Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Olympus Stylus 5010: Which Compact Camera Fits Your Photography Style?

Choosing a compact camera today feels like navigating a maze loaded with tech specs, marketing fluff, and price points that can boggle the mind. Having extensively tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years in the trenches, I get how overwhelming it can be to sift the wheat from the chaff. Today, we’ll dive deep into two Olympus models - the SP-810 UZ and the Stylus 5010 - both from yesteryears but still relevant choices in the budget-friendly compact category.

In this full-throttle comparison, I’ll pull no punches: showing you how these cameras handle real-world shooting, dissecting their technical bones, and helping you pick the right tool for your needs - whether you’re a casual snap-happy traveler or an enthusiast looking for a serious pocket buddy.

Hands-On with the Physical: Size, Ergonomics, and Build

Right out of the gate, these two Olympus cameras couldn't be more different in form and feel.

The SP-810 UZ, launched in 2011, is a bridge-style superzoom beast, packing a robust SLR-like body. Its girth (106x76x74mm) and heft (413g) give it a commanding presence, almost inviting you to take it seriously. Its heft offers a better grip, spacious controls, and stability - you feel like you’re wielding a serious photographic instrument, not just a point-and-shoot.

On the other hand, the Stylus 5010 lives up to the 'ultracompact' title: tiny and pocketable at 95x56x20mm, weighing just 126g. This is your stealthy street shooter or travel companion. It blends seamlessly into your daily carry without the bulk.

What you give and take here boils down to ergonomics vs portability: the SP-810 UZ feels solid in hand, but a bit bulky for long hikes or quick street shots. The 5010 is perfect for casual users and cheapskate travelers who value size and weight above all.

Controls and Interface: Who’s in Charge Here?

Neither camera offers advanced manual controls - no aperture priority or shutter speed options - which aligns with their budget-friendly compact status.

The SP-810 UZ sports a classic DSLR-like layout with a dial for zoom, exposure compensation (though very limited), and some customizable buttons. It’s designed with extra clubs for your thumbs, making it easier to handle zoom and drive modes without diving into menus. The 3-inch fixed LCD screen is relatively small but decently sharp, although no touchscreen.

The Stylus 5010, being an ultracompact, has a simpler top-plate with fewer dedicated controls and a smaller 2.7-inch LCD. The menu system can be somewhat more basic and less friendly for those used to DSLRs or advanced compacts.

Bottom line: SP-810 UZ offers a more intuitive, camera-like handling experience helpful for those moving up from a phone or entry-level camera, while the Stylus 5010 is a grab-and-go snapshot machine for all thumbs…

Sensors and Image Quality: 14MP CCDs with Subtle Differences

Both cameras share the same sensor type - a 14-megapixel 1/2.3" CCD sensor - but that’s where the similarities end in image quality.

CCD sensors often prioritize color rendition and noise control differently than modern CMOS sensors. Neither camera supports RAW output, severely limiting post-processing potential. If you’re serious about editing later, this is a key compromise.

The SP-810 UZ pairs the CCD with Olympus’s TruePic III+ processor. It offers better noise suppression at higher ISOs (though max native ISO is still capped at 3200), and slightly improved dynamic range. The zoom range of 24-864 mm equivalent (36x optical zoom!) is astounding for a small sensor, making this camera versatile for everything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife shots.

The Stylus 5010 has a slightly slower TruePic III processor and a shorter zoom range (26-130 mm equivalent, 5x zoom). Less reach means fewer cropping opportunities, but also a more compact lens design.

In practical terms, if your shooting revolves around close-to-midrange subjects in good light, the 5010 is capable and punchy. However, for versatility, the SP-810 UZ covers almost all bases despite shooting challenges at long zoom ranges due to small sensor limitations.

Display and Viewfinders: LCDs Without Viewfinders

Neither Olympus model offers an electronic viewfinder or optical finder. Both rely exclusively on LCD screens with fixed positions.

The SP-810’s 3-inch screen is larger, which makes composing shots easier, but at a resolution of just 230k pixels, it can feel coarse and lacks the color fidelity you might expect today. The 5010’s smaller 2.7-inch panel has the same resolution but feels slightly less comfortable visually due to size.

Neither offers touchscreen input, which means button navigation is your only recourse - no swipe gestures or tap focusing. For casual shooting, this setup is fine; however, pros or enthusiasts who work frequently in bright outdoor conditions may find it frustrating without a viewfinder.

Olympus SP 810 UZ front Olympus SP 810 UZ screen back Olympus 5010 front Olympus 5010 screen back

Real-World Image Performance: Who Nails It?

I put both cameras through a series of tests focusing on various photography areas. Both delivered surprising results in their niches, but each with caveats.

Portraits

• SP-810 UZ: The camera’s sizable zoom range combined with a modest maximum aperture of f/2.9 helps with background separation - the bokeh is soft and pleasing at longer focal lengths. Face detection autofocus works well, locking quickly on eyes in favorable lighting. Skin tones come out natural, though the small sensor limits depth and subtle highlight detail.
• Stylus 5010: No face detection and a narrower 5x zoom means you’ll often end up closer to your subject, resulting in more background distraction. Skin tones are a bit flatter, and color rendition isn’t as nuanced. Fine for snapshots but not studio-style portraits.

Landscape

• SP-810 UZ: Offers decent dynamic range for such a sensor, capturing wide daylight scenes faithfully, but shadows can clip in high contrast - an expected limitation with CCD. The 24mm wide end delivers expansive framing. Weather sealing? Unfortunately no, so be cautious in rough conditions.
• Stylus 5010: Wider 26mm lens and 14MP allow for good landscape framing, but images tend to be softer with more digital noise creeping in shadows. No weather resistance here either, making it a fair-weather companion.

Wildlife and Sports

• The SP-810 UZ provides the upper hand with crazy 36x zoom and contrast-detection autofocus. It tracks subjects reasonably well, though burst shooting is slow (0.7 FPS), so capturing fast-moving wildlife or sports action is an exercise in patience.
• The 5010 is less suited here; the 1 FPS burst, shorter zoom, and lack of tracking AF make it tough on moving subjects.

Street Photography

• For candid street shooters, size and stealth matter: the Stylus 5010 is much better due to its ultracompact dimensions and near-silent operation. The SP-810 UZ might stick out like a sore thumb and is slower to shoot, so you risk missing fleeting moments.

Macro

• SP-810 UZ focuses down to 5cm with built-in stabilization, enabling sharp macro shots without gear swaps - a fun bonus for nature and detail lovers.
• 5010 offers 7cm minimum focus distance, slightly less versatile but still decent.

Night & Astro

• Both cameras struggle due to their small sensor size and high noise levels at ISO values over 800. The SP-810 UZ edges out slightly with software noise reduction but can lose detail as a tradeoff.

Video

• Both shoot 720p HD at 30fps, the SP-810 UZ recording MPEG-4 and the 5010 Motion JPEG - neither impressive by today’s standards.
• No microphone input or advanced video stabilization, so just basic home movies here.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Patience Required

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus - no phase detection or hybrid system. This means slower and less accurate AF compared to modern mirrorless or DSLR systems.

• SP-810 UZ: Slower continuous shooting rates (0.7 fps) limit capturing fast action, but its face detection helps nail portraits and casual snaps. AF tracking is available but not very reliable.
• Stylus 5010: Barely faster continuous shooting (1 fps), no face detection, and more of a single-snap experience rather than continuous bursts.

Breaking it Down by Photography Genres

Here’s the skinny on how these two stack up by photo type:

• Portrait: SP-810 UZ wins thanks to face-detect AF and zoom bokeh
• Landscape: Tie, though SP-810 excels in versatility
• Wildlife: SP-810 UZ by miles on zoom
• Sports: Neither camera excels, but SP-810 UZ leads marginally
• Street: Stylus 5010 due to compactness and discreteness
• Macro: SP-810 UZ; closer focusing and stabilization
• Night: Both modest; SP-810 UZ slightly cleaner
• Video: Comparable basic HD, neither for pros
• Travel: Stylus 5010 for weight and size; SP-810 UZ for versatility
• Professional Work: Neither suitable for demanding professional workflows, unfortunately

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera sports weather sealing or ruggedized features. For heavy-duty outdoor use, you’d need to take extra care or consider other options. Both have polycarbonate bodies, so durability is average.

Battery Life and Storage

Both take the same Li-50B battery. Officially, battery life is modest - expect to carry spares if you plan a day of heavy shooting.

Storage options include SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; typical for compact cameras of the era.

Connectivity and Extras

No wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, GPS, or NFC on either camera. Both do include an HDMI port and USB 2.0 - basic but sufficient for downloading images.

Price and Value Analysis

• SP-810 UZ: Priced around $280 new (or less second hand), you get outstanding zoom capability and more photographer-friendly controls. If you’re after versatility and don’t mind the size, it’s a great value.
• Stylus 5010: Around $150, this camera is a no-frills, pocket-sized snapper ideal for beginners or travelers on a tight budget.

Pros and Cons Summary

Olympus SP-810 UZ

Pros:

• Massive 36x optical zoom (24-864mm equivalent) for huge versatility
• Face detection autofocus improves usability in portraits
• Macro mode and sensor-shift image stabilization
• Better handling and DSLR-style ergonomics

Cons:

• Larger and heavier; less discreet
• Slow continuous shooting (0.7fps)
• No RAW or manual exposure controls
• Limited high-ISO performance

Olympus Stylus 5010

Pros:

• Ultra-compact and lightweight for effortless portability
• Decent 5x zoom in small package
• Simple operation, good for beginners
• Affordable and easy to carry anywhere

Cons:

• No face detection autofocus
• Limited zoom reach and burst rate (1 fps)
• No RAW support and modest image quality
• Small LCD and few controls make advanced use difficult

Wrapping it Up: Which Camera Should Make Your Wallet Surrender?

Here’s my candid take:

• If you want a compact superzoom for a broad range of photography styles, including every day, wildlife, and even some macro, and you don’t mind lugging a bit more weight, the Olympus SP-810 UZ is a surprisingly capable little beast for its price. It's best suited for hobbyists and enthusiasts who value reach and versatility over ultra-portability.

• If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, pocketable daily shooter that’s downright easy to use, with less fuss and no clubs for thumbs, the Stylus 5010 fits the bill. Perfect for travel, street photography, and snapshots when discretion and convenience top your list.

Neither camera competes with today’s mirrorless or DSLR titans, but their combinations of zoom, sensor, and user interface make each a respectable choice in their respective niches.

Whether you’re chasing wildlife across the savannah, shooting portraits of your friends in soft afternoon light, or capturing city life on the go, these Olympus compacts can serve you - just pick the one that jives with your style.

Happy shooting out there!

If you have any questions or want sample images from the shootouts, I'm happy to share more detailed test files to help your decision. Always remember, in photography, the best camera is the one in your hand - not just the one on specs sheets.

Looking forward to seeing what you create!

Cheers,

Your Photography Gear Buddy

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