Olympus SP-620 UZ vs. Sony A58: A Deep-Dive Comparison for Serious Shoppers in 2024

Over the past decade, the camera landscape has undergone radical transformation. Consumer expectations have soared alongside technical leaps that challenge even veteran photographers to stay current. Today, I’m unpacking two intriguing, albeit very different, cameras from that era: the budget-friendly Olympus SP-620 UZ superzoom compact introduced in early 2012, and the entry-level Sony A58 DSLR from late 2013.

This comparison is not about pitting two direct competitors neck-and-neck; their design philosophies, sensor technologies, and handling positions couldn't be more different, yet each still holds interest for a niche user. Having extensively tested both models side-by-side under myriad conditions and using standard industry benchmarks, I've distilled where each shines and stumbles. This evaluation spans all major photography disciplines - from portrait work to wildlife and video - supporting a practical, experience-backed viewpoint for enthusiasts considering legacy gear or those drawn by bargains.

Let's explore the practical realities behind the specs and understand what actually happens when you press their shutters in the field.

First Impressions: Feel, Size, and Ergonomics

Before pixel peeping or chasing ISO charts, the tactile relationship with your gear can make or break the shooting experience.

Starting with size and build, the Olympus SP-620 UZ is a compact superzoom with a plastic body measuring roughly 110x74x74 mm and weighing 435g with four AA batteries. Its relatively small footprint belies a hefty reach: a fixed 25-525 mm equivalent lens zooming across a massive 21x range. The trade-off for this giant zoom is a thick, chunky grip area designed for stability, but it lacks any traditional viewfinder - something critical for bright-light shooting or fast tracking.

The Sony A58, while heavier at 492g and larger at 129x95x78 mm, sits firmly in entry-level DSLR territory. The body exudes a more robust feel with a dedicated grip and extensive tactile controls. Despite lacking weather sealing, the Sony's build feels more solid, with classic DSLR ergonomics and a fully articulating 2.7-inch tilting LCD that boasts 460k dots - far sharper than the SP-620’s fixed 3-inch, 230k-dot display.

Looking down from above, Sony’s A58 features a traditional DSLR top deck complete with mode dial, dedicated function buttons, and a hot shoe supporting external flashes. Olympus keeps it simple with minimal control dials - befitting a point-and-shoot.

Overall, from my firsthand grip testing at multiple sessions, the A58’s form factor supports prolonged handheld operation and manual handling better, especially important in portrait, wildlife, and sports situations. The Olympus’s advantage lies in its pocketability and zoom convenience, but you sacrifice manual control and comfort during extended shoots.

Inside the Box: Sensor Technology and Image Quality Fundamentals

What truly separates these two is sensor technology and the raw image potential that follows.

The Olympus SP-620 UZ houses a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 16 megapixels, a common choice back in 2012 for superzoom compacts. The sensor area clocking at 28 mm² pales in comparison to the Sony A58’s large APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.2x15.4 mm at 20 megapixels (348 mm²). The sensor size disparity - more than 12x in surface area - translates into profoundly different imaging capabilities.

Larger sensors like the Sony’s capture more light information, resulting in superior dynamic range, color depth, and noise performance particularly at higher ISOs. While the Olympus tries to eke out detail with its TruePic III+ processor, noise quickly becomes intrusive beyond ISO 400 due to the inherent limitations of the small sensor and CCD tech, especially evident in shadows and low light.

The Sony A58’s sensor and processor combo bring respectable DxO Mark scores (74 overall, with color depth at 23.3 bits and dynamic range at 12.5 EV) into an entry-level price bracket. Noise handling remains robust up to ISO 1600, and usable files can be attained even at ISO 3200, which gives you more flexibility shooting indoors, sports venues, or dusk landscapes.

How They See the World: Autofocus Systems Compared

Autofocus (AF) speed and accuracy often make or break decisive moments in wildlife, sports, and even street photography.

The Olympus SP-620 UZ relies on contrast-detection AF alone, an inherently slower two-step process that hunts and adjusts focus based on image contrast evaluations. Despite Olympus including face detection (helpful in casual portraits), tracking moving subjects is imprecise, and the camera lacks continuous AF modes vital for action shots.

In contrast, Sony’s A58 is built around an advanced translucent mirror design coupled with a hybrid AF system: 15 phase-detection points including 3 cross-type sensors augment contrast AF during Live View. This facilitates AF tracking during burst shooting at 8 fps, a substantial advantage for capturing brisk sports, wildlife, or street scenes where subject movement is unpredictable.

From my testing with fast-moving dogs and bustling city streets, the A58 locked focus promptly and maintained reliable tracking even in moderately low light. The Olympus’s hunting effect and lack of continuous AF made it frustrating for any subject beyond static scenes.

Shooting in the Real World: Portraits and Landscapes

Portrait shooters demand accurate skin tone rendition, pleasant bokeh rendering, and sharp eye detection to elevate image quality.

The Olympus’s relatively slow lens (f/3.1-5.8) and the small sensor mean depth of field is already quite deep even at full zoom, making classic creamy background blur challenging except at telephoto max focal lengths - where optical degradation and diffraction also creep in. Its use of JPEG-only output further limits fine tonal correction. Face detection attempts often falter with side angles or non-frontal faces, resulting in missed focus or odd exposures.

The Sony A58 with an interchangeable lens system (Sony Alpha mount boasting 143 lens options at last count) lets you pick fast primes (f/1.8 or faster) that excel at isolating subjects with soft, smooth bokeh. Furthermore, its 20 MP raw support gives tremendous freedom in post-processing, enabling tailored skin tone tweaks and highlight/shadow recovery for natural looks. The electronic viewfinder (1440k dot res, 100% coverage) helps compose closely and precisely, vital for headshots or fine art portraiture.

In landscape scenarios, dynamic range and resolution are paramount for crisp details from foreground leaves to distant clouds.

The Olympus’s 4608x3456 pixel output is decent, but its sensor struggles to deliver the tonal latitude the Sony provides. High-contrast scenes reveal crushed shadows or clipped highlights under challenging lighting. The Sony A58’s APS-C sensor captures nuanced gradations with less noise, enhanced by sophisticated exposure bracketing options and live histogram feedback on its rear tilting LCD.

Olympus users benefit from a 25mm wide angle start on the zoom, but distortion and chromatic aberration creep in noticeably at ends of zoom. The Sony, with appropriate lenses like a 10-18mm wide zoom, outperforms handsomely by design - though with extra bulk and cost.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed and Responsiveness

Telephoto reach and AF speed are non-negotiables in wildlife and sports photography, the Olympus packs an incredible 21x zoom (25-525 mm equiv.) in a pocketable package.

However, zooming out to 525 mm brings perceptible softness and chromatic aberrations, particularly wide open at f/5.8. Slow, contrast-based AF hampers capturing agile sports players or fluttering birds. Lack of continuous AF or burst shooting means you’re shooting blind guesswork for moving subjects.

Sony’s A58 lacks a fixed lens but flourishes thanks to vast lens ecosystem, including long tele lenses up to 500+ mm. Coupled with burst rates of 8 fps and superior hybrid AF tracking, it confidently captures action sequences with minimal drops in focus. Shutter speeds advancing to 1/4000 sec and ISO range up to 16,000 allow freezing motion even in challenging stadium lighting.

Granted, the A58 physically demands more investment and carrying bulk, but results prove far more rewarding in demanding action work.

Street and Travel: Discretion Meets Versatility

Street and travel photographers often prize compact sizes, silent shooting, and quick operation.

Here, Olympus excels admirably. Its small body, silent operational modes, and built-in 21x optical zoom let you shoot discreetly from afar without changing lenses or pulling bulky gear. The superzoom’s stabilization and face-detection focus can speed capturing fleeting moments downtown or on trips.

On the downside, the absence of a viewfinder and middling LCD quality impede eye-level shooting in bright conditions. Storage relies on single SD cards, supporting decent capacities.

Sony’s A58 with its DSLR bulk, louder mechanical mirror mechanism (despite translucent design dampening), and absent silent shutter modes is less stealthy downtown. But the tilting screen aids low-angle or overhead shots, plus its broader connectivity and battery life (ratings around 690 shots per charge) better accommodate day-long excursions.

For travel photographers juggling diverse scenes - cityscapes, portraits, wildlife - the Sony’s lens versatility and raw file fidelity make editing and output flexibility unrivaled, while Olympus’s package suits casual shooters prioritizing ease and zoom reach.

Macro and Night Sky Photography: Precision and Noise Performance

Macro photography demands precise focusing and minimal camera shake, while night and astrophotography push sensors to their noise limits.

The Olympus SP-620 UZ’s 1 cm minimum focusing distance and sensor-shift stabilization give it some practical close-up ability - great for casual macro snaps of flowers or insects. Still, the sensor noise at higher ISOs and fixed aperture range limits finer control and image crispness when pushing into shadows or nighttime environments.

Sony A58 allows pairing with dedicated macro lenses (like the Sony 50mm f/2.8 Macro) offering true 1:1 reproduction ratios. Sensor-based stabilization further aids handheld sharpness, and the APS-C sensor noise control alongside high ISO ceilings of 16,000 (with usable images often up to ISO 3200) enable impressive night shots or star fields with minimal post noise reduction.

Those seriously into astrophotography may wish for a full-frame body or bulb exposures, but the A58 can be a surprisingly capable nimble astrophotography starter when paired with fast optics.

Video: Recording, Stabilization, and Sound Capture

While neither camera is a cine powerhouse by today’s standards, it’s worth noting video capabilities.

The Olympus shoots HD 720p at 30 fps; a modest, somewhat dated spec, fitting casual users happy to capture family moments rather than filmmakers. Its lack of external microphone input and fixed lens restrict creative audio and zoom control.

The Sony A58 delivers Full HD 1080p recording, supporting AVCHD and MPEG-4 codecs, plus an external microphone jack. Its electronic viewfinder can be used during video for composing, and hybrid AF aids smooth focus transitions. While no in-body video stabilization or 4K support limits professional filmmaking ambitions, the A58’s video suite is correspondingly more serious and flexible than the Olympus.

Connectivity, Battery Life, and Storage

Both cameras offer Eye-Fi card compatibility - a nod to early wireless image transfer - but lack Bluetooth, GPS, or NFC, which have become standard in later models.

The Olympus uses four AA batteries, a plus in travel scenarios where grab-and-go replacements are available worldwide, but battery life specifics weren’t stated and experience shows compact superzooms can be battery guzzlers under continuous use.

Sony’s proprietary NP-FM500H rechargeable battery provides solid endurance (approx. 690 shots per charge), much improved for day shoots or event coverage.

Storage-wise: Olympus takes SD and SDHC cards; Sony adds Memory Stick Pro Duo compatibility, handy if you own Sony accessories.

Summing Up Performance Scores and Genre Suitability

Here’s a tidy overview based on empirical test scores and shooting versatility:

• Overall image quality, flexibility, and system performance: Sony A58 leads decisively due to larger sensor, advanced AF, and DSLR build.

• Portability and all-in-one zoom convenience: Olympus SP-620 UZ appeals to casual users or travelers wanting simplicity.

Who Should Choose Which? Practical Recommendations

• The Adventurous Beginner or Budget Casual: Olympus SP-620 UZ excels for those invested in an affordable, pocket-friendly superzoom that doesn’t require lens changing or advanced handling skills. Great for daylight travel snippets, casual portraits, and macro close-ups without fuss.

• The Aspiring Enthusiast or Entry-level DSLR Buyer: Sony A58 rewards users ready to invest in lenses and manual control, seeking versatility across portraits, landscapes, sports, and wildlife. The ability to shoot raw, manual focus, and adjustable exposure modes justify its heft and learning curve.

• Specialty Uses:

  • Wildlife action? Sony’s burst rates and tracking AF dominate.
  • Night or astro photography? Sony’s high ISO and lens options excel.
  • Street photography in bright light? Olympus’s zoom range and compactness help, but Sony’s EVF aids composition.
  • Video blogging? Sony’s mic input and Full HD at 1080p make obvious sense.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Legacy Features with Modern Expectations

Both Olympus SP-620 UZ and Sony A58 models represent distinct points on the camera continuum of their time. The Olympus is a snapshot machine at heart: simple, compact, with a monstrous zoom, yet hampered by sensor size and slow contrast AF. The Sony pushes more serious creative control and technical performance but demands greater commitment - both muscled by a larger sensor and more advanced hybrid autofocus.

As someone who’s tested hundreds of lenses and cameras over years, I find the Sony A58 enduringly relevant for photographers looking to experience DSLR benefits economically. The Olympus, meanwhile, is a viable companion for specialized scenarios favoring convenience over critical image quality.

If budget permits and photography ambitions stretch beyond snapshots, the Sony A58’s strengths outweigh the Olympus in nearly every essential metric. But if simplicity and reach top your priority list, especially in travel or casual shooting, the Olympus can still serve you well.

Sample Gallery: Image Quality Side-by-Side

Olympus SP 620 UZ front Olympus SP 620 UZ screen back Sony A58 front Sony A58 screen back

Comparing these real-world images reinforces the above points. The Sony A58’s files exhibit higher detail, cleaner shadows, and more natural color palettes. The Olympus’s files betray the small sensor: higher noise, succumbing more quickly to blown highlights and less controlled bokeh.

This comparison aimed to offer a balanced, experienced perspective that respects the needs and budgets of diverse photography enthusiasts. Whether you cherish portability and zoom reach (hello Olympus) or seek creative dexterity and image quality (the Sony path), understanding these cameras’ pros and cons empowers an informed choice.

Happy shooting - and as always, feel free to reach out for nuanced gear advice tailored to your style and goals!