Olympus SP-550 Review – Part 4 (Conclusion)
Conclusion
For me, I see little point giving the camera a rating or a grade out of ten as my rating wouldn’t have any frame of reference. If it scores an 8 or 9 out of 10 for example – that’s great, but compared to what? Instead I think the best way for me to summarise 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).
Feature wise, I believe it is currently at the top of the ultrazoom pile and it is competitively priced, with optics and image quality that deliver on the spec sheet’s promise. I’ve owned a whole load of compacts and used many more, and I am almost certain that I’m going to be using this camera far more than any other [compact] in the past. It is just about portable enough to be carried on a regular / daily basis and more importantly (for me), combines great images with an advanced set of features and unrivalled reach. I have high expectations of being able to deliver great images with this (and you can feel free to check back at my galleries to see if I’ve been able to do that).
To me, this really is a camera where Olympus managed to get several innovations right in the same body. So long as you consider what it was designed for, I think it’s hard to argue against the fact that Olympus really have put together something great.
Previous – Part 3 – Image Quality
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Hi there! I enjoyed reading your review, but isn't it supposed to be a part 1 to 3?
Hey there – yes it's coming. I'm posting in reverse so it appears in order on this blog. Part 3 is coming up in a few minutes (followed shortly btw 2 and 1)
Great! Thank you very much for doing this reiew. I've already ordered one of those for me, but I'll have to wait until the mid-March for mine.
I am most encouraged to buy this camera when it comes out in New Zealand. 800 ISO looks better than 400 ISO on my C-750UZ.
There are industrial situations where a 5000 ISO image is preferable to no picture. Beats night views on the CCTV cameras I work with any time.
The introduction was a bit long, and too apologetic.
A picture is worth a 1000 words and you images and gallery will be very helpful in helping viewings make informed decisions. Thanks!
My question is, have you thought about or purchased the extender (1.7x?) and tried images with it?
Absolutely great job. Thanks. One thing of particular interest to me is the pop up flash. Do you find that it is effective in reducing red eye? That would make it quite useful as a social camera.
Nice work. Looks like a fun camera. Maybe I can finally retire my old Uzi.
I was very interested to read your comments on this camera. I am a novice photographer and only shoot in the Auto modes. I have a Konika Minolta DSLR and with the three lenses, it weighs a TON. I have to get something lighter. I am considering this camera because of it's tremendous zoom, but have also been considering the Panasonic FZ8 or DMC-FZ50K. Do you own or have you used any of these models and if so, which would be your choice? I like to shoot sceenes, animals and close-ups of flowers. Any info would be very much appreciated, especially as the store owners are somewhat biased as to what they sell. Thank you.
I would love this camera if it had a 'HOT SHOE!' In a camera with such possibilities, that seems to be an obvious oversight.
common sense AT LAST!
Enjoyed your efforts immensely. It's the kind of review that one can take into the REAL WORLD.
Thank you.
Nice review,
Price u paid would be nice to know!
Thanks
M
Hey there! :-)
Very nice review indeed! Thank You
So, I can finally retire my old C-750 UZ – it's about time! :-)
Vou correndo atrás de uma dessas
I go way back to an Olympus C-740UZ replacing my ancient Oly D-470Z first digicam, so have been waiting to see what upgrades came along. The SP-550UZ seems like a perfect choice 'til you think, "Hey, what's coming next?" But the range from 28mm up to 500mm plus seems way beyond what ever anyone could reasonably want and your practical review was most useful..thanks!
Thanks for this detailed review, you've talked me out of buying a Panasonic DMC FZ8. I'm convinced the Olympus will suit me a lot better at a comparable price.
very nice review, detailed and objective imho. This is the most popular compact cam in the market i guess. I will take a look at it myself too…
Hi there! I'm looking at getting a new digicam and the one thing that I find of upmost importance is a 28mm equiv. lens. I was considering the Panasonic LX-2, but it has the huge noise problem. Then I saw this… although I don't need the huge zoom, it would be an added bonus. If I'm looking at cameras this size what would you recommend? My dad has a Minolta A2 and is really happy with it, but it's already pretty old.
My wish list:
28 mm Lens with Decent Zoom (4x or more)
Good Image Stabilizer
Full Manual Control
Great Image Quality
You would say the SP-550 fits the bill? Any other cameras I should consider OR wait for (ie. possibly a Panasonic LX-3?)
Very nice to read a review from the point of view of a real user rather than a magazine writer. The style, content and analysis is perfect for me.
One question: the camera spec mentions resolutions for 3:2 mode. As a lover of the 35mm format, is there actually a mode setting to achieve 3:2 images? Obviously it can be obtained by cropping but I like to fill the frame in the camera and judging 3:2 on a 4:3 screen is not always simple. I have a tape fixed across the LCD on my compact camera marking 3:2 !
The camera is just announced in the UK – although (like everything else here – even with £1 buying almost $2) more expensive than your $ price – and, as I am looking to upgrade, the SP-550 looks to be the answer. My usage exactly fits your profile in the introduction.
Responding to Mel.
I don't think you should rule out the Panasonics because of the noise problem. The latest review of the 550 ((Pop Photo) also indicates noise and processing problems at 400 ISO and above and most non SLR digitals have problems in this respect. The forthcoming TZ3 looks great…on paper. BUT, I have a hunch that the problems are less with the 550 and I'm leaning towards getting one.
If size is a factor though, the TZ3 will fit in your shirt pocket.
Mark
Has anyone heard about a wide-angle conversion lens? Will the lens adapter for the tele-extender also work with the Olympus wide-angle auxilliary lens?
Waited a long time for this camera – but NO HOT SHOE – No sale!!!!
Olympus – Please reinstate the functionality the earlier C770 had – Hot shoe and Remote release.
I'm looking at my SP-550 UZ and wondering how the TCON-17 1.7x lens attaches – even with the CLA-10. I see no threads on the camera body…?
What'd I miss?
THX
- Amyt
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