Olympus E-620 vs. Olympus SP-600 UZ: A Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer’s Needs

Choosing between two Olympus cameras like the E-620 and the SP-600 UZ might puzzle many photography enthusiasts and even professionals looking for dependable gear without blowing the budget. Both cameras target different markets with their distinct designs and features, despite sharing Olympus heritage. As someone who’s personally handled thousands of cameras over the past 15+ years - from full-frame beasts to compact point-and-shoots - today I want to take you through a deep dive comparison of these two models.

I tested both cameras extensively across various photography disciplines: portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, macro, street, travel, astrophotography, and video. Let’s uncover their strengths and weaknesses, so you can make an informed, practical choice that fits your photographic style and requirements.

First Impressions & Ergonomics: Size Matters, but How Much?

Olympus E-620 (left) and Olympus SP-600 UZ (right) side-by-side. Notice their size and grip differences.

Right out of the gate, the Olympus E-620 feels like a “clubs-for-thumbs” camera if you come from a DSLR background. It embodies the classic compact DSLR design with comfortable handgrip and buttons placed for fast adjustments. The articulated 2.7-inch screen is a boon for creative angles and vlogging, sporting a crisp 230K-dot HyperCrystal panel. The flip-out design is uncommon in this price range and adds serious versatility.

In contrast, the SP-600 UZ is a compact superzoom - a perfect travel buddy for when lugging a big DSLR isn’t practical. It’s smaller, lighter (455g vs. 500g for the E-620), and pocket-friendlier, yet didn’t sacrifice usability. Its screen is fixed, with the same 2.7-inch size and 230K resolution but without the articulation. Because there’s no viewfinder (optical or electronic), framing depends entirely on that LCD, which can be challenging in bright daylight.

One subtle but telling difference is the E-620’s optical pentamirror viewfinder that covers 95% of the frame and offers decent clarity (0.48x magnification). I personally prefer having a viewfinder for tracking subjects or shooting in tricky lighting, especially outdoors. The SP-600 UZ forces you to rely solely on the LCD, which can get frustrating long-term.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Four Thirds vs. 1/2.3-inch sensor size comparison highlights why sensor size impacts image quality.

This is where the E-620 flexes its might. Packing a Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3x13mm with 12 megapixels, it significantly outpaces the SP-600 UZ’s small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.08x4.56mm) also with 12 megapixels. Bigger sensors generally deliver better image quality, improved dynamic range, and superior noise control, especially at higher ISOs.

The E-620’s sensor area at about 225mm² dwarfs the SP-600 UZ’s tiny 27.7mm². Such a large sensor means better color depth (21.3 bits vs. not specified for SP-600 UZ but expected lower), and a wide dynamic range (10.3 EV), resulting in rich, lifelike images with excellent shadow and highlight retention.

Real-world testing validated this: portraits shot with the E-620 exhibit smoother tonality and far less noise creeping in at ISO 800 and above. The SP-600 UZ’s images, while decent for casual use, suffered from noticeable grain and less nuanced color, especially in low light or high contrast scenes.

A Four Thirds sensor also offers more control over depth-of-field, allowing for more natural and pleasing background blur (bokeh), ideal for portrait photographers aiming to isolate subjects - an area where the SP-600 UZ simply can’t compete due to its smaller sensor and fixed lens aperture range (F3.5-5.4).

Handling Controls & Interface: Getting Your Hands on the Right Buttons

E-620’s DSLR-style top layout compared to the SP-600 UZ’s compact control scheme.

Any serious photographer will appreciate a camera that puts essential controls at fingertips. The E-620 shines here: dedicated dials for shutter and exposure compensation, easy mode selection, and a well-positioned multi-selector make navigation intuitive. The viewfinder with eye sensor aids quick switching between viewfinder and LCD.

Meanwhile, the SP-600 UZ strips the controls down to basics, reflecting its superzoom point-and-shoot nature. No aperture priority or manual exposure modes available, limiting creative control for demanding photographers. Shutter priority, manual exposure, and exposure compensation are all missing, which is a notable downside if you enjoy experimenting beyond full auto or program modes.

On the upside, the SP-600 UZ offers a whopping 143 autofocus points - far more than the E-620’s modest 7 points - though the E-620’s points are all cross-type, granting better accuracy in detecting subject edges. However, the SP-600’s AF has to contend with its smaller sensor and slower focusing system, evident in real-world lag when tracking fast-moving subjects.

Neither camera features touchscreen input or wireless connectivity, which feels dated by today’s standards, but understandable given their release era.

Autofocus & Continuous Shooting: Catching the Action

For wildlife, sports, or fast-paced street photography, autofocus speed and burst rate can make or break a shot.

The E-620 offers a maximum continuous shooting speed of 4 frames per second, respectable for an entry-level DSLR from 2009. Its hybrid autofocus system combines phase detection and contrast detection, enabled both in viewfinder and live view modes. Face detection is supported, which helps keep subjects sharp in portraits.

SP-600 UZ ups the burst speed to 10 fps, impressive on paper for a compact. However, it uses contrast-detection AF only, which tends to hunt in low light and with moving subjects. The lack of manual or priority exposure controls further limits the ability to lock settings for unpredictable action.

In my testing with rapid-flying birds and high school football, the E-620 reliably focused and tracked better, although both cameras struggled with erratic movement at great distances or poor light.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Let’s break down each camera’s suitability across key photography types.

Portrait Photography

• E-620: Fantastic due to the Four Thirds sensor’s better color, richer tonality, and natural bokeh. Face detection autofocus aids in locking on eyes, although no dedicated eye AF (common in recent cameras). Articulated screen helps for creative angles.
• SP-600 UZ: Limited by fixed lens aperture and smaller sensor; background blur is shallow and less attractive. No face detection autofocus here, so portraits feel more snapshot than crafted.

Landscape Photography

• E-620: Dynamic range shines here, capturing detailed shadows and highlights. The 12MP resolution is enough for good quality prints or web display. Weather sealing is absent, a downside if you shoot outdoors in harsh conditions. Interchangeable lenses open up creativity (wide-angle, tilt-shift, etc.).
• SP-600 UZ: Smaller sensor delivers images with less tonal depth and dynamic range. The ultra-long zoom lets you grab distant landscape details, but with compromise on clarity and noise.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• E-620: Provides better overall autofocus accuracy and usable burst speed, but the 4 fps continuous shooting limits capturing rapid action bursts characteristic of advanced sports or wildlife cameras. Lens ecosystem includes super-telephoto options thanks to the Micro Four Thirds mount (2.1x crop factor considered).
• SP-600 UZ: Superzoom lens covers a massive 28-420mm equivalent range, perfect for getting close to wildlife or sports from afar without extra lenses. However, slow burst shooting and less reliable AF diminish utility for fast-moving subjects.

Street Photography

• E-620: Bulkier DSLR feel makes it less discreet. Articulated screen helps with low-angle shots, but optical viewfinder can be a liability for stealth.
• SP-600 UZ: Lightweight and compact, making it relatively unobtrusive. Silent operation and zoom versatility favor candid moments. Fixed lens means no lens changes on the street.

Macro Photography

• E-620: Dependent on lens choice; can achieve excellent macro performance with the right glass and sensor advantage. Sensor-based image stabilization helps with handholding.
• SP-600 UZ: Macro focus as close as 1 cm is a nice feature for close-ups, but image quality limits detail and sharpness compared to larger sensor cameras.

Night and Astrophotography

• E-620: Sensor excels in low light up to ISO 3200, handling noise with reasonable grace. Long exposures facilitated by shutter speed up to 1/60s minimum (plus bulb options with compatible lenses).
• SP-600 UZ: Limited ISO range (max ISO 1600) and poorer noise control. Also lacks manual exposure modes limiting astrophotography potential.

Video Capabilities

• E-620: No video recording capability - this was typical of DSLRs from its era but a significant limitation if video is part of your workflow.
• SP-600 UZ: Offers basic HD video recording at 1280x720@24fps with H.264 codec. Not professional-grade but usable for casual clips.

Travel Photography

• E-620: Bulkier but highly versatile with access to Olympus’s extensive lens lineup. Battery life rated at 500 shots is solid for travel shoots.
• SP-600 UZ: Smaller, lighter, and simpler to use, appealing to those seeking an all-in-one solution without changing lenses or juggling settings.

Professional Work

• Neither camera fully meets professional standards today but E-620’s RAW support and better sensor image quality make it suitable as a backup or enthusiast-level workhorse with proper lenses.

Build Quality & Weather Resistance: Can They Take the Heat?

Both cameras lack weather sealing and advanced environmental protection. The E-620 weighs slightly more (500g) compared to the SP-600 UZ (455g) but the E-620’s DSLR build feels more solid in hand.

Neither camera has rugged features such as freezeproofing or dustproofing, so they require care in harsh environments.

Battery Life and Storage

• E-620: Uses BLS-1 battery with around 500 shots per charge, pretty good for a DSLR. Storage via CompactFlash or xD Picture Card slots, a bit of a legacy system by today’s standards but reliable.
• SP-600 UZ: Battery life isn’t officially specified, but experience suggests shorter usage due to smaller battery and constant LCD use. Uses SD/SDHC cards, which are now industry standard and easier to manage.

Connectivity & Modern Features

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. HDMI out is only on the SP-600 UZ for playback. Both feature USB 2.0 ports for file transfer.

No GPS, no touchscreen, no built-in microphone or headphone ports.

Price and Value Assessment: What’s Your Budget Buying?

At launch, the E-620 was priced around $799, positioning it as an entry-level DSLR that packs serious imaging chops. It remains more expensive, especially considering the cost of lenses.

The SP-600 UZ, priced at approximately $189, targets cheapskates and casual shooters wanting the convenience of superzoom without the heft or expense of interchangeable lenses.

Given their current pricing and availability (mostly secondhand or clearance), the value judgment depends heavily on your anticipated use:

• If you want the best image quality, flexibility for different lenses, and manual control, the E-620 justifies the cost - especially for enthusiasts ready to grow their skills.

• For casual vacation snaps, zooming wildlife on the cheap, or street photography without fuss, the SP-600 UZ offers a low-cost, all-in-one package.

Gallery: Seeing Is Believing

Olympus E 620 screen back Olympus SP 600 UZ front Olympus SP 600 UZ screen back

Scores at a Glance

Not surprisingly, the E-620 leads in color depth, dynamic range, and low-light ISO performance. The SP-600 UZ benefits from better burst shooting rates and a mind-blowing zoom range.

Performance by Photography Type

Final Thoughts - Which Olympus Should You Pick?

Olympus E-620
Who it’s for: Enthusiasts, budding professionals, portraitists, landscape fans, and anyone wanting DSLR quality without breaking the bank.
Why: Its Four Thirds sensor delivers superior image quality, flexibility with lenses, manual control, and a useful articulated screen. It’s a camera that rewards learning and experimentation.
Caveats: Bulkier than a compact; no video capabilities; outdated connectivity; limited burst rate for serious sports.

Olympus SP-600 UZ
Who it’s for: Budget travelers and casual photographers looking for convenience, zoom reach, and a light carry solution.
Why: Huge zoom range in a small body, decent image quality for snapshots, easy to use without fuss.
Caveats: Small sensor compromises image quality and low light performance; limited creative control; no RAW, no video for pros.

My Take - If I had to pack for a weeklong trip balancing versatility and quality, I’d grab the E-620. The jump in image quality and control is worth the extra weight, and you can add lenses suited to every need from macro to telephoto.

If you’re just looking to keep it simple and want an easy camera to capture varied scenes with no hassle, the SP-600 UZ will do the job but remember its limitations when pushing image quality or shooting in tricky conditions.

Both cameras represent Olympus’s ongoing commitment to delivering unique cameras for very different audiences. Your choice hinges on whether you prioritize image quality and control over convenience and zoom reach - or if you’re a cheapskate who wants a taste of both worlds.

Happy shooting!