Olympus SP-800UZ

Huge focal range and large 2GB internal memory provide plentiful options from the outset

Optical zoom disabled when shooting video with audio, no EVF or optical viewfinder as alternative to the LCD for framing and review, menus are simplistic but finding more expansive settings is convoluted

In choosing not to go down the "DSLR Lite" route with its own super zoom camera - and why should it, as it also offers the trailblazing Pens for those who want a DSLR in a more portable package - the SP-800UZ more obviously stands apart from its...

Very good image quality ; Awesome 30x optical zoom ; Sensor shift image sensor assists with handheld images ; Dedicated video record button works in all shooting modes ; 2GB internal memory ; Powerful pop-up flash

Possibility of blurry images even with optical image stabilization when shooting at full telephoto ; Mono microphone ; No audio input for HD video recording ; Only 200 shots per charge

The Olympus SP-800UZ has a massive 30x optical zoom and produces images with a 14-megapixel resolution. On top of those stellar specs Olympus has crammed in a hefty 2GB of internal memory to a smaller form factor than its direct...

30x optical zoom lens; small proportions; large internal memory

Fiddly to find settings in menus; have to choose between zoom and sound when shooting video; no optical viewfinder

A much bigger than average zoom from a much smaller than average package

Best-in-class 30x zoom range ; Compact body given its zoom range ; Plenty of internal memory

No optical or electronic viewfinder ; Key settings hidden away within the menus

At around £240, the Olympus SP-800UZ seems like good value compared to its closest competitor, the £330 Fujifilm FinePix HS10, which also packs a 30x zoom. But the SP-800UZ's build quality and feature set aren't as impressive. The SP-800UZ is still...

It may have a massive 30x zoom, but basic controls and poor results at telephoto zoom settings mean the SP-800UZ is one to avoid.

The Olympus SP-800UZ is small and largely appealing, with a few caveats. You're getting tremendous zoom flexibility while maintaining a good 28mm wide angle setting, with a reasonably fast lens, in a camera that's quite light and easy to maneuver. At...

The Olympus SP-800UZ got us interested with its super 30x lens, but won us over with an impressive macro mode, very nice panorama functionality and some interesting scene modes. Although its screen is less than impressive and it does not contain manual...