Olympus 6020 vs Sony RX10 II: A Practical Camera Shootout From a Veteran’s Lens

Choosing a camera often means balancing your photography goals with budget, size, and features. Today, we’re diving into two very different beasts: the compact, rugged Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 and the large-sensor, bridge-style Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II. Though they serve different niches, I’ve put both through the wringer to give you a hands-on, no-fluff comparison that touches every photography discipline - from landscapes to wildlife, street to studio.

This isn’t just specs on paper. Drawn from my experience testing hundreds of cameras, I’ll unpack technical nuances, real-world shooting strengths, and areas where each model stumbles. Plus, I’ll pepper in personal anecdotes and practical advice so you can match camera to needs without wasting money or frustration.

Let’s start by sizing up the physical design because first impressions matter.

Size and Handling: Pocket Tough vs. Club for Thumbs

The Olympus 6020 is a tiny, rugged compact designed to go wherever you dare - waterfalls, beaches, even a mild frostbite episode. At 95x62x22mm and just 122g, it’s featherlight, fits snug in any jacket pocket or glove compartment, and feels incredibly solid thanks to its waterproof and freezeproof sealing. It’s great for adventurous cheapskates who want a no-fuss camera that won’t cry if dropped or dunked.

The Sony RX10 II, on the other hand, is a heftier 129x88x102mm chunk of tech weighing 813g - closer to a small DSLR. It’s bulky but built like a tank with weather sealing against moisture and dust. Trust me, this is no casual snapper. It sits well in your palms, with grips sculpted for extended shoots and a rich control layout designed for experienced shooters.

If portability and bomb-proof durability are your priorities, Olympus wins hands down. But if you want a serious all-in-one superzoom with DSLR ergonomics, RX10 II delivers.

Layout and Control Ergonomics: Simple vs. Fully Loaded

Olympus’s controls on the 6020 are minimalistic - mostly automatic modes, a few quick toggles, no manual focus ring, and no hot shoe for flashes. If you want quick snaps without fuss, it’s straightforward, even for beginners. However, don’t expect to override settings beyond basic ISO or scene selection - the interface is admittedly dated with a fixed 2.7" screen at a low 230k resolution.

The Sony RX10 II’s SLR-like body sports a wealth of physical buttons, dials, and a top info LCD. ISO, aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation - all at your fingertips, providing granular control. It features a tilting 3" screen with sharp 1229k dots and a bright 2.35M-dot electronic viewfinder, affordable for manual-focus enthusiasts and professionals. The lens barrel lets you zoom and manually focus on the fly, a godsend for fast action.

So, if manual control and customization are your jam, RX10 II’s interface will impress. Olympic 6020 is for those who want “point and shoot” simplicity.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny Pixels vs. Large Sensor Punch

This is where the cameras dramatically diverge.

The Olympus 6020 houses a conventional 1/2.3” CCD sensor (6.08x4.56mm size, total 13MP resolution). While it delivers decent images in bright light, the sensor size limits dynamic range, low light performance, and detail retention. The CCD technology means it’s not as optimized for noise control as modern CMOS sensors, especially beyond ISO 400-800. Also, the 5.9x zoom range (28-140mm in 35mm terms) is modest for telephoto needs.

Conversely, the Sony RX10 II boasts a large 1” BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2x8.8mm, 20MP) which unlocks cleaner, sharper images with remarkable dynamic range (12.6 EV, per DXO) and burst photon capture for low noise - even at mid ISO (native 125-12800 ISO, expandable to 25600!). The impressive 8.3x zoom (24-200mm equivalent) holds a fixed bright F2.8 aperture throughout, contributing to excellent bokeh control and fast shutter speeds.

To put bluntly: for serious image quality - portrait skin tones, landscape detail, or night shooting - Sony RX10 II wipes the floor with the Olympus 6020. But the latter remains competent as a rugged travel companion when image finesse is secondary.

Zoom Lenses: Fast F2.8 Glass vs. Variable Economy Optics

The RX10 II’s lens is arguably a masterstroke. The constant F2.8 aperture across 24-200mm zoom provides superior low-light capability, faster autofocus, and gorgeous creamy backgrounds in portraits.

The Olympus 6020 sports a variable aperture starting at F3.9, narrowing to F5.9 at 140mm equivalent focal length. Its 5x zoom is respectable but not groundbreaking, and it cannot compete with the sharpness or depth-of-field control of Sony’s lens.

If you’re after punchy wildlife or sports shots with background separation, the RX10 II’s lens is a better bet. Olympus will serve better in rugged conditions when zoom range or bokeh is less critical.

Autofocus Systems: From Basic Contrast Detection to Advanced Tracking

The 6020 features a single contrast-detection AF system with a very limited number of focus points (multiarea but undefined). It does have face detection but no eye detection or continuous tracking. Focus speed slows in low light and telephoto lens positions.

Sony’s RX10 II offers a sophisticated contrast-detect AF complemented by 25 focus points, including selective, center and multiarea modes, face detection, and continuous autofocus tracking. This makes it highly effective for sports, wildlife, and fast-moving subjects. AF speed is snappy, delivering 14fps continuous shooting with AF tracking on and minimal focus hunting.

My real-life testing confirms these numbers: Olympus struggles to nail focus on moving subjects beyond casual use, while Sony locks in sharpness reliably in fast-action scenarios.

Display and Viewfinder: No Viewfinder vs. High-Res Electronic Eyepiece

Olympus 6020 relies entirely on its modest fixed LCD, which is small and has low resolution (230k dots) - usable for framing close shots but challenging under bright sun or for detailed review.

In contrast, the RX10 II’s 3" tilting screen is vivid and sharp, ideal for creative angles. What really shines is its 2.35-million-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification, providing DSLR-like composition precision. This makes a huge difference when shooting in bright environments or tracking moving subjects.

If you regularly shoot outdoors or want precise framing, the RX10 II’s EVF is a substantial upgrade in usability.

Burst and Video Performance: Slow Snaps vs. Pro-Level Video

Burst shooting is an area where the RX10 II shows clear superiority:

• Olympus 6020: 5fps burst shooting, no continuous AF in burst mode.
• Sony RX10 II: 14fps burst with continuous AF and tracking.

Videographers will appreciate Sony’s ability to shoot 4K video at 30fps (3840x2160), a huge plus for high-end video capture. It supports multi-format recording including AVCHD and MPEG-4 with external mic/headphone jacks.

Olympus caps at 720p HD video (1280x720 at 30fps) with no external mic jack or advanced encoding options - fine for casual video but not serious content creation.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance: Rugged vs. Weather-Sealed

Olympus 6020 is shockproof, waterproof to 10m, and freezeproof down to -10°C. It’s built to take a beating outdoors without panic - a giant win for hikers, skiers, or water sport enthusiasts.

Sony RX10 II is weather sealed but not submersible or shockproof. It can handle dust and moisture splashes but needs more care in extreme conditions.

So, if your shoots align with rough adventure sports or wet environments, Olympus offers peace of mind. For studio work or controlled outdoor shoots, Sony’s build provides excellent durability with pro-style ergonomics.

Battery Life and Storage: Lightweight Convenience vs. Long Shoots

Despite Olympus’s diminutive size, battery life info isn’t publicly documented well, but expect modest endurance suited for casual daily use. Storage is via SD/SDHC cards plus internal memory (handy fallback).

Sony RX10 II offers roughly 400 shots per charge - enough for long-day shoots or travel. It uses SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Duo cards.

If long battery life is mission-critical, RX10 II is dependable. The Olympus requires extra batteries if you shoot heavily.

Connectivity Features: Modern Sharing vs. Heritage Simplicity

Olympus lacks wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC. You’ll need cables or card readers to offload images.

Sony RX10 II has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling quick transfers to smartphones or remote camera control via apps - hugely convenient for modern workflows and social sharing.

For connected users and social content creators, Sony is clearly superior here.

Image Samples and Real-World Photography

Olympus 6020 front Olympus 6020 screen back Sony RX10 II front Sony RX10 II screen back

Side-by-side, Sony’s images show better clarity, richer colors, and more detail in shadows and highlights. Skin tones with RX10 II are natural and softly rendered, crucial for portraits. Olympus images are decent but feel softer, especially on telephoto and high ISO.

Outdoor landscapes exhibit noticeable improvements from Sony’s larger sensor capturing wider dynamic range. Olympus images exhibit earlier noise and less definition.

In low light and night scenes, the RX10 II manages noise well at ISO 1600 and beyond. Olympus becomes grainy beyond ISO 800.

Genre Performance Breakdown: One Camera Does Not Fit All

Here’s how they stack up across photography types:

• Portrait: RX10 II dominates with fast lens, face & eye AF, and smoother bokeh. Olympus is passable in harsh sunlight but struggles in indoor/dim light.
• Landscape: RX10 II offers higher resolution and dynamic range. Olympus 6020 works well for basic snapshots and harsh weather.
• Wildlife: RX10 II’s fast AF and 14fps burst make it viable for active subjects; Olympus can’t keep pace.
• Sports: RX10 II clearly better due to tracking and frame rate.
• Street: Olympus is more discreet and portable; RX10 II bulkier but better image quality.
• Macro: RX10 II’s 3cm focusing distance and sharp optics surpass Olympus’s 1cm range but softer images.
• Night/Astro: RX10 II’s high-ISO and 30-second shutter options provide better results.
• Video: RX10 II provides 4K and mic/headphone jacks; Olympus video is low-res and basic.
• Travel: Olympus is ultra-portable and rugged; RX10 II versatile but heavy.
• Professional Use: RX10 II offers RAW, manual modes, advanced controls, and superior image quality.

Final Performance Ratings and Value

Based on my testing and industry benchmarks, the Sony RX10 II scores roughly 70/100 on DXOmark for overall image quality, trouncing the Olympus’s untested but significantly lower sensor performance. Build-wise, Olympus excels in inconvenience-resistant durability, while Sony leads in imaging tech and control elegance.

Recommendations for Every Photographer’s Pocket

Budget Adventurers and Outdoor Enthusiasts:
If you want a camera that’s “throw it in your bag and forget it” rugged, Olympus 6020 is your friend. It can survive rough environments and still deliver decent images for social media or casual keepsakes. Perfect for hikers, casual travelers, or parents.

Enthusiasts and Prosumers Seeking Quality and Versatility:
If your budget allows, step up to the Sony RX10 II. It’s a one-lens wonder with DSLR-level photo and video performance, packed with manual controls. Ideal for portraits, wildlife, sports, landscapes, and casual video projects. Just carry a proper camera bag for it.

Cheapskate or Secondary Camera Use:
Olympus could serve as a rugged backup or quick grab-and-go camera when you don’t want to risk your main gear.

Closing Thoughts: Different Cameras in Different Worlds

I love gadgets but hate compromises. The Olympus 6020 and Sony RX10 II are excellent cameras - but built for very different audiences and uses. Olympus’s charm lies in simplicity and durability, while Sony is about pushing photographic boundaries without switching lenses.

If you prioritize convenience, weather resistance, and price under $300, Olympus fits well. But for image fidelity, manual control, and professional versatility - despite a heftier $1,000 price tag - the RX10 II earns my strongest recommendation.

I hope this deep dive helps you make an informed, confidence-backed choice for your next camera purchase. Happy shooting!

Disclosure: The cameras reviewed were tested in identical lighting and shooting contexts using standard evaluation methods encompassing focus accuracy, image quality charts, burst speed clocks, and real-world scenarios.