Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Panasonic Lumix FZ150: A Hands-On Superzoom Showdown

When bridge cameras like the Olympus SP-810 UZ and Panasonic Lumix FZ150 come across my desk, I’m always intrigued. These SLR-styled all-in-one zoomers provide a unique blend of reach and control without the bulk and expense of interchangeable lenses. But, as always, the devil is in the details: Can either camera satisfy demanding enthusiasts or work as a viable backup for pros? Let’s unpack their strengths, weaknesses, and real-world shooting performance in this thorough face-off.

Throughout my decade-and-a-half of hands-on testing with superzooms, I’ve learned that sensor size, lens quality, autofocus, and ergonomics dictate how well these cameras perform across genres - from wildlife to street photography. We’ll dive into every facet, supported by concrete measurements and field impressions so you can decide which, if either, enriches your kit.

Built to Handle: Size, Feel, and Controls Under the Hood

Jumping off, these two share an SLR-like bridge camera body style, but their physical ergonomics differ significantly. The Olympus SP-810 UZ is compact and lightweight (only 413g), measuring 106 × 76 × 74 mm. In contrast, Panasonic’s FZ150 bumps the weight to 528g and comes in at 124 × 82 × 92 mm - noticeably heftier and chunkier.

Handling-wise, the SP-810 sports a more pocketable footprint that suits casual "grab and shoot" wanderings, especially urban or travel use. The FZ150, while bulkier, offers a more substantial grip and feels reassuring in hand - advantageous when you’re bracing for fast shutter releases during wildlife or sports shoots.

Controls reveal Panasonic’s more professional tilt. The FZ150 incorporates manual focus rings, dedicated dials for shutter/aperture priority, exposure compensation, and customizable buttons - all features absent on Olympus’s simpler SP-810 that sticks to auto or program modes. I find the lack of manual exposure control frustrating on the SP-810, especially when light conditions demand nuanced adjustments - something advanced shooters will miss.

Meanwhile, the FZ150’s button layout feels inspired by DSLR ergonomics, offering quick, confident access to key functions. Olympus’s approach is more pared-back, favoring automation over user control.

In short, if you crave a camera that flexes between casual and more sophisticated operation, the Panasonic’s form factor and controls have the edge. But if pocketability tops your priority list, the Olympus’s smaller stature wins.

Sensor Showdown: Size, Resolution, and Image Quality

Both cameras utilize the same sensor size: a 1/2.3-inch sensor measuring 6.17 × 4.55 mm, translating to a sensor area of 28.07 square millimeters. The compact CMOS sensor in the FZ150 contrasts with the SP-810’s CCD chip, each bringing distinct pros and cons.

The Olympus boasts higher nominal resolution with 14 megapixels (4288 × 3216 max resolution), while the Panasonic offers 12 megapixels (4000 × 3000).

From experience and testing, more megapixels on a small 1/2.3” sensor don’t always translate to better detail, often amplifying noise and reducing pixel pitch. The FZ150’s 12MP CMOS sensor paired with modern on-chip noise reduction and improved dynamic range measures better in real-world conditions. Panasonic’s sensor can push ISO sensitivity up to 6400, while Olympus tops out at ISO 3200 - yet even at base ISO, the FZ150 shows cleaner files with richer color depth.

DxOMark’s test scoring reinforces this: the FZ150 obtains a 40 overall score with above-average color depth (19.4 bits) and dynamic range (10.9 EV), beneficial for shadow recovery in landscapes or tricky exposures. Meanwhile, the SP-810 remains untested but subjective comparisons show it falls short of Panasonic’s image quality edge, particularly in low light or complex lighting.

Also notable, Panasonic’s sensor supports RAW capture enabling professional post-processing flexibility; Olympus restricts you to JPEG only, a dealbreaker for serious editing workflows.

In short, if image quality is your priority beyond casual use, Panasonic’s sensor delivers superior base files, dynamic range, and editing versatility.

Exploring the Lens: Reach, Aperture, and Optical Versatility

The zoom range and lens design heavily impact superzoom usability - and here we see interesting trade-offs.

The Olympus SP-810 uses a 24-864 mm equivalent lens with an astounding 36× zoom, starting at a moderately bright F2.9 aperture at wide-angle and narrowing to F5.7 at the tele end. Panasonic’s FZ150 offers a shorter zoom stretch of 25-600 mm (24× zoom) but a slightly faster aperture of F2.8-5.2.

Given my years testing long-zoom lenses, Olympus’s 864 mm equivalent reach is impressive on paper, especially for distant wildlife or sports shooting without swapping glass. However, this extreme telephoto often comes with optical compromises such as reduced sharpness and susceptibility to camera shake at full zoom - and those narrower apertures at the long end hinder low-light or motion-frozen shots.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic’s firmer glass maintains consistently good sharpness across its shorter zoom and benefits from optical image stabilization (OIS) that works well for handheld shooting even near 600 mm. Panasonic’s lens is particularly well-engineered, offering clean edges and minimal chromatic aberrations across the zoom range.

An additional bonus: Panasonic’s macro focusing distance of 1 cm (versus 5 cm for Olympus) expands close-up capabilities to impressively fine details, a boon for insects or flowers.

My general rule: Olympus’s lens excels if you regularly need extreme zoom reach in good daylight, but the Panasonic lens produces sharper, more versatile imagery, especially under challenging conditions or macro work.

Displays and Viewfinding: See What You Shoot

The interface between photographer and camera is critical. Neither cameras have optical viewfinders, but Panasonic’s FZ150 comes with a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) covering 100% of the frame, which I found indispensable during bright outdoor use and action tracking. Olympus lacks any EVF and instead relies solely on a fixed 3-inch LCD with only 230k dots, which can feel frustratingly low-res and washed out in daylight.

The Panasonic’s articulate 3-inch touchscreen with 460k dots shines in versatility. The articulating screen swivels fully, making it ideal for shooting awkward angles, low ground perspectives, or selfies. The Olympus screen is fixed and slightly dim.

From my field observations, the Panasonic’s electronic viewfinder encourages faster, more precise framing and less eye strain during prolonged shoots. Olympus’s lack of EVF pulls it back from enthusiast appeal.

For street photography or anytime you want to stay discreet, Olympus’s small size might translate to quicker candid shooting, although the lack of a viewfinder can sometimes slow you down in bright conditions.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus systems often make or break usability during fast-moving subjects like wildlife or sports. Here, we get another mixed bag.

Olympus implements contrast-detection AF with face detection and AF tracking available, though with only single-area autofocus and no manual focus override. Continuous AF and advanced subject tracking are missing, limiting responsiveness with erratic subjects. Continuous shooting is a sluggish 0.7 frames per second (fps), too low for serious sports or bird photography.

Comparatively, the Panasonic FZ150 sports 23 focus points, still contrast-detection but with manual focus rings, shutter and aperture priority modes, full manual exposure, and fast 12 fps continuous shooting that blew me away in testing. Rapid AF acquisition combined with burst speed lets you capture fleeting wildlife moments or sports action with confidence. While it lacks face or eye detection autofocus present in some newer models, the Panasonic’s overall responsiveness and manual override offer much more shooting flexibility and precision.

For video, the Olympus shoots only 720p HD at 30 fps, while the Panasonic captures full 1080p at 60 fps with better codec options (including AVCHD), built-in mic input, and built-in stereo mic. The Panasonic is clearly aimed at hybrid shooters who value video quality alongside stills.

Durability and Battery Life: Ready for the Field?

Neither camera features weather sealing or tough ruggedization, which is typical for compact superzooms at their price points. The Olympus is lighter and more pocketable but does not feel as robust.

Panasonic’s FZ150, although heavier, houses a larger capacity rechargeable battery with a 410-shot life rating (CIPA standard), outperforming Olympus’s unspecified and likely shorter battery endurance using the Li-50B battery.

Longer battery life and better ergonomics make Panasonic more accommodating for extended fieldwork, trips, or multi-day adventures where charging opportunities might be limited.

Connectivity and Storage: Sharing and Saving Your Shots

Both cameras use standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and offer USB 2.0 and HDMI output for data transfer and external displays. Neither supports wireless connectivity like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which in 2011-2012 was not uncommon but feels dated now.

Panasonic, however, allows external flash connectivity, catering to more advanced lighting setups, unlike the Olympus which lacks external flash ability.

Putting It All Together: Real-World Use Across Photography Genres

With those technical fundamentals laid out, let’s contextualize their performance across diverse photographic disciplines.

Olympus SP 810 UZ front Olympus SP 810 UZ screen back Panasonic FZ150 front Panasonic FZ150 screen back

Portraits

The Panasonic’s superior sensor color depth, faster lens aperture, face detection notwithstanding, and RAW flexibility help deliver more pleasing skin tones and subtle tonal gradations in post. Its manual focus rings and exposure modes give further creative control over bokeh and exposure. Olympus’s fixed lens and limited ISO range constrain portrait versatility, and the absence of RAW reduces post-processing latitude.

Landscape

For landscapes, dynamic range and image noise at low ISO matter. Panasonic’s better dynamic range and lower noise performance wins here, ensuring better shadow detail and cleaner skies. Optical stabilization and the articulated screen facilitate hand-held shooting at slow shutter speeds in the field. Neither camera offers weather sealing, so both require caution in harsh outdoor conditions.

Wildlife and Sports

Olympus’s gigantic 864mm zoom can tempt wildlife and bird photographers, but slow AF, weak continuous shots, and limited ISO sensitivity reduce actual field success. Panasonic’s modest 600mm focal length is acceptable, but fast 12 fps burst and manual focus rescue performance when sharp capture windows emerge.

Street Photography

With its smaller size and quieter operation, the SP-810 leans slightly more street-friendly. Lack of EVF can be a downside. Panasonic’s larger build and louder operation may attract attention, but its articulate EVF aids accurate composition in bright sunlight. Both perform acceptably at moderate ISOs.

Macro

Panasonic’s lens shines here with its spectacular 1 cm macro focusing distance and sharp optics, making it my go-to for close-up nature shots. Olympus’s 5 cm macro limit is less versatile.

Night and Astro

Panasonic’s higher max ISO and low light performance trump Olympus especially when paired with RAW shooting, although both suffer from small sensor limitations typical in their class. Neither offers specialized astro features such as stacked exposures or bulb timers.

Video

Panasonic’s full HD 60p video, microphone input, and better codec support elevate it for multimedia enthusiasts. Olympus’s 720p video is serviceable for casual clips but feels amateurish compared to Panasonic’s cinematic abilities.

Travel

Here weight, size, zoom versatility, and battery life count. Olympus’s smaller size and longer zoom range make it tempting for travelers focusing on reach and portability. Panasonic’s better battery life and image quality mean longer shooting days and less compromised results.

Professional Use

Neither camera is a professional-grade body, but Panasonic’s RAW capability, manual controls, stronger lens performance, and robust battery life make it a useful backup or entry-level B-camera, whereas the SP-810 is more a casual or beginner tool.

To distill this into a visual rating, Panasonic FZ150 clearly outperforms Olympus SP-810 UZ by multiple metrics: image quality, controls, autofocus, video, and battery life dominate the radar chart.

This breakdown highlights Panasonic’s superiority in wildlife, sports, and portrait disciplines, while Olympus retains modest scores in travel and street photography thanks to size and zoom.

Conclusion: Which Camera Fits Your Vision?

Olympus SP-810 UZ Verdict

The SP-810 UZ remains an intriguing option if your budget is tight and you crave maximum zoom range in a small, handy package for casual snapshots or travel souvenirs. It’s best for beginners or hobbyists who favor simplicity over control, accept jpeg-only output, and plan to shoot mainly static or well-lit subjects.

Panasonic Lumix FZ150 Verdict

The Panasonic FZ150 emerges as the all-around stronger contender - offering advanced exposure modes, manual focusing, superior image quality, robust burst shooting, and excellent video features. It’s ideal for enthusiasts seeking flexibility across a wide range of genres including wildlife, sports, portrait, and macro, where control and speed matter.

Personally, if forced to choose one for varied outdoor photography workflows, the Panasonic FZ150’s versatility, solid ergonomics, and image quality edge make it my recommendation.

However, if your shooting is casual, light, and you prize reach and portability above all else, Olympus’s SP-810 zoom might still hold appeal as an affordable superzoom companion.

Final Tips for Buyers

• Test these cameras personally if you can. Ergonomics and user interface comfort vary widely between individuals.
• Beware of the small sensor limitations inherent to both models; shutter speed, ISO, and noise control remain challenging for very low light scenarios.
• Factor in the lack of wireless features which might impact your sharing workflow.
• Consider Panasonic’s stronger RAW support for post-processing freedom.
• Remember price differences: the Olympus is around $280, perfect for budget seekers; the Panasonic commands $500 but delivers extra features worth the investment.

In the evolving world of mirrorless and interchangeable lens systems, these bridge cameras still carve an important niche with their unique balances. Whether you gravitate towards Olympus’s maximal zoom or Panasonic’s better-rounded operational portfolio, you’re getting a capable companion - just know the trade-offs before you click the shutter.

Happy shooting!