Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony HX200V

Choosing Between the Olympus XZ-10 and Sony HX200V: A Hands-On Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When it comes to compact cameras with zoom capabilities, the market can be surprisingly crowded, especially if you’re trying to balance image quality, portability, and versatility without stepping up to an interchangeable lens system. Today, I’m putting two intriguing models side-by-side that represent slightly different takes on this niche: the Olympus Stylus XZ-10 (hereafter XZ-10) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V (the HX200V).

Both cameras were released in the early 2010s and bear the “small sensor compact” tag, but they differ considerably in design, zoom range, sensor resolution, and handling characteristics. Having spent hours with each, running them through portrait, landscape, wildlife, and more specialized shooting scenarios, this article aims to clarify their strengths, weaknesses, and which photographers might prefer one over the other.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Ergonomics and Design

When selecting a camera, one of the first considerations is comfort and usability. In hand, the Olympus XZ-10 feels like a true compact point-and-shoot, weighing a light 221g and measuring roughly 102x61x34mm. Its slim profile easily fits into pockets or small bags, making it an excellent grab-and-go option. The fixed 26-130mm f/1.8-2.7 lens gives impressive brightness on the wide end, which I appreciated when shooting indoors or in dusk conditions.

Contrast that with the Sony HX200V, which is significantly larger and heavier at 583g and dimensions of 122x87x93mm. It emulates an SLR-style “bridge” camera, giving you a robust grip and a heft that telegraphs permanence and durability. The design is more serious, and the broader lens range of 27-810mm f/2.8-5.6 hints at a rugged superzoom ambition.

Handling controls across the top decks show distinct philosophies. I found the Olympus’s top plate minimalist, clean but somewhat limited in tactile switches, whereas the Sony’s more complex button and dial layout caters better to photographers who want immediate control without diving into menus - especially valuable in fast-paced shooting.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras share a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor, a common size in compact cameras, meaning neither will produce the noise control or dynamic range of larger-sensor models. However, Sony’s HX200V boasts an 18MP resolution, a sizable bump over the Olympus’s 12MP count.

At first glance, the higher megapixel count on the Sony translates to higher resolution images - particularly noticeable when cropping or printing large. But megapixels only tell part of the story. Factors like lens sharpness, noise-handling algorithms, and sensor technology play pivotal roles.

For portrait skin tones, the XZ-10 benefits from its relatively fast f/1.8 lens at the wide end, allowing shallower depth of field and smoother bokeh than the Sony can manage with its slower aperture at telephoto. The Olympus produces decidedly pleasant skin tones with less noise in moderate ISO settings, presumably aided by its more aggressive in-camera noise reduction. Conversely, the Sony delivers more detail but with somewhat harsher noise artifacts beyond ISO 800.

Dynamic range in landscapes was comparable but with a subtle edge to the Olympus for preserving subtle highlight details in bright skies. Neither camera can rival APS-C or full-frame models here, but for their sensor class, they perform reliably.

Shooting Experience Across Photography Genres

1. Portrait Photography

With no interchangeable lens options, you rely on the built-in optics and autofocus to nail portraits. The Olympus’s f/1.8 aperture wide end excels in isolating subjects from backgrounds, giving flattering skin tone rendition and creamy bokeh. Face detection autofocus works solidly on both cameras, though Olympus’s contrast-detection AF felt a touch snappier and more consistent with single-shots, especially in good light.

Sony’s 9 AF points are fewer than Olympus’s 35, but its multi-area autofocus lets you select zones quickly. However, the slower aperture and somewhat harsher image rendering limit dreamy, pro-style portraiture appeal.

2. Landscape Photography

Here the Sony’s expanded resolution and extra focal length lend advantages. Its tilting XtraFine TFT LCD screen aids composing uneven terrain shots from low or high angles, offering more framing flexibility than Olympus’s fixed touchscreen.

Both cameras allow manual exposure modes and include full aperture and shutter priority options, ideal for landscapes requiring precise control over depth of field or exposure. Unfortunately, neither body offers weather sealing - a drawback if you’re prone to shooting in inclement conditions.

3. Wildlife and Sports Photography

Sony’s HX200V wins comfortably here with its enormous 30x optical zoom reaching 810mm equivalent. This lets you frame distant subjects tightly without cropping severely. Additionally, the HX200V offers a 10 fps burst mode, double the Olympus’s 5 fps. In my real-world testing chasing birds and fast-moving subjects, the Sony’s autofocus, though contrast-detection based, was decent but occasionally struggled tracking erratic movement.

The Olympus’s shorter zoom reach (5x) restricts wildlife use unless you’re quite close, but its faster lens aperture at wide angle can assist in low light.

4. Street and Travel Photography

For street shooters prioritizing discretion and compactness, Olympus’s lightweight and pocketable design give it an edge. The XZ-10 can slip into a jacket pocket and impressively produce sharp, vivid images without drawing too much attention. Sony’s much larger size makes it noticeably less street-friendly, though it offers versatility with the zoom.

Battery life favors the Sony, which shoots approximately 450 frames compared to Olympus’s 240 shots per charge, beneficial for long tourist days or travel shoots without frequent recharging.

5. Macro Photography

Both models can focus as close as 1cm, handy for flower or insect photos, but I found Olympus’s sensor-shift stabilization made handheld macro shots easier, reducing blur from slight hand shakes. Sony lacks built-in sensor-shift, relying on optical stabilization which can be less effective at extreme close distances.

6. Night and Astrophotography

This is where both small sensor cameras face challenges. Limited dynamic range and noise control are hurdles. However, the Olympus’s faster aperture lens allows more light in, which is a boon for night shots and star fields. I tested both on tripod and handheld night scenes - Olympus produces cleaner images up to ISO 800; the Sony’s higher ISO limit gives flexibility but with more noise.

Neither camera sports advanced long exposure modes or built-in intervalometers for astrophotography, limiting their ability for serious night sky work.

Video Capabilities: What to Expect

Both the XZ-10 and HX200V shoot Full HD 1080p video, but with different performance characteristics. Olympus records 1080p at 30fps, with MPEG-4 and H.264 encoding, and features sensor-shift image stabilization that notably helps smooth handheld footage.

Sony ups the ante with 1080p at 60fps (AVCHD or MPEG-4), giving silky smooth slow-motion options. The HX200V’s optical image stabilization assists video, although I found it less effective at handling rapid, jerky movements compared to Olympus’s sensor-shift.

Neither camera offers microphone or headphone jacks, so audio control is limited to onboard mic quality, typical for this class but something to note if you intend pro-level video or vlogging.

Build Quality, Interface, and Usability

Neither camera is weather-sealed, so cautious use around dust or moisture is advised. The Sony’s bulkiness contributes to a feeling of robustness, but the Olympus doesn’t feel flimsy - both are solidly constructed.

Interface-wise, Olympus’s touchscreen on the fixed 3-inch 920k-dot LCD is intuitive for quick menu navigation and focus point adjustment. However, its lack of tilting or articulating features restricts versatility.

Sony’s 3-inch tilting 922k-dot “XtraFine TruBlack” LCD allows more creative angles and better outdoor visibility, crucial when shooting in bright sunlight or awkward positions.

Neither sports touch-sensitive controls beyond Olympus’s screen, which may disappoint those who prefer tap-to-focus.

Lens and Stabilization

Both cameras use fixed lenses, so understanding their optical offerings is vital.

• Olympus XZ-10: 26-130mm (5x zoom) with an exceptionally bright maximum aperture of f/1.8-2.7. This wide aperture at the short end allows flexibility in low light and shallow depth of field effects, uncommon for compacts.

• Sony HX200V: Far more extensive zoom range of 27-810mm (30x zoom) but slower aperture varying from f/2.8 to f/5.6, limiting low light and bokeh capabilities toward the long end.

As for stabilization, Olympus uses sensor-shift stabilization, effective across its zoom range, including macro distances. Sony relies on optical image stabilization with the lens, which is generally effective but less consistent in ultra-telephoto reach or quick pans.

Autofocus Systems in Practice

Both rely on contrast-detection AF with face detection. Olympus throws in 35 focus points, versus Sony’s 9, but Sony supports selective and multi-area AF, which adds compositional control.

In daylight, both are fast and accurate for static subjects. Low-light performance degrades similarly, with slight hunting. Olympus’s faster lens helps achieve quicker focus in dim settings, an advantage for portraits and street work after dusk.

Neither offers phase-detection AF or continuous autofocus modes for video or sports - so tracking fast-moving subjects requires patience and multiple attempts.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

Both cameras include built-in Eye-Fi wireless compatibility (through SD card support), HDMI output, and USB 2.0. Sony also integrates GPS tagging, attractive for travel photographers wanting location data embedded in images.

Regarding storage, both use one SD/SDHC/SDXC slot. Sony adds compatibility for Memory Stick formats, though less relevant nowadays.

Battery life is an important practical factor: Sony’s rated 450 shots per charge is nearly double Olympus’s 240. If you’re on a trip or extended shoot without access to charging, HX200V may serve better.

Pricing and Value Assessment

Both cameras have street prices around $430-$480, with Olympus generally slightly cheaper. This price parity means your choice hinges on feature priorities rather than cost.

If you want a truly pocketable, fast-aperture compact capable of handling portraits and low-light street scenarios, the Olympus XZ-10 offers excellent bang for buck.

The Sony HX200V delivers much greater versatility through its superzoom lens, longer battery life, and enhanced video frame rates - a better all-rounder if size and weight are less critical barriers.

Olympus XZ 10 front Olympus XZ 10 screen back Sony HX200V front Sony HX200V screen back

Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

Here’s a distilled comparison based on rigorous testing across multiple photography genres:

These scores reflect my hands-on experience, considering sensor capabilities, ergonomics, and real-world application rather than just specs on paper.

Who Should Choose Olympus XZ-10?

• You prioritize portability and compactness in urban or travel scenarios.
• Portraits with creamy bokeh and good skin tone rendition matter to you.
• Low-light shooting is a frequent requirement.
• You appreciate a touchscreen interface for intuitive control.
• Prefer faster lens optics in a small sensor format.
• Your photography is casual to enthusiast with moderate zoom needs.

Who Should Opt for Sony HX200V?

• You need extreme zoom reach for wildlife or distant subjects.
• Video shooting with 60fps Full HD is a priority.
• Long battery life supports extensive outings without recharging.
• You want an articulated screen for varied shooting angles.
• GPS tagging is a useful feature for your workflow.
• Size and weight are secondary to functionality.

Final Thoughts: Expertise for Everyday Photographers

As someone who’s used thousands of cameras from smartphones to full-frame bodies, I see these two models as solid representatives of early 2010s compact superzoom technology, each with clear target users.

The Olympus XZ-10 remains compelling for those needing a sleek, effective tool that covers most everyday photographic needs gracefully - a camera that invites spontaneity without overwhelming complexity.

Sony’s HX200V packs in versatility and features for more committed enthusiasts who demand long reach and robust video, sacrificing pocketability for scope and endurance.

Whichever you choose, understanding your main photography interests and use cases will lead to satisfaction. And if sensor size and image quality are critical, considering newer mirrorless or DSLR options would provide a noticeable leap, though at the cost of size, weight, and complexity.

In the realm of compact, fixed-lens cameras, Olympus and Sony each bring their unique strengths - and now, armed with these insights, you can decide which fits your photographic journey best.

For further in-depth reviews and real-world image samples, check out my accompanying video walk-through and comparative galleries.