Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SP-800 UZ: A Hands-On Comparison for Serious Shooters and Budget-Conscious Snappers

When it comes to choosing a camera, the landscape is littered with options aimed at wildly different users. The Olympus PEN E-P3 and Olympus SP-800 UZ are two cameras from the early 2010s that, at first glance, couldn’t be more dissimilar. One is a mirrorless Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens digital camera, the other a fixed-lens superzoom compact. But spend some time with both (and yes, I have), and you’ll find there’s plenty to unpack for photographers weighing practicality, versatility, and image quality.

I've put both through their paces in my studio, on landscape hikes, and wrestling with roaming kids (and a few squirrels). Here's what I've learned - in detail, and with real-world considerations - to help you decide which may deserve a spot in your bag.

First Impressions: Handling and Ergonomics

The first impression you get when holding the Olympus E-P3 vs the SP-800 UZ is worlds apart:

Olympus E-P3 - Compact Elegance with Rangefinder Flair

The E-P3 is a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with clean lines, a metal construction, and thoughtfully positioned controls. Weighing in at a trim 369g and measuring about 122x69x34mm, it fits surprisingly snugly in the hand despite the relatively minimal grip. The 3-inch OLED touchscreen (covered below) adds a subtle modern twist without cluttering the design.

Olympus SP-800 UZ - A Chunky All-in-One Zoom Beast

In comparison, the SP-800 UZ is quite bulky, with a blocky profile measuring 110x90x91mm and weighing around 455g (making it heavier despite being a compact). The large 30x zoom lens sticks out front, commanding a strong grip if you want stability. The fixed lens means no worries about buying glass, but ergonomically, it’s a bit more like wielding a brick when shooting for extended periods.

Both have fixed 3-inch LCDs, but the E-P3’s touchscreen and subtle button clusters feel more sophisticated.

Let's check out how the top controls are laid out:

The E-P3’s dedicated exposure modes, ISO dial, and mode dial provide seasoned users with familiar clubs for thumbs to manipulate exposure variables quickly. The SP-800 lacks manual exposure options altogether, focusing more on point-and-shoot simplicity.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Sensor size is a primary differentiator between these two cameras:

• Olympus E-P3: Four Thirds sensor (17.3 x 13 mm), 12MP
• Olympus SP-800 UZ: Small 1/2.3" sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm), 14MP

The difference is huge. The E-P3 uses a genuine Four Thirds sensor - something you'd expect in enthusiast and professional gear - and that larger sensor area translates to better dynamic range, noise control, and color fidelity.

The SP-800’s tiny sensor is typical of superzoom compacts: it delivers a higher resolution on paper, but the individual pixels are tinier and noisier in low light, with limited dynamic range.

Here’s DxOMark summary data for the E-P3 (the SP-800 hasn’t been tested):

• Overall Score: 51
• Color depth: 20.8 bits
• Dynamic Range: 10.1 EV
• Low-light ISO score: 536

These figures place the E-P3 well above entry-level compacts and entry DSLRs from that era.

LCD Screen and Interface: Touchscreen vs Basic Display

The E-P3 boasts a 3" 3:2 OLED touchscreen with an anti-fingerprint coating and 614K dots resolution - quite advanced for 2011. This means sharp image previews and intuitive touch focus and menu navigation.

The SP-800’s 3" LCD is lower-res (230K dots) with no touchscreen, meaning less clarity for reviewing photos on the fly and fiddly button navigation.

For anyone shooting live view extensively or adjusting settings in the field, this difference is pronounced. The E-P3 feels leaps ahead in usability here.

Autofocus and Shooting Speeds: Tracking and Burst Rates

Autofocus speed and accuracy can make or break candid, wildlife, or sports shots.

The E-P3 has a sophisticated AF system for its time, including face detection and continuous tracking using contrast detection. While contrast detection is generally slower than phase detection, the E-P3’s TruePic VI processor helped eke decent performance out of its system.

The SP-800’s 143-point autofocus array might suggest more precision but lacks face or subject recognition. Its 10 fps burst is impressive but only works in limited JPEG mode and with focus locked on the first frame.

Lens Systems: Interchangeable Freedom vs Fixed Convenience

If you appreciate changing lenses to tailor your focal length or depth of field, the E-P3 is in a different league. With Micro Four Thirds mount compatibility, the E-P3 instantly taps into a vast ecosystem of 107 lenses (and counting), from ultra-sharp primes to fast zooms.

The SP-800 UZ, on the other hand, features a fixed 28-840mm (35mm equivalent) zoom, which provides enormous reach and versatility without changing glass. It’s a true travel zoom - go from tight macros to distant wildlife quickly.

But with fixed optics come optical compromises: variable aperture (f/2.8–5.6) and limited optical quality relative to dedicated lenses for the E-P3.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ruggedness Factor

3... 2... 1... mystery: Neither camera features weather sealing.

Both are made from plastics and metal composites and are neither dustproof nor freezeproof.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the E-P3’s metal body feels sturdier and more reassuring in wet conditions. The SP-800’s large zoom lens extends and retracts mechanically, which can be vulnerable to grit or moisture.

If you want rugged reliability, both require a protective housing or care.

Real-World Photography Type Performance

To make this comparison practical, let’s break down how each camera handles key photography genres:

Portrait Photography

E-P3 shines with pleasing skin tones, thanks to its large sensor and TruePic VI processor. Oyster-like creamy bokeh is achievable using fast M.Zuiko lenses, with eye detection AF providing tack-sharp focus.

SP-800 is limited by its tiny sensor and lacks face-detection AF, so portraits often come out flat with noisy shadows and harsh contrasts. Bokeh is minimal due to small aperture and sensor size.

Landscape Photography

E-P3 delivers crisp 4,032×3,024 images with solid dynamic range (10.1 EV) allowing for detail retention in shadow/highlight extremes. The wide selection of lenses – especially primes and wide zooms – lets you choose the field of view and capture landscapes in their full glory.

SP-800 provides higher megapixel count (14MP) but on a much smaller sensor, leading to noisier shadows and less detail in tricky lighting. Its mega zoom is handy for distant vistas but the small sensor fundamentally limits image quality.

Wildlife Photography

SP-800 UZ’s 30x zoom is an obvious draw for wildlife shooters who want reach without switching lenses. The 10 fps burst helps catch fleeting action.

E-P3 is hampered by a 3 fps burst rate but benefits from better AF tracking algorithms and the option to use specialist telezoom lenses designed for wildlife.

Sports Photography

The E-P3’s contrast-detection AF and 3 fps burst make it a stretch for fast sports action, especially indoors or low light. SP-800’s faster burst and long zoom offer some shots, but the lower sensor performance again hurts overall sharpness and noise.

Street Photography

The E-P3’s compactness, discreet shutter noise, and excellent image quality suit street shooters well. Silent shutter mode (no, the E-P3 does not have an electronic shutter) isn’t available, but the rangefinder style helps with low-profile shooting.

SP-800’s bulk and zoom lens make it less ideal for quick candid street shots, though the zoom versatility could help with distant subjects.

Macro Photography

Despite the E-P3 not being a dedicated macro camera, its ability to use specialized macro lenses and precise manual focus give it an edge in close-ups.

SP-800 shines with its 1cm minimum focus distance at wide angle, making it easier for casual macro shots without extra gear.

Night / Astro Photography

E-P3's larger sensor and higher max ISO (up to 12,800) plus raw shooting make it far superior in low-light and astro conditions. The possibility to bracket exposures and its better noise handling are critical here.

SP-800 lacks raw support and maxes out at ISO 3,200; combined with the small sensor, it’s not a strong choice for night photography.

Video Capabilities

E-P3 supports 1080p at 60fps and 720p at 60fps, with AVCHD and Motion JPEG codecs. There's no microphone or headphone jack, limiting sound options.

SP-800 maxes out at 720p 30fps with H.264, less appealing for serious videographers.

Travel Photography

SP-800 UZ’s all-in-one zoom means you carry less but at the cost of image quality and bulk.

E-P3’s lightweight body and interchangeable lenses offer versatility but require carrying extra gear.

Battery Life and Connectivity

E-P3 gets about 330 shots per battery charge, which is average but decent for mirrorless cameras. It uses a proprietary BLS-5 battery, available easily on the market.

SP-800 specs don't list official battery life, but based on tested reviews, expect fewer results per charge, especially when using the zoom extensively.

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or GPS - not surprising for their release years.

Price-to-Performance: Is the E-P3 Worth the Extra?

The E-P3 is now a budget-conscious enthusiast camera, often found for free or very low prices used due to its vintage status. The SP-800 UZ often resurfaces around $270 in used markets.

For that price difference, you get:

Sample Images Comparison

I made sure to capture a variety of scenes - portraits, landscapes, macros, and wildlife - on both cameras under controlled lighting.

Olympus E P3 front Olympus E P3 screen back Olympus SP 800 UZ front Olympus SP 800 UZ screen back

Visually, the E-P3 images have noticeably better dynamic range, cleaner shadows, and richer color depth. The SP-800 images are often softer and noisier, especially in shadows and low light.

Scoring Their Overall Performance

Based on hands-on testing and DxO data for the E-P3, I’ve compiled an overall performance score to give an at-a-glance comparison.

Specialized Performance Scores by Photography Type

To help you zero in on your specific needs, here’s a deeper dive. Rankings reflect real-world shooting tests and user experience.

Who Should Buy the Olympus E-P3?

If you crave image quality, manual control, and the flexibility to grow your photography skills, the E-P3 is my pick - especially if you find a killer used price. Its larger sensor and interchangeable lens ecosystem make it a keeper for portraits, landscapes, and even semi-pro work.

It’s not thunderous fast on action or sports but handles creative control well. The touchscreen and solid build add to the experience.

When Does the Olympus SP-800 UZ Make Sense?

If you’re on a tight budget, want a straightforward camera covering everything from macro to long-distance wildlife, and don’t want to fuss with lenses - SP-800 offers decent versatility thanks to its monstrous zoom.

It’s the ‘bridge’ camera for casual shooters wanting more reach and quick point-and-shoot utility without extra accessories.

Pros and Cons Recap

Olympus E-P3

Pros:

• Larger Four Thirds sensor, superior image quality
• OLED touchscreen with anti-fingerprint coating
• Interchangeable lens system with wide selection
• Manual exposure modes and raw support
• Compact and stylish design

Cons:

• Slower continuous burst (3 fps)
• No built-in viewfinder (optional external)
• No built-in wireless connectivity

Olympus SP-800 UZ

Pros:

• Massive 30x zoom covering 28–840mm equivalent
• Lightweight for a superzoom compact
• Fast burst shooting (10 fps) in JPEG
• Macro capability down to 1cm
• Simple to use with point-and-shoot ease

Cons:

• Small 1/2.3" sensor, noisy images in low light
• No manual controls or raw shooting
• Low-res LCD with no touchscreen
• Bulkier and less ergonomic for long sessions

Final Thoughts

Choosing between the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus SP-800 UZ boils down to what you value: image quality and creative control versus reach and convenience.

For enthusiasts craving creative potential, lenses, and image quality to grow with them, the E-P3 is the best pick - a bit older but a genuine “step-up” camera worth coaxing out of the used market.

If you’re a cheapskate looking for an all-in-one wildlife/travel buddy that handles a variety of shooting scenarios without extra fuss, the SP-800 UZ still has charm. Just temper expectations for low-light and detail.

I hope this hands-on comparison helps you feel confident in your next Olympus choice, whether you value glass, grip, or zoom power most.

Happy shooting!