Author Topic: Oympus Announces World’s First 18x Optical Zoom (Read 7473 times)

GeoPappas · « **on:** January 26, 2007, 05:47 »

Olympus has announced a new camera, the Olympus SP-550 UZ.

Here are some of the specs:

• 18x wide optical zoom (equivalent to 28-504mm on a 35mm camera)
• 1:2.8-4.5
• Dual Image Stabilization
• 7.1 Megapixels
• 6.4cm/2.5” LCD with 230,000 pixels
• High burst rate (up to 15fps*) - *In 1.2 Megapixel mode
• Super Macro mode (from as close as 1cm)
• P/A/S/M exposure modes
• BrightCapture Technology for better low light photography – also available in movie mode
• 23 scene modes (including Portrait, Sports, Night Scene)
• 25 languages on board
• Internal memory plus xD-Picture Card slot
• Supplied with Olympus Master software and four AA batteries

Here is the link:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0701/07012507olympusp550uz.asp#specs

FYI: An Olympus Ultrazoom was my first digital camera. I loved it. It was a great point-and-shoot camera. I took it everywhere. It was one of the main reasons that I bought a digital SLR (to replace my film SLR) in the first place.

leaf · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2007, 05:56 »

looks pretty nice

CJPhoto · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2007, 06:55 »

What is dual stabilisation?

Why do they persist with xD cards. Everyone knows they are inferior to SD.

Kiya · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2007, 07:08 »

"FYI: An Olympus Ultrazoom was my first digital camera. I loved it. It was a great point-and-shoot camera. I took it everywhere. It was one of the main reasons that I bought a digital SLR (to replace my film SLR) in the first place."

I had the C-2100 also, what a fun camera!

GeoPappas · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2007, 07:41 »

Quote from: CJPhoto on January 26, 2007, 06:55

What is dual stabilisation?

Why do they persist with xD cards. Everyone knows they are inferior to SD.

My guess is that Dual Image Stabilization is two levels of image stabilization: one on the lens and one on the sensor. But I could be wrong (and have been many times before).

I would agree that it was a mistake for Olympus to move to the xD format, but every company always wants to create proprietary "standards" that they own so that they can make lots of money.

pixelbrat · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2007, 08:16 »

I too owned the famous C-2100. (Uzi) It wasn't my first digital camera but it was definitely the one that really fueled my passion for photography. I agree, they need to lose the XD cards. This new Olympus has definite potential. I'll be eager to see the first reviews, although I don't think it will replace any of my current cameras.

epixx · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2007, 08:58 »

Looks like a very fun camera. I wonder how sharp the lens is.

The double antishake is sensor movement combined with ISO-boost. If you ask me, only the sensor movement is real image stabilization.

pixelbrat · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2007, 09:00 »

Quote from: epixx on January 26, 2007, 08:58

If you ask me, only the sensor movement is real image stabilization.

I completely agree!

GeoPappas · « **Reply #8 on:** January 26, 2007, 09:16 »

Quote from: epixx on January 26, 2007, 08:58

The double antishake is sensor movement combined with ISO-boost.

What is ISO-boost? Sounds like an energy drink...

epixx · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2007, 10:13 »

It means that the camera, if the ISO boost is switched on, will increase the ISO number to allow a shorter exposure time. It's what all of us have done manually for years, but it looks better in the press release, giving it a fancy name.

Freezingpictures · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2007, 11:59 »

Quote from: GeoPappas on January 26, 2007, 05:47

FYI: An Olympus Ultrazoom was my first digital camera. I loved it. It was a great point-and-shoot camera. I took it everywhere. It was one of the main reasons that I bought a digital SLR (to replace my film SLR) in the first place.

My first Digital Kamera was an Ultrazoom too, the Olympus 720UZ. All the penguin Photos are shot with it. It had 3MP. (I just replaced skys and put a little more snow in the picture, thats why some of my pics have so much MPs) Now I have a D60. Which is certainly better. But the UZ was quite good for the price and size.

GeoPappas · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2007, 12:06 »

Quote from: Freezingpictures on January 26, 2007, 11:59

My first Digital Kamera was an Ultrazoom too, the Olympus 720UZ.

That was the exact model I had as well. Small world...

litifeta · « **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2007, 23:43 »

Why would anyone buy a Canon xti or similar? The semi pro market is really up against it with models like Fuji S9600, this Olympus, Pansonic Lumix.

Astounding value for money. would love to see the pics from it.

leaf · « **Reply #13 on:** January 29, 2007, 01:06 »

on the xti or any other entry level DSLR you can/have

- a larger sensor meaning less noise
- use pro lenses = way better image quality
- use an external flash (from the hot shoe)and use bounce lighting or a group of flashes to create interesting lighting
- can see your image as it is going to be taken since you can view it 'through the lens'
- more control over focusing
- better focusing (faster/ more accurate if you have the right lens)
- back to the lenses but you can have wider angle, more zoom, larger aperatures... (however this comes at a price and a weight)
- some point and shoot models don't shoot raw.

hmmm can't think of any more advantages right now, but there are a few to get your started

yingyang0 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2007, 01:25 »

Quote from: litifeta on January 28, 2007, 23:43

Why would anyone buy a Canon xti or similar? The semi pro market is really up against it with models like Fuji S9600, this Olympus, Pansonic Lumix.

Astounding value for money. would love to see the pics from it.

Sorry but those camera's aren't in the semi-pro market, they're not even close. They're in the "casual photographer" market. Noisy, no raw, only built-in flash, etc. They're good for grandma's photos but that's about it.

leaf · « **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2007, 02:03 »

this one can shoot raw though.

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Author Topic: Oympus Announces World’s First 18x Optical Zoom (Read 7473 times)

GeoPappas

leaf

CJPhoto

Kiya

GeoPappas

pixelbrat

epixx

pixelbrat

GeoPappas

epixx

Freezingpictures

GeoPappas

litifeta

leaf

yingyang0

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