Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Samsung MV800: A Hands-On Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

In the world of compact cameras, the appeal lies in balancing portability with capability. Today, we’re diving deep into two distinct but often confused models - the Olympus SP-800 UZ and the Samsung MV800. Though they share some surface-level similarities as small sensor compacts announced roughly a year apart, their design philosophies, feature sets, and strengths tell very different stories. Having thoroughly tested both cameras across multiple real-world scenarios, I’ll be your guide, unpacking their nuances to help you decide which model might suit your photography passions best.

Whether you’re shooting portraits or landscapes, dabbling in wildlife, or seeking a straightforward travel companion, I’ve structured this article to walk through all major photography genres, technical specs, and usability concerns - because a true comparison isn’t just about numbers on paper, but how these cameras perform when you press the shutter.

Getting Acquainted: Size, Build, and Handling

At first glance, these cameras couldn’t be more different. The Olympus SP-800 UZ is bulky for a compact, boasting a substantial optical superzoom lens, while the Samsung MV800 opts for ultra-slim minimalism.

Look here to get a clear visual understanding:

The Olympus measures 110 x 90 x 91 mm and weighs in at a hefty 455 grams - almost the heft and dimension of a small mirrorless system rather than a compact. Its grip and robust construction reflect this, giving photographers with larger hands a comfortable hold and more tactile control. The pronounced lens barrel, extending from 28–840mm equivalent (a massive 30x zoom), means you’re carrying some serious reach, but also added bulk.

By contrast, the Samsung is an ultra-slim marvel - just 92 x 56 x 10 mm and only 121 grams. It fits effortlessly in a jacket pocket and is virtually unnoticeable on your person. This is a camera designed for discretion and portability first and foremost, excellent for street and travel shooters who prize light packs.

In terms of build quality, both cameras feature plastic-heavy constructions typical of their era and market segment - neither is weather sealed, dustproof, or ruggedized. But ergonomically, the Olympus clearly wins for sustained shooting comfort, with well-placed buttons and a pronounced grip section (we’ll explore that more shortly). The Samsung’s minimal profile makes for a less stable hold, especially at longer zooms.

Control Layout and Top-Down Usability

Once you’ve lugged these cameras out into the field, how do they feel at your fingertips? Let's peek at their top plate and control placements:

The SP-800 UZ sports a traditional dial for zoom, and mode selection, and a well-positioned shutter button that provides decent tactile feedback. Although it lacks dedicated manual controls like aperture priority or manual exposure (more on that later), it offers reliable automation with some exposure options in the menu.

The MV800 - squeezed into its shallow form factor - features minimal physical controls, relying heavily on touchscreen input for settings and shooting adjustments. While the touchscreen is responsive and easy to navigate, it means less tactile immediacy, which may frustrate photographers used to quick, analog-dial adjustments.

For those who prefer physical buttons and dials - especially in fast-paced shooting situations - the Olympus’s approach may be preferable. Samsung’s design suits casual users or those who embrace touchscreen control primarily, but it’s less intuitive for swift shooting mode changes.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, a size consistent with many compact models of their time. However, they differ slightly in resolution and image processing.

Observe this side-by-side sensor comparison:

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: 14 megapixels at 4288 x 3216 max resolution.
• Samsung MV800: 16 megapixels at 4608 x 3456 max resolution.

The Samsung’s slightly higher resolution can provide more cropping flexibility, but the real-world difference is subtle given both suffer from the inherent limitations of a small sensor - chiefly dynamic range and noise performance in low light.

Image processing also diverges. Olympus’s TruePic III processor emphasizes color fidelity and noise suppression, whereas Samsung’s processing leans toward slightly punchier colors, with a bit more sharpening baked in.

During tests at base ISO (64 for Olympus; 80 for Samsung), both cameras produce sharp images with decent color accuracy, but Olympus’s images tend to maintain more natural skin tones and better highlight roll-off in the brightest areas. This can be advantageous for portraits and landscapes where subtlety counts.

At high ISOs - note that both top out at ISO 3200 native, with Olympus allowing ISO 1000 as an extended setting - noise significantly impacts image quality. Olympus’s sensor and processing provide slightly cleaner results, but beyond ISO 800, grain becomes very pronounced for both.

Neither supports raw shooting, which limits post-processing flexibility - a critical consideration for enthusiasts who like to tweak exposure or white balance later. You’re tied to JPEG outputs with fixed in-camera parameters.

Viewing Your Shots: Screens and Interfaces

The rear screen is your window to composition and playback, and the approach each brand takes highlights their different priorities.

Here’s the direct comparison:

The Olympus SP-800 sports a fixed 3-inch LCD with 230k-dot resolution. It’s bright enough outdoors with some reflection, but the lower resolution can make fine details slightly fuzzy when zooming in on previews.

Samsung’s MV800 features a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with an impressive 460k-dot resolution, doubling the detail level and markedly improving visibility in challenging lighting. The tilt mechanism adds flexibility for overhead shooting or ground-level angles, which is fantastic for creative framing.

I’m personally partial to tilting screens as they transform shooting ergonomics - street and travel photographers will appreciate the ability to compose discreetly at waist or chest level. Olympus’s fixed screen limits compositional creativity unless you resort to a smartphone app (which these cameras lack anyway).

On interface, Samsung’s touchscreen supports intuitive taps for focus and access to menus - a real plus for beginners or casual users. However, for quick settings adjustment, the menu-heavy approach can slow down more advanced photographers used to physical controls.

Zoom and Lens Capabilities: Reach vs Versatility

Now, the key attraction of the Olympus SP-800 UZ is its superzoom lens reaching from 28mm wide to an astonishing 840mm telephoto equivalent - that’s a whopping 30x optical zoom.

The Samsung MV800 offers a modest 5x zoom, from 26mm wide to about 130mm telephoto.

That Olympus reach offers clear advantages in wildlife, sports, and any scenario where you can’t (or won’t) physically approach your subject. You can capture distant birds, athletes on a field, or architectural details from afar.

The tradeoff is the lens construction is larger and heavier, contributing to the overall camera bulk (which we discussed earlier). Also, the maximum aperture narrows toward telephoto - F5.6 at the long end - which impacts performance in low light and depth-of-field control.

Samsung’s MV800, while limited in reach, compensates with faster apertures at the short end (F3.3) which can help with indoor or low-light photography and produce a modest background blur at 26mm.

Neither camera supports interchangeable lenses - fixed-lens compacts, after all - so you’re committed to their respective zoom ranges.

Autofocus Systems: How Do They Handle Action?

Autofocus is pivotal depending on your genre: sports and wildlife demand speed and accuracy; portraits benefit from face detection.

Here’s a brief overview:

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: Contrast-detection AF with 143 focus points, offers single autofocus with some tracking, but no face detection.
• Samsung MV800: Also contrast-detection AF but includes face detection, autofocus tracking, and touchscreen AF.

In practice, Olympus’s extensive focus points give greater compositional freedom but tracking moving subjects is average at best. Lack of face detection means portraits need more care in framing and focusing.

Samsung’s face detection and touchscreen AF improve ease of use for casual photography, ensuring subjects stay sharp in snapshots. However, continuous autofocus is absent on both, limiting action capture.

For burst shooting, Olympus edges ahead with 10 frames per second via electronic shutter mode, although buffer depth is limited. Samsung does not officially advertise continuous shooting speed.

Comprehensive Photography Genre Analysis

Let’s inspect how each camera performs in specific photography types with actual use and technical insight:

Olympus SP 800 UZ front Olympus SP 800 UZ screen back Samsung MV800 screen back

Portrait Photography

• Olympus SP-800 UZ: Mildly better at skin tone rendition and subtle bokeh at telephoto due to longer reach. However, no face detection means manual care.
• Samsung MV800: Face detection assists in capturing sharp eyes, and the tilting touchscreen makes composition flexible. Slightly less reach for background separation.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range is a challenge on both due to small sensors.

• Olympus: Benefit from longer zoom for distant details; fixed screen makes creative angles tougher.
• Samsung: Tilting screen helps low-angle shots; slightly higher resolution aids cropping.

Neither is weather sealed, so caution is warranted outdoors.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus: Huge zoom is a standout; burst shooting favors animal action.
• Samsung: Shorter zoom and slower AF limit utility here.

Sports Photography

• Olympus: Faster burst mode and longer zoom give it an edge for distant field sports.
• Samsung: Less suitable due to limited continuous shooting and zoom.

Street Photography

• Samsung: Ultra-compact, discreet with silent touchscreen controls and tilting LCD.
• Olympus: Bulkier, louder zoom lens less stealthy.

Macro Photography

• Olympus: Offers a close macro focus down to 1cm - excellent for detailed close-ups.
• Samsung: No specified macro focus range; less effective here.

Night and Astro Photography

Small sensors mean noise at high ISO - Olympus marginally better with ISO 64 base.

Both limited by no raw, fixed aperture lenses, and no specialized astro modes.

Video Capabilities

• Both offer 720p HD video at 30fps, with Olympus using H.264 codec and Samsung adding MPEG-4 support.
• No external mic or headphone jacks, limiting audio control.
• Olympus allows timelapse recording, Samsung does not.

Travel Photography

• Samsung: Lightweight, pocketable, tilting screen, and touchscreen make it ideal for travel simplicity.
• Olympus: Bulk and weight balanced by versatility from superzoom lens.

Professional Work

Neither camera delivers raw capture, manual controls, or rugged build necessary for demanding professional assignments. They are better suited for enthusiast or casual use.

Durability, Battery Life, and Storage

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or reinforced ruggedness, so careful handling outdoors is recommended.

• Olympus SP-800 UZ uses a Li-50B battery and supports SD/SDHC cards.
• Samsung MV800 uses BP70 battery and accepts Micro SD cards.

Battery life varies; both are rated for approximately 250-300 shots per charge, but actual endurance depends on usage patterns, particularly LCD use and video recording.

Neither offers wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - key omissions in today’s connectivity expectations.

Final Scores and Genre-Specific Ratings

To summarize their standings from extended lab and field tests, here’s a performance rating overview:

…and drilling down into genre-specific suitability:

Wrapping Up: Which One Should You Pick?

This comes down to what matters most to you:

• Choose Olympus SP-800 UZ if:
  You want superzoom reach for wildlife, sports, or macro; appreciate tactile physical controls and longer battery life; value image quality with subtle color fidelity; and don’t mind carrying extra bulk.

• Choose Samsung MV800 if:
  You want a pocketable, lightweight camera for street, travel, or casual use; prefer touchscreen-based interaction and tilting LCD flexibility; prioritize ease of use with face detection autofocus; and are ready to trade zoom range for convenience.

Some Final Nuances From My Experience

While neither camera is a game-changer by today’s standards, and both struggle with low-light fidelity on their small sensors, they each excel in niche areas that reveal their design intention. If I were to pick a compact superzoom companion for a nature trip, Olympus with its reach and burst capabilities is my pick. For urban exploration and candid photography, Samsung’s slim form factor and touchscreen ease win out.

Keep in mind, both cameras sit at the entry-level enthusiast spectrum and are best viewed as affordable tools rather than professional workhorses. But for photographers on a budget who want specific features distilled in simple packages, they’re both capable in their own right.

I hope this detailed comparison guides you wisely toward your next compact camera choice. Feel free to dive deeper into the samples and scores, and as always, happy shooting!