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Ole Oly: Olympus SP-550UZ & µ 770 SW Preview
by TV Smith, 13th February 2007
Olympus Malaysia introduced 3 new digital cameras at a media launch yesterday. Two of the trio generated much excitement; the SP-550 UZ with 18 X optical zoom and ISO 5000 rating, and the (almost) indestructible water-proof, dust-proof, shock-proof, crush-proof, freeze-proof µ 770 SW.
Also of interest was the comforting revelation that Olympus ranked a close 3rd (behind Sony & leader Canon) for total camera sales (dSLRs & compacts) in the local market for the last fiscal year and is on target for higher sales for the current fiscal year ending March 2007.
After the speeches and dramatic demos (the µ 770 was encased in a block of ice), I grabbed the 550 and shot some samples at the highest ISO setting at maximum zoom with IS enabled.
The samples were copied from the XD card to the CF card on my Oly 8080 (using the seldom-used feature of its dual card slots). Review cameras were not available to take home but I've been promised a couple and will incorporate it into the Picture Story series for real-world use when I get hold of them.
Update: I got hold of it! New pics here
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Image reduced from original 1280 x 960 file with no tweaking. The SP 550 operates in a reduced resolution mode when firing at 15 frames per second at ISO 5000. The 100% crop is shown below. Softening is obvious but it gets the job done (when the going gets tough).
ISO 5000, 1/60 sec f4.5 at maximum zoom 84.24 mm (504 mm focal length at 35mm equivalent) | |
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Model: Joycelyn Choong of Olympus (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd |
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The rugged and compact µ 770 at ISO 1600 showed less aggressive noise reduction. Image reduced from original 3072 x 2304 file with no tweaking. 100% crop below.
ISO 1600, 1/30 sec f3.5 |
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Model: Joycelyn Choong of Olympus (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd |
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For comparison, this is a picture from the Oly 8080 under the same lighting at ISO 400. Mr Yong (assistant General Manager, Imaging System Division) confirming the survival of the µ 770 after stacking it with 100 kg of dumbbells. They also showed a funny video in which the camera was chomped by a camel and trashed by a crazed jumbo. Incidentally, the µ 770 is equipped with an unique depth and altitude meter.
ISO 400, 1/25 sec f2.4 |
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Quick impressions of the SP 550 UZ
Pros:
28mm wide to 504mm optical ultra zoom
Pre-capture (for critical moments)
Light weight & compact for given features
High sensitivity
High Speed 15 fps shooting
Image stabilization
Uses easily available AA batteries
Cons:
Poor resolution EVF
Plasticky, toy like feel
Reduced resolution for some settings
Aggressive noise reduction at high ISO
AF tends to hunt a bit in low light
XD card format has limited capacity and choice
Update: More pics here
Links:
Olympus Malaysia
Lawrence Ripsher's Hands-On Review
Update: Samples of new Olympus E-510 at Sightings
Back to Photo Blog with photography tips & images with Olympus E-1 & C-8080 |
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in this photoblog by & copyright © TV
SMITH
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2003 TV SMITH
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