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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-800 UZ

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Olympus SP-800 UZ front
Portability
69
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-800 UZ Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced November 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
Olympus SP-800 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Bump to 1000)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-840mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Introduced February 2010
  • New Model is Olympus SP-810 UZ
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-800 UZ Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus SP-800 UZ, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both manufactured by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the SP-800 UZ (14MP) is very similar but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and SP-800 UZ (1/2.3") possess different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM1 was revealed 22 months after the SP-800 UZ making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-800 UZ being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the E-PM1 matches up against the SP-800 UZ in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus SP-800 UZ

 E-PM1 SP-800 UZ 
IntroducedNovember 2011February 2010Newer by 22 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-800 UZ over the Olympus E-PM1

 SP-800 UZ E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus SP-800 UZ

 E-PM1 SP-800 UZ 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-800 UZ Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM1 provides outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Olympus SP-800 UZ has dimensions of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus SP-800 UZ in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PM1 against the SP-800 UZ.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-800 UZ size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and SP-800 UZ is 89 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-800 UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-800 UZ Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specs. The image here should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and SP-800 UZ.

All in all, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Olympus SP-800 UZ will offer greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent E-PM1 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-800 UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-800 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-800 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SP-800 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
28
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography info
Olympus SP-800 UZ Street photography info
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography highlights
Olympus SP-800 UZ Sports photography highlights
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
no phase detect autofocus
47
excellent zoom range (28-840mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography info
Olympus SP-800 UZ Travel photography info
45
lack of Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
61
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
long reach (840mm)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography advice
Olympus SP-800 UZ Landscape photography advice
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
41
pretty wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging features
Olympus SP-800 UZ Vlogging features
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone port
24
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-800 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus SP-800 UZ
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Olympus SP-800 UZ
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus SP-800 UZ
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-11-23 2010-02-02
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI TruePic III
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 1000
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 35 143
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-840mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 12s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265 grams (0.58 pounds) 455 grams (1.00 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $499 $270