Olympus SP-810: New 36x ultrazoom announced
By
Mike Tomkins
(Thursday, July 28, 2011 - 00:14 EDT)
Almost six months after Nikon announced its P500 36x long-zoom, it finally has a direct rival in the form of Olympus' SP-810UZ.
Like Nikon's camera, the Olympus SP-810 features a staggering 36x optical zoom lens, but it does so in a rather more compact body, and trading off some extreme wide angle reach for an even more powerful telephoto. 35mm-equivalent focal lengths range from 24mm at wide angle to 864mm at telephoto. Maximum aperture at wide angle is f/2.9, and at the telephoto end this falls to f/5.7; by comparison Nikon's camera offers a range of f/3.4-4.7, albeit with a differing focal length range. Olympus notes that the SP-810UZ does include mechanical image stabilization, but doesn't state the type used. Like the preceding SP800UZ model, the Olympus SP-810 has no optical or electronic viewfinder, and is instead handled at arm's length, where Nikon offers a built-in electronic viewfinder in its camera. The SP-810's LCD panel has a 3.0-inch diagonal, and approximately QVGA resolution. Some other important differences from the SP800UZ include a much narrower shutter speed range of 1/850 to 4 seconds, the addition of a micro HDMI connection and two manual white balance settings, some new "magic" filters (including miniature and reflection), and a dramatic reduction in built-in memory from a whopping 1.7GB to just 14MB. Important differences from Nikon's camera, include the lack of any aperture / shutter-priority or manual shooting modes, or a tilting mechanism for the LCD panel.The SP-810 is also quite a bit less expensive than its rival, though, not to mention the size difference. As well as JPEG still images, the Olympus SP-810 can capture 720p video in MPEG-4 format. Connectivity includes standard and high-def video and USB 2.0 High Speed data, and images/movies are stored on SD, SDHC or SDXC cards. Power comes from a proprietary lithium ion battery pack. The Olympus SP-810 should ship from September 2011, priced at $330. More details can be found in our Olympus SP-810 preview. | Olympus SP-810UZ |  | | General | | Camera Type | Mid-Sized | | Manufacturer | Olympus | | Model Number | North America: SP-810UZ
| | Dimensions | 4.2 x 3.0 x 2.9 in.
(106 x 76 x 74 mm) | | Weight | 14.6 oz (413 g) | | Planned Price | $330 | | Planned Availability | September 2011 | | Image Capture | | Sensor Type | CCD
1/2.3" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal)
14.50 megapixels (total)
14.00 megapixels (effective) | | Aspect Ratio | 16:9, 4:3 | | Image Dimensions | 4288 x 3216 (13.8 megapixels)
4288 x 2416 (10.4 megapixels)
3264 x 2448 (8.0 megapixels)
2560 x 1920 (4.9 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels)
1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels)
1280 x 960 (1.2 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
| | Capture Speed | Continuous: 0.7 frames per second for 200 frames | | Image Preview / Review | | Viewfinder | No | | LCD | 3.0 in. diagonal
230,000 dots (approx. 77,000 pixels) | | Playback Zoom | 10.0x max | | Lens | | Lens Type | Olympus lens; 16 Lenses in 14 Groups, 4 Aspherical and 3 ED elements
36x optical zoom | | Image Stabilization | Yes | | Focal Length | 4.3 - 154.8mm (actual)
24 - 864mm (35mm equivalent) | | Aperture Range | f/2.9 (wide) / f/5.7 (tele) - ??? | | Focusing System | Contrast Detection; iESP, Face Detection AF, Spot, AF Tracking
Has AF assist lamp | | Focusing Range | Normal: 12" - infinity (30 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2.0" | | Exposure | | ISO Sensitivity | Auto, High Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 | | Shutter Speed | 4 - 1/850 second | | Exposure Modes | Program | | Metering Modes | Digital ESP Metering, Spot Metering | | Exposure Compensation | +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments | | White Balance | Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten, Fluorescent 1, Custom (2) | | Internal Flash | Modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Off
Range: ISO 800: 0.5 - 6.2 m (W), 2.0 - 3.2 m (T) | | Creative | | Scene Modes | Portrait, Beauty, Landscape, Night Scene, Night Scene with portrait, Sports, Indoor, Candle, Self-portrait, Sunset, Fireworks, Cuisine, Documents, Beach and Snow, Pet (cat), Pet (dog); Magic Filter, Panorama, 3D Photos | | Digital Zoom | Up to 4x | | Self Timer | Yes, 2, 12, Pet Auto Shutter seconds | | Movie Format | MPEG-4 with audio
Max. clip length: 1,740 seconds () | | Storage | | Recording Medium | SD/MMC including SDHC, SDXC, Built-in | | File System | FAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) | | File Format | JPEG (EXIF 2.21) | | Connectivity | | Video | High definition: Yes (HDMI)
Standard definition: Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable | | Computer | USB 2.0 High Speed | | Other | DC input, Combined AV/USB, Micro (Type D) HDMI | | Power | | Battery Type | Lithium-ion rechargeable | | Battery Form Factor | Proprietary LI-50B | | Product Bundle | | Battery / Charger | 1 x Proprietary LI-50B Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger | | Flash Memory | 14.0MB Internal | | Other | | Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant | Yes | | PictBridge Compliant | Yes | | Internal Microphone | Yes | | Internal Speaker | Yes | | Tripod Mount | Yes | | Remote Control | No | | More Photos |  |  |  |  |  | | |
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Original Source Press Release:
| Have Lens Will Travel: Olympus SP-810UZ™ Boasts The World’s Longest Zoom In A Compact Camera Amazing 36X Ultra Wide Zoom, 3.0" Wide LCD and New Magic Filters Maximize Performance, Flexibility and Creativity for All of Life’s Adventures CENTER VALLEY, Pa., July 27, 2011 -- Travelers looking for a camera flexible enough to get up close for beautiful macro images of flowers while exploring exotic islands or to capture the magnificence of the Old Faithful geyser from hundreds of feet away without changing lenses, now have the ultimate camera with the introduction of the new SP-810UZ. Featuring a wide 1:2.9-5.7 24-864mm* zoom lens and a 36x optical zoom, this S-series camera is one of the smallest compact cameras currently on the market with a zoom of 36x**, providing further proof that Olympus lets you capture it all. “The SP-810UZ is the best zoom performance Olympus has ever delivered,” said Jennifer Schmell, product manager Olympus Imaging America Inc. “No compact camera from Olympus has ever offered such impressive wide-angle zoom performance. As the most powerful camera in Olympus’ ultrazoom category, it succeeds the prestigious SP-800UZ.” Expert Still and HD Movie Performance
From the sidelines of the soccer field to bird-watching on a riverboat, engage AF Tracking technology to lock focus on your fast-moving subjects and keep them in focus, even while they move in and out of the frame. The fast, wide 1:2.9-5.7 24-864mm* zoom lens combined with Dual Image Stabilization, enhanced ISO sensitivity, Shadow Adjustment Technology and TruePic III+ image processor guarantee tack-sharp photos and virtually eliminate blur in high-definition (HD) videos. With HDMI Control, you can use your HDTV’s remote to control playback functions and navigate the camera’s menus from the comfort of your couch. Be Creative and Express More
Ten Magic Filters apply your own creative vision to movies and stills for greater artistic freedom. New Miniature Filter narrows the depth of focus and enhances color and contrast to convert your real-life images to look like a magical toy world. The new Reflection Filter adds a reflection to your subject as though it were standing over a glassy, still lake. In 3D-mode, the SP-810UZ combines two photos of the same subject from different angles to generate dynamic 3D images that can be viewed on a 3D-compatible monitor or television. Another creative highlight is In-Camera Panorama, which helps you capture a super-wide angle photo simply by panning the camera across the scene to combine three shots into one inside the camera. Easy Operation
By eliminating time-consuming manual settings, the SP-810UZ frees you to concentrate on your subject. Intelligent Auto Mode recognizes the five most common photo scenarios and automatically optimizes settings such as focus and lighting. Don’t forget the family pet! Activate Pet Detection mode to automatically capture your furry friend’s face when it looks at the camera. The SP-810UZ is also compatible with an optional Eye-Fi SD card, adding Wi-Fi capability so you can automatically upload images to your computer as you take them. Be the life of the social media party by uploading your shots immediately. Availability
The Olympus SP-810UZ will be available in black, starting in September 2011. It will ship with a Lithium-Ion Battery (LI-50C) & Charger, USB Cable, USB-AC Adapter, Audio/Video Cable, Protective Lens Cap w/ Strap, Camera Strap, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card, Instruction Manual and [ib] Software CD-ROM. U.S. Pricing / Product Configurations
Olympus SP-810UZ Estimated Street Price: $329.99 ABOUT OLYMPUS IMAGING AMERICA INC.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets. Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhances people’s lives every day. These include: - Digital Cameras
- Professional and Interchangeable Lens System Cameras
- Related Underwater Products and Accessories
- Digital and Microcassette Recorders
- Digital Media
- Binoculars
Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. For more information, visit: www.olympusamerica.com. *Specifications and design are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. All trademarks and registered trademarks listed herein are the property of their respective holders, in the US and/or other countries.
* 35mm camera equivalent.
** As of July 2011. |
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