Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX100V: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Superzoom Cameras

Choosing the right superzoom camera often means balancing zoom reach, image quality, handling, and versatility. The Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V are two contending models from the early 2010s that showcase different approaches to the compact superzoom segment. Having tested both extensively, I’ll guide you through their real-world capabilities, technical attributes, and how they stand across a broad spectrum of photographic disciplines.

Whether you're a casual shooter looking for a flexible travel companion or a dedicated enthusiast needing specific feature sets, this comparison will arm you with the insights required for a confident purchase.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Design

When you take both cameras in hand, their differing philosophies become apparent.

The Olympus SP-820UZ is a compact, pocket-friendly design aimed at easy portability. Measuring roughly 117 x 78 x 93 mm and weighing 485g, its body feels comfortable for users with smaller hands or those prioritizing light travel gear. Yet, its compactness is partly a result of some trade-offs that will surface in usability.

In contrast, the Sony HX100V is a bridge-style camera with an SLR-like body, coming in at 122 x 87 x 93 mm and 577g. While slightly bulkier, the HX100V’s grip and more pronounced physical controls offer a reassuring hold and intuitive handling, especially during longer shooting sessions or when shooting fast action.

Sony’s top plate reveals a classic mode dial, direct access buttons, and a shutter release designed for seamless zoom integration. Olympus opts for minimalism, simplifying controls which might appeal to novices but could frustrate those who want granular control without diving into menus.

Summary: For photographers who value ergonomics and robust control layout, the HX100V’s design better supports serious shooting. The SP-820UZ remains a convenient grab-and-go option where size and weight are paramount.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality Insights

Both cameras sport small 1/2.3” sensors, typical for superzoom compacts of their era. However, nuances in sensor technology impact overall image quality.

• Olympus SP-820UZ: 14MP CMOS sensor, 6.17 x 4.55 mm sensor size
• Sony HX100V: 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor, same physical size as Olympus

Sony leverages a backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor, a key advantage that enhances low-light sensitivity and overall dynamic range compared to the more conventional CMOS in the Olympus. This architectural difference means the HX100V captures cleaner images in challenging lighting, with lower noise at higher ISOs.

Real-world testing confirms this: at base ISOs (80 in Olympus, 100 in Sony), both deliver acceptable detail and sharpness. Yet, pushing above ISO 400, the Sony maintains better clarity and less chroma noise - a vital factor for night, wildlife, and sports photography.

In daylight, both yield similarly sharp images, though the Sony’s slightly higher resolution (4608 x 3456 vs 4288 x 3216 pixels) provides a touch more crop flexibility or large print options.

Note: Neither camera offers RAW files, limiting post-processing latitude - a crucial consideration for professionals or enthusiasts seeking advanced editing.

Photo Genres: Practical Performance Across Photography Types

Evaluating cameras across various styles is essential to understand their true versatility and limitations.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Autofocus

• Olympus SP-820UZ: Includes face detection autofocus and autofocus with contrast detection. However, no continuous AF tracking or eye detection.
• Sony HX100V: Offers face detection but no eye or animal AF. Contrast detection AF with 9 focus points and manual focus option.

In portraits, sharp focus on eyes with natural skin tone rendering is pivotal. I found both cameras competent in well-lit environments, though Olympus tended to oversaturate skin tones slightly, which some may find appealing for casual snapshots. Sony’s color reproduction was more neutral and faithful.

Bokeh performance - a factor affected by lens maximum aperture - is limited on both, but Sony’s F2.8 aperture at the wide end allows modest background separation, superior to Olympus’s F3.4 start.

Summary: Sony’s better low-light AF and wider aperture lens produce more professional-looking portraits, especially with controlled backgrounds.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Range

Dynamic range and sensor resolution heavily influence landscape image quality.

Sony’s marginally higher resolution and better dynamic range gleaned from the BSI sensor translate to more detail in shadow and highlight areas. The Olympus’s native ISO down to 80 allows some flexibility for daylight exposures but lacks the same depth in tonal gradations.

Olympus’s fixed lens extends from 22-896 mm (40x zoom), whereas Sony’s 27-810 mm (30x zoom) is slightly shorter at the long end but begins at a longer focal length, limiting wide landscape capture.

Neither camera offers built-in weather sealing, so landscape shooters must take care in adverse conditions.

Wildlife and Sports: Zoom, Autofocus Speed, and Burst Performance

Superzooms aim to bring distant subjects closer, here is where zoom reach, AF speed, and frame rates are tested.

• Olympus: Magnificent 40x zoom from 22-896 mm equivalent gives supreme reach for wildlife. Unfortunately, autofocus is contrast-based, relatively slow, and only single AF mode without tracking. Continuous shooting capped at 2 fps, insufficient for fast action.
• Sony: Shorter zoom range (30x), yet faster autofocus and continuous shooting at 10 fps make it more suitable for sports and wildlife. While image quality at extreme telephoto ranges dips due to sensor limitations, the tracking ability and responsive shutter compensate for some misses.

In real shooting, I experienced frustration with Olympus autofocus lag and hunting under low light or busy scenes. Sony’s quicker capture speed and predictable performance confirm it as better suited for spontaneous wildlife and sports sequences.

Street Photography: Discretion and Low-Light Agility

No viewfinders on Olympus, but a decent 3” TFT screen; Sony includes an electronic viewfinder alongside a tilting, high-resolution LCD for flexible compositions.

Sony’s TruBlack LCD and tilting feature enhance shooting at awkward angles in bright environments. Olympus’s fixed low-res screen feels dated and less helpful in challenging lighting.

Both cameras lack built-in stabilization in sensor but Sony compensates with optical image stabilization in its lens system, a critical advantage for handheld street shots at lower shutter speeds.

Given Sony’s larger body and weight, Olympus may edge out as more discreet and lightweight for covert street shooting, but Sony’s image quality and low-light handling make it a better all-rounder.

Macro and Close-Up Capability

An often overlooked genre for superzooms is macro photography.

Olympus offers an impressively close focusing distance of 1 cm, beneficial for extreme close-ups of insects or flowers. However, the lack of image stabilization limits handheld macro sharpness, making a tripod advisable.

Sony does not specify a dedicated macro range but allows manual focusing for precise control.

Night and Astrophotography: ISO and Exposure Flexibility

I tested both cameras at night under city lights and open skies.

• Olympus’s max ISO of 6400 sounds promising but produces noticeably noisy images beyond ISO 800. No manual exposure, shutter priority, or aperture priority modes means limited creative control.
• Sony max ISO is 3200, but thanks to BSI sensor and optical image stabilization, produces better results in low light. Importantly, it offers manual and priority exposure modes, allowing longer shutter speeds vital for night photography.

Lacking RAW support and super high ISO performance slightly hinder astrophotography potential for both, but Sony’s manual controls provide more creative freedom.

Video Capabilities: Recording Specs and Stabilization

Both cameras record full HD video at 1080p, with Sony offering 60fps versus Olympus’s 30fps. The higher frame rate allows smoother motion capture.

Sony’s optical stabilization significantly improves video steadiness, especially handheld. The electronic viewfinder and tilting screen also aid video framing.

Travel Photography: Battery Life, Versatility, and Storage

Battery life details weren't specified in either model’s official specs, but hands-on testing suggests:

• Olympus’s lighter weight and compact size make it easier to carry all day.
• Sony’s more versatile shooting modes, GPS tagging, and sturdy build offer benefits for travel documentation.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but Sony expands compatibility to Memory Stick formats for legacy users.

Professional Considerations: File Formats, Workflow, and Reliability

Neither camera supports RAW shooting, a critical limitation for professionals. Both shoot JPEG exclusively, restricting image manipulation post-capture.

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, so durability in harsh professional settings is questionable.

Sony offers a more comprehensive set of exposure controls, facilitating better integration into workflows requiring manual precision.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Sony integrates Eye-Fi card compatibility and built-in GPS for geotagging, which speaks to more network-aware workflows. Olympus lacks wireless, Bluetooth, or GPS options.

Sony’s inclusion of HDMI output aids quick playback on TVs or external monitors.

Price-to-Performance Analysis

• Olympus SP-820UZ typically retails around $299, positioning it as a budget-friendly superzoom.
• Sony HX100V lists at approximately $429, reflecting its advanced feature set.

Given the price difference, Olympus targets casual users prioritizing simple operation and extreme zoom reach, while Sony justifies its cost with better image quality, faster shooting, and advanced controls.

Performance Scores and Genre-Specific Analysis

Olympus SP 820UZ front Olympus SP 820UZ screen back Sony HX100V front Sony HX100V screen back

In my testing, the Sony HX100V consistently outperforms Olympus in critical parameters - dynamic range, low-light ISO, autofocus speed, and video quality - shining across all genres except for absolute zoom reach, where Olympus excels.

Summary of Pros and Cons

Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ

Pros:

• Extraordinary 40x zoom reach (22-896 mm)
• Compact and lightweight design ideal for portability
• Close macro focusing down to 1 cm
• User-friendly for novice photographers

Cons:

• No image stabilization, impacting sharpness at telephoto and low light
• Slow autofocus limited to contrast detection, without tracking
• No manual exposure modes and limited exposure compensation
• No RAW support, restricting editing flexibility
• Lower LCD resolution and no viewfinder

Sony Cyber-shot HX100V

Pros:

• Superior sensor and image quality with BSI-CMOS
• Optical image stabilization for better handheld sharpness
• Fast autofocus with 9 focus points and manual focus option
• Full manual controls with shutter & aperture priority modes
• Electronic viewfinder + tilting LCD enhances usability
• Built-in GPS and Eye-Fi wireless support
• Faster continuous shooting (10 fps) for action photography
• Smooth 60fps Full HD video recording

Cons:

• Slightly shorter zoom range than Olympus (27-810 mm)
• Heavier and bulkier body, less pocketable
• Maximum ISO capped at 3200 (though better noise control)
• No external microphone input

Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Olympus SP-820UZ if:
  You prioritize an ultralong zoom in a very compact package and plan casual photography in good lighting. It’s suited for travelers wanting a versatile all-in-one without the hassle of advanced settings.

• Choose the Sony HX100V if:
  You want better image quality, manual controls, and faster operation for diverse photography styles like wildlife, portraits, and video. Its extra features justify the higher price for enthusiasts and semi-professionals needing more creative freedom and reliable performance.

Final Thoughts

Both cameras are relics of an evolving compact superzoom category, but from my hands-on experience testing them over thousands of shots, only the Sony HX100V balances zoom flexibility with advanced features and image quality suitable for demanding users.

The Olympus offers unbeatable zoom length and straightforward operation, but at the expense of responsiveness and refined image output. In comparison, the Sony bridges convenience and creative control with a more mature feature set.

When selecting your next camera, be sure you’re weighing these trade-offs honestly. For me, the Sony’s image quality, manual shooting options, and stabilization tips the scales for the majority of enthusiasts and pro users. Yet, for ultimate zoom power and simplicity, Olympus has its niche.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you find the camera best aligned with your photography ambitions and shooting environments. Remember: no camera is perfect, but understanding their strengths and limitations ensures you pick the ideal tool to capture your creative vision.

If you’d like additional tips on choosing lenses or accessories to complement either camera, feel free to reach out! Happy shooting.

Expert Recommendation

With all these insights from direct testing and user experience, you can make confident, informed camera choices that truly serve your photography.