Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1: A Detailed Hands-On Comparison

When sifting through compact camera choices from the late 2000s, it's fascinating to pit two distinctly different models head-to-head: Olympus’s rugged Stylus Tough 6010 and Sony’s sleek Cyber-shot DSC-WX1. Both arrived within weeks of each other in 2009, yet they aimed for different pockets and photography missions. Over the years, I’ve tested hundreds of compact cameras, and revisiting these two reminds me how design goals can fundamentally shape the photographic experience.

In this comparison, we’ll dive deep into how these cameras stack up technically and practically, exploring their suitability across genres - from portrait to landscape, wildlife to travel - and conclude with recommendations for photographers seeking rugged durability or ultracompact sophistication.

First Impressions: Design and Handling

Handling and ergonomics are often the deciding factors for compact cameras. The Olympus 6010 is designed like a robust little tank, purpose-built to endure the knocks of outdoor adventures. In contrast, the Sony WX1 leans into sleek portability without rugged claims, packed into a slim ultracompact frame.

The Olympus, with dimensions around 95x63x22mm and weighing 179g, feels noticeably chunkier and more substantial than Sony’s 91x52x20mm at 149g. You can sense immediately that the 6010 is engineered for rough handling - its body is shockproof, freezeproof, and waterproof. The coating and button dome design resist slipping when your hands are wet or gloved. The WX1, while comfortable for everyday carry in a jacket pocket, doesn't inspire confidence on rough terrain or in wet conditions.

On top, control cues differ sharply. Sony adopts a minimalist interface with single-purpose buttons, while Olympus opts for a slightly more textured button set albeit fewer manual controls. Neither offers manual focus or exposure modes, so they’re firmly in the point-and-shoot bracket.

Joystick or touchscreen? Neither - both rely on conventional button navigation, but the 6010’s buttons offer more tactile feedback, which pays dividends out in the field where you don’t want to fumble.

Screen and Viewfinder: Eye-Level vs Rear Display

Neither the Olympus nor Sony provides viewfinders; shooting relies entirely on their rear LCD respective displays, common for compact cameras but a limitation for bright outdoor work.

Both offer 2.7-inch fixed screens with 230k-dot resolution. While nothing to write home about, these displays suffice for framing and reviewing shots. Slight edge to the Sony is its aspect ratio flexibility (4:3, 3:2, 16:9), offering composition options native to standard prints or widescreen displays, whereas the Olympus sticks with 4:3 and 16:9.

Brightness and color balance are comparable, though neither shines in direct sunlight. For heavy outdoor use, the Olympus’s rugged design offsets this disadvantage more than the Sony’s ultracompact size does.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: CCD Versus BSI-CMOS

The crux of photographic performance lies in sensor technology. Olympus leans on a 12MP 1/2.3" CCD sensor, while Sony employs a slightly smaller 10MP 1/2.4" BSI-CMOS sensor. Both sensors are close in physical size - Olympus slightly larger by fraction - but their architectures differ significantly.

CCD sensors, like Olympus’s, excel historically in color rendition and noise characteristics at low ISOs but tend to consume more power and have slower readout speeds, which translates to slower burst rates and limited video modes. CMOS sensors, particularly Sony’s BSI (back-illuminated) design, reverse the silicon structure to capture more light, enhancing sensitivity in low light and improving power efficiency.

In practice, the WX1’s BSI-CMOS allows ISO performance up to 3200 (native high ISO max), compared to Olympus’s ISO ceiling of 1600, beneficial particularly in dim environments like indoor or nighttime shooting.

Image resolution differences are modest (12MP vs 10MP), with Olympus producing slightly larger raw pixels, theoretically enhancing detail per pixel in good lighting. However, Olympus lacks RAW capture - a common omission in tough rugged cameras designed for simplicity - while Sony also doesn’t offer RAW, limiting post-processing flexibility.

Autofocus and Shooting Experience

With only contrast-detection autofocus on board, both cameras rely on the processor’s ability to lock focus under varied conditions. Olympus’s 6010 offers a single autofocus point without face or eye-detection, and no continuous AF tracking. It’s a straightforward, 'point and shoot' AF system.

Sony WX1 improves on this with 9 AF points and center-weighted metering, though it, too, lacks face detection. This multi-point system provides more frame coverage, making it less clumsy to grab sharp focus on off-center subjects.

In my test sessions, they both focus adequately in good light but struggle in low contrast or low light, a limitation typical of this class and era. The Olympus, however, often hesitates slightly more, especially at long focal lengths due to slower CCD readout and less flexible AF. Burst shooting further differentiates them - Sony’s 10fps continuous shooting is impressive for the segment, while Olympus does not provide continuous shooting, quite limiting sports or wildlife use.

Lens and Shooting Flexibility: Zoom Range and Macro

Olympus’s fixed 28-102mm equivalent lens offers a modest 3.6x zoom range with apertures from f/3.5 to f/5.1. Sony pushes a slightly wider 24-120mm with 5x zoom but starts with a brighter f/2.4 aperture step, excellent for low-light shots and shallow DOF control at the wide end.

Olympus features an impressive macro focus range of 2cm, pushing very close to subjects for detailed close-ups - a boon for macro enthusiasts wanting rugged handling. Sony’s macro range is 5cm, less intimate but still respectable.

Both lenses incorporate optical image stabilization: Olympus uses sensor-shift technology, Sony optical lens-shift. In daily shooting, the difference is subtle, but sensor-shift tends to be more effective against camera shake at longer focal lengths or slower shutter speeds.

Video Capabilities: Basic Versus Slightly Advanced

Let’s talk moving images. Olympus records VGA 640x480 video at 30fps max, saved in Motion JPEG - a dated format producing large files and modest quality.

Sony WX1 upgrades video to 720p HD at 30fps, significantly enhancing quality and usability for casual HD clips. USB and HDMI outputs grant Sony more connectivity options for playback or tethering, which Olympus lacks.

Neither includes a microphone or headphone jack, indicating limited appeal for serious videographers. Both cameras position video as supplementary.

Build Quality and Environmental Sealing

The Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 clearly stakes its claim on ruggedness: waterproof to depths, shockproof, and freezeproof to arctic temperatures. This makes it an ideal companion for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or beach trips.

Sony’s WX1, while solidly built for an ultracompact, offers no environmental sealing - the camera is vulnerable to water or dust ingress and can’t be relied upon in extreme conditions.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Both cameras use proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion batteries; however, specified battery life is not officially listed for either. User experience suggests Olympus’s rugged CCD sensor drains more power per shot, especially since it lacks power-saving Windows like quick-power-off modes found in later models.

Storage types differ - Olympus leans on the now-obsolete xD-Picture Card and MicroSD options, whereas Sony uses Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo formats, reflecting Sony’s proprietary ecosystem. Neither supports dual card slots.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

How do these cameras fare where it truly counts? Let’s break it down:

Portrait Photography

For portraits, skin tone rendering and bokeh quality matter. Olympus’s slightly larger sensor and f/3.5 aperture at wide angle hint at better bokeh potential. However, fixed focal length zooms in this range limit true shallow depth-of-field effects.

Sony’s wider aperture on the wide end (f/2.4) improves low-light performance and can create softer backgrounds but with a smaller sensor which counters this advantage.

Neither camera offers face or eye detection autofocus, a big letdown for portrait shooters wanting sharp eyes. Skin tones are decent but sometimes oversaturated on Olympus, while Sony’s color tends toward punchy but less natural.

Landscape Photography

Landscape photography demands resolution, dynamic range, and weather resilience. Olympus’s 12MP sensor edges Sony’s 10MP, offering slightly larger image sizes for cropping or large prints.

The Olympus’s weather sealing sets it apart - rain or dust won’t stop your outdoor shoots.

Dynamic range is moderate on both, limited by sensor size and processing power. Neither camera supports manual exposure modes, restricting creative control in tricky lighting. Olympus’s narrower zoom may require physical repositioning, while Sony’s 5x zoom enables tighter framing of distant features.

Wildlife Photography

For wildlife, fast autofocus, long telephoto reach, and burst rates are key.

Sony’s superior 10fps continuous shooting and 120mm telephoto reach give it a clear edge for snapping moving animals.

Olympus’s slower AF and no continuous shooting limit its wildlife use to slow or stationary subjects.

Both cameras lack tracking AF or animal eye detection, so capturing fast-moving wildlife is a dicey proposition.

Sports Photography

Similarly, sports demand speed and tracking; Sony’s WX1 is again better suited thanks to burst speed and modest telephoto zoom.

Olympus’s ruggedness is appealing for outdoor sports but technical capabilities are lacking for dynamic action capture.

Street Photography

Street photography thrives on discretion, speed, and portability.

Sony’s ultracompact, sleek profile makes it less conspicuous - great for candid city shots.

Olympus’s bulkier frame and rugged looks might draw unwanted attention but offers durability in rugged urban environments.

Both cameras have no silent shutter modes, so shutter sound might be a giveaway.

Macro Photography

Olympus’s 2cm macro focusing distance easily wins here, allowing exquisite detail in flower or bug photography, especially paired with its close-range flash support.

Sony’s 5cm macro is decent but less immersive.

Night and Astrophotography

Neither camera is stone-cold suitable for astrophotography. Olympus’s max ISO 1600 and Sony’s 3200 help in dim environments, but limited exposure options and lack of RAW files hinder serious low-light work.

Travel Photography

For travel, factors like versatility, weight, and battery life matter.

Sony scores for size and zoom range, making it simple to stash in a pocket.

Olympus compensates with durability and macro capabilities, great for adventurous travelers.

Battery life unknown for both, so carrying spares is prudent.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

Neither camera supports RAW or advanced image formats, limiting professional application.

Connectivity is basic (USB 2.0) with Sony providing HDMI.

No Wi-Fi or GPS on either model, in keeping with their 2009 era.

Sample Image Gallery

Looking at sample shots from both cameras illustrates their image quality differences succinctly.

Olympus 6010 screen back Sony WX1 front Sony WX1 screen back

Olympus renders colors with a cooler bias, textures retaining fine detail in daylight. Sony’s images pop more vibrantly but occasionally at cost of naturalism.

Final Performance Scoring and User Recommendations

Consolidating technical specs and hands-on experience brings us to overall scores:

And broken down by specific photography types:

Conclusion: Which Camera Should You Choose?

The Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 is a rugged, no-frills camera tailored for durability seekers - hikers, outdoorsmen, and anyone who prioritizes build quality over technical specs. Its macro abilities and environmental sealing are standout traits, but you sacrifice speed, lens versatility, and video quality.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 is a shader more versatile ultracompact, better suited for casual shooters craving a slimmer design, longer zoom, and HD video. It excels a little in low-light shooting and burst rates but lacks the waterproofing and toughness of Olympus.

For outdoors and adventure photographers: Olympus 6010 is recommended.

For everyday carry and casual travel photography: Sony WX1 offers more balanced performance.

Neither camera fits well for professional work today, but their legacy models still teach valuable lessons about design tradeoffs between ruggedness and sophisticated features.

Engaging with these cameras after years of extensive testing reminds me that knowing your shooting environment and priorities remains paramount when selecting gear - not just specs on a sheet.

Thanks for joining me on this deep dive into two compact contenders from a decade ago. I hope it’s been informative as you weigh your next camera decisions!