Olympus E-600 vs Olympus SP-820UZ: A Comprehensive Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Having tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years in photography, I’m always fascinated by how different models - sometimes even from the same manufacturer - cater to diverse needs and shooting styles. Today, I’m diving deep into two Olympus offerings at very different points on the spectrum: the Olympus E-600 entry-level DSLR and the Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ superzoom compact. Though they share the Olympus badge, these cameras pursue distinct photographic philosophies and technical approaches. Through rigorous hands-on testing, objective technical evaluation, and careful real-world use, I aim to paint a clear picture of their strengths, limitations, and ideal users.

Whether you’re a portrait enthusiast, avid traveler, landscape shooter, or curious about video capabilities, this side-by-side will help clarify which camera better suits your creative ambitions and budget. Let’s start by understanding their physical presence and handling.

Size and Ergonomics: DSLR Versus Compact Superzoom

Immediately you’ll notice a fundamental difference in form factor. The Olympus E-600 is a classic compact DSLR built around the Four Thirds system. It measures approximately 130 x 94 x 60 mm and weighs 515 grams with battery - offering a solid grip and traditional handling experience. The deep body and protruding lens mount naturally lend themselves to manual controls and interchangeable lenses, a real advantage for photographers who prefer tactile feedback and versatility.

In contrast, the SP-820UZ is a pocket-friendly compact sized at 117 x 78 x 93 mm, weighing a lighter 485 grams. While it’s compact, its superzoom lens extends nearly 40x focal length range, packing considerable optical reach within a fixed package. The ergonomics lean towards casual, on-the-go shooting rather than serious manual control. Buttons are relatively small and the shutter button placement requires some acclimatization.

From my experience, the E-600 feels more at home in photographers’ hands yearning for legacy DSLR controls and a tangible shooting ritual; the SP-820UZ targets users who want a straightforward, travel-friendly companion capable of capturing distant subjects without swapping lenses.

Control Layout and Interface: Familiarity vs Simplicity

Peering from above, the E-600 sports a traditional DSLR button and dial array: Mode dial, dedicated exposure compensation dial, and buttons for ISO, metering modes, and white balance readily accessible. This layout supports quick manual tweaks - essential when shooting portraits or landscapes where fine exposure control matters. The 2.7" articulating HyperCrystal LCD adds live view flexibility, a boon for macro or awkward-angle shots.

On the other hand, the SP-820UZ offers a far more streamlined interface consistent with compact cameras. A mode dial controls scene selections and automatic modes; however, it lacks physical exposure compensation, aperture, or shutter priority modes. The fixed 3.0" TFT color LCD is sharper (460k dots) but lacks articulation or touchscreen capabilities. The absence of a viewfinder means reliance purely on the rear screen.

In my shooting tests, I found manual exposure and focus control on the E-600 vital for professional or creative work. The SP-820UZ is more of a point-and-shoot: simple, straightforward, but limiting for users craving hands-on precision.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Here lies the most significant technical divide. The Olympus E-600 sports a 12.3MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm - significantly larger than typical compact sensors. This sensor size yields improved dynamic range, lower noise, and better color depth, setting solid ground for image quality superior to most entry-level DSLRs of its time.

The SP-820UZ employs a small 1/2.3” CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm) at 14MP resolution. The tiny sensor restricts dynamic range and low-light sensitivity. Although the megapixel count is higher on paper, pixel size is minuscule, resulting in more noise and reduced detail in challenging lighting.

Technical metrics back this up: The E-600 scores 55 overall on DxOMark with 21.5 bits of color depth and 10.3 EV of dynamic range at base ISO, while the SP-820UZ lacks DxOMark data but, based on sensor size and technology, will deliver considerably less nuanced images in demanding scenarios.

Real-world shooting reveals the Four Thirds sensor’s ability to render smoother skin tones, richer colors, and finer detail in landscapes, whereas the compact struggles in shadows and high ISO. For portraits, expect more pleasing bokeh from the interchangeable lenses on the E-600 too.

Lens Systems and Optical Performance

The Olympus E-600 adheres to the Four Thirds mount system - offering a respectable ecosystem of 45 native lenses ranging from ultra-wide primes to fast telephoto zooms. The 2.1x crop factor must be factored into focal length choices, but it also allows smaller, lighter lenses.

With sensor-based image stabilization built in, the E-600’s lenses combine to excel in sharpness and low-light performance. Using fast primes, I routinely achieved gorgeous portrait shots with creamy backgrounds, while landscape lenses provided excellent edge-to-edge resolution.

By contrast, the SP-820UZ is equipped with a fixed 22-896mm equivalent lens (40x zoom). Its maximum aperture ranges from f/3.4-f/5.7, which is fairly modest, especially on the telephoto end under low light. Optical quality is solid for the class but unsurprisingly compromises sharpness wide open and exhibits some chromatic aberration and distortion at extremes.

The SP-820UZ's immediate attraction is the mega telephoto reach combined with macro focusing as close as 1cm, enabling versatile wildlife snaps and casual macro images - great for hobbyists who prefer one-lens-does-it-all convenience.

Autofocus Systems: Precision vs Convenience

The E-600 boasts a hybrid autofocus system with 7 focus points including contrast and phase detection. Importantly, it supports face detection, continuous AF, and selectable AF areas. While it lacks animal eye AF or tracking for fast subjects, it’s still accurate and responsive in daylight conditions.

The SP-820UZ relies solely on contrast-detection AF, with fewer focus points, no continuous AF, and no manual focus option - a significant limitation for demanding users. It does support face detection, but AF speed and accuracy falter in low contrast or fast-moving scenes.

From my field tests in wildlife and sports scenarios, the E-600’s AF feels more reliable and precise, enabling tighter focus on eyes and detail. The superzoom’s AF is better suited to casual snapshots where pinpoint accuracy is less prioritized.

Burst Speed and Shutter Mechanisms

The E-600 shoots at a respectable 4 frames per second, utilizing a mechanical shutter with a range from 60 seconds to 1/4000 second. This range offers flexibility, especially for slow shutter techniques such as motion blur or long exposures.

The SP-820UZ is limited to 2 fps with a shutter speed range of 4s to 1/2000s. The lower max shutter speed restricts action capture under bright conditions, while slower burst rates hamper sports or wildlife sequences.

For action photographers, the E-600’s shutter and frame rate combo will be more satisfying. The SP-820UZ is better for deliberate, slower shooting styles.

Image Stabilization and Flash Performance

The E-600 benefits from sensor-based image stabilization, which proved invaluable during handheld macro sessions and telephoto shooting, significantly reducing blur.

Flashes on both cameras are built-in, but the E-600 supports external strobes and offers more advanced flash modes, including slow sync and rear curtain sync, aiding creative lighting.

The SP-820UZ has built-in flash with a longer maximum range (15m vs 12m) but lacks external flash support and offers fewer customization options.

LCD Screens and Viewfinders: Composing Your Shot

The articulated 2.7” screen on the E-600 comes in handy for composing at unconventional angles; it’s a bit small by modern standards but usefully flexible.

The SP-820UZ sports a fixed, larger 3” screen with double the resolution (460k dots) offering sharp, bright preview - yet without touch capabilities or articulation.

Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders, the E-600 opts for an optical pentamirror viewfinder covering 95% of the frame, while the SP-820UZ omits viewfinders entirely.

I found the E-600’s viewfinder essential for outdoor shooting, particularly in bright sunlight, where LCD visibility diminishes. For casual shooting, SP-820UZ’s large LCD suffices.

Video Capabilities

Here the SP-820UZ pulls ahead with full HD video (1920x1080 at 30fps) recorded in MPEG-4/H.264 formats, delivering good quality for casual video makers. There is also slow-motion capture up to 240fps at lower resolutions, a fun feature for creative experimentation.

By contrast, the E-600 does not support video recording, a limitation given today’s multimedia demands.

Neither camera supports microphone or headphone jacks or 4K video.

Storage, Connectivity, and Battery Life

The E-600 uses CompactFlash (Type I or II) and xD Picture Cards, which can pose inconvenience given the rarity of xD. Battery life is strong at 500 shots per charge.

The SP-820UZ uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards - universal options - and although battery life specs are unclear, in my tests it tends to last a day of casual shooting, aided by the compact design.

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, a drawback in an increasingly connected world.

Environmental Build and Durability

Neither camera offers substantial weather sealing or rugged construction. The E-600’s DSLR build provides a more robust feel, but neither model is ideal for harsh environments without extra protection.

Practical Performance: Real-Life Shooting Examples

Olympus E 600 screen back Olympus SP 820UZ front Olympus SP 820UZ screen back

In portraits under natural light, the E-600's larger sensor rendered smoother & more natural skin tones, with better subject-background separation thanks to interchangeable lenses with wider apertures. The SP-820UZ's smaller sensor and modest aperture produced noisier images with less pleasing bokeh.

Landscape shots showcased the E-600’s wider dynamic range, capturing shadow detail and highlights with more fidelity. Zoomed-in wildlife shots leveraged the SP-820UZ’s extreme focal reach but suffered from softness and noise compared to E-600’s dedicated telephoto lenses.

Sports and street shooting favored the E-600’s faster autofocus and burst speed, although the SP-820UZ offered a discreet and easy-to-carry alternative for casual shooting.

Macro subjects (flowers, insects) benefited from the E-600's sensor stabilization and manual focusing capabilities, achieving critical sharpness better than the superzoom's contrast AF system.

Night shots tested high ISO performance: E-600 produced cleaner images up to ISO 1600, whereas SP-820UZ images became noisy and softer.

Scoring and Genre-Specific Strengths

According to DxOMark and my field assessments, the Olympus E-600 outperforms the SP-820UZ in overall image quality, autofocus, and handling domains, excelling particularly in:

• Portrait (skin tone rendition, bokeh)
• Landscape (dynamic range)
• Sports/Wildlife (AF speed, burst rate)
• Macro (focusing precision)

The SP-820UZ shines mainly in:

• Travel (compactness, zoom versatility)
• Casual wildlife (superzoom convenience)
• Video (full HD support)

Who Should Choose the Olympus E-600?

If you’re a photography enthusiast or professional requiring flexibility, manual control, and superior image quality for portraits, landscapes, or action, the E-600’s Four Thirds system is powerful - especially if you invest in quality lenses. Its sensor-based stabilization and articulating screen add creative freedom.

It’s less suitable if video or wireless features are priorities.

Who Should Consider the Olympus SP-820UZ?

For travelers and casual shooters wanting a lightweight, affordable camera with an enormous zoom range and decent HD video capabilities, the SP-820UZ is compelling. It’s perfect for “umbrella” shooting scenarios where lens swapping and manual controls are impractical.

However, its smaller sensor and slower AF are significant compromises for image quality and fast action photography. Also, manual exposure control is limited, reducing artistic options.

Final Thoughts: Matching Your Priorities to Olympus’ Divergent Cameras

These two Olympus cameras embody the classic DSLR versatility vs compact convenience tradeoff. The E-600 remains an excellent choice for those prioritizing photographic control, image quality, and creative exploration, particularly if you value a solid autofocus and a dedicated lens ecosystem.

The SP-820UZ, despite some technical compromises, carves out a niche for everyday users wanting vastly extended zoom and video at a slim price and size.

In making your decision, consider your passion areas - do you shoot portraits, pull focus, chase wildlife or shoot sports? Or are you looking for a travel-friendly, all-in-one superzoom that’s ready whenever inspiration strikes?

If blending both worlds is tempting, keep in mind mirrorless Four Thirds options released later deliver far superior performance at similar sizes - but that’s a topic for another day.

I hope this comprehensive comparison illuminates these cameras’ unique characters, equipping you with the confidence to select the right Olympus tool for your photographic journey.

Disclosure: I have no direct affiliation with Olympus and base my insights strictly on my extensive hands-on testing and photography expertise.