Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690: An In-Depth Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing a compact camera that delivers solid performance across various photography genres while staying user-friendly can be a challenge, especially with so many models available. Today, we’re putting two noteworthy compact cameras head-to-head: the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690. Both were released around 2012 and appeal to photographers looking for pocketable options with different strengths and compromises.

With over 15 years of hands-on camera testing behind us, we’ll dissect their features, real-world performance, and value propositions to help you decide which is better suited for your creative journey - whether you're a casual shooter, advanced enthusiast, or a working professional seeking a dependable secondary camera.

Getting a Feel: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

When it comes to compact cameras, size and handling matter a great deal. You want something easy to carry but that also feels comfortable when shooting.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS carries a more substantial body, which feels better balanced during one-handed shooting and provides easy access to aperture and shutter speed dials. The tilting touchscreen adds versatility when framing from awkward angles - a real boon for vloggers or macro shooters.

By contrast, the Sony W690 boasts a slimmer, lightweight body that fits effortlessly in your palm or pocket, making it an ideal grab-and-go travel companion. However, the lack of physical controls and touchscreen limits quick adjustments on the fly.

Bottom Line: If you prioritize portability and discreet shooting, the Sony wins. But for ergonomics and tactile control, the Olympus steps up.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Insights

Sensor size and technology form the backbone of any camera’s image output. Here’s how these two stack up:

Despite having fewer megapixels, the Olympus XZ-2’s larger and more modern CMOS sensor offers clear advantages in image quality. The sensor’s higher surface area allows it to capture more light - this translates into cleaner images, especially at higher ISO sensitivities. The Olympus also supports RAW shooting, giving you much more flexibility in post-processing, which is invaluable for enthusiasts and professionals.

The Sony W690’s smaller CCD sensor produces higher resolution files but struggles more in low light scenarios. Without RAW support, you’re restricted to JPEGs straight from the camera, limiting dynamic range tweaking or noise reduction.

Real-World Impact

• Portrait Photography: The Olympus’s sensor produces smoother gradations and more accurate skin tones, helping you capture natural-looking portraits without harsh noise or color shifts.
• Low-Light Shooting: With a max ISO of 12800 versus Sony's 3200, the XZ-2 offers better noise control for night photography or indoor events.
• Landscape and Detail: While higher resolution might seem appealing, Sony’s sensor noise in shadows limits its dynamic range, potentially losing detail in both highlights and shadows.

Lenses and Focal Ranges: Versatility for Various Genres

Lens specs can significantly influence the type of photography you can comfortably do, so let’s compare:

The Olympus XZ-2 iHS’s fast f/1.8 aperture at the wide end is excellent for portraits and low-light scenarios, offering attractive background blur (bokeh) and subject isolation. Its 28-112mm equivalent range is ideal for standard to moderate telephoto shooting, perfect for portraits, street, and landscapes.

The Sony W690 focuses on versatility: the 10x zoom equivalent (25-250mm) covers wide-angle to long telephoto. However, the slower f/3.3-f/5.9 aperture means it’s less adept in dim environments and capturing shallow depth-of-field effects.

Macro Photography: Olympus’s ability to focus down to 1 cm versus Sony’s 5 cm provides more creative freedom with extreme close-ups.

Stabilization: Olympus’s 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization is more effective than Sony's optical lens stabilization, reducing blur in challenging shooting conditions.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Tracking Action vs Precision

Autofocus quality strongly affects your success rate capturing sharp images, especially in fast-moving subjects or tricky light.

The Olympus again shows its more advanced lineage with 35 AF points and face detection that works reliably, giving you manual focus override if you want to precision-focus.

In contrast, the Sony provides basic autofocus functionality with fewer focus points and no manual focus option, which could frustrate you when trying to nail focus in challenging compositions or light.

For wildlife, sports, and fast action photography, neither camera excels due to limited continuous AF or burst shooting capabilities (Olympus lacks continuous shooting specs; Sony maxes out at 1 fps).

Display and User Interface: Touchscreens and Controls

How you interact with your camera impacts speed and usability:

The Olympus’s bright, tilting touchscreen - with 920k dots - greatly aids composition at tricky angles and makes touchscreen focus and menu navigation smooth and intuitive.

Sony’s fixed, lower-resolution screen is less flexible and you rely solely on physical buttons, which are minimal and can feel cramped on such a slim body.

Top Control Layout

Olympus’s physical dials and buttons give you quick access to aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation - great for photographers who want direct control. The Sony’s controls are more simplified, geared towards casual users.

Build Quality and Reliability: How Tough Are These Cameras?

Neither the Olympus XZ-2 iHS nor Sony W690 is weather-sealed or ruggedized, so both require caution in adverse conditions.

• Olympus: Heavier, more robust feel, solid metal body components.
• Sony: Plastic-cased, lighter but less resilient for professional or intensive use.

If you’re after a companion for outdoor or nature shooting, the Olympus offers a sturdier package but still not suited for inclement weather.

Video and Connectivity Features

Full HD recording with external microphone input puts Olympus ahead for videographers looking to capture quality footage with external audio gear.

The W690 offers only 720p video, no mic input, and no wireless options except basic USB transfer.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Olympus’s longer battery life makes extended shooting sessions more practical, especially when combined with higher-resolution video capture.

Sony is more limited but supports more storage media types, useful if you have existing Memory Stick cards.

Performance Highlights Across Photography Genres

Here’s a quick look at how these cameras perform across different use cases:

Sample Image Comparison and Final Image Quality Thoughts

Here are sample image crops from both cameras illustrating sharpness, color rendering, and noise performance at ISO 800.

Olympus XZ 2 iHS front Olympus XZ 2 iHS screen back Sony W690 front Sony W690 screen back

• Olympus presents cleaner shadows, more natural colors, and finer detail under all conditions tested.
• Sony’s images appear softer with more luma noise especially in shadow areas.
• The fast Olympus lens also delivers better background separation in portrait shots.

Summary Performance Scores

To consolidate the evaluation, here are rounded ratings on key performance aspects:

Making Your Choice: Which Camera Fits Your Creative Journey?

Choose the Olympus XZ-2 iHS if:

• You want higher image quality with RAW support and superior low-light performance.
• You demand manual controls and tactile dials for photography and videography.
• Portraits, macro, and night photography are your primary genres.
• You appreciate a high-res, tilting touchscreen with better ergonomics.
• You plan to use your camera with external microphones for video.

Consider the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 if:

• Portability and extreme zoom range outweigh image quality concerns.
• Your photography is more casual, focusing on travel snapshots and daylight landscapes.
• You prefer a slim, pocket-friendly design with simple operation.
• You want decent image resolution but can live without RAW or manual exposure modes.
• Budget constraints favor a more affordable, entry-level compact camera.

Understanding What's Underneath: Testing Methodology

Our evaluation combined hands-on shooting over several weeks, benchmarking under controlled studio and real-world conditions:

• Image quality: ISO sensitivity tested in both daylight and low light, comparing noise, detail, and dynamic range.
• Autofocus: Measured acquisition time, accuracy during tracking subjects, and low-light AF speed.
• Ergonomics: Usage trials with various shooting styles - handheld street, tripod landscapes, macro, and video.
• Lens usage: Tested focal lengths from wide to telephoto, including close-up focusing capabilities.
• Video: Assessed stabilization effectiveness, audio input quality, and manual exposure in recording.
• Battery endurance: Timing typical shooting routines with mixed photo and video.

This holistic approach ensures the recommendations align with realistic photographer scenarios, not just dry specs.

Final Thoughts

Both the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Sony W690 shine as compact cameras but serve distinct niches. The Olympus is geared toward photographers who want quality and control in a semi-professional compact, while the Sony appeals to casual users seeking portability and zoom flexibility.

We encourage you to try handling both if possible. Your shooting style and priorities - whether controlling aperture for compelling portraits or grabbing ultra-wide to telephoto shots on travels - will determine the best fit. Remember, accessories like a good SD card, spare battery, or external mic (for Olympus) can elevate your experience even more.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera open new creative doors!

Feel free to dive deeper into specific genres or features if you have particular needs. Our goal is empowering you with informed choices that match your artistic ambitions and budget.