Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 vs Sony RX100 VA: A Detailed Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

In a world overflowing with digital cameras, choosing the right one comes down to understanding exactly what each model is designed for - and how they perform in the real world. Today, I’ll steer you through an in-depth comparison of two very different but fascinating compacts: the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA. Both cameras came to market with distinct intents - one rugged and adventure-ready, the other a sophisticated large-sensor compact packed with advanced tech. Having put both through extensive hands-on testing across multiple photography genres, I’ll share the insights you won’t find just by glancing at specs.

Let’s get into it.

First Impressions: Design, Size, and Ergonomics

Before diving into image quality and performance, size and handling shape how photographers feel about their tools. The Olympus 8010 is part of the tough-and-tumble breed - waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof - conceived expressly for adventurers, fishermen, hikers, and ultralight travel scenarios. The Sony RX100 VA, meanwhile, is a polished luxury compact emphasizing image quality and control in a pocketable form.

The Olympus 8010’s boxy, chunky frame measures a modest 98x64x24mm and is surprisingly lightweight at just 245g. Its build is all about durability - thick seals guard against the elements, and the exterior has a rubberized feel for grip even when wet or gloved. Buttons are large and tactile but limited in customization, reflecting its simpler interface.

The Sony RX100 VA, sized at 102x58x41mm and 299g, opts for a sleeker, more refined design with a sturdy but less rugged body. It fits comfortably in jacket or pants pockets for travel and street photography without screaming “camera.” The control layout is well thought out, with a top plate boasting a command dial, dedicated exposure controls, and a tilting 3-inch rear screen - giving more creative control to serious users.

Handling is where their divergences crystallize: Olympus invites straightforward point-and-shoot simplicity fused with toughness, while Sony demands more interaction and rewards it with faster access to creative modes and settings. The Sony feels more like a scaled-down enthusiast compact; the Olympus feels like your rugged buddy ready for a tough day outdoors.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Core Difference

The bare specs tell a critical story here: the Olympus 8010 carries a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor at 13 megapixels with moderate resolution (4288x3216 pixels). The Sony RX100 VA packs a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor at 20 megapixels (5472x3648 pixels). The sensor area difference alone is significant: Olympus’s 27.72mm² versus Sony’s spacious 116.16mm².

This difference gives the Sony a clear edge in low-light performance, dynamic range, depth of field control, and overall image fidelity. During our in-the-field tests - shooting landscapes during golden hour, moody street scenes at night, and macro details - the RX100 VA consistently delivered cleaner images with richer, truer colors and finer detail retention across ISO settings.

Olympus’s CCD sensor delivers serviceable daylight performance with punchy colors and decent sharpness but struggles once the lighting becomes tricky. Its maximum ISO tops out at 1600, and digital noise becomes quite pronounced beyond ISO 400. In comparison, Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor keeps noise at bay up to ISO 3200 and remains usable even at ISO 6400 and above - great for night or indoor shooters.

Moreover, the Sony offers multiple aspect ratios (1:1, 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9), adding creative framing options beyond Olympus’s basic 4:3 and 16:9. The RX100 VA’s sensor technology also supports RAW shooting, a critical feature for professionals wanting full control over post-processing. The Olympus 8010 provides JPEG only - not surprising given its target audience but limiting advanced workflow demands.

Autofocus and Speed: Precision vs Simplicity

Autofocus systems differentiate cameras far beyond specs. The Olympus 8010 uses a contrast-detection autofocus system with basic face detection unavailable - a notable drawback for portrait or wildlife shooters relying on critical focus. Its system limits it to single AF mode, lacking continuous autofocus, though it supports some AF tracking modes suitable for casual subjects. AF felt slower and more sluggish in dim light or on fast-moving subjects.

The Sony RX100 VA shines here with a hybrid autofocus system combining phase-detection and contrast detection, boasting 315 focus points and sophisticated Real-Time Eye AF and tracking capabilities. We tested it on birds in flight, cyclists, and street performers - tracking was precise and rapid, rarely missing a beat. The continuous shooting speed maxes out at an impressive 24fps, which the Olympus cannot match (max 5fps).

This speed and accuracy make the RX100 VA far more suited for wildlife, sports, and action photography, where split-second focus and timing count. The Olympus, conversely, is optimized for stationary or slow-moving subjects with more forgiving environments.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Next up: resilience. This is where the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 earns its stripes unequivocally. It’s environmental sealing is full-on with waterproof rating to 10 meters, shockproof drops from 2 meters, and freezeproof down to -10°C. For any adventure sports photographer, snorkeler, or climber, this camera is an appealing companion that can survive the inevitable bumps and splashes.

The Sony RX100 VA, while robust for a compact camera, lacks any weather sealing or rugged certifications. Use it with care around water or the elements, ideally protected inside a bag or case. If there was one Achilles heel for the RX100 line, it’s this: none of the models take the same abuse as a true tough camera.

Screen and Viewfinder: Visibility and Usability

Both cameras have secondary interfaces which, though modest by modern standards, influence shooting comfort.

The Olympus 8010 sports a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with just 230k dots - low resolution that looks grainy and washed out in bright daylight. There’s no touch functionality or tilting mechanism, which limits framing flexibility in unusual positions.

Sony’s RX100 VA has a 3-inch tilting screen with over five times the resolution (1229k dots), providing crisp, vibrant playback and live view framing with greater flexibility, from waist level or high-angle shots. It supports self-timer with a self-friendly tilt angle, an asset for solo portrait or street selfies.

More valuable is the inclusion of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) on the Sony with 2.3M dot resolution, 100% coverage, and a bright view - even in direct sunlight. Olympus has no EVF, leaving users reliant on LCD visibility, which can be challenging outdoors.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Versatility vs Brightness

Lens performance is another pillar of practical use.

• Olympus 8010: 28-140mm equivalent zoom (5x) with aperture ranging from f/3.9 to f/5.9.
• Sony RX100 VA: 24-70mm equivalent zoom (2.9x) with bright f/1.8 to f/2.8 aperture.

Olympus’s longer zoom range lends itself well to travel and casual wildlife shots, where the extra reach helps frame distant subjects without swapping lenses. However, the relatively slow aperture limits low-light gathering and bokeh quality.

Sony’s shorter zoom range may slightly constrain framing for distant subjects but its lens is significantly brighter throughout, offering superior background separation for portraits and more flexibility in dim conditions.

Macro focusing distances (1cm on Olympus, 5cm for Sony) show Olympus’s edge for close-up shooting - ideal for bugs, flowers, or small items. Still, the Sony’s sharper optics and superior image processing partly offset this for detail.

Continuous Shooting and Buffer

Such technical specs translate into tangible shooting experiences.

• Olympus’s 5fps continuous shooting falls short in action scenarios but is respectable for slow-paced shooting.
• Sony’s 24fps burst rate with continuous autofocus supports tracking fast-moving subjects thoroughly, making it ideal for dynamic situations like sports or wildlife.

This burst capability pairs nicely with Sony’s larger buffer and faster processor, ensuring minimal lag during sequences.

Video: More Than Just Stills

Both cameras shoot video but hardly compete in the same league.

• Olympus shoots up to 1280x720p at 30fps with the basic H.264 codec. No 4K, minimal manual controls, and no external microphone input limit creative videographers.
• Sony RX100 VA offers 4K video at 30fps (XAVC S codec), Full HD up to 120fps (slow motion), and supports advanced features like zebra patterns and manual exposure during video. This makes the RX100 VA suitable for serious hybrid shooters who want premium video in a compact.

Neither camera sports microphone or headphone jacks, which is a common tradeoff at compact sizes - external audio accessories require workarounds.

Battery Life and Storage

Practical usability counts, too.

• Olympus uses a proprietary Li-50B battery; official battery life ratings aren’t provided but real-world usage suggests moderate stamina, typical of compact waterproof cameras.
• Sony uses NP-BX1 rechargeable battery with about 220 shots per charge - limited but typical for such a high-performance sensor and EVF.

Both accommodate SD-type cards with one slot each. Sony’s support for SDXC and Memory Stick formats widens card selection flexibility.

Connectivity: Wireless and Ports

Here the Sony pulls ahead.

• Olympus 8010 has no wireless connectivity at all, meaning transferring images requires USB 2.0 cables - a sluggish and clunky process by today’s standards.
• Sony RX100 VA comes with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling quick transfers to smartphones, remote control, and easy sharing, enhancing its value for modern shooters.

Both support HDMI output for clean video feeds.

Performance Overview Across Photography Genres

Let’s examine how each camera holds up in typical photographic situations:

Olympus 8010 front Olympus 8010 screen back Sony RX100 VA front Sony RX100 VA screen back

1. Portraits: Sony’s fast lens, superior AF with face detection, and ability to produce creamy bokeh yield much more flattering skin tones and subject isolation than Olympus’s slower, longer zoom lens.
2. Landscapes: Sony’s higher resolution and dynamic range capture richer tones and finer textures. Olympus’s ruggedness is a plus on wet hikes but image quality tradeoffs exist.
3. Wildlife: Olympus’s 5x zoom offers advantage in reach but AF speed is a bottleneck. Sony’s 2.9x zoom limits distance, but AF tracking and frame rate favor it for bird-in-flight and animal portraits.
4. Sports: Sony dominates with 24fps and advanced AF tracking. Olympus’s 5fps is too slow for fast-action sequences.
5. Street: Sony’s compact size, stealth viewfinder, and superior low-light make it ideal. Olympus’s chunkier frame and limited AF reduce spontaneity.
6. Macro: Olympus can focus as close as 1cm, advantageous for extreme close-ups, but Sony produces sharper macros with better color fidelity.
7. Night/Astro: Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor at higher ISO and longer exposure capabilities (max 30s shutter) comfortably outperforms Olympus’s 1/4 minimum shutter speed and max ISO 1600.
8. Video: Sony shoots 4K; Olympus stuck at HD 720p with no mic input. Sony is clearly the hybrid choice.
9. Travel: Olympus’s ruggedness and shock resistance are compelling for harsh environments, while Sony offers superior image quality and portability for everyday travel.
10. Professional Work: Sony’s RAW files, exposure modes, and connectivity facilitate a smoother professional workflow. Olympus’s JPEG-only output and limited controls limit serious use.

Ranking Their Strengths and Weaknesses Visually

These visual summaries from our comprehensive scoring models reiterate the Sony RX100 VA’s dominance across image quality and versatility while praising Olympus’s ruggedness and durability ratings.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 if:

• Your primary concern is durable, waterproof, freeze-proof gear for rugged outdoor or underwater use.
• You want a simple camera that survives drops and dirt without worry.
• Your use mostly involves daylight scenes, casual snapshots, or adventure sports where camera survival trumps image quality.
• Budget is around $600 and you prioritize longevity over specs.

Choose the Sony RX100 VA if:

• Image quality, speed, and autofocus performance are your top priorities.
• You want a compact camera that can serve both as a capable travel companion and a high-quality pocket shooter.
• Video quality and creative controls matter.
• You often shoot portraits, wildlife, sports, or low-light scenes.
• You can invest around $1000 for advanced tech and flexibility.

Final Thoughts from the Field

Having tested these two cameras side by side in urban streets of Tokyo, the rugged trails of the Rockies, and intimate portrait sessions indoors, I can say they serve distinctly different needs well.

The Olympus 8010 is a dependable, if uncompromising, rugged compact designed for a niche yet vital market segment. It’s a bit of a digital “tough cookie” that sacrifices image refinement for survival instincts. If you are a professional needing bulletproof backup in extreme conditions, it’s a viable choice.

The Sony RX100 VA showcases how a truly modern compact bridges enthusiast and professional worlds in one palm-sized package. Its fast lens, high-speed AF, larger sensor, and smart controls make it a must-consider for photographers who want high-quality images without lugging heavier gear.

Between these, the question isn’t just “which camera is better?” but “which camera fits your lifestyle and shooting priorities?” I hope this comprehensive comparison helps you in that decision.

Happy shooting!

If you want to explore this further or see sample RAW files, drop a note - I’ve archived scores and field notes for both, ready to share.