Latest – Olympus SP-550 UZ Review and Sample Photos at Professional Photographer Magazine (added 08 August ‘07)
The 7.1 megapixel SP-550 UZ features 18x wide angle zoom, 15FPS & Pre-Capture, full manual control, dual image stabilization, ISO 5000, and bright capture.
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Reviews – (updated 08 August ‘07)
| Professional Photographer Magazine |
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| ePhotozine |
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| What Digital Camera Magazine |
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| Imaging Resource |
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| Photo Review |
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| Good Gear Guide |
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| PC Magazine |
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| Photoxels |
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| PhotographyBlog |
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| Steve’s Digicams |
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| CrunchGear |
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| Megapixel |
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| CameraLabs |
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| CNET |
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| DigiCamReview |
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| DigitalTrends |
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| DCRP |
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| Trusted Reviews |
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| DigitalCameraReview |
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| CNET Asia |
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| PopPhoto |
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| Lawrence Ripsher |
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| Quesabesde |
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| PopPhoto |
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| Imaging Resource “Preview” |
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| DigitalCameraInfo |
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Professional Photographer Magazine examines the Olympus SP-550 UZ and thinks it only has a few drawbacks for a camera that delivers steller performance for such a compact package. Reviewer Ron Eggers indicated he is not a particular fan of specialized shooting modes. With that said he believes the 30 options available with the SP-550 UZ are so extensive that controlling the situation is just about as accurate as with a DSLR.
Wow. Now there’s something you don’t here very often from the professional photography community about consumer cameras.
Initially he was put off by the cameras shutter lag, but after he got used to the cameras shooting style he could anticipate his shots better, much better.
Bottom Line: With just a few downsides the SP-550 UZ offers a lot of bang for the buck. With the ability to zoom in very tight this camera is in a class all its own.
Read the Full Review »
ePhotozine reviews the Olympus SP-550 UZ and offers the following insights. The image stabilization of the SP-550 is nice but it won’t solve all your hand shake problems. At maximum zoom you are still going to need to remain VERY steady. Camera handling was just good but the camera operation was a let down, the missing navigational wheel made mode selection a little difficult.
Bottom Line: Good looking camera with lots of features but it has operation and performance issues.
Read the Full Review »
What Digital Camera Magazine – 6/17/2007 – has reviewed the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “There are numerous superzoom cameras on the market, but none matches the Olympus SP-550UZ’s zoom range, and if you can accept the slightly high noise levels it’s certainly one worth considering”
Imaging Resource – 6/1/2007 – has had an opportunity to have a hands on preview of the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “While I had a little trouble focusing on subjects that wouldn’t sit still, the Olympus SP-550 UZ’s 18x optical zoom with 100x total zoom let me shoot things I couldn’t even see without looking through its lens. And I found that a lot of fun. A whole new world of birds, fish and buffalo, in fact.
But the Olympus SP-550 UZ was just as capable taking shots at wide angle and in Macro mode. Some of my flower shots really surprised me with the quality of the color and detail. And its optical image stabilization and high ISO performance took great low-light shots as well.”
Photo Review – 5/27/2007 – reviews the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “Olympus has clearly responded to market demands in the development of the SP550 UZ. There’s a strong demand – particularly among travellers – for a compact, all-in-one camera that can cover all situations. And, despite the compromises that have had to be made, the SP550 UZ is a capable camera that is well worth considering – as long as you don’t plan to print your shots larger than A4 size.
Features that particularly commend this camera to potential buyers include the long zoom lens, which starts at a very useful 28mm equivalent wide angle setting and the overall sturdy construction of the camera body. Other plusses include the informative scene mode displays and wide range of in-camera editing functions. Power consumption was also very conservative in our tests (the camera is rated for 390 shots per charge with rechargeable NiMH batteries).
Things that could have been better include the fairly average EVF, poor high ISO performance, aggressive noise reduction system, slow autofocusing at long zoom settings and uninspiring Raw file conversion software. The lack of a comprehensive printed manual is another negative. It’s also a pity that you can’t shoot Raw files in any of the continuous shooting modes and the USB connection is not Hi-Speed 2.0.”
Good Gear Guide – 5/22/2007 – reviews the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “The Olympus SP-550UZ is a great camera that will suit people after a little more zoom in their life. The images could have used some minor improvements, but the huge zoom and fantastic design make this a worthwhile choice for some buyers.
PC Magazine – 5/19/2007 – reviews the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “With a whopping 18X optical zoom lens and image stabilization, there’s a lot to like about the Olympus SP-550 UZ. Still, a few features need to be enhanced if it wants to top our champion superzoom, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50.”
Photoxels – 5/7/2007 – reviews the 7.1 megapixel Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “My personal take is that the Olympus SP-550 UZ is a well designed and very good ultra zoom digital camera, is enjoyable to use, and the 18x wide-angle optical zoom blows past all its ultra zoom competitors. If you must have that much zoom power (and the wonderful wide-angle), no other ultra zoom can match it. Just don’t expect to be able to track and follow fast moving action at that long focal length. The SP-550 UZ is full-featured but it might take a knowledgeable photographer (or a beginner willing to learn) to make the most out of it.”
PhotographyBlog – 4/30/2007 – reviews the 7.1 megapixel Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “With an asking price of £375 in the UK, which is similar to what some retailers are now asking for body-only DSLR deals, potential purchasers of the Olympus SP-550 UZ face a hard choice – particularly those who are upgrading from a simple point-and-shoot, and don’t already have the increased flexibility of a prosumer camera. Build quality is however good given its mainly plastic frame – the camera is solidly fashioned, attractively finished, and with batteries inserted feels capable of withstanding a few knocks in the heat of the action. The necessary unfurling of that zoom lens however does slow down responsiveness. That given, the most disappointing feature of the Olympus SP-550 UZ is the images themselves, which benefit from sharpening and their colours boosting in the image editor of your choice. Noise is also something of a problem when attempting low or natural light shots, suggesting that the best use for the camera is candid snaps in the park on a bright sunny day. If you do so you’ll find the majority of photos are far from terrible; close ups are OK (down to an impressive 1cm) and shots taken at extreme telephoto can be surprisingly crisp, but there’s certainly room for improvement.”
Steve’s Digicams – 4/5/2007 – reviews the 7.1 megapixel Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “As a sports shooter, the SP-550 UZ is a bit of an enigma, hampered by its slow autofocus performance and poor image quality in its 2 high speed drive modes. But no other consumer digicam can come close to its high speed capture rate and the pre-capture mode that renders anticipating the decisive moment a moot point. The SP-550’s high-quality lens can’t be matched either, offering a versatile focal length range that is equally at home in tight interiors and athletic playing fields. Combine that with its very good image quality in standard drive modes, and the SP-550 UZ represents a good value at its $499 MSRP.”
CrunchGear – 3/28/2007 – reviews the 7.1 megapixel Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “Olympus has always had slow auto-focus and although the 550UZ is better than previous Olympus models, I don’t consider it fast, just passable, quicker in the day than at night.”
DPReview – 3/26/2007 – reviews the 7.1 megapixel Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “Ultimately however, after a lot of debate here, we decided that the SP-550UZ has just too many flaws where it matters (image quality and performance) for a $500 camera, and that (though a close call) it fell short of a Recommended rating.”
Megapixel – 3/23/2007 – reviews the 7.1 megapixel Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “Negatives: Slight distortion at both ends of the focal length range – Slight chromatic aberration – Some hesitancy in the autofocus under low light Positives: Very good to excellent image quality – 18X optical zoom – Effective CCD stabilization – Excellent metering – RAW format – Complete range of capture modes – Good viewfinder and monitor – Compact and light.”
CameraLabs – 3/20/2007 – reviews the Olympus SP-550 UZ and here’s the verdict, “The Olympus SP-550UZ is a wonderful camera to use. It feels really well-built and it’s reassuring to know you have such a massive optical zoom range and effective stabilization at your disposal.
If the image quality had no issues, the SP-550UZ would easily have earned our top Highly Recommended award, but as discussed earlier, visible colored fringing when zoomed-in and a general softness throughout the range let the camera down. To be fair, there’s always a compromise with such a massive optical range, and it’s up to you to weigh-up the convenience of the lens against ultimate image quality.
That said, the SP-550UZ remains a very impressive camera which can delight in many respects. The build quality’s great, the stabilization effective and the zoom range extremely seductive. So long as you’re willing to accept the caveats above – and the lack of a flip-out screen – the SP-550UZ comes recommended.”
CNET – 3/19/2007 – reviews the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “Given its performance and image quality issues, it’s tough to recommend this super zoom. If you’re willing to spend this much money on a camera, and you don’t want an SLR, you should consider some of this camera’s competitors, such as Canon’s Powershot S3 IS or Sony’s Cyber Shot DSC-H5.”
DigiCamReview – 3/19/2007 – reviews the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “The Olympus SP-550 Ultra Zoom, with it’s impressive wide-angle 18x optical zoom lens and CCD-Shift image stabilisation, is an appealing digital camera providing a zoom range of 28mm – 504mm. It feels very comfortable in hand, and produces very good images with very pleasing colours and generally low noise. The screen and electronic viewfinder are good. The camera is easy to use, especially with the built in help and shooting guide, and camera speed is fairly good. The camera offers good battery life, with very good controls and very good build quality. The camera has a good video mode although with some limitations. The Olympus SP-550 UZ manages to put Olympus back up there with the other ultra zoom cameras, but goes one step further with the world’s biggest 18x optical zoom lens! If you want a wide-angle ultra zoom digital camera, then the Olympus SP-550UZ is Recommended, it has numerous benefits and a few little problems, but the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives.”
DigitalTrends – 3/19/2007 – reviews the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “Olympus is to be congratulated for taking the mega zoom category up a level to 18x—and it appears this will be the most powerful model in 2007. Where Olympus continues to fall short is beefing up its processing so its cameras can move quickly rather than forcing photographers to wait for it to save files. No one expects it to have the response of a D-SLR but the company needs to put the new TruePic III processor used in its new Evolt D-SLRs in its compact point-and-shoot editions. Sony uses a variation of its Bionz processor originally used in the alpha D-SLR in its new mega zooms and it really showed—even with a pre-production model. With those caveats on the table, the SP-550UZ is a good camera for vacationers and for having around the house. The 28mm wide angle option is a real plus while the extreme telephoto will capture faraway subjects. I just wish the darn thing moved faster.”
DCRP – 3/19/2007 – reviews the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “Camera performance was average in most respects. The SP-550UZ takes about 2.7 seconds to turn on, which is fairly typical. Focus times are decent at wide-angle or in good light, but sluggish at the telephoto end of the lens, or in low light situations. The LCD and EVF also tended to “blow out” when shooting brightly lit subjects. Shot-to-shot delays are minimal when shooting JPEGs, but you can expect to wait 5 seconds between RAW photos. The SP-550 has tons of continuous shooting modes, though they all come with a list of qualifications. The regular continuous mode takes just three shots in a row at a sluggish 1.2 frames/second. If you want to use either of the two high speed modes you’ll need to lower the resolution to 3 Megapixel (for 8 frames/second) or 1.2 Megapixel (for 14 frames/second). Be warned that these images can be noisy, as the ISO cannot be fixed at a low value. Battery life on the SP-550UZ is excellent — with NiMH rechargeables, of course.”
Trusted Reviews – 3/16/2007 – tests the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “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 range of manual options and RAW mode will appeal to experienced users, while the beginner-friendly Guide mode is a boon for those keen to learn. However slow focusing and shot-to-shot times, high-ISO image noise and lens distortion at both ends of the zoom range are serious handicaps.”
DigitalCameraReview – 3/16/2007 – reviews the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “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 is a must for such long zoom shots and the system in the Olympus does a good job of handling blur from camera shake. While I normally wouldn’t use the 15fps sequential shooting capability very often, it is also a nice feature. The camera also has great battery life.
If you’re interested in a long zoom camera, the SP-550 UZ is a great choice. Don’t be intimidated by all of its features, plenty of in-camera help and Olympus’ built-in Guide system do a great job of helping a beginner to get comfortable with the camera.”
DCViews – 3/15/2007 – compares the 7.2 megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 and the 7 megapixel Olympus SP-550 UZ side by sdie and writes, “Panasonic and Olympus have earned their place in the top ten of camera manufacturers and the Lumix DMC-FZ8 and SP-550 respectively confirm their positions. Both cameras have some exceptional specifications and set benchmarks for compact cameras. Their compact size, long zoom range, easy handling and operation make them the ideal travel companion for novice and shutterbug alike. The extreme specs also have their downside as too many pixels on a small sensor results in higher noise levels at all ISO’s. A zoom range of 18 times on the SP-550 is nice, but it comes with distortion and much chromatic aberration. Although the two cameras have almost similar specifications, they do differ. The SP-550 is better built with very good ergonomics and many features. The FZ8, though, is faster and has a slight advantage in image quality with less distortion, color noise, chromatic aberration and workable RAW. Looking at the plain figures, this match ends in a draw. However, considering the price difference (the FZ8 is over 100 dollar cheaper than the SP-550), the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 wins by a nose.”
CNET Asia – 3/13/2007 – has reviewed the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “Overall, we were pleased with the image quality right-out-of-the-camera (with the exception of the points mentioned above). There was slight barrel distortion at the wide end and minimal fringing in heavily backlit shots, but that is nothing surprising.”
PopPhoto – 2/27/2007 – has reviewed the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “Overall, the Olympus SP-550UZ is a very capable camera, especially at lower ISOs with the sensor-shift image stabilization activated. The reach of this lens is record-breaking, and it covers that long distance while keeping distortion mostly contained, except at the extreme wide angle setting, which is typical for this camera class. The built is rock-solid for a composite camera, and it feels great in the hands. Its burst performance at full resolution is sluggish and limited to three shots, and it crawls in writing a single RAW file. At the lower resolutions, it’s lightning-fast, but you are seriously or severely limiting your printing size options by dropping the resolution to gain that touted blazingly fast burst rate. The actual full-resolution, low ISO performance, RAW capture, and full manual controls of this camera will make it attractive to a certain breed of advanced photographer, and the ease of use, scene modes, and guide modes will appeal to another, less-experienced breed of shooter.”
Lawrence Ripsher – 2/14/2007 – has an in-depth review of the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “I think the best way for me to summarize the Olympus SP-550 is to say that if you’re shooting needs any anything remotely similar to mine, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second in highly recommending this camera. It doesn’t do what a DSLR can do but then in many respects, an entry level DSLR can’t do what this can (and certainly not at the price).”
Quesabesde – 2/5/2007 – has a complete photographic preview of the Olympus SP-550 UZ including a real world test of the zoom capability and they write, (Google Translated) “The mechanism demonstrates to be quite effective, without jumps nor annoying intermediate pauses take place. In approach, on the other hand, it seems to also respond with remarkable speed, although it will be necessary to make tests with more complicated conditions of light to see how one develops.”
Quesabesde – 2/4/2007 – has a video of the Olympus SP-550 UZ.
PopPhoto – 1/26/2007 – has a hands on preview of the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “Interestingly, this camera will appeal to both beginners and advanced photographers. Aside from the full manual controls, 1/3 stop increments, RAW capture, histogram preview and other advanced-user features, the UZ also includes GUIDE mode, which helpfully offers suggestions for a particular shooting situation, and navigates the user straight from the guide to the settings adjustment for that situation. Add in-camera editing options, a wealth of scene modes and an assortment of accessory lenses, and it’s an appealing all-in-one for the beginner who isn’t quite ready to jump up to a DSLR.”
ImagingResource – 1/26/2007 – has had an opportunity to have a hands on preview of the Olympus SP-550 UZ and writes, “Most appropriate for Olympus digicam fans, the SP-550 includes all four standard exposure control modes, Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, and Manual, in addition to full Auto, Scene, and Guide mode. Guide mode is the most interesting, allowing users who don’t want to think about what modes mean to just look at list of common shooting situations and let the camera pick the mode. Items like “Shooting into backlight,” “Shooting subject in motion,” and “Super closeup photo,” are easy to understand; but like Scene modes, I still wonder whether people use them much.”
DigitalCameraInfo – 1/25/2007 – has published a first impressions review of the new Olympus SP-550 UZ and thinks the pre-capture mode is somewhat gimmicky. They continue to write, “The Olympus SP-550UZ may have the longest optical zoom lens on a digital camera with its 18x power, but it has other merits too. The body is sturdier and the components higher-quality than its predecessor, the SP-500. The LCD screen and electronic viewfinder have better resolution, the flash pops up higher and provides more even coverage, and the lens is almost twice as long and comes with optical image stabilization. Olympus packs in other great features like manual control, slave flash compatibility, and simultaneous RAW and JPEG shooting. The 7.1-megapixel ultra-zoom digital camera does have some drawbacks as well: it had some serious processing delays, a slow burst mode, and confusing menus. It also comes at a $499 price that seems to be more for the 18x lens than anything else. Still, the lens is so long that it almost creates a whole new category of the market; there isn’t much out there that can compete with an 18x compact camera with decent video capture. Overall, the Olympus SP-550UZ has a competitive feature set, but ultimately will have to prove its worth with image quality. Check back in the coming months for our full review of the SP-550 UZ to see if it lives up to the hype.”
Videos
Sample Photos
[Sample Photos at What Digital Camera Magazine]
[Sample Photos at Imaging Resource]
[Sample Photos at Photoxels]
[Sample Photos at PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Photos at Steve's Digicams]
[Sample Photos at Pbase]
[Sample Photos at DPReview]
[Sample Photos at Megapixel]
[Sample Photos at CameraLabs]
[Sample Photos at DigiCamReview]
[Sample Photos at DCRP]
[Sample Photos at Trusted Reviews]
[Sample Photos by Lawrence Ripsher]
Spec Sheet
Owners Manual
Press Release
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.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the compilation of reviews here. Just one note — the link for Lawrence Ripsher’s 2/14 review is entered as
hhttp: …There’s a typo, an extra H.
These sample photos are great and they have helped me make a decision towards purchasing an ultra-zoom digital camera. Since my interest in ulta-zooms, I’ve always felt like the Olympus SP-550UZ was the best choice for me. But there have been a few reviews that caused me to be disappointed with the 550UZ. After reading the “real” reviews and seeing actual photos from this camera, my disappointment has been diminished to the point that I can’t wait to get my hands on this camera. I know it’s less than perfect and there are negative issues I will have to work around. But when comparing this Olympus 550UZ to the Canon S5 IS and the Sony H9, I feel the 550UZ is the better choice for me. I appreciate your honest opinions and actual accounts of your hands-on experience with this camera. The photos on this website are perfect for persons looking to compare these cameras.