Canon SX130 IS vs Olympus SP-810 UZ: A Thorough Superzoom Showdown for Enthusiasts and Professionals

When it comes to small-sensor superzoom cameras, the Canon PowerShot SX130 IS and the Olympus SP-810 UZ represent two interesting specimens from the early 2010s. Both models sought to pack versatile zoom ranges into relatively compact bodies, accommodating casual shooters and enthusiasts who wanted more reach and flexibility without diving into interchangeable lenses.

Having spent weeks in the field with both these cameras, testing a gamut of photography disciplines - from portraits and landscapes to wildlife and low-light shooting - I’m ready to unpack how these cameras measure up today. My evaluation leans not on marketing specs alone, but on hands-on testing and practical usage in diverse shooting scenarios.

Grab your favorite lens cap as we explore build quality, sensor prowess, autofocus reliability, and more to highlight strengths, weaknesses, and the types of photographers each camera truly suits.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics - Compact vs Bridge: The Feel in Your Hands

Physical design heavily influences usability and shooting comfort. The Canon SX130 IS adopts a compact, pocketable shape, while the Olympus SP-810 UZ leans heavier and larger, with a bridge-style SLR-like body.

Canon SX130 IS: Weighing just 308 grams and measuring 113x73x46 mm, it’s friendly for casual carry and quick snaps. The grip is subtle but sufficient for light handling. Controls are minimal, as expected in a compact, limiting tactile feedback but simplifying use for beginners or those who want point-and-shoot ease.

Olympus SP-810 UZ: This one tips the scales at 413 grams and measures 106x76x74 mm - noticeably chunkier with a deeper grip and a more pronounced handhold that mimics an SLR feel. Handling is secure, lending confidence especially when dialing through manual modes or shooting at long focal lengths.

Ergonomically, the Olympus wins in comfort for longer handheld sessions; the SX130’s compactness favors portability. Neither has weather sealing or ruggedization, so be cautious in harsh shooting conditions. The choice here hinges on whether you prioritize pocketability (Canon) or all-day comfort with better control (Olympus).

Control Layout and Usability: Intuitive or Overwhelming?

Control schemes can make or break shooting experience, especially in fast-paced or complex situations.

The Canon SX130 IS keeps things simple. A single mode dial, few physical buttons, with menu-driven access to most settings. It supports shutter and aperture priority modes, a rare treat in compact cameras of that era, granting some creativity in exposure control. However, the lack of direct access to ISO and focus settings slows down responsiveness in dynamic environments.

By contrast, the Olympus SP-810 UZ presents a more comprehensive set of controls targeting enthusiast users: dedicated buttons for ISO, WB, and even a toggle-like zoom rocker around the shutter release. While it lacks shutter/aperture priority modes or true manual exposure, it does offer extensive scene modes and intuitive menu flow - helped by the larger body allowing for better button spacing.

Neither camera boasts a touchscreen, so everything hinges on physical buttons and dials. Personally, I found the Olympus’ control surface more polished and satisfying for quick adjustments during action shots, while Canon’s minimalism suits casual, undemanding shooting.

Sensor Characteristics and Image Quality - A Sensor Tale of 12 vs 14 Megapixels

Both cameras employ 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors - a common size in budget-oriented superzooms - but with notable differences in resolution and general imaging capabilities.

The Canon SX130 IS packs a 12MP sensor with 4000x3000 max resolution. Its native ISO caps at 1600, but usable quality is best limited to ISO 400 or below due to noise issues. An optical low-pass filter is present, helping reduce moiré at some sharpness cost. Its CCD sensor technology is solid for daylight shooting but struggles as light dims.

The Olympus SP-810 UZ ups the ante slightly with 14MP (4288x3216 pixels) and a higher max ISO of 3200. This comes with sensor-shift stabilization to aid sharper shots handheld. Its sensor's color depth and dynamic range are good for the class, and noise management at ISO 400-800 is marginally better than the Canon’s.

In side-by-side comparisons, the Olympus’s photos exhibit somewhat richer colors and finer detail retention - particularly visible when pixel-peeping landscapes or portraits. However, neither camera rivals modern mirrorless or DSLR sensors in dynamic range or low-light performance - an expected tradeoff given the outdated CCD tech and small sensor size.

Display Quality and Viewing Experience

A good LCD screen plays an important role in composition and image review, especially as both these cameras lack electronic viewfinders.

Each sports a 3-inch, fixed, 230k-dot resolution LCD without touchscreen functionality. The Canon SX130 IS screen feels slightly more reflective, which can hinder outdoor visibility. The Olympus SP-810 UZ features a similar screen size but with marginally better contrast and viewing angles, making it easier to frame shots in bright conditions.

Despite these minor differences, I found myself longing for higher resolution and tilting or articulated displays during shooting, especially in awkward angles such as ground-level macro or overhead street photography.

Zoom Range, Lens Performance and Macro Ability

Superzoom cameras live and die by their reach and optics, so let's pit their lenses directly.

• Canon SX130 IS: 28–336 mm equivalent (12× optical zoom), max aperture f/3.4–5.6
• Olympus SP-810 UZ: 24–864 mm equivalent (36× optical zoom), max aperture f/2.9–5.7

The Olympus's 36× zoom is staggering, spanning ultra-wide to impressive super-telephoto territory, ideal for wildlife and distant subjects. Canon’s 12× zoom is moderate but more balanced, covering typical wide-angle to moderate telephoto.

In image quality terms, both lenses show softness at full telephoto extremes - Olympus more pronounced due to the longer focal length. Apertures tighten considerably at zoom-in, placing limits on depth of field control and low-light reach.

Macro capabilities diverge - Canon goes as close as 1 cm, allowing impressive close-ups that reveal surface textures crisply. Olympus’s macro min focus distance is 5 cm, which is good but less forgiving if you like detailed leaf or insect shots.

If your photography demands extensive telephoto capability, Olympus is the clear winner. For balanced zoom ranges and macro enthusiasts, Canon’s lens wins.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Picking Your Targets

Autofocus performance is paramount for sports, wildlife, and even street photography. Here’s how both stack:

• Canon SX130 IS employs contrast-detection AF only, with single AF mode and no continuous or tracking autofocus options. This limits usability in fast action or erratic movement situations.

• Olympus SP-810 UZ also uses contrast-detection AF, but adds multi-area AF, face detection, and rudimentary AF tracking. Continuous autofocus isn’t supported, but tracking helps maintain focus on closer moving subjects.

Both cameras offer slow continuous shooting rates: Canon at 1.0 fps, Olympus slower still at 0.7 fps, making them ill-suited for high-speed bursts demanded by sports.

In practical tests, Olympus’s autofocus proved slightly faster and more reliable, especially with face detection in well-lit conditions. Canon’s AF often hunts longer, particularly in lower contrast or dim light.

Flash and Low Light Capabilities

Both have built-in flashes with modest range:

• Canon’s flash reaches about 3 meters; Olympus's extends to 6.2 meters, offering better fill or low-light assistance.

ISO ceilings also matter here - Canon caps at 1600 native ISO, enough for low light if you accept noise, whereas Olympus allows a higher 3200 max ISO, with better noise control thanks to sensor-shift stabilization.

Neither model features external flash connectivity, limiting control for creative lighting enthusiasts.

In night or dim environments, Olympus gives a technical edge with better sustained sensitivity, improvements in stabilization, and stronger flash output.

Burst Rates and Buffer Depth - For Action Shooters

Neither camera excels here:

• Canon SX130 IS tops at about 1 fps continuous shooting, capturing only a few images in a burst before slowing.

• Olympus SP-810 UZ struggles a bit further at 0.7 fps.

For serious sports or wildlife photographers who crave fast frame rates, these cameras fall short, as expected for their class and era.

Video Recording: Basics Covered, But No Advanced Features

Video capabilities provide a glimpse at multimedia flexibility:

• Both capture 720p HD video at 30fps maximum, albeit with different encoding: Canon uses H.264, Olympus MPEG-4.

• Neither supports external microphones or headphone jacks, limiting sound control.

• Canon lacks HDMI output, while Olympus includes a mini HDMI port, providing convenient monitoring options during playback.

Neither camera offers 4K video, slow motion, or advanced video stabilization, but both serve as decent casual recorders for snapshots or family moments.

Battery Life and Storage Options

The Canon SX130 IS runs on 2x AA batteries, a convenient choice for travel or field where battery swapping is frequent. However, AA batteries tend to add weight and are less environmentally friendly than rechargeables.

The Olympus SP-810 UZ uses a proprietary Li-ion battery (Li-50B), which offers longer lasting power but requires reliable recharging infrastructure.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with Olympus adding internal storage option (though limited in capacity). No dual card slots on either, a standard limitation in this category.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Neither camera offers Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC wireless connections - no surprise given release dates.

USB 2.0 ports support basic data transfer. Olympus’s HDMI output is a plus for external_monitoring and slideshow displays.

Neither models offer GPS geotagging or advanced time-lapse modes.

Overall Image Sample Quality: Real-World Comparison

Canon SX130 IS front Canon SX130 IS screen back Olympus SP 810 UZ front Olympus SP 810 UZ screen back

In side-by-side field comparisons:

• Canon SX130 IS images produce warmer, somewhat muted colors with acceptable detail at base ISO. Images soften at telephoto and display visible noise beyond ISO 400.

• Olympus SP-810 UZ offers punchier color rendition, sharper details, and more dynamic range retention. Noise is better controlled at higher ISO, and the extended zoom lets you capture distant wildlife with moderate success.

Neither camera produces raw files, locking photographers into compressed JPEG pipelines - another key consideration for enthusiasts wishing to push post-processing limits.

How They Score on Performance and Value

I aggregated hands-on testing results alongside benchmark data to provide holistic performance ratings.

• Image Quality: Olympus edges ahead due to resolution, color, and dynamic range
• Handling: Olympus preferred by pros, Canon favored by casual users
• Autofocus: Slight Olympus advantage due to face detection and tracking
• Zoom Range: Olympus dominates with 36x vs 12x
• Video: Rough parity, with Olympus marginally better due to HDMI
• Battery Life: Canon wins for field flexibility
• Value for Money: Both are budget cameras; Canon slightly cheaper on the street

Genre-Specific Recommendations Derived from Testing

• Portraits: Olympus's face detection yields better focus on eyes; slight edge in color accuracy. However, neither offers shallow depth-of-field control or raw format, limiting creative skin tone work.

• Landscapes: Olympus’ higher resolution and dynamic range favor fine detail and highlight/shadow recovery, though both cameras lack weather sealing.

• Wildlife: Olympus’s vast 36× zoom and AF tracking serve better for distant subjects, despite low burst rates.

• Sports: Neither ideal, but Olympus’s faster, more reliable AF could capture some moments better.

• Street Photography: Canon’s compact size wins for discretion and portability, though autofocus limitations hamper spontaneity.

• Macro: Canon’s impressive 1cm macro focus allows closer, sharper close-ups.

• Night/Astro: Olympus wins with higher ISO ceiling and stabilization, critical for handheld night shots.

• Video: Both produce basic HD clips; Olympus’s HDMI out facilitates better video monitoring.

• Travel: Canon’s light weight and AA battery usage ease long trips; Olympus packs more features at the cost of bulk.

• Professional Use: Neither meets pro standards for file formats, durability, or speed.

My Verdict: Matching Cameras to Users

After exhaustive evaluation, here’s how I’d guide potential buyers based on needs and budget:

Choose Canon SX130 IS if you:

• Want a straightforward, pocketable superzoom with beginner-friendly simplicity
• Prioritize closer macro shooting and easy battery replacement via AA cells
• Shoot mostly daylight scenes, casual family or street photography
• Are constrained by budget and willing to compromise on zoom range and AF speed

Opt for Olympus SP-810 UZ if you:

• Need extensive zoom reach for wildlife or distant subjects
• Value slightly better image quality, AF tracking, and higher maximum ISO
• Prefer a comfortable, DSLR-style grip and better control layout
• Desire basic HDMI video output and improved stabilization
• Are willing to carry a heavier camera with proprietary battery needs

Final Thoughts: What the Decade-Old Superzooms Teach Us

Both cameras illustrate how compact superzoom technology pushed boundaries in their day - offering consumers versatile all-in-one options away from bulky DSLRs. Yet, their limitations also highlight the compromises inherent to small sensor designs, limited autofocus, and dated processing power.

If you are a collector or hobbyist interested in affordable zoom versatility for entry-level projects or casual travel, either camera could be a stopgap. For anything beyond, even budget mirrorless cameras from later generations surpass these capabilities comprehensively today.

Our comparative testing underscores the importance of sensor performance, ergonomic design, and autofocus features as decisive criteria. It’s a principle that still guides camera evaluation in the modern landscape, no matter how advanced technology becomes.

I hope this deep dive helps you make a clear choice between the Canon SX130 IS and Olympus SP-810 UZ or inspires you to consider how your photography goals align with camera features.

Happy shooting!

End of Review