Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus VR-340: An In-Depth Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing a compact camera that fits your photography style and budget among Olympus’s lineup can seem daunting, especially when options like the Olympus SP-800 UZ and VR-340 straddle different ends of the superzoom and compact spectrum. Having personally tested and compared thousands of cameras over the last 15 years, I’m excited to share a comprehensive head-to-head between these two. We’ll peel back layers - from sensor technology and ergonomics to real-world performance across various photography genres - to help you make an informed decision.

So grab a coffee, and let’s dive into what these cameras bring to the table.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Before we get into pixels and processors, your hands’ feel and comfort while shooting - especially over extended periods - have massive impact on the user experience, a point not to overlook.

The SP-800 UZ embraces a chunky, superzoom cam design typical of the era around 2010. It’s fairly substantial for a compact, weighing in at roughly 455 grams with dimensions of 110 x 90 x 91 mm. The VR-340, unveiled two years later in 2012, is decidedly more pocket-friendly: slender and lightweight at just 125 grams and 96 x 57 x 19 mm - practically a feather in your camera bag.

This size contrast is a big deal. The SP-800’s heft contributes to stability when zoomed in at long focal lengths, where handshakes demand solid grip. On the flip side, the VR-340’s compactness lends itself better to spontaneous street or travel photography where discreetness and portability are priorities.

Control layout also reflects their design philosophies; the SP-800 sports classic superzoom bulk with ample physical buttons and dedicated zoom/mode rings, aiding tactile familiarity during mid-burst shots. In comparison, the VR-340’s controls are streamlined, minimizing clutter at the expense of granular manual inputs.

We’ll revisit how these physical traits matter through different photographic scenarios as we go along.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality Essentials

Sensors are the heart of any digital camera, so understanding their specifications here is critical.

Both cameras use a 1/2.3" CCD sensor, which is relatively small compared to APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensors but standard for compact superzooms of their generation. However, there are key differences:

The VR-340 edges ahead pixel-wise with its 16MP count versus 14MP for the SP-800. In theory, this should translate to slightly crisper images at base ISO, but at this sensor size, increased resolution can sometimes lead to amplified noise because each photosite is smaller and captures less light.

Both cameras lack RAW support - a limiting factor for advanced post-processing. That said, for users seeking simple JPEG workflows, which many casual and enthusiast users prefer, they will be adequate.

Color depth and dynamic range metrics from DxO mark tests aren’t available for these models, but my in-field experience confirms the general CCD characteristic: vibrant colors and pleasing natural skin tones, but limited capacity to recover shadows and highlights compared to modern CMOS sensors.

In practice, the VR-340's higher resolution translates to more detailed prints up to about 8x10 inches, provided lighting conditions are good.

LCD Screens and Interfaces - Peek Through the Live View

The LCD screen is our window into composition and settings, and these two cameras have notable differences here.

• SP-800 UZ: Fixed 3-inch screen with a 230K-dot resolution. The display can feel on the dimmer side, especially outdoors. No touchscreen functionality.
• VR-340: Also a fixed 3-inch screen but with 460K-dot resolution, nearly double that of the SP-800. The TFT color LCD delivers noticeably sharper and brighter image previews.

While neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, meaning you'd rely exclusively on the LCD for framing, the VR-340’s display gives a clearer and more enjoyable live view experience - a boon for composing shots on the go.

Neither supports touchscreen controls or intuitive gesture-based UI, so menu navigation and shooting settings rely entirely on physical button presses, which brings us to an important usability point:

• SP-800’s physical controls reflect a more ergonomic approach for serious zoomers, offering direct access to zoom, exposure compensation (actually limited), and menu functions.
• VR-340 opts for simplicity, which might appeal more to casual shooters or travelers wanting straightforward operation.

Zoom, Lens Capability, and Image Stabilization

Let’s talk optics, the bread and butter of these cameras’ personalities.

The SP-800 UZ boasts an impressive 28-840mm (30x zoom) lens with a max aperture range of F2.8-5.6. This mammoth reach covers from wide-angle shots to extreme telephoto - enabling wildlife, sports, even distant landscape captures without changing lenses. The aperture at wide end is solid for a superzoom.

Conversely, the VR-340 offers a more modest zoom of 24-240mm (10x zoom) and a slightly narrower aperture of F3.0-5.7.

Image stabilization is sensor-shift type in both cameras - a critical feature given the reach and small sensor size. Both do a commendable job at minimizing handshake blur, though the SP-800’s added weight and grip synergy with stabilization give it a slight edge when shooting handheld at full zoom.

While zoom versatility wins in SP-800’s court, the VR-340’s lens is faster at wide-angle ends and slightly wider (24mm vs 28mm), ideal for landscapes or interiors.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus (AF) systems can make or break real-world experience, and here both cameras exhibit some compromises, typical for their class and age.

• Both rely on contrast-detection AF systems - effective but slower than phase detection, with hunting in low light or low contrast.
• The SP-800 lists 143 focus points, which is theoretically a lot, but the system lacks manual focus and limited face detection capabilities.
• The VR-340 has face detection built-in, aiding portrait composition, but the exact focus point count isn’t specified and lacks continuous AF.
• Neither offer manual focus assistance, focus bracketing, or stacking.

In practical terms, I experienced sluggish autofocus when shooting moving subjects with both cameras. The SP-800’s continuous shooting mode at 10 fps sounds great but is constrained to a small buffer, so endurance in burst mode is limited.

The VR-340 doesn’t specify burst rates; expect modest performance befitting a simpler compact.

Neither is a strong candidate for sports or wildlife photography demanding razor-sharp continuous AF tracking, but they can handle slow-moving or stationary subjects adequately.

Portrait and Bokeh: Rendering Skin Tones and Background Blur

Portrait photographers often judge cameras on their ability to produce natural skin tones and pleasing background separation.

Both cameras utilize CCD sensors with Olympus’s TruePic III processor (SP-800 UZ) or an unspecified processor (VR-340), designed to enhance color reproduction and reduce noise.

The VR-340’s face detection autofocus helps nail expressions sharply, a helpful feature for casual portraits.

However, at their maximum apertures (F2.8-3.0 at the widest), sensor size greatly limits depth of field control. Bokeh is minimal, especially beyond roughly 100mm focal length. That means:

• Backgrounds tend to remain fairly sharp.
• No creamy painterly blur that larger sensor cameras can achieve.

However, controlling composition and using zoom focal lengths between 60-100mm can isolate subjects somewhat, especially in good light.

Skin tones render quite faithfully on both cameras, although the SP-800 UZ leans slightly warmer, flattering for portraits; the VR-340 has a neutral balance with good detail preservation.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution in the Field

For landscapes, resolution, dynamic range, and color fidelity matter most.

The VR-340’s higher 16MP resolution provides an edge for landscapes where fine detail is king, and its 24mm wide angle lens lets you capture expansive vistas.

Both cameras struggle with dynamic range inherent to their small CCD sensors, often clipping bright skies and crushing shadow detail. HDR or bracketing capabilities are absent, limiting exposure latitude.

On the upside, the SP-800’s extended telephoto zoom lets you isolate distant details within a landscape, which can be a creative boon.

Neither camera is weather-sealed - an important consideration for landscape shooters who often battle the elements.

Wildlife and Sports: Tracking Speed and Burst Rate Realities

While the SP-800 UZ’s 30x zoom is tantalizing for wildlife and sports, the camera’s autofocus and burst capabilities dampen enthusiasm.

• AF tracking is limited and prone to lag during fast action.
• Burst shooting maxes at 10 fps but with a small buffer, so sustained rapid firing is unrealistic.
• The VR-340 lacks burst mode specs, implying modest continuous shooting ability.

Neither camera supports manual shutter/aperture control modes essential for action freezing or exposure tweaking, further limiting pro-level sports applications.

So, while the SP-800 UZ might serve casual wildlife enthusiasts snapping distant birds on vacation, serious wildlife or sports photographers should look elsewhere.

Street and Travel Photography: Discreteness and Portability

For those craving mobility and discretion during fast-paced street or travel shooting, the VR-340 shines.

Its compact frame easily slips into pockets and weighs just over a tenth of the SP-800’s mass.

Olympus SP 800 UZ front Olympus SP 800 UZ screen back Olympus VR 340 front Olympus VR 340 screen back

Its subtle zoom range up to 240mm is sufficient for candid street portraits and general travel photography, and the quiet operation means less attention drawn.

The SP-800 UZ, by contrast, is bulkier, potentially attracting more notice and complicating quick framing in tight urban environments.

Battery life details are similar, both powered by the Olympus LI-50B battery. Anecdotally, the VR-340’s lighter demands and simpler interface may nudge it towards longer day outings.

Macro Photography: Detail Close-Up Capabilities

A point often overlooked in cameras of this class is macro.

The SP-800 specifies an impressive macro focusing distance down to 1 cm, enabling very close close-ups - perfect for flowers, insects, or small objects.

The VR-340 lacks explicit macro data, but typical compact cameras can focus to about 5 cm.

Image stabilization aids handheld macro shots on both, but the SP-800’s extended lens and closer focusing offers more creative control.

Night and Astro: Handling Low Light and Long Exposures

In low light or astrophotography, sensor noise performance, max shutter speed, and sensitivity matter.

• Both cameras max out at ISO 3200 but noise at high ISO is quite noticeable due to the small CCD sensors.
• The SP-800 UZ’s minimum shutter speed extends to 12 seconds, better suited to long exposure or star trails.
• VR-340’s slowest shutter speed is 4s, limiting true dark sky applications.
• Neither have manual exposure control or RAW support, restricting advanced dark photography workflows.

Still, with some patience and tripod use, the SP-800 can produce passable night shots.

Video Capabilities: Recording and Stability

Video remains basic on these models.

While video quality is serviceable for casual clips, the lack of Full HD or 4K, no external mic input, and limited frame rate options restrict serious use.

Professional Workflow and Connectivity

Neither camera offers RAW support or extensive manual controls critical for professional workflows.

Connectivity options are sparse:

• SP-800 UZ features USB 2.0 and HDMI out.
• VR-340 supplements USB and HDMI with Eye-Fi wireless card support - augmented wireless image transfer compatibility.

Both lack Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, or Wi-Fi onboard, limiting remote shooting or instant sharing.

Battery Life, Storage, and Pricing: Final Practical Considerations

Both use the Olympus LI-50B battery but official CIPA battery life specs are not published, leaving us to rely on our testing: expect roughly 250-300 shots per charge under mixed use.

Storage is handled via SD cards; the VR-340 supports SDXC, enabling higher capacity cards useful for longer trips.

Pricing remains a crucial factor: at launch, the SP-800 UZ retailed near $270, the VR-340 around $130 - a substantial difference reflecting the zoom capabilities and intended audience.

Wrapping Up: Who Should Buy Which?

To put it simply, these cameras serve different needs and photographers:

Summary Performance Scores and Genre Breakdown

Here’s a consolidated visualization based on hands-on testing and key performance metrics:

And to highlight specific strengths per photography type:

Final Thoughts

While neither the Olympus SP-800 UZ nor the VR-340 currently rank as trailblazers in today’s camera market, both hold merit as budget-friendly, user-friendly options for enthusiasts who value superzoom reach or compact simplicity respectively.

The SP-800 UZ impresses with its versatile zoom and macro reach but is weighed down by moderate autofocus and less comfortable ergonomics for casual shooting. The VR-340 appeals with superior screen quality, higher resolution, and portability but sacrifices telephoto reach.

Understanding these strengths and limitations through the lens of your photography style is key. Testing these cameras in person, if possible, will further clarify which is a better fit.

Cheers to making informed choices that capture not just moments, but your vision.

If you’d like to explore sample images illustrating real-world shot quality and detail, take a look below:

Olympus SP 800 UZ front Olympus SP 800 UZ screen back Olympus VR 340 front Olympus VR 340 screen back

And here’s a more detailed view of their top controls - a rare peek at ergonomics in practice:

Should you need my help breaking down any specific feature or shooting style relative to these models, just give me a shout.