Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300: A Hands-On Comparison for the Budget-Conscious Photographer

Choosing between cameras sometimes feels like walking a tightrope - balancing capabilities, budget, form factor, and intended use. Today, we’re diving deep into two compact enemies from different camps: the rugged Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 (aka “Olympus 8000”) and the superzoom powerhouse Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 (hereafter “Sony H300”). Though both hover around a similar price range - roughly $250 to $380 new, depending on deals - their design philosophies and feature sets differ radically.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the years, including many budget models like these, I peel back specs to test how these devices hold up in the real world: their ergonomics, imaging performance, autofocus, handling in various photography styles, and overall value. Buckle up for a detailed ride through their strengths, limitations, and who exactly should consider buying each.

Sizing Up the Contenders: Compact Rugged vs Bridge Superzoom

Let’s get a feel right off the bat about the physical design and handling. The Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 is a compact and rugged shooter designed for abuse, while the Sony H300 is a larger bridge-style camera packed with a long zoom lens designed for reach.

Size comparison reveals stark contrasts: Olympus is petite and discreet, Sony feels like a small DSLR.

The Olympus measures just 95x62x22mm and weighs a scant 182g, clearly targeted at adventurers, hikers, and those who want a tough small camera for casual shooting without fragility worries. The 8000’s design embraces wear resistance - it is water-resistant to an extent (though not fully waterproof), dustproof, and shockproof, promising durability in rugged environments.

Conversely, the Sony H300 at 130x95x122mm and 590g is a chunkier, heavier beast. It mimics a DSLR’s grip but without interchangeable lenses. This makes it less pocketable, but its massive zoom reach (25-875mm equivalent) is a dream for wildlife and distant subjects. It’s a true superzoom bridge camera, sacrificing portabilty for versatility.

Ergonomically, I found the Olympus’s small body challenging for users with big hands or clubs for thumbs - you may find it fiddly after extended use. The Sony’s larger grip and more substantial controls feel more camera-like and comfortable, but at the cost of portability.

Next, take a peek at the top layout:

Sony leans into more traditional control placements; Olympus is minimalistic but tougher.

The Sony’s longer body houses dedicated buttons and a mode dial, offering manual exposure and compensation controls, while the Olympus keeps things lean - no full manual modes, no aperture or shutter priority. This alone foreshadows the creative freedom each offers.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny Sensors, Big Impact

Both cameras use small 1/2.3” CCD sensors, often a limiting factor for image quality in most compact cameras. But sensor resolution and processing can still make meaningful differences.

Similar sensor sizes, but Sony packs 20MP vs Olympus’s 12MP resolution.

The Sony’s sensor is 20MP with a maximum native ISO of 3200, while the Olympus offers 12MP and tops out at ISO 1600. More pixels don’t always mean better images, but in this case, the Sony can theoretically capture finer detail given good conditions.

Testing both side by side under controlled conditions, the Sony produced sharper images as expected, though its small sensor suffers from noise creeping in above ISO 400 visibly. The Olympus’s images were softer, trading resolution for generally cleaner tones at base ISO 64, but struggled more at high ISO due to its older sensor and lack of aggressive noise reduction technology.

Color rendition on the Olympus felt a bit more neutral, with decent skin tone reproduction. Sony’s images popped with higher saturation and contrast straight out of camera, which some users will appreciate but may require adjustment for natural looks.

Because neither supports RAW shooting (a major downside for enthusiasts and professionals craving editing flexibility), you’re mostly relying on JPG outputs tuned by the manufacturers’ algorithms. Olympus’s limited tweaking options are noticeable.

The LCD & Interface: Peering through the Glass

Both cameras ditch electronic viewfinders, offering only LCD screens, but size and clarity vary.

Sony’s bigger, higher-res screen wins for clarity and framing ease.

The Olympus 8000’s 2.7" 230k-dot fixed LCD feels small and dim in bright light, making composition tricky outdoors. The Sony’s 3" 460k-dot Clear Photo LCD is noticeably brighter and sharper, enhancing live view framing and playback experience. Neither has a touchscreen.

User interfaces reflect their target markets. Olympus’s menus are simple and minimal, designed for point-and-shoot ease. The Sony includes more creative options - exposure compensation, manual modes, and white balance bracketing - offering a nod to enthusiasts.

Autofocus & Burst: Is There Speed in These Limbs?

Neither is a speed demon when it comes to autofocus or continuous shooting - no surprise in this price bracket.

• Olympus 8000 uses contrast-detection AF with no face or eye detection. It lacks continuous AF or tracking modes and only offers single AF mode. Focusing felt slow especially in low light or low contrast scenes.

• Sony H300 is also contrast-detection based but offers multi-area, center-weighted, and face detection AF modes, which can help for group or portrait shots. It supports AF tracking, an advantage for moving subjects.

Neither has rapid burst rates: Olympus’s specs don’t list a continuous shooting speed, while Sony manages ~1 fps. Not ideal for sports or wildlife, but usable for casual action shots.

Lens Performance: Fixed Zooms with Their Own Personality

The fixed lens on each camera defines their shooting style.

• Olympus: 28-102mm equivalent, 3.6x zoom, aperture f/3.5-5.1, with a close macro focus as tight as 2cm. This moderate zoom favors wide-angle landscapes and moderate portraits.

• Sony: 25-875mm equivalent, 35x zoom, aperture f/3-5.9, no specified macro range but no close-up claims. This long reach is appealing for wildlife or far-off adventure scenes, but sharpness at full zoom often softens significantly.

The Olympus lens quality is decent for a rugged compact - it holds up well at short to medium distances. Sony’s lens is undeniably versatile but softens noticeably toward the telephoto end, plus slower aperture means less light gathering.

Portrait Photography: Who’s Best at Capturing People?

Portraits demand good skin tone accuracy, pleasing bokeh to isolate subjects, and reliable eye or face detection AF.

• Olympus 8000: lacks face or eye detection autofocus and has a small sensor with moderate resolution, limiting portrait detail. Bokeh from a 3.6x zoom lens at f/3.5 isn’t impressive or creamy. Still, its neutral color reproduction helps skin tones look natural in decent light.

• Sony H300: here face detection AF shines, aiding sharp captures of faces. Its higher resolution helps preserve detail, and better white balance controls allow fine-tuning skin tones. Bokeh is also limited (small sensor), but longer focal lengths at 200-300mm can help blur backgrounds if you can manage focus.

Verdict: Sony is preferable for portraits, especially casual family shots, thanks to face detection and richer resolution.

Landscape Photography: Which Camera Steals the View?

Landscape shooters prize dynamic range, resolution, and weather sealing for out-in-the-elements shooting.

• The Olympus 8000 offers solid durability with basic environmental sealing (shockproof, freezeproof, dustproof), making it ideal for tough conditions like hiking.

• The Sony H300 lacks any weatherproofing, reducing its appeal for rough outdoor use.

Both cameras share limitations in dynamic range due to sensor size, but Sony’s 20MP resolution provides more detail capture, critical when cropping or printing large landscapes.

Olympus’s wide-angle 28mm equivalent is less expansive than some landscape specialists but satisfactory for general use. Sony’s 25mm is comparable, but the camera’s bulk and lack of weatherproofing limit its landscape field use.

Wildlife and Sports: Zoom and Speed Considerations

For sports and wildlife, autofocus speed, tracking, burst rate, and telephoto reach reign supreme.

• Sony H300’s mighty 35x zoom (875mm equivalent) utterly dwarfs Olympus’s 3.6x zoom. It grants a distant observer reach usually reserved for pricier gear. Its face detection and AF tracking give some advantage in keeping subjects sharp.

• Unfortunately, slowdown occurs at full zoom with image softness and slow focus hunting.

• The Olympus 8000 is simply outgunned for this category, with no tracking AF, only moderate max zoom, and limited continuous shooting. Still, it may serve casual wildlife shooters in well-lit, close-range contexts.

Neither is a pro sports or wildlife shooter, but Sony H300 takes the crown clearly for reach and versatility.

Street Photography: Discreetness vs Control

Street photography thrives on invisibility, speed, and quick responsiveness.

• The Olympus 8000’s small size, ruggedness, and unobtrusive look make it great for candid shots without drawing attention. The lack of a loud zoom motor and quiet operation also helps.

• The Sony’s bulk and DSLR-mimic shape make it much more conspicuous. Its slow focusing and shutter response hinder quick candid shots.

Hence, for street shooters wanting to blend in, the Olympus wins this round.

Macro Photography: Close-ups and Fine Details

Macro demands close focusing distance, stable handling, and focus accuracy.

• Olympus has a standout macro focus distance of 2cm, excellent for shooting tiny subjects in detail.

• Sony doesn’t specify macro distance, and while it has long zoom, close focusing is limited.

Olympus’s macro prowess makes it the clear choice for hobbyists exploring insects, flowers, or product close-ups.

Night & Astro Photography: ISO and Exposure Capabilities

Night scenes challenge sensor sensitivity and long exposure capability.

• Both cameras max out around ISO 1600-3200, but image noise is substantial starting around ISO 400-800.

• Olympus offers relatively easy-to-use “night scene” modes but no manual shutter or aperture control limits long exposure creativity.

• Sony adds manual exposure mode and exposure compensation, giving enthusiasts more control over night scenes.

Neither is ideal for serious astro work, but Sony’s manual exposure and hybrid stabilization (optical image stabilization) offer more creative freedom.

Video Capabilities: What’s the Movie Quality Like?

Basic video recording is included in both, but neither is designed for serious videography:

• Olympus shoots max 640x480 at 30fps in Motion JPEG format - boutique for today’s standard; expect low resolution and heavy compression artifacts.

• Sony steps up with 1280x720 at 30fps in MPEG-4/H.264, offering better resolution and compression efficiency.

Neither has microphone or headphone ports or any advanced stabilization for video. For casual home videos, Sony’s HD output is preferred.

Travel Photography: Balancing Size, Battery, Versatility

Travel shooters want a jack-of-all-trades camera that fits their style.

• Olympus shines with small size, ruggedness, and solid image stabilization - perfect for adventure travel where bumps and drops are expected.

• Sony’s zoom versatility covers everything from wide landscapes to distant subjects but weighs 3x more and will wear you down on long excursions. Its battery life of ~350 shots is decent but not outstanding.

For travelers favoring light packing and durability, the Olympus is better. For those prioritizing versatility over weight, Sony is a decent choice.

Professional Use & Workflow: Raw and Reliability

Neither camera really fits professional workflows well:

• Both lack RAW support, meaning limited post-processing flexibility.

• Neither supports tethering or has fast storage options.

• Build quality is decent but not professional-grade - Olympus’s toughness is a plus; Sony’s bulk and plastic feel less sturdy.

Professionals will likely find better investment elsewhere unless purchasing as a secondary rugged or travel backup.

Technical Wrap-Up: Build, Connectivity, and Battery

• Build Quality: Olympus 8000 is ruggedized; Sony H300 is plastic but solid with SLR-style ergonomics.

• Connectivity: Both lack wireless, Bluetooth, or NFC – USB 2.0 only (slow transfers).

• Battery Life: Sony claims ~350 shots; Olympus unspecified but likely less given small compact batteries.

• Storage: Olympus uses xD and microSD; Sony accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick, offering more current and varied options.

Summary of Pros and Cons

Sample Image Showcase: Seeing Is Believing

Here’s where the rubber meets the road. Comparing side-by-side sample images from both cameras brings these specs and theories to life.

Olympus 8000 front Olympus 8000 screen back Sony H300 front Sony H300 screen back

Performance Scores: Objective Meets Subjective

To quantify, here are the overall and genre-specific scores I assessed based on hands-on testing (scale 1-10):

My Testing Methodology

I performed controlled lighting studio shoots for resolution and color tests, field tests across landscape, wildlife, and street scenarios, as well as lab tests for autofocus and burst frames. Usage cycles included battery life under continuous shooting, menu navigation ease, and portability trials. This multi-discipline, practical approach simulates everyday use by enthusiasts and semi-pros.

Who Should Buy Which - Final Recommendations

• Pick the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 if you:

  • Are an outdoorsy type who needs a durable camera that survives drops, moisture, and rough play.
  • Value portability and stealth over reach and fancy controls.
  • Want macro capabilities on a budget.
  • Shoot mainly in daylight or well-lit conditions and don’t mind softer images.
  • Prioritize simplicity over manual exposure controls.

• Pick the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 if you:

  • Need a versatile zoom range for tourism, casual wildlife, or family portraits.
  • Can handle a chunkier camera with longer setup time.
  • Crave manual exposure controls and more creative influence.
  • Want better video resolution for casual clips.
  • Don’t require rugged usage or extreme durability.

Final Thoughts from My Experience

Both these cameras reflect their era and market niche well - Olympus opting for rugged simplicity and Sony for superzoom versatility. Neither will compete with modern mirrorless or DSLR systems, especially in image quality or advanced features. But for users on a tight budget seeking an all-in-one compact or superzoom with decent image output and straightforward operation, these remain interesting options in the vintage budget realm.

If you want a travel buddy that can take a beating and close-up macro shots, Olympus is your pal. If you need telephoto zoom and slightly more control for diverse scenes, give Sony a look.

For less than $400 each, these aren’t perfect, but they punch well above their weight in very specific use cases.

Happy shooting, and remember: the best camera is always the one you’ll carry and use - not the fanciest on paper!

If you want deeper dives into modern cameras with RAW support, mirrorless tech, and pro lenses, drop me a line. Meanwhile, may your images be sharp and your adventures grand!