Testing / Performance

The chart below shows the same information, in a more linear manner. The squares represent the ideal colors, while the circles represent those produced by the Olympus Stylus 800. The longer the line between the two, the less accurate the camera’s portrayal of that particular tone.

As you can see, the Olympus Stylus 800 did not perform well in the color testing. Many of the colors are exaggerated. Most digital cameras exaggerate the reds to enhance Caucasian skin tones. Surprisingly, the yellows were the most exaggerated in the Stylus 800, which would only enhance dirty teeth. These disappointing results give the Olympus Stylus 800 a 6.12 overall color score, which is just slightly better than its predecessor’s score. The Stylus 500 received a 6.07 score and exaggerated colors in just the same way – with yellows all over the place. Of course, both digital cameras use the same TruePic Turbo image processor.

The Stylus 800 received a mean color error of 9.8, reflecting its wayward spectrum. This model also over-saturated by 11.6 percent, which is fairly common in digital cameras and probably the best news we have in the color arena.

**Still Life Scene
**Below is a shot of our still life assemblage captured with the Olympus Stylus 800.

[

Click on the above image to view the full resolution file (CAUTION: the linked file is very large!)](https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cameras/viewer.php?picture=Stylus800-StillLife-LG.jpg)

**Resolution / Sharpness ***(4.44)
*The Olympus Stylus 800 advertises a maximum resolution of 7.99 effective megapixels, so we put its 1/1.8-inch CCD to the test. We took several exposures of an ISO 12233 resolution chart (pictured below) at 15mm and f/4.5, then uploaded them into Imatest. The software counted the active pixels used in the output file. We report this number as an actual pixel count as well as a percentage of the camera’s advertised resolution, to provide a means of comparison across camera stylings. When a camera’s megapixel count comes within 70 percent of its advertised resolution, we consider it "good." Within 80 percent, it is "very good" and within 90 percent it is "excellent."

[

Click on the above res chart to view the full image](https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cameras/viewer.php?picture=Stylus800-ResCH-LG.jpg)

Unfortunately, the files dispersed by the Stylus 800 only included 56 percent of its original pixels – far below even the "good" designation. These images were taken at the camera’s highest resolution setting without engaging its bright capture technology. The 800 recorded only 4.44 megapixels, which isn’t much more than what the Stylus 500 recorded. The 500 model used 4.26 of its 5 effective megapixels. The 800 oversharpened images by 18.3 percent, which is fairly significant among compact digital cameras.

Noise – Auto ISO* (7.49)
*The Olympus Stylus series of digital cameras attracts point-and-shoot users who will most likely rely on the automatic ISO setting. They will not be disappointed, as pictures retained low noise levels when the camera automatically selected the ISO sensitivity. The Olympus Stylus 800 received an auto noise score of 7.49, which is a nice improvement from the earlier 500’s still respectable 5.86 and quite high among snapshot-oriented cameras.

The Stylus 800 features Olympus’ TruePic processor, which utilizes two forms of noise reduction technology to help create clean images. When shooting long exposures, the camera will apply fixed pattern correction and in normal shooting the camera applies random pattern noise correction to alleviate noise that occurs when shooting at higher ISOs.

Noise – Manual ISO* (7.29)
*The Stylus 800 offers a wide ISO range when manually adjusted: 64, 100, 200, and 400, with extended 800 and 1600 options available at a reduced resolution of 3 megapixels or less. Performance at those extended ISOs settings was quite noisy, but the bright capture technology seems to be included as a means of providing snapshooters with some added shooting flexibility, not as something that should be constantly relied on.

We tested the noise levels at each ISO rating offered at full resolution and plotted them on the graph below with the horizontal axis representing ISO ratings and the vertical axis representing noise levels. Most digital cameras perform better when the ISO is manually adjusted, so it comes as a slight surprise that the Olympus Stylus 800 took a little dip to an overall manual noise score of 7.29. That said, this is still an admirable score.

Low Light Performance* (7.5)
*We test each camera’s low light capabilities at decreasing light levels, using the camera’s highest ISO rating to determine how sensitive the imaging sensor is to light. The flash is disengaged and the camera’s highest image quality setting is used. Cameras are tested at 60, 30, 15, and 5 lux to approximate performance in common low light situations; 60 lux equates to a bedroom after dusk, illuminated by two small table lamps, while 30 lux is roughly equal to a 40 watt lightbulb. 15 and 5 lux are used to illustrate the camera’s ability to capture images in near darkness.

While the Olympus Stylus 800 contains bright capture technology that will enable users to push the sensitivity far beyond the 400 max rating available at full resolution, it is not an accurate representation of the camera’s best low light ability, though it is clearly there for users if added illumination is more important at the time. Using the camera’s SHQ setting, ISO 400 rating, and even exposure values, we recorded the sequence above. As you can tell, the sensor still did a good job of maintaining illumination; however, images captured at higher light levels were a bit blown out. The camera did not seem to accurately adjust exposure values in the compromised lighting conditions. Even though the 400 (highest full resolution sensitivity) setting was used, at 60 lux, which is relatively low light, the image appeared blown. Color became less saturated as light levels dropped and noise became slightly more pronounced. Overall, low light performance was mildly impressive, but would have been far more effective if a manual exposure mode was provided to enable users to set the shutter speed and aperture to their preference. These adjustments can be made using the exposure compensation function, but the camera will not indicate when these alterations are needed, so the photographer will have to be attuned to the situation.

Speed / Timing
*Start-up to First Shot (8.03)
*This compact model rolls over a few times before getting up in the morning, with a start-up time of 1.97 seconds. This is only slightly faster than the Stylus 500’s 2.13 start-up time.

*Shot to Shot (9.09)
*When this digital camera shot at its highest resolution, it took a leisurely 0.91 seconds in between shots – in regular burst mode. Slow. The full burst mode reduces the resolution, but gives you a remarkably fast consecutive recording rate of roughly 4 fps – equating to a shot every 0.2425 seconds. This is incredibly fast for a point-and-shoot camera, even surpassing the speed of some lower-end DSLRs. Unfortunately, it is a bit too good to be true; users will be forced to make a choice between speed (limited to about 4 x 6-inch prints at full burst) or resolution.

*Shutter to Shot (7.57)
*There is quite a bit of shutter lag, as the Stylus 800 takes 0.714 seconds from the time the shutter release button is pressed to the time the picture is taken. This will result in many a blinked eye by the time the camera captures the shot.

Physical Tour

**Front ***(6.0)
*The front of the Stylus 800 has a Metallized plastic shell with rounded corners that blend into the edges of the camera. In the center of the face is a raised silver plastic strip with "Olympus" embossed onto it, which also doubles as a finger rest. Underneath the strip, the all-important product information "Stylus 800 All-Weather" resides. To the right of the strip is the sliding lens cover, providing a weatherproof seal for the camera’s optics. When the camera is on, the cover slides laterally and the lens extends from the body. The lens itself also contains some identifying text: "Olympus Lens, AF 3X Optical Zoom, 8-24 mm 1:2.8-4.9." More writing is placed to the right of the lens, alerting potentially oblivious spectators to the camera’s massive resolution: 8.0 megapixels. Above and slightly to the right of the lens are three holes covering the camera’s microphone. At the middle of the top sits the flash and the self-timer light. To the right of the flash is an infrared sensor for the optional remote control.

**Back ***(6.5)
*The oddly sculpted back face of the Stylus 800 is dominated by the 215,000 pixel, 2.5-inch screen. The screen has a black glossy frame and is branded "Olympus" along the bottom. To the left of the screen are four buttons set into a curved depression: Quick View (toggles from record to playback); Guide (brings up the camera’s shooting guide); DISP (overlays a grid, sighting x, and live histogram, as well as aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation info); and Self Timer/Trash (turns on the self-timer or deletes images in playback mode). To the right of the screen are the zoom, mode, and navigation controls. At the top right is the zoom toggle, with "W" on the left and "T" on the right. The zoom is a single rocker that curves inward to provide a finger rest. Below the toggle is the mode dial, which is set into the camera’s body. The dial has different icons for the various recording modes and playback mode. Below the dial are the navigation and menu controls which consist of a four-way rocker button surrounding a small, round "OK/Menu" button. The top of the rocker has the conventional lightning bolt graphic for the flash, while the top is adorned with a flower icon for macro mode. Below the navigation controls is the release for the xD card slot door (see Bottom).

Left Side* (6.5)
*The left side of the Stylus 800 is relatively free of features. It has a raised silver strip that runs around the camera. At the top of the left side is an eyelet for the hand strap. Below the eyelet is a hinged door that slides open to reveal the battery slot as well as the USB / A/V out port and a plug for an optional AC adapter.

Right Side*(6.5)
*The relatively flat and smooth right side is free of any features or adornment except for the raised silver strip that encircles the camera.

Top*(6.5)
*In line with this camera’s décor, the top has rounded edges that blend into the sides. A raised silver strip has the words "HyperCrystal LCD" and "Power' printed on it. To the right of the highly-informative text is a green LED that glows when the camera is on. Further right of the LED is a small, round power button that is inset into the strip. On the far right of the button is a round, silver shutter release button, encircled by a silver ring. Slightly below and to the left of the power button is a slim, rectangular LED that blinks red whenever the camera is reading or writing images.

Bottom* (4.0)
*The bottom of the Stylus 800 contains a tripod socket located underneath and to the right of the lens. Unfortunately the socket is made of plastic, prone to breaking or stripping if ever used. To the left of the socket is a door that hides the xD card slot. The door is opened by a spring-loaded slider just above the door. On the right side of the bottom is a snowflake pattern of holes that covers the camera’s speaker. 

Components

Viewfinder* (0.0)
*With a large 2.5-inch LCD screen, there was no room remaining for Olympus to include an optical viewfinder on the Stylus 800. While the LCD allows shots to be framed with a 100 percent field of view, without a viewfinder there is no way to frame shots when the battery is low. Additionally, when the camera is moved quickly, the view on the LCD screen is choppy and often out of focus. Users panning quickly or often may be better served by a camera that includes both viewing alternatives.

LCD Screen*(8.0)
*The large 2.5-inch LCD screen has 215,000 pixels on its 4:3 format display. The LCD features Olympus’ semi-transmissive technology, which it dubs "HyperCrystal." The HyperCrystal screen allows images to be seen even under the brightest sunlight conditions as well as dim conditions (when utilizing the camera’s bright capture technology). The viewing angle on the screen is also impressive; images can be seen clearly at all angles, even almost perpendicular to the screen. The illumination of the screen can be controlled in the Setup section of the mode menu, but the available range offered is not very expansive. Overall, the screen displays images very well, but it is awkwardly applied to the camera body. The LCD protrudes out of the body, leaving one of the camera’s most expensive components exposed and vulnerable.

The DISP button, located to the left of the LCD screen, allows users to toggle through the various displays on the screen: live histogram, superimposed grid, superimposed x and shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, and ISO.

Flash*(7.5)
*The Stylus 800’s built-in flash is located in the center of the camera, to the left of the lens. With the powerful flash placed off the lens axis, there will be harsh shadows cast along the right of most subjects. Furthermore, the flash’s location is where the user’s right-hand fingers often rest and this may obscure the flash. When images are taken with fingers obscuring the flash, they often take on a red hue, as the powerful flash shines through the user’s finger.

The flash is quite intense for a compact camera; in the Auto shooting mode it can reach 21.3 feet in the wide angle setting and 11.5 feet in the telephoto setting. The flash also functions in macro mode, but not very well. It tends to blow out images and cast a bright white light on the upper right portions of images, owing to the flash’s location. The following flash modes are offered: Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, and Fill-In; there is no slow sync setting.

Zoom Lens*(6.5)
*The Stylus 800 has an Olympus 3x optical zoom lens that reaches from 8-24mm. This is equivalent to a 38-114mm lens on a 35mm camera. There is also a 5x digital zoom component; however, it is best to resist using it as digital zoom greatly degrades picture quality. The lens boasts an aperture range of f/2.8 – f/8, with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 in wide and f/4.9 in telephoto. The lens can focus from 19.7 inches to infinity in normal shooting mode, 7.9 inches to 19.7 inches in Macro mode, and 1.2 inches to 19.7 inches in Super Macro mode, although in Super Macro the lens takes several seconds to focus on objects closer than about four inches.

Design / Layout

Model Design / Appearance*(6.0)
*The Stylus 800’s design seems to focus more effort on its weatherproof features rather than styling or handling. The camera is heavy and dense with a bulky feel. Durability definitely wins out over style on the Stylus 800. The body is relatively solid, although the polycarbonate shell seems susceptible to denting and breakage, unlike a fully metal frame. There is a strip of aluminum that surrounds the camera, but on closer inspection its sole purpose is aesthetic, as the seam between the front and back halves of the camera fall on the back edge of the strip, not underneath it. The Stylus 800’s design aims to attract a utilitarian following rather than style-seekers, as its rounded rectangular form is clumsy and awkward looking. There are two ergonomic features built into the camera’s body: a depressed thumb divot on the zoom toggle and the raised metal strip on the camera’s face. However for users with the large hands the features are undersized and somewhat irrelevant. For users with smaller hands, though, the ergonomic features will be appreciated and lend themselves to comfortable one-handed operation.

Size / Portability* (6.0)
*The Stylus 800 has a rounded rectangular form that resembles some of HP’s digital cameras, but the bulky Olympus model is slightly more compact. The Stylus 800 measures 1.3 inches thick; it will fit into a pocket, but it will feel cramped if you’re not wearing baggy pants. The raised bar on the front of the camera is smooth enough so that it won’t snag clothes. The 4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3-inch Stylus 800 weighs 6.4 ounces without the battery and card. The camera has a wrist strap eyelet sunk into the upper left side and an included strap to aid in handling and portability. In terms of form, consumers should expect a bulky camera with quite a bit of heft in the Stylus 800. The screen protrudes out of the back, concentrating much of the mass towards the back side of the design and creating a somewhat unbalanced feel. With the bulk and awkward shape, the Stylus 800 is probably better suited for wrist strap transport rather than a pocket.

Handling Ability* (7.0)
*The design of the Stylus 800 incorporates ergonomic features such as the raised finger rest on the camera’s face and the thumb divot on the zoom toggle. However, these features are somewhat undersized and are of little use to users with larger hands. The camera has a smooth surface with rounded edges which can cause the camera to slip out of the user’s grasp. The unbalanced feel of the camera, due to the concentration of weight in the back, can make one-handed operation somewhat awkward. In light of the lack of grip and relative bulk of the Stylus 800, the short, long design allows the camera to nestle into the user’s palm easily, but again, users with large hands need not apply.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size* (5.5)
*The Stylus 800’s control buttons appear undersized and rather awkward, especially when juxtaposed against the large 2.5-inch LCD screen. While the buttons to the left of the screen are easily accessible and well spaced, the buttons to the right of the screen are cramped and tiny. The navigation dial is particularly undersized and restrictive; often resulting in the accidental depression of multiple buttons at once. The circular dial is formed of a single continuous piece of plastic lacking boundaries or distinctions between directions, and this can often cause issues when trying to make selections by feel. The mode dial is peculiarly located above the navigation dial, rather than at the more traditional placement on top of the camera. While this configuration is largely in place to expedite mode shifts, shooting mode alterations are probably the least time-sensitive adjustment photographers will have to make. Although users will be able to alter the mode while keeping a hand on the zoom toggle control, it might have been more logical to place essential exposure and image settings in that space.

The physical configuration of the dial is appealing; the mode dial does click firmly into place when switching modes, allowing users, once familiar with the order, to change modes without looking at the dial. All of the buttons on the Stylus 800 are clearly labeled with words or icons that illustrate their purpose.

Menu*(6.0)
*Menus on the Stylus 800 are accessed via the OK/Menu button in the center of the navigation dial. The menus appear as an overlay superimposed over the real time view. This is a significant advantage for the camera’s target audience, helping those less familiar with the various settings perceive potential alterations prior to making the actual selection.

When selecting options, the camera highlights the settings with a background color, which users can customize to be normal (orange), blue, green, or pink. The options contained within the menus are expressed with icons, abbreviations, or the full title of the option. The Stylus 800 offers live views for the exposure compensation, white balance, ISO, and photometry (metering).

Menu options differ depending on whether the camera is in one of the shooting modes or in playback or album mode. When in one of the shooting modes, the menu button yields the following options: exposure compensation, white balance, image quality options, and the mode menu. The mode menu option branches off with a long list of further options separated into three submenus: camera, card, and setup.

The camera menu lists the options that control image capture: metering mode, drive (burst mode), ISO, digital zoom, auto focus mode, audio recording, panorama mode, and 2 in 1 mode, which allows the image to be split to combine two exposures into one image. When the movie mode is selected, the camera menu lists only the metering mode and digital zoom.

The Card menu lists the options to erase or back up the stored information.

The setup menu branches off with a long list of options to adapt the camera to the user’s personal preferences: video out format, alarm clock, dual time setup, date and time settings, LCD screen brightness, pixel mapping (see the Connectivity / Extras section), file naming options, viewing options, shutter sound, volume, menu color, startup screen, language, and power on setting reset.

The playback menu is accessible by rotating the mode dial or by pressing the QUICK VIEW button. The following options are available: image lock, album entry, mode menu, and slide show. The mode menu has several submenus: play, edit, card, and setup. The play menu allows the user to rotate images, print them, or add sound. The edit menu allows users to change picture to black and white or sepia, fix red-eye, and resize images. The card menu allows users to format an xD card, erase all images, or back them up. The setup menu allows users to change the same settings as in capture mode, with the addition of selecting how many pictures are displayed in thumbnail view.

Aside from flash and macro controls, which are located on the navigation dial, and delete, which is located to the left of the screen, users must use the menus to control most of the features available on the Stylus 800. The small size of the buttons makes navigating the menus difficult at times and can lead to inaccurate selections. Additionally, the menu options are inconsistent with what steps are required to activate them. Some options simply require the right arrow to be pressed, while others require the right arrow followed by the OK/Menu button. This is more convoluted than is necessary and complicates the simple interface.

Ease of Use*(6.0)
*The degree of complication in the Stylus 800 depends on what you are doing with the camera. Using the camera as a point-and-shoot is a simple operation that is aided by the shortcut buttons located to the left of the LCD screen. However, when users try to utilize some of the camera’s more advanced features, the ease of use is impaired by overly complex menus that lack adequate titling for many of the features. Additionally, the small buttons and inconsistent confirmation procedures often lead to incorrect selections and frustration.

The Stylus 800 is a feature-laden camera with several advanced options, including shutter and aperture priority modes, and some intricate technologies. Olympus acknowledges that the Stylus 800 is for less advanced photographers but does not provide an adequate manual. Instead, the camera is shipped with a flimsy Basic Manual, which contains scant information about the camera, along with an advanced PDF manual on CD-ROM. The advanced manual is difficult to navigate and hardly user friendly; also as it is on a CD-ROM, users must become dependant on a computer when trying to understand their camera. Olympus has attempted to provide an on-the-go manual through the camera’s built-in guide, accessible via the guide button to the left of the LCD screen, which does help alleviate confusion at times, but the guide only touches on a few basic techniques and is of little use to people other than very literal beginners.

Transferring images to the computer is relatively simple, as Olympus’ software automatically loads when the camera is connected via a USB cable. Recharging the battery, though, is a more complicated affair and requires the user to remove the battery from the camera and use the supplied charger, unless they purchase the optional AC adapter.

Modes

Auto Mode*(7.5)
*The Stylus 800 features a full auto setting, indicated by the camera icon on the mode dial. The manual refers to this as Program mode. It's an automatic mode, controlling both aperture and shutter speed selections, but it does not override menus settings for ISO or white balance. In addition, both ISO and white balance can be set to automatic within the menu, so the camera can be made fully automatic.

The camera's EV adjustment works in all modes, including Program and Scene modes. It adjusts exposure in 1/3 stops from two stops under the metered value to two stops over.

Movie Mode*(3.5)
*The Stylus 800 records video at 640 x 480, 320 x 240, or 160 x 120 pixel resolutions. Frame rate is limited to 15 fps, which is extremely inadequate for motion video and looks choppy onscreen; the frame rate is half the 30 fps necessary for full fluid motion. The optical zoom is also inactive during video recording, though you can set it before recording begins. If the digital zoom feature is turned on, it will work while you record, but with a nasty quality hit.

Drive / Burst Mode*(7.5)
*The Stylus 800 offers two continuous shooting modes. The typical mode, available in full resolution, captures successive images at 1.3 frames per second, which is average among cameras of this styling. However, the Stylus 800 also offers a High Speed burst mode, which is a bit unusual – it is only available at reduced resolution (3 MP), but is capable of recording images at a solid 4 frames per second for over 10 consecutive frames (depending on the quality setting). This is remarkably fast for any digital camera (excluding professional grade DSLRs) and is unparalleled among point-and-shoots. Unfortunately, this is just one instance where the user is forced to choose between resolution and a desired feature. The 4 fps recording speed is impressive, but Olympus markets the camera’s 8 megapixels of resolution over its recording rate, so users will likely be opposed to dropping down to 3 megapixels. It is a nice inclusion, but users will likely opt for 8 megapixel images at a 1.3 frames-per-second burst.

The Stylus locks the focus, exposure, and white balance settings at the start of a sequence, and the flash slows down the normal sequence mode. In high speed mode, the flash is shut off.

Playback Mode* (7.0)
*The Stylus 800's playback mode offers standard functionality; pressing the Playback button calls up the most recent shot. Pressing the zoom rocker in the wide angle direction brings up the index display, which shows the last several shots taken. The four-way controller scrolls sequentially through all images in the camera's memory. Pressing the zoom rocker in the telephoto direction magnifies the image up to 8x, which isn't bad, but not exactly an ideal gauge of sharpness of an 8 megapixel image. The index view can be set to show 4, 9, 16, or 25 images at a time.

The Stylus 800 includes a control to rotate images so they appear right-side up on the camera display. The orientation change is saved in the image file, so that it will display correctly the next time the camera is turned on. Pressing the Display button in Playback Mode controls what information is displayed with the image. You can remove all the text, have the regular shooting data, or have additional data appear, including a histogram display.

The Stylus 800 provides an "album" system for organizing pictures on a media card. Pictures can be added to an album one at a time, by date, or all the images on a card can be added. Once an album exists, it’s easy to call it up in playback and see the images, without having to sort through everything on the card.

The slide show function on the Stylus 800 includes several transitions: you can jump straight from one image to the next, fade between them, have one slide over the last image, or have them zoom open from the middle of the frame. The Stylus 800 also includes background music for slide shows. Olympus recommends using an AC adapter when showing slide shows for a long time; however, this will have to be an additional purchase, as the adapter does not come packaged with the camera.

The Stylus 800 includes editing functions. With them, it's possible to fix red-eye, change an image to black-and-white or sepia, or scale an image down to a smaller size. It's likely that you'll get better results editing images on a computer than with these tools, which are essentially automatic – except for the scale function, which permits saving the image in several different sizes, the editing tools are take-it-or-leave-it deals.

Custom Image Presets*(8.5)
*The Stylus 800 offers a wide variety of scene settings. When the mode dial is set to Scene, they can be selected using the menu. There are 19 preset options in all, compiling a fairly complete grouping of customized automatic modes for point-and-shooters to select from. They are: Landscape, which boosts blues and greens for outdoor scenes; Landscape plus Portrait, which boosts blues and greens, plus skin tones; Portrait, which "accentuates the skin texture of the subject," according to the manual; Indoor, which aims to maintain background tones while photographing people indoors; Sports, for freezing fast action; Beach and Snow, for photographing people against bright backgrounds; Behind Glass, which shuts off the flash to avoid reflections; Self Portrait plus Self Timer, to include the photographer in pictures while the camera is on a tripod; Self Portrait, for pictures when the photographer holds the camera at arm's length and points it at themselves; Sunset, which bumps up the red and yellow and shuts off the flash; Available Light Portrait, which shuts off the flash for portraits in low light; Night Scene, which allows extended exposure times, and which requires support for the camera; Night plus Portrait, for taking portraits in the dark, with a tripod or other support for the camera; Fireworks, which is a lot like Night Scene; Candle, which reproduces the colors of candlelit interiors, and shuts off the flash; Cuisine, which boosts colors for pictures of food; and Documents, which shuts off the flash and enhances the contrast between black type and white paper.

Control Options

**Manual Controls **

The Stylus 800 does not contain a full manual mode; however it does offer numerous manual control options, ranging from ISO, exposure compensation, and white balance to determining burst rate and resolution options. The camera also offers Aperture and Shutter Priority modes to offer point-and-shooters some control over exposure.

**Focus
***Auto Focus (6.5)
*Two focusing modes are selectable in all of the Stylus 800’s available shooting modes: iESP and Spot. Spot focusing focuses on the subject that is within the white bracket targeting marks, which are superimposed on the LCD screen at the center of the composition, while iESP decides which subject to focus on, regardless of location within the frame. The camera’s iESP focus behaves differently depending upon which shooting mode the camera is in. For instance, when using the cuisine custom preset, the camera will focus on the nearest object. The auto focus emits an audible noise while it works, but it is not too loud to be distracting.

The Stylus 800 uses its TTL contrast-type auto focus to focus from 19.7 inches to infinity in normal shooting, with a range of 7.9 inches to 19.7 inches in macro and 1.2 inches to 19.7 inches in super macro mode. When the camera is focusing, a green circle blinks on the left part of the LCD screen. Auto focusing is activated by partly depressing the shutter release button until the green circle blinks. The Stylus 800’s auto focus is reasonably fast and responsive when the user depresses the shutter release, but when simply pointing and shooting, the camera has a difficult time focusing quickly, often resulting in blurred images.

*Manual Focus (0.0)
*There is no manual focus feature available on the Stylus 800.

Metering*(7.0)
*The through the lens metering system on the Stylus 800 offers two choices: spot metering and Olympus’ ESP. The spot metering takes measurements from the area inside the white targeting brackets. Users can use spot metering in high contrast scenes to ensure the most important information is visibly recorded. Olympus’ ESP metering averages multiple readings from the center and surrounding areas of the composition, similar to matrix metering. The ESP mode works well under most conditions, though it renders subjects very dark in strong backlit situations.

**Exposure ***(7.0)
*In addition to the exposure controls offered by the shooting presets, the Stylus 800 also has Aperture and Shutter Priority modes. Exposure compensation is also available in the typical +/- 2 EV range, moving in 1/3 stop increments. To alter the exposure compensation, users can scroll up and down a bar graph with numerical values displayed above the particular position. However, the most appealing element of the camera’s exposure compensation function is the ability to view the potential alterations in a live feed superimposed over the actual composition. This will enable users less familiar with 1/3-stop exposure alterations to perceive the impact the adjustments will have on the final image.

White Balance* (5.5)
*In addition to automatic color balance, the Stylus 800 includes six preset white balance modes, which are represented by icons: sunny outdoors, cloudy outdoors, tungsten lighting, and three fluorescent light modes. As users scroll through the menu, a live preview is available to see the effect of white balance selections. The auto mode performs well under most conditions, but had a difficult time under strong tungsten casts. Unfortunately, with all the technology and gizmos included on the Stylus 800, there is no customizable white balance mode included. This is a significant pitfall for a point-and-shoot camera geared towards gadget lovers. The omission of a custom setting may prevent users from achieving proper color calibration when shooting under mixed lighting or under a particularly strong color cast.

ISO*(7.25)
*While most compact cameras have a limited ISO range of 50-400, the Stylus 800 offers ISO settings of 64, 100, 200, and 400 at full resolution, extending to 800 and 1600 at reduced resolutions. When the user switches to ISO 800 or 1600 settings, the camera will automatically drop the resolution down to 2048 x 1536.

When using a custom preset mode or blur reduction, the ISO is locked to Auto. Additionally, the ISO is locked to the user in both Aperture and Shutter priority modes. When shooting with flash, the camera will boost the ISO if the subject is out of the flash’s range, which can result in blown-out foregrounds. While the camera reproduces the extended ISO range of many SLRs, don’t expect its small 1/1.8-inch sensor to reproduce images with an SLR’s handling of noise. While the ISO 800 and 1600 options do grant point-and-shooters a bit more flexibility, it comes at a steep cost; images shot at ISO 800 or 1600 with the Stylus 800 will contain a substantial amount of noise and users will be limited to 4 x 6-inch prints due to the reduced resolution.

Shutter Speed* (7.5)
*The Stylus 800 offers a shutter range of 4 seconds to 1/2000 of a second. When shooting in Auto mode or in any of the custom preset modes, except for night mode, the shutter speed range is limited to 1/2-1/2000 of a second. Shutter speeds can be manually adjusted in Shutter Priority mode by using the right and left arrows on the navigation dial. A slider displaying shutter speed and the corresponding aperture value is displayed over the live view as selections are made. The slider will display shutter speeds that will result in a proper exposure in green, while those that will either under or overexpose an image will be displayed in red. This intuitive graphic is one of the most valuable elements of the camera, since it helps clearly outline the relationship between shutter speed and aperture values and illustrates how the correlation impacts exposure.

Three different shutter sounds can be selected: two strange electronic noises and a traditional camera shutter sound. Users can select between off and low and high volume levels for the sound. Shutter speed information is displayed on the screen while shooting and atop individual images when they are viewed in playback mode.

Aperture*(5.5)
*The aperture range on the Stylus 800 extends from f/2.8-f/8 in wide shooting and f/4.9-f/8 in full telephoto. Aperture values on the Stylus 800 are adjustable in 1/3-stop steps, enabling subtle alterations and maximizing control. Aperture can be manually adjusted in Aperture Priority mode by using the right and left arrows on the navigation dial. The camera displays a slider with the F-stop setting displayed, along with the correlating shutter speed. As in Shutter Priority mode, apertures resulting in properly exposed images are displayed in green; those resulting in under or overexposed images are displayed in red. Aperture information is displayed on the screen when shooting and in playback mode. When using one of the custom preset modes, the camera will adjust the aperture to suit the particular custom preset. For example, when shooting in landscape mode the camera will use a wide aperture, while in cuisine mode the camera will use a small aperture to increase depth of field.

Image Parameters

Picture Quality / Size Options* (7.0)
*The Stylus 800 captures all still pictures in JPEG format. There are four image quality modes, which apply various degrees of compression, creating a combined 9 available resolutions. The picture size and quality can be saved in the Record Mode menu, which is accessed by pressing the menu button, followed by the left arrow. The following image sizes are available: SHQ, 3264 x 2448, low compression; HQ, 3264 x 2448, high compression; SQ1, 2560 x 1920, 2272 x 1704, and 2048 x 1536, high compression; SQ2, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, standard compression; and 640 x 480, low compression.

Picture Effects Options* (6.5)
*The Stylus has two color modes which are accessed in the Playback mode, and two picture options which are available in the shooting modes. When in playback mode, the user can opt to apply black and white or sepia tone effects to previously recorded images. Edited images are saved as a new file on the xD card.

During shooting, users can select either Panorama or 2 in 1 effects options. Panorama shooting is unfortunately only available when using an Olympus brand xD card. It allows the user to later stitch together up to 10 pictures using Olympus’ software to create a panoramic composite. The 2 in 1 shooting option allows the user to take two pictures on a single image. The user first takes an image that will be the left half of the final image, then takes a picture that will be the right half of the final image. The camera splices the two together to create a single split-screen image.

Connectivity / Extras

**Connectivity **
*Software (7.5)
*The Stylus 800 ships with Olympus's Master software version 1.2 for Windows and Macintosh OSX, but an upgrade to version 1.3 is available via download through the Olympus website. The software can be upgraded to Olympus Master Plus, which adds movie editing, album printing, html (web-browser readable) album creation, panorama stitching, CD and DVD writing, and "a lot of other functions," according to the online documentation.

The software delivered with the camera is among the most capable software packages provided with consumer digital cameras. Its image browser is very good, sorting pictures by date and offering a calendar interface for image searches. The image download feature prompts the user to attach keywords to images as they're saved to disk, a system that should facilitate faster identification when searched. It offers standard features such as prepping an image for email and reloading images to the camera's "album" feature, so that you can use the LCD display to share pictures with friends.

The editing suite is well short of Photoshop in refinement, speed, and flexibility, but it offers a very good set of tools. It offers adjustment curves, which is a much more useful tool than the standard Brightness and Contrast dialog. It offers a Hue, Saturation, and Lightness dialog, which are also useful editing tools. Its Sharpen tool offers a single slider control to range from no sharpening to lots. Sharpening mavens know that there is much more to it than that, but for free software, the slider is a real improvement.

The opening screen is kind of goofy – it looks like a disorganized folder window in icon view. Each icon leads to a major function of the program. Apparently, I'm not the only person who isn't thrilled with the screen, because Olympus gives you the option of turning it off and going straight to the browser.

*Jacks, Ports, and Plugs (4.5) *

The Stylus 800 has a combination A/V / USB 2.0 port and a jack for an AC adapter, which is not included with the camera. It would have been nice if Olympus had included the AC unit, seeing as how the user manual recommends it whenever the camera is connected to a computer or printer.

The USB connection disables the camera's sleep and auto-shutoff functions, so when the Stylus 800 is connected to a computer or printer, it will stay on and continue functioning until the battery dies. That runs a risk of data loss, and in the case of printing, spoiled prints.

It's also unfortunate that the two jacks are under a large, vulnerable plastic door that could be stressed or broken by the cables.

*Direct Print Options (6.5)
*The Stylus 800 supports the PictBridge and DPOF standards for printing without a computer. With PictBridge, the Stylus 800 can be connected via a USB cable to a PictBridge compliant printer. It's possible to select which images should be printed, how many copies of each should be made, and whether or not the prints should have borders.

The Stylus 800 adds an option to print multiple copies of an image on a single sheet of paper, or to make index prints of all the images in the camera.

With DPOF printing, the print options are saved on the xD-Picture Card. You can take the card to a photo lab, then download the print order to a kiosk or the lab's computer.

*Battery (5.5)
*The Stylus 800 ships with a 3.7 volt lithium-ion battery. The battery must be removed from the Stylus 800 in order to be recharged in the external charger that ships with the camera. A full charge takes 2 hours. During charging, a red light is displayed and when charging is complete, the light glows green. An optional AC adapter is available; however, its use requires the battery door to remain open. In testing, the Stylus 800 exhibited poor battery life and required frequent recharging. The camera’s powerful flash particularly affected battery life. Users may want to opt for an additional battery to extend the amount of shooting time available.

The camera displays the status of the battery for several seconds during power up. Either a solid battery or one partially filled in is displayed, depending upon how much power is left.

*Memory (3.5)
*The Stylus 800 has 21.3 megabytes of internal memory. The camera supports xD cards up to 1 gigabyte in its slot, which is found on the bottom of the camera. Unfortunately, there is no card included with the camera. When shooting in SHQ mode, the camera’s memory can only hold 6 images. A large card is definitely necessary for the large file sizes this camera produces. Fortunately, the camera displays the number of shots left in the lower right corner of the LCD screen, alerting the user to how many potential images remain.

**Other features ***(8.5)

Bright Capture Technology –* While this has been discussed a bit throughout the review, this is a critical element of the camera and deserves some elaboration. The included "Bright Capture Technology" works to boost the image on the LCD in low light situations, as well as pushing the ISO setting. This increases both the onscreen visibility and recorded illumination. When the camera’s Bright Capture Technology is utilized, the resolution is dropped to 2048 x 1536 (3 MP). This cannot be avoided. If users wish to utilize the higher sensitivity ratings on the Stylus 800 (ISO 800 and 1600) or the high speed burst mode (4 fps), resolution will have to be sacrificed.

When Bright Capture is activated, the camera is actually taking information from a series of 9 million pixels and converting it to 3 million. The information is absorbed by all the pixels but the collection of data functions more like data from a camera with larger pixels, but only 1/3 of the total amount. This grants added sensitivity, but unfortunately sacrifices the 8 million pixels of resolution that is heavily marketed with the camera. This feature is sure to draw mixed results – some users will be pleased with the added versatility the Stylus 800 provides over other similarly priced models, while others purchasing a point-and-shoot model would rather not have to make decisions and sacrifices each time the camera is used. However, the option is there.

Blur Reduction – This seems to be a resultant function of the camera’s bright capture technology, which drops the resolution and increases the ISO sensitivity. This enables users to shoot with higher shutter speeds and thus decrease the potential for motion blur. However, this should not be confused with Image Stabilization or Vibration Reduction found in other cameras.

Sound Recording - Users can also record up to 4 seconds of sound when capturing images. The sound record option is turned on in the submenu labeled with the microphone icon in the Camera Menu. This feature is of limited use, with the microphone carrying just a 3 foot range.

Pixel Mapping - Pixel mapping is a feature whereby the camera checks the CCD for any dead pixels and adjusts the image processing function to compensate. The manual recommends that feature be use only about once per year. We have yet to test the effectiveness of this function, but it is a rare and potentially helpful inclusion that will hopefully be picked up by other manufacturers as well.

Self-Timer – The Stylus 800 has a self-timer which can capture an image either 12 seconds after the depression of the shutter release or two seconds after the shutter release with the optional remote control.

Dual Time Function - There is a dual time feature, which allows users to set the time in another time zone and toggle back and forth between their own time and the dual time. The dual time feature is accessed through the Setup menu of the Mode Menu.

Box Contents - Besides the Stylus 800, the following items are included in the box: li-ion battery LI-12B, battery charger LI-10C, hand strap, USB cable, A/V cable, printed basic manual, and two CD-ROMs with Olympus Master Software and PDF advanced manual.

Overall Impressions

Value*(6.5)
*At an initial asking price of $449.99, the Stylus 800 should be able to function at its maximum capabilities in all modes. If the camera could capture 8 megapixel images at ISO 800 and 1600 and continue in a burst at 4 frames per second, the camera would be a steal. But unfortunately, that is not the case. In reality, Stylus 800 users will be forced to constantly make selections and shooting decisions, which is typically what diverts consumers away from more intricate compact models and towards a point-and-shoot interface to begin with. The idea of providing snapshooters with a means to capture images that would otherwise be unattainable with a point-and-shoot camera is admirable, but it will come at a cost. For some users, this will suit their needs ideally, while others might be better served with one of many impressive and less expensive 7.2 megapixel cameras.

Comparisons
Fuji FinePix F10 - The 6.3 megapixel Fuji F10 offers an ISO range of up to 1600 at full resolution. There is no blur reduction however, but Fuji says that extended ISO range is a fair tradeoff. The F10 offers a 3x zoom and a 2.5-inch LCD screen, like the Stylus 800, but there are no weatherproof capabilities. The F10 and the Stylus 800 had similar noise test results at ISOs below 200, though the F10 suppressed noise far more effectively at higher ISOs. Furthermore, the F10 is able to reach these extended sensitivity ratings while maintaining full resolution, producing much cleaner, more defined images. In testing, we found the F10 to turn on much quicker, while also containing much less shutter lag. The Stylus 800 has the potential for much faster burst rates, but again, resolution must be compromised to achieve the full speed potential. At 3.6 x 2.29 x 1.07 inches, the Fuji F10 is shorter and thinner and has a more balanced compact feel. Currently, the slightly older Fuji F10 can be found online for roughly $45 less than the Stylus 800.

*Canon PowerShot SD550 –*The recently released Canon SD550 offers 7.1 megapixels in a smaller, more compact frame. At $499.99, the smaller, more fashionable SD550 brings with it a more expensive price tag, without the benefit of blur control. Both cameras have 2.5-inch LCD screens, but the SD550 features a 4x optical zoom lens, offering a longer zoom range along with a wider perspective. The SD550 also contains an optical viewfinder, which the Stylus 800 omits, enabling shooting when the battery is low. The SD550 features the same DIGIC II image processor as the SD500, which speeds up functionality and enhances image quality. The SD500 tested to have a faster startup time than the Stylus 800 and was faster going from shot to shot, though its burst mode was slower than the Olympus (when resolution is reduced). The SD550 offers a high speed video capture mode and offers 30 frames per second 640 x 480 video, unlike the Stylus 800.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 - The Panasonic LX1 offers 8.4 megapixels of resolution along with a 4x optical zoom lens. The LX1 is quite a bit more expensive at nearly $700. Those extra dollars get you a Leica lens with optical image stabilization, while the Stylus 800 only offers digital blur reduction. The DMC-LX1 is reported to have almost no shutter lag at a lag time of 0.0008 seconds. Both cameras offer 2.5-inch LCD screens, although Panasonic manages to eke out ahead the Olympus with 230,000 pixels compared to 215,000. The Panasonic LX1 offers a slightly more compact frame with a much more aesthetically pleasing design, with choices of silver or black.

*Sony Cyber-shot P200 -*The 7.2 megapixel Sony P200 comes with a 3x zoom. For $399 you get a smaller, 2-inch LCD screen, but you also get Carl Zeiss optics. The Sony has a more limited ISO range of 100-400 and no manual white balance control. Other manual controls that are available on the Sony include shutter speed and aperture. The Sony ships with fairly limited software and doesn’t offer the panorama feature of the Stylus 800. The P200 however has a slimmer, more ergonomically pleasing design and feel and is available in a choice of red or silver.

*Nikon Coolpix 7900 –*At $449.95, the Coolpix 7900 is similarly priced to the Olympus and has several similar features: a 3x optical zoom lens, similar manual controls, and movie capture, although at a better 30 frames per second for 640 x 480 video. The Coolpix 7900 doesn’t offer the extended ISO range of the Olympus, instead limiting itself to 64-400. The 7900 does however have an auto focus assist light that also doubles as a guide for framing shots, which can be very useful in low light situations. The Nikon 7900 also has an optical viewfinder, which can come in handy when the batteries are too low to power the LCD screen. At 2 inches, the 7900 contains a smaller screen than the Olympus’. The Coolpix 7900 does have a more compact frame though, measuring in at 3.5 x 1.4 x 2.4 inches, and at 5.3 ounces it is a bit lighter.

**Who It’s For **
*Point-and-Shooters – *The Olympus Stylus 800 definitely functions well as a point-and-shoot camera. With the camera’s bright capture technology, snapshooters willing to sacrifice resolution and drop down to small 4 x 6-inch prints will have a bit more shooting versatility than most point-and-shoots provide. However, consumers looking for ease of use and simplicity may wish to look elsewhere.

Budget Consumers – At a suggested price of $449.99, the Stylus 800 is a fairly pricey camera. You do get high resolution and a host of features, but those looking for functionality on a dime may want to consider more affordable alternatives.

Gadget Freaks - With its weather proof design, graphic compliments, and inventive technology, the Olympus Stylus 800 has plenty to wet the appetite of any gadget freak. While the styling of the camera may be a little awkward, gadget freaks will find that what’s on the inside serves them well.

*Manual Control Freaks - *The Stylus 800 has several manual controls including aperture and shutter speed, but there is no manual focus, which a manual control freak may find essential. The lack of a customizable white balance option is even more of a blow. Manual control freaks may also express displeasure over the camera’s locking of ISO when shooting in burst modes and lack of full manual mode (to set both the shutter speed and aperture).

Pros / Serious Hobbyists – The Stylus 800 is definitely not a serious photographer’s ideal. Great for a vacation camera, but the serious hobbyist or pro will likely see this as a dressed-up point-and-shoot lacking noise control and manual shooting.

Conclusion

**Conclusion
**The Olympus Stylus 800 is a decent camera, albeit at a serious price. While the expense brings an 8 megapixel sensor, a host of features, and some intriguing technology, the camera’s looks and awkward feel are significant drawbacks. And the intriguing technology comes at a price. The camera’s 8 megapixel potential resolution (which is likely responsible for a bulk of the cost) is not available when users wish to utilize the impressive 4 fps high speed burst mode or increased low light capabilities. Rather, users will have to switch down to a resolution setting that is less than 50% of the camera’s maximum potential, producing images that are only fit for 4 x 6-inch prints.

With 22 preset modes, the camera is best suited for the automatically-reliant crowd, but it does include a reasonable degree of manual control as well, such as aperture and shutter priority settings. The large, bright 2.5-inch LCD screen handles bright situations well and compensates for the lack of an optical viewfinder. The camera is weatherproofed with rubber seals, although not quite as durable as a whole as some other rugged point-and-shoot models. During testing, the camera also consumed batteries at a remarkable rate, and with no included AC adapter, users may find themselves waiting a while as the batteries juice up.

During testing, the camera controlled noise reasonably well in automatic mode, a definite advantage for snapshooters; however, the images will be a bit soft and colors will stray from their natural hue. This should not disappoint the target audience, as novice users looking for a camera to grow into won’t be disappointed, but those who often shoot rapidly moving subjects and would like a manual shooting mode will find the slow auto focus and lack of control a serious drawback.

Specs / Ratings

**Specs Table
**{{manufacturer_specs_table}}{{raw_scores_table}}

Photo Gallery