Color (6.12)
The Olympus Stylus 800 uses a TruePic Turbo image processor to transform data from the 1/1.8-inch CCD into pictures. To test how accurately it transforms the colors, we took several images of a GretagMacbeth color chart. We ran these files through Imatest Imaging Software, which indicates how accurate the color representation is on this digital camera. Below you can see a modified GretagMacbeth chart. Its original colors are the inner rectangles. The outer square is the color produced by the Stylus 800 and the inner square is the color corrected version.

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!)

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

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.

Low Light Tests
60 Lux	30 Lux
15 Lux	5 Lux

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.

Intro	Page 2 of 13		Physical Tour
Olympus Stylus 800 Digital Camera Review Navigation
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