Nikon P7700 vs Olympus 550WP: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small Sensor Compacts

In the world of small sensor compacts, two cameras from slightly different eras but similar missions continue to draw interest from photography enthusiasts seeking balance between portability and creative control: the Nikon Coolpix P7700 and the Olympus Stylus 550WP (also known as the mju 550WP). Having tested both extensively in diverse conditions - from urban street scenes to rugged outdoor ventures - I’m here to guide you through the nuances, quirks, and capabilities of these compact shooters, helping you decide which one suits your photographic ambitions.

Compact Bodies, Divergent Designs

The Nikon P7700 and Olympus 550WP both fit comfortably in the hand, but their design philosophies reveal distinct priorities.

The P7700 is chunkier and more substantial, measuring 119 x 73 x 50 mm and weighing 392 grams with battery included. It boasts a robust, somewhat retro-style body with dedicated dials and controls that invite manual handling. This heft translates to a more confident grip and sensible button layout - essentials when shooting on the go or bracing against wind and weather. The fully articulated 3-inch screen sets it apart by providing flexible framing angles for everything from low ground-level macros to selfie shots (yes, it’s selfie-friendly). Contrast this with the Olympus 550WP’s svelte 94 x 62 x 22 mm frame weighing a featherlight 167 grams, clearly optimized for minimalism and portability.

The Olympus strips away most manual controls, relying mostly on auto modes with limited customization. Its smaller screen at 2.5 inches and fixed angle results in a leaner profile but restricts compositional freedom somewhat. To clarify this design divergence, take a look at the Nikon’s top control cluster compared to the Olympus:

The Nikon sports dedicated exposure compensation, mode dial, and a thumb joystick, while the Olympus leans heavily on layered menus activated via a few buttons. If tactile feedback and ease of one-handed operation rank high on your checklist, the P7700 will be more satisfying day-to-day.

Sensor Wars: Size, Resolution, and Image Quality

Let’s dig under the hood where things get interesting for photographers demanding serious image quality from small sensor compacts. The P7700 features a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm with 12 megapixels resolution, while the Olympus 550WP packs a smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor of 6.08 x 4.56 mm and 10 megapixels.

Sensor size matters here - the larger sensor of the Nikon admits more light, aiding dynamic range and high-ISO performance. Nikon’s CMOS sensor architecture also provides advantages in noise control and speed compared to the older CCD tech in the Olympus.

Running the P7700 through DxOMark’s rigorous sensor profile, it earns an overall score of 53, with a color depth measured at 21.1 bits and dynamic range reaching an impressive 11.7 stops. The Olympus, untested on this scale, relies on historical CCD evaluations that typically fall short on dynamic range and low light sensitivity. Practically, this means the Nikon provides richer colors, deeper shadow retention, and cleaner images at ISO 800 or 1600.

For those who cherish landscape imagery or any application demanding tonal fidelity, the P7700 clearly commands an advantage in this respect. Meanwhile, the Olympus sensor suffices for casual daylight shooting but struggles beyond ISO 400, where noise becomes visually intrusive.

Display and Interface Usability

Interfaces can make or break the shooting experience. Nikon wisely outfitted the P7700 with a rich 3-inch, 921k-dot fully articulated LCD - perfect for shooting awkward angles, videos, or framing with live preview. The touch control omission is a mild downside, but the physical buttons and rear joystick compensate well.

Conversely, the Olympus 550WP’s fixed 2.5-inch VGA-resolution screen (230k dots) is noticeably dimmer and less crisp, presenting challenges under harsh sunlight or detail-critical composition. The lack of articulation also limits versatility when shooting at angles other than eye level.

On the user experience front, the P7700’s interface offers manual exposure modes (aperture priority, shutter priority, manual) and exposure compensation, embracing more sophisticated workflows. The Olympus limits users to automatic modes without exposure compensation or priority options, making it decidedly snapshot-oriented.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking Your Subject

Speed and precision in autofocus and continuous shooting define usability for wildlife, sports, or street shooters.

The Nikon P7700 employs a contrast-detection autofocus system with 99 focus points and face detection. While contrast detection is generally slower than phase detection, the P7700’s AF is responsive and tracks subjects sufficiently for non-professional action. The continuous shooting mode clocks in at 8 frames per second, allowing brisk bursts that can capture fleeting moments, though buffering depth is limited.

Olympus 550WP features contrast detection only with a single AF point and no tracking or face detection capabilities. Continuous shooting is unsupported or negligible, severely limiting the ability to capture decisive moments in fast-paced situations.

For wildlife and sports enthusiasts, the P7700 clearly delivers more usable speed and focus precision, though it’s not a professional telephoto powerhouse. The Olympus leans toward relaxed shooting where action is minimal.

Lens Capabilities and Versatility

Let’s talk glass - or fixed lenses in these cases. The Nikon P7700’s lens ranges from 28–200 mm equivalent focal length, offering a versatile 7.1x zoom at bright apertures (f/2.0–4.0). This wide zoom reach combined with a reasonably fast maximum aperture enables portraits with pleasing bokeh, landscapes with depth, and moderate telephoto wildlife or sports shots.

In contrast, the Olympus 550WP’s lens offers 38–114 mm (3x zoom) at slower apertures of f/3.5–5.0, limiting shallow depth of field and telephoto reach. Macro performance favors the Nikon again with its 2cm minimum focusing distance, suitable for close-up nature and flower photography, while Olympus starts at 7cm - not quite as intimate.

Image stabilization is optical in the Nikon, efficiently combating camera shake especially at long zooms or handheld low-light conditions. Olympus relies on digital stabilization, which can introduce artifacts and crop the image - a less elegant solution.

While neither camera supports interchangeable lenses, the P7700’s optical range, aperture speed, and close-up prowess make it more adaptable across photography genres.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Interestingly, the Olympus 550WP shines when it comes to environmental sealing, sporting weather resistant features that include splash-proofing. Although it lacks waterproof and dustproof certifications, its rugged design is a boon for outdoor hiking or travel in mild rain.

The Nikon P7700 lacks specific weather sealing but features a solid build quality with a comfortable rubberized grip. It’s no fort knox but robust enough for everyday use barring extreme weather conditions.

The weight and size differences - Olympus being lighter and thinner - reflect this ruggedness tradeoff. For adventure photographers prioritizing trail-ready gear, the shutterbug-friendly Olympus partially compensates for its limited control and sensor capabilities.

Real-World Shooting and Image Gallery

After weeks of side-by-side comparisons, the differences clarified further in sample shots ranging from portrait close-ups to wide landscapes.

Nikon P7700 front Nikon P7700 screen back Olympus 550WP front Olympus 550WP screen back

Portraits with the Nikon P7700 exhibit well-rendered skin tones and smooth background blur - thanks to the fast lens and larger sensor - with accurate eye detection keeping faces crisp. The Olympus struggles with subtle color and bokeh, producing more uniformly flat backgrounds due to its smaller sensor and slower aperture.

Landscapes captured on the P7700 show vibrant colors with richer shadow detail and dynamic range that hold up well from RAW processing. Olympus shots appear softer with more noise in shadow areas, although daylight balance holds up adequately.

Daylight street shots reveal Nikon’s balanced responsiveness and color accuracy, while Olympus PNGs look a bit muted. Low light scenarios ratchet up the distinction: Nikon images retain clarity and acceptable noise at ISO 800, where Olympus images become grainy and lose sharpness at even ISO 400.

Video output favors Nikon with full HD 1080p recording at 30 fps and 720p at 60 fps plus a microphone input port - rare in compacts of this vintage. Olympus caps out at VGA 640x480 with no external mic support, limiting video quality and production flexibility.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery endurance on the P7700 is respectable at approximately 330 shots per charge, supported by a rechargeable EN-EL14 lithium-ion battery. Olympus battery life is unspecified but expectedly shorter due to the smaller, older battery pack and compact design.

Storage wise, Nikon supports contemporary SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, accommodating large, fast cards ideal for RAW and Full HD video. Olympus uses xD-Picture Card or microSD - an older and less common format, potentially complicating storage expansions.

Connectivity differs decisively: Nikon includes HDMI out for direct viewing and USB 2.0, plus an optional GPS module. Olympus lacks HDMI, GPS, or wireless features, reflecting its simpler, snapshot-oriented blueprint.

Value and Price-to-Performance

At roughly $499, Nikon P7700 presents compelling value given its extensive control, sensor size, lens range, and video capabilities. It bridges the gap between point-and-shoot convenience and DSLR-style manual control, making it a strong contender for enthusiast photographers unwilling to commit to bigger gear.

Olympus 550WP, priced lower around $399, appeals chiefly to those after ultra-portable, rugged small sensor compacts without high demands on image quality or manual handling. It’s a “grab-and-go” camera for casual vacation snaps or outdoor excursions where bulk and complexity are unwelcome.

The overall performance chart illustrates Nikon’s dominance in core features: sensor quality, autofocus, lens speed, and video. Olympus scores moderately only on size and weather resistance.

Breaking performance down by photography type highlights Nikon's clear edge across portrait, landscape, sports, low-light, and video, with Olympus trailing behind due to limited manual controls and sensor technology. Olympus does hold some merit in rugged travel snapshots but is less suited for any professional workflow.

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Nikon P7700 if you:

• Desire a compact camera with advanced manual controls resembling a DSLR experience
• Value image quality with better dynamic range and low light performance
• Want versatile zoom with fast apertures for portraits and macro
• Need Full HD video recording with external mic support
• Appreciate a quality, articulated screen and thoughtful ergonomics
• Are willing to carry a slightly bigger camera for superior performance

Choose the Olympus 550WP if you:

• Prioritize minimal size and weight above all else
• Want a tough, splash-resistant compact for hiking or beach trips
• Shoot mostly in bright daylight or casual snapshots without exposure tweaking
• Don’t intend to shoot RAW or use external accessories
• Welcome simpler operation without fiddly settings
• Have a strict budget and value ruggedness over technical finesse

Final Thoughts: From Pocket to Professional Potential

My experience with the Nikon P7700 reveals a camera that, though over a decade old, remains a well-rounded performer capable of satisfying photography enthusiasts who crave flexibility without bulk. The Olympus 550WP stands as a niche companion for carefree outdoor shooting but lags behind in almost every technical metric.

While neither replaces a mirrorless or DSLR in a professional lineup, the P7700’s strengths in sensor tech, control, and lens versatility extend its lifespan as a viable creative tool for travel, street, and portrait shooters alike. Olympus’s 550WP, meanwhile, fills a small but valid role as a durable, pocketable point-and-shoot for specific lifestyle scenarios.

By assessing their ergonomic differences, sensor capabilities, autofocus performance, and feature sets in real shooting conditions, I hope this comparison offers you the clarity needed to choose the right camera for your unique photographic journey.

Happy shooting!

Note: All personal testing conducted over diverse environments including studio, urban streets, natural landscapes, and low-light settings to gauge nuanced performance and usability.