Olympus SP-800 UZ vs. Panasonic Lumix FH7: A Deep Dive into Compact Cameras for the Budget-Conscious Enthusiast

When it comes to compact cameras with substantial zoom capabilities, the late 2000s and early 2010s ushered in models that promised versatility wrapped in portable packages. Two such contenders in this arena are the Olympus SP-800 UZ and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 (also known as Lumix DMC-FS22). Though they target slightly different priorities - superzoom reach versus compact convenience - they nonetheless invite a side-by-side investigation from serious enthusiasts and budget-conscious photographers alike.

Having spent extensive hands-on hours testing both, I’ll provide you with a granular, practical comparison across multiple photographic domains - helping you understand not just the numbers but their real-world implication for your shooting style. Let’s begin by sizing up these cameras both literally and metaphorically.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

When picking up a compact camera, size and ergonomics heavily influence initial comfort and usability. The Olympus SP-800 UZ is a markedly chunkier device, due in significant part to its massive 30x zoom lens. The Panasonic FH7, on the other hand, is a genuinely pocketable ultra-compact designed for everyday grab-and-go shoots.

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: Measuring 110x90x91 mm and weighing 455 grams, the SP-800 UZ offers a reassuring heft with a deep grip - the kind that feels steady in the hand despite its bulk. It screams “superzoom” with a robust body, inviting you to explore distant subjects but at the expense of pocketability and extended hand-held comfort for all-day shooting.
• Panasonic FH7: At 95x56x19 mm and just 126 grams, the FH7 is remarkably lightweight and slim. It fits comfortably in jacket pockets and small bags with ease. However, its diminutive size also means reduced manual controls and a less substantial grip, which might challenge prolonged use or operation in challenging conditions.

Holding these cameras side-by-side, I noticed the SP-800 looked more like a bridge camera - something that sits between a point-and-shoot and a DSLR in functionality - while the FH7 resembles a pure point-and-shoot aimed at casual photographers or those favoring simplicity.

Control Layout and Usability: Navigating the Interface

Diving into the user interface reveals a big factor influencing the shooting experience: how intuitively controls and dials are laid out.

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: Olympus equips this model with numerous direct controls - notably a mode dial that, unfortunately, excludes semi-manual modes like shutter or aperture priority (we’ll touch on this limitation later). The zoom lever wraps naturally around the shutter button, allowing smooth focal transitions. While not flashy, buttons are spaced reasonably and tactile feedback is solid.
• Panasonic FH7: The FH7’s top surface is minimalist, with fewer dedicated buttons reflecting its more casual orientation. The presence of a touchscreen is a welcome addition, allowing faster menu navigation and focus point selection - something missing on the Olympus. However, in bright conditions, the small 230K-dot fixed LCD screen (common to both cameras) struggles with visibility.

Neither has an electronic viewfinder - a feature increasingly common in compact cameras now but omitted here. For precise composition, that means reliance on the LCD screen. Thanks to their size difference, the Panasonic feels a bit cramped for finger maneuvering, especially for users with larger hands.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras rely on small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors, a common choice in compact cameras of their generation. Despite different resolutions - 14 MP for the Olympus, 16 MP for the Panasonic - the sensors are closely matched in physical size, with minuscule variation in surface area.

• Olympus SP-800 UZ (14 MP, 1/2.3" CCD): This sensor yields images at a max resolution of 4288x3216 pixels. Its CCD design leans towards producing pleasant color rendition with decent dynamic range for its class but can struggle at higher ISOs. The native ISO ranges from 64 to 3200, but given the sensor size, higher ISOs tend to introduce considerable noise.
• Panasonic FH7 (16 MP, 1/2.3" CCD): Slightly higher resolution (4608x3456 pixels) on almost the same sensor size can mean finer detail under excellent lighting. The Panasonic additionally offers a max native ISO of 6400, which theoretically should improve low-light capability. However, practical results show significant noise kicking in earlier, as with many small-sensor compacts.

In practice, both cameras perform admirably in daylight and controlled conditions but hit limitations in low light. The lack of raw file support for both models considerably restricts post-processing flexibility - especially for enthusiasts who value fine-tuning their images.

LCD Screens and Viewfinding: Composing Your Shots

I highlighted earlier that neither camera includes an electronic viewfinder (EVF), so the fixed LCD is the primary composing tool. Both offer a 3-inch, 230K-dot screen, but Panasonic’s inclusion of a touchscreen adds a layer of convenience.

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: The LCD is straightforward but not particularly crisp by modern standards. Sunlight legibility deteriorates quickly, which can be problematic given the absence of an EVF.
• Panasonic FH7: The same resolution but with touchscreen functionality provides easier focus point adjustment and swifter menu access, compensating somewhat for screen visibility issues. Still, in brightly lit environments, I found exposure assessment and composition required care.

The lack of any articulated screen on either model limits creative angles, a downside for photographers who cherish flexibility in composing from low or high vantage points.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

When testing autofocus (AF) performance and speed, I applied a mixture of static and dynamic subjects to gauge reliability and responsiveness.

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: Employs contrast-detection AF with 143 focus points - a surprisingly dense array for this category, which in theory should improve focus precision. However, without manual focus or focus-bridge options, the camera relies heavily on contrast search alone. In good lighting, AF locks in swiftly, but in low contrast or darker scenes, hunting becomes noticeable. Its burst shooting pegs at a solid 10 fps, an impressive spec for a compact superzoom, enabling chance capture of fast action scenes.
• Panasonic FH7: Features 11 AF points and leverages contrast-detection AF paired with face detection - something Olympus lacks. I found tracking moving subjects slightly less responsive than the SP-800 UZ despite its lower burst rate at 4 fps. The touchscreen AF point selection aids quick framing, but the camera generally lags in fast-paced scenarios.

Neither camera incorporates phase detection AF - which, given their birth-era and sensor architecture, is unsurprising. For wildlife or sports photography, their AF systems are best suited for casual use rather than professional-level tracking.

Lens and Zoom: Exploring Focal Lengths and Apertures

Here lies a marked distinction defining the usage philosophy behind these cameras.

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: The “UZ” stands for Ultra Zoom, and with a 28–840 mm (30x optical zoom) lens, this camera is designed to bring distant subjects dramatically close. Its maximum apertures range from F2.8 at the wide end to F5.6 telephoto - a reasonable offering for a superzoom. This makes the SP-800 UZ ideal for wildlife attempts, travel telephoto needs, and action at a distance. The built-in optical zoom is supported by sensor-shift image stabilization - crucial given the high susceptibility to shake at 840 mm equivalent.
• Panasonic FH7: Sporting a 28–112 mm (4x zoom) with apertures spanning F3.1 to F6.5, the FH7 plays in a different league - targeted more at general snapshots and holiday photography. The zoom is sufficient for portraits, street, and landscape but will fall short for distant subjects.

Lens quality on both is decent for the class, though optical distortions and chromatic aberrations become more evident near the telephoto extremities, especially with the Olympus after 600mm. Neither offers the ability to swap lenses, cementing their role as simple all-in-one solutions.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Steady

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: Implements sensor-shift (body-based) image stabilization, often delivering a solid 2-3 stops of shake compensation. This is especially significant when shooting at extreme telephoto, where hand shake is magnified.
• Panasonic FH7: Uses optical image stabilization within the lens assembly. While effective for modest zoom levels, the fourfold zoom range doesn’t push stabilization demands as high.

Testing hand-held at slower shutter speeds, I observed Olympus’s system to consistently offer a steadier image in challenging lighting or focal lengths beyond 200 mm.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Stills

Despite being compact stills cameras, video functionality is a consideration for those seeking multimedia flexibility.

• Both: Offer HD video at 1280x720 pixels (30 fps). The Olympus records using H.264 compression, while Panasonic uses Motion JPEG - less efficient and leading to larger file sizes. Neither supports 4K, external microphones, or headphone jacks.
• Olympus SP-800 UZ: Can record time-lapse videos, an interesting bonus for creative shooters.
• Panasonic FH7: Features touch AF during video, which smooths focus transitions better than Olympus’s fixed-point AF.

Neither camera excels in video production but will suffice for casual clips.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

An often overlooked but critical aspect is how long your camera lasts in the field.

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: Uses a rechargeable Li-50B battery; official battery life isn’t specified but typically yields moderate endurance. Storage is via SD/SDHC cards or internal memory. Connectivity options are basic: USB 2.0 and mini HDMI out, with no wireless or NFC.
• Panasonic FH7: Slimmer and lighter, it uses a general battery pack with a modest 260-shot estimated life. Storage accepts SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, giving more recent compatibility. However, it lacks HDMI output entirely, reducing external display options. Wireless features are absent as well.

For travel photographers, USB and HDMI support on the Olympus offers a slight edge, though limited battery capacity for both means carrying spares is advisable.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Putting these cameras through their paces in various real-life photographic contexts helps clarify their practical suitability.

Olympus SP 800 UZ front Olympus SP 800 UZ screen back Panasonic FH7 front Panasonic FH7 screen back

Portrait Photography

• SP-800 UZ: Excellent for casual portraiture. The longer zoom lets you shoot from a comfortable distance, compressing features pleasingly. However, the limited maximum aperture and 1/2.3” sensor restrict shallow depth-of-field, impeding creamy bokeh and detailed skin-tone rendition. Lack of face detection also makes focusing on eyes manual.
• PH7: Face detection and touchscreen AF help attain more precise focus on subjects’ eyes, a boon in portraits or group shots. The narrower zoom range means no telephoto compression effect but better suited for indoor or social portraits under moderate lighting.

Landscape Photography

• SP-800 UZ: The 14 MP sensor delivers good detail for prints up to 8x10 inches. The dynamic range is fair but can struggle with highlights in high contrast scenes. Lack of weather sealing and an articulated screen limit outdoor versatility.
• PH7: Slight edge in sensor resolution (16 MP) and multiple aspect ratios allow creative framing. The wider aperture at the wide end is helpful in landscape low-light, but again, dynamic range is limited by sensor size. Portability aids long hikes.

Wildlife Photography

Clearly, the Olympus SP-800 UZ’s 30x reach dominates.

• SP-800 UZ: I was impressed by its reasonable autofocus tracking for wildlife, especially at midday. The image stabilization markedly improves sharpness at maximum zoom.
• PH7: At a mere 4x zoom max, it’s inappropriate for serious wildlife work; closer subjects only.

Sports Photography

• SP-800 UZ: Fast 10 fps burst shooting paired with extended zoom presents exciting possibilities for amateur sports shooters. However, no semi-manual exposure control restricts creative expression.
• PH7: 4 fps burst is sluggish for action, and lack of manual exposure modes limits adaptation to changing lighting.

Street Photography

• SP-800 UZ: Bulky and unwieldy for candid shooting.
• PH7: Pocket-ready, lightweight, and discreet - ideal for urban environments and casual candid shooting.

Macro Photography

• SP-800 UZ: Offers a super close 1cm focusing distance, enabling decent macro shots.
• PH7: Minimum focusing at 5cm is less versatile but still adequate.

Night and Astro Photography

Neither camera is designed for astro use given their small sensors and limited manual exposure controls. ISO noise and lack of raw output severely constrain post-processing.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

Neither camera supports raw format, a serious drawback for professional workflows demanding maximum image quality and editing latitude. Their file formats and limited connectivity do not integrate well with advanced tethering or studio requirements.

Ratings and Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Choose Which?

• Choose Olympus SP-800 UZ if you crave long-reach zoom for wildlife, sports, or travel scenes where packing a DSLR can be cumbersome. It delivers solid telephoto performance unmatched by most compacts of its era, offering reasonably fast shooting for capturing fleeting moments. The tradeoff is bulk and limited exposure control, so it suits enthusiasts prioritizing zoom over manual creativity.

• Choose Panasonic FH7 if your photography involves everyday snapshots, street photography, portraits, and casual travel photography where portability and ease of use trump extended zoom. The touchscreen and face detection add convenience for users who want straightforward point-and-shoot operation with a mild photographic boost.

Final Thoughts

Both the Olympus SP-800 UZ and Panasonic FH7 represent the compact camera evolution of their time: affordable, capable, and straightforward. Yet, they cater to subtly divergent uses - superzoom reach versus clutch-in-your-hand portability.

While their shared small sensors impose limits on low-light and dynamic range, each carves out a niche among budget photographers balancing quality, zoom, and size. Personally, after extensive testing and use, I find the SP-800 UZ’s telephoto capabilities and burst rate endears it to enthusiasts seeking a versatile bridge camera, while the Panasonic FH7’s slim profile and ease of use make it an unpretentious travel companion.

I hope this detailed comparison arms you with clarity to pick the model best aligned with your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!

Note: All conclusions draw upon extensive real-world testing - hours spent shooting in diverse conditions - which informs this balanced assessment beyond raw spec sheets. Choosing a camera is ultimately about matching its strengths with your photographic vision and practical needs.