Olympus 6010 vs Sony W310

Olympus 6010 vs Sony W310: A Hands-On Comparison of Budget-Friendly Compact Cameras

When on a tight budget (or sneaking into the world of compact digicams for casual snaps), two cameras that have historically caught my eye are the Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 (simply “6010” to keep things manageable) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 (or just “W310”). Both were designed to serve entry-level users with simple controls and affordable price points, yet they come with distinct design philosophies and use cases in mind.

After thoroughly testing both models in various photographic scenarios, this in-depth comparison aims to give you a candid, down-to-earth guide to how these cameras perform in the real world - not just specs on paper. We’ll analyze image quality, ergonomics, autofocus, and much more across all key photography genres, plus uncover what type of user each suits best. Whether you’re a cheapskate hobbyist or a seasoned pro wanting a rugged backup, read on for insights you won’t find floating around typical review sites.

Getting Hands-On: Size, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

Let’s start with the feel. For photographers, how a camera sits in the hand and navigates the menus can make or break the shooting experience - especially outdoors or on the move.

Physically, the Olympus 6010 is a classic “tough” compact, built with environmental resilience front and center. It’s gorgeously rugged: water-, freeze-, shockproof - as an adventure-ready shooter, it’s unapologetically chunky at 179g and a meatier profile of 95x63x22 mm. The textured grip zones and tactile buttons make it feel reliable when trekking across rough terrain or handling cold fingers in a winter shoot.

In contrast, the Sony W310 leans quintessentially “ultracompact.” At 137g and a slimmer 95x55x19 mm, it fits seamlessly into a pocket or evening bag without bulk. The plastic casing lacks any weather sealing, making it more vulnerable to the elements but shining in urban situations where discretion and portability matter.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast craving a durable companion, Olympus’s boomerang-style grip and hardwearing build win here. For urban explorers, street photographers, or those prioritizing minimalism, the Sony offers a more discreet, casual snapper.

Now glance over the top to see how these physical differences translate to control layouts and handling.

Design and Controls: Who Puts You in Control?

First impressions matter when gathering clubs for your thumbs.

The Olympus 6010 sports a simple but effective button array. While it lacks customization or advanced dials, it features clearly marked controls for menus, playback, and zoom. The buttons provide firm, clicky feedback - a boon for gloved hands or wet conditions. No touchscreen here, but given the 2009 vintage, that’s hardly surprising.

Sony’s W310 also sticks to basics, with a similarly small palette of buttons. What sets it apart, though, is the inclusion of a multi-selector with direct AF area access and some rudimentary scene modes. It’s still a no-frills interface, but it feels slightly more versatile for point-and-shoot users seeking quick adjustments.

Both cameras share a fixed, non-touch 2.7-inch LCD screen with 230k-dot resolution. Here’s a closer look:

The screens are equally mediocre by today’s high-res standards but provide adequate framing and review in good lighting. Neither has an EVF, which is usual for this category, but that means shooting in bright daylight requires some strategic angling.

The Sony’s interface flows a tad smoother. There’s less lag, and the menu system, while basic, is intuitive. If you want simple, quick snaps with minimal fuss, W310’s UI gives you a leg up. Olympus somewhat feels like it froze in time, underscoring its adventure-ready rather than gadgety vibe.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Both cameras utilize a 1/2.3" CCD sensor with roughly 12MP resolution, a familiar combo for entry compacts of their era. However, nuances in sensor tuning and lens optics reveal their character.

Olympus 6010

• Sensor size: 6.17x4.55 mm, effective area 28.07 mm²
• Max resolution: 3968x2976 pixels (12MP)
• ISO range: 64–1600 native
• Lens: 28-102 mm equivalent, f/3.5–5.1
• Image stabilization: sensor-shift
• Raw format: Not supported

Sony W310

• Same sensor specs but slightly different max ISO: 100–3200
• Lens: 28-112 mm equivalent, f/3.0–5.8
• Sensor-shift stabilization as well
• No raw support

Testing both cameras side-by-side reveals both perform acceptably in good light - with Olympus edging out slightly in sharpness and color fidelity. That extra stop of aperture at wide angles on Sony helps in low-contrast scenes but starts to falter when ISO climbs above 800 with obvious noise creeping in.

Neither camera is a contender for cutting-edge image quality. The CCD sensor technology here also means color shifts and rolling shutter artifacts under some lighting. However, the Olympus’s TruePic III processor yields marginally better color rendering and dynamic range in landscapes and portraits.

Autofocus Performance: Who’s Faster and Sharper?

The truly standout difference? Autofocus systems.

• Olympus 6010 uses contrast-detection AF with a fixed single AF point and no face or eye detection.
• Sony W310 also uses contrast-detection but boasts 9 AF points with center-weighted and multi-area selection. No face detection.

In practical field shooting, this means Olympus locks focus slower and less reliably on moving subjects or lower-contrast targets. Sporting events or wildlife excursions often resulted in missed focus or hunt-and-peck frustration. The lack of AF tracking and face detection also handicaps portrait results.

Sony’s W310, while still basic AF-wise, is more responsive with generally quicker, more accurate locks - especially in good lighting. Its 9-point AF helps in framing odd compositions, a bonus for street photographers or candid shots.

Neither camera excels at continuous AF, but for casual snapshots and still subjects, Sony’s autofocus system is the better all-rounder.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Shooting

Both cameras implement sensor-shift stabilization, which considerably helps handheld shooting, especially zoomed in. Olympus’s implementation seems better tuned for outdoor use, combatting shake noticeably in landscape and travel shots.

Sony’s stabilization is competent but less nuanced; in some tests, it failed to fully counteract camera shake in video mode or higher zoom levels. However, on account of the slightly faster lens, Sony performed marginally better in indoor shots at ISO 200-400.

Low light is a limit zone for both: ISO beyond 800 produces visible grain and softening, particularly on Olympus. The Sony’s higher upper ISO limit of 3200 is mostly theoretical, as noise swamps detail. I wouldn’t recommend relying on either for dim clubs or night street scenes, but fast-enough shutter speeds and steady hands can eke out some usable images.

Video Capabilities: Simple Snaps Without Bells and Whistles

If you’re hunting for video features, brace yourself.

Both cameras limit recording to VGA resolution (640x480) at 30fps max, stored in Motion JPEG format, a far cry from today’s 4K standards - but typical for budget compact cams from 2009-2010.

• Olympus 6010 lacks audio input ports.
• Sony W310 has slow sync flash modes for video but also no external microphone or headphone jacks.

Neither offer advanced stabilization or frame rate options, making video best suited only for casual home videos or snapshot clips.

Exploring Photography Disciplines: Strengths and Weaknesses in Action

Let’s break down their real-world suitability by photography genre - the rhythm I always adopt when testing cameras in multiple environments.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

Olympus’s modest max aperture combined with limited focus points results in little natural background blur (bokeh). Skin tones trend neutral but can lack warmth in mixed lighting.

Sony fares better here with a slightly brighter lens at the wide end, plus better AF precision helping in capturing sharp eyes - a critical portrait priority. Neither cameras have face or eye detection autofocus, so composition and focus tweaks are manual and sometimes trial-and-error.

Neither camera excels if shallow depth of field is your goal.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

The Olympus 6010’s TruePic processor gives subtle advantage for landscapes, retaining detail in shadows and highlights better during harsh daylight. The weatherproofing here encourages outdoor shooting without worry.

Sony’s marginally higher resolution (4000x3000 vs 3968x2976) is negligible in practice. Both deliver crisp files for web use and small prints, but neither can match modern mirrorless cameras on dynamic range or color depth.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus Speed and Telephoto Reach

Sony’s quicker 9-point AF system and 112mm zoom help nudge ahead here, but the slow continuous shooting rate (1 fps) limits capturing fast bird action.

Olympus has a shorter zoom (102mm) and slower AF - tough for wildlife. Neither camera supports continuous autofocus or tracking, making them frustrating for fast-moving subjects.

Sports Photography: Tracking Accuracy and Burst Rates

Neither camera was designed for sports. Olympus’s missing continuous AF and burst shooting renders it mostly useless for sports; Sony’s 1 fps burst also disappoints.

Professionals and enthusiasts should turn elsewhere for action shots.

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

Sony’s ultracompact form and discreet design win here hands down. The Olympus, while “tough,” looks bulkier and less stealthy.

Both suffer in low light, but Sony’s better AF responsiveness makes it preferable for candid street moments.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focusing Precision

Olympus’s macro ability starts as close as 2 cm - excellent for capturing detail of flowers or textures. Its fixed lens prevents changing optics, but stabilization helps get crisp handheld macro shots.

Sony’s macro starts at 5 cm, less impressive for closeups but still adequate for casual use.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure

Neither camera excels here due to high noise and lack of manual exposure controls or long exposure modes.

Video and Vlogging

Basic VGA clips without stabilization or mic inputs restrict video utility.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

Olympus’s rugged build and sensor-shift stabilization make it a rugged companion immune to travel mishaps - ideal for hikes or beach days.

Sony’s pocketability and slightly faster lens help for urban trips and light travel.

Professional Use: Reliability and File Formats

Neither camera supports RAW output or offers advanced controls. Professionals should consider these more as backups or emergency cams.

Image Gallery: Sample Shots Side-By-Side

Olympus 6010 screen back Sony W310 screen back

Performance Scores and Ratings

Both lack official DxOMark scores, but our hands-on tests rank each across key metrics:

Olympus scores higher in build quality and landscape image output while Sony leads in AF speed and portability.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery

Both cameras share basic USB 2.0 for file transfer, lack Wifi or Bluetooth (no surprises here). Olympus employs xD and microSD cards; Sony prefers SD and Memory Stick Duo.

Batteries differ: Olympus uses LI-50C; Sony uses NP-BN1. Battery life is average for point-and-shoots but slightly better on Olympus due to simpler interface.

Price-Performance Value: What You Get for Your Buck

While the Olympus’s rugged features appeal to adventurers, it is largely obsolete outside those niches. Sony’s W310, being ultracompact and more responsive, offers better everyday usability for casual shooters.

If price is tight and you need durability, Olympus is the pick - but if you want practical, quick snaps and a smaller footprint, Sony may provide more value - especially if found used at bargain prices.

Pros and Cons Summary

Olympus Stylus Tough 6010

• Rugged, waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof
• Sensor-shift stabilization effective in handholding
• Better color processing for landscapes
• Slower autofocus, no face detection
• Bulky and heavier
• Limited video and no RAW support

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310

• Lightweight and pocket-friendly
• Faster, more accurate autofocus with 9 AF points
• Slightly brighter lens at wide end
• No weather sealing, less rugged
• Limited video and no RAW
• Macro focus not as close as Olympus

Final Verdict: Which Camera Fits You Best?

Each camera has a distinct soul. If you’re the rough-and-tumble kind - hiking, skiing, or swimming with a camera in tow - the Olympus 6010 is a solid, albeit dated, choice for rugged outdoor documentation. Just don’t expect fast action or stellar low-light performance.

If your priority is a sleek, simple point-and-shoot optimized for everyday street snaps, travel in urban settings, or family gatherings, Sony’s W310 offers a more responsive autofocus and a compact form designed for spontaneous shooting.

Remember, both cameras belong to an older generation; today you can find newer compacts or mirrorless bodies offering vastly better image quality, autofocus, and video for modest prices. But if budget constraints or specific use cases push you towards these models, now you have clarity on what each brings to your photography adventures.

Whether scouting rocky coastlines or strolling lively sidewalks, choosing the right compact means knowing your own photographic rhythm. Hopefully, my direct experience with these cameras has clarified that path for you. Happy shooting!