Olympus SP-600 UZ vs. Sony NEX-5: A Thorough Comparison from a Seasoned Photographer’s Lens

Choosing the right camera is a highly personal decision, especially when balancing the compromises between budget, usage scenarios, and image quality. Having tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years in varied photographic disciplines, I’m excited to share an in-depth comparison between two intriguing models released in 2010: the Olympus SP-600 UZ, a small sensor superzoom compact, and the Sony NEX-5, an early but influential mirrorless APS-C interchangeable lens camera. These cameras represent very different approaches to photography technology from roughly the same era - but what can still be gleaned from their capabilities today?

Throughout this article, I’ll unpack their specs and performance across portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night, video, and travel photography, with honest insights grounded in my direct field testing. Let’s dive in.

Getting Hands-On: Size and Ergonomics Matter

First impressions with any camera often come down to physical handling and body design. The SP-600 UZ is a chunky compact designed for ease of carrying yet offering a long zoom, while the NEX-5 embodies the early days of compact mirrorless with a sleek, minimal footprint.

The Olympus measures roughly 110 x 90 x 91 mm and weighs about 455 grams, giving it a substantial, slightly bulky feel typical of bridge cameras with extensive zooms. The grip is moderate but sufficient for casual handheld use, though less refined than DSLRs or mirrorless.

The Sony NEX-5, by contrast, is significantly smaller and lighter at about 111 x 59 x 38 mm and weighing 287 grams. Its rangefinder-style design delivers an ergonomic advantage for travelers and street photographers who prioritize discretion and portability.

From my time shooting street markets and urban scenes, the NEX-5’s slim profile allowed for candid captures without attracting attention, whereas the Olympus felt more conspicuous. Yet, the SP-600 UZ’s comfortable zoom ring and relatively straightforward physical controls made it approachable for beginners less comfortable fiddling with manual settings.

Top-Down Controls: Balancing Simplicity and Functionality

Looking closer at user interaction, control layout profoundly affects workflow and spontaneity - particularly for professionals and enthusiasts shooting fast-changing scenes.

The Olympus SP-600 UZ presents a very modest control scheme, somewhat constrained by its fixed lens and compact form. Despite lacking dedicated manual exposure modes or a real viewfinder, it features a traditional mode dial and a zoom lever, but no customizable buttons or an intuitive command dial.

On the Sony NEX-5, the layout embraces mirrorless heritage with more tactile sophistication. Although still early generation, it provides manual exposure controls, aperture priority, shutter priority, and exposure compensation - all accessible via a top dial and rear wheel. The rear screen tilts, improving versatility for low or high angle shots.

The lack of built-in stabilization on both cameras is notable, with Olympus relying on inherent lens stabilization (limited on this model) and Sony depending on stabilized lenses in the E-mount lineup.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: A Fundamental Divide

Arguably the most consequential difference is sensor size and the resulting image quality potential.

The Olympus runs a 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm, with a 12MP resolution. This small sensor restricts dynamic range and low-light performance, resulting in higher noise at elevated ISO settings and somewhat limited depth-of-field control.

Conversely, the Sony NEX-5 features a 23.4 x 15.6 mm APS-C CMOS sensor, significantly larger - approximately 365 mm² sensor area - providing inherently better image quality, greater dynamic range, and superior noise handling. Its 14MP resolution also yields larger, more detailed images suitable for serious prints and cropping.

In my controlled studio and outdoor testing, the NEX-5’s images exhibited cleaner shadows, brighter highlights, and more natural colors. The Olympus was prone to softness and noise creeping in above ISO 400, making it more suitable for bright daylight situations.

Backscreen and Interface: How You See Your Shot Matters

When composing and reviewing images, screen quality can be a dealbreaker - or deal maker.

The Olympus SP-600 UZ offers a fixed 2.7-inch screen at a low 230k-dot resolution, which feels dim and pixelated by today’s standards. The lack of touch or tilting functions is a drawback for versatility, making framing at odd angles cumbersome.

The Sony NEX-5 sports a 3-inch tilting LCD with a much improved 920k-dot resolution, delivering a bright, sharp preview. Its tilting functionality proved invaluable during my low-level macro experiments and high-angle street captures.

Touchscreen is absent on both models, consistent with their release time, but the Sony’s interface benefits from a cleaner, more responsive menu system thanks to the Bionz processor.

Exploring Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin and Bokeh

For portraits, I look at skin tone reproduction, autofocus accuracy on faces/eyes, and the quality of background blur.

The Olympus SP-600 UZ lacks dedicated face or eye detection autofocus, limiting its precision in isolating subjects. The small sensor also yields deep depth of field, making it difficult to achieve creamy background bokeh - even at maximum aperture (f/3.5 to f/5.4 across zoom range). Skin rendition felt a little flat and occasionally oversaturated under harsh lighting, typical of CCD color science from its era.

In contrast, the Sony NEX-5’s larger sensor combined with fast E-mount lenses (I frequently paired it with a 50mm f/1.8) allowed me to isolate subjects with pinpoint focus and produce beautifully smooth bokeh. While it lacks eye autofocus (only contrast-detection AF), the 25 focus points and ability to choose selective autofocus points gave me confident face tracking in most situations.

For natural-looking skin tones, especially under mixed lighting, the Sony’s RAW support and editable white balance were decisive advantages.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Readiness

Landscape photographers often prioritize sensor dynamic range, resolution, lens optics, and durability.

The Olympus’s small sensor cannot capture the wide tonal range needed to preserve highlight and shadow details in complex outdoor scenes - sky highlights tend to clip easily and shadows block up under low light. Its maximum resolution is respectable at nearly 4,000 px across, allowing some moderate cropping.

The Sony NEX-5 shines here with significantly better dynamic range - quoted at 12.2 EV by DxOMark - and the ability to capture high-resolution 14MP images with better noise floor. Combined with sharp lenses like the 16-50mm kit or third-party primes, this camera produced vivid, detailed landscapes.

Neither camera features weather sealing or environmental resistance, so care is required for outdoor shooting in adverse conditions. The Olympus’s bigger size feels a bit tougher, but no ruggedization is present. The Sony’s lighter weight made me prefer it for lengthy hikes with limited gear.

Wildlife Photography: Telephoto Reach and Autofocus Speed

Dedicated wildlife shooters demand long telephoto reach, fast continuous shooting, and reliable autofocus.

Here, the Olympus SP-600 UZ’s 420mm equivalent zoom lens stands out among compacts. In the field, this deep zoom lets you frame distant subjects reasonably well without bulky super telephoto lenses, which is a benefit for casual wildlife shooting.

However, the camera’s contrast-detection AF system is slow and prone to hunting, making it challenging to lock onto fast-moving animals - especially in dense foliage or low light. Its continuous shooting speed of 10 fps is impressive on paper but in practice limited by buffer clearing times and slower write speeds.

The Sony NEX-5, paired with suitable native telephoto lenses (e.g., 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3), can achieve better autofocus precision and subject tracking despite a slightly lower max burst rate of 7 fps. Its larger sensor and RAW files enable more detailed cropping of images. That said, the lens investment to replicate 420mm reach is significant.

Sports Photography: Tracking Accuracy and Low Light Performance

Sports photography requires quick autofocus, rapid frame rates, and good high ISO capability.

Olympus SP-600 UZ’s autofocus, limited exposure modes, and small sensor mean it performs poorly in fast sports scenarios or indoor/low light sports arenas.

The Sony NEX-5's manual focus, aperture/shutter priority modes, and tracking AF capabilities gave me better tools for action photography - though without phase-detection AF or advanced tracking algorithms, it is still less than ideal compared to modern mirrorless or DSLR cameras. Importantly, the NEX-5’s native ISO range up to 12,800 (though with noise) helps retain shutter speed in dim conditions.

Street Photography: Discreetness, Low Light, Portability

Both cameras shine differently for street shooters.

The small Olympus, though bulkier, offers silent operation benefits of a compact system, whereas the Sony’s tiny form factor and tilting LCD encourage creative, unconventional framing in busy urban environments.

Low light performance again favors the Sony due to the bigger sensor. Its near-silent shutter in live view mode added subtlety while capturing candid moments.

Macro Photography: Close-Up Capability and Stabilization

The Olympus SP-600 UZ boasts a remarkable 1 cm macro focusing distance, rare for compacts and handy for insect/flower photography without additional attachments.

The Sony NEX-5 benefits from specialized macro lenses, offering better image quality and depth control, though at higher cost.

Neither camera has in-body image stabilization, a noticeable omission in macro where even slight shakes hurt sharpness. Olympus’s lack of stabilization or optical steady zoom means handheld macro can be challenging.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO Performance and Exposure Flexibility

Here, the limitations of the Olympus sensor become apparent. The SP-600 UZ maxes out at ISO 1600, which produces significant noise; there is no RAW support to assist in post-processing recovery. Exposure options are limited - no shutter or aperture priority modes - which restrict creative flexibility.

The Sony NEX-5, with manual exposure modes and ISO up to 12,800, gives far more freedom. Even at ISO 1600-3200, images maintain usable detail, and RAW processing further cleans shadows. The ability to set longer shutter speeds (up to 30 seconds) also helps astrophotographers capture starscapes, although the absence of bulb mode is a slight gap.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Stability

Videographers should temper expectations for both cameras.

The Olympus records 720p at 24 fps, H.264 codec, with no microphone input or advanced audio controls. No image stabilization means handheld video looks shaky.

The Sony NEX-5 offers full HD 1080p at 60 fps with AVCHD codec - advanced for its time. Again, no mic input limits professional audio capture, and no in-body stabilization means careful setup or stable lenses are necessary.

For casual video, the NEX-5 provides a clear edge.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

From my numerous trips packing both cameras, I found:

• Olympus SP-600 UZ’s superzoom optics make it a decent all-in-one solution for travelers not wanting to carry lenses. The battery life is unspecified but modest; weight can add up on longer walks.

• Sony NEX-5’s compactness, better image quality, and flexibility of interchangeable lenses outweigh the need to carry extra gear. Battery life rated around 330 shots is decent and easily managed with spares.

Professional Workflow: File Formats and Reliability

As a professional, I rely heavily on RAW files and stable exposure controls.

The Olympus SP-600 UZ lacks RAW support, a critical limitation that restricts post-production latitude.

The Sony NEX-5 supports RAW shooting, manual exposure, and exposure compensation, making it far more usable in professional workflows.

Neither camera has weather sealing or rugged build, so neither suits heavy professional use outdoors without protective gear.

Overall Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

To summarize key performance differences visually:

Olympus SP 600 UZ front Olympus SP 600 UZ screen back Sony NEX 5 front Sony NEX 5 screen back

These images capture the contrast in clarity, dynamic range, and edge-to-edge sharpness, while performance scores reflect the broader usability gaps.

Technical Summary Table

Who Should Pick Which Camera?

Choose the Olympus SP-600 UZ if:

• You're a casual photographer who prizes high zoom reach in one compact body.
• You shoot mostly in bright daylight environments.
• You want a straightforward camera with minimal complexity.
• Budget is tight, and you want basic video and simple shooting.

Choose the Sony NEX-5 if:

• You want significantly better image quality and dynamic range.
• You need manual controls and RAW file support.
• You’re willing to invest in lenses over time for specialized shooting.
• Portability and video capabilities interest you.
• You are enthusiastic about learning advanced photography techniques.

Final Thoughts: Old Cameras, Still Valuable, but Never Equal

While both cameras launched around the same time and target different market segments, my thorough hands-on testing reveals the Sony NEX-5 clearly outpaces the Olympus SP-600 UZ in nearly every technical and practical aspect aside from zoom reach. The camera’s larger sensor, versatile lens mount, and superior image quality have kept it relevant to enthusiasts seeking a capable entry-level mirrorless option, even as technology has advanced.

The Olympus’s superzoom prowess makes it a venerable choice for beginners or superzoom fans on a budget, but its modest sensor and feature limitations mean it can’t rival the NEX-5’s flexibility or final image quality.

I recommend investing in an APS-C mirrorless system like the NEX-5 (or a newer equivalent) if long-term growth and image excellence matter to you. However, if your photography needs are simpler, focused on zoom range and easy shooting, the Olympus offers a satisfying no-frills experience.

I hope this comparison arms you with the clarity needed for your next camera choice. Feel free to reach out with questions or share your own experiences with either of these classic models!