Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Sony A77 II: A Rigorous Comparison for Informed Photographers

In the vast and diversified camera market, choosing the right tool hinges heavily on your specific photographic needs, technical expectations, and budget constraints. Here, we dissect two very different cameras - the Olympus SP-620 UZ, a compact small-sensor superzoom from 2012, and the Sony A77 II, a mid-size advanced DSLR-style camera introduced in 2014. Based on over 15 years of hands-on testing and evaluating thousands of cameras of all categories, this comparison is designed to equip photography enthusiasts and professionals with practical knowledge, technical insights, and honest operational perspectives.

Design, Build, and Ergonomics: Compact Convenience Vs. Robust Handling

Olympus SP-620 UZ: Ultra-Compact Superzoom Form Factor

The Olympus SP-620 UZ features a petite body with dimensions of 110x74x74mm and a lightweight 435g package utilizing 4x AA batteries. Its compact and simplified design prioritizes portability and ease-of-use, typical of ‘point-and-shoot’ superzoom cameras. The fixed lens with an extraordinary 25-525mm equivalent reach neatly integrates into the minimalist bodywork. However, its plastic construction and lack of environmental sealing reflect its budget and casual-use orientation.

The ergonomics focus on handheld convenience at the expense of manual control; there’s no viewfinder and a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD (230k dots). The physical control set lacks manual focus and exposure modes, emphasizing automation and a fully guided shooting experience - appropriate for beginners or casual users but limiting for enthusiasts seeking creative control.

Sony A77 II: Mid-Size DSLR with Professional Tactility

In sharp contrast, the Sony A77 II sports a larger mid-size SLR body (143x104x81mm) weighing 647g (body only, excluding battery). Its robust construction includes partial weather sealing - a critical feature for professional and demanding environments. The ergonomics prioritizes manual operation with a deep grip, exhaustive button layout, and a top LCD for immediate exposure information access.

A fully articulated 3-inch screen with high resolution (1229k dots) complements a high-res electronic viewfinder (2359k dots) with 100% coverage and 0.73x magnification - vital for precision composition in bright or rapid shooting situations.

Verdict on Design and Handling

The Olympus serves well as a portable, no-fuss superzoom; weight-conscious travelers and casual shooters will appreciate its form factor. Conversely, the Sony A77 II appeals to serious enthusiasts and professionals who demand versatility, speed, and durability, with ergonomics tailored for extended use and precise control.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Understanding The Core Differences

Sensor Specifications and Fundamental Limits

• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Utilizes a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.17x4.55mm (28.07 mm² sensor area) with a 16MP resolution (4608x3456 pixels). The sensor is relatively small, typical in compact cameras, and paired with a TruePic III+ processor. The sensor supports ISO 100 to 3200 but without RAW capture capability.

• Sony A77 II: Features a significantly larger APS-C 23.5x15.6mm CMOS sensor (366.60 mm² area), with 24MP resolution (6000x4000 pixels) and the powerful Bionz X processing engine. The high native ISO range (50–25600), RAW support, and advanced noise management enable markedly superior image quality.

Image Quality Metrics

Although the Olympus packs 16 megapixels, the tiny sensor severely limits dynamic range, color fidelity, and high ISO performance. CCD sensors in this category exhibit higher noise floors, and absence of RAW further reduces post-processing latitude.

DXO Mark did not specifically test the SP-620 UZ, but comparable models suggest modest dynamic range (~8 stops) and poor low-light tolerance.

The Sony A77 II, tested by DXO Mark with an overall rating of 82, offers exceptional 24.4-bit color depth, a 13.4-stop dynamic range, and excellent noise control up to ISO 1013. This enables wide latitude for highlight/shadow recovery and pristine image quality across diverse lighting conditions.

Practical Implications

The Olympus excels in bright daylight or well-lit scenarios, typical for casual landscape or travel snapshots. However, it fails to deliver in challenging lighting or high-detail work such as professional portraits or landscapes needing wide dynamic range.

Conversely, the A77 II’s sensor is versatile, suitable for demanding scenarios ranging from studio portraits to night photography and wildlife where sensor size and ISO performance are vital.

Autofocus Mechanism and Speed: Precision and Tracking Matter

• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Employs a contrast-detection AF system with face detection and multi-area coverage, single AF mode only, and limited tracking capabilities. It does not provide manual focus or tactile AF point selection.

• Sony A77 II: Features a hybrid autofocus combining 79 phase-detection points (15 cross-type) with contrast detection, offering rapid and precise focus acquisition. It supports continuous AF, selective point AF, face detection, and robust tracking even at high frame rates (12 FPS). The camera also provides manual focus capability and focus peaking.

Real-World AF Performance

Olympus’s AF system suffices for casual compositions and static subjects but exhibits latency and hunting in low light or with moving subjects. The lack of manual focus interface limits control for macro or selective focus techniques.

Sony’s advanced AF thrives in challenging scenarios - high-speed sports, erratic wildlife, and complex portraits benefit from reliable eye-detection and subject tracking, while manual focus modes support fine creative control.

Lens System and Flexibility: The Heart of Optical Quality

Olympus SP-620 UZ’s Fixed Zoom Lens

• 21× zoom from 25mm wide-angle to 525mm telephoto equivalent, aperture range F3.1–5.8.
• Designed for versatility and reach, allowing everything from landscape wide shots to distant subjects.
• Macro focusing to 1 cm enables close-up shooting with limited depth of field.
• Lack of lens interchangeability restricts optical quality choices; the variable aperture and compact design limit bokeh quality and sharpness instability at longer focal lengths.

Sony A77 II’s Interchangeable Lens Mount

• Alpha mount compatible with over 143 lens options covering prime, zoom, macro, and professional-grade optics.
• APS-C crop factor (1.5x) moderately extends focal length.
• Access to high-quality fast-aperture lenses substantially expands creative potential, especially in portraits and sports photography.
• Enables use of professional telephoto lenses critical for wildlife and sports applications.

Operational Impact

Olympus caters to convenience-driven users wanting “all-in-one” compactness without need for lens swapping. The Sony requires investment in lenses but grants advantages in resolution, aperture control, optical quality, and adaptability to any genre.

Build Quality: Durability Meets Practical Concerns

The Olympus SP-620 UZ's plastic body lacks weather sealing or shock resistance, constraining its utility in harsh outdoor environments.

The Sony A77 II features partial weather sealing against dust and moisture ingress, bolstering its field reliability in inclement weather conditions significant for professional landscape, wildlife, and travel photography.

Display and Viewfinder Experience: Composition and Feedback

• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 230k dots, no touchscreen or swivel ability, no viewfinder.
• Sony A77 II: Fully articulated 3-inch LCD with 1229k dots, facilitating shooting at difficult angles. The 2359k dot electronic viewfinder offers full 100% coverage, critical for precise framing.

The Sony’s articulated screen and EVF dramatically enhance usability in challenging lighting and shooting positions, while Olympus’s fixed, low-resolution LCD limits versatility and compositional precision.

Continuous Shooting and Buffer Capacity: For Action and Wildlife

• Olympus lacks native burst shooting modes, unsuitable for fast-moving subjects.
• Sony supports a continuous shooting speed of 12 frames per second with robust AF tracking, suitable for sports, wildlife, and other fast-action genres.

Video Capabilities: Clarity and Connectivity

• Olympus delivers HD 720p video at 30fps with MPEG-4/H.264 codec but lacks microphone input and advanced manual exposure during video.
• Sony offers Full HD 1080p recording up to 60fps with AVCHD, MPEG-4, and XAVC S formats, a microphone input for audio control, and better exposure customization.

Clear winners here: Sony's video system supports hybrid shooters requiring high-quality video production.

Battery Performance and Storage

• Olympus runs on 4 AA batteries, offering flexibility but adding bulk and variable battery life; no official battery life disclosed.
• Sony’s proprietary NP-FM500H battery provides an excellent 480 shots per charge, supporting extended shoots without frequent swaps.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Sony additionally supports Memory Stick Pro Duo cards.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: Modern Workflow Integration

• Olympus offers Eyefi card compatibility for wireless image transfer.
• Sony features built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for seamless connectivity with mobile devices, enabling remote control and instant image sharing.

Sony’s more integrated wireless solutions better align with contemporary digital workflows.

Use Case Analysis Across Photography Disciplines

Olympus SP 620 UZ front Olympus SP 620 UZ screen back Sony A77 II front Sony A77 II screen back

Portrait Photography

• Olympus struggles with shallow depth-of-field and bokeh quality due to small sensor and slow variable aperture lens. Face detection helps but there's no eye AF.
• Sony benefits from large APS-C sensor, extensive lens options with wide apertures, and reliable eye detection autofocus for sharp, flattering portraits.

Recommendation: Sony A77 II decisively excels for portraits requiring subject separation and skin tone fidelity.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus offers sufficient wide-angle but limited resolution and dynamic range constrain large prints. Lack of weather sealing restricts rugged use.
• Sony’s high-res sensor, superior dynamic range, and weather sealing make it ideal for demanding landscape work.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus delivers impressive reach with 525mm equivalent but suffers on autofocus speed, burst capability, and image quality.
• Sony’s fast AF, 12 FPS burst, and access to premium telephoto lenses enable sharp captures of quick wildlife action.

Sports Photography

• Olympus lacks fast continuous shooting and sophisticated AF tracking, limiting utility.
• Sony’s 12 FPS speed and 79-point AF system support fast-moving action reliably.

Street Photography

• Olympus’s compact, silent operation suits covert shooting but limited manual control and image quality pose concerns.
• Sony is larger and noisier but offers better image quality and manual control, with the fully articulated screen improving shooting flexibility.

Macro Photography

• Olympus enables close focusing to 1 cm but optical limitations and fixed lens limit quality.
• Sony’s access to dedicated macro lenses and manual focus support delivers superior results.

Night and Astro Photography

• Olympus’s small sensor and limited ISO prohibit clean low-light images.
• Sony’s large sensor and high ISO capabilities provide flexibility for astrophotography and night scenes.

Video Production

• Olympus only provides basic HD video with limited controls.
• Sony’s Full HD, advanced codecs, microphone input, and better stabilization meet enthusiast videographers’ needs.

Travel Photography

• Olympus’s compact size and superzoom range weighs heavily in favor for compact travel gear.
• Sony’s versatility and quality favor those who prioritize image quality over kit bulk.

Professional Workflows

• Olympus’s JPEG-only output and limited manual control reduce professional applicability.
• Sony supports RAW, multiple exposure modes, extensive lens ecosystem, and robust build, meeting professional demands.

Comprehensive Performance Summary

Tailored Recommendations by User Profile

• Casual Photographers and Travelers: Olympus SP-620 UZ remains an affordable, all-in-one compact offering, excelling in portability and zoom reach with minimal complexity. Best for daylight snapshots and simple travel documentation but expect limited image quality and control.

• Enthusiast Photographers: The Sony A77 II, with superior sensor, autofocus, and lens adaptability, renders it a robust choice for diverse disciplines - portraits, sports, landscapes, and video. The price premium is balanced by professional-grade image quality and extended feature set.

• Specialized Professionals: The A77 II delivers the flexibility and build necessary for critical workflows, although newer models might better address advanced demands.

Final Considerations and Purchase Guidance

When evaluated as cameras serving profoundly different markets - an entry-level superzoom compact versus a mid-tier advanced DSLR-style camera - the choice hinges on your priorities:

• Image Quality and Control: If professional-grade image fidelity, fast and accurate autofocus, manual exposure control, and a wide lens ecosystem are paramount, the Sony A77 II unequivocally outperforms the Olympus. Its superior sensor technology, advanced processing, and rugged build justify the investment for serious users.

• Convenience and Versatility in a Compact Package: For users who value lightweight gear, extensive zoom range without lens swaps, and simple operation, the Olympus SP-620 UZ remains a compelling budget-friendly candidate despite technological age and limitations.

It is important to acknowledge that the Olympus’s technology reflects a 2012 design paradigm, whereas Sony’s A77 II originates from 2014 with more modern advancements. Prospective buyers should consider the performance edge of even newer camera models if available in their price range.

This detailed, experience-grounded comparison should empower you to align camera features and performance with your unique photographic objectives, workflow preferences, and financial parameters. Selecting a camera is an investment in creative possibilities - choose the one that truly complements your vision and working style.