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Olympus SP-800 UZ

 
Olympus SP-800 UZ front
 
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Bump to 1000)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-840mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Launched February 2010
  • Refreshed by Olympus SP-810 UZ
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
69
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36

Olympus SP-800 UZ overview

Olympus SP-800 UZ is Olympus's Small Sensor Superzoom digital camera first launched on February of 2010. The camera comes with a 14MP, CCD 1/2.3" size sensor with a peak resolution of 4288 x 3216.

Olympus launched the newer Olympus SP-810 UZ (Read Full Comparison) in order to upgrade this model.

The SP-800 UZ is ranked #203 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and all-around #897 out of 1465 for cameras in our list. You can check our Smart camera finder to find camera listings based on your custom requirements.

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The following is a diagram of multiple criteria used in the scoring system.

Olympus SP-800 UZ history

The Olympus SP-800 UZ comes with a history of related cameras. Here, you can take a look at all past and current models along with important specifications.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Olympus-Stylus-SH-3 front thumbnailOlympus SH-3
SP-800 UZ vs SH-3
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2016
Olympus-Stylus-SH-2 front thumbnailOlympus SH-2
SP-800 UZ vs SH-2
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2015
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Olympus-Stylus-SH-1 front thumbnailOlympus SH-1
SP-800 UZ vs SH-1
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2014
Olympus-Stylus-SP-100 front thumbnailOlympus SP-100
SP-800 UZ vs SP-100
24-1200mm
F2.9-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2014
Olympus-SZ-15 front thumbnailOlympus SZ-15
SP-800 UZ vs SZ-15
23-483mm
F2.8-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Olympus-SZ-16-iHS front thumbnailOlympus SZ-16 iHS
SP-800 UZ vs SZ-16 iHS
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
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Olympus-SH-50 front thumbnailOlympus SH-50
SP-800 UZ vs SH-50
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Olympus-Stylus-SP-820UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-820UZ
SP-800 UZ vs SP-820UZ
22-896mm
F3.4-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2012
Olympus-SZ-31MR-iHS front thumbnailOlympus SZ-31MR iHS
SP-800 UZ vs SZ-31MR iHS
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Olympus-SZ-12 front thumbnailOlympus SZ-12
SP-800 UZ vs SZ-12
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
14MP1/2.3"2012
Olympus-SP-620-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-620 UZ
SP-800 UZ vs SP-620 UZ
25-525mm
F3.1-5.8
16MP1/2.3"2012
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Olympus-SZ-11 front thumbnailOlympus SZ-11
SP-800 UZ vs SZ-11
25-500mm
F3.0-6.9
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SP-810-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-810 UZ
SP-800 UZ vs SP-810 UZ
24-864mm
F2.9-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SZ-30MR front thumbnailOlympus SZ-30MR
SP-800 UZ vs SZ-30MR
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SZ-10 front thumbnailOlympus SZ-10
SP-800 UZ vs SZ-10
28-504mm
F3.1-4.4
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SP-610UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-610UZ
SP-800 UZ vs SP-610UZ
28-616mm
F3.3-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SP-600-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-600 UZ
SP-800 UZ vs SP-600 UZ
28-420mm
F3.5-5.4
12MP1/2.3"2010
Olympus-SP-800-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-800 UZ28-840mm
F2.8-5.6
14MP1/2.3"2010
Olympus-SP-565UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-565UZ
SP-800 UZ vs SP-565UZ
26-520mm
F2.8-4.5
10MP1/2.3"2009
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Olympus-SP-590-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-590 UZ
SP-800 UZ vs SP-590 UZ
26-676mm
F2.8-5.0
12MP1/2.3"2009

Olympus SP-800 UZ Pros and Cons

Here is a selection of pros and cons of the Olympus SP-800 UZ based on features which are generally seen as important in a digital camera.

excellent zoom range (28-840mm 30.0 x zoom)
good min ISO (64)
great zoom (840mm)
has built in flash
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes HDMI support
includes tracking focus
MP count decent (14MP)
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
cannot use external flash
lack of shutter priority mode
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
manual focus not available
max zoom aperture not good (f5.6)
no aperture priority
no headphone jack
no manual control
no mic jack
no phase detect AF
no RAW support
pixelated screen (230 k dot)
screen is fixed
screen isn't selfie friendly
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Olympus SP-800 UZ Sensor specs

The Olympus SP-800 UZ features the TruePic III chip. The dimension of the sensor in the Olympus SP-800 UZ is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor can resolve 4288 x 3216 pixels . The camera has got Image Stabilization (Sensor-shift). Optical stabilization is more desirable than digital stabilization as the latter may produce cropping.

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The CCD sensor boasts 14MP and gives a standard ISO range of 64 - 3200. The ISO can also be extended electronically to a maximum of 1000. Unfortunately, RAW files are not saved so you have less margin for error.

The graphic underneath illustrates the SP-800 UZ's sensor size when compared to other popular sizes. The SP-800 UZ sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is outlined in green.

Olympus SP-800 UZ sensor size Leica to Release Innovative Hybrid Medium Format Camera in 2 Years

To get an understanding of different aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Olympus SP-800 UZ dimensions

Olympus SP-800 UZ has a weight of 1.00 lbs (455 gr or 16.05 ounces) and the overall size of the camera is 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6"). The weight of general Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387 gr so the Olympus SP-800 UZ is heavier than various competitors.

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Down below is a picture of the Olympus SP-800 UZ besides a soda to help you to have a feel for its size.

Olympus SP-800 UZ dimensions scale

The top view underneath will provide the button design on the SP-800 UZ.

Olympus SP-800 UZ topview buttons dials

Olympus SP-800 UZ Lens details

The SP-800 UZ is equipped with an inbuilt lens with a focal range of 28-840mm giving it a 30.0 x zoom which is significant and will make it easier to zoom all the way in.

At it's widest 28mm, the lens provides an aperture of f2.8 and that's fairly sluggish and not good in low light situations and you will probably struggle to capture a shallow depth of field. You could also have to up your ISO setting producing noisy images. Towards the long end, 840mm is exceptional zoom and comes at f5.6 making it very sluggish and you will have to apply slower shutter speeds.

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Olympus SP-800 UZ Connectivity

The SP-800 UZ has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • HDMI Yes

Cameras which include NFC or Bluetooth compatibility can be controlled wirelessly by smartphones. You can easily copy images and oftentimes change settings without connecting directly with the camera.

Many apps also provide a Liveview and press the shutter whenever you aren't close to the camera. If the camera includes a HDMI out, it can be attached to an external screen. A good number of cameras enable you to charge the battery through the USB port.

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Olympus SP-800 UZ Video details

The highest video quality in the Olympus SP-800 UZ is 1280 x 720 and it can save in H.264 file format. 720p is awful by today's standards. You should target at least 1080p quality for decent video. The body doesn't include a mic or headphone socket so you get zero control over your audio. It is probably best to look into a different model in case you require good audio in your videos.

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Olympus SP-800 UZ Weather Sealing

Olympus SP-800 UZ doesn't have weather proofing so wet conditions can easily damage the camera.

Olympus SP-800 UZ Screen and Viewfinder

The Olympus SP-800 UZ comes with a 3" fixed display with a resolution of 230k dots.

Please be aware that the display screen offers no touch support.

Olympus SP-800 UZ screen and viewfinder Photographer Triumphs in Lawsuit Over Creative Commons Image Rights

The ViewFinder specifications regarding Olympus SP-800 UZ are as follows:

  • ViewFinder None

In those sunny outdoor conditions that make the camera screens washed out and challenging to view, viewfinders will be very valuable.

Olympus SP-800 UZ Shutter details

Olympus SP-800 UZ can shoot continuously at 10.0 frames/s. The highest shutter speed is 1/2000s.

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Olympus SP-800 UZ Flash and Hot shoe details

Olympus SP-800 UZ has got just built in flash with no external flash ability.

Olympus SP-800 UZ Autofocus details

Olympus SP-800 UZ has got only Contrast Detect Auto Focus and does not have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot more quicker and accurate than Contrast Detect autofocusing.

The AF system comes with 143 focus points to pick from. It also includes Tracking Auto Focus for moving things. Olympus SP-800 UZ doesn't have manual focus. Manual focus ability is good during low light situations or you want to have more accurate control on depth of field.

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Olympus SP-800 UZ Battery life

The typical Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR features the highest (600) battery life within this class of cameras.

Underneath is a collection of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras that have the highest battery life:

Olympus SP-800 UZ for specific types of photography

The following chart gives a analysis of the Olympus SP-800 UZ for specific types of photography. To see more, have a look at the specific section underneath.

Olympus SP-800 UZ Portrait photography information

The Olympus SP-800 UZ gets a points tally of 28 which is awful, and means the camera is not very good for portrait photography. Photographing portraits favors greatly towards sensor dimensions, support for RAW files and capability to utilize external lighting.

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megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support

Olympus SP-800 UZ Street photography features

Getting a reasonable points total of 46, the Olympus SP-800 UZ is reasonably acceptable for street photography. A good street photography camera provides a good balance of image quality and portability.

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image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support

Olympus SP-800 UZ as a Sports photography camera

A modest sports photography score of 47 suggests the Olympus SP-800 UZ is relatively suited for photographing sports. A camera must have great focusing and fast continuous shooting for sports photography.

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incredible zoom range (28-840mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
offers tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF

Olympus SP-800 UZ Travel photography highlights

Weight is extremely crucial when choosing a travel camera. All things considered, the Olympus SP-800 UZ gets a above average 61 as a travel camera which is a respectable fit for your trips.

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good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very long reach (840mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)

Olympus SP-800 UZ Landscape photography highlights

For anyone looking to purchase a camera for landscape pictures, the most significant aspect is going to be image quality. The Olympus SP-800 UZ with it's awful grade of 41 as a landscape camera is not very good within the current market.

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fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support

Olympus SP-800 UZ Vlogging information

A camera for vlogging should have a articulating display, mic port and preferably IBIS. Considering all things, the Olympus SP-800 UZ is not very good for vlogging as it receives a awful score of 24.

OM System OM-1 Set to Enhance Autofocus
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port

Olympus SP-800 UZ Alternatives

If you are searching for alternatives to the SP-800 UZ, here is a list of the top rated cameras which fall into the category of Small Sensor Superzoom.

The graph just below shows you a bird's eye view of the SP-800 UZ compared to it's highest ranked competitors suggested earlier.

There are a bunch of cameras you might have a look at as alternative options. To browse through a full comparison, go to the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Company
Olympus
Model
Olympus SP-800 UZ
Type
Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched
2010-02-02
Body design
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Processor Chip
TruePic III
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Full resolution
4288 x 3216
RAW files
Max native ISO
3200
Max boosted ISO
1000
Lowest native ISO
64
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points
143
Lens
Lens mount
fixed lens
Lens focal range
28-840mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture
f/2.8-5.6
Macro focus range
1cm
Focal length multiplier
5.8
Screen
Range of screen
Fixed Type
Screen sizing
3"
Screen resolution
230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO All around score
not tested
DXO Color Depth score
not tested
DXO Dynamic range score
not tested
DXO Low light score
not tested
Features
Lowest shutter speed
12 seconds
Highest shutter speed
1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed
10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range
3.10 m
Flash modes
Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution
1280x720
Video format
H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
455 grams (1.00 lb)
Dimensions
110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6")
Other
Battery model
Li-50B
Self timer
Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media
SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots
One
Launch cost
$270