Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5: A Detailed Dive Into Two Distinct Worlds of Photography

Choosing a camera is rarely a straight shot - it’s about matching tools to your creative ambitions, shooting style, and workflow. Today, I’m pitting the Olympus SP-800 UZ against the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5. Two very different models from roughly the same era, both appealing to ambitious enthusiasts but delivering vastly different experiences. I’ve put these cameras through their paces across multiple disciplines, combining hard specs with hands-on insights from my years shooting, testing, and dissecting gear. Whether you’re after versatile zoom reach or mirrorless freedom, this comparison will help you see which camera truly fits your photography style.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Build, and Usability

When you pick a camera up, how it feels in your hands can make or break your shooting comfort - and influence your creativity.

Starting with the Olympus SP-800 UZ: this is a compact superzoom bridge camera, boasting a relatively hefty 455 grams and chunky proportions of roughly 110x90x91mm. It has a substantial grip and feels solid thanks to its build but lacks weather sealing. Its fixed lens and broad zoom range give it a “bridge” vibe - aimed at casual users wanting reach without swapping glass. Meanwhile, the Panasonic GF5 is a compact mirrorless with an interchangeable lens mount (Micro Four Thirds), tipping just 267 grams and measuring 108x67x37mm, so it’s notably smaller and lighter.

In my long-term handling tests, the GF5’s rangefinder-style body feels more comfortable for prolonged shooting, especially with prime lenses, and its flatter profile slips into a small bag with ease. The Olympus, while solid in the hand, is bulkier and feels more like a compact zoom camera than a serious photographic tool.

Take a look at this size and ergonomics comparison - it really tells part of the story:

The SP-800 UZ’s thick body accommodates that impressive zoom lens, but at the cost of portability. Controls on both models are well laid out but suited to their use cases: the Olympus has fewer dedicated dials; much is menu-driven. Panasonic’s GF5 has tactile control dials and a touchscreen that make manual settings accessible and user-friendly.

Design and Interface: Controls That Let You Shoot Your Way

Peeking at both cameras from the top reveals their different philosophies. The Olympus SP-800 UZ leans toward point-and-shoot simplicity, while the Panasonic GF5 embraces enthusiast-friendly manual control options.

You’ll notice the SP-800 UZ sports a zoom rocker taking center stage, with only limited external buttons for exposure or mode adjustments. This limits quick access to things like shutter priority or aperture priority modes - because, frankly, it doesn’t have them.

The GF5 offers dedicated shutter speed and aperture dials, a pop-up flash, and a clearly marked exposure compensation dial, giving photographers quick manual overrides. That said, it lacks a viewfinder, so composing in bright outdoor light can be a challenge - an issue shared by the Olympus, which also lacks any viewfinder.

Sensor and Image Quality: Where Size and Tech Make a World of Difference

Arguably the most significant technical difference between these cameras lies in their imaging sensors. The Olympus SP-800 uses a tiny 1/2.3" CCD sensor, measuring just 6.17 x 4.55mm with an area of around 28.07mm². This sensor packs 14 megapixels - impressive on paper, but small sensor size often restricts dynamic range, low-light performance, and depth-of-field control.

On the other hand, the Panasonic GF5 features a Four Thirds-sized CMOS sensor that's roughly 17.3 x 13mm, with an active area near 224.9mm² - nearly eight times larger than the Olympus sensor. The GF5 has 12 megapixels, which, while nominally less than the SP-800’s 14, generally translates into larger pixels that perform better in real-world shooting conditions.

Here’s a visual to put the sensor sizes and their likely impact into perspective:

From my practical testing and exposure to industry-standard benchmarks, the Panasonic’s sensor renders superior image quality - smoother gradations, richer colors, better noise control at higher ISO levels, and notably expanded dynamic range. The Olympus can produce decent results in bright daylight but struggles as shadows deepen or lights highlight.

LCD Screens and Usability: More Than Just a Display

Now let’s check out their LCDs, since modern cameras practically demand good screen technology for framing, reviewing, and menu navigation.

Both cameras have 3-inch fixed screens - but their quality differs. The GF5 shines with a much higher resolution LCD (920k dots versus 230k dots on the SP-800), delivering a clearer, more vibrant image useful for critical focus assessment and menu interaction. Plus, the GF5’s capacitive touchscreen enables settings tweaking and focus point selection with a tap - a definite ergonomic win.

The SP-800’s lower-res LCD is serviceable for framing but feels outdated and less responsive. Touch input isn’t available, and the fixed angle limits shooting flexibility, particularly at waist or overhead levels.

Let’s Talk Lenses: Fixed Zoom vs Interchangeable Mount

Here’s where the two cameras really diverge philosophically. The Olympus SP-800 UZ comes with a built-in superzoom lens offering a mammoth 30x zoom range - 28-840mm equivalent - with a bright-ish F2.8-5.6 aperture range. Great if you want to cover wide landscapes and remote telephoto wildlife shots without changing lenses.

Conversely, the Panasonic GF5’s utility depends on which lens you attach. The Micro Four Thirds mount boasts a huge ecosystem with over 100 compatible lenses, from fast primes to versatile zooms. Want creamy background blur? Pick a fast 25mm F1.4. Need reach? Grab a 100-300mm zoom. Shooting macros? There’s a dedicated lens for that too. The GF5 shines by allowing you to tailor your lens to your subject and style.

I prefer this flexibility for serious photography since optics heavily impact image quality and creative potential. But if you crave simplicity and reach-in-one, the Olympus superzoom can’t be beat.

Autofocus Performance: Precision Versus Zoom Speed

Autofocus systems are critical for subjects on the move - wildlife, sports, street photography - and both cameras approach AF differently.

The SP-800 UZ employs contrast detection with an extensive 143-point AF system, optimized for stationary subjects and long zoom reach rather than speed. It has only single-shot AF with limited continuous focus capability but surprisingly offers about 10 frames per second burst shooting, though buffering and processing slow this considerably.

The GF5 has a smaller AF array - 23 points - still contrast detection, no phase-detect - but adds face detection and touch-focus capabilities. Its AF speed is noticeably snappier than the Olympus, with continuous focus that smoothly tracks moderate subject movement. Burst shooting at 4 FPS is slower but steadier, with larger buffers.

For wildlife or sports where blazing AF and frame rates matter, neither camera shines compared to modern flagships. But between these two, the GF5’s AF feels more responsive and versatile for general use, especially portraits and street photography.

Specialty Photography: Matching Camera to Genre

Let’s break down how each camera fares across photography genres - noting strengths, limitations, and what you can realistically achieve.

Portraits

If you love shooting portraits with natural skin tones and creamy bokeh, the GF5 is your obvious choice. Its larger Four Thirds sensor gives better control over depth of field, and interchangeable lenses include fast primes capable of gorgeous blurred backgrounds. The Panasonic also has effective face detection autofocus, making eye detection easier (though animal eye-detect is absent).

The SP-800 struggles here, with a small sensor limiting background separation and less capable AF for faces. Skin tones tend to be less refined, especially in mixed or low lighting.

Landscapes

Dynamic range and resolution are key. The GF5’s sensor equipped with APS-C-ish-sized pixels delivers cleaner raws and better shadow recovery - excellent for tricky lighting. And no weather sealing on either body, so be careful outdoors.

The Olympus offers a spectacular zoom to frame distant mountains, and a minimum 1cm macro focus lets you explore textures up close - unusual versatility in a bridge. However, its sensor’s limited dynamic range means you’ll need careful exposure or bracketing.

Wildlife

The Olympus’ 30x zoom lens is a massive advantage for capturing distant wildlife without lugging telephoto lenses. But autofocus speed and accuracy can be wanting, especially on moving subjects.

The Panasonic’s autofocus is more refined but requires a separate telephoto lens, which adds weight and cost. For serious wildlife photographers, neither offers professional-level tracking, but the SP-800 is better for casual telephoto reach.

Sports

Fast AF, frame rates, and tracking are vital. Neither camera is a sports powerhouse. The SP-800’s 10 FPS burst is tempting, but autofocus and buffer limitations hurt. The GF5 shoots slower but offers better AF tracking.

If you occasionally shoot sports and prioritize image quality, the GF5 with a capable zoom lens wins. For casual action shots and reach without fuss, SP-800’s zoom can help.

Street Photography

Portability, quiet operation, and discretion count. The GF5 is smaller, less bulky, and has a more refined touch interface for quick shooting. The Olympus is heavier and noisier but offers longer zoom range.

For street photography, I prefer the GF5 because it blends portability with superior image quality and manual controls, allowing candid captures without calling attention.

Macro

The SP-800 UZ’s 1cm macro focus range and built-in lens make close-ups easy straight out of the box. The GF5 needs a dedicated macro lens but offers higher image quality and precision focusing.

If macro is a favorite, the Olympus provides instant access and versatility, while the Panasonic offers better quality but requires additional investment.

Night and Astrophotography

Low light demands high ISO sensitivity and sensor performance. The GF5 tops here with native ISO up to 12,800, clean noise, and exposure flexibility. The SP-800 maxes out at ISO 3200 but generally struggles with noise and dynamic range.

For astro enthusiasts, the GF5 is the clear pick.

Video

Video capabilities have evolved, and between these two, the GF5 is a better video tool. It shoots full HD 1080p at 60fps with AVCHD format, while the SP-800 caps out at 720p 30fps H.264 video.

Neither has microphone or headphone jacks, so audio monitoring isn’t possible easily. Lack of in-body stabilization on the GF5 means you’ll depend on lens IS or rigs, whereas the SP-800 includes sensor-shift IS that’s helpful for smooth handheld shooting.

Travel

Travel favors small, light, and versatile. The GF5’s size and lens options make it perfect for travel photography, especially combined with weather-conscious practices since there’s no sealing.

The Olympus, while heavier, offers all-in-one zoom convenience. So if you want to travel light with one lens and opt for zoom flexibility, the SP-800 wins. But if you want compactness and better IQ, GF5 is preferable.

Professional Use

For workflows needing raw files, manual exposure, and professional reliability, the GF5 is better, featuring raw capture and manual modes. The Olympus lacks raw support and advanced exposure modes.

None are weather sealed, so neither suits tough field conditions for pros. But the GF5’s lens ecosystem and file flexibility make it more workflow-friendly.

Additional Technical Insights: Power, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery life is stronger on the Panasonic GF5, rated around 360 shots per charge, thanks to efficient design and smaller sensor load. The Olympus battery life ratings are unspecified but generally shorter thanks to zoom motor and CCD sensor power demands.

Both cameras store images on SD cards; the GF5 supports SDXC for higher capacities.

On connectivity, both include USB 2.0 and HDMI ports, but neither supports wireless connectivity or Bluetooth.

Putting Our Experience to the Test: Sample Images and Scores

Here are examples of real shots from both cameras that illustrate these points - landscapes, portraits, telephoto wildlife, and more.

Olympus SP 800 UZ front Olympus SP 800 UZ screen back Panasonic GF5 front Panasonic GF5 screen back

And an overall performance rating chart based on image quality, speed, handling, and features:

Plus, genre-specific scoring to help you pick by your photography niche:

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Summing it all up: these cameras, though similarly priced for used markets, are aimed at distinct user profiles.

• Choose the Olympus SP-800 UZ if:

  • You want an all-in-one superzoom without the hassle of changing lenses.
  • Portability is less of a concern than zoom reach to get close to distant subjects.
  • Budget is tight and you prefer simple, no-fuss shooting.
  • Macro and long telephoto shooting out of the box appeal to you.
  • You shoot mostly in good light and want decent stabilization.

• Opt for the Panasonic GF5 if:

  • You want a compact rangefinder-style mirrorless with manual exposure control.
  • Image quality, low-light capability, and richer colors matter.
  • You are ready to invest in lenses and want the flexibility to swap optics.
  • Portraits, street, travel, and landscape photography are your focus.
  • You want Full HD video with better codec options.
  • Raw file capture and post-processing workflow are part of your process.

Between these two, I personally lean toward the GF5 if you value image quality, manual control, and long-term lens system growth. The Olympus SP-800 UZ remains a solid bridge camera choice for casual superzoom users who want shooting simplicity and reach in one package.

Parting Wisdom from Years Behind the Lens

Both cameras reflect transitions in the photography world - Olympus pushing compact superzooms just as mirrorless cameras like Panasonic’s GF5 began disrupting the DSLR realm. Your needs dictate the right choice. If you’re dipping into photography, ask: what subjects inspire you, and how much control do you crave?

Remember, specs only go so far; the joy emerges when a camera adapts fluidly to your style. I hope this detailed comparison helps you navigate that decision with confidence.

Happy shooting!