waterproof, freezeproof, and shockproof - the tank of compacts. The rigidity of its shell does limit grip comfort somewhat, but its simple, sealed body ensures reliability in wet and rough conditions where other cameras would fear to tread.

The Sony NEX-3N, on the other hand, feels distinctly more substantial. Measuring 110x62x35 mm and tipping the scales at 269 grams, it falls into the small mirrorless camera category. Though it lacks weather sealing, its rangefinder-style layout with dedicated grip and tilted 3-inch screen gives you ergonomic control and flexibility for creative framing. The NEX-3N fits well in your hand but demands more careful handling than the Olympus if you’re out in the elements.

For photographers whose priority is a pocketable, death-defying companion, the Olympus edges the ergonomics of resilience - while Sony plays the role of handheld creative tool.

Control and Interface: Simple vs. Customizable

Looking at the top control layout, the Olympus 6010 sticks to basics - a few buttons and a mode dial with limited manual override, befitting a compact designed for point-and-shoot ease. It lacks manual exposure modes or advanced customization, but its controls are straightforward enough for quick reflexes in action or underwater.

The Sony NEX-3N counters with a more sophisticated control scheme that includes shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure modes - a godsend for enthusiasts wanting to shape their image rather than rely on the camera’s default. The rear tilting LCD also enhances usability at unconventional angles and is brighter with a higher resolution (460k vs. 230k pixels on Olympus).

For photographers who want full exposure control and hands-on adjustments, the NEX-3N’s interface feels far more satisfying, while those favoring no-fuss shooting in extreme environments will appreciate the Olympus’s simplicity.

Inside the Frame: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Here lies one of the most consequential differences - the sensor.

The Olympus 6010’s 1/2.3” CCD sensor at 12 megapixels is standard fare for compacts of its era. It’s small (28.07 mm²), which limits light-gathering capacity, dynamic range, and low-light performance, but keeps the camera compact and waterproof-friendly. Image quality here is serviceable for casual use, with a respectable macro focus distance of 2cm, decent color reproduction, and built-in sensor-shift stabilization to reduce hand shake.

But jumping over to the Sony NEX-3N, we find an APS-C sized (23.5x15.6 mm) CMOS sensor packing 16 megapixels - more than 13 times the surface area of Olympus’s sensor. This larger sensor has multiple benefits: superior dynamic range (12.5 stops per DXOmark), greater color depth (22.8 bits), and dramatically better noise handling allowing high ISO work up to 16000 native ISO. The Sony also supports RAW shooting, crucial for professionals and enthusiasts who demand editing latitude.

During daylight landscape shoots, the Sony’s images leap ahead with fine details, minimal noise, and richer tonal gradation. The Olympus sensor is more prone to noise and detail loss in shadows and highlights, which is expected given the size and technology gap.

For anyone serious about image quality - portraits, landscapes, or low-light photography - the Sony sensor offers a decisive advantage.

Viewing and Composing Your Shots

Both cameras omit electronic viewfinders, relying on their LCD monitors for composition. The Sony’s 3-inch tilting screen with 460k dots offers better brightness and detail, aiding in situations like low sun or unpredictable angles. Sadly, neither unit provides touchscreen capabilities.

The Olympus’s 2.7-inch fixed screen (230k dots) is serviceable but less vibrant and lacks tilting, which can make framing shots in tough spots more challenging.

For outdoor shoots where viewing under bright sunlight is the norm, the Sony’s screen is notably easier to work with, enhancing accuracy and user confidence. However, the Olympus’s fully sealed interface ensures uninterrupted use even in adverse weather.

Olympus 6010 screen back Sony NEX 3N front Sony NEX 3N screen back

Real-World Image Quality and Style Across Genres

I picked a variety of scenarios to put the cameras through their paces:

• Portrait Photography: The Sony’s larger sensor and availability of E-mount lenses (portrait primes with wide apertures) produce lovely bokeh and nuanced skin tones. Eye detection autofocus isn’t present, but focus accuracy and manual override allow precise framing. Olympus’s fixed lens with moderate aperture struggles to isolate subjects, and the smaller sensor flattens facial textures.

• Landscape Photography: The Sony’s dynamic range shines in high-contrast scenes, pulling out detail from shadows and skies with ease. Its 16MP resolution offers cropping freedom. Olympus is more limited, often clipping highlights and muddying shadows, but its weather sealing does allow shooting in rain without extra gear.

• Wildlife & Sports: With a max burst rate of 4 fps, the Sony NEX-3N can track moderate action, though autofocus tracking is limited without phase detection. The Olympus’s burst mode is virtually absent. The smaller sensor and telephoto equivalent of 102mm zoom on Olympus is less versatile than Sony’s interchangeable lenses offering super-tele zoom options, but Olympus’s ruggedness lets you chase wildlife in rugged conditions without worry.

• Street Photography: Olympus’s compact and rugged design is unobtrusive and ideal for street candid snaps, especially in wet environments. Sony’s size is slightly bulkier, and lack of silent shutter mode means being discreet is more difficult.

• Macro Photography: Olympus boasts a 2cm macro focus range, great for close-ups and detail shots on the fly. Sony depends on macro lenses - more costly but delivering superior image quality and control. Neither has focus stacking or bracketing features.

• Night and Astro: Sony’s superior high ISO and longer shutter capability make it far better suited for night photography. The Olympus max shutter speed is 2 seconds, and max ISO 1600, with limited noise performance.

• Video: Sony supports full 1080p video in AVCHD and MPEG-4, with HDMI output for external monitors, an important feature for videographers. Olympus’s limited VGA resolution 640x480 video is more of a novelty.

Performance Breakdown and Technical Considerations

Here’s a side-by-side review of core technical features based on my lab and field tests:

• Autofocus: Both cameras rely on contrast detection. The Sony’s 25 focus points allow greater subject selection flexibility, with AF continuous modes for video. Olympus offers only single AF mode with center weighted spot metering.

• Build Quality: Olympus’s environmental sealing makes it a clear winner in harsh environments. Sony lacks weather sealing but is well-crafted with a sturdy polycarbonate body.

• Image Stabilization: Olympus integrates sensor-shift image stabilization, helping reduce blur in hand-held shots. Sony’s NEX-3N does not have in-body stabilization and depends on stabilized lenses.

• Battery Life: Sony’s NPFW50 battery delivers approximately 480 shots per charge - excellent for a mirrorless camera. Battery life info on Olympus is scarce, but compacts typically offer fewer shots. This favors Sony for extended outings.

• Storage: Both accept SD cards, but Olympus also supports xD and microSD cards, increasing flexibility.

• Connectivity: Neither offers wireless connectivity like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which limits remote control and instant sharing - standard in today's cameras but absent here due to their generation.

• Price Considerations: Olympus 6010’s price is generally low due to age and niche. Sony NEX-3N originally retailed around $400, reflecting its early mirrorless technology positioning.

Where Each Camera Stands Out in Photography Types

My Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

Let’s be pragmatic. Both cameras have a place in photography, but your priorities should guide your choice:

Choose the Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 if:

• You need a rugged, waterproof camera that thrives in harsh conditions without extra housing.
• Portability and “grab and go” simplicity are paramount.
• Your photography is informal, casual, and outdoors-focused, such as hiking, scuba diving, or skiing.
• You are on a tight budget and need a durable backup or secondary camera.

Choose the Sony Alpha NEX-3N if:

• Image quality and manual control matter to you, especially for portraits, travel, and landscape.
• You want the flexibility of interchangeable lenses with access to a wide, affordable Sony E-mount ecosystem (over 120 lenses).
• Video recording in HD is a priority.
• You prefer an articulated LCD for creative shooting angles.
• You are an enthusiast or emerging professional requiring RAW, exposure modes, and better low-light capability.

Final Thoughts: Context is Everything

In my experience, no camera exists in a vacuum. The Olympus 6010 and Sony NEX-3N illustrate how choices boil down to the photographer’s lifestyle and creative ambitions. The 6010 encapsulates simplicity and ruggedness - perfect for rough environments where camera loss or damage is a risk. The NEX-3N offers the stepping stones into mirrorless artistry, demanding a more careful approach but rewarding with vastly improved image quality and control.

Consider what you shoot most often and where. If your adventures lead you underwater or into storms, Olympus has you covered. But if photo quality, flexibility, and growing skills are your goals, Sony’s APS-C mirrorless system remains an affordable gateway.

This side-by-side comparison reflects my hands-on testing and thousands of hours experienced with similar cameras. Ultimately, your camera should empower your vision - choose the one that feels right in your hands and suits your shooting dreams.

I hope this detailed analysis helps you make an informed, confident decision.

Happy shooting!

Appendices: Technical Summaries and Testing Methodologies

If you’d like, I can share the exact lab test conditions, sample RAW files for side-by-side editing, and more detailed pixel-level crop comparisons. Just drop me a line - or check my in-depth video review linked above!

Note: All images displayed in this review, including size-comparisons, control layouts, sensor details, display comparisons, sample galleries, performance scores, and genre ratings are based on my personal tests and industry-standard references for clarity.

Olympus 6010 screen back Sony NEX 3N front Sony NEX 3N screen back