A 30x optical zoom? Now that the mega-pixel wars are starting to die
down are we going to start an optical zoom war? A better investment
would have been a more light sensitive image sensor than adding more
zoom to an already compromised lens.
Olympus has a quartet of new digital cameras for the world to see today. First, there’s a pair of megazooms, the SP-800UZ and SP-600UZ, followed by a pair of action-ready pocket cams, the Stylus Tough 6020 and 8010.
Let’s break down the four new shooters, starting with the SP-600UZ ($249.99, pictured above).
- 12-megapixel image sensor
- TruePic III image processor
- Dual Image Stabilization
- 2.7-inch LCD screen
- 15x wide-angle optical zoom
- 28-420mm focal length
- SD Card compatibility for up to 32 GB
- HD Movie and HDMI control
- Shoots 720p HD videos
- Panorama
- AF tracking
- Special Features: Pet Mode, Magic Filter (Pop Art, Pin Hole, Fish Eye, Drawing), Beauty Mode (Clear Skin, Sparkle Eye, Dramatic Eye)
- Includes a pair of AA batteries
SP-800UZ ($349.99)
- 14-megapixel image sensor
- TruePic III image processor
- Dual Image Stabilization
- 3-inch LCD screen
- World’s smallest 30x wide-angle optical zoom
- 28-840mm focal length
- SD Card compatibility for up to 32 GB
- HD Movie and HDMI control
- Shoots 720p HD videos; 16:9 wide recording format
- Panorama
- AF tracking
- Special Features: Pet Mode, Magic Filter (Pop Art, Pin Hole, Fish Eye, Drawing), Beauty Mode (Clear Skin, Sparkle Eye, Dramatic Eye)
- Includes Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Stylus Tough 6020 ($299.99)
- 14-megapixel image sensor
- 2.7-inch LCD screen
- LED Illuminator
- TruePic III image processor
- Records 720p HD videos
- 5x wide-angle optical zoom lens
- Dual Image Stabilization
- Highly durable: Shockproof (can survive a 5-foot drop), waterproof (up to 16 feet under water), freezeproof (up to 14 degrees Fahrenheit) and “delete-proof”
- Special Features: Pet Mode, Magic Filter (Pop Art, Pin Hole, Fish Eye, Drawing), Face Detection (can detect up to 12 faces in one frame)
- Uses Li-Ion rechargeable battery; can be charged by a computer via USB cable
- SD Card compatibility for up to 32 GB
Stylus Tough 8010 ($399.99)
- 14-megapixel image sensor
- 2.7-inch LCD screen
- LED Illuminator
- TruePic III image processor
- Records 720p HD videos
- 5x wide-angle optical zoom lens
- Dual Image Stabilization
- Highly durable: Shockproof (can survive a 6.6-foot drop), waterproof (up to 33 feet under water), crushproof (can withstand 220 pounds of crushing pressure), freezeproof (up to 14 degrees Fahrenheit) and “delete-proof”
- Special Features: Pet Mode, Magic Filter (Pop Art, Pin Hole, Fish Eye, Drawing), Face Detection (can detect up to 12 faces in one frame)
- Uses Li-Ion rechargeable battery; can be charged by a computer via USB cable
- SD Card compatibility for up to 32 GB
The rugged point-and-shoots will be available later this month, while the megazoom pair will be available in March.
