Olympus SP-550 UZ - Digital Delight!

Invested in a compact digital camera recently? Here's the perfect ingredient for a case of complete gear envy - the Olympus SP-550 UZ torches a camera sized hole in the competition's meagre 8-12x zooms by releasing the world's first wide 18x optical zoom on a compact digital camera. That's a full 28-504mm (35mm equivalent) focal length with Dual-Image stabilisation (high sensitivity ISO 5000 combined with CCD-based mechanical image stabiliser) to protect against blurring. Also on the list is a 7.1 megapixel CCD, a 2.5 inch 230,000 pixel LCD, and 15fps high-burst rate (at1.2 megapixel resolution) - though it's still left to be seen how good the optics are in the real world.

18X WIDE-ANGLE ZOOM

The 18x super-telephoto zoom brings you closer to the action than any other compact digital camera on the market, and at the same time, the wide-angle lens allows more in your frame. The SP-550's 100x total zoom capability is perfect for indoor shooting, landscapes and group shots.

15FPS & PRE-CAPTURE

With a burst rate of up to 15fps, you can freeze moments in time to get the shot you want. And the new Pre-Capture technology works as soon as the focus is locked, it automatically archives five frames in the camera's buffer memory prior to the shutter release. You'll capture the perfect shot even if your reaction time is slow.

FULL MANUAL EXPOSURE CONTROL

The SP-550 is as versatile as you want it to be. It allows advanced creative control, yet it's easy enough for any family member to point-and-shoot beautiful images.

Source: http://www.olympusamerica.com

Price: $500 (estimated)