Comprehensive Comparison: Fujifilm FinePix S4800 vs Olympus SP-610UZ – Which Small Sensor Superzoom Suits Your Photography Needs?

In the realm of affordable bridge and superzoom cameras, the Fujifilm FinePix S4800 and Olympus SP-610UZ stand as notable contenders, each promising a blend of extensive zoom capabilities and user-friendly design aimed at enthusiasts and casual shooters alike. Although both cameras emerged in the early 2010s and share a target category - a Small Sensor Superzoom segment - their feature sets and handling characteristics diverge in meaningful ways that influence real-world shooting experience across varied photographic disciplines. Drawing on extensive hands-on testing methodologies and photographic expertise accumulated over 15 years, this detailed comparison evaluates both models holistically across technical specifications, image quality, ergonomics, and genre suitability to help enthusiasts and semi-professionals make an informed, practical purchase decision.

First Impressions: Design, Ergonomics, and Physical Presence

Understanding any camera’s feel and usability starts with its physical design and controls, which ultimately shape the user experience from casual snapshots to more deliberate shooting.

Size and Handling

The Fujifilm S4800 adopts an SLR-like bridge camera form factor, boasting a taller and wider stance relative to the Olympus SP-610UZ’s more compact, slimline body. Measuring 122 x 93 x 100 mm and weighing approximately 518 g, the S4800 offers a substantial handgrip and robust presence suitable for steady one-handed shooting. In contrast, the SP-610UZ’s 107 x 73 x 73 mm dimensions and lighter 405 g weight underscore its portability.

From a photographic ergonomics standpoint, the larger grip and heft of the S4800 generally provide better balance - especially critical when operating at full 30x zoom - while the SP-610UZ’s compactness favors inconspicuous carry on travel or street photography.

Control Layout and Interface

Both cameras feature fixed 3-inch TFT LCD screens with 230k-dot resolution, which, by today’s standards, appear modest but suffice for framing and reviewing shots in good lighting. Neither offers touchscreens or electronic viewfinders, which constrains framing options somewhat in bright or complex conditions. The absence of electronic viewfinder is particularly a drawback in bright outdoor environments.

Controls on the S4800 provide dedicated shutter speed and aperture priority modes, alongside manual exposure access, offering a more versatile creative toolkit often appreciated by enthusiasts seeking manual override capabilities. Conversely, the SP-610UZ forgoes manual exposure modes entirely and lacks exposure compensation controls, restricting creative control and making it more targeted at casual shooters preferring fully automatic operation.

The button layout on the S4800 leans toward more traditional DSLR-type ergonomics with larger dials, whereas the SP-610UZ’s controls are minimalistic and more compact - again reinforcing usability for simpler point-and-shoot operation but limiting in more advanced contexts.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Photographing Potential

Image quality is influenced primarily by sensor performance, lens attributes, and image processing. Both cameras use a small 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm - typical in superzoom compacts - but differ in resolution and processing.

The Fujifilm S4800 packs a 16-megapixel resolution (4608 x 3456 pixels), surpassing the Olympus SP-610UZ’s 14 megapixels (4288 x 3216). While higher pixel count implies more detail potential, in such compact sensor formats, it risks greater noise at higher ISOs due to smaller individual photosites. Neither camera supports RAW capture, confining users to JPEG files and limiting post-processing latitude.

ISO sensitivity on the S4800 ranges from 64 up to 1600 natively, expandable to 6400, whereas the SP-610UZ offers a narrower native ISO range from 100 to 3200 but without ISO expansion options. Real-world image noise performance ranks similarly, with visible grain emerging above ISO 800 on both due to CCD sensor characteristics. This tends to restrict low-light shooting capabilities compared to modern CMOS-based rivals.

Color reproduction and dynamic range in both units are modest, with the S4800 benefiting slightly from Fujifilm's color science that manages skin tones well, crucial in portraiture. Olympus’ TruePic III image processor, paired with CCD sensor characteristics, leans toward punchier colors but can sometimes yield less natural rendering.

Lenses and Zoom Performance

With fixed superzoom lenses, focal range and aperture characteristics define the cameras’ adaptability to different compositional needs.

Fujifilm S4800 Lens: 24-720 mm Equivalent, F3.1-5.9

Offering an extremely wide 30x zoom, the S4800 covers ultra-wide through super-telephoto focal lengths, from 24 mm (excellent for landscapes and interiors) to 720 mm (ideal for distant wildlife and telephoto subjects). The maximum aperture narrows considerably toward the telephoto end, which is expected given the extended zoom range.

Olympus SP-610UZ Lens: 28-616 mm Equivalent, F3.3-5.7

The SP-610UZ provides a slightly shorter 22x zoom range, starting at 28 mm, close to wide angle but less expansive than the Fujifilm. Its maximum aperture is marginally faster at the telephoto end, offering a touch better light-gathering potential.

In practical use, both lenses employ optical image stabilization (sensor-shift technology), which greatly assists handheld sharpness at longer focal lengths, though the wider zoom range on the S4800 inherently demands more steadiness and benefits more noticeably from stabilization.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching The Moment

Both cameras use CCD-based contrast-detection autofocus systems typical for their era, but their AF capabilities differ significantly.

The S4800 includes face detection and active autofocus tracking, increasing reliability in dynamic scenes such as portraits and casual action. Olympus’s AF system lacks face detection and continuous AF altogether, making it less suitable for fast subjects.

With a max burst rate of 1 fps on both, neither is ideal for action or sports photography which demands higher frame rates for effective subject capture.

Exposure and Creative Controls: Flexibility for Enthusiasts

The Fujifilm S4800’s inclusion of aperture priority, shutter priority, and fully manual exposure modes with adjustable exposure compensation is a standout at this price and category, enabling more nuanced creative control. Coupled with bracketed exposure (AEB) and white balance adjustment/bracketing, it caters well to enthusiasts wanting to refine exposure or better tackle challenging lighting conditions.

The Olympus SP-610UZ is limited to program auto without manual exposure controls or compensation - simplifying use but restricting creative flexibility.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, dustproofing, nor shock/freeze protection. The bodies employ predominantly plastic construction with rubberized grips on the S4800 for better handling.

Though neither is a professional workhorse, the Fujifilm’s slightly larger, sturdier build and better grip geometry make it more comfortable for longer shoots.

Battery and Storage

Both cameras consume 4 x AA batteries - a convenient choice given their global availability, but this also reflects their age and impacts weight. The Olympus claims about 340 shots per charge, while Fujifilm’s battery life figures are unlisted but expected similar.

Memory storage on both uses single SD/SDHC/SDXC slots, ensuring broadly compatible expandable storage.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers modern wireless communication such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, though the SP-610UZ supports Eye-Fi SD card compatibility for wireless image transfer - an interesting optional workaround.

Both support USB 2.0 and HDMI output for image transfer and playback. Neither includes microphone or headphone ports for external audio/video recording, which limits video production utility.

Performance in Popular Photography Disciplines

Evaluating both cameras across genre-specific shooting demands highlights where their capabilities shine or falter.

Fujifilm S4800 front Fujifilm S4800 screen back Olympus SP 610UZ front Olympus SP 610UZ screen back

Portrait Photography

The Fuji's 16MP sensor and face detection AF yield better skin tone reproduction and generally sharper portraits than Olympus’s 14MP sensor lacking face detection. However, the limited maximum aperture at longer focal lengths restricts creamy bokeh; the combo produces respectable background separation for entry-level work but no professional-level rendering.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras' wide zoom and small sensors limit dynamic range and overall image detail - rail thin compared to APS-C or full-frame cameras. Fujifilm’s wider starting focal length (24mm) offers better framing potential. Lack of weather sealing means caution shooting in harsh outdoor environments.

Wildlife Photography

Extreme telephoto reach (720 mm vs 616 mm) gives S4800 an edge, but sluggish AF speeds and low burst rate impede capturing fast wildlife. The Olympus AF system performs less reliably on moving subjects due to absence of tracking.

Sports Photography

Neither camera supports high frame rates or advanced AF tracking required for fast sports action. However, face detection and exposure priority modes on the S4800 slightly improve shooting chances.

Street Photography

The heavier Fujifilm hampers discreet candid shooting compared to Olympus’s smaller, lighter footprint. Both lack viewfinders, a drawback for street photographers who prefer eye-level framing to avoid distracting subjects.

Macro Photography

Olympus’s closer 1 cm macro focus range versus Fuji’s 2 cm allows slightly more detail capture. However, neither offers focus stacking, manual focus assistance, or stabilization tuned for macro work, limiting their utility.

Night/Astro Photography

CCD sensors both struggle with noise above ISO 800, with no long exposure or bulb modes indicated - limiting night and astrophotography capabilities significantly.

Video Capabilities

Both capture 720p HD video at 30fps; however, S4800 supports H.264 compression while Olympus uses less efficient Motion JPEG, impacting storage and playback. Neither offers advanced video features like external mic input, in-body stabilization optimized for video, or 4K capture.

Overall Performance and Rated Scores

Fujifilm's S4800 narrowly outperforms Olympus SP-610UZ in image resolution, autofocus sophistication, exposure flexibility, and zoom reach, though both fall short of modern standards in sensor technology and usability improvements.

Suitability by Photography Type and User Recommendations

• Beginners seeking simple point-and-shoot: Olympus SP-610UZ is adequate for casual use with less complexity.
• Entry-level enthusiasts wanting manual control: Fujifilm S4800 excels with exposure modes and face detection.
• Wildlife/Telephoto enthusiasts: Fujifilm S4800 due to longer zoom and better AF.
• Travel and street photographers: Olympus SP-610UZ for compactness and portability.
• Video vloggers: Neither camera is ideal; low resolution and no mic ports limit utility.
• Macro or Night photographers: Neither achieves professional or near-professional quality, but Olympus’s macro proximity is slightly preferable.

Final Verdict: Which One Fits Your Photography Journey?

Both the Fujifilm FinePix S4800 and Olympus SP-610UZ are respectable small sensor superzoom cameras representing early 2010s design philosophies, offering versatility at a budget-friendly price point. However, significant limitations in sensor size, autofocus technology, and video features place them behind contemporary alternatives.

That said, the Fujifilm S4800’s comprehensive exposure controls, longer zoom, and face detection autofocus edge it ahead for enthusiasts who desire creative flexibility and better telephoto reach, at a roughly 20% lower price point. Conversely, the Olympus SP-610UZ’s lighter weight and streamlined simplicity can benefit casual shooters valuing portability and ease of use without manual mode needs.

If absolute image quality and modern features are critical, I would recommend considering more recent mirrorless or advanced compact cameras. Yet, for dedicated budget buyers prioritizing zoom versatility and handheld shooting ease, the S4800 stands as the more capable option with the Olympus as a convenient alternative for less demanding uses.

By carefully considering your primary photographic interests alongside this nuanced comparison, you can identify which of these two venerable superzooms better aligns with your current and evolving creative ambitions.