Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony HX80: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

As camera enthusiasts, we know how challenging it can be to select the right compact superzoom camera. With so many options on the market, each boasting various specifications and features, choosing a model that truly suits your creative needs is crucial. Today, we dive deep into two small-sensor superzoom cameras - the Olympus SP-810 UZ (released in 2011) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 (released in 2016). While both belong to the same category, they differ markedly in technology, user experience, and real-world performance.

In this extensive comparison, we'll explore everything from sensor technology and autofocus capabilities to video features and suitability for different photography genres. Our goal is to empower you with the insights needed to make an informed decision tailored to your photography aspirations.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Build and Ergonomics

Understanding how a camera feels in your hand and how it handles can define your shooting experience. Despite both being compact superzoom cameras, their designs vary quite a bit.

The Olympus SP-810 UZ uses a traditional bridge camera shape with a pronounced grip and heftier body. This can give you a more secure hold, especially when zooming in at extreme focal lengths. However, it’s bulkier in your bag.

In contrast, the Sony HX80 is significantly lighter and smaller, making it ideal for travel and quick street shooting. While its grip isn't as pronounced, it feels nimble and easy to carry all day.

The physical size and weight dynamics often guide photographers toward or away from a model depending on use case. For example, if you prefer a camera that feels more like a DSLR in hand, the Olympus may appeal. Meanwhile, portability enthusiasts will appreciate Sony’s compactness.

Design and Controls: Interface & Usability in Practice

User interface design and control layout shape how intuitive and efficient your shooting sessions are.

The Olympus SP-810 UZ has a straightforward control layout but lacks advanced dials or shortcuts for exposure modes - reflective of its position as a point-and-shoot styled bridge camera. Its fixed, low-resolution 3-inch screen limits visibility in bright conditions and complicates composition at awkward angles. Moreover, the lack of a viewfinder requires using the LCD for framing, which can be challenging in sunlight.

The Sony HX80, however, shines with a higher-resolution tilting 3-inch screen that enables greater framing flexibility - especially useful for street photography or odd angles. Its built-in electronic viewfinder, offering 100% coverage, significantly aids composition in bright conditions and conserves battery life. The HX80 also provides more advanced exposure controls accessible via an intuitive menu system and better physical buttons.

For photographers craving control vs. simplicity, these differences mark a significant consideration.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Every Camera

Image quality hinges heavily on sensor technology - the size, resolution, and processing.

Though both cameras share the same sensor size, the Sony HX80 benefits from a more modern backside-illuminated CMOS sensor. This technology generally delivers better low-light performance, improved dynamic range, and faster readout speeds compared to the older CCD sensor in the Olympus SP-810 UZ.

Sony's 18-megapixel resolution offers crisper images with finer detail, useful when cropping or printing large prints. The Olympus's 14MP sensor, while adequate for casual use, tends to lag in sharpness and noise control, especially at higher ISO settings.

We tested both cameras in controlled studio conditions and outdoor daylight. The Sony HX80 consistently produced cleaner images with richer colors and a broader dynamic range. The Olympus images at base ISO looked decent but showed diminished shadow detail and quicker noise onset around ISO 800 and above.

For landscape photographers and portrait shooters who demand image fidelity, the Sony's sensor technology gives it a concrete edge.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy in Real Life

Autofocus (AF) systems can make or break your shooting, especially for fast-paced genres like wildlife or sports.

Both cameras rely solely on contrast-detection AF, typical for compact superzoom cameras. However, the Sony HX80 advances offering continuous autofocus (AF-C), allowing you to track moving subjects more effectively. Olympus lacks this feature, restricting you to single AF or limited tracking.

During our tests with moving subjects (pedestrians, pets), the Sony maintained focus more reliably and quickly refocused after temporary obstruction. The Olympus occasionally hunted or missed focus transitions, especially in dim light or high contrast scenes.

Face detection works well on both, but Sony adds selective AF modes that let you specify focus points more precisely, beneficial for portraits or creative composition.

For wildlife, sports, or street photographers needing snappy AF and tracking, the Sony HX80 is the clear winner.

Zoom Lenses and Macro Capabilities: Versatility Matters

Superzoom cameras are prized for flexibility. How well these lenses perform in various scenarios is key.

While the Olympus offers a longer zoom reach (864mm equivalent vs. Sony's 720mm), the higher-aperture lens at the telephoto end is somewhat brighter on Olympus. Bright aperture at long zooms benefits wildlife or sports shooters needing faster shutter speeds.

However, the trade-off is that Sony’s lens is slightly slower and has a shorter reach, but compensates with superior in-lens optical stabilization (Optical SteadyShot) that performs well for hand-held shooting at long focal lengths. Olympus uses sensor-shift stabilization, which helps but can be less effective moving toward the max zoom.

Both cameras feature 5 cm macro focusing, allowing you to capture detailed close-ups, yet neither supports specialized focus bracketing or stacking modes found in more dedicated macro cameras.

For users prioritizing extreme zoom, Olympus remains attractive. If smooth zoom operation and stabilization are paramount, Sony has advantages.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shots

Let's revisit the viewing experience, which fundamentally impacts how you compose and review images.

As noted earlier, the Sony delivers a high-resolution tilting screen plus a built-in EVF, allowing flexible framing even in strong sunlight or when shooting from unconventional angles. This is valuable for street and travel photographers.

The Olympus lacks a viewfinder and uses a fixed, low-res LCD, making framing less effective outdoors and less flexible overall.

When reviewing images on the Olympus, the screen quality feels basic, compromising precise checking of focus critical especially for portraits and landscapes. The Sony's superior LCD brightness and clarity provide a better post-shot validation experience.

Burst and Shutter Capabilities: Action and Sports Shooting

Capturing split seconds demands fast continuous shooting and a reliable shutter mechanism.

The Olympus’s burst speed of 0.7 frames per second is quite slow by modern standards. This limits its use for shooting fast-moving subjects like sports, wildlife, or street candid photography where timing is crucial.

On the other hand, the Sony HX80 shines with a rapid 10 fps burst rate, making it far better suited for action-packed scenarios. Coupled with continuous autofocus, this makes tracking and capturing multiple frames of fast subjects possible.

Shutter speed on Sony covers a much wider range, including long exposures needed for night landscapes or astrophotography.

For anyone aiming to shoot dynamic subjects, Sony’s capabilities offer clear value.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Stills

Both cameras offer video recording function, but the capabilities and quality differ.

The Sony HX80 records Full HD 1080p video at various frame rates, including a smooth 60fps mode. This grants you fluid, professional-looking motion, which is a boon for vloggers or multimedia creators. Its advanced video codecs provide higher quality and better editing flexibility.

The Olympus SP-810 UZ records only HD 720p at 30fps, which is noticeably lower resolution and less fluid motion.

Neither camera has microphone inputs, so external audio recording options are limited, but Sony’s superior sensor and stabilization make for noticeably better handheld footage.

If video creation is part of your plans, the Sony HX80 is a more future-proof choice.

Connectivity and Storage: Sharing Made Easy?

Modern cameras often integrate wireless features for quick image transfer and social sharing.

While the Olympus offers none of the modern wireless conveniences, the Sony HX80 comes equipped with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, allowing you to swiftly send photos to your smartphone or tablet and control the camera remotely.

Storage options are similar, with Sony supporting proprietary Memory Sticks alongside SD cards; Olympus sticks to SD cards and internal memory.

For photographers who want to quickly get images online or use smartphones as remote viewers, the Sony delivers notable advantages.

Battery Life: How Long Will You Shoot?

Battery endurance impacts the length of your photo sessions without interruption.

Sony advertises around 390 shots per charge using the NP-BX1, a reasonable figure for the compact class. The Olympus does not specify battery life, but in practice, larger sensor-shift stabilization and larger zoom may drain power faster.

If extended shooting days are common for you, factor in spare batteries or power bank solutions.

Performance Scores by Photography Genre

We tested both cameras across major photography disciplines to evaluate their real-world strengths.

Overall Ratings and Recommendations

A holistic comparison brings together the cameras’ pros and cons.

Who Should Choose the Olympus SP-810 UZ?

• You want the longest possible zoom (36x) for print or observational use.
• You prefer a heftier bridge-style body that feels like a DSLR.
• Your needs are casual photography under good lighting without demand for advanced controls or video.
• You prioritize simplicity over fidgeting with numerous settings.
• Budget sensitivity is key, as this older model is generally less costly.

Who Should Go For the Sony HX80?

• You seek superior image quality with an 18MP BSI-CMOS sensor and broader dynamic range.
• Fast, reliable autofocus especially for moving subjects matters.
• You want a compact, travel-friendly body with a versatile tilting screen and EVF.
• Video shooting in Full HD 60fps to share your stories is part of your workflow.
• Wireless connectivity and more refined manual controls enhance your creative process.
• You’re willing to invest a bit more for the above advancements.

Wrapping Up: Making Your Next Step

Both cameras offer unique attributes catering to different kinds of creators. Our extensive hands-on testing reveals that the Sony HX80 edges ahead in practically every performance parameter and modern usability consideration, making it a more future-oriented choice.

However, the Olympus SP-810 UZ holds its ground as a solid budget-friendly superzoom with rugged handling and impressive maximum zoom reach.

Before purchasing, consider how you shoot:

• Do you prioritize portability, speed, and image quality? Look to the Sony HX80.
• Are you exploring superzoom at an entry-level price with less concern for video or AF speed? The Olympus SP-810 UZ will serve you adequately.

And as always, check out these cameras in-store where possible, test their ergonomics, and view sample images firsthand.

Sample Images: See Them for Yourself

Visual examples truly help inform buying decisions. The gallery below shows sample photos captured by both cameras under various conditions.

Olympus SP 810 UZ front Olympus SP 810 UZ screen back Sony HX80 front Sony HX80 screen back

Embrace your creative journey armed with this knowledge, and find the superzoom that unlocks new storytelling perspectives. Whether it’s Olympus or Sony, the right compact superzoom can enrich your photography for years to come.

Happy shooting!