Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A7R III: A Tale of Two Cameras from Different Worlds

When it comes to picking a camera for serious photography, the field is vast - ranging from lightweight, all-in-one superzooms to pro-level mirrorless powerhouses. Today, we pit the somewhat humble Olympus SP-810 UZ, a 2011 bridge camera with a vast zoom range, against the formidable 2017 Sony A7R III, a full-frame mirrorless beast designed for professionals. At first glance, comparing these two might seem like weighing a bicycle against a motorcycle. But hang in there - in the spirit of thoroughness and practical decision-making, I’ve thoroughly tested both cameras to unpack what each delivers and for whom they might still be relevant. Spoiler: They both have their story to tell.

Size and Handling: Bridging Convenience and Control

The Olympus SP-810 UZ is compact, at just 106x76x74 mm and weighing 413 grams. It’s designed to be pocket-friendly, albeit more SLR-like in styling than your average point-and-shoot. On the other side, the Sony A7R III is considerably larger and heavier - 127x96x74 mm and 657 grams - reflecting its full-frame sensor and pro features.

Ergonomically, the A7R III feels like a well-built tool for extended use. Its grip is substantial, controls robustly placed, and the camera balances well with large lenses. Olympus’s bridge camera, while less bulky, has modest controls: no manual rings or exposure dials, no dedicated focus selector. Its grip is serviceable but less refined for long shoots. This feels like a purposeful trade-off: Olympus aims at a casual to enthusiast shooter who wants a huge zoom range without lugging extra lenses.

From testing, the control layout on the A7R III delivered efficiencies I found indispensable for pro workflows - customizable dials, fast access to ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, plus a reliable joystick for focus point selection. The SP-810 UZ, sadly, offers minimal manual control, and most settings are buried in menus, which can slow down workflow when the moment demands swift adjustments.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Sensor technology is where these two radically diverge - and it’s no surprise, given their different eras and target users.

The Olympus carries a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring roughly 6.17 by 4.55 mm, delivering 14 megapixels. It’s effectively a small sensor, typical of compact cameras, with an antialiasing filter and native ISO capped at 3200. Image quality is decent for casual use but naturally limited in dynamic range, high-ISO performance, and color depth. There’s no RAW support, so you’re stuck with JPEGs, restricting post-processing flexibility.

Contrast that with the Sony: a full-frame (35.9 x 24 mm) back-illuminated CMOS sensor boasting a whopping 42 megapixels. It eschews the antialiasing filter for maximal sharpness, supports ISO from 50–32000 natively (expandable to 102400), and outputs full 14-bit RAW files. Technically, this sensor delivers stunning detail, excellent color depth, and expansive dynamic range.

In my side-by-side testing with a standardized scene, the Sony impressed instantly with its clarity and tonal gradation - fine textures on leaves and skin were crisp and noise-free up to high ISO settings (ISO 6400 and beyond). The Olympus’s images are serviceable in good light but noticeably softer, muddier on details, and struggle significantly by ISO 800 and higher.

Of course, the gap in sensor physics alone largely frames the Olympus’s limitations. But remember: for casual zoomed-in shots, the SP-810’s sensor can still shine if you’re not pixel-peeping too hard.

Viewing and Interface: Screen and Viewfinder Details

Neither camera compromises entirely here, but their solutions suit different needs.

The Olympus features a fixed 3-inch LCD at 230k dots. It’s sufficient for composing and reviewing images but can feel cramped and dull under bright sunlight - particularly when shooting outdoors. There's no electronic viewfinder (EVF), so you have to rely on the LCD exclusively.

Sony went the extra mile with a 3-inch tilting touchscreen boasting 1.44 million dots - a huge jump in usability and clarity. This touchscreen interface supports intuitive focus point selection and menu navigation, a boost when dealing with complex settings on the A7R III.

Complementing that is a high-res EVF offering a magnification of 0.78x and delivering 3.686 million dots at 100% coverage - a joy to use for precise composition, especially in challenging lighting or sports shooting.

In real-world shooting, I found the Sony’s EVF indispensable. When shooting fast-moving subjects or in bright outdoor conditions, the Olympus’s reliance on a dim LCD forced some guesswork, often leading to missed shots or less accurate focusing.

Lens and Zoom: One Scope Fits All or Versatile System?

The Olympus SP-810 UZ boasts a fixed 24–864 mm equivalent zoom lens with a maximum aperture range of f/2.9–5.7 and a macro focus starting at 5 cm. That’s a staggering 36x zoom leap, unimaginable to carry in a kit lens. For casual wildlife or travel shooters wanting all-in-one convenience with super telephoto reach, it’s a strong selling point.

The Sony A7R III uses the Sony E-mount system, with access to over 120 lenses including fast primes, macro, wide-angle, telephoto, and specialty optics from Sony and third-party manufacturers. This system versatility lets photographers tailor lens choice precisely to their genre or style.

From experience, the fixed optic of the Olympus limits adaptability and optical quality at extreme zoom ranges, where softness and chromatic aberrations creep in. The Sony paired with quality lenses (for example, the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM or a 100-400mm zoom) delivers consistently clean, sharp results across the frame - a must in pro shoots.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking and Responsiveness Tested

Autofocus is often the dealbreaker for action and wildlife photography. The Olympus SP-810 UZ has a rather basic contrast-detection system with face detection and limited tracking capabilities. Continuous shooting is limited to a slow 0.7 fps - not ideal for freezing fast sequences.

Sony’s A7R III is equipped with a hybrid phase and contrast-detection system boasting 425 phase-detect points covering much of the frame, including eye AF specific for humans and animals - a real game-changer on the pro level. Continuous burst shooting maxes at 10 fps with full AF/AE tracking.

In rapid-fire tests, the A7R III visibly outpaced the Olympus, swiftly locking onto fast-moving subjects and following erratic wildlife behaviors reliably. The bridge camera’s autofocus often hunts and lags in low light or complex scenes, frustratingly slow and prone to misses.

For sports shooters or active wildlife photographers, the Sony’s autofocus system is nothing short of essential, while the Olympus’sAF is adequate for casual snapshots or static subjects.

Image Stabilization and Low Light Performance: Keeping It Steady When It Counts

Both cameras feature sensor-based image stabilization. The Olympus offers sensor-shift stabilization, helpful in handheld telephoto shots, which is vital considering its enormous zoom reach.

Sony elevates this further with a 5-axis sensor stabilization system, compensating for pitch, yaw, roll, and horizontal/vertical shifts. This proved invaluable in my handheld low-light shooting experiments - allowing shutter speeds several stops slower without blurry images.

Low light capabilities mirror the sensor technology gap. The Olympus, confined by its small CCD sensor and older tech, shows visible noise and loss of detail past ISO 400–800, limiting night photography or dim interiors.

The Sony’s modern BSI-CMOS sensor handled ISO 3200 and 6400 beautifully with minimal noise and excellent color retention, pushing asto or nighttime handheld shots into the realm of possibility for serious work.

Video Features: Casual Clips or Professional Productions?

For videographers, neither camera is a blockbuster but with notably different ambitions.

The Olympus shoots HD video capped at 1280x720 at 30fps, stored in MPEG-4 format. There’s no microphone input, touch control, or 4K support, and audio quality is modest at best. It’s a neat feature for casual home videos but not suitable for serious video projects.

The Sony A7R III, on the other hand, delivers 4K UHD video up to 30p, plus 1080p at 60fps with multiple codecs including XAVC S for higher fidelity. It supports microphone and headphone jacks for audio monitoring and input - critical for documentary or commercial video work. A tilting touchscreen aids in framing creative angles, and built-in slow-motion modes add versatility.

Both have sensor stabilization helping smooth handheld shots, but again, the Sony’s hardware and software offer professionals a far more capable video tool.

Durability, Weather Resistance, and Build Quality

If you shoot outdoors or in tough conditions, weather sealing can be a lifesaver.

The Olympus SP-810 UZ lacks environmental sealing - no dustproof, shockproof, or waterproof features. It’s best treated as a delicate gadget, shielded from elements.

The Sony A7R III comes with environmental sealing (dust and moisture resistance) on a solid magnesium alloy body. While not waterproof, this build protects well against rugged use and inclement weather - ideal for travel, landscape, and professional outdoor shoots.

Storage, Battery Life, and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

The Olympus uses one SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, supports internal memory, and powers with a Li-50B battery - battery life specifics are sparse, but from my testing it reliably shoots a few hundred photos per charge, suitable for casual use.

Sony offers a dual SD card slot system, with UHS-II support on one slot for speedy writes - critical when shooting high-resolution RAW or 4K video. The NP-FZ100 battery is a powerhouse; official ratings state around 650 shots per charge, which in real shoots translated to a full day of intensive work without panic.

Connectivity-wise, the Olympus has no wireless modules but includes USB 2.0 and HDMI out. The Sony has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, USB 3.1 Gen 1, and HDMI, supporting fast image transfers, remote control, and tethering - again catering to demanding workflows.

Photographic Disciplines: Which Camera Shines Where?

Let’s do a quick rundown of each camera’s real-world performance across major photography genres, guided by my firsthand tests and comparative shooting.

Olympus SP 810 UZ front Olympus SP 810 UZ screen back Sony A7R III front Sony A7R III screen back

• Portrait Photography: Sony’s face and eye-detection AF combined with superb color depth and bokeh control (via fast lenses) delivers stunning portraits. Olympus is serviceable for casual portraits but can render skin tones less naturally and background blur is limited by its fixed, slow-er zoom aperture.

• Landscape Photography: Sony’s full-frame sensor with vast dynamic range copes beautifully with high-contrast scenes and large prints. Weather sealing adds peace of mind outdoors. Olympus’ smaller sensor and lack of weather resistance limit its landscape appeal, though it offers high reach to capture distant vistas.

• Wildlife Photography: Sony’s fast, precise AF and burst rate put it miles ahead in capturing fleeting animal behavior. Lens options also mean real telephoto reach. Olympus’ superzoom is tempting but autofocus sluggishness and image quality drops at long zoom dampen excitement.

• Sports Photography: Only the Sony can truly keep pace with rapid autofocus and frame rates, essential for fast-moving subjects. Olympus falls short here.

• Street Photography: Olympus’s small size and zoom range are an advantage for discreet candid shots without lens changes. However, its slower AF and less crisp imagery may frustrate. Sony is bulkier but image quality and EVF advantages compensate if discretion is lesser concern.

• Macro Photography: Sony + dedicated macro lenses excel at fine detail capture. Olympus offers 5 cm macro mode - a nice bonus for casual close-ups, but resolution and sharpness define limits.

• Night/Astro Photography: Sony’s low noise, long exposure capabilities, and sensor stabilization support night shooting superbly. Olympus is not well-equipped for serious night photography.

• Video: Sony is a clear winner enabling professional 4K capture, audio monitoring, and flexible formats. Olympus is for casual HD clips only.

• Travel Photography: Olympus’s compactness and all-in-one zoom lens ease packing and quick shooting. Sony’s battery, lens ecosystem, and image quality make it ideal for serious travelers prioritizing quality over pocketability.

• Professional Work: Sony’s RAW output, wide dynamic range, color fidelity, rugged build, and connectivity make it a strong choice in professional workflows. Olympus is better seen as a casual enthusiast tool.

Summary Scores and Value Assessment

It’s crystal clear: The Sony A7R III outperforms the Olympus SP-810 UZ on just about every meaningful front - sensor size and quality, autofocus, speed, build, video abilities, and pro features. But that’s like saying a Ferrari is faster than a scooter, which we already expected.

The Olympus is best understood as a small sensor superzoom bridge camera, targeted to photographers seeking simplicity, huge zoom flexibility in a compact package, and a budget-friendly price of about $280 (as of its launch) - great for beginners or casual users who don’t want or need to fuss with gear changes.

The Sony A7R III, priced around $2800 (giant investment), is a professional-grade tool demanding skill and lens investment, rewarding users with the highest image quality, speed, and versatility.

So, Which Should You Buy?

• Choose the Olympus SP-810 UZ if:

  • You want an all-in-one zoom with no hassle swapping lenses.
  • Your shooting is casual, focused on travel snapshots, family events, or wildlife at a distance without professional aspirations.
  • You’re budget-conscious and satisfied with JPEG output and moderate image quality.
  • Portability and simplicity beat image quality priorities.

• Choose the Sony A7R III if:

  • You are a dedicated enthusiast or pro looking for an all-rounder capable of studio portraits, wildlife, landscapes, sports, and video.
  • You demand RAW flexibility, fast autofocus, and the ability to work in challenging light.
  • You want future-proof features including 4K video, high ISO performance, and weather sealing.
  • You’re prepared to invest in quality lenses and a professional workflow.

Final Thoughts from Years Behind the Viewfinder

Having spent thousands of hours with both entry-level superzooms and professional mirrorless systems, I appreciate the unique place each camera occupies. The Olympus SP-810 UZ represents an affordable entryway for photographers craving reach without complexity, though it comes with undeniable compromises. The Sony A7R III remains a benchmark of what enthusiast and pro mirrorless cameras can achieve - an engineering marvel packed with speed, precision, and adaptability.

So, yes, it’s a strange pairing for a direct face-off, but it reminds us that photography isn’t one-size-fits-all. Understanding your priorities and shooting style matters above all - and with that clarity, you’ll be well equipped to decide which camera can turn your vision into frame-worthy reality. Happy shooting!

I welcome your questions or experiences with these cameras in the comments. And if you’re curious about any specific use case or comparison, just ask!