Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus SP-620 UZ: Which Compact Suits Your Photography Needs?

When Olympus rolled out the FE-45 in early 2009 and later the SP-620 UZ in 2012, they targeted different camps within the compact camera market. Both represent affordable entry points within Olympus’s small-sensor lineup, but their design philosophies and feature sets cater to divergent user expectations. After spending substantial hands-on time with both - shooting everything from portraits to landscape vistas - I’m excited to offer a deep dive comparison that moves beyond specs sheets to real-world usability and image quality performance.

Let’s break down what makes these two cameras tick, evaluate their strengths and compromises, and pinpoint who each camera truly serves best.

Size and Ergonomics: Compactness vs. Comfortable Grip

At first glance, the FE-45 wins the award for sheer portability. Its slim, ultra-light build weighs just 142 grams and measures a sleek 94x62x23 mm footprint - easily pocketable for casual street shooting or quick travel snaps. Meanwhile, the SP-620 UZ turns heads with a bulkier, substantial form factor: 110x74x74 mm and 435 grams of heft. This makes it feel far more like a serious superzoom bridge-camera than a pocketable compact.

Despite the SP-620’s weight, I found the larger body easier to hold steadily, especially during extended shooting or zoomed-in shots. Its textured grips gave me more confidence to avoid camera shake. Conversely, the FE-45’s slim profile sacrifices some grip comfort and button individuality, which can cause hand fatigue over prolonged use.

The top view comparison further reveals the design intent differences - the SP-620’s dedicated zoom lever and mode dial provide quicker tactile control compared to the FE-45’s minimalist layout.

If you prize pocketability for casual outings, the FE-45 stands out. For anyone anticipating long sessions or zoom-heavy shooting, the SP-620’s bulk is a worthwhile tradeoff for a more secure grip and control.

Sensor and Image Quality: Resolution and Noise Performance

Both cameras rely on the same 1/2.3" CCD sensor technology, a standard compact sensor size, but the SP-620 boasts a 16-megapixel resolution compared to the FE-45’s 10 megapixels. Sensor area is nearly identical: 27.7 mm² on the FE-45 versus 28.1 mm² on the SP-620, confirming the pixel density difference rather than size.

In live shooting sessions, this resolution bump translated to visibly finer detail retention on the SP-620, especially evident when enlarging landscape shots or cropping tightly. Dynamic range - always a limiting factor on small sensors - was fairly typical on both, but the SP’s 16MP sensor alongside the TruePic III+ processor delivered slightly better color fidelity and shadow detail in moderate contrast scenes.

However, when the ISO was cranked beyond 400, noise became more evident on the SP-620, mirroring the expected CCD sensor characteristics. The FE-45’s max ISO capped at 1600, but image quality at higher ISOs was generally noisier and softer, given the older sensor and processing. Neither camera is a low-light champion, but for casual daylight scenarios, their performance was reasonable.

LCD Screen and User Interface: Visibility and Usability

Moving from image capture to reviewing your shots, the SP-620 provides a 3-inch TFT color LCD with 230k-dot resolution - larger and a touch sharper than the FE-45’s older 2.5-inch fixed screen with the same pixel count. Though neither is touch-sensitive or particularly high-res by modern standards, the bigger screen on the SP-620 made framing and menu navigation more comfortable, especially outdoors in bright light.

Olympus kept both interfaces straightforward and beginner-friendly, but I appreciated the SP-620’s slightly more intuitive menu layout and illuminated buttons. The FE-45’s more stripped-down control set can frustrate users who like quick physical access to settings like exposure compensation or white balance, which it lacks entirely.

Lens and Zoom Range: Versatility vs. Practicality

This section puts the most critical difference under the microscope: the lenses. The FE-45 features a 36-108 mm (35mm equivalent) zoom range with an aperture of f/3.1-5.9, providing a modest 3x zoom. This focal spread covers common snapshots and portraits but doesn’t offer much reach for wildlife or distant subjects.

In contrast, the SP-620 UZ flaunts an impressive 21x superzoom, spanning 25-525 mm (35mm equivalent) at an aperture of f/3.1-5.8. This high versatility covers everything from wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife or events, an invaluable flexibility that often eclipses concerns about size and weight.

Its ability to focus as close as 1 cm for macro shots beats the FE-45 by a significant margin, which only manages 5 cm at best.

For photographers seeking maximum framing freedom or long-reach utility without investing in interchangeable lenses, the SP-620 shines. The FE-45 is better served as an ultra-light backup or simple freehand shooter.

Autofocus and Image Stabilization: Precision vs. Speed

Autofocus technology on both cameras is contrast-detection based, though the SP-620 adds face detection and AF tracking capabilities, which can aid in maintaining focus on moving subjects - a rarity in entry-level compacts. The FE-45 lacks all forms of tracking or face recognition and only supports single autofocus.

This difference becomes apparent in real shooting situations:

• Wildlife and sports: The SP-620’s AF tracking capability allowed for more reliable lock-on of moving subjects, particularly when zoomed in, albeit with some hunting. The FE-45 struggled to keep focus in similar scenarios.

• Macro and portraits: The SP-620’s shorter minimum focus distance combined with face detection improved image sharpness on closeups and portraits, delivering more usable shots overall.

Both cameras feature image stabilization, but the methods differ. The FE-45 applies digital stabilization, which, while usable, can soften images at high zoom or low light. The SP-620 employs sensor-shift stabilization, significantly more effective at compensating for camera shake - invaluable at the long telephoto reaches.

In combination, the SP-620 delivers a more confident and versatile focusing experience suitable for both casual and semi-serious photographic intent.

Burst Rate and Shutter Performance: Capturing the Moment

Neither camera targets sports or high-speed photography markets, but the SP-620’s faster maximum shutter speed of 1/1500 sec compared to the FE-45’s 1/2000 sec is of little practical consequence. Neither supports true continuous burst shooting, limiting their suitability for fast action.

The SP-620 does include a pet auto shutter and a self-timer option for 2 or 12 seconds, whereas the FE-45 only offers a 12-second self-timer. Neither supports manual exposure modes, so shutter priority or aperture priority isn’t possible. This limits creative control but aligns with their user-friendly, point-and-shoot intent.

Video Capabilities: Basic vs. Enhanced HD

The FE-45 records only VGA video (640x480) at 30 frames per second, encoded in Motion JPEG. The low resolution and compression limit video quality.

The SP-620, on the other hand, offers HD 720p video recording (1280x720, 30fps) with MPEG-4 and H.264 compression, improving quality and file size efficiency. It also features an HDMI port for external display connectivity, lacking on the FE-45.

Neither camera supports microphone or headphone inputs, and neither provides advanced video features such as 4K or slow motion. In short, the SP-620 is a slightly better choice if video is a secondary priority, thanks to HD and HDMI connectivity.

Storage, Battery, and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

The FE-45 accepts xD-Picture Cards, microSD cards, and has a small internal memory, while the SP-620 uses the more common SD/SDHC/SDXC cards - a convenience factor for many users already invested in SD memory.

Battery life details are not quoted for either, but the SP-620 uses four AA batteries - widely available and easy to replace in the field, though heavier. The FE-45’s unspecified battery is likely proprietary, more compact, but less flexible in emergencies.

Connectivity is sparse on both, with no built-in wireless or Bluetooth. However, the SP-620 includes Eye-Fi card compatibility (Wi-Fi via special SD cards), which allows some wireless photo transfer - a nod to semi-pro users who want modest culling convenience.

Durability and Build Quality: Everyday Use Perspective

Neither camera offers weather sealing, waterproofing, dustproofing, or shockproofing. This is typical for their price points and intended user bases.

The SP-620’s more solid, robust build and larger size also lend it a perception of better endurance during rougher handling, though it is still a consumer product not built for professional environmental rigors.

Sample Images and Real-World Performance

To put theory into practice, I subjected both cameras to a series of test shots across multiple photography disciplines, from portraits to wildlife to landscapes.

Olympus FE 45 front Olympus FE 45 screen back Olympus SP 620 UZ front Olympus SP 620 UZ screen back

Portraits: The SP-620’s 16 MP resolution and face detection resulted in better-defined skin texture and more pleasing bokeh in closeups. The FE-45’s limited zoom and lack of face detection led to more flat results.

Landscape: While both managed acceptable detail, the SP-620’s higher resolution allows for larger prints and aggressive cropping. Neither offers RAW capture, so post-processing latitude is limited.

Wildlife & Sports: The SP-620’s superzoom and AF tracking are markedly better suited, though enthusiasts should be realistic about limitations compared to DSLRs.

Street & Travel: The FE-45’s small size gives it an advantage in discretion and portability, a true pocket camera. The SP-620’s bulk is less suitable for spontaneous shooting, but excellent for planned travel where zoom and versatility matter more.

Macro: The SP-620 pulled ahead with a much closer focusing distance and sharper detail.

Night & Astro: Both struggled with noise above ISO 400, but neither is recommended for demanding low-light work.

Genre-Specific Performance Overview

Bringing together various test results:

Final Verdict: How They Measure Up Overall

When assembling all categories - image quality, handling, features, and value - it’s clear that the SP-620 UZ is a noticeably superior all-around camera but without a huge leap in price or complexity. The FE-45, however, continues to hold value as a lightweight, ultra-budget camera for casual photographers or those seeking a simple travel companion.

For casual users who prioritize size, simplicity, and portability over zoom, the Olympus FE-45 is an affordable, no-frills compact that delivers decent daylight shots. It’s ideal for casual family photos, social outings, and travelers not wishing to carry heavy gear.

For enthusiasts and hobbyists wanting flexibility with versatile zoom, improved resolution, stabilization, and slightly better video performance, the Olympus SP-620 UZ offers an excellent value. Its superzoom coverage, macro prowess, and slightly more advanced autofocus serve a wider range of photographic genres, including every day travel, outdoor wildlife, and informal portraiture.

Recommendations Based on User Profiles and Budgets

• Beginner / Casual Snapshot Shooter: Olympus FE-45
  Focus on ease, budget, and discretion. Compact, light, and user-friendly.

• Travel & Outdoor Enthusiast: Olympus SP-620 UZ
  Superior zoom range, better battery options, and image stabilization for varied conditions.

• Wildlife / Macro Hobbyist: Olympus SP-620 UZ
  Zoom and close focusing capabilities outclass the FE-45 significantly.

• Street Photographer / Everyday Carry: Olympus FE-45
  The unobtrusive design aids candid, spontaneous shooting.

• Video Casualist: SP-620 UZ edges ahead with HD and HDMI features.

Closing Thoughts

I always approach camera comparisons with a recognition that no one model fits everyone’s needs - but what they do offer is potential to satisfy particular priorities. The Olympus FE-45 and SP-620 UZ underscore this well: the FE-45 is a neat, lightweight entry compact great for those who mainly shoot in well-lit environments and want an easy-to-use point-and-shoot. Conversely, the SP-620 UZ shows that even modestly priced superzooms can deliver compelling versatility and improved image quality, well worth the extra heft and investment.

Both cameras embody Olympus’s craftsmanship and design ethos at their respective times. Understanding each’s strengths and limits helps you align your purchasing decision with your photographic ambitions and style. My testing confirms that neither camera is destined for professional-grade work, but for everyday photography enthusiasts or casual users, they deliver distinct value propositions that retain their appeal in a challenged compact camera market.

Happy shooting!

If you'd like to explore more detailed test samples or specific scenario analysis with these models, feel free to reach out or leave a comment. As always, firsthand experimentation paired with informed insight is the best path to camera satisfaction.