Olympus 6010 vs Sony W690

Exploring Two Compact Captures: Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690

When diving into the world of compact cameras, especially models designed for everyday use and adventurous photography alike, it’s critical to understand the practical strengths, technical nuances, and real-world performance these tools offer. Today, I’ll be comparing two intriguing cameras from different eras and design philosophies: the Olympus Stylus Tough 6010, a rugged waterproof compact announced back in 2009, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690, a more traditional small sensor compact from 2012. Both cameras target casual photographers but aim to deliver value with very different feature sets and design focuses.

Having spent many hours testing various compacts in controlled environments and challenging outdoor scenarios - from handheld urban street photography to forest hiking and macro close-ups - I’m confident this deep dive can guide enthusiasts and professionals researching easy-to-carry second-shooters or budget options.

Let’s break down everything from sensor technology and build quality, through image processing, to tailored recommendations for different photographic disciplines and shooting conditions.

First Impressions: Size, Handling & Design

Right off the bat, these cameras tell entirely different stories when it comes to physical presence and handling - and those stories matter to anyone prioritizing portability or durability.

The Olympus 6010 is designed to be a tough companion. Its compact body measures roughly 95x63x22 mm and weighs 179 grams. Its standout feature is rugged environmental sealing - with waterproof, freezeproof, and shockproof certifications. This camera is engineered with an adventurous photographer in mind: take it snorkeling, hike through frosty terrain, or toss it carelessly in a backpack without worry.

By contrast, the Sony W690 is more traditionally slim and lightweight at 94x56x22 mm and 142 grams. It favors pocketability over durability, with no weather sealing at all. This makes it ideal for casual street or travel photography where you want to remain discreet and keep carry weight low.

Looking at their top-view control layouts gives us clues about usability:

The Olympus keeps things minimal with a mode dial and straightforward shutter release, no manual exposure controls - befitting its point-and-shoot convenience focus. The Sony similarly lacks manual modes but offers a slightly larger 3.0-inch screen (compared to Olympus’ 2.7 inches), making framing and reviewing images more comfortable.

Ergonomically, I found the Olympus’ textured body more reassuring in rough conditions, whereas the Sony feels more slick and glam but less confident for demanding use.

Sensor Size, Resolution & Image Quality Potential

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring about 6.17 by 4.55 mm with a sensor area of roughly 28.07 mm². This sensor size is standard for compact cameras, balancing affordability and portability, but it imposes physical limits on image quality - particularly dynamic range and noise at higher ISOs.

The Sony W690 pushes ahead with a 16-megapixel sensor (max resolution 4608 x 3456 pixels), while the Olympus 6010 sports 12 megapixels (3968 x 2976 pixels). That extra resolution on the Sony gives more room for cropping or large prints, though actual usable resolution is often limited by lens quality and noise performance.

Both sensors include an anti-aliasing filter, softening potential moiré but also slightly diminishing sharpness. Interestingly, ISO ranges differ: Olympus maxes out at ISO 1600, while Sony extends to ISO 3200, allowing for slightly more flexibility in low light.

In hands-on testing, I noticed that despite similar sensor sizes, the Sony’s sensor coupled with its BIONZ processor produces cleaner, somewhat more detailed JPGs, especially in daylight. Olympus’ TruePic III processor is dated, and the tougher shooting conditions it’s built for may factor into its image processing prioritizing durability over pixel peppiness.

Lens Ranges & Optical Performance

Lens choice can make or break any compact camera’s real-world appeal.

• Olympus 6010 lens: 28-102 mm equivalent (3.6x zoom), aperture f/3.5-5.1
• Sony W690 lens: 25-250 mm equivalent (10x zoom), aperture f/3.3-5.9

Sony’s 10x zoom offers a significant advantage in versatility. The wide 25 mm focal length suits landscapes and environmental portraits, while the 250 mm telephoto end lets you reach distant subjects such as wildlife or concert scenes without added bulk.

Olympus opts for a shorter zoom range, reflecting its waterproof and rugged design constraints. The lens still covers useful focal lengths for day-to-day shooting and features a notably close macro focusing distance of 2 cm (versus Sony’s 5 cm), offering fantastic potential for shooting textures, insects, or small objects up close.

Optical image stabilization also differs fundamentally:

• Olympus employs sensor-shift stabilization, effective across all focal lengths and particularly useful underwater or in harsh environments.
• Sony’s optical stabilization works through lens element movement, which generally affords reliable correction but can struggle at extreme telephoto ranges.

Both cameras include macro modes, but Olympus’ aggressive 2-cm focusing capability significantly outperforms Sony in terms of focusing precision and magnification, making it a subtle favorite for macro enthusiasts.

Screen, Viewfinder & Interface Walkthrough

Image review and live framing are central to user experience, especially for compacts lacking EVFs, which both of these do.

Sony’s 3.0-inch ClearPhoto TFT LCD with 230k dots offers a brighter and more detailed view compared to Olympus’ 2.7-inch fixed screen with the same resolution. This added screen real estate and modern screen tech on the Sony improve ease of use, especially in bright outdoor conditions.

Neither camera supports touch input, arguably acceptable on models targeting casual shooters, though it limits quick menu navigation.

Olympus’ menus remain simplistic, matching its beginner-friendly design - but this comes at the expense of greater customization or fine control. Sony includes white balance bracketing and offers more comprehensive flash modes (auto, on, off, slow sync), enhancing creative control for the willing user.

Autofocus Capabilities & Shooting Performance

When it comes to autofocus, neither camera is designed for professional-speed or precision AF, but practical performance varies.

Olympus: Single contrast-detection AF only - no AF tracking, face detection, or continuous AF. Autofocus can be slow in low light or low-contrast scenes, requiring patience.

Sony: Also contrast-detection but adds face detection and AF tracking, improving hit rates on moving subjects and portraits. Though hunting in very dim conditions still occurs, it copes better overall.

Continuous shooting also demonstrates differing priorities:

• Olympus lacks continuous shooting modes or burst options.
• Sony caps at 1.0 fps continuous, slow but serviceable for casual action shots.

These performance contrasts are most important when shooting sports, wildlife, or street scenes with unpredictable subject movement.

Durability & Environmental Resistance

The Olympus definitions of ruggedness cannot be overstated: Waterproof to a reliable depth, freezeproof to -10°C, shockproof against up to 1.5m drops.

These protections allow extraordinary peace of mind in challenging scenarios that would risk damage to most compacts - including the Sony W690, which has no weather sealing and no specific impact resistance.

Use cases like snorkeling, mountain biking, beach trips, and winter hiking lean heavily towards Olympus here.

Battery Life, Storage & Connectivity

Sony claims roughly 220 shots per charge versus undocumented Olympus battery life (using the LI-50C battery). In real-world use, Sony’s superior battery life is evident, likely due to newer battery chemistry and processor efficiency.

Storage is flexible on Sony with SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick options, while Olympus uses proprietary xD cards plus a microSD slot internally - a mixed bag in today’s SD-dominated ecosystem.

Neither camera features wireless connectivity options like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, reflecting their era but limiting instant sharing or remote control.

Image & Video Quality Tested Side by Side

I gathered a range of test shots in various lighting and scenes to explore real output differences.

Olympus 6010 screen back Sony W690 front Sony W690 screen back

• Portraits: Sony’s face detection helps nail focus on eyes, producing sharper results. Skin tones look slightly more natural and less muted compared to Olympus, which struggles with contrast and gently softer rendering.
• Landscapes: Both cameras succumb to limited dynamic range, but Sony’s higher resolution and longer focal length provide more framing freedom and detail. Olympus’ lens exhibits slight chromatic aberrations at edges.
• Wildlife/Sports: Olympus’ lack of AF tracking and burst shooting severely hamper potential here. Sony’s modest AF tracking and longer zoom edge it out for fast-moving subjects.
• Macro Photography: Olympus’ 2 cm focus distance wins hands down on detail and subject separation, showing admirable sharpness and true close-up capability.
• Night/Astro: High ISO noise dominates on both and neither is ideal for astrophotography. Sony’s max ISO 3200 offers some exposure flexibility but at the cost of noisy images.
• Video: Sony records HD (1280x720 at 30 fps) with MPEG-4 format, whereas Olympus maxes at VGA (640x480). Sony offers better video quality and options for casual use, albeit no external mic or stabilization beyond optical lens design.

Comprehensive Performance Scores & Genre-Specific Ratings

It helps to quantify these findings against common photographic disciplines.

• Olympus 6010: Scores highest in durability and macro, solid in travel use due to rugged body.
• Sony W690: Wins in zoom versatility, image resolution, battery life, and general-purpose performance, excelling in portraits and landscapes.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Pick Which Camera?

Deciding between these two cameras boils down to your specific shooting needs and priorities.

Choose the Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 if:

• You require a durable, rugged camera for outdoor adventures, waterproof scenarios, or cold environments.
• Macro and close-up photography is a particular interest.
• You prioritize simplicity and a point-and-shoot experience without fussing over advanced controls.
• You’re prepared to work within limitations of slower AF, lower resolution, and modest video quality.
• Portability with reliability under extreme conditions matters more than zoom range or battery longevity.

Opt for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 if:

• Versatile zoom range (25-250 mm) is critical for travel, street, or wildlife photography.
• You want superior resolution and slightly better image quality for portraits and landscapes.
• Battery life and screen size are important comforts for longer outings.
• Face detection autofocus and modest tracking capabilities enhance your shooting confidence.
• You value HD video recording alongside still photography, even if advanced controls are lacking.
• You do not expect to shoot in particularly harsh or wet environments.

Summary: Compact Cameras with Different Missions

Although both the Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 share common compact camera roots and the same sensor footprint, their design intentions diverge considerably. Olympus commits to toughness and close-range shooting, sacrificing zoom reach and advanced autofocus. Sony offers a well-rounded point-and-shoot experience that excels in versatility and image quality but requires more care handling.

Hopefully, this detailed comparison - backed by technical insights, hands-on testing impressions, and practical examples - helps you navigate compact camera choices with confidence and find the model that fits your unique photography adventures.

Whether you’re scaling a mountain, wandering city streets, or capturing close-up life details, understanding these core strengths and limitations will save you time and disappointment in the field.

Happy shooting!