Casio EX-ZR300 vs Olympus SP-810 UZ: A Hands-On Comparison of Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras

When exploring the world of compact superzoom cameras, you're balancing a lot: reach, image quality, speed, and ease of use. Today, I’m dissecting two interesting contenders from the early 2010s: the Casio EX-ZR300 and the Olympus SP-810 UZ. Both sport small 1/2.3" sensors and fixed zoom lenses, but their approaches and features cater to different priorities. Having tested hundreds of cameras across varying budgets and styles, I’m here to cut through the specs cheese and give you a clear picture of their real-world performance, strengths, and weaknesses - so you can pick the right camera for your photo adventures.

Let’s dive in!

First Impressions: Handling and Ergonomics

Size and comfort often make or break your shooting experience, especially if you’re walking miles chasing moments or wildlife.

At a glance, the Casio EX-ZR300 is delightfully compact and pocketable. With its slim 105x59x29 mm dimensions and a featherweight 205 grams, it’s designed for photographers who want a versatile zoom and decent image quality without lugging around a heavy rig. The build doesn’t scream professional, but it fits comfortably in hand, with reasonably intuitive button layout - though it lacks dedicated dials for direct control.

In contrast, the Olympus SP-810 UZ opts for a bulkier, bridge-style body reminiscent of a miniature DSLR, measuring 106x76x74 mm and weighing 413 grams. It’s not pocket-friendly but offers a firmer grip with a substantial handhold, which some users might prefer for stability, especially with long-telephoto shooting given its incredible 36× zoom reach. However, that heft can get tiring over hours.

Looking closer at the top controls, the Casio’s EX-ZR300 has a simple mode dial that supports aperture and shutter priority modes - a tactile boon for those who want manual exposure flexibility. The Olympus is more basic in exposure control, lacking dedicated manual modes or exposure compensation, leaning toward point-and-shoot ease rather than full creative control.

Ergonomics Verdict: For extended use, the Olympus offers a more substantial grip, helpful with heavy zoom shots, but the Casio’s compact design and manual exposure options give it the edge for enthusiasts needing control and portability.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality

Both cameras use a 1/2.3" sensor - a smaller-than-micro four thirds or APS-C, hence limitations in low light and dynamic range are expected. Still, sensor design and image processing matter significantly.

The Casio EX-ZR300 employs a 16-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor, which typically allows for improved light gathering and better noise control compared to traditional CMOS. Coupled with the Exilim Engine HS processor, it’s well-suited for capturing sharper images with more vibrant colors under decent lighting.

The Olympus SP-810 UZ, meanwhile, opts for a 14-megapixel CCD sensor paired with the TruePic III+ processor. CCD sensors historically offer excellent color rendition at base ISOs but tend to fall short in noise performance and speed compared to CMOS, especially at higher ISOs - which might impact low-light usability.

Both cameras top out at ISO 3200, but in practice, image quality at this sensitivity will be grainy with reduced detail.

• The Casio’s BSI sensor gives it a slight edge in noise reduction and detail retention, especially from ISO 400 upwards.
• The Olympus produces pleasing colors but images start to degrade sooner as ISO climbs.

Overall, expect better image crispness and less noise from the Casio under typical daylight scenarios, while Olympus shines in well-lit, lower ISO shooting but struggles more in dim conditions.

What About the Viewfinding and Screen Experience?

Neither camera includes an electronic viewfinder, a shame for those who often shoot in bright outdoor conditions where LCD glare hampers composition.

Screen-wise, the Casio sports a 3-inch Super Clear TFT LCD with 461k dots, offering a crisp, bright display with decent viewing angles. This makes composing shots straightforward, even in moderate sunlight.

Olympus counters with a similarly sized 3-inch screen but with notably lower resolution at 230k dots. This difference is quite noticeable when scrutinizing details or reviewing images, resulting in a less satisfying playback experience.

On the interface front, both cameras lack touchscreens or touchscreen AF, giving you button- and dial-based navigation. Casio’s menu system feels a bit more modern and responsive; Olympus’s is serviceable but can seem dated.

Autofocus, Zoom Range, and Speed: Capturing the Moment

Zoom prowess is probably the headline feature here, but it’s vital to factor autofocus behavior and shooting speed into your decision.

Zoom

• Casio EX-ZR300: 24-300mm equivalent (12.5× zoom), aperture F3.0-5.9
• Olympus SP-810 UZ: 24-864mm equivalent (36× zoom), aperture F2.9-5.7

The most glaring difference: Olympus offers three times the reach, which is impressive. Shooting distant subjects - wildlife, sports, or architectural details - the SP-810 UZ becomes a versatile tool in your kit.

Autofocus

Both cameras utilize contrast-detection AF systems without phase-detection points, reflecting their entry-level superzoom design.

• The Casio autofocus is reasonably snappy in good lighting, aided by face and subject tracking (although it lacks advanced eye or animal eye detection).
• The Olympus includes face detection AF, which helps with portraits but sometimes hunts in lower contrast or dim light.

Neither camera excels at continuous AF or burst shooting:

• Casio doesn’t officially specify continuous shooting rates.
• Olympus manages a sluggish 0.7 fps burst mode, which is insufficient for action sequences.

Shutter speeds are serviceable:

• Casio ranges from 15 seconds to 1/2000s
• Olympus from 1/4 second to 1/1200s

Neither offers silent or electronic shutter modes.

Real-World Takeaway: If you want expansive zoom and don’t mind slower AF and shooting speed, the Olympus is tempting. But for more reliable autofocus and manual controls, the Casio is more consistent - even if shorter in reach.

Flash and Low-Light Performance

Compact superzooms usually struggle with low light, so image stabilization and flash are critical aids.

Both cameras feature sensor-shift image stabilization, which helps mitigate camera shake - especially handy at full zoom.

The Casio’s macro focus range is remarkably close at 1 cm, slightly better than Olympus’s 5 cm, indicating more versatile close-up shooting options.

Their built-in flashes have similar modes (Auto, On, Off, Red-eye), though the Olympus’s flash range is a bit longer at 6.2 m versus Casio’s 4.7 m, offering more illumination reach. Neither supports external flash units, limiting lighting alternatives.

ISO sensitivity maxes out at 3200 for both, but as discussed, noise becomes a significant problem approaching this ceiling, especially for the Olympus’s CCD sensor.

Video Capabilities: Not Just a Picture Taker

For hybrid shooters dabbling in video, both offer Full HD modes around 1080p, but with distinct differences.

• Casio EX-ZR300: 1920×1080 at 30 fps, plus a range of slow-motion options up to an absurd 1000 fps at a tiny resolution. That’s a unique feature for experimenting with super slow-mo effects.
• Olympus SP-810 UZ: 1280×720 at 30 fps, missing full HD and offering only basic slow-motion capabilities, limiting creative video options.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports, which restricts audio input and monitoring, a key limitation if you’re serious about sound quality in your videos.

Their video file formats: Casio uses H.264; Olympus uses MPEG-4 - both common and generally compatible with editing software.

For casual video, Casio’s more flexible frame rates and resolutions provide greater creative freedom.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

• Casio EX-ZR300 runs on a rechargeable NP-130 battery rated for approximately 500 shots, which is very respectable and should last a day or two of steady shooting.
• Olympus SP-810 UZ uses a Li-50B battery but battery life figures are unspecified, though experience with similar models suggests below 400 shots per charge.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single card slot. Olympus offers internal memory (a useful backup), but usually, a dedicated card is better.

Connectivity-wise, Casio supports Eye-Fi card wireless transfer but lacks Bluetooth or NFC. Olympus has no wireless options. Both offer USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs, useful for direct file transfers and external monitors or playback.

Durability and Weatherproofing: Should You Take These Outdoors?

Neither camera provides environmental sealing or ruggedization features such as waterproofing, dustproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing. For serious outdoor or travel photographers, that’s a key consideration.

The Olympus’s larger body offers more robustness in the hand but isn’t weather-sealed. The Casio’s slim body may feel more delicate, so you’ll need to treat either as an indoor or fair-weather camera.

Comparing Image Output: Real Samples Speak Volumes

Casio EX ZR300 front Casio EX ZR300 screen back Olympus SP 810 UZ front Olympus SP 810 UZ screen back

In controlled tests and everyday usage, here’s what you’ll notice:

• The Casio EX-ZR300 produces brighter, sharper images with more accurate color representation and less noise at comparable ISOs.
• Olympus photos tend to be softer with warmer, sometimes oversaturated colors, partly due to the CCD sensor characteristics.
• At full zoom, Olympus allows you to spy on distant subjects but image quality drops with visible noise and softness.
• Macro shots from Casio reveal better fine detail and closer focusing distances.
• Both struggle with high-contrast scenes, but Casio’s exposure compensation and manual modes provide an advantage to tame highlights and shadows.

Performance Ratings and Genre Suitability

Without official DxOMark scores, we rely on practical metrics and my hands-on experience.

Portrait Photography

• Casio’s better color accuracy and manual controls suit portraits better, despite no face or eye-detection AF.
• Olympus includes face detection, helpful for beginners, but sharper focus and color control favor Casio.

Landscape Photography

• Both benefit from high-resolution sensors, but Casio’s superior dynamic range and exposure control pull ahead.
• Olympus’ enormous zoom is less useful here compared to wider focal length consistency.

Wildlife and Sports

• Olympus’s 864mm reach is a big plus but paired with slow AF and 0.7 fps burst rate, it’s not ideal for fast action.
• Casio lacks reach but has quicker AF and exposure modes for better chances to capture fleeting moments.

Street Photography

• Casio’s compact size and quieter operation make it a discreet street camera.
• Olympus is large, bulkier, and slower - less practical for stealth shooting.

Macro Photography

• Casio excels with 1 cm minimum focus and image stabilization.
• Olympus starts at 5 cm, less effective up close.

Night and Astro Photography

• Both limited by small sensors. Casio’s slightly better noise control offers incremental benefit.
• Neither supports RAW.

Video

• Casio’s Full HD 30 fps and extensive slow-mo options overshadow Olympus’s HD 720p only.

Travel Photography

• Casio’s light weight, compact form, and better battery life make it more traveler-friendly.
• Olympus’s telephoto reach can be tempting but size and weight hamper mobility.

Professional Work

• Neither camera caters to pro workflow: no RAW support, limited controls, no weather sealing.

Which Camera Should You Choose?

So who is each camera for?

Choose the Casio EX-ZR300 if you:

• Prefer a compact, lightweight superzoom with manual exposure options.
• Value better image quality, sharper photos, and extended control.
• Want more versatile video features including Full HD and slow motion.
• Need respectable battery life for all-day shooting.
• Shoot portraits, street, macro, or casual landscapes with decent low-light performance.

Choose the Olympus SP-810 UZ if you:

• Need an ultra-long zoom for distant wildlife, sports, or travel scenes (up to 864mm).
• Don’t mind slower autofocus and shooting speeds.
• Prefer a larger, more substantial grip for steady telephoto shots.
• Are mostly shooting in bright, stable lighting, where CCD’s strengths shine.
• Don’t require manual control or advanced video features.

Final Thoughts

Both the Casio EX-ZR300 and Olympus SP-810 UZ reflect the superzoom compact cameras of a bygone era but with respectable specs for casual photographers. In testing, the Casio emerges as the better-rounded performer offering sharper images, faster shooting, and more creative control, wrapped in a pocketable body.

The Olympus is the telephoto passion project: if you crave extreme zoom reach and don’t mind the bulk and some image softness, it grants access to faraway subjects without changing lenses.

If you want my personal recommendation, for most enthusiasts, the Casio EX-ZR300 offers more practical versatility and better overall photo quality, making it a wise companion for diverse photography demands.

I hope this thorough breakdown helps you decide which superzoom fits your style and needs. Whether stalking wildlife at a distance or snapping candid portraits on the street, understanding each camera's strengths lets you shoot smarter and enjoy the moment more.

Happy shooting!

If you want to see my live-handling and image sample walkthrough, check out my video review linked above - because seeing these cameras in action adds another dimension beyond charts and specs.