Olympus unveils 18x zoom camera

Olympus today unveiled several new point-and-shoot cameras which include the SP-550UZ, a high-end model that the company says is the first of its kind with 18X optical zoom. The 7.1-megapixel camera offers an equivalent focal length of 28-504mm, enabling users to take photos from far enough away to avoid disrupting most scenes without also affecting image quality. The new addition to Olympus' UltraZoom line also features an extremely high-speed burst mode for sports and other fast-action scenes that captures 1.2-megapixel shots as quickly as 15 frames per second. Dual image stabilization is handled through shifting the CCD as well as high ISO settings (up to 5,000), according to Electronista, and the device is powered by four AA batteries. The Olympus SP-550UZ supports xD-PictureCards for storage and is slated for shipment in February for $750, but should reach a price of $500 prior to its U.S. release.

Olympus also released multiple cameras in its more mainstream FE line, with the FE-250 leading the new models. The 8-megapixel compact camera promises exceptionally high brightness for fast-motion and nighttime scenes. Capable of ISO 3,200 at normal resolution, the FE-250 can drop to 3 megapixels to reach a claimed ISO 10,000 for blur reduction. The new camera should ship in February for ($400) in Britain, and at an undetermined lower price in the U.S.

Complementing the 250 are the 240, 230, and 210 models. While all three contain 7.1-megapixel sensors, the FE-240 brings 5X optical zoom for improved distance and macro shots at ISO as high as 1,000. The 230 edition uses a more commonplace 3X zoom lens but raises the sensitiivty to ISO 1,250; and the FE-210 becomes the camera producer's new starter model while dropping to ISO 640 to lower the price point. The cameras draw on a simplified one button, one function interface, xD-PictureCards, and lithium-ion batteries. Olympus plans a February launch for these cameras at prices starting from $200 (FE-210) to $300 and $360 for the 230 and 240 models respectively.

Concluding the company's announcements are two entries in the Mju (or Stylus) series. Both the 770SW and 760 are designed to withstand harsher conditions, according to Olympus, with the 760 weatherproof for rain and other splashes alongside the more resilient 770SW rated at 33-foot water depths, 4.9-foot drops, and pressures of up to 220 pounds. The two share 7.1-megapixel sensors, ISO 1600 sensitivity, and 3X optical zoom; the more fragile 760 compensates with CCD shifting for blur reduction. Shipments begin in March at prices of $400 for the 760 and $600 for the 770SW.

Filed under: peripherals, digital imaging