Unleashing the Power of Olympus SP-800 UZ: A Comprehensive Review

This blog post provides a detailed overview of the Olympus SP-800 UZ, a powerful camera that packs impressive features and capabilities. From its 30x optical zoom lens to its HD video recording capabilities, this camera is a game-changer for both amateur and professional photographers alike. This review covers everything from the camera's design and usability to its image quality and performance.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Olympus SP-800 UZ article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 02 2010

Announced

14 megapixels

Resolution

BrandOlympus
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight455g
MSRP$349USD

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Overview of the SP-800 UZ

Are you looking for a camera that can do it all? Look no further than the Olympus SP-800 UZ! This powerhouse of a camera boasts a 30x optical zoom lens, HD video recording, and a range of advanced features that make it an ideal choice for everyone from beginners to experienced photographers. In this comprehensive review, we'll dive into the details of the Olympus SP-800 UZ, from its sleek design to its impressive performance. So sit back, grab your favorite cup of coffee, and get ready to discover what makes this camera so special.

Olympus SP-800 UZ Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Olympus SP-800 UZ camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Compact size
30x optical zoom
Image stabilization
Easy to use
HD video recording
Dual image stabilization
Face detection technology
Wide-angle lens
Compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards

Cons

Mediocre low-light performance
Slow autofocus
Limited manual control options
No RAW file format support
Mediocre image quality at high ISO settings
Battery life could be better
Limited lens aperture range
Some users have reported issues with the camera's durability
Small, low-resolution LCD screen.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Olympus SP-800 UZ

Weather sealed
Dimensions110 x 90 x 91mm
Weight455g
Thickness91mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Olympus SP-800 UZ is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Olympus SP-800 UZ not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Olympus SP-800 UZ does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the SP-800 UZ camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Olympus SP-800 UZ has a 14MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 14 pixels. Olympus SP-800 UZ has a native ISO range of 64 - 3200 which can be boosted to null - 1000.

Key Features

Feb 02 2010

Announced

64 - 3200

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - 1000
Max resolution4288 x 3216 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Olympus SP-800 UZ camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the SP-800 UZ is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC, Internal
Battery Life
Battery ModelLi-50B
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Olympus SP-800 UZ supports SD/SDHC, Internal with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Olympus SP-800 UZ uses the Li-50B model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Olympus SP-800 UZ has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Olympus SP-800 UZ boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Olympus SP-800 UZ includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 143 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Olympus SP-800 UZ?

The Olympus SP-800 UZ features a CCD sensor

Is the Olympus SP-800 UZ weather sealed?

No the SP-800 UZ does not have weather sealing.

When was the Olympus SP-800 UZ announced?

The Olympus SP-800 UZ was announced on Feb 02 2010

Does the Olympus SP-800 UZ have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the SP-800 UZ does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Olympus SP-800 UZ?

The SP-800 UZ has a native ISO range of 64-3200, which can be expanded to ISO null-1000 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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