Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony HX80: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small Sensor Superzoom Compacts

When it comes to choosing a small sensor superzoom compact camera, the market offers plenty of options, but how does a veteran model like the Olympus SP-600 UZ from 2010 stack up against the more recent but still compact Sony Cyber-shot HX80 from 2016? Having extensively tested a broad swath of compacts, superzooms, and enthusiast cameras over the past 15 years, I’m excited to share a deep-dive comparison of these two cameras through the lens of real-world photography, technical evaluation, and overall value to enthusiasts and pros alike.

In this comparison, I have focused on practical use cases - from portraits and landscapes to wildlife and night photography - all while weighing core attributes like sensor quality, autofocus, build, usability, and more. The goal is simple: give you honest, hands-on insights so you can decide which camera fits your needs best, based on your style and budget.

Let’s start with a side-by-side look at the size and ergonomics.

The Olympus SP-600 UZ (left) is noticeably chunkier and heavier than the compact, sleek Sony HX80 (right). This size difference affects portability and comfort in extended shoots.

Design and Handling: Ergonomics That Tell a Story

From the moment I held these two cameras, the physical differences were clear. The Olympus SP-600 UZ is a chunkier brick-style compact weighing 455 grams with a physical dimension of roughly 110x90x91mm. That solid heft lends confidence in hand but can wear on during long outings. By contrast, the Sony HX80’s streamlined, lightweight build tips the scale at just 245 grams, measuring 102x58x36mm. This makes it far more pocketable and travel-friendly.

Neither camera has weather sealing or rugged protections, so neither is a pro-level all-weather tool. But the HX80’s modern design includes a tilting 3-inch LCD screen with good resolution (921k dots), making it easier to compose shots from creative angles or selfies. The Olympus sticks with a fixed 2.7-inch screen at a low resolution of 230k dots, which feels outdated and limits preview clarity.

Looking down from above, you’ll notice the Olympus opts for modest physical controls but lacks customizable buttons and dial sophistication. The Sony HX80 offers more refined control placement, an external zoom lever, and a handy pop-up electronic viewfinder - a feature the Olympus doesn't have.

Control layouts are another telling difference. The Olympus’s buttons and dials feel basic, and it lacks manual exposure modes. The Sony HX80, however, boasts aperture and shutter priority modes plus manual exposure, giving me much-needed creative control in various lighting conditions. It also has exposure compensation, something the Olympus cannot do.

I've always approached camera ergonomics by shooting in real scenarios. The presence of an electronic viewfinder on the HX80 - providing 100% coverage - proves invaluable when shooting under bright sunlight. Meanwhile, the Olympus relies exclusively on its LCD, which can be challenging outdoors.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Comparing sensor specs and image quality is crucial given these cameras share the same sensor size class - 1/2.3 inch - but differ in resolution and sensor tech.

Both cameras feature a small 1/2.3" sensor, but the Sony HX80's BSI-CMOS sensor with 18MP offers higher resolution and more advanced technology than the Olympus's 12MP CCD.

The Olympus SP-600 UZ uses a 12MP CCD sensor paired with the TruePic III processor, standard technology in 2010 but outdated by today’s standards. It maxes out at ISO 1600 with no raw support, which means a JPG-only workflow and limited noise control when shooting in dim environments. The CCD sensor is less sensitive in low light and suffers more from noise compared to modern CMOS sensors.

The Sony HX80 uses an 18MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor, also 1/2.3-inch but with the advantage of Sony’s BIONZ X processor. This combo results in higher effective resolution (4896 x 3672 pixels), better dynamic range, and enhanced noise handling, boosted up to ISO 3200 native (expandable to 12800).

On my test shoots, the HX80 delivered clearly sharper images with more detail and less noise in shadows and low light shots. The Olympus images looked softer, with more grain creeping up at higher ISOs.

For landscape photographers prioritizing dynamic range and resolution, the Sony is the better pick - despite sensor size constraints that trade off with larger-sensor cameras.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder Experience: Composing Your Vision

A camera’s screen and viewfinder directly impact framing precision and shooting comfort.

The tilting 3” screen of the Sony HX80 is a joy for framing shots from creative angles and shooting selfies, while the Olympus SP-600 UZ’s fixed, low-res screen feels restrictive.

The HX80’s tilting touchscreen, although not touch-enabled control-wise, is a significant upgrade, offering sharp resolution and freedom to compose awkward shots - think overhead crowds, low-angle macro, or vlogging styles. The Olympus’s fixed 2.7” 230k-dot screen is cramped for detail review and lack of articulation made me sorely miss compositional flexibility.

The HX80’s built-in electronic viewfinder is a standout convenience versus the Olympus’s lack of any EVF or optical finder. For any outdoor or fast-action shooting, having a properly framed, glare-free viewfinder is a huge asset.

Zoom Range and Optical Performance: Flexibility for Every Moment

Here’s where these cameras tell very different stories.

The Olympus offers a 15x zoom lens equivalent to 28-420mm at aperture range F3.5-5.4 - a respectable reach for its era. While decent, it lacks optical image stabilization, which limits handheld telephoto clarity, especially in low light.

The Sony HX80 ups the ante with an impressive 30x zoom ranging from a versatile 24-720mm F3.5-6.4 lens, coupled with optical image stabilization. This level of reach lets me capture distant wildlife, sports action, or tight landscape details with a lot more confidence and sharpness at telephoto.

The HX80’s lens also performs better on the wide end (starting at 24mm equivalent vs. Olympus’s 28mm), which is great for landscapes and interiors. However, the Olympus does shine with a macro focus as close as 1cm compared to Sony’s 5cm, affording ultra-close-up shots with more pronounced detail.

Autofocus Performance: Catching Crucial Moments

Neither camera sports the most advanced AF systems by today’s standards, but comparing their focus speed and accuracy reveals important differences.

The Olympus SP-600 UZ depends on a contrast-detection AF with 143 areas, face detection unavailable, and no continuous AF tracking, which results in slow focus acquisition, especially under low light or moving subjects. Manual focus is supported but awkward without focus peaking or magnification.

The Sony HX80 features a hybrid contrast-detection AF with face detection and continuous AF tracking. It reliably locks focus faster and tracks moving subjects with better success, important for wildlife and sports.

In my field tests, the HX80 managed to maintain focus on a moving cyclist more reliably than the sluggish Olympus, which often hunted or missed the moment entirely.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Control: Capturing the Action

Both cameras offer up to 10 frames per second continuous shooting - theoretically. In practical use, the Olympus’s buffer fills quickly, and with slower AF, the burst utility is limited to best-effort grab shots.

The Sony offers a similar frame rate but with better buffer management and faster AF between frames, making it genuinely usable for moderate action photography, like casual sports or kids at play.

Olympus lacks manual exposure modes altogether, so shutter and aperture control are fixed, hampering creativity during motion capture. Sony supports manual, shutter, and aperture priority allowing more nuanced control of depth of field and exposure.

Flash, Flash Modes and Low Light Performance

Both cameras include built-in flashes but differ significantly in output and flexibility.

Olympus’s built-in flash reaches about 3.1 meters and offers standard Auto, On, Off, and Red-eye reduction modes. In contrast, Sony’s flash reaches farther - up to 5.4 meters (with Auto ISO active) - and includes slow sync, rear sync, and exposure bracketing.

Though on both models, the little pop-up flash can lead to harsh shadows and red-eye. Neither supports external flash attachments, limiting more professional lighting options.

In low light, the Sony’s higher maximum ISO and stabilization yield far better handheld results. Olympus images at ISO 1600 were noisy and soft, while Sony shots remained cleaner with sharper detail.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Still Photography

The Olympus provides 720p HD video at 24fps with H.264 encoding, decent for casual clips in its day but lacking in modern features.

The Sony HX80 steps up considerably with Full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps, offering smoother motion capture. It supports multiple video codecs including MPEG-4, AVCHD, and Sony’s XAVC S, pleasing enthusiasts aiming for more cinematic quality straight out of camera.

Neither camera supports 4K, external microphones, or headphone jacks, which restricts professional video use, but the HX80’s quality and options are head and shoulders above the Olympus.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations for Long Days

The Olympus’s battery life specification is unavailable, but based on experience and aged battery chemistry, I expect relatively short shooting time, especially with continuous LCD use.

The Sony HX80 shines here with a generous CIPA rating of 390 shots per charge, powered by the NP-BX1 battery - a common, readily available pack for many Sony compact cameras. This makes the HX80 a reliable travel companion without constant battery swaps.

Both cameras use a single SD/SDHC card slot; the Sony adds compatibility with SDXC and Sony’s Memory Stick formats, giving more flexibility in storage.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Here, the Sony HX80 shows its modern pedigree with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for quick pairing with smartphones or tablets, allowing effortless image transfer and remote camera control - features sorely missed on the Olympus, which has no wireless connectivity at all.

Both cameras offer USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs, but the Sony supports more up-to-date HDMI standards aiding external recording or tethering.

A Gallery of Sample Shots and Real-World Performance

Nothing illustrates camera differences better than actual photos taken under varied conditions.

Olympus SP 600 UZ front Olympus SP 600 UZ screen back Sony HX80 front Sony HX80 screen back

Across multiple tests - portraits, landscapes, macro, wildlife, and low-light scenes - the HX80 consistently produced images with more pleasing color fidelity, sharper detail, and better overall usability.

Scoring and Strengths by Genre

I’ve rated these cameras based on extensive hands-on testing across all major photography applications, summarized visually here:

Strengths and Weaknesses in a Nutshell

Olympus SP-600 UZ Strengths:

• Very close macro focusing (1cm) for detailed close-ups
• Decent 15x zoom range (28-420mm equivalent)
• Simple, easy-to-use interface for beginners
• Affordable price point for tight budgets

Olympus SP-600 UZ Weaknesses:

• Outdated CCD sensor with limited ISO and poor low-light performance
• No image stabilization - shaky telephoto shots likely
• Fixed and low-res screen, no EVF
• Limited exposure control (no manual, aperture or shutter priority)
• Slow autofocus without face detection/tracking
• No raw image capture, limiting post-processing flexibility
• No wireless connectivity or advanced video options
• Heavier and bulkier design

Sony HX80 Strengths:

• Higher 18MP BSI CMOS sensor with improved noise and dynamic range
• Long 30x zoom lens (24-720mm eq.) with optical image stabilization
• Fast and accurate autofocus with face detection and continuous tracking
• Tilting 3-inch high-res LCD and built-in electronic viewfinder (100% coverage)
• Manual exposure modes and exposure compensation for creative control
• Full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps with multiple codecs
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for wireless image sharing and remote operation
• Lighter, compact body great for travel and street photography
• Superior battery life and versatile storage formats

Sony HX80 Weaknesses:

• Slightly smaller max aperture at telephoto (F6.4 vs F5.4)
• Macro focusing limit at 5cm (less close than Olympus)
• No touchscreen control, which is becoming a standard feature
• No external microphone or headphone jacks for advanced videography

Which Camera Is Right For You?

With two small sensor superzooms separated by six years in technology and design, your choice hinges largely on priorities, budget, and shooting ambitions.

If you are budget-conscious, want a rugged zoom and macro compact for casual photography, and don’t need fancy controls or top-notch image quality, the Olympus SP-600 UZ still delivers a competent package. It’s suitable for novices or those seeking simplicity and affordability, with an emphasis on telephoto and macro close-ups.

However, if you crave versatility across genres, desire stronger image quality, faster performance, creative control, and modern features like Wi-Fi and EVF, the Sony HX80 is the clear winner. It fits enthusiasts and semi-pros who want a lightweight camera capable of handling portraits, sports, wildlife, street, landscapes, and video robustly.

Practical Tips for Buyers

• Always prioritize handling: Try holding the camera to see if its size and controls fit your shooting style.
• Consider the lens reach and stabilization if you shoot telephoto often.
• If video is important, prioritize frame rates and stabilization.
• Think about future connectivity needs - wireless sharing has become a standard convenience.
• Check for manual controls if you intend to refine your exposure or experiment creatively.
• Remember, sensor size and processing impact low-light performance and final image quality more than megapixel count alone.
• For macro enthusiasts, absolute minimum focusing distance matters - don’t overlook this spec.
• Take test shots in stores if possible, especially evaluating autofocus speed and UI responsiveness.

Final Thoughts

Testing these two cameras in a real-world context across multiple scenarios solidified my conclusion that the Sony HX80 represents a major leap forward over the Olympus SP-600 UZ in both technical features and everyday usability, despite sharing the same compact superzoom niche and small sensor footprint.

While the SP-600 UZ tells a story of older technology and simplicity, the HX80 combines versatility, superior image quality, and contemporary conveniences that better suit the demands of modern photography enthusiasts and travelers.

Whichever you choose, I recommend pairing either with a sturdy tripod for landscapes or night shots and investing in good quality memory cards and spares to maximize your shooting experience.

Here’s to capturing your next great photo - wherever your passion leads you!

Disclosure: I have no affiliations with Olympus or Sony and conducted all tests independently using retail units. My assessments are built on standardized testing protocols and diverse shooting conditions ensuring balanced, reliable conclusions.