This camera will be available in March. Please provide any thoughts and comments on this camera for UW photogarphy.

Thanks,

Olympus Launches World's First 18x Optical Zoom Digital Camera: The SP-550 UZ

All-in-One Ultra Zoom Offers Power and Versatility for Superior Images Far and Wide

CENTER VALLEY, Pa, January 25, 2007 – The new Olympus SP-550 UZ Ultra Zoom offers the ultimate in power and versatility with a compact, best-in-class 18x optical zoom lens (28-504mm equivalent in 35mm photography), which gives users the ability to shoot telephoto, wide-angle and macro (as close as 1cm) all in one. Crisp, clear images can be captured far and wide with Dual Image Stabilization and the broadest focal range available on any digital point-and-shoot. The camera's full manual exposure control provides professionals and photo-enthusiasts with unlimited creativity, while its automatic settings and Built-in Help Guides will put novice users at ease.

This revolutionary ultra zoom is equipped with several unique features to deliver near-DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) performance in a compact size, including:

Dual Image Stabilization combines the benefits of Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization to ensure beautiful, blur-free images in any situation;
High-Speed Sequential Shooting records multiple images in rapid succession (up to 15 frames per second) — perfect for shooting action and capturing the exact moment you want; and
Pre-Capture compensates for slow reaction times by capturing images (five frames) even before the shutter button is fully pressed to ensure you catch the perfect shot.
"The SP-550 UZ is the ultimate all-in-one digital camera and a perfect example of Olympus' innovative optics," said Michael Barnett, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. "This new ultra zoom enables users of all levels to capture beautiful images in any shooting situation. Its powerful zoom, incredible speed and compact size will provide consumers an unprecedented level of performance and convenience."

18x Wide-Angle Ultra Zoom Lens Provides Power and Versatility Featuring the world's most powerful zoom lens, the SP-550 UZ offers maximum shooting versatility for travel, sports and day-to-day use. The 18x super telephoto zoom gets you closer to the action than any compact digital camera on the market. At the same time, the wide-angle lens gets more into your frame — perfect for shooting indoors, landscapes and group shots. The super macro mode is ideal for capturing the most subtle details from as close as one centimeter. The compact, precision-crafted lens combines high-refractive, aspherical and extra-dispersion (ED) lens elements to deliver edge-to-edge sharpness and clarity. The bright, f/2.8-4.5 lens provides the equivalent of 28-504mm focal length with 100x total seamless zoom (5.6x digital zoom).

Dual Image Stabilization Dual Image Stabilization technology enables users to take crisp, clear pictures in virtually any shooting situation — adjusting for camera shake and a moving subject. Olympus' Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization keeps images sharp by adjusting the CCD to compensate for camera shake, which often occurs when zooming in on your subject and in low-light conditions when shutter speeds are slower. Digital Image Stabilization freezes the action with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds that prevent blur caused by a moving subject.

High-Speed Sequential Shooting & Pre-Capture Capable of capturing images at an incredible 15 frames per second, the SP-550 UZ offers the highest burst rate of any compact digital camera. The inclusion of Pre-Capture technology, which works in conjunction with High-Speed Sequential Shooting, enables users to capture the action before and after fully pressing the shutter button. Pre-Capture begins working as soon as the focus is locked, automatically archiving five frames in the camera's buffer memory prior to the shutter release — virtually guaranteeing that none of the action will be missed even if the user's reaction time is slow. Perfect for situations where timing is essential, such as photographing a tennis player serving, children playing or a whale breaching.

Full Manual & Automatic Control The Manual, Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes give 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 just sit back and let the camera do the work with the automatic settings. Full manual and automatic control options allow advanced users to maintain creative control and novices to point-and-shoot their way to beautiful images.

30 Shooting Modes Including TV-Quality Video with Sound The SP-550 UZ makes it easy to take great photos in a variety of scenarios and lighting situations with 30 shooting modes, including television-quality video with sound (640x480/30fps) up to the capacity of your xD card. Simply select the desired mode for portraits, landscapes, night scenes, fast-action, macro and more.

7.1-Megapixel Image Sensor The 7.1-megapixel CCD image sensor delivers superior image quality for consistently capturing sharp, vivid details even in large-format or cropped prints. The SP-550 UZ records in both JPEG and RAW file formats and is perfectly suited for a wide range of users — from new photographers to advanced users who require maximum creative control.

High-Resolution 2.5-Inch LCD & Electronic Viewfinder Compose and display incredible images on the camera's bright 230,000-pixel LCD. The high-resolution screen enables you to review pictures, scroll through menu options and treat friends and family to a digital slide show with ease. The SP-550 UZ also features an electronic viewfinder with dioptic correction.

Bright Capture Technology 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 natural skin tones in subdued lighting. Even when it's too dark to see clearly, Olympus' revolutionary Bright Capture Technology makes it possible to preview your shot on the LCD, quickly lock the focus and capture your subjects despite limited available light. The SP-550 UZ offers the highest ISO sensitivity of any ultra zoom (ISO 5000).

In-camera Editing Enjoy in-camera editing features such as Red-Eye Fix and the ability to add frames and titles, crop, adjust brightness and more - all without using a computer and editing software. Also, the exclusive Lighting Fix feature corrects the underexposed areas in your pictures to reveal the details hidden in the shadows.

TruePic TURBO™ for High-Speed Response Olympus' exclusive TruePic TURBO™ Image Processor delivers incredible image quality for more true-to-life colors and skin tones as well as faster overall processing speeds for rapid start-up, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBO ensures a high-speed response so you can capture the shot you want and instantly be ready to shoot again.

Underwater Housing and Accessory Lenses for Expanded Capabilities An underwater housing (PT-037) is designed specifically for the SP-550 UZ, enabling great images to be captured in the pool and ocean. Using the PT-037, scuba divers can venture with the camera to depths of approximately 130 feet (40 meters) beneath the surface. The SP-550 UZ also features a threaded lens barrel, which enables easy attachment of add-on wide-angle or telephoto conversion lenses for even more creative control. Compatible accessory lenses include the WCON-07 Wide-Angle Conversion Lens (for 19.6mm equivalent) and the TCON-17 Telephoto Conversion Lens (for more than 30x optical zoom).

OLYMPUS Master™ Software 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 easily organized by folders or albums. And with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, 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. Use the optional muvee™ Theater Pack to create professional quality slide shows and DVDs from your pictures using any of several built-in templates.

Availability The SP-550 UZ will be available in March 2007. It will also include: Neck Strap, WIN/Mac USB Cable, Audio/Video Cable, four AA Batteries, Instruction Manual, Warranty Card and OLYMPUS Master Software CD-ROM.

U.S. Pricing SP-550 UZ Estimated Street Price: $499.99 (U.S.)

I suspect it will kick butt, like all the other Olympuses in the same line. I would not think twice about getting one, if you can afford it and it's available.

WOW! What a camera ... a major jump forward in technology -- if it delivers. It's a welcome, long overdue, much needed, return to image stabilization in the Olympus ultra-zoom cameras and dual stabilization at that. I am an Olympus aficionado [I own and still use the old 2100c UZ and the newer C-5050 zoom.] I also have a few other Olympic digitals that are pretty much backups just in case.

The SP-550 UZ seems to have many of the features that I desire in a camera with a few major exceptions. Notably missing [at least they appear to be in my cursory review of it's specification] are:

1. "Manual Focus" Much needed for bird and animal photography [especially in dawn and dusk situations] and at long ranges. Reasonably exposed fuzzy pictures because the camera can't focus lock [dim light and range well beyond the AF light] are very frustrating.

2. Minimal Flash Capability: No hot shoe, and again from my cursory review, no "Slave mode" The OLY 5050 has both a limited hot shoe and a "Slave" mode [In "Slave" the exposure pre-flash is disabled enabling the flash to trigger studio lighting.]

3. I see no mention of any tilt or articulation in the very nice 2.5-Inch LCD. Not a deal breaker but often handy.

4. Reviews by the experts will soon tell us if any of the higher ISO's [200, 400 and higher] are actually usable or are they like "digital zoom" just a marketing gimmick with pictures far too noisy to be of any real utility?

Don't get me wrong, the SP-550 UZ sounds like a great point and shoot travel and sports camera. Handheld 28-504 mm [35-mm equivalency] is phenomenal. The likelihood that I will buy one is very high [I'll probably wait a year and hope that the price comes down] but I suspect that if I do buy it, I will still need to use the 5050 or the old 2100c in a number of my shooting situations.

The fact that it has Underwater Modes and an Underwater Housing available is a nice bonus -- especially for readers on this site.

Bill

yeah, i have to concur...digital SLRs and interchangable lenses are a pain and only maybe yield minimal gains for a "hack"

this olympus sounds like a good choice...get a flash with a slave sensor;)

A pre-production review of the Olympus SP-550 UZ can be found at ...

www.dcresource.com/reviews/olympus/sp550uz-review/index.shtml

There the reviewer indicates:

1. that a Slave flash mode is incorporated in the SP-550 and

2. that "buried deep in the menu structure" a manual focus capability is also incorporated.
With the my mode feature this may make this the ultimate wildlife and sports camera.

The viewing screen is fixed and the reviewer make no assessment of the quality of photos taken at various ISO settings. That will be covered in his final review of a production line camera when available.

The two settings for underwater are as one would expect 1. Wide-angle and 2. Macro.

Bill

Forget the top end of the Zoom. Underwater, it's all about how wide you can go. Water gobbles up light and even powerful strobes won't reach past about 4 feet. So you have to get close and that means a wide field of view is needed.

I shoot an Oly 7070 WZ. It also has 28mm as it's widest focal length. If I didn't have a wide angle dome port on my housing to bring it down to about 20mm, I would consider is barely adequate for Wide Angle shooting.

On the Macro Side, does anybody need anything tighter than 200mm or so? If so, you probably should be shooting a DSLR anyway.

Slave mode flash is OK, but Hot-shoe sync'd would be better.

My guess is that this would be a good dual use (land/UW) camera and a very good UW snapshot camera, but not much beyond that for UW use.

Thanks for the input. I am considering this as a gift to my fiance. She takes the UW photos when we dive. But, she is also going on safari to Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe in October with her mother. I am looking for a camera that will be good for safari (strong telephoto) but also be good to replace her current dive camera which is film. She currently uses a SeaLife Reefmaster RC (35MM) camera.

Bob

Bob Lyke

You have mail.

Bill