Olympus SP-550 UltraZoom

Review summary: This is the final review of the Olympus SP-550 Ultra Zoom. Product shots and screenshots that were featured in the preview have been re-shot, and all sample photos are from a production model. Thank you for your patience (well, most of you).

Pros: Incredible 28 - 504 mm zoom range in a relatively small body ; Very good photo quality (in most situations) ; Optical image stabilization ; Well-built body feels solid in the hand (despite plastic construction) ; Large LCD display is visible in low ...

Cons: Olympus Master software produces terribly RAW to JPEG conversions ; Mac version was quite buggy as well ; Poor color accuracy using custom white balance ; Slow shot-to-shot times when shooting in RAW format ; LCD/EVF tend to "blow out" (bloom) when ...

Verdict: Several years ago, if you wanted an ultra zoom camera, there was only one name to know: Olympus. One of their cameras even developed a sort of cult following: the C-2100UZ. Sadly, the cameras that followed weren't nearly as interesting, with their ...

Award: Recommended!

Review summary: An 18x zoom in a compact, well-built body. General handling and image quality are great too.

Verdict: There's a 230,000-pixel 2.5in LCD plus an electronic viewfinder. Both are decent examples, and you can review images and select menu options in the EVF as well. The main menu system is the usual clunky Olympus offering, but you can get to white ...

Review summary: In spite of its 18x optical zoom range, the SP-550UZ is actually quite compact and lightweight. Unlike many super-zoom lenses, this 28-504mm equivalent provides both true wide-angle and extremely long focal lengths for great versatility. Turn it on ...

Pros: Attractive design, Scroll ball is comfortable and easy to use, Works with Windows and Mac systems, Integration with Tiger is flawless

Cons: Side buttons are hard to squeeze, Comfort could be improved

Review summary: I'm ready for my close up, Mr. Robinson.

Pros: One of the longest zoom lenses you can find in a point-and-shoot camera.

Cons: Clumsy method to alter aperture and shutter speed.

Verdict: . Olympus did a great job of packing a long zoom range into the SP-550 UZ. The zoom will open up opportunities in your photography that you've never had before.