Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-5: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Cameras for Different Photography Worlds

In the ever-evolving world of photography gear, it’s always fascinating to juxtapose cameras from two markedly different categories and eras. Today, we’re unpacking the Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ, a compact superzoom from 2012 designed for convenience and extreme telephoto reach, alongside the Pentax K-5, a more pro-grade mid-size DSLR introduced in late 2010 that targeted enthusiasts demanding serious manual control and ruggedness. At first glance, this pairing might feel like comparing apples to oranges - and in many respects, it is. But by unpacking their design philosophies, technologies, and performance in various photography disciplines, we can uncover what each camera offers and identify for whom each is truly suited.

I’ve spent countless hours testing cameras across genres and styles, and this evaluation is grounded in hands-on experience with both these models, industry-standard metrics, and real-world usage scenarios. Ready? Let’s get started.

Grasping the Machines: Ergonomics and Handling Showdown

Handling is often underestimated, but it fundamentally shapes our shooting experience. The Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax K-5 could not be more different physically. The SP-820UZ is a compact bridge camera with a fixed lens, designed to be portable yet capable, whereas the K-5 is a mid-sized DSLR built with a metal chassis and weather sealing for durability.

You can immediately see the SP-820UZ’s compact shape and relatively light weight (485g), making it pocketable in larger coat pockets or easy to toss into a day bag. The ergonomics prioritize straightforward grab-and-shoot usability, though some users might find the small grip limiting and the chunky zoom lens slightly front-heavy.

In contrast, the K-5 tips the scales at 740g and sports a more substantial grip with tactile, well-placed buttons - a hallmark of Pentax’s thoughtful manual handling design. Its magnesium alloy body and weather sealing mean it’s ready for rougher treatment in outdoor shooting environments. For those who crave physical control, a true optical viewfinder, and the confidence to shoot in rain or dust, the K-5's handling offers solid grounding.

The top panel layouts reflect these philosophies as well:

The K-5 sports dedicated dials for exposure modes and quick adjustments - a boon for fast-paced scenarios such as sports or landscape work. The SP-820UZ keeps controls minimalistic, appropriate for casual shooting but less inviting for deep manual tweaking.

Sensor Technology, Image Quality, and Lens Choices: The Heart of Capture

At heart, these cameras embody very different sensor technologies - the SP-820UZ uses a small 1/2.3” CMOS sensor, while the K-5 sports an APS-C sized CMOS sensor (23.7 x 15.7 mm). This sensor size difference underpins most of the image quality and performance contrast between the two.

The SP-820UZ’s sensor area is approximately 28.07 mm², delivering 14 megapixels of resolution. While this allows for reasonable detail in good lighting, its small size constrains dynamic range, low-light performance, and noise control. The presence of an anti-aliasing filter further smooths details to reduce moiré but at a slight cost in sharpness.

By comparison, the Pentax K-5’s much larger 372.09 mm² APS-C sensor offers 16 megapixels - technically close in count, but far more capable in image fidelity. The K-5 boasts a high dynamic range (~14.1 stops measured by DxO Mark) and excellent color depth (23.7 bits), helping preserve subtle tonal transitions crucial in landscapes and skin tones.

Lens ecosystems amplify this gap. The SP-820UZ’s fixed zoom lens covers an enormous 22-896mm (equivalent; 40x zoom) focal range, which is dazzling for a compact. However, its maximum apertures from f/3.4 to f/5.7 limit bokeh quality and low-light capacity. Also, lack of interchangeable lenses restricts creative flexibility.

The K-5, with its Pentax KAF2 mount, supports over 150 lenses including fast primes, macro, tilt-shifts, and professional telephotos. The ability to select optics suited precisely to the task - portrait, macro, wildlife - gives it a massive edge in creative control and final image quality.

Screen and Viewfinder: Composing and Reviewing Images in the Field

For composition and image review, both cameras offer 3-inch fixed LCD screens but differ sharply in resolution and usability.

The Olympus SP-820UZ's 460k-dot TFT LCD is usable in shade, but struggles under bright sunlight due to limited brightness and contrast. Its fixed, non-touch nature means navigation through menus and focusing points relies solely on physical buttons - adequate but dated.

The Pentax K-5, however, offers a sharper 921k-dot TFT LCD. While also fixed and non-touch, it benefits from a clearer display for reviewing images and menus. Critically, the K-5 includes a large optical pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.61x magnification - key for manual focus precision and eye-level framing in bright conditions.

The SP-820UZ eschews a viewfinder altogether; while convenient for some casual shooters, this limits usability in direct sunlight and hinders composition discipline expected by more serious photographers.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Versatility

Autofocus performance can make or break capturing fleeting moments whether in wildlife, sports, or street settings. Here, the cameras again diverge considerably.

The Olympus SP-820UZ relies solely on contrast-detection AF with face detection enabled; it has no phase-detection system or continuous AF tracking. Its modest 2 frames per second burst shooting further limits fast-action capture.

Pentax’s K-5 features an 11-point autofocus system with 9 cross-type sensors and uses phase-detection AF for heightened accuracy. It supports continuous AF, face detection, and tracking, allowing photographers to lock focus on moving subjects effectively. Additionally, the 7 fps burst frame rate (in certain continuous modes) is a significant advantage for sports and wildlife shooters.

While the SP-820UZ’s high focal length coverage impresses, its slow autofocus can require pre-focusing or “hunt” in low contrast, detracting from spontaneity. The K-5’s system, while dated by today’s standards, remains respectable and highly adaptable with various focusing modes.

Sample Images Highlighting Real-World Potential

A picture is worth more than a thousand specs, so let's look at some sample images taken with both cameras under diverse conditions.

Olympus SP 820UZ front Olympus SP 820UZ screen back Pentax K 5 front Pentax K 5 screen back

Observe how the SP-820UZ struggles to deliver crisp details at full telephoto, while the K-5's images boast richer tonal gradation, cleaner shadows, and better fine detail resolution. Skin tones from the K-5 appear natural and well-rendered, important for portraiture, while the SP-820UZ images tend to be flatter with less depth.

In low-light or night conditions, the K-5’s higher native ISO sensitivity and cleaner noise performance allow handheld shooting with microdetails preserved, where the SP-820UZ shows noticeable grain and color noise.

Scoring the Contenders: Overall and Genre-specific Performance

Aligning with established benchmark scores helps provide objective context. DxOMark hasn’t tested the SP-820UZ, but the K-5 scores an overall 82 - impressive for a 2010 model.

Breaking down strengths by photographic genre:

• Portrait: The K-5 leads with superior skin tone rendering, bokeh from fast lenses, and reliable eye detection AF.
• Landscape: The K-5’s wide dynamic range and higher resolution sensor shine here.
• Wildlife/Sports: The Pentax K-5’s fast AF tracking and high burst rate outpace the SP-820UZ, although Olympus’s superzoom lens edges out in focal reach.
• Street: Lightweight portability favors the SP-820UZ, but the optical viewfinder and low-light performance of the K-5 benefit quiet candid shooting.
• Macro: K-5 again wins for precise manual focus and option for dedicated lenses.
• Night/Astro: The K-5’s low-light prowess excels; the SP-820UZ’s sensor struggles.
• Video: Both offer 1080p, but the SP-820UZ utilizes more efficient H.264, while the K-5’s Motion JPEG format is more storage heavy but offers robust external microphone support.
• Travel: The compromise: Olympus’s compactness and zoom versatile for travel vs Pentax's coverage with heavier bulk.
• Professional Work: The Pentax K-5’s rugged build, extensive manual controls, and RAW support cater better to workflow professionals.

Tackling Specific Photography Areas Head On

Portrait Photography

Portraiture demands natural skin tones, creamy bokeh, and precise eye-level AF. The Pentax K-5 excels with its APS-C sensor that delivers nuanced tones and images with inviting depth. Paired with fast primes in the K mount, you get exquisite subject-background separation. Its face detection AF and ability to pick selective focus points make keeping eyes tack-sharp less stressful.

The Olympus SP-820UZ’s small sensor and slower lens limit bokeh quality and depth. While it offers face detection, lacking continuous AF and eye tracking is a drawback when capturing expressive moments or moving subjects.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters crave high resolution detail and dynamic range to capture full tonal gradations from shadow to highlight. The K-5’s sensor delivers here, and its weather sealing (an often overlooked boon) means shooting in adverse weather is less worrisome. Combined with ultra-wide and tilt-shift lenses from Pentax’s stable, it is highly adaptable.

The Olympus’s wide superzoom lens allows framing flexibility, but dynamic range constraints and smaller sensor size make it better suited to casual landscapes rather than professional-grade work.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Here, rapid autofocus and burst shooting are critical. The Pentax K-5’s phase detection AF system with 11 points (9 cross-type) and 7 fps burst shooting give it a significant edge in tracking fast wildlife or athletes.

The SP-820UZ’s 2 fps burst rate and slower contrast-detect AF means many fast moments will be missed or blurred. However, its 40x zoom lens (up to 896mm equivalent) can reach subjects well beyond typical DSLR zoom lenses, a plus if telephoto reach trumps speed.

Street Photography

Portability and discretion often drive street shooters. The compact Olympus is easy to carry and inconspicuous but limited by its slower AF system and the lack of an optical viewfinder, which can make high-speed shooting challenging.

The Pentax K-5, while heavier and louder, offers an optical viewfinder that lets you shoot outside bright sunlight without LCD glare, plus better low-light sensitivity for dim sidewalk scenes.

Macro and Close-up

Accurate focusing at very close distances and lens choice dominate here. The SP-820UZ offers a true 1cm macro focusing range - admirably close for a fixed lens.

Yet, the Pentax’s macro prime lens options combined with precise manual focus override and focus peaking (via optical techniques) make it unbeatable in sharpness and depth control for close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

Shooting stars and nightscapes is sensor-size sensitive. The Pentax K-5 supports extended ISO up to 51200 and delivers clean results at 3200-6400 ISO thanks to its larger pixels and better noise reduction. Its manual exposure modes and bulb settings cater well to long exposures vital in astro work.

The Olympus’s native top ISO of 6400 is more limited in quality and hampered further by small sensor noise and lack of bulb mode.

Video Capabilities

Both offer Full HD 1080p video, but the SP-820UZ records in MPEG-4 H.264, which is efficient for storage and well-suited for casual users.

The K-5 uses Motion JPEG, which consumes more storage and yields larger files, but includes microphone input for superior audio capture. Neither has headphone jacks, touchscreens, or advanced stabilization features, limiting their appeal to serious videographers.

Travel Photography

Here, size, weight, versatility, and battery life come under scrutiny. The Olympus wins hands down on size and zoom versatility for varying subjects from landscapes to distant architecture or wildlife. Battery life figures are unavailable for the SP-820UZ but tend to be modest in compacts.

The K-5’s larger battery achieves approximately 980 shots per charge, great for extended trips, but its bulk and weight make it less convenient for spontaneous shooting. The choice hinges on whether you prioritize convenience and zoom reach or image quality and durability.

Build, Battery, and Connectivity: Durability and Usability in Practice

The K-5 features weather sealing (dust and some moisture resistance), a significant plus for outdoor photographers who work in unpredictable conditions. Olympus’s SP-820UZ lacks any environmental sealing and feels more delicate.

Battery-wise, the K-5’s 980-shot rating provides excellent endurance; the SP-820UZ’s battery life is unspecified but typically compact cameras tend to offer lower shot counts, requiring spares for longer outings.

In connectivity, neither camera includes Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, reflecting their release eras. The K-5 provides HDMI output for monitors and a microphone input for audio, whereas the SP-820UZ has no external microphone, headphone, or HDMI ports.

Value Assessment: Price vs. Performance in Today’s Market

At an MSRP around $299 at launch, the Olympus SP-820UZ catered to casual shooters seeking an all-in-one compact superzoom on a budget. Its strengths rest in simple usability and extensive telephoto reach rather than top-tier image quality.

The Pentax K-5, at around $800 MSRP, positions itself as an enthusiast DSLR offering professional-quality images, robust build, and versatile manual controls.

While the prices and technologies are somewhat dated now, used or discounted markets may offer opportunities depending on needs:

• If you want a grab-and-go camera that can reach far-off subjects without fuss, the SP-820UZ is still serviceable.
• For photographers investing seriously in image quality, creative flexibility, and workhorse reliability, the K-5 remains a worthwhile DSLR even years later.

Recommendations: Which Camera for Whom?

Choose the Olympus SP-820UZ if:

• You seek a compact, budget-friendly superzoom with an enormous 40x zoom range.
• Your photography is casual, family events, travel snapshots without extensive post-processing.
• You value portability over manual controls and are okay with limited RAW support (no RAW here).
• Video use is more casual and you prefer simple format files.

Choose the Pentax K-5 if:

• You’re an enthusiast or semi-pro who wants professional-grade images and manual exposure modes.
• You need ruggedness and weather sealing to shoot outdoors in varied climates.
• Fast autofocus and continuous shooting matter, particularly for wildlife, sports, or action.
• You want access to a wide lens ecosystem for creative freedom.
• You work with RAW files and need more control over image processing and workflow.
• Video recording with external audio inputs is part of your workflow.

Final Thoughts

This comparison underscores the importance of matching gear to shooting style and priorities. The Olympus SP-820UZ is a specialized tool for convenience and reach in one simple package, while the Pentax K-5 is an advanced photographic machine crafted for those who seek ultimate control, image quality, and versatility.

Both cameras have value in their niches, but the technology gulf driven by sensor size, autofocus, and build quality tips the scales towards the K-5 for serious work across diverse photography genres.

Cameras reflect not just technical specs but how photographers engage with their craft. Whether you’re clicking away with the SP-820UZ’s impressive zoom or working the classic DSLR controls of the K-5 by a mountain stream, knowing their unique strengths helps you make the right choice for your creative journey.

I hope this deep dive helps you understand these cameras beyond surface numbers - balancing technical insight with practical experience is key. Happy shooting!

End of Review