Olympus Stylus 800 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

by Olympus

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 7 x 4 inches ; 7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0009N4OPK
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,848 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 12, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer Olympus once again demonstrates that digital camera design is about more than just the number of pixels and the size of the LCD--it's about functionality. The Stylus 800 delivers power, performance, and enhanced usability with an array of innovative technologies: Bright Capture Technology for low-light photography; a HyperCrystal LCD for high-contrast viewing; metal, all-weather construction for protection against the elements; manual exposure and aperture settings for creative control and versatility; and an 8.0-megapixel image sensor for stunningly high-resolution prints.

The Stylus 800 features an all-weather body constructed of durable, lightweight metal.

Designed to Do More
There are times when you want to photograph subjects in low light without having to use a flash--such as when trying to capture the softness and warmth of a candlelit dinner or of natural skin tones in subdued lighting. Olympus's new Bright Capture Technology makes it possible to clearly compose subjects on the LCD, and with high sensitivity options (up to ISO 1600) and an enhanced autofocus, even action photos can be captured in low levels of ambient light.

Bright Capture Technology in Action

Viewing images under the glare of sunlight is also easier thanks to Olympus's exclusive HyperCrystal LCD technology. The HyperCrystal technology enables clear, high-contrast images--even when composing subjects with the sun at your back. Images are viewable on the 2.5-inch LCD from 160-degrees, so photos can be composed from a range of angles and viewed by several people at once.

Power, Performance, and Creative Control
The Stylus 800 combines an 8.0-megapixel CCD image sensor with Olympus's exclusive image processor, TruePic TURBO, which significantly enhances image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release, and playback. TruePic TURBO enables the Stylus 800 to capture information from all 8.0 million pixels with pixel "micro-smoothing" that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos, even at lower resolutions. The result is superb high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even in large-format prints. The fast startup of less than one second and the nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response, so you are always ready to take great pictures.

The addition of manual Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes, combined with 19 fully automatic preset scene modes, gives users versatility and control for optimal performance in any situation. Users can express their creative vision--adjusting the f-stop for detailed portraits with softened backgrounds, or slowing the exposure speed to create the blurred effect of motion--or simply select the appropriate scene mode from 19 choices for point-and-shoot simplicity. In-camera editing features such as Red-Eye Fix, Sepia, and Black and White give users the ability to edit photos on the fly.

Delivering Style and Durability
The Stylus 800 is defined by high-performance, durability, and style. In addition to the all-weather construction that made the Stylus famous, the Stylus 800 features a glossy finish, clean lines, and smooth, rounded edges that make it comfortable to hold and easy to handle. At a compact size of 4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3 inches (W x H x D) the camera fits snugly into a pocket and won't crowd a backpack. The circular lens barrier tucks away inside the camera body with a snap when powered on and protects the lens with an impenetrable seal when closed, leaving the camera face smooth and flat.

The compact, all-weather Stylus 800 can go virtually anywhere you can. The body is constructed of durable, lightweight metal with rubber gaskets throughout the interior to ensure that rain, sleet, or snow won't get in the way of great photos. And with its new optimized battery design, the Stylus 800 can take hundreds of shots between charges.

Intelligent Design
Olympus photos are known worldwide for sharp, vibrant image quality. This is achieved through a number of key technologies, such as Olympus's new high-refractive-index aspherical lens elements, designed specifically for digital cameras. The lens provides the equivalent of 38 to 114mm focal length, f2.8-f4.9 in 35mm photography, with 15x combined total zoom (3x optical and 5x digital) to bring the action closer, and a Super Macro Mode that captures details as nuanced as the iridescent petals of a flower from as close as 1.2 inches.

The Stylus 800 also features an all-weather speaker and microphone, enabling users to narrate images with personalized audio captions. With its QuickTime Movie Mode, the Stylus 800 can record movies of any length, limited only by the size of the internal memory or xD Picture Card in the camera.

Designed to Be Approachable
With a new Help GUIDE function, the Stylus 800 makes every last one of its features accessible, even to novice users. By simply pressing the GUIDE button on the back of the camera, users can access images and brief descriptions of each of the camera's functions and scene modes. And the new Shooting Guide serves as a quick reference, walking users through the camera settings with explanations of which features should be used for the situation, along with instructions on how to make the necessary adjustments.

Connecting the Stylus 800 to a computer is easy with the USB Auto Connect feature, which connects directly via USB 2.0 cable and requires no software. Or, if you prefer, forget the computer altogether. The power of PictBridge technology enables photos to be printed directly from the Stylus 800 to any PictBridge-enabled printer without using a computer. Printing and sharing images has never been easier.

Olympus Master software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. And with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye reduction, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades, and other user services are just a mouse-click away.

Product Description

Take high quality picktures with this 8 megapixel camera. Take it along with all your travels with it's compact size, blur protection and 24 shooting modes. It's splash resistant so you can take pictures in almost any type of weather condition. And when skies are cloudy and dim you can feel confident with BrightCapture Technology for improved previewing and shooting in low light situations. With a new Help GUIDE function, the Stylus 800 makes every last one of its features accessible, even to novice users. By simply pressing the GUIDE button on the back of the camera, users can access images and brief descriptions of each of the camera's functions and scene modes. And the new Shooting Guide serves as a quick reference, walking users through the camera settings with explanations of which features should be used for the situation, along with instructions for how to make the necessary adjustments. There's 19MB internal memory plus ability to use optional xD-PictureCard for up to 1GB storage. It's also PictBridge compatible for making prints without a computer. TruePic TURBO image processor Calendar function PictBridge compatible Multilingual menu Sensor 1/1.8 inch Type CCD Still File Formats - JPEG Movie - QuickTime Motion Sound - Wave Spot metering Shutter speed - 1/2 - 1/2000 4 secs in night scene Scene modes - Portrait, Landscape with Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Scene, Night Scene with Portrait, Night Shoot, Cuisine, Beach and Snow, Self Portrait, Self Portrait and Self Timer, Indoor, Behind Glass, Document, Candle, Sunset, Fireworks, Shoot & Select 1, Shoot & Select 2 Continuous shooting 4 fps up to 10 secs Auto Flash, red-eye reduction, on - off LCD monitor - 2.5 inches TFT LCD at 215,000 pixels 19MB internal memory Rechargeable lithium-ion battery LI-12B Weight (with no battery) - 182 g (6.4 ounces) Dimensions - 103 x 58 x 33 mm (4 x 2.3 x 1.3 inches)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

129 of 130 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Jeckyl and Hyde (or 8 megapixel... sometimes), December 15, 2005

By 

J. Privatt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Olympus Stylus 800 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Yes, I am another owner and unfortunately, I learned the ugly truth of this camera during my wedding (old camera died 2 days before).

I would give this 5 stars or higher, but Olympus got extremely lazy on this one. Read on...

In simple, point-n-shoot mode (camera icon on the wheel). It shoots 8 megapixel shots are absolutely the most fantastic pictures I've ever seen. Blown up to 8x10 and cropped, they look like they've come right off 35mm film. The colors are rich and vibrant. Simply amazing.

However...
In the 24 pre-programed "Scene" modes (e.g. Indoor, nightime, etc). this thing becomes a different beast altogether. Simply put, it shoots everything at 3 megapixel... max... and a really awful 3 megapixel at that.

I checked with Olympus on this (twice) because I couldn't believe it. But they confessed that it shoots at 3 megapixel with heavy filters - which results in lots of "jaggies" and pictures that look WORSE than those shot on my 2 megapixel camera with no filtering.

You're probably saying to yourself, "It can't be all that bad."
Believe me, it is. They look like absolute junk when printed out on 4x6 paper... like something I shot with a cell phone or a child's toy. I cannot overestimate just how bad they look.

Bottom line, if you are looking for a point and shoot camera, it is great. But don't count on ever using the 24 scene modes.

120 of 121 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great camera, September 3, 2005

By 

Gary Glick (Miami, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Olympus Stylus 800 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I purchased this camera for my rafting trip. I spent a week going down the Green River in Utah, and wanted a camera that could weather the outdoors. This camera turned out to be the best digital camera I have ever used.

First, this camera produced great pictures. I shot nearly 400 pictures and had each printed out at 4 x 6 when I got home. The colors were terrific and the reproductions were vivid and sharp. The controls are intuitive and well placed. The autofocus worked very well. I often reached for the camera to capture a fleeting moment and was able to point and shoot in seconds. The LCD screen is big and bright and was easily seen in the brightest sun (I shot most pictures outdoors). The flash was handy and the fill flash really enhanced many of the shots.

I also purchased 4 extra batteries for the trip. Interestingly, I hardly needed them. I changed the battery once at 200 shots, but I hadn't seen a low battery warning.

Most importantly, the camera weathered the trip perfectly. I took shots from the raft, during the rapids and during the rain. The camera was soaked, yet functioned very well.

Overall, this is an excellent camera. It is easy to use, takes great shots and weathers the storm. I printed out the manuel (all 200 pages) and was able to figure out how to use even the most advanced functions quickly. The 512 xD memory card was good for about 260 shots at the highest resolution. Transferring the images to my computer was a snap. This camera is good for both the novice and the advanced user. Right now, it is the best digital camera out there.

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After a week, December 26, 2005

By 

Tipi "Tipi" (Slovakia (middle Europe)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olympus Stylus 800 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I switched my old Minolta Z1 with this amazing camera. My main criterias were good results in night shots and compact size with best optics.
Stylus 800 didn't fail me in any of this criteria, contrariwise it provide me with even more functions I honoured by really snowy weather in Alps (it is water resistant) and with those Scene modes it's making even better pictures than I can manualy set.

Pros:
- great resolution (you can enlarge small point on the picture and can see what it realy is)
- good autofocus indoor and by room-light
- water resistance (no more stress from rain, waves or anything else)
- heavy metal body
- very fast 1st picture (lens go out in a wink)
- large LCD with great resolution
- very useful ISO 1600 function by evening scenes or fast moving scenes (only 3MPix, but thats enough for travelers like me) without "snow" on pictures
- good flash distance for a compact
- good battery lifetime (I can fill my 1GB card on 1 charge)

Cons:
- slow picture download to computer (USB 1.0 only - with my 1GB card it takes a while - about 15-20 min.)
- slow video (only 15 frames ps) with only digital zoom during recording
- flash recharging sometimes takes a while (about 5 sec)
- leather bag delivered in accessory kit without pocket for second battery (where do you want to lose it again)
- without "anti-red-eye" flash it makes almost always red eyes, but there is software correction available directly in camera or in included software
- software included for managing pictures is slow and too functionally, what leads to dificulty (I lost some pictures after I made a red eye correction and tried to save it - result was .jpg file but corrupted, really unconvenient bug)