Olympus SP-565UZ vs Panasonic Lumix FZ70: A Deep Dive into Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras

When it comes to superzoom cameras with small sensors, the Olympus SP-565UZ and Panasonic Lumix FZ70 have each carved out their niche. Although both cater to enthusiasts seeking long reach and versatility in a compact package, they hail from different generations and design philosophies. As someone who has handled and tested thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, including extensive superzoom and bridge models, I’m excited to offer you a thorough comparison that goes beyond specs, diving into real-world usage and photographic outcomes.

Whether you’re edging toward wildlife adventures, treatment of landscapes, or just eager to unleash creative zoomed-in shots without swapping lenses, this article will help you figure out which camera fits your needs, style, and budget. So, let’s unpack these two contenders with an eye toward practical differences, technical performance, and user experience.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Size Matters, But So Does Grip

Starting with the obvious - how these cameras feel in your hands - I want you to visualize their size and shape, as this matters hugely for comfortable shooting and everyday carry.

The Olympus SP-565UZ is a compact, manageable unit that leans heavily toward portability. Its dimensions (116x84x81mm) and weight (413g) make it approachable for casual outings or longer strolls where bulk is a concern.

Conversely, the Panasonic FZ70 is much more imposing, embodying the typical DSLR-like bridge camera profile at 130x97x118mm and weighing in at 606g. It feels robust and purposeful, but not quite pocketable - something to consider if you favor discretion or travel light.

Ergonomically, I find Panasonic’s larger grip on the FZ70 far more secure during extended use or when wielding its super telephoto reach - something that can be fatiguing without solid hand support. The Olympus, although lighter, has simpler and somewhat less substantial controls, which can slow you down if you’re trying to work quickly in dynamic situations.

From the top view, you’ll see the Panasonic features more dedicated mode dials and function buttons, helping you jump between manual settings, playback, or specific exposure modes faster. Olympus keeps it minimalist, which might appeal to beginners or minimalist shooters, but pros and enthusiasts will appreciate the additional physical shortcuts on the FZ70.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Differences

At the core of any camera is the sensor, and despite both using 1/2.3-inch type sensors, their technical performance reveals significant differences.

The Olympus SP-565UZ sports a 10-megapixel CCD sensor. It delivers respectable image quality for its class, but it’s noticeable that the CCD technology - common in earlier compacts - tends to lag behind in noise control and dynamic range compared to modern CMOS sensors. Its maximum ISO 6400 is more nominal than practical; expect usable images primarily at ISO 64 to 400.

By contrast, the Panasonic FZ70 employs a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, giving not only increased resolution (4608x3456 vs 3648x2736) but also improved color depth (19.4 bits vs 18.7) and dynamic range (10.8 vs 10.1). This translates to better fine detail retention, smoother gradations in skies and shadows, and crisper daylit scenes overall.

Low-light sensitivity is a standout parameter: Panasonic manages cleaner shots at ISO 800 or even ISO 1600, whereas Olympus begins to show noise artifacts well before that threshold. This makes the FZ70 a more flexible tool if you appreciate shooting indoors, dusk, or indoor sports without needless grain.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: There’s a Clear Winner for Action

One area where I see an undeniable difference is autofocus capability - often a make-or-break feature depending on your photography style.

Olympus relies on a contrast-detection autofocus system with a massive 143 focus points, but it’s limited to single AF mode - no continuous tracking or face detection is available, and initial focus can feel sluggish, especially in lower light. Burst rate is painfully slow at 1 frame per second, effectively limiting its practicality for moving subjects.

Meanwhile, Panasonic’s FZ70 integrates a contrast-detect AF system with 23 focus points but enhanced with continuous autofocus, subject tracking, and face detection. This combo powers rapid lock-on autofocus performance, especially vital for wildlife and sports photography, where reliable tracking of erratic motion is paramount.

Moreover, the FZ70 boasts a burst speed of 9fps - an immense advantage when capturing fleeting moments. In my testing, this boost means you’re far more likely to nail a sharp image of a flying bird, sprinting athlete, or any fast-moving scene.

Build Quality and Weather-Sealing: Durability Under Scrutiny

While neither camera features professional weather sealing, their construction quality reflects their intended markets.

Olympus builds the SP-565UZ noticeably light with plastic materials and a fixed 4x AA battery compartment. It’s best suited for indoor use or gentle outdoor conditions; weather protection is minimal. If you drop or bang it, the plastic body may show damage more readily, and its lack of environmental sealing restricts rugged adventure photography.

The Panasonic FZ70 feels considerably more solid and substantial in hand, with a battery pack that supports longer usage (around 400 shots per charge, Olympus not specified but AA batteries have their pros and cons). Still, it falls short of featuring any dust or water resistance, so caution is advised in wet or dusty environments.

Display and Viewfinder Quality: What You See is What You Get

Visual feedback is critical - you want to compose accurately and review sharply.

The Olympus offers a smaller 2.5-inch LCD with a modest 230k-pixel resolution. It’s serviceable but poorly suited to bright outdoor viewing, hindering composition or menu navigation in sunlight.

In contrast, the Panasonic packs a 3-inch 460k-pixel TFT LCD, significantly sharper and brighter. This makes framing wide scenes or macro shots easier, even in challenging lighting.

Both rely on electronic viewfinders, but Panasonic’s EVF is denser at 202k pixels with 100% coverage, offering a more immersive and reliable framing experience than Olympus’ lower-res EVF.

Lens Reach and Macro Capability: Zooming Into Possibilities

When it comes to superzoom cameras, lens focal length and aperture range sharply define utility and creative options.

Olympus provides a 20x zoom (26-520mm equiv.) with bright starting aperture of f/2.8 at wide end dimming to f/4.5 telephoto. Panasonic blows that away with a staggering 60x range (20-1200mm equiv.), beginning at f/2.8 wide but narrowing steeply to f/5.9 on the long end.

If you’re interested in wildlife or distant architectural details, the FZ70’s reach is transformative, helped by its faster burst and AF system. The Olympus’ max zoom is paltry for serious telephoto work but shines better for travel and street scenarios where extreme reach is less critical.

Both cameras focus down to about 1cm macro distance, a real plus allowing close-up details like flower petals or insect eyes. Panasonic’s superior screen and stabilization make macro framing easier.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Sharp at Extreme Telephoto

I tested optical image stabilization (OIS) on both models under various scenarios. Both perform well reducing handshake blur at moderate zooms, yet Olympus’ system - likely an earlier design - works best up to 200-300mm equivalent. Past that, sharpness drops off noticeably.

Panasonic’s OIS, coupled with its more balanced body ergonomics, sustains steady shots even at full 1200mm reach. This matters since the tiniest movement is amplified at such focal lengths.

Video Capabilities: Does Either Camera Make the Cut for Today’s Videographers?

While both units primarily target photography, video is a frequently used feature nowadays.

Olympus offers basic VGA (640×480) video at 30fps - practically archaic by modern standards. No HD, limited to slow frame rates, and no external mic support means video shooting is more of a novelty.

Panasonic steps up considerably, shooting Full HD 1080p (50i/60i and 25p/30p) with AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. This results in much smoother, higher quality clips suitable for casual video projects. No mic or headphone jacks, though, so audio remains limited.

Battery Life and Storage: Longer Shoots Without Interruption?

Olympus uses 4x AA batteries, which have pros - easy to replace anywhere and cheap - but can add bulk and weight, plus inconsistent power output versus dedicated lithium packs.

Panasonic employs a rechargeable battery pack, rated to around 400 shots per charge, which is generous for a camera of this class. For extended travel, Panasonic’s battery life not only reduces the number of spare batteries to carry but also feels more professional.

Storage-wise, Olympus accepts xD Picture Cards, a format long discontinued and less available, while Panasonic supports widely used SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, ensuring compatibility, speed, and cost-effectiveness.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration: Modern Convenience in Photography

Neither model supports wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) or GPS, unsurprising given their age and category.

Both provide USB 2.0 ports for data transfer; however, Panasonic adds HDMI output for easy playback on HD screens - a nice touch absent on Olympus.

Regarding file formats, both capture RAW images for flexible editing, but Panasonic’s 16MP CMOS sensor output gives files with more data and editing headroom.

How Do These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres?

Let’s put these capabilities into context by style:

Portraits:
Olympus’ lens produces decent skin tones and nice bokeh wide open but without face detection autofocus, precise eye focusing is hit or miss. Panasonic’s face detection and faster AF make subject tracking and portrait framing easier. Higher resolution also helps with detail and cropping flexibility.

Landscapes:
Panasonic’s higher resolution and dynamic range better capture subtle tonal shifts in skies and foliage. Olympus’ sensor limitation can result in flatter images. Neither camera offers weather sealing pivotal for rough landscapes.

Wildlife:
FZ70’s 60x zoom and fast AF burst rates win this category hands down. Olympus’ reach and autofocus fall short for fast or distant animals.

Sports:
Again, Panasonic dominates with continuous AF and 9fps shooting potential. Olympus’ 1fps is ineffective for sports.

Street Photography:
Here Olympus’ smaller, lighter frame and discreet lens size suit urban shooters. Panasonic is bulkier, which can attract attention.

Macro:
Both focus closely with similar minimum distances. Panasonic’s sharper screen and stabilization aid framing and sharpness.

Night/Astro:
Panasonic’s higher ISO performance and longer exposure range give it an edge for low light. Olympus struggles with noise and limited ISO usability.

Video:
Panasonic’s Full HD video is vastly superior; Olympus video is only suitable for quick clips.

Travel:
Olympus’ compactness and AA battery convenience may appeal more to travelers wary of power access. But Panasonic’s versatile zoom and longer battery life serve a wider range of travel styles.

Professional Work:
Neither camera is a studio or pro-level tool. However, Panasonic’s RAW processing flexibility and storage compatibility edge ahead for serious enthusiasts.

Overall Performance and Scores: Putting It All Together

Technical scores from DxOMark and my hands-on testing reflect Panasonic’s superior image quality, autofocus, and versatility. Olympus ranks lower but maintains niche appeal for highly budget-conscious compact superzoom shooters.

Sample Gallery: What These Cameras Produce in Your Hands

Olympus SP 565UZ front Olympus SP 565UZ screen back Panasonic FZ70 front Panasonic FZ70 screen back

Reviewing sample images side by side, you’ll notice Panasonic’s photos are sharper with richer colors and better low-light detail. Olympus images are softer, with more visible noise at higher ISO but acceptable for casual use.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Which Should You Choose?

1. If you prize extreme zoom reach, fast autofocus, Full HD video, and better image quality, the Panasonic Lumix FZ70 clearly delivers. It suits wildlife, sports, travel, and video enthusiasts who can handle its bulk.

2. If you want a lighter, simpler, budget-friendly compact with respectable zoom and decent image quality for general snapshots and street shooting, the Olympus SP-565UZ is still a viable if dated choice, though its limited speed and sensor quality may frustrate more demanding users.

3. Consider battery format and storage compatibilities too: Panasonic’s rechargeable pack and modern SD card support beat Olympus’ AA batteries and rare xD cards.

4. For beginners wanting entry-level superzoom fun without stuffing a DSLR bag, Olympus offers a straightforward experience.

5. For enthusiasts who want serious telephoto capability without jumping into interchangeable lens systems, Panasonic’s FZ70 is a smarter pick.

My Personal Take

Having tested both extensively, I recommend the Panasonic FZ70 overwhelmingly for any photographer who values speed, image quality, zoom length, and video capability. It’s not perfect - lacks weather sealing and modern wireless - but it’s a solid all-rounder offering excellent value around $300.

The Olympus SP-565UZ feels more like a camera from a previous compact era. While charming, its slow AF and lower image fidelity hold it back in today’s competitive bridge camera market. But if you stumble upon one cheaply or primarily want a pocket-friendly zoomed camera, it’s not without merit.

Ultimately, your decision hinges on what you shoot and how you use your gear. Hopefully, this in-depth comparison helps clarify where each camera shines and where it falters. Feel free to dive deeper into my hands-on video reviews and sample galleries for more detailed perception of these two small sensor superzooms!

Happy shooting!