Nikon Coolpix P310 vs. Olympus SP-600 UZ – A Hands-On Camera Shootout for Practical Buyers

In the wild, sometimes bewildering jungle of compact cameras, finding your perfect match can often feel like a quest for the Holy Grail. Today, I’m comparing two well-known compacts from the early 2010s era: the Nikon Coolpix P310 and the Olympus SP-600 UZ. Both gear up photographers with versatile zooms and compact bodies, but they cater to somewhat different needs and budgets. I’ve personally tested these across various scenarios and will walk you through how they stack up for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and more, including the nitty-gritty technical specs that really make a difference.

By the end, you’ll have a crystal-clear picture of which camera could be your best companion, whether you’re a casual shooter, budding enthusiast, or a full-on photo nut who’s somehow on a budget. Let’s get cracking!

Unboxing Size, Weight & Handling: Compact Meets Superzoom

First impressions matter. Picking up a camera is like shaking hands; ergonomics dictate how long you’ll enjoy that relationship.

The Nikon P310 is a classic compact shooter - sleek, pocketable, and streamlined. It weighs just 194 grams and measures 103x58x32 mm. This makes it a natural fit for travel and street photography where discretion and mobility rule. The grip, while small, is thoughtfully contoured for a secure hold.

The Olympus SP-600 UZ, on the other hand, is definitely beefier - nearly two and a half times heavier at 455 grams and chunkier at 110x90x91 mm thanks to its superzoom lens. Its bulkier design demands more careful handholding or a neck strap, especially during longer shoots. But the larger body also means more extensive zoom capabilities.

Here’s a side-by-side visual to appreciate their size difference:

In practice, the P310 is the cleaner, fuss-free shooter you carry all day without fuss, whereas the SP-600 UZ caters to those who want a single camera that stretches their focal range dramatically, even if it costs a bit of portability.

Design & Control Layout: Hands-On Manipulation Matters

Button layout and intuitive controls are often overlooked but are crucial during fast-paced shooting. I spent hours toggling between these cameras, and here’s how their cockpit shapes up.

The Nikon P310 sports a neat, minimalist control surface with a small command dial on top, a dedicated zoom toggle, and some buttons clearly laid out on the back. The fixed 3-inch LCD with 921k dots offers a crisp, accessible preview. Unfortunately, there’s no touchscreen or articulating screen, which in today’s age feels a bit limiting but was standard for its release era.

Olympus’s SP-600 UZ features an even simpler rear plate with physical clubs for thumbs - a 2.7-inch screen with a lower 230k-dot resolution that feels less sharp and can frustrate when confirming focus or details in sunny conditions. Physical controls are basic but functional, with a zoom lever nicely placed around the shutter button and quick access to menu settings.

To sum up their tactile vibes, here’s the top-down layout comparison:

Long story short: Nikon gives you a more modern, ergonomic feel aiding a smoother shooting flow, whereas Olympus leans on fewer frills and raw reach, sacrificing some ease.

Sensor Specs & Image Quality: Small Sensors Get Put to the Test

Both cameras share a fairly small 1/2.3" sensor size, quite typical for compact cameras of their vintage, but their sensor technologies differ significantly.

The Nikon P310 packs a BSI CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels, promising improved light sensitivity and lower noise, especially useful in dim settings. The Olympus SP-600 UZ uses a more dated CCD sensor with 12 megapixels, which generally struggles more in low light and faster scenes but can produce nicely saturated colors in bright daylight.

Sensor size and resolution differences are subtle but worth noting visually:

From my test shoots, the P310 consistently delivers cleaner RAW-ish JPEG output with more dynamic range and finer detail reproduction. It manages ISO performance well up to its max of 3200, with modest noise and preserved color fidelity.

Conversely, the SP-600 UZ maxes out at ISO 1600 and shows a noticeable uptick in graininess much earlier, making it less suitable for low-light environments or fast shutter speeds.

The takeaway: Nikon’s sensor tech edge translates into better image quality overall, especially for users who care about vivid, low-noise shots without lugging around DSLRs or mirrorless gear.

Viewing & Focusing: What You See is What You Shoot

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder (a big minus for bright outdoor shooting), leaning heavily on their LCDs for composing shots.

The Nikon’s high-res TFT LCD with anti-reflective coating wins for brightness, clarity, and color accuracy. The Olympus screen is dimmer and coarser, which can strain your eyes in harsh lighting or for fine manual focusing.

On the autofocus front, the P310 packs 99 AF points with contrast detection, face detection, and tracking detection. It supports AF tracking and face detection, allowing you to nail focus in portrait sessions or moving subjects fairly efficiently.

The SP-600 UZ deploys 143 AF points using contrast detection but lacks face detection. Autofocus is generally slower and less accurate, especially in low light or on moving subjects, something I noticed when trying sports and wildlife shots.

Overall, if pinpoint focus is important to you for portraits or action, Nikon is the safer bet.

Zoom & Lens Performance: Reach vs. Brightness

The Olympus SP-600 UZ flexes its muscles with a 420 mm equivalent superzoom range (28-420mm), ideal for long-distance wildlife, sports snaps, or sneaky street photography.

In contrast, the Nikon P310 provides a milder 24-100 mm zoom, which is better suited for portraiture, general travel, and landscapes but won’t reach those distant subjects.

But there’s always a tradeoff with zooms: the Nikon boasts a bright f/1.8 aperture at wide-angle, which is great for low-light and shallow depth-of-field effects like creamy bokeh (though limited at the tele end). Olympus starts at a comparatively dimmer f/3.5 and narrows to f/5.4 at full zoom, limiting low-light performance.

Macro focusing gets competitive here; Nikon can drop down to 2 cm from the lens for close-ups, while Olympus claims an impressive 1 cm macro range. That said, I found Nikon’s macro autofocus more precise and less fiddly.

In short: Olympus wins the zoom reach contest, but Nikon offers better lens brightness and sharper, more versatile optics for portraits and landscapes.

Shooting Speed & Buffer: Action Photography Insights

Burst shooting and shutter speed ranges matter to anyone dabbling in wildlife or sports photography.

The P310 fires off 6 frames per second (fps) at full resolution, max shutter speed of 1/8000 s - very respectable for a compact - and maintains decent AF tracking in continuous mode.

Olympus edges ahead in burst, boasting 10 fps (though at reduced resolution likely) and a slower shutter max of only 1/2000 s.

If you’re shooting fast action, Olympus might be tempting on speed alone, but its slower AF and noisier sensor dampen the experience somewhat.

Video Capabilities: Casual Creator or Vlogger?

Neither camera is a powerhouse for video but each serves basic needs.

Nikon P310 shoots smooth 1080p Full HD at 30 fps with H.264 compression and built-in optical image stabilization, producing watchable footage with modest stabilization.

Olympus maxes out at 720p HD at 24 fps, missing Optical IS altogether - video tends to be shakier and more prone to noise indoors or in low light.

Both lack microphone ports or advanced audio controls, so external audio accessories aren’t options here.

For casual family videos or travel clip-sharing, Nikon’s video feels the more polished option, yet serious videographers will find both restrictive.

Battery Life, Storage & Connectivity: The Essentials

Battery life on the Nikon P310 rates around 230 shots per charge using the compact EN-EL12 battery. It’s on the short side but typical for tiny compacts that light up bright screens and continuous AF. Olympus specs are not officially published, but expect less longevity given its older battery tech and larger screen demands.

Both cameras use a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, but Olympus also features some internal memory (small and limiting - don’t rely on it).

Connecting them to computers or televisions is standard: HDMI out and USB 2.0 ports, no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to speak of - common for models before wireless connectivity became ubiquitous.

Weather Sealing & Build Durability: Who’s Ready for Rougher Handling?

Both cameras lack weather sealing or rugged-style protections like dustproofing or shockproofing.

However, build quality differs slightly: Nikon’s compact body feels sturdier and more resilient to day-to-day bumps, while Olympus’s heavier plastic shell struggles with the bulk but also feels less nimble to carry or operate for extended shoots.

If your shooting frequently exposes your gear to dust, moisture, or rough handling, neither is ideal - but Nikon’s smaller size makes it easier to protect on the go.

Real-World Experience: Photography Genre by Genre

Having spent weeks putting these cameras through their paces, here’s the lowdown on their genre-specific strengths and weaknesses.

Nikon P310 front Nikon P310 screen back Olympus SP 600 UZ front Olympus SP 600 UZ screen back

Portrait Photography

• Nikon P310: Wins thanks to bright f/1.8 aperture allowing flattering skin tones and smooth background bokeh. Face detection autofocus locks eyes with good consistency.
• Olympus SP-600 UZ: Struggles with slow aperture and no AF face detection. Portraits look flat and less sharp unless lighting is perfect.

Landscape Photography

• Nikon: Delivers crisp image quality, reliable dynamic range capturing fine shadow details. Zoom range less versatile but primes at 24 mm wide enough for many landscapes.
• Olympus: The longer zoom is tempting but lower resolution and sensor noise reduce overall quality for landscapes that demand fine detail.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus: Its 420 mm reach is a clear advantage for distant wildlife subjects. However, slow and less reliable contrast detection autofocus can frustrate action shots.
• Nikon: Limited zoom range but sharper output. Better AF tracking improves chances of nailing shots of nearby subjects.

Sports Photography

• Olympus: Higher burst rate (10 fps) is a plus if action is fast and you’re willing to compromise on autofocus precision.
• Nikon: Moderate fps and better AF tracking make it an all-rounder but not a specialized sports camera.

Street Photography

• Nikon: Compact size and quiet shutter (although not silent) help for unobtrusive candid work. Bright lens ensures good low-light capture.
• Olympus: Bulky, heavier, and slower operation detracts from spontaneity; dominant zoom might be overkill here.

Macro Photography

• Close focusing distance of 1-2 cm means both can handle macro, but Nikon’s sharper optics make for better results.

Night/Astro Photography

• Limited high ISO capability on both, but Nikon’s BSI CMOS sensor edges ahead with cleaner images at ISO 1600-3200.
• Neither supports long bulb exposures or RAW output, limiting astro enthusiasts.

Video

• Nikon’s 1080p, optical IS, and better screen tip it ahead for casual videographers.
• Olympus's video is basic and less suitable outside bright environments.

Travel Photography

• Nikon P310 is the more natural travel companion, blending portability with decent optical performance.
• Olympus’s superzoom maybe tempting but its heft and handling reduce traveling ease.

Professional/Workflow Integration

• Neither supports RAW shooting (a big drawback for pros).
• Both produce JPEGs sufficient for social sharing but lack advanced integrations or tethering.
• Nikon’s image quality and exposure controls give a slight edge here for basic professional work.

Technical Performance & Scores at a Glance

Here’s a synthesized view of performance ratings based on my testing and consensus scores where available:

For genre-specific ratings:

Value and Price-to-Performance Analysis

At launch, the Nikon P310 commanded around $700, placing it as a higher-end compact with strong feature sets. Today, finding one secondhand in decent condition could be a steal.

The Olympus SP-600 UZ, launched at a more budget-friendly $190, targets entry-level consumers who prize superzoom reach over image finesse.

If you’re a cheapskate or need extreme zoom and can tolerate compromised image quality, Olympus is tempting. But if you want versatility, better images, and a camera that performs across more genres, Nikon offers far better bang for the buck - even at a higher entry price.

The Final Verdict: Which Camera Should You Grab?

Nikon Coolpix P310

• Pros: Superior sensor with BSI CMOS, bright f/1.8 lens, better autofocus with face & tracking detection, sharper LCD, Full HD video with IS, compact & lightweight, more ergonomic controls.
• Cons: Limited zoom range, no RAW support, no viewfinder, moderate battery life, no wireless features.
• Best For: Travel photographers, portrait lovers, casual to enthusiast shooters wanting a versatile, high-quality compact.

Olympus SP-600 UZ

• Pros: Outstanding 420 mm zoom reach, high burst rate, simple and intuitive controls, affordable price.
• Cons: Older CCD sensor with lower resolution and poorer low light performance, lower-res screen, slower AF, no image stabilization, bulkier and heavier body.
• Best For: Budget-conscious shooters needing long zoom range for wildlife or distant subjects and don’t require best-in-class image quality.

My Two Cents

If you can only get one and value image quality and nimble handling over extreme zoom, the Nikon P310 is the better buy and remains relevant even years later as a solid travel or portrait companion.

If you have a very tight budget and absolutely need the zoom reach for casual wildlife or sports (and don’t mind not carrying it everywhere), the Olympus SP-600 UZ is an honest workhorse.

Both cameras highlight how compact consumer cameras blend compromises between sensor size, zoom, and handling. My recommendation? Prioritize what matters most to your shooting style - better sensor and optics, or longer zoom. Then pick accordingly.

Hope this comparison helps you make that million-dollar camera decision without spending a million bucks. Remember, it’s all about capturing the moments that matter, no matter the gear in your hands!

Happy shooting!

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