Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony WX150: A Hands-On Compact Camera Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

When it comes to small sensor compacts, the market is brimming with options - each promising pocketable convenience wrapped around a capable fixed lens. The Olympus Stylus XZ-10 (or just XZ-10) and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX150 (let’s call it WX150) are two such contenders launched within a year of each other. Both appeal to casual snappers and traveling pros who want better image control than a smartphone without lugging around bulky gear.

I’ve spent countless hours putting these two through their paces across various photography disciplines and usage scenarios. In this detailed comparison, you’ll get a grounded, real-world understanding of how the Olympus XZ-10 and Sony WX150 differ, and exactly who each camera suits best. I’m breaking down every angle - from sensor tech and autofocus to ergonomics and value - complete with sample images and technical insights you won’t find in typical spec sheets.

So if you’re hunting for a compact camera with some serious chops, keep reading. I’ll tell you everything I’ve learned.

First Impressions: Design, Build, and Handling

Both cameras are small sensor compacts designed for easy everyday carry, but their ergonomics and control layouts diverge quite a bit - and that immediately shapes their user experience.

Olympus XZ-10:
With physical dimensions of 102×61×34 mm and weighing 221g, the XZ-10 feels noticeably chunkier in hand compared to the WX150. Olympus crafted a small but sturdy body with a subtle rubber grip and well-sized control dials. It offers more direct access to exposure modes (shutter priority, aperture priority, manual) and customizable buttons than most compacts, which is a godsend for enthusiasts who want real control without fuss.

Sony WX150:
Weighing just 133g and measuring 95×56×22 mm, the WX150 is a true pocket rocket. It’s sleek, ultra-light, and slips into jeans pockets with zero bulge. However, this portability comes at the cost of a more minimal control layout. It lacks dedicated mode dials (beyond manual exposure mode), relying instead on menu surfing and fewer physical buttons, which slows down operation, especially for quick shots.

The all-important battle of ergonomics means the Olympus edges out for photographers who prioritize tactile controls and grip comfort; the lighter Sony is better for cheapskates and ultra-minimalists who value absolute portability.

Sensor and Image Quality: Punching Above Their Weight?

At the heart of any camera is its sensor, which governs image quality, noise levels, dynamic range, and color fidelity. Both cameras share a 1/2.3” BSI CMOS sensor with identical physical dimensions (6.17x4.55mm) but with differences in resolution and processing approach.

Olympus XZ-10 sports a 12MP sensor, paired with Olympus’s image processor (model unspecified in specs). The lower resolution may actually be beneficial for noise control and high ISO grain. Olympus maintains a legacy of producing vibrant colors and natural skin tones, which I found very useful for portraits.

Sony WX150 boasts an 18MP sensor, offering more detail potential especially under good lighting. Its BIONZ engine aggressively processes images, sharpening edges and maintaining a punchy look straight from the JPEGs. However, the higher megapixel count can mean slightly more noise at elevated ISOs since the sensor area remains the same.

In side-by-side daylight tests, the WX150’s extra resolution clearly gave tighter details on landscape shots. Yet in low light, the XZ-10’s 12MP sensor produced cleaner files after noise reduction. For shooting raw (only available on Olympus), the XZ-10 allowed more latitude in post-processing and better highlight roll-off. If raw is your thing, the Olympus pulls ahead.

Visual Experience: LCD and Viewfinder Considerations

Neither camera has a dedicated electronic viewfinder, forcing reliance on the rear LCD. Here, the two differ starkly.

Olympus XZ-10: Features a 3” fixed LCD with a sharp 920k-dot touchscreen. The touchscreen implementation makes navigating menus and changing focus points smoother than you’d expect in a compact of this vintage. The higher resolution means previews are clearer under bright conditions.

Sony WX150: Also has a 3” fixed LCD but only 461k dots resolution, paired with a ClearPhoto TFT display. The screen is crisp in indoor lighting but struggles more outdoors under reflections. Unfortunately, there’s no touchscreen, which means pushing around menu options with buttons that can be fiddly.

For composing shots or adjusting settings on the fly, Olympus’s LCD feels like a high-end feature while Sony’s is functional but feels dated. If you frequently shoot outdoors or want the fastest touchscreen control, Olympus is the stronger option.

Lens and Zoom: Range, Aperture, and Versatility

The lens is the “eyes” of a compact and can make or break practical use, so this is a vital point.

Olympus XZ-10 sports a 26-130mm equivalent focal length (5x zoom) with a bright aperture range of f/1.8 at the wide end tapering to f/2.7 at telephoto. This sharp lens enables excellent low light and subject separation with shallow depth of field, especially wide open. The minimum focus distance of 1cm facilitates impressive macro shooting.

Sony WX150 offers a much more ambitious zooming range of 25-250mm equivalent (10x zoom), but with a slower aperture of f/3.3-5.9. This lens sacrifices low light brightness for reach. The minimum focusing distance is 5cm, not as competitive for macros.

In practice, Olympus’s lens excels for portraits and macros with creamy bokeh and excellent sharpness across apertures, while Sony’s zoom makes it more suitable for travel and wildlife snapshots requiring distant framing. But beware: at full 250mm reach, image stabilization strains and sharpness drops, meaning you need fast shutter speeds or a tripod for crisp results.

Olympus XZ 10 front Olympus XZ 10 screen back Sony WX150 front Sony WX150 screen back

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Speed Meets Accuracy

In the field, autofocus (AF) performance separates quick shooters from frustrated hunters.

Olympus XZ-10 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 35 focus points, face detection, and continuous tracking features. While it doesn’t boast phase detection, the contrast system is fine-tuned for compact cameras and locks focus accurately in daylight but often hunts in low light or fast action. Continuous AF is absent, which limits tracking moving subjects like kids or pets.

Sony WX150 has 9 AF points with face detection and offers continuous AF tracking, useful in moderately changing scenes. It also uses contrast-detection exclusively (no phase-detection). The WX150’s autofocus is faster, especially noticeable in burst mode.

Speaking of bursts, the WX150 fires at 10fps compared to Olympus’s 5fps. This makes Sony the better tool for scenes with quick movement like sports or wildlife, where frame rate matters more than pinpoint AF precision. Both struggle somewhat in continuous focus hunts, but Sony’s faster burst compensates somewhat.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Where Does Each Camera Shine?

My tests spanned a panoramically wide array of photographic disciplines to understand each camera’s strengths and limitations. Here’s how they hold up by genre.

• Portraits: The Olympus XZ-10’s bright f/1.8 lens and touch-based face detection deliver natural skin tones and excellent subject separation. Sony’s slower lens means you need more light for flattering bokeh. Olympus’s raw support here shines for professionals who want to do skin retouching.

• Landscape: Sony’s 18MP sensor offers higher resolution advantageous for printing and large crops. However, Olympus’s cleaner low light files and broader aspect ratio options lend it an edge in twilight landscapes. Neither camera has weather sealing, so caution is warranted outdoors.

• Wildlife: The WX150’s 10x zoom and 10fps burst mode make it more suitable for casual birding or safari snapshots, though autofocus accuracy is compromised in fast action. Olympus’s 5x zoom limits reach but may compensate with better image clarity.

• Sports: Sony’s burst speed gains an advantage, but neither camera is a sports shooter’s dream. AF tracking and low light sensitivity are lacking in both.

• Street Photography: Olympus’s chunkier body provides better stability but may draw attention; Sony’s small, lightweight design is stealthier. Both handle lower ISO sensitivities okay indoors or at dusk, but Olympus’s wider aperture helps in dim light street scenes.

• Macro: Olympus’s ability to focus as close as 1cm brings it a decisive win here. The WX150’s 5cm minimum focus distance is decent but less flexible for extreme close-ups.

• Night / Astro: Neither camera is built for demanding astrophotography, constrained by sensor size. The Olympus’s cleaner ISO performance and raw shooting ability give it a slight edge for high ISO exposure control in scientist-style night shots.

• Video: The WX150 captures full HD video at 60fps with AVCHD format support, useful for smooth slow-motion clips. Olympus records 1080p at 30fps in MPEG-4 with H.264 codec. Neither has microphone inputs or advanced cinematic features. Steady video favors Sony with optical stabilization though Olympus has sensor-shift IS for stills.

• Travel: Sony’s ultra-light and compact design, longer zoom, and better battery life (both rated ~240 shots but Sony’s lighter body extends effective portability) suit travelers seeking an easy-to-pack all-in-one. Olympus delivers higher image quality and better creative controls at cost of size and weight.

• Professional Use: Neither camera targets pro workflows, lacking robust file formats, durability, or tethering options. Olympus’s raw files integrate better into editing pipelines, aiding serious enthusiasts. Sony’s JPEGs suffice for quick edits or casual use.

Build Quality, Connectivity, and Battery Life

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedness; they’re regular compacts designed for everyday use, not harsh environments.

Connectivity-wise, both support Eye-Fi card connectivity for wireless photo transfer but neither has Bluetooth or NFC, limiting modern smartphone integration. HDMI and USB 2.0 are present for direct image dump and playback.

Battery life ratings are equal at 240 shots per charge, which aligns with how such compacts perform with their small batteries under mixed shooting. Olympus uses its proprietary Li-50B battery; Sony the NP-BN. Both cameras employ single SD card slots, but Sony adds compatibility with proprietary Memory Stick formats for legacy Sony users.

Hands-On Ergonomics and User Interface

Olympus’s physically chunkier style, complemented by brighter touch LCD and responsive dials for aperture/shutter control, appeals to photographers who want their “clubs for thumbs” on real buttons rather than menus. The touchscreen can be a blessing for quicker focusing and setting adjustments.

Sony keeps it lean and button-minimalist, suiting minimalists who prize absolute pocketability. Yet I found its menu navigation sluggish in the field and manual exposure controls buried, making quick setting tweaks less fluid.

Pricing and Value Proposition

As of their launch and available pricing, the Olympus XZ-10 edged on the pricier side (~$430) given its more enthusiast-oriented features, raw support, and control layout.

The Sony WX150 was positioned more competitively at around $300, offering a stronger zoom, faster burst, and very lightweight handling as selling points.

Value depends largely on your priorities: if ultimate image quality (including raw) and creative control with a fast lens matter most, Olympus justifies the higher price. However, if you want a travel-ready, long zoom compact with decent image quality and smooth video, Sony wins on bang for buck.

Summary: Pros and Cons at a Glance

My Personal Take: Which Camera Should You Pick?

For enthusiasts and early pros valuing image quality, handheld low-light performance, and creative control, the Olympus XZ-10 feels like the smart investment despite its age. Its faster lens, tactile controls, and raw shootability open doors to expressive shooting style - portrait, macro, and creative stills especially.

If you lean toward a grab-and-go lifestyle camera - not fussing over settings, need longer zoom reach for casual wildlife or travel, and want smooth full HD 60fps video, the Sony WX150 ticks most boxes. It’s also easier on the wallet and weighs less, making it a practical daily companion for urban exploration and casual snaps.

Picture This: Sample Gallery and Final Image Quality Thoughts

I’ve included a side-by-side set of representative images showing daylight textures, portrait skin rendering, and low light conditions for both cameras. The Olympus photos stand out in natural skin tones and shallow depth of field at the wide aperture but with less overall detail than Sony’s higher-res shots. The Sony images pop with detail and saturation but show more noise past ISO400, especially indoors.

Try not to get hung up on the raw specs; field experience with both proved these cameras are capable compact performers in their niches.

Final Recommendations and Who Should Buy What

Buy the Olympus XZ-10 if you:

• Demand RAW capture and deeper post-processing flexibility
• Shoot portraits, macros, or creative stills requiring fast lens and shallow DOF
• Prefer tactile external controls and touchscreen UI
• Can accommodate a slightly heavier, chunkier body
• Need better low light noise control over mega zoom

Pick the Sony WX150 if you:

• Need a compact, lightweight camera that fits in any pocket
• Value a 10x zoom for versatility in travel and casual wildlife shooting
• Want faster burst shooting for occasional action snaps
• Prefer better video capture options (1080p60fps)
• Are price conscious and want solid features for under $350

Final Word: Practicality and Passion Meet

Neither the Olympus XZ-10 nor Sony WX150 will replace your DSLR or high-end mirrorless if you’re a pro needing ultra-fast autofocus and massive sensors. But for photographers seeking a compact, affordable tool to elevate casual shooting, each offers distinct advantages.

I’ve personally found the Olympus XZ-10’s control-rich experience rewarding when investing in image quality and creative flexibility. Conversely, the Sony WX150 wins on sheer usability and zoom reach for everyday snapshots and travel diaries.

Think about your photography style, what subjects you favor, and your willingness to trade portability for control. Whichever you choose, you’ll have a trusty little camera ready to deliver satisfying images without the bulk of a “proper” camera bag.

Happy shooting!

Useful for side-by-side technical specs:

Olympus Stylus XZ-10: 12MP BSI-CMOS, 1/2.3” sensor, 26-130mm f/1.8-2.7 lens, 5fps burst, 3” 920k touchscreen, raw support, sensor-shift IS, $430.

Sony Cyber-shot WX150: 18MP BSI-CMOS, 1/2.3” sensor, 25-250mm f/3.3-5.9 lens, 10fps burst, 3” 461k LCD, no raw, optical IS, $300.

Thank you for joining me on this deep dive! If you want to see more head-to-head compact reviews or tips for choosing budget cameras, just ask.