Compare Prices : Olympus SP-550 UltraZoom - Expert Reviews

Review summary: With one or two exceptions, superzoom cameras have topped out at 12x optical zoom lenses in recent years. However, Olympus is pushing that boundary with its new 7.1-megapixel SP-550UZ, which sports an 18x optical zoom lens. The camera marks a shift ...

Verdict: Olympus' SP-550UZ has great ergonomics, but disappointingly slow performance and soft, noisy images drag it down.

Review summary: We've all heard the jokes and seen the cute ads about how bigger is better. Since this is a decidedly G-rated site, our discussion of the biggest one out there has to do with...

Pros: 7.1-megapixel camera with potent 18x optical zoom ; Dual Image Stabilization

Cons: Very slow response ; especially at night

Review summary: This stylish Olympus has the biggest zoom range on any digital camera

Verdict: The massive zoom range and impressive image stabilisation make the SP-550UZ a camera with unique capabilities, and at low ISO settings the image quality is very good. Handling, build quality, style and low-light performance are also highlights. The ...

Review summary: The Olympus Stylus SP-550 UZ certainly made a splash when it was announced since it was the first and only (so far) point and shoot digital camera with an 18x optical zoom, wide angle lens.

Pros: 18x optical zoom ; Dual image stabilization ; Comfortable in-hand ; Good battery life

Cons: VGA (640x480) movies at 30fps are limited to 15 seconds ; LCD not great outdoors (luckily, there is an electronic viewfinder) ; Barrel distortion and pincushion distortion may be too much for some

Verdict: I really enjoyed using the Olympus SP-550 UZ.  It's comfortable to hold, has plenty of advanced features and takes great shots.  Beyond that, you get the world's first 18x optical zoom in a point and shoot digital camera.  The dual image stabilization ...

Review summary: The Olympus SP-550UZ would be a great travel camera, or a second camera with a wide focal range, at a competitive price.

Pros: Solid styling, Easily replaceable AA-sized batteries, 18x optical zoom that begins at 28mm, Optical image stabilisation, Full manual mode, Fast burst rate of 15fps but at 1.2 megapixels, No manual zoom and hotshoe adapter, Plastic tripod receptacle, ...

Cons: No manual zoom and hotshoe adapter, Plastic tripod receptacle, Half-pressing the shutter doesn't bring you out of the menus directly into shooting mode, Continuous shooting limited to three frames, Unusable pictures at ISO 3,200 and ISO 5,000