Olympus SP-810UZ vs Sony HX100V vs Nikon P500 - comparison

On July 27 2011, Olympus has introduced the SP-810UZ ultra-zoom camera. As for the time present, the 810UZ offers the longest optical zoom ever built into a compact digital camera.  The 810UZ replaced the Olympus SP-800UZ that was announced on February 1, 2011. In this digital camera buying guide, I want to compare the SP-810UZ vs Nikon Coolpix P500 and HX100V, all ultrazoom compact cameras which compete on against the other. I hope that this article will give you a better overview of the differences between those three cameras and help you choose the right camera for you.


Overview
There is a strong competition in the ultra-zoom digital camera's market. There is a good reason for that. If a photographer wants a telescopic-camera, he can either spend a lot of money into a DSLR system with a big and heavy telephoto lens, or go with a super-zoom cameras. Of course, for the hobbyist photographer, the second option is affordable, usable and practical.

Olympus SP-810UZ Ultra Zoom
(Image credit: Olympus)

The Olympus SP-810 Ultra zoom, although the world's longest zoom lens' camera, has some tough competition, especially from Sony, Nikon and Panasonic. In this comparison article I want to compare the Olympus SP-810 Ultra Zoom versus its direct rivals, the Sony cyber-shot DSC-HX100V and Nikon Coolpix P500. There are other superzoom cameras that can compete on the same spot here, but in this article, I wanted to narrow the comparison just to those three cameras.

Olympus SP-810UZ Introduction

The Oly SP-810UZ features a 24-864mm F2.9-5.7 36x Zoom lens with a 14MP CCD sensor.  With such a huge focal length, image stabilization is a must. Olympus utilizes a Dual Image Stabilization in order to get sharp images even at the longest zoom. The new camera comes with TruePic III+ Image processor, 3D image support, Magic filters (a variety of creative filters that can be applied for both videos and stills) and 720p movie clips.

However, not everything is extraordinary with the 810UZ. For example, the LCD has only 230K-dots resolution, the maximum ISO sensitivity is 3200 and the maximum shutter speed is 1/850 sec. The SP-800UZ  in comparison, has a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000 sec, Sony HX100V has 1/4000 sec. I don't know what's the reason for that, but you'll have to know about it and accept that if you buy this camera.

It looks like Olympus was going cheap here, probably wanted to keep the price lower as possible. It priced the SP810UZ for about $330, which is even cheaper than the SP800UZ.  The 810UZ is Olympus superzoom flagship. Although Olympus has other superzoom cameras with shorter zoom and more advanced specifications, still, I think that the camera should, at least, be relatively close to the specs of the HX100V or the P500. For example, many people will prefer getting a 921K-dot LCD, which you can get with the HX100 and Coolpix P500.

Having said that, let's not kill the SP810UZ just yet. I'm sure that if it can produce good quality image, be responsive and easy to use, tt will cover the disadvantages compared to its competing cameras.

Lets not forget that people who will eventually buy this camera, will do it mainly because of its very long zoom capability. Just think I enjoyable it is being able to focus so close on far away subjects, and at the same time, have macro capabilities. The camera is also very compact (105.9 x 75.9 x 73.5 mm) and weights only 413g. Considering the size of the camera, I must admit that it really tingles me to buy one for myself. As an amateur DSLR photographer, I always enjoyed shooting with my 70-300mm VR Nikkor lens. However, I always wondered what type of images I could capture if I had a Super Telephoto lens, like the one in the 810UZ.

Side by Side Comparison Table

In order to clearly see the differences between the SP-810 UZ and its direct super-zoom competitors, I thought that a comparison table will help you clearly see how those three cameras differs.

Feature	Olympus SP-810 UZ	Sony HX100V	Nikon P500
Announced	July 27, 2011	February 1, 2011	February 9, 2011
Sensor Resolution (effective)	14.0-megapixels	16.2-megapixels	12.0-megapixels
Sensor Size	1/2.3" CCD  (6.17 x 4.55 mm)	1/2.3" BSI-CMOS  (6.17 x 4.55 mm)	1/2.3" BSI-CMOS  (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
ISO	80 - 3200	100 - 3200	160 - 3200
Lens	25 - 864 mm (36x) F2.9-5.7 Sensor-shift IS	27 - 810 mm (30x) F2.8-5.6 Optical IS Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T*	23 - 810 mm (36x) F4.5-5.7 Sensor-shift IS
Macro focus range	5 cm	1 cm	1 cm
LCD	3-inch 230K-dot Fixed	3-inch 921K-dots Tilting	3-inch 921K-dots Tilting
Max. Shutter Speed	1/850 sec	1/4000 sec	1/1500 sec
Min. Shutter Speed	1/4 sec	30 sec	8 sec
Pop-up Flash	Yes (6.2m)	Yes (12.7m)	Yes (8m)
Continuous Shooting	0.74 fps	10 fps	0.8 fps
Video	720p30 480p30	1080i60 1440/1080p30 720p30 480p30	1080p30 720p30 480p30
Battery Life CIPA	350 shots	410 shots	220 shots
Size	106 x 76 x 74 mm (4.17 x 2.99 x 2.91")	122 x 87 x 93 mm (4.8 x 3.43 x 3.66")	116 x 103 x 84 mm (4.57 x 4.06 x 3.31")
Weight	413g (0.91 lb / 14.57 oz)	577g (1.27 lb / 20.35 oz)	494g (1.09 lb / 17.43 oz)
GPS	No	Yes	No

As you can see, the Olympus SP-810 UZ failed to impress with its low-end specifications, on some parts. In fact, when comparing the SP-810UZ vs HX100V vs P500, in fact, it just emphasize the high-end specs of the Sony Cyber-shot HX100V.

SP-810 Ultra Zoom with 3-inch 230K-dots Fixed LCD

The Olympus SP-810UZ is certainly not a camera for sports photographers, not for those who want the most technology-advanced specs. It's a camera that will get you closer to the subject better than the other cameras, but even when considering the zoom advantage, it's really not that much of a difference. 810 mm vs 864mm, the difference is not that big as you might think. The 810 UZ doesn't even shoot Full HD movies.

The question that you probably asking yourself right now is whether you should go with the longest zoom mega-zoom camera or go with a better camera with a bit less zoom?

The 810UZ was built to provide the average functionality of today's latest super-zoom cameras, including cool features like Pet detection, face detection, and Beauty mode for reducing unwanted blemishes in faces. It comes with 720p30 video recording, dumping aperture and shutter priority and reducing both maximum and minimum shutter speeds.  It seems that Olympus built that camera just to win another title and grab the media's attention. Well, I maybe over reacted, but I must admit that I really find the Sony HX100V and the Nikon P500 to be better cameras overall.

Who is this Camera For?

The Olympus SP-810UZ will satisfy the casual photographer who's searching for a traveller's camera with a huge zoom.  Don't get me wrong here, the SP-810UZ indeed has a mind-blowing optical zoom. It's smaller and lighter than its competitors, which gives it an extra score for portability. It's better equipped than its predecessor, the 800UZ. If you are searching for a compact traveling camera for an affordable price, the 810UZ might answer your needs.

Having said that, both Nikon P500 and Sony HX100 looks like a better all-around cameras. With their backlit sensor, 920K-dot tilting LCD screen, faster shutter speed and Full HD videos, it's really hard not to pick on of those cameras. The optical zoom difference between 864mm and 810mm is not big at all. Marketing wise, Olympus does hold the title "The longest zoom compact digital camera". It will certainly help Olympus sell more cameras, that until its competitors will be able to keep up and release a camera with a longer zoom.

Even if the image quality will be as good as the P500 and HX100 (still need to be seen), I would prefer picking either the Sony or the Nikon because of the more advanced specs. Of course it's my decision, you will make yours.

Other cameras to consider: Olympus SZ-30MR, Panasonic FZ47 (vs Sony HX100v vs Nikon P500), Sony HX100V (vs Nikon P500 vs Canon SX30IS vs Olympus 800UZ) and Canon SX30IS.