Olympus SP-810UZ Review | 108 Data compared

The Olympus SP-810UZ is a 14-megapixel compact camera featuring a massive 36x optical zoom lens (24-864mm equivalent) designed for versatile, long-distance shooting. It prioritizes ease of use with Intelligent Auto (iAuto) mode, 10 Magic Filters, and in-camera panorama stitching, all housed in a lightweight plastic body with an ergonomic rubberized grip. Performance is characterized by a mix of strengths and limitations, with a key pro being the highly portable design despite its extensive zoom reach. However, notable cons include a reliance on time-consuming on-screen menus for settings due to a lack of physical buttons, alongside a manual, non-motorized flash unit.

The Olympus SP-810UZ is an ambitious ultrazoom digital camera that packs a massive 36x optical zoom lens into a compact, highly portable body. On the positive side, its remarkably well-crafted lens excels in resolution tests, delivering razor-sharp center details with virtually absent chromatic aberration and minimal image distortion. Additionally, the camera's sensor-shift image stabilization is highly effective, boosting image detail by 39% during vibrations. The camera also features fun and convincing in-camera picture effects like "Drawing" and "Watercolor". However, these lens strengths are severely undermined by the camera's poor sensor performance and restrictive design. A major con is the aggressive, destructive noise reduction system that smudges and blurs images at ISO settings as low as 200. Color accuracy is disappointing, particularly with skin tones and dark blues, and plummets further during restricted 720p video recording. Hardware limitations include a slow full-resolution burst mode (0.88 fps), poor battery life (190 shots), a cheap pop-up flash, an uncomfortable grip, and the complete lack of a viewfinder or manual mechanical controls. Ultimately, the tester does not recommend the camera due to its subpar...

The Olympus SP-810UZ is a budget-friendly point-and-shoot camera styled like an SLR, primarily defined by its exceptionally long 36x optical zoom that reaches a massive 864mm equivalent telephoto focal length. Its biggest advantage is its affordability, costing roughly £100 less than key competitors like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ48, making it a highly compelling entry-level choice for daylight telephoto and outdoor photography. The camera offers a very compact form factor with basic point-and-shoot simplicity, and can capture a fast burst of 27 lower-resolution (5-megapixel) shots at 4.5fps to help freeze action. However, the camera suffers from significant performance compromises to achieve its low price point. It completely lacks an electronic viewfinder, manual exposure modes, manual focusing, and moveable spot focus, which severely limits user control over the final shot. Image quality under artificial light is exceptionally poor, producing major color distortion and heavy detail loss from noise reduction. Additionally, its 720p HD video mode is heavily restricted by a fixed zoom that cannot be adjusted while recording, and the slow menu system values visual flair over quick operations.

The Olympus SP-810UZ is a stylish and sturdy bridge camera designed for users seeking incredible reach without the heavy bulk of a standard DSLR. Its standout feature is a massive 36x optical zoom lens (24-864mm equivalent), which is supported by a dual image stabilizer that keeps shots relatively blur-free even at maximum focal lengths. The camera also earns praise for its ergonomic design, featuring a large, comfortable hand grip that allows for easy, single-handed navigation and shooting. Additional pros include natural color reproduction during indoor shots, sharp details in close-up macro photography, a useful 12-foot flash range, and a convenient USB plug-and-charge feature for its 925mAh battery. However, the camera falls short in overall performance and value, making it difficult to justify its steep market price of Rs. 18,999. A major con is its reliance on an older 14-megapixel CCD sensor instead of a superior CMOS sensor, which results in significant image noise at ISO settings of 200 and above, as well as a noticeable blue tinge in outdoor photos when viewed on a computer. Furthermore, the device suffers from...