A Comprehensive Review of Olympus Stylus SP-100: The Power-Packed Camera with 50x Zoom

If you are looking for a camera with exceptional zoom and image quality, the Olympus Stylus SP-100 could be what you are looking for. Read on for a comprehensive review that covers the camera's features, image quality, and who should consider buying it.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Olympus Stylus SP-100 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 29 2014

Announced

16 megapixels

Resolution

BrandOlympus
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight594g
MSRP$399USD

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Overview of the Stylus SP-100

The Olympus Stylus SP-100 has caught the attention of many photography enthusiasts because of its 50x optical zoom, a feature that is hard to come by in an affordable camera. But zoom alone doesn't make for a great camera. In this review, we will take a closer look at the Olympus Stylus SP-100 and see how it stacks up against other cameras in its price range. We will also explore the camera's features, image quality, and who would benefit from using it.

Olympus Stylus SP-100 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Olympus Stylus SP-100 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

Excellent zoom range (50x)
Dual image stabilization
Built-in dot sight for easier tracking of moving subjects
High-speed autofocus
Wi-Fi connectivity for easy sharing
Great low-light performance
Compact and lightweight
Affordable price point

Cons

Small image sensor (1/2.3-inch)
No manual focus option
Limited control over settings
Battery life could be better
No RAW image format
Limited video resolution (1080p)

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Olympus Stylus SP-100

Weather sealed
Dimensions122 x 91 x 133mm
Weight594g
Thickness133mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Olympus Stylus SP-100 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 FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution460k dots
Body typeSLR-like (bridge)

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Olympus Stylus SP-100 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

Stylus SP-100 includes a electronic viewfinder with 920k dots of resolution with a coverage of n/a and a magnification of n/a. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Olympus Stylus SP-100 has a 16MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 16 pixels. Olympus Stylus SP-100 has a native ISO range of 125 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - 12800.

Key Features

Jan 29 2014

Announced

125 - 6400

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - 12800
Max resolution4608 x 3456 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 Stylus SP-100 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 Stylus SP-100 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/SDXC, internal
Battery Life330 shots
Battery ModelLI-92B
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Olympus Stylus SP-100 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC, 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 Stylus SP-100 uses the LI-92B model of battery pack. This is rated for 330 shots 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 Stylus SP-100 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 Stylus SP-100 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/1700s, 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 Stylus SP-100 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null 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 Stylus SP-100?

The Olympus Stylus SP-100 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Olympus Stylus SP-100 weather sealed?

No the Stylus SP-100 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Olympus Stylus SP-100 announced?

The Olympus Stylus SP-100 was announced on Jan 29 2014

Does the Olympus Stylus SP-100 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Stylus SP-100 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 Stylus SP-100?

The Stylus SP-100 has a native ISO range of 125-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-12800 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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