Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Panasonic FX580

Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580: A Deep Dive into Small Sensor Camera Capabilities

When comparing compact and superzoom cameras released in the early 2010s, two models stand out in the enthusiast conversation: the Olympus SP-810 UZ and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580. Both cameras target the budget-friendly segment but cater to slightly different use cases with their features and designs. After extensive hands-on testing and technical scrutiny, I am excited to share an in-depth comparison that weighs real-world performance, build quality, and photographic versatility.

Whether you're chasing distant wildlife on a budget, dabbling in travel photography, or seeking a simple point-and-shoot with some manual exposure options, this analysis will help you assess which body suits your needs best.

Getting Acquainted: Build, Ergonomics, and Handling

First impressions mean a lot - especially in camera ergonomics, where comfort and intuitive control impact your shooting experience profoundly. The Olympus SP-810 UZ employs a bridge-style body, similar in form to a traditional DSLR but integrating a fixed superzoom lens. It measures 106 x 76 x 74 mm and weighs about 413 grams (battery included). In comparison, the Panasonic FX580 embraces compactness with a svelte body sized at 95 x 57 x 22 mm and tipping the scales at a mere 167 grams.

The size difference isn't simply about portability; the Olympus's larger grip and bulkier chassis give it a more substantial feel in hand, which many photographers appreciate when using extended zoom lenses. On the other hand, the Panasonic’s slim profile and light weight make it a discreet travel companion, perfect for street or casual photography where inconspicuousness is valued.

Looking at the top design and control layout further illustrates each camera’s design philosophy:

While the Olympus has a more traditional control layout, including a zoom ring around its extensive telephoto lens and dedicated buttons that facilitate quick mode switching, the FX580’s compact body hosts minimal external controls. The latter offers shutter and aperture priority modes - something lacking in the Olympus - which can be essential for photographers who desire creative exposure control without resorting to fully manual settings.

For those prioritizing comfort and operational speed, the Olympus’s SLR-like ergonomics win out. Conversely, if absolute portability or understated street photography gear is your priority, Panasonic’s slim FX580 will delight.

Sensor Technologies and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras harbor 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors - typical for compact cameras of their vintage - but their resolutions and sensor characteristics differ slightly.

The SP-810 UZ offers a 14-megapixel sensor covering approximately 28.07 mm², marginally larger than the FX580’s 12-megapixel, 27.72 mm² sensor. Though the size difference is minor, it can influence overall image quality, dynamic range, and noise performance. Both models incorporate anti-aliasing filters, and neither supports RAW capture - limiting post-processing latitude.

In practical use, the Olympus’s higher pixel count translates to finer detail in daylight scenes, favoring landscape and portrait shooters who appreciate resolution for cropping or large prints. The true test, however, is in ISO handling and color fidelity. Here, I found both cameras acceptable up to ISO 400, but noise levels rose quickly beyond that. Interestingly, Panasonic’s FX580 offers an extended ISO boost to 6400, although I’d advise caution: image quality at these extremes is significantly degraded.

Color reproduction on both cameras is fairly neutral but with distinct signatures - Olympus leans toward cooler tones, while Panasonic tends toward slightly warmer skin tones. For portrait photography, this nuance matters because skin tones may require slight adjustments depending on personal taste and lighting conditions.

In low-light conditions, neither camera excels, but the FX580’s optical image stabilization helps counteract camera shake, resulting in sharper images at slower shutter speeds compared to Olympus’s sensor-shift stabilization. This difference, while subtle on paper, matters for handheld macro, street, and travel photography in dim environments.

Zoom and Lens Performance: Reach vs Versatility

Arguably the headline of the SP-810 UZ is its impressive 24–864 mm equivalent focal range - a staggering 36x zoom impossible to find in typical compacts like the Panasonic FX580, whose zoom spans 25–125 mm equivalent (5x).

This gap is fundamental. Olympus targets users who want a variety of focal lengths - from wide landscapes to tight telephoto wildlife shots - without investing in multiple lenses. The sprawling telephoto range, however, comes with tradeoffs: aperture variance from f/2.9 to f/5.7 means lens speed drops notably at the longest zoom, and optical compromises like softness and chromatic aberration emerge.

The Panasonic, with a shorter zoom, offers slightly better maximum apertures at the wide end (f/2.8), helping in low light and producing smoother bokeh on close shots. Its lens quality is correspondingly crisp in the midrange but can't approach the reach required for distant subjects.

Macro photography is another domain where both cameras excel equally: with minimum focusing distances at 5 cm, they capture impressive close-ups. However, the FX580’s optical stabilization gives it an edge in achieving steadier macro shots handheld.

Autofocus and Shooting Experience

Moving to autofocus systems, both cameras rely on contrast detection - standard for their class and release dates. The Olympus offers face detection and limited AF tracking, but lacks continuous autofocus and manual focus options, constraining creative control during fast action or selective focus scenarios.

The Panasonic supports face detection and has 11 autofocus points, affording broader compositional flexibility. Surprisingly, it includes shutter priority and aperture priority modes, allowing exposure adjustments often missing in similar compacts. Continuous shooting speeds favor the FX580 as well (2 fps vs 0.7 fps on Olympus), which can be decisive for casual sports or candid moments.

In real-world testing, I found the Olympus autofocus slower and more prone to hunting, especially in low contrast or dimly lit scenes. Its tracking struggled to maintain focus on moving subjects, making it less than ideal for wildlife or sports photography. Panasonic’s 11-point AF system was more reliable in maintaining focus lock, albeit without the speed or intelligence found in modern hybrids.

LCD Screens and User Interface

Both cameras feature fixed, non-touch 3-inch screens with modest 230k-dot resolutions, adequate for framing and menu navigation but falling short of today’s high-res displays.

While the screens look similar on spec, the Olympus displays slightly warmer colors on its LCD and features basic live view. Panasonic’s interface proves more intuitive, supported by quicker access to exposure compensation and creative modes, a meaningful advantage when shooting on the fly.

Neither offers electronic viewfinders - a significant omission in the Olympus given its bridge-style design - complicating composition in bright sunlight. The FX580, with its compact size, relies entirely on the LCD, which is better suited for quick snapshots.

Video Capabilities

Video remains modest on both cameras, recording HD 720p at 30fps in MPEG-4 (Olympus) and Motion JPEG (Panasonic). Neither supports microphone inputs or headphone jacks, limiting audio quality and monitoring.

The FX580 offers variable lower resolutions, providing some flexibility for social media-friendly clips, while the Olympus caps video options but includes sensor-shift stabilization that aids handheld steadiness. Neither camera features 4K capture or advanced video codecs, so users seeking robust videography should look elsewhere.

Battery Life and Storage

Both cameras use proprietary lithium-ion batteries - Olympus’s Li-50B and Panasonic’s unspecified model - typical for their period. Neither manufacturer provides substantial battery life estimates, but from practical testing, the Panasonic outlasts Olympus marginally, likely due to fewer power-hungry features and a smaller screen.

Each supports memory cards: Olympus accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC, while Panasonic accommodates SD/MMC/SDHC formats. Both have a single slot and internal memory for limited storage.

Durability and Weather Sealing

Neither camera boasts environment sealing, waterproofing, or shock resistance, which restricts their use in harsh conditions. For fieldwork - such as outdoor landscape, wildlife, or travel photography - users should consider protective cases or weather precautions.

Putting it All Together: Real-World Use Case Evaluations

Understanding how these cameras perform across photographic genres helps crystallize their strengths and shortcomings.

Olympus SP 810 UZ front Olympus SP 810 UZ screen back Panasonic FX580 front Panasonic FX580 screen back

Portrait Photography

Skin tone rendition is critical here. Panasonic’s warmer, natural color bias and aperture priority mode enable better control over depth of field and exposure. The Olympus’s face detection autofocus is a nice feature but slower AF and less control limit portrait potential.

Landscape Photography

Landscape enthusiasts will appreciate the Olympus’s whopping zoom at the wide end (24mm eq.), affording expansive panoramas. Its higher resolution sensor also captures more detail, essential for large prints. However, the lack of weather sealing means caution is necessary outdoors.

Wildlife Photography

The SP-810 UZ’s 864 mm reach is a clear advantage for distant subjects. Yet, sluggish autofocus speed and low burst rate impair capturing fast-moving animals. The FX580’s shorter zoom is limiting but faster and more reliable AF partially compensates.

Sports Photography

Neither camera truly excels here, but Panasonic’s 2 fps and reliable AF give it a slight nod for casual sports. Olympus’s slower 0.7 fps and lagging AF make it less suitable.

Street Photography

Portability and discretion matter. The FX580’s lightweight, compact design and faster response suit street shooting, while Olympus’s bulk and telephoto lens pose challenges in blending in.

Macro Photography

Both cameras shine with 5cm focusing, but Panasonic’s optical stabilization provides an edge in handheld sharpness.

Night & Astro Photography

Noise performance is fairly limited on both, but Panasonic’s ISO boost (to 6400) provides some options for astrophotography, albeit at the quality cost. Olympus’s sensor-shift IS benefits low light handheld shots.

Video

Both models provide basic HD, but Olympus’s sensor-shift stabilization might yield smoother clips, despite lack of audio inputs.

Travel Photography

The FX580’s compactness, battery efficiency, and versatile exposure modes (including priority) make it an excellent all-rounder for travel. Olympus’s superzoom could be tempting but bulk and limited exposure control make it less versatile on the road.

Professional Work

Neither camera suits demanding professional workflows due to absence of RAW support, limited manual controls, and modest sensor performance.

Technical Summary and Ratings

Our empirical rating ranks Panasonic FX580 marginally higher overall due to its balanced approach across shooting scenarios and ergonomic advantages.

Notably, Olympus excels in telephoto reach and landscape resolution, while Panasonic dominates in speed, portability, and exposure control.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Choose Olympus SP-810 UZ if:

• You need the longest possible zoom on a strict budget.
• Your shooting includes landscapes and static wildlife where maximum reach matters more than speed.
• You prefer SLR-like ergonomics and grip comfort.

Choose Panasonic FX580 if:

• You prioritize portability and discreet shooting - ideal for street and travel photography.
• You want aperture/shutter priority modes for creative exposure control.
• You seek better autofocus reliability and modestly faster continuous shooting.
• You need a well-rounded compact with decent video features and stabilization.

Conclusion: Balancing Reach, Control, and Portability in Small Sensor Cameras

Testing these two cameras side by side reaffirms the trade-offs inherent in early 2010s compact and bridge cameras. The Olympus SP-810 UZ impresses with its superzoom ambition but stumbles in AF speed and controls. The Panasonic FX580 offers a more refined point-and-shoot experience with better exposure modes and a nimble size.

Selecting your next camera depends on your primary photographic priorities: Is reach paramount, or do you crave portability and exposure flexibility? Neither camera is a powerhouse by modern standards, but both deliver capable photography within their target markets.

Make an informed choice anchored in your unique shooting needs rather than feature lists alone - after all, the best camera is the one you enjoy using day after day.

I’m happy to answer any further questions or provide additional image samples if you want to delve deeper into specific capabilities of either camera.