Nikon W300 vs Olympus SP-620 UZ: Which Compact Superzoom Fits Your Photography?

Choosing the right compact camera can be a daunting task with so many options promising versatility and portability. Today, I put two popular fixed-lens compact superzoom cameras under the microscope: the Nikon Coolpix W300 and the Olympus SP-620 UZ. While superficially similar, their core characteristics cater to considerably different photographic needs.

Having tested over a thousand cameras - including rugged compacts and superzooms - I’ll offer an in-depth comparison based on real-world use, technical performance, and lens capabilities. Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, casual snapshooter, or budding enthusiast, understanding these cameras’ strengths and trade-offs will make your choice clear.

A Quick Look at Size and Ergonomics

Physical ease-of-use plays a surprisingly big role in your satisfaction with a compact camera over time. Handling comfort, button layout, display visibility, and robustness all matter. Let’s start there.

• Nikon W300: This camera delivers a slim, lightweight body at just 231 grams and dimensions of 112×66×29 mm. It’s noticeably pocketable, emphasizing portability for active outdoor use. Its rubberized, textured grip and sealed construction offer confidence for rougher environments.
• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Nearly twice as heavy at 435 grams, its chunkier rectangular body (110×74×74 mm) fits bulkier hands but feels less discreet when carrying. The thicker lens housing adds heft but also hints at its range capabilities.

From personal testing, I found the W300’s body design better suited for all-day wear or travel - particularly when you want a rugged companion that won’t weigh you down. The SP-620 UZ, meanwhile, offers a more substantial feel that some photographers appreciate for stability, but you’ll notice the size difference when moved around all day.

Top View: Control Layout and User Interface

How intuitive is the camera to operate? Button placement, dial feedback, and quick access to settings can affect your shooting flow.

• The Nikon W300 uses minimal buttons, lacking dedicated manual exposure dials or custom buttons. This reflects its design as a point-and-shoot for outdoor adventures rather than manual shooting enthusiasts. A simple on/off switch and zoom lever accompany a shutter release, with the top layout focusing on weather resistance.
• The Olympus SP-620 UZ also sticks to basic button controls but includes menu navigation buttons and zoom toggle on the top. Still no manual exposure options, but its controls offer slightly more feedback.

In practice, I appreciated the W300’s straightforward quick access during active shoots, though advanced photographers will find both lacking in direct exposure control. Neither camera targets those craving dials or manual shooting modes.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

A camera’s sensor size and technology strongly influence image detail, dynamic range, and noise performance - critical to understand for nuanced comparisons.

Both cameras share the same 1/2.3-inch sensor size (6.17 x 4.55 mm) with 16MP resolution, typical of compact cameras designed for zoom flexibility at a budget. However, some distinctions deserve attention:

• The Nikon W300 employs a CMOS sensor, which I found slightly better at handling noise at higher ISOs than typical CCD sensors of this class.
• The Olympus SP-620 UZ uses a CCD sensor, known historically for better color reproduction in some lighting, but generally weaker noise control and slower readout speeds.

In side-by-side landscape and outdoor portrait tests, the W300’s images displayed cleaner textures in low light and higher ISO settings (up to ISO 6400), while the SP-620 UZ capped at ISO 3200 with more visible grain. Both cameras, however, produced good daylight images with respectable color, though the W300 seemed to retain more shadow detail and overall dynamic range.

The Nikon’s sensor and image processing feel more modern, capable of better everyday versatility. Yet neither competes with larger sensor compacts or mirrorless cameras in image quality.

Viewing Experience: LCD Screen and Interface

The rear screen acts as your most important interface, especially when these cameras lack viewfinders.

• Nikon W300: A 3-inch fixed screen with 921k dots resolution delivers a sharp, bright display with good outdoor visibility. Unfortunately, it lacks touch input but remains responsive.
• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Also a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD but limited to 230k dots, the screen is noticeably duller and more reflective outside.

When shooting in bright sunlight or underwater snaps, the W300’s screen brightness and clarity stood out. I frequently rely on screen review for framing and focus confirmation on compacts, and the Olympus screen felt dated and harder to judge critical focus by comparison.

Sample Images: Real-World Image Quality Verdict

Images ultimately tell the story beyond stats and specs.

Nikon W300 front Nikon W300 screen back Olympus SP 620 UZ front Olympus SP 620 UZ screen back

• Portraits: The Nikon W300’s bokeh is limited by the small sensor and fixed-aperture lens, but modestly smoother backgrounds and accurate skin tones graded it higher. Eye detection autofocus worked reliably outdoors but wasn’t sophisticated.

  The Olympus’s narrower aperture at telephoto (F5.8 max) and CCD sensor means flatter, less noise-free portraits under low light. Autofocus tracking was less consistent based on testing.

• Landscapes: The wider 24mm equivalent on the W300 aided composition, with richer dynamic range capturing cloud detail - even in harsh sunlight. The Olympus’s 25mm wide was close but had reduced DR.

• Telephoto Reach: The Olympus’s mighty 25-525mm equivalent zoom was a game changer for wildlife or distant subjects, greatly surpassing the W300’s 24-120mm range. However, image softness and chromatic aberration increased visibly toward the long end.

• Low Light & Night: W300’s high ISO sensitivity and noise processing handled dim environments better. Olympus struggled above ISO 800.

For general day-to-day use and rugged outdoor shooting, the W300 delivers versatile, clean images. For birdwatchers or casual zoom hunters on a budget, the SP-620’s lens reach is tempting, but compromises image fidelity.

Shooting Modes, Autofocus, and Burst Rates

Speed and accuracy in autofocus and burst shooting impact sports, wildlife, and action photography.

• Nikon W300 offers contrast-detect autofocus with face detection and tracking, coupled with a 7 fps continuous shooting mode. In my hands-on, the AF speed was adequate for casual wildlife tracking but not league-leading for fast action.
• Olympus SP-620 UZ lacks continuous shooting specs and uses contrast detection AF without face tracking in live view mode. AF felt noticeably slower and less confident locking on moving subjects.

Neither camera targets hardcore sports photographers, but the W300’s faster burst and AF tracking provide an edge for casual action photography.

Build Quality, Durability, and Environmental Resistance

One of the clearest divergences between these two cameras is ruggedness.

• The Nikon W300 prides itself on a tough, waterproof (up to 30m), dustproof, freezeproof (-10°C), and shockproof design, ready for dive, trail, and adventure photography. Its sealed buttons and body inspire trust under harsh conditions.
• The Olympus SP-620 UZ lacks environmental sealing, dustproofing, or waterproofing, limiting its use to controlled environments or cautious everyday walking around.

My experience using the W300 for snorkeling and hiking confirms its durability as a compelling selling point for outdoor enthusiasts. You simply cannot safely take the SP-620 for underwater or extreme cold use.

Video Capabilities

Video isn’t the main focus for either camera, but still important to many users.

• Nikon W300 records 4K UHD video at 30 fps (MP4/H.264), a significant plus for a rugged compact, offering crisp footage for travel and adventure.
• Olympus SP-620 UZ tops out at 720p HD video at 30 fps, which is noticeably outdated for modern sharing.

Neither has microphone inputs or headphone jacks, and both lack advanced video features like log profiles or variable frame rates. However, the W300’s 4K is a very attractive addition for casual videographers.

Battery Life and Storage

Reliable power and storage impact how far you can go without interruptions.

• Nikon W300 uses a built-in EN-EL12 battery, rated for about 280 shots per charge. Based on my extended test, 280 shots is achievable but modest by modern removable battery standards; nevertheless, it recharges internally via USB, handy for on-the-go charging.
• Olympus SP-620 UZ powers on 4x AA batteries, convenient for field replacements but less eco-friendly and with variable longevity depending on battery type.

Both use SD card slots (SD/SDHC/SDXC), ensuring flexible storage options.

Connectivity and Extra Features

Convenience and sharing options round out usability.

• Nikon W300 includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, plus GPS logging - excellent for travelers logging location data or transferring images quickly.
• Olympus SP-620 UZ offers Eye-Fi card compatibility, which allows wireless transfer only with special cards. No onboard wireless or Bluetooth, and no GPS.

In 2024, the W300’s connectivity suite feels modern and essential for connected photography workflows.

Lens Range and Macro Capability

• Nikon W300’s 5x zoom (24-120mm equiv.) with max aperture F2.8-4.9 covers wide-angle to short telephoto, suitable for landscapes and portraits. It also shines with close-up focusing down to 1cm, thanks to its excellent macro lens performance for a compact.
• Olympus SP-620 UZ’s massive 21x zoom (25-525mm equiv.) offers an unrivaled reach for distant subjects but at a narrower aperture (F3.1-5.8), which reduces low light usability. Macro focus also starts at 1cm but suffers from slower AF in that range.

For macro enthusiasts, the W300’s faster lens and optical stabilization (optical vs sensor-shift) give better sharpness and ease of use.

Price and Value for Money

Retail prices provide crucial perspective.

While the Olympus is roughly half the price, bear in mind you’re paying for a less rugged, lower resolution screen, weaker low-light performance, and outdated video capabilities.

The Nikon W300 offers better overall versatility, durability, and up-to-date features but at a premium price.

How These Cameras Score Across Photography Types

To synthesize strengths and weaknesses, I’ve charted their performance per genre based on my testing and industry benchmarks:

Final Performance Scores Overview

For an at-a-glance summation of their overall capabilities:

Who Should Choose Nikon Coolpix W300?

Given its rugged build and modern features, I recommend the W300 for:

• Outdoor enthusiasts who need waterproof, freezeproof and shockproof protection.
• Travel photographers wanting a compact, versatile camera that handles a range of scenes.
• Users valuing better image quality, especially in low-light or night conditions.
• Those who want 4K video capability for adventure footage.
• Casual users seeking easy, reliable autofocus and a sharp rear LCD.
• Photographers who appreciate integrated GPS and wireless connectivity convenience.

Who Might Prefer Olympus SP-620 UZ?

The Olympus makes sense if:

• You need extreme zoom reach without breaking the bank; its 21x optical zoom is impressive.
• You shoot mostly at daylight or well-lit conditions where noise is less of a factor.
• You want a traditional AA battery solution with easy replacement in the field.
• You prioritize price sensitivity over ruggedness or latest tech.
• You’re content with basic video resolution and slower autofocus.

In Summary: Clear Choices for Different Needs

Both the Nikon W300 and Olympus SP-620 UZ fill distinct niches in the compact superzoom market and reflect different design philosophies.

• The Nikon W300 is a modern rugged camera designed to endure and perform in challenging environments. It offers better sensor image quality, 4K video, superior handling, and essential outdoor features. It’ll appeal mainly to adventure travelers, outdoor photographers, and anyone wanting a pocketable waterproof camera that punches above its weight.

• The Olympus SP-620 UZ represents a solid value choice for beginners or budget buyers seeking long telephoto zoom range without weatherproofing. Its image and video quality are more limited, and the lack of environmental sealing restricts versatility, but its zoom reach is a big draw for casual wildlife or faraway subject photography.

I hope this hands-on comparison helps you confidently pick the right compact superzoom for your photography style and priorities.

If you’re ready to take the plunge, be sure to consider your primary shooting conditions, zoom needs, and whether ruggedness or image quality punches harder for you.

As always, feel free to reach out with questions or for further hands-on advice - helping you make the best choice is what I’m here for.

Happy shooting!

• Your Trusted Camera Reviewer