Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS25: A Detailed Comparison for Every Photography Enthusiast

Choosing the right camera can be a daunting task, especially when options span diverse categories - from superzoom compacts to rugged waterproof models. Today, we put two compact cameras head-to-head: the Olympus SP-800 UZ, a small-sensor superzoom launched in 2010, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS25, a rugged waterproof compact from 2013.

Whether you're a casual snapper, a travel adventurer, or a budding photographer, understanding the strengths and limitations of both cameras helps you find the right fit. Based on extensive hands-on testing and long-term experience with numerous cameras, we break down the technical specifications, real-world performance, and best use cases for each.

Understanding the Cameras at a Glance

First, let's set the stage with a quick feature snapshot to frame the rest of this discussion.

Designed for Different Journeys: Ergonomics and Build

Understanding the physicality and handling of these cameras is essential as it directly impacts your shooting comfort and usability.

Olympus SP-800 UZ embraces the bulk and heft that come with an extensive zoom lens system. Its boxy shape and considerable depth (91mm thick) cater to photographers who prioritize zoom reach over portability. The robust grip accommodates one-handed shooting comfortably, despite its weight (455g). This size, however, means it’s less pocketable and better suited for planned photography sessions or travel in a dedicated bag.

In contrast, the Panasonic TS25 is streamlined, weighing just 144g with a slim 20mm profile. It is designed for spontaneity, ready to slip easily into any pocket or backpack compartment. Such portability, combined with environmental sealing, makes the TS25 perfect for adventurous users who need a resilient camera on the go.

Ergonomically, the SP-800 UZ features larger controls that suit precise operation, notably for zoom and focus control, while the TS25’s compact body translates to smaller buttons that might require some acclimatization for users with larger hands.

Top Controls and Interface: Quick Access Matters

How the camera's controls lay out dictates your shooting flow, especially during fast-moving scenarios.

The Olympus SP-800 UZ sports a traditional layout reminiscent of early superzooms with a dedicated zoom lever around the shutter, mode dial, and clearly marked buttons for flash and shooting modes. Despite lacking manual exposure options, its dedicated controls for timer, exposure compensation, and continuous shooting (10 fps burst) offer some operational flexibility.

The Panasonic TS25, while minimalist, provides intuitive controls aimed at durability. With fewer physical buttons, it leans heavily on menu navigation via the rear LCD. Its lack of manual controls or exposure compensation means you mostly rely on auto modes, which are generally smart but may limit creative experimentation.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Deep Dive

Both cameras rely on a 1/2.3" CCD sensor, a common choice for compacts in their respective eras.

Olympus SP-800 UZ

• 14 Megapixels on a 28.07 mm² sensor area yield pixel density around 0.5 MP/mm².
• ISO range from 64 to 3200 (native limit) provides decent flexibility for daylight and moderate low light.
• CCD sensors are known for sharp detail rendering but can suffer in higher ISO settings due to noise.
• The SP-800 UZ lacks RAW support, restricting post-processing latitude - JPEG only.
• The sensor includes an anti-aliasing filter to balance moiré suppression and sharpness.

Panasonic TS25

• Slightly higher resolution at 16 megapixels on a near-identical sensor area (27.72 mm²).
• Extended ISO range up to 6400 native, doubling the maximum sensitivity, promising better low-light capability.
• Also no RAW shooting; JPEG is the default output.
• CCD technology similarly balances detail and image noise profile.
• Includes anti-aliasing filter and supports multiple aspect ratios (1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9), offering compositional versatility.

Real World Implications:
In side-by-side testing, the Panasonic’s slightly higher pixel count allows for more cropped enlargement, advantageous in landscapes or macro shots. However, noise control at high ISO is comparable due to similar sensor tech. Both cameras excel in bright outdoor settings but struggle in dim conditions. The Panasonic’s ISO 6400 option might tempt night shooters but with expected noise trade-offs.

Display and User Interface: Viewing and Composing Images in the Field

The LCD screen quality and live view performance significantly affect user experience, particularly without a viewfinder.

The Olympus SP-800 UZ’s 3-inch fixed LCD is slightly larger, offering comfortable framing and image review. Though only 230,000 dots, its brightness and anti-glare properties are average for its generation.

The Panasonic TS25 comes with a slightly smaller 2.7-inch screen of the same resolution but is a TFT panel known for vivid colors, aiding compositional feedback in bright light.

Neither camera includes touch support or an electronic viewfinder (EVF). This absence is limiting for photographers who prefer stable eyepiece composition or need precise manual focus aids.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Capturing the Action

Fast, accurate autofocus and continuous shooting rates matter across many photographic genres.

Despite being older, Olympus offers an impressive 143 focus points, enabling flexible focus placement for static subjects. However, it lacks face or eye detection, which often limits portrait precision.

Panasonic’s AF system provides fewer points but adds continuous focus during bursts. The trade-off is shown in continuous shooting: the Olympus can capture rapid bursts up to 10 fps, ideal for wildlife or sports snapping, whereas the Panasonic’s single frame per second limits action shots.

Practical takeaway: If you shoot moving subjects - kids, sports, wildlife - the Olympus’s higher burst speed and denser AF points will better catch decisive moments.

Lens Reach and Optical Performance: Zoom vs Versatility

Lens focal range, sharpness, and maximum aperture define creative control and framing freedom.

Olympus SP 800 UZ front Olympus SP 800 UZ screen back Panasonic TS25 front Panasonic TS25 screen back

• Olympus SP-800 UZ boasts a 28-840mm equivalent zoom range - an exceptional 30x reach rare in compacts. With an aperture range of f/2.8-5.6, it has a relatively bright wide-angle capability allowing better low-light capture and depth-of-field control at wide ends. This flexibility supports wildlife, landscape, and close-up photography, with a macro focus starting at 1 cm, enabling detailed close-ups.

• Panasonic TS25 offers a much shorter 25-100mm equivalent (4x zoom) with a dimmer aperture of f/3.9-5.7. Its macro begins at 5 cm focus distance. Although less versatile, the lens complements the camera’s rugged purpose with adequate zoom and sharp output for travel and casual shooting.

The overall optical quality favors the Olympus, with sharpness maintained even at telephoto thanks to its larger lens elements. Panasonic’s lens performs well at wide and mid zooms but softens noticeably beyond 80mm.

Performance in Various Photography Genres

Let’s look at each camera’s suitability across key photography disciplines, including practical insights from our field tests.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus SP-800 UZ:

  • Pros: Wide aperture at 28mm (f/2.8) offers some background separation.
  • Cons: No face or eye-detection AF; relies on manual framing and luck for perfect focus on eyes.
  • Bokeh is modest due to small sensor size, but telephoto range allows some subject isolation.

• Panasonic TS25:

  • Pros: Centers focus on subjects thanks to center-weighted AF.
  • Cons: Narrow max aperture (f/3.9) limits background blur; no face detection and smaller lens zoom.

Verdict: Both cameras deliver average portraits; Olympus’s zoom helps isolate subjects better, but neither offers advanced AF assistance.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus SP-800 UZ:

  • Advantages include higher resolution, adjustable ISO, and flexible zoom to capture wide-angle vistas.
  • Drawbacks are absence of weather sealing, heavier body.

• Panasonic TS25:

  • Seals against dust, shock, and water, making it great for rugged outdoor conditions.
  • Slightly higher megapixels provide cropping freedom.
  • Limited wide-angle reach may require physical movement to frame subjects.

Verdict: Landscapers who want reach and detailed images will prefer Olympus. Those shooting in adverse weather or rough terrain benefit from Panasonic’s durability.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Olympus SP-800 UZ:

  • Superior zoom reach (up to 840mm equivalent).
  • 10 fps burst shooting and dense AF points help freeze fast action.

• Panasonic TS25:

  • Limited zoom range and single frame per second shooting hinder capturing fast wildlife in detail.

Verdict: Olympus clearly outperforms for action and distant wildlife subjects.

Street Photography

Here, discretion, portability, and quick operation count.

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: Large and somewhat conspicuous; slower autofocus and zoom.
• Panasonic TS25: Compact, lightweight, weather sealed; more candid-friendly.

Verdict: Panasonic is preferred for street shooters valuing low profile and easy carry.

Macro Photography

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: Macro focus to 1cm permits shooting detailed close-ups without auxiliary lenses.
• Panasonic TS25: Macro starts at 5cm, less close but still effective.

Verdict: The Olympus has the edge for dedicated macro enthusiasts.

Night and Astro Photography

• Both share CCD sensors which are not optimized for extreme low-light or long exposures.
• Panasonic’s ISO 6400 offers some potential, though image noise at maximum ISO is significant.
• Neither offers manual shutter priority or bulb mode, limiting astrophotography capabilities.

Verdict: Neither camera is ideal for night sky photography, but Panasonic’s higher ISO choice might give a slight edge for casual low-light shooting.

Video Capabilities

Both handle HD video at 720p/30fps, suitable for casual clips but below modern standards.

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: H.264 format, HDMI output available.
• Panasonic TS25: MPEG-4 format, no HDMI output.

Neither offers microphone input or advanced video features like 4K or image stabilization in video mode.

Travel Photography

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: Versatile zoom and decent image quality but bulky and heavier.
• Panasonic TS25: Ultralight and rugged, perfect for active travelers who want worry-free shooting.

Verdict: For travel, choose Panasonic if size and durability matter more; Olympus if zoom versatility is prioritized.

Professional Workflow

Neither camera supports RAW or advanced exposure modes, limiting their utility for professional photographic workflows which require detailed post-processing and unrestricted creative control.

Technical Features Summary Table

Genre-Specific Performance Analysis

To crystallize the findings, here’s a visual summary of how each camera stacks up across popular photography types based on our evaluation criteria:

Your Camera Match: Recommendations for Different Users

If you are:

• An outdoor adventurer seeking ruggedness and ease:
  The Panasonic Lumix TS25 fits your needs. Its rugged, waterproof body withstands tough environments, and its pocket-sized portability makes it a reliable travel companion.

• A zoom-loving enthusiast or beginner wanting reach and diverse shooting:
  The Olympus SP-800 UZ provides unmatched superzoom versatility with decent image stabilization and burst speed, enabling you to cover everything from wildlife to landscapes with one camera.

• A casual photographer wanting waterproof capability:
  Choose Panasonic for peace of mind around water and dirt.

• A user aiming for manual controls and professional workflow:
  Neither camera provides full manual modes or RAW capture to satisfy requirements here. Consider stepping up to newer mirrorless or DSLR systems.

Final Thoughts: Weighing Value and Performance

While both cameras cater to different niches, their specs reveal trade-offs between rugged portability and optical flexibility.

• Olympus SP-800 UZ remains compelling for users valuing reach and action photography with its hefty zoom and fast burst shooting but is less friendly for travel or harsh conditions.

• Panasonic Lumix TS25 excels as a durable, ultra-portable shooter perfect for casual use, travel, and environments where camera damage is a risk.

At their current price points (~$270 Olympus, ~$180 Panasonic), each offers solid value for their segment. Yet, realistically, these cameras are dated by today’s standards. If you’re exploring beginner compacts or rugged travel models, consider these models as budget options but explore newer models with larger sensors and better video if possible.

We encourage you to:

• Try handling both cameras in person to judge ergonomics.
• Check out sample images to see sensor and lens performance align with your style.
• Identify your photography priorities: zoom vs durability, image control vs portability.
• Find suitable accessories like spare batteries and SD cards to match your shooting habits.

With the right choice, either camera can serve as an inspiring tool to capture your creative journey.

Have questions? Looking to go deeper into camera selection? Our extensive reviews and hands-on testing insights are here to guide your next purchase.