You are here: Home > Digital Camera Reviews > Olympus C-8080 WZ

Select an Olympus digital camera -- 2010 models -- Olympus SP-800UZ Olympus SP-600UZ Olympus TOUGH 8010 Olympus TOUGH 6020 Olympus TOUGH 3000 Olympus Stylus 7040 Olympus Stylus 7030 Olympus Stylus 5010 Olympus FE-4020 Olympus FE-47 -- 2009 models -- Olympus E-P2 Olympus E-P1 Olympus E-620 Olympus E-450 Olympus SP-590UZ Olympus TOUGH 8000 Olympus TOUGH 6000 Olympus Stylus 9000 Olympus Stylus 7000 Olympus Stylus 550WP -- 2008 models -- Olympus E-520 Olympus E-420 Olympus SP-570 UZ Olympus SP-565 UZ Olympus Stylus 1050 SW Olympus Stylus 1030 SW -- 2007-2008 models -- Olympus E-3 DSLR Olympus SP-560 UZ Olympus Stylus 830 -- 2007 models -- Olympus EVOLT E-510 Olympus EVOLT E-410 Olympus SP-550 UZ Olympus Stylus 790 SW Olympus Stylus 780 Olympus Stylus 770 SW Olympus Stylus 760 Olympus FE-250 Olympus FE-240 Olympus FE-230 Olympus FE-210 -- 2006-2007 models -- Olympus SP-510 UZ Olympus Stylus 1000 Olympus Stylus 750 Olympus Stylus 740 Olympus Stylus 730 Olympus FE-200 Olympus FE-190 Olympus FE-180 Olympus FE-170 ----- 2006 models ----- Olympus EVOLT E-330 Olympus Stylus 720 SW Olympus Stylus 810 Olympus Stylus 710 Olympus SP-320 -- 2005-2006 models -- Olympus EVOLT E-500 Olympus SP-350 Olympus SP-310 Olympus SP-500 UZ Olympus Stylus 600 Digital Olympus FE-110 ----- 2005 models ----- Olympus EVOLT E-300 Olympus Camedia C-7070 Wide Zoom Olympus Camedia C-5500 Sport Zoom Olympus Stylus 800 Digital Olympus Stylus Verve S Olympus IR-300 Olympus Camedia D-630 Zoom Olympus Camedia D-595 Zoom Olympus Camedia D-545 Zoom Olympus Camedia D-435 Zoom -- 2004 & earlier -- Olympus Camedia C-8080 Wide Zoom Olympus Camedia C-7000 Zoom Olympus Camedia C-5060 Wide Zoom Olympus Camedia C-770 Ultra Zoom Olympus Camedia C-60 Zoom Olympus Stylus 500 Digital Olympus Stylus 410 Digital Olympus Stylus Verve Digital Olympus D-535 Zoom Olympus D-395 Digital

Category: Advanced Amateur - Prosumer

Executive Summary

This Olympus Camedia C-8080 Wide Zoom Review is based on a production model. All sample images are unretouched, except where specified.

Canada Touring:
35.6mm (170mm), Program, Pattern, 1/125 sec., F3.5 and ISO 50
Sharpened in Photoshop Elements

The Olympus Camedia C-8080 Wide Zoom is a full-featured prosumer digital camera with superb image quality. Being a large camera, it handles comfortably for those with big hands. The high quality of the black finish on its magnesium alloy body gives it a professional feel -- the best among the current 8MP digital cameras.

The C-8080 has the fastest startup among the 8MP digital cameras, at under 1 sec. If you like taking candid photos, the C-8080 will always be ready. All controls are precise to the touch and logically divided. You will however have to get used to the menu structure and sub-menus associated to each dedicated button.

A camera is first and foremost judged by the quality of the image it produces, and the Olympus Camedia C-8080 Wide Zoom shines in this respect. Image quality is excellent with minimal CA and no noise at ISO 50. Other professional features are a live histogram (with a unique "direct" feature), high quality EVF, and wide-angle zoom.

The C-8080 will be a favourite of many prosumers due to its excellent image quality, the best body finish and feel we've seen so far, a fast startup time, and all the professional features you need to take superb images. It's a great choice if you are graduating to advanced amateur/prosumer status.

See if you fit the Olympus Camedia C-8080 Wide Zoom User Profile below: