The 18x zoom in action

The centerpiece of the SP-550UZ, its 18x optical zoom, is without equal in numeric bridges. Olympus has the good idea of keeping the 28 mm wide angle and offers a focal length of 500 mm (equivalent to 24x36) in the same camera. Of course, such a size needs a lot of light (you will have to photograph at a minimum 1/500 s) and even with the help of stabilization, it’s smart to stay in high speeds to not have any blur due to shaking.

With the SP-550UZ, Olympus comes back with a bang to the bridge camera market with a large zoom and electronic viewfinder. Indeed, if this brand seems to have abandoned this type of camera, the SP-550UZ represents a real desire to make another effort in this market. The technical sheet of the SP-550UZ is impressive for many reasons. There is an 18x optical zoom (28-504 mm !!), mechanical and numeric stabilization, ISO sensitivity up to 5000 ISO, 15 shot / s burst mode, and a 1 cm macro mode. This enough to satisfy the most demanding users.

Eronomics

First contact with the SP-550UZ make a good impression. Despite the 18x zoom, when turned off, it’s rather compact. Construction is excellent as commands are flexible with enough resistance to inspire confidence. While the handle is a bit short, we did particularly like the rubber covering, giving you a good tight grip. The camera is rather heavy (464 g), much of this due to the 4 AA battery pack, which the bridge needs to function. Without being a handicap, the mass of this camera allows a steady hold and reinforces the impression that it is solid. The 2.5 inch LCD screen has good definition, a rather satisfactory fluidity, and displays a large amount of information such as an exposure bar and aiming help. However, it isn’t perfect. Images are a bit too warm and aiming is really difficult in full sun with both a significant reflection and the appearance of artifacts. The SP-550UZ records exclusively on xD cards and Olympus does not want to « lower itself » by offering an additional SD player as does Fujifilm. The SP-550UZ lacks a bit of vigor with more than 3 seconds to be operational and a rather slow auto focus, which will be difficult for sports fans. It’s too bad, because the 18x zoom is a real pleasure to show off details or fix on a single player on the field. There is the impressive burst mode (20 images in 1.26 s), but the quality (1280 x 960 pixels) leaves something to be desired.

Quality of images

The 7 million pixel sensor associated with the extraordinary 18x zoom gives good results with good definition and light accentuation leaving you with the possibility of easy touch ups. Compared to the Fujifilm S5700 (a recent bridge), the SP-550UZ is superior and easily stands the comparison with the Panasonic FZ8. We are impatiently awaiting the new Sony line, because compared to the H5, the SP-550UZ is largely in the lead. In wide angle, chromatic aberrations are barely visible, but become more easily discernible in longer focal lengths. Light measurements are often reliable and photos are generally well exposed. Colors are true, well saturated and without excess. Outdoors, automatic white balance gives good results. Indoors, images are (traditionally) a little too yellow. The SP-550UZ appropriately doses the flash, and so it can be used without hesitating as soon as light levels are low. Actually, numeric noise control is not one of this new bridge’s strong points. Relatively discrete up until 200 ISO, colored grain quickly becomes more visible after this and at 3200 and 5000 ISO, it’s like you are seeing an illusion (this also reduces the camera’s resolution). Luckily, mechanical stabilization judiciously helps out in low light or long focal lengths. 

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