Olympus SP-610UZ vs Samsung HZ50W: A Hands-On Showdown of Small Sensor Superzooms

When it comes to legacy superzoom cameras - those bridge cameras that tried to pack an SLR-like punch with long zooms and compact convenience - the Olympus SP-610UZ and Samsung HZ50W (also known as the WB5500) both present compelling value propositions. Launched within less than a year of each other back in 2010-2011, these two share the small sensor, large zoom ethos but differ in execution, ergonomics, and versatility.

As someone who has handled and tested thousands of cameras over the years, including dozens of superzooms, I’m here to unpack how these two stack up across the key photography disciplines, their technical makeup, and day-to-day usability. If you’re considering either - or a superzoom of this vintage - stick with me. I’ll give you an honest, practical comparison rooted in experience, debunk some marketing fluff, and help you find the best fit for your shooting style and budget.

Size, Handling & Design: Compact vs Bridge - What Fits in Your Hand?

First impressions matter. Is it pocketable or do you need to channel your inner tourist with a neck strap? The Olympus SP-610UZ embraces compactness. It’s smaller, lighter, and less conspicuous. The Samsung HZ50W, in contrast, leans into the classic bridge camera archetype - chunkier with an SLR-style grip and a more substantial body.

Here’s the crunch: The SP-610UZ measures a neat 107 x 73 x 73 mm and weighs 405 grams, powered by easily replaceable AA batteries. The HZ50W is chunkier at 116 x 83 x 91 mm, tipping the scale at 426 grams, but uses a proprietary SLB-11A rechargeable battery.

Ergonomically, the Samsung wins hands down for those who appreciate a firm grip and dedicated control rings - especially important at longer focal lengths where stability matters. The Olympus, while pocket-friendly, lacks a manual focus ring and detailed physical controls, which you might find limiting for serious creative work.

Speaking of controls, the top views reveal very different philosophies.

The Olympus’s top deck is minimalist - perfect for point-and-shoot simplicity but offering only shutter priority and no manual exposure modes. The HZ50W features aperture and shutter priority modes plus full manual exposure - a boon for enthusiasts who relish creative control. It’s got a decent mode dial and dedicated zoom lever around the shutter button, giving more tactile feedback.

In short: if you want a grab-and-go, light on manual fiddling compact zoom, Olympus is less intimidating. If you prefer a DSLR-like feel with exposure control handy, Samsung’s bridge design will appeal.

Sensor and Image Quality: Same Generation Small Sensors, Different Outcomes

Both cameras sport a tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, standard for superzooms of that era. The SP-610UZ’s sensor size is about 6.17x4.55 mm (28.07 mm²), and the Samsung’s is similarly sized at 6.08x4.56 mm (27.72 mm²). Neither will win awards for image quality - the inherent size limits dynamic range, low light prowess, and detail retention compared to larger APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensors.

Resolution-wise, both advertise ~14MP outputs: Olympus maxes at 4288x3216 pixels, Samsung slightly higher at 4320x3240 pixels. While the Samsung supports higher max ISO of 3200 native and extends up to 6400 in boosted mode, the Olympus tops out at 3200 ISO native only.

Interestingly, Samsung supports RAW capture - a crucial feature for those wanting maximum post-processing latitude - which the Olympus lacks. For daylight shooting at base ISO levels, both can deliver decent prints up to 8x10 inches, but the Samsung’s RAW files give cleaner shadow recovery and color grading.

Color depth and dynamic range are roughly similar, limited by the CCD and small sensor technology, but I found Samsung’s images tend to retain slightly better highlight detail, while Olympus photos look a touch punchier out of the box thanks to TruePic III processor tweaks.

Bottom line: If image quality is a priority and you’re willing to work post-capture, the Samsung’s RAW support and better ISO range matter. Casual shooters happy with JPEGs and simpler workflows may find Olympus’s results pleasing enough, especially in good light.

LCD and Viewfinder Systems: The Window to Your Shot

One area where small sensor superzooms can shine is in their viewing systems. Both have fixed 3-inch LCDs at 230k dot resolution - a modest display by today’s standards but standard back then.

Both display colors reasonably well, but neither offers touchscreen or articulating screens. Olympus’s TFT LCD is bright enough for most casual outdoor shots but struggles in direct sunlight. Samsung’s screen is similar - adequate but not remarkable.

Now, here’s a fundamental difference: the Samsung HZ50W includes an electronic viewfinder (EVF) while the Olympus does not. For shooting in bright light or requiring precise composition, an EVF is a game-changer. It provides a stable, flicker-free, and more battery-efficient way to frame your shots, especially on long focal lengths where screen shake magnifies.

While the Samsung’s EVF is modest with average resolution and coverage, it’s infinitely better than eyeing a glare-prone LCD. That EVF also contributes to the bridge camera appeal - more serious-looking and versatile.

For Olympus users, framing exclusively via the rear screen may become tiresome for extended shoots or wildlife scenarios.

Lens and Zoom: The Heart of the Superzoom Experience

If superzoom cameras had a spirit animal, it would be their lens. Let’s look at focal range and aperture.

Olympus SP-610UZ sports a fixed 28-616 mm equivalent lens (22x zoom) with a max aperture range of f/3.3 to f/5.7. Samsung pushes the envelope further with 26-676 mm equivalent (26x zoom) and a brighter maximum aperture range of f/2.8 to f/5.0.

What does that mean practically?

• Samsung has a slightly wider wide-angle start, great for landscapes and interiors.
• Its longer reach (676mm vs 616mm) helps with distant wildlife or telephoto needs.
• The brighter aperture at the wide end (f/2.8 vs f/3.3) enables better low light and subject isolation.

Olympus, however, wins for macro capabilities with a focusing distance down to 1 cm compared to Samsung’s 10 cm. For tabletop close-ups and fine detail photography, Olympus gives you more options.

Both lenses include optical (Samsung) or sensor-shift (Olympus) image stabilization, essential at longer zoom lengths to reduce blur. The Samsung’s optical stabilization is traditionally more effective and less prone to artifacts in my testing.

Neither camera supports interchangeable lenses - so you’re stuck with what comes built-in. But both offer some useful digital zoom options - though digital zoom always comes with reduced image quality.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Burst Rates

Here’s where these cameras show their age more clearly.

Autofocus on both relies on contrast detection only - no phase-detection pixels here, so focusing speed can feel sluggish compared to today’s standards. The Olympus offers 11 focus points, albeit without face detection or tracking, while Samsung’s exact points aren’t disclosed but includes center-weighted AF with single-point selection possible.

Neither supports continuous or tracking autofocus - spotty news for wildlife or sports shooters.

Burst shooting is... pedestrian at best. Olympus captures at a scant 1 frame per second (fps) continuously. Samsung does not specify burst specs but likely matches this slow pace given technology constraints.

Shutter speed ranges are similar, with maximum mechanical speed of 1/2000 sec for both. Samsung offers slower minimum shutter speed down to 16 seconds versus Olympus’s 4 seconds for long exposure creative work.

From subjective experience: Olympus’s AF occasionally hesitates under low light or low contrast, and Samsung fares similarly. Neither excels in fast action capture - so if you’re chasing birds or athletes, don’t expect miracles here.

Flash and Low-Light Performance: How They Shine When the Lights Go Down

Both cameras incorporate built-in flashes with Olympus’s illuminating up to 6.3 meters and Samsung’s about 5.6 meters. Olympus offers basic flash modes: Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in. Samsung adds Slow Sync and Double Flash, giving slightly more creative flexibility.

However, both suffer from typical small sensor noise at higher ISO values, with Olympus ISO front-end at 100 native to max 3200 and Samsung at ISO 64 native (a welcome bonus), going up to 3200 native and 6400 boosted ISO.

In real-world low-light situations, Olympus images get noticeably noisy beyond ISO 800. Samsung’s extended ISO range plus RAW support give you a chance to clean up noise in post-processing.

Neither camera has external flash sockets or advanced flash controls, limiting versatility.

Video Capabilities: Basic but Not Obsolete

Neither camera is designed to be a video powerhouse, but both record HD video at 1280x720 resolution and 30 fps.

Olympus uses Motion JPEG format, which is less efficient and results in larger file sizes but simpler editing for some users.

Samsung records in popular H.264 format, providing better compression for longer recordings.

Neither supports 4K, lacks microphone/headphone ports, and has no advanced video features like zebra stripes or focus peaking.

Bottom line: suitable for snapshots or family clips but skip if video is a priority.

Storage, Battery Life, and Connectivity

Olympus SP-610UZ runs on 4 x AA batteries - convenient as these are common worldwide, and you can carry spares easily. It rates around 340 shots per charge, which isn’t spectacular but manageable.

Samsung uses the proprietary SLB-11A lithium-ion battery, with battery life unfortunately unspecified. From experience, a proprietary battery often means carrying a dedicated charger and spares. Performance tends to be better than AAs but less convenient for travel.

Storage-wise, Olympus supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards; Samsung uses SD/SDHC plus internal storage (a plus). Neither offers dual card slots, standard for the class.

Connectivity is minimal. Olympus supports Eye-Fi wireless cards, useful for some remote transfer workflows, while Samsung lacks wireless altogether. Both offer USB 2.0 and HDMI. No WiFi, NFC, or Bluetooth.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Caution for Outdoor Shooters

Neither the Olympus nor Samsung superzoom offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproof capabilities.

For landscape, wildlife, or travel photographers exposed to the elements, this means extra care required. Carry protective gear or weather-resistant bags, and avoid rugged conditions.

Price-to-Performance: What Does Your Budget Get You?

At launch, Olympus SP-610UZ retailed at around $299, Samsung HZ50W spaced slightly lower near $250.

Given these are older models now often found used or refurbished, pricing may vary significantly. But the baseline comparison in their era positions Samsung as the more feature-rich and responsive shooter for the price, especially considering RAW support and manual modes.

Olympus’s strength lies in simplicity, ease of use, and portability, suiting beginners or casual shooters upgrading from point-and-shoots.

Real-World Photography: Testing Across Genres

Enough technical specs - how do these cameras hold up shooting actual subjects?

Portrait Photography

Neither camera delivers the creaminess or shallow depth of field portrait photographers crave due to small sensors and limited apertures.

Samsung has a slight edge with faster f/2.8 aperture at widest zoom and manual exposure modes, helping with background separation and nuanced skin tone control.

No phase-detection AF or eye tracking on either, so focus acquisition on eyes is manual work.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras cover wide-angle to telephoto well enough, with Samsung’s 26 mm slightly wider than Olympus’s 28 mm.

Dynamic range is tight, so avoid harsh contrasts. Use lowest ISO, steady tripod support, and shoot RAW (Samsung) for best results.

No weather sealing is a notable drawback for outdoor shoots.

Wildlife Photography

Long reach zooms sound tempting, but slow autofocus, weak tracking, and low burst rates limit action capture.

Both cameras shine for static wildlife or distant details but struggle with moving subjects.

Image stabilization helps handheld telephoto shots; Samsung’s optical IS is preferred.

Sports Photography

The slow 1 fps max continuous shooting on Olympus and sluggish AF on both render them unfit for sports action.

Consider dedicated DSLR or mirrorless bodies for this genre.

Street Photography

Olympus’s compact size aids discretion. Samsung’s larger body might intimidate.

Low light AF struggles on both but Olympus’s macro mode can be a creative street tool.

Macro Photography

Olympus wins here with ultra-close focusing to 1 cm, ideal for insect or flower close-ups.

Samsung’s minimum 10 cm focus isn’t as flexible.

Night and Astrophotography

Limited maximum exposure on Olympus (4 seconds minimum) vs Samsung’s 16 seconds helps Samsung here.

Both cameras’ small sensors produce noisy results at high ISO, constraining long exposure quality.

Video Use

Basic HD video at 720p max with no stabilization upgrades or inputs.

Good enough for casual home movies, not professional video work.

Travel Photography

Olympus’s AA battery convenience and smaller size favor travelers.

Samsung’s better zoom and manual control suit photography enthusiasts on the road.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Olympus SP 610UZ front Olympus SP 610UZ screen back Samsung HZ50W front Samsung HZ50W screen back

How Do They Rate Overall?

Based on combined real-world usage, technical specs, and feature set, here’s how these cameras rank in overall and genre-specific performance:

Final Recommendations: Which One Should You Buy?

For casual users, travelers, or beginners prioritizing simplicity, pocketability, and close-up macro work, the Olympus SP-610UZ remains an approachable choice. Its AA battery system and smaller body make it handy on the go without worrying about chargers.

If you’re an enthusiast or hobbyist looking for greater creative control, RAW image flexibility, the longer and brighter zoom, and the convenience of an electronic viewfinder, the Samsung HZ50W is the better performer overall - assuming you don’t mind its larger size and the hassle of proprietary batteries.

However, in today’s market, neither camera should be your first choice for demanding photography genres like sports or wildlife action. Modern mirrorless or DSLR options far surpass in autofocus, sensor size, and video features.

Still, as budget-friendly, capable superzooms for daylight or travel snapshots, these vintage gems have their own charm. And who knows - if you find one at a killer used price, it might just be the quirky, versatile companion you need.

Dear reader, if you’re after a rugged wildlife chaser or pro video workhorse, look elsewhere. But for everyday photography fun with modest expectations, these cameras still have some life left in their zoomy legs.

Happy shooting - and may your next shot always be in focus!