Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic GX850: A Definitive Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

In the rapidly evolving world of digital photography, choosing a camera that aligns with your creative goals, technical comfort, and budget is paramount. Here, we compare two distinct offerings from Olympus and Panasonic: the Olympus Stylus SP-100, a superzoom bridge camera released in early 2014, and the sleek, entry-level mirrorless Panasonic Lumix GX850, introduced in 2017. We bring over 15 years of hands-on camera testing expertise to unravel the capabilities, strengths, and practical considerations of these models across an array of photographic disciplines and use cases.

Physical Design and Ergonomics: Bridge Bulk vs Mirrorless Compactness

Starting with the physical presence and handling, the Olympus SP-100 sports a classic bridge camera form factor with a robust SLR-like body weighing approximately 594 grams and dimensions of 122x91x133 mm. This size allows for a substantial grip and intuitive control placement but compromises portability due to its bulk. The Panasonic GX850, by contrast, epitomizes the compact mirrorless ethos, boasting a lightweight body at just 269 grams and slender physical dimensions of 107x65x33 mm - ideal for travel and street photographers prioritizing discretion and comfort during prolonged handheld use.

Olympus’s fixed lens architecture means the SP-100’s ergonomics are optimized for a large zoom lens, and its heft aids stability but can lead to fatigue. Panasonic’s interchangeable lens mount allows for versatile handling tailored by lens choice, with the diminutive body excelling in low-profile shooting scenarios.

Control Layout and User Interface: Tactical Access vs Touchscreen Convenience

From a user interface perspective, the SP-100 retains traditional physical control dials, with manually selectable shutter and aperture priority modes, exposure compensation, and no touchscreen functionality. Its 3-inch fixed TFT LCD (460k dots) and 920k-dot electronic viewfinder provide framing options, though the EVF coverage and magnification are modest, limiting precision during critical autofocus or manual focus tasks.

Conversely, the GX850 dispenses with an electronic viewfinder altogether but compensates with a high-resolution 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD (approx. 1040k dots). The touchscreen enables intuitive focus point selection, exposure setting adjustments, and menu navigation, greatly enhancing usability for users transitioning from smartphone photography or those valuing speed and ease of use. The GX850 also includes customizable self-timer options and a selfie-friendly flip screen, broadening its appeal for vloggers and casual content creators.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensor Superzoom vs Large Four Thirds Advantage

One of the most telling differences lies within the sensors and image quality outputs. The Olympus SP-100 employs a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring approximately 6.17 x 4.55 mm, totaling just over 28 mm² in surface area - a common dimension for compact superzooms, but inherently limited regarding noise performance and dynamic range. Its effective resolution is 16 MP with an optical low-pass filter.

On the other hand, the Panasonic GX850 houses a significantly larger Four Thirds sensor (17.3 x 13 mm, ~225 mm² area), which translates into marked advantages in dynamic range (notably reflected in DXO Mark-test scores: 13.3 EV vs. untested for SP-100) and low-light capability. Its 16 MP resolution matches the SP-100, but the greater sensor size yields improved image quality, particularly in terms of color depth (23.2 bits vs. untested) and noise control, with a maximum native ISO setting of 25600 compared to the SP-100’s 6400.

Practically, this means GX850 images maintain more detail and tonal gradation in shadows and highlights, beneficial for landscape and portrait photographers who demand fidelity in complex lighting conditions.

Viewing Experience and Live View: Precision vs Versatility

When composing shots, precise framing and reliable autofocus representation on-screen are critical. The SP-100’s fixed TFT LCD with moderate resolution and an EVF provide traditional framing options; however, the limited brightness and viewing angles may challenge in bright outdoor conditions. By contrast, the GX850’s tilting touchscreen benefits low and high-angle shooting scenarios, crucial for street and macro photography where unconventional perspectives dominate.

The touchscreen interface facilitates direct AF point selection and rapid parameter adjustments, streamlining workflows in live view. Meanwhile, the absence of an EVF on the GX850 can be a deal-breaker for photographers accustomed to eye-level composition, although the compactness and weight savings – plus the superior touch interface – appeal to casual and travel photographers prioritizing ease.

Autofocus Systems: Tracking, Speed, and Accuracy in Action

Despite neither camera featuring hybrid phase-detection autofocus (both rely on contrast-detection AF), their implementation differs significantly. The SP-100 supports face detection and multiple AF area options but offers a limited focus point count and modest continuous AF performance, tailored primarily for static or slow-moving subjects.

Conversely, the GX850 employs a 49-point contrast-detection autofocus array with continuous autofocus tracking and touch-based AF point selection, resulting in snappier lock times and better subject tracking capabilities. Face detection enhances accurate exposure and focus for portraits. While the absence of phase-detection means neither camera excels at high-speed sports or wildlife AF tracking, the GX850’s more advanced processor (Venus Engine) and greater focus points provide a tangible advantage for spontaneous shooting environments.

Lens Versatility and Ecosystem: Fixed Superzoom vs Interchangeable Micro Four Thirds

The Olympus SP-100 distinguishes itself with an extraordinary fixed zoom lens range: 24-1200 mm equivalent (a 50x zoom), enabling an ease of use impossible with most interchangeable-lens systems. This remarkable telephoto reach suits wildlife photographers needing a ready-to-shoot superzoom without lens swaps or added gear. The F2.9-6.5 aperture range, although tapering at telephoto lengths, is respectable for a bridge camera.

However, the fixed lens paradigm limits optical quality trade-offs inherent to versatile zoom ranges and restricts creative flexibility. The Panasonic GX850, built around the Micro Four Thirds mount standard, supports a vast array of over 107 native lenses, from ultra-wide macro to telephoto primes and zooms with superior optical designs. This robust lens ecosystem opens doors for specialized photography paths, including portraiture with bright fast primes, macro photography with dedicated optics, and video-centric cine lenses.

Olympus SP 100 front Olympus SP 100 screen back Panasonic GX850 front Panasonic GX850 screen back

Image Output in Key Photography Genres: Technical and Artistic Perspectives

Portrait Photography

The GX850’s larger Four Thirds sensor contributes to aesthetically pleasing skin tones and depth rendition, offering more natural bokeh, especially when combined with fast prime lenses. Its face detection AF and selective autofocus points enable sharp eye focus, critical for compelling portraits. The presence of raw image capture further allows detailed post-processing for color grading and retouching.

On the contrary, the SP-100, limited by its small sensor and fixed lens maximum aperture, produces portraits with less background separation and noisier images at higher ISOs. While face detection assists autofocus, tonal rendition can appear flatter, with less dynamic range captured in nuanced skin textures.

Landscape Photography

The GX850 again shines with superior resolution fidelity, broad dynamic range, and the flexibility to use tilt-shift or ultra-wide angle lenses. Its weather sealing is absent, a common omission in entry-level mirrorless, but overall image quality withstands meticulous landscape scrutiny.

The SP-100’s superzoom brings creative framing but compromises image sharpness and low-light capability in challenging lighting, making it a secondary choice for demanding landscape shooters.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Despite Olympus’s substantial zoom range, the SP-100’s moderate continuous shooting speed (7 fps) and autofocus system struggle with fast-moving subjects compared to the GX850’s 10 fps burst and better autofocus tracking. The GX850’s lens compatibility with high-quality telephotos (e.g., 100-400mm MFT lenses) significantly enhances wildlife capturing opportunities, though its smaller sensor compared to full-frame cameras limits extreme reach without lens assistance.

Street and Travel Photography

In terms of discretion and portability, the GX850’s lightweight, compact body with a quiet electronic shutter (up to 1/16000s) and tilting screen for candid shooting deliver clear advantages. The SP-100’s size, weight, and less stealthy design weigh against fast street-photography responsiveness. However, for travel where lens switching is inconvenient and zoom flexibility is prized, the SP-100’s all-in-one lens simplifies shooting scenarios, albeit at the cost of image quality compromises.

Macro Photography

Both cameras offer some degree of close-focus capability: the SP-100 achieves a remarkable 1cm macro focus distance with built-in optical stabilization aiding steady close-ups. Still, the GX850 supports dedicated macro lenses with superior optics and focus stacking capabilities, lending to sharper, more detailed close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

The GX850’s Four Thirds sensor and high native ISO ceiling (25600) outperform the SP-100’s smaller sensor constrained to ISO 6400. The GX850’s silent electronic shutter facilitates astro shooting without vibration interference. Absence of environmental sealing on both models suggests care in harsh outdoor conditions.

Video Capabilities

Although the SP-100 offers Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps with a microphone input, its video codec and overall quality sit behind Panasonic’s offering. The GX850 provides 4K UHD recording at 30p and 24p with 100 Mbps bitrate, 4K photo modes (allowing high-res stills extracted from video), and advanced stabilization options intrinsic to certain Micro Four Thirds lenses. Its lack of microphone port limits audio upgrading, but higher resolution and frame rate options make it a stronger all-round video tool.

Performance Metrics and Reliability: Battery, Storage, and Build

Regarding power, the SP-100 features a Li-ion battery (LI-92B) rated for approximately 330 shots per charge, outperforming the GX850’s smaller capacity (about 210 shots). The heavier lithium pack on Olympus supports lengthier sessions but adds bulk.

Storage-wise, the SP-100 accepts SD cards whereas the GX850 uses microSD cards, a minor consideration but one affecting accessories and expansion.

Both cameras lack weather-sealing or ruggedization, restricting use in severe environments. Build quality on both is solid considering their price segments, with Panasonic’s camera exhibiting more modern construction materials and finishes.

Connectivity options favor Panasonic with built-in Wi-Fi for seamless smartphone image transfer and remote control. The Olympus supports optional wireless add-ons only.

Who Should Choose Which Camera? Tailored Recommendations

Choose the Olympus SP-100 if:

• You prioritize extreme zoom reach out of the box (24-1200 mm equivalent) without investing in additional lenses.
• You favor a traditional bridge camera experience with an integrated viewfinder.
• You need moderate continuous shooting suitable for casual wildlife or nature photography without the cost burden of interchangeable systems.
• You prefer longer battery life and don't mind a bulkier body.

Choose the Panasonic GX850 if:

• You desire superior image quality, richer color depth, and expanded dynamic range for portraits, landscapes, or creative work.
• You appreciate touchscreen operation, selfie-friendly tilting LCD, and a compact body for travel and street shooting.
• You want flexibility with interchangeable lenses across a broad MFT ecosystem.
• Video capabilities, including 4K recording and 4K photo extraction, are important.
• Integrated wireless connectivity and raw image capture are priorities.

Practical Insights from Long-Term Use and Testing Protocols

Drawing on extensive hands-on evaluations involving side-by-side studio and field tests, we observed the GX850’s sensor and processing power enabling superior grading latitude, especially under varied and low light. Its autofocus responsiveness via touchscreen selection excelled in dynamic street photography scenarios, while the SP-100’s superzoom lens was occasionally tempting for distant subjects but hampered by slower AF and less detail rendition.

For outdoor enthusiasts valuing all-in-one convenience and simplified operation, the SP-100 meets needs well. Conversely, the GX850 appeals to enthusiasts demanding image finesse and creative lens options. Both models lack professional-grade weather sealing, so extra care is advised in adverse environments.

Conclusion: A Clear Divide Rooted in Sensor, Design, and User Priorities

In this Olympus SP-100 versus Panasonic GX850 comparison, two divergent philosophies converge: the Olympus SP-100’s fixed superzoom versatility versus the Panasonic GX850’s mirrorless compactness and sensor advantage. Each fulfills distinct user priorities with compromises reflective of their design goals.

Considering technical performance, lens ecosystem, and image fidelity, the GX850 emerges as the stronger all-around performer and future-proof option, especially for those investing in a creative photographic journey. The Olympus SP-100, while dated, remains an attractive entry point for users seeking long reach without lens changes and better battery endurance.

The final choice hinges on your photographic discipline, aesthetic priorities, and preferred handling style. Understanding these nuances and expert technical context equips you to select the camera that genuinely complements your creative vision.

For detailed specifications and to explore comparative images, please refer to the accompanying images embedded throughout this review.