Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A9: A Tale of Two Cameras from Different Eras and Worlds

When it comes to choosing a camera, it’s tempting to pit any two models head-to-head and pronounce a winner. But cameras like the Olympus SP-810 UZ and the Sony A9 are fundamentally different beasts, representing very distinct points in photographic technology, user needs, and budgets. As someone who’s handled thousands of cameras over fifteen years, I find comparisons like this are best approached by acknowledging the stories behind the specs and how those translate to everyday photography.

On one end, we have the Olympus SP-810 UZ, a superzoom bridge camera from 2011 designed for casual enthusiasts who crave ultra-long reach without swapping lenses. On the other, the Sony A9, a flagship 2017 full-frame professional mirrorless camera built for speed, precision, and versatility. Both cameras serve a purpose, but that purpose - and the users they attract - could hardly be more different.

In this detailed comparison, I’ll unpack what makes each camera unique, their strengths and weaknesses across multiple photography disciplines, technical attributes, and ultimately a clear guide on which one caters best to your photographic ambitions. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s dive into the nitty-gritty.

Holding Them in Your Hands: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Before even firing a shutter, how a camera feels in your hand greatly impacts your shooting experience and style. Olympus crafted the SP-810 UZ as a compact, pocket-friendly bridge camera, aiming to blend zoom power with easy handling. The Sony A9, however, bridges pro-level handling with mirrorless compactness, though it’s still a solid chunk of gear.

Physically, the Olympus is noticeably smaller at 106x76x74 mm and weighed just 413 g. It’s lightweight enough for casual carry - perfect for hikes or family outings where lugging a camera bag simply isn’t appealing. Its fixed superzoom lens (24-864mm equivalent) hugs the camera’s body, avoiding bulky lenses protruding from the front.

In contrast, the Sony A9 weighs considerably more at 673 g and measures 127x96x63 mm. That may sound bulky, but in the realm of full-frame professional cameras, this is remarkably portable. The pronounced grip and robust magnesium alloy body feel reassuringly solid, built to withstand demanding fieldwork (though note it’s weather-sealed but not waterproof or shockproof). The A9's ergonomic design includes customizable buttons, a well-placed joystick for autofocus point selection, and intuitive layout for fast operation under pressure.

Both cameras lack great articulation in their screens (Olympus has a fixed screen, while Sony’s tilts), but the A9’s high-resolution OLED electronic viewfinder (3686K dots, 100% coverage) offers a professional experience the Olympus simply can’t match - which only has an LCD and no EVF.

In terms of user interface, the Olympus SP-810 UZ is basic with limited manual controls. You’ll find no true manual exposure modes or aperture/shutter priority options. The Sony A9, by contrast, is a dream for control aficionados: full manual modes, shutter/aperture priority, exposure compensation, and customizable dials enabling fast adjustments.

Ergonomics are especially crucial for fast-paced shooting scenarios like sports or wildlife, where the Sony clearly excels. But if you prefer a lightweight, no-fuss camera with a massive zoom range all-in-one, Olympus covers that niche well.

Imaging Core: Sensor and Image Quality

Here we move from how the cameras handle to what they produce: the sensor and resulting image quality.

The Olympus SP-810 UZ sports a modest 1/2.3” (6.17x4.55 mm) CCD sensor with 14 megapixels. This sensor size, common in compact superzoom cameras of its era, seriously limits noise control, dynamic range, and detail resolution. Being CCD rather than CMOS delays fast readouts and contributes to higher power consumption.

On the other hand, the Sony A9 is equipped with a full-frame 35.6x23.8 mm BSI-CMOS sensor delivering 24 megapixels - nearly 30 times larger sensor area compared to the Olympus. This difference is enormous in photographic terms.

Practically, the Olympus’s small sensor translates to images that struggle beyond ISO 3200 (which is maximum native ISO), with limited dynamic range, and moderate detail at base ISO. The Sony A9’s sensor allows for superb image quality across a wide ISO range (native 100-51200 plus extended modes), with excellent color depth (24.9 bits on DxO Mark), a dynamic range of 13.3 EV stops, and incredibly low noise levels (DxO low-light ISO rating 3517). The BSI design improves sensitivity by illuminating the sensor from the back, a technical leap absent in the older Olympus.

Additionally, the Sony supports RAW capture, enabling far greater post-processing flexibility - a must-have for professionals and serious enthusiasts alike. The Olympus shoots only JPEG, limiting control over tonal adjustment and noise correction.

For portrait, landscape, or night photography where image fidelity matters, the Sony’s sensor composition and processing power provide a distinctive advantage. The Olympus, meanwhile, is adequate for snapshots and casual photography but will disappoint when shooting in low light or requiring large prints.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

Autofocus (AF) systems and shooting rates define a camera’s capability in capturing fast-moving subjects, an area where these two cameras diverge significantly.

The Olympus SP-810 UZ employs contrast-detection AF with “face detection” and “tracking” modes, but offers just 0.7 fps burst shooting. Focus is slow and more suited to static subjects like landscapes or portraits in good light. Its lack of manual focus and no continuous AF modes restrict creative control and rapid response.

In contrast, the Sony A9 boasts a cutting-edge hybrid AF system combining 693 phase-detection points alongside contrast detection, covering nearly the entire frame. This affords blazing-fast lock-on focus, real-time eye and animal eye AF tracking included. The camera achieves a staggering 20 fps with continuous AF and exposure control, aided by an electronic shutter capable of 1/32000s with silent operation.

For wildlife, sports, and street photography where fleeting moments matter, the Sony is unmatched. The Olympus’s slow AF and lower frame rate make it ill-suited for action but still serviceable for leisurely shooting.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Let’s break down performance in disciplines that photographers often prioritize:

Portrait Photography

Skin tones and expressive bokeh hinge on sensor size and lens aperture. Sony’s full-frame sensor with lenses offering wide apertures (e.g., f/1.4-2.8) delivers shallow depth of field and smooth background blur, enhancing subject isolation. Eye AF tech helps lock focus precisely where it matters - eyes.

Olympus’s smaller sensor and slower lens aperture range (f/2.9-5.7) limits natural bokeh and low-light skin tone rendering. While face detection can assist, the lack of RAW and precise controls hinders creative portrait work.

Landscape Photography

A camera’s dynamic range and resolution are critical here. The Sony’s 24MP sensor captures fine detail and extended tonal gradations, crucial for sunrises, shadow detail, and subtle textures. Weather sealing ensures reliability in harsh conditions.

Olympus’s sensor again constrains resolution and tonal range, and it lacks environmental sealing, meaning you must be cautious outdoors. The fixed wide 24mm equivalent is decent for landscapes but offers no interchangeable lenses for varying perspectives.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

These genres demand fast autofocus, long lenses, high frame rates, and reliable buffers. The Olympus’s built-in 36x zoom lens covers long reach but with diminishing image quality at telephoto and slow focusing.

The Sony shines with extensive E-mount telephotos, superior AF tracking, and 20 fps bursts - ideal for birds in flight or rapid sports action.

Street Photography

While the Olympus is compact and unobtrusive, its slower AF and lack of manual controls limit creative street shooting. The Sony is larger but offers silent electronic shutter with no rolling shutter distortion, crucial for candid shooting, plus excellent low-light performance.

Macro Photography

Macro requires close focusing and stabilization. Olympus supports macro focusing to 5 cm, with sensor-shift IS aiding sharp shots at slow shutter speeds. The Sony depends on lens choice, but native macro options combined with 5-axis IBIS provide superior sharpness and control.

Night and Astro Photography

Higher ISO performance and long exposures are critical. Olympus maxes at ISO 3200 with limited noise control, hindering astrophotography. Sony supports ISO boosts to 204800 with usable quality at high ISOs, plus longer shutter speeds and silent shooting options ideal for star fields.

Video Capabilities: From Casual to Professional

If video matters, here’s crucial info:

The Olympus shoots up to 720p HD at 30 fps in MPEG-4 format - adequate for casual home movies but not much else.

Sony supports full 4K UHD 3840x2160 recording at higher frame rates, alongside advanced codecs (MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264), microphone and headphone jacks for professional audio monitoring, and better stabilization. These features suit serious videographers and hybrid shooters.

Battery Life and Storage

For extended outings, battery endurance is critical.

The Sony A9’s NP-FZ100 battery rates approximately 650 shots per charge (CIPA standard), bolstered by dual SD cards with UHS-II compatibility - a lifesaver for professionals on the go.

The Olympus uses a smaller Li-50B cell, with no official rating listed but generally less endurance due to smaller format and fewer power-hungry electronics, storing images on a single SD card slot.

Connectivity and Workflow Considerations

Wireless features and interfaces affect your post-shoot flow.

Sony incorporates built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC for instant image transfers and remote control. HDMI out supports clean 4K to external recorders. USB 2.0 is standard, though somewhat dated by 2024 standards.

Olympus offers only USB 2.0 and HDMI connectivity, with no wireless options - reflecting its casual use design.

Summarizing Strengths and Weaknesses

To make sense of this comparison, the following table of pros and cons highlights core attributes:

Real-World Sample Images: Seeing is Believing

Seeing how these cameras perform in everyday shooting illuminates their real-world value.

Olympus SP 810 UZ front Olympus SP 810 UZ screen back Sony A9 front Sony A9 screen back

The Olympus images showcase pleasant colors and easy point-and-shoot snapshots at lower zooms, but with visible noise and softening at longer focal lengths and higher ISO.

Images from the Sony A9 reveal sharp, richly detailed photos with superb dynamic range, low noise, and creamy bokeh. The difference is stark, especially when viewed side by side at 100% crop.

Performance Ratings: How Experts Judge Them

To provide an impartial global view, here are the overall and genre-specific performance assessments synthesized from professional testing labs and in-field reviews reflecting image quality, speed, durability, and handling.

In every category - portrait, wildlife, sports, landscape, low light - the Sony dominates convincingly. The Olympus holds ground only in casual, travel, and superzoom niches where budget and ease of use override ultimate quality.

Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

If you’re still reading, you likely want a pragmatic answer: which camera is right for you?

• Choose the Olympus SP-810 UZ if you want an affordable, lightweight, all-in-one superzoom camera for casual travel, snapshots, family events, and zoom-intensive subjects without lens hassles or steep learning curves. It’s a decent starter or secondary camera but not for serious photographers seeking creative control or high image quality.

• Choose the Sony A9 if you are a professional or enthusiast demanding top-tier image quality, fast and reliable autofocus, rugged build, excellent video features, and flexibility offered by interchangeable lenses. Sports, wildlife, portrait, and landscape shooters will find it transformative. Video makers will appreciate its advanced capabilities. It comes at a premium price but justifies it with performance and build.

Final Thoughts: A Study in Contrasts

The Olympus SP-810 UZ and Sony A9 represent vastly different epochs and philosophies of photography gear. One embodies accessible, long-zoom fun wrapped in a compact package; the other symbolizes technical excellence and professional-grade performance.

Having tested both extensively, I see them as complementary rather than competitors: each excels in its domain. For dedicated photographers, the Sony A9 is a game-changer; for casual explorers and budget-conscious shoppers, the Olympus provides a practical, versatile point-and-shoot experience.

Choose the camera that inspires your shooting style rather than chasing specs alone, and you’ll enjoy your photographic journey much more.

If you’d like to dive deeper into Sony A9’s pro controls or Olympus SP-810 UZ’s zoom performance, my extended video reviews and studio tests linked above offer detailed demonstrations from both cameras.

Happy shooting!