Olympus SP-550 UZ

The ultra-zoom portion of the digital camera market is taking off as consumers look beyond the standard 3x zoom, and manufacturers continue to up the ante. The Olympus SP-550UZ’s 18x optical zoom surpasses all other compact digital cameras currently on the market. The new flagship of Olympus’ ultra-zoom line has 7.1 megapixels and image stabilization. It will compete with the likes of Canon’s image stabilized S-series and Sony’s H-series, which just added two new models that have 15x zoom. The Olympus SP-550UZ will retail for $499 when it becomes available in March.

Front (7.75)
The front of the Olympus SP-550 shows the squatty camera’s sloping shoulders and enormous lens. The lens is located on the right side and is framed by bright silver threaded rims. Above the lens is the Olympus logo displayed on the front of the flash and viewfinder tower. The flash pops up above, but it isn’t as tall as some flash units. To the upper right of the lens is a silver oval plate with three holes in it: This is the microphone. To the upper left of the lens is an auto focus assist beam that doubles as the self-timer indicator. To the lower left of the lens is a black plate with gold lettering flaunting "18x Optical Zoom." Visible from the front are the strap lugs on the sides of the camera, and the shutter release/zoom control peeking from the top of the hand grip. The hand grip and other surfaces on the front are covered in a dark gray textured material that is almost sticky because it grips so well. Overall, the front face of the Olympus SP-550 makes it one of the most attractive ultra-zoom cameras on the market.

Back (8.0)
The back of the SP-550UZ has been redesigned to provide more comfort and better organization. The SP-500 and SP-550 both have the LCD screen placed on the left half of the back with the electronic viewfinder above it. There are more contours on the SP-550, and a different layout of the buttons to the right. Whereas the SP-500 spread the buttons vertically, the SP-550 crams all the buttons in a tight spot to the lower right of the LCD. Central in the layout is the navigational control that has icons printed in white lettering on each side. Exposure compensation is at top, flash at right, self-timer at bottom, and macro at left. This navigational control is a single ring, and there is an OK/Func button in the center to select menus and such. The outer edge of the circular navigational control is a silver ring; it moves with the rest of the control even though it looks like a separate decoration. There are buttons above and below the control that are cut to fit in a larger rectangular space. The Display and Delete buttons are on the bottom, and the Menu and Playback buttons are on top. Above the rectangular space is a rubber thumb grip with a folded edge on the right side. This wide space easily avoids all contact with buttons. Between the viewfinder and the thumb grip is the LCD/viewfinder button that switches the view from one component to another. The viewfinder itself isn’t cushioned at all. It is plastic with a glass rectangular window, and it has a small plastic diopter control on its left side. The strap lugs are visible on both sides from the back. Doors are visible on both sides too. The one on the right exposes the memory card, and the one on the left conceals the camera’s ports.

Left Side (8.0)
This angle shows the fattest dimension of the Olympus SP-550UZ with its sturdy body and thick lens barrel. The barrel on the front has alternating black and silver bands, with the black being coated in the textured rubber gripping material. Behind the lens is a dark metallic gray portion of the body that extends around the base of the lens and up to the flash unit. A printed "7.1 Megapixel" label interrupts this space along with a circular button that manually pops open the flash. Behind the metallic gray strip, the body protrudes out more so there is space for the left hand to wrap around; the front portion of the protrusion has the rubber gripping material. Behind it is a thin chrome strip that sticks out and contains the strap lug, although it can’t be seen from this side. The rear portion of the camera body shows the plastic viewfinder’s profile at top with the pencil eraser-sized diopter control, which is neatly striped with grooves for easier rotation. Far below this feature is a rubber port door that covers the USB/AV and DC-in ports. Overall, the left side is an interesting blend of different surfaces that all somehow seem to fit together.

Right Side (8.0)
The right side is a continuation of those interesting surfaces. The alternating black and silver bands on the lens barrel can be seen, and the body’s dark metallic gray takes up the rear portion of the right side. An unlabeled door graces this side with a hinge almost in the center. This plastic door opens to the memory card slot. In front of the hinge is a chrome strip that hides a strap lug.

Top (7.5)
The SLR-shaped Olympus SP-550UZ has a distinct L-shape with the lens barrel protruding on the left side of the top and the hand grip extending to the right. Along the decorative chrome ring around the lens barrel are these printed words: "Olympus ED Lens AF Zoom 4.7-84.2mm 1:2.8-4.5." Covering part of the lens barrel is the pop-up flash unit, with an "Image Stabilization, 18x Optical Zoom" label printed behind it. Behind the label is a darker gray plastic protrusion that extends about an inch; this is the electronic viewfinder component, and it has a diopter control visible on the left side. To the right of the flash/viewfinder hump is a nickel-sized mode dial with large text and icons that are easy to read. In front of the mode dial is a faint "SP-550UZ" label. To the right of the mode dial and positioned more toward the front of the hand grip is the shutter release button with a thick zoom lever around it. Below the shutter release button is the power button, which is set into the camera body unlike the chunky shutter release. Directly to the right of the shutter release is a half-moon-shaped button with a shaking hand icon; this represents the optical image stabilization system. The top of the Olympus SP-550 isn’t its most attractive angle. There are many surfaces and seams, and they aren’t blended as nicely on this side as the others.

Bottom (6.75)
The bottom is nice and thick, allowing users a wide base to handle the camera. The big lens protrudes from the right side, and the speaker and tripod socket sit behind the lens on the main portion of the camera body. The left half of the bottom is occupied by the large battery compartment. The hinge sits near the camera’s center, and the plastic door slides left after the tiny plastic lock is slid upward.