Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom

Paul D. Sullivan wrote:
[]
> I wonder if ANY super-zooms are going to have a standard Optical
> Viewfinder? I also wonder when they will get to 8 or 10
> megapixels to make it worth the step up from my Oly C5050.

Unlikely, as the cost, size and weight of the viewfinder lens would be too
high.

The EVF is already a through-the-lens viewfinder, so can provide precise
framing and lack of parallax. All it needs is more resolution, and
Minolta have already shown that is possible with their VGA-resolution
finder for the Minolta A2.

David
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom 

On Sat, 27 Jan 2007 11:54:26 +0000, David J Taylor wrote:

> Paul D. Sullivan wrote:
> []
>> I wonder if ANY super-zooms are going to have a standard Optical
>> Viewfinder? I also wonder when they will get to 8 or 10
>> megapixels to make it worth the step up from my Oly C5050.
>
> Unlikely, as the cost, size and weight of the viewfinder lens would be too
> high.
>
> The EVF is already a through-the-lens viewfinder, so can provide precise
> framing and lack of parallax. All it needs is more resolution, and
> Minolta have already shown that is possible with their VGA-resolution
> finder for the Minolta A2.
>
> David

You'll also find that Kodak's EVFs have 237k pixels whereas most others
have only 110k - it makes a huge difference.
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom 

>> I wonder if ANY super-zooms are going to have a standard
>> Optical Viewfinder? I also wonder when they will get to 8 or
>> 10 megapixels to make it worth the step up from my Oly C5050.
>
> Unlikely, as the cost, size and weight of the viewfinder lens
> would be too high.
>
> The EVF is already a through-the-lens viewfinder, so can
> provide precise framing and lack of parallax. All it needs is
> more resolution, and Minolta have already shown that is
> possible with their VGA-resolution finder for the Minolta A2.

Isn't Minolta leaving the market though?

I have a very hard time using EVF's. I have poor eyesite and
cannot seem to view LCD's nearly as well as others, but have no
trouble with optical viewfinders by comparison.

I am baffled as to why they have not upped the Megapixels to at
least 8mp.
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom 

In article <fJGuh.46$Hb6.23@trndny02>, Paul D. Sullivan says...

> but it looks like SD cards have taken over
> completely.

Have they? I used to think that CF is the dominant format.
--

Alfred Molon
------------------------------
Olympus 50X0, 7070, 8080, E300, E330, E400 and E500 forum at
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/MyOlympus/
Olympus E330 resource - http://myolympus.org/E330/
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom 

Same here. But suddenly, so many of the new cameras seem to use
SD, and Digital Video Recorders even come with 'em now. I was
confident Compact Flash would have won, but I guess its size
makes it less desireable.

> In article <fJGuh.46$Hb6.23@trndny02>, Paul D. Sullivan says...
>
>> but it looks like SD cards have taken over
>> completely.
>
> Have they? I used to think that CF is the dominant format.
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom 

Paul D. Sullivan wrote:
>>> I wonder if ANY super-zooms are going to have a standard
>>> Optical Viewfinder? I also wonder when they will get to 8 or
>>> 10 megapixels to make it worth the step up from my Oly C5050.
>>
>> Unlikely, as the cost, size and weight of the viewfinder lens
>> would be too high.
>>
>> The EVF is already a through-the-lens viewfinder, so can
>> provide precise framing and lack of parallax. All it needs is
>> more resolution, and Minolta have already shown that is
>> possible with their VGA-resolution finder for the Minolta A2.
>
> Isn't Minolta leaving the market though?

Indeed - they only used that viewfinder in one camera. Too expensive,
perhaps?

> I have a very hard time using EVF's. I have poor eyesite and
> cannot seem to view LCD's nearly as well as others, but have no
> trouble with optical viewfinders by comparison.
>
> I am baffled as to why they have not upped the Megapixels to at
> least 8mp.

Of course, you need to use what best suits you. The EVF should offer at
least VGA resolution, and with the chance to present a larger, brighter
image, I am surprised a high-resolution EVF doesn't suit you. It has the
potential to be bigger and brighter than the viewfinder in a DSLR, which
can be limited by the small aperture lenses frequently used. The typical
DSLR viewfinder no longer offers the focussing aids for accurate manual
focussing, although it will offer depth-of-field preview (at even more
reduction in brightness).

For what applications do you need 8MP?

David
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom 

> For what applications do you need 8MP?

More detail in sports shots while at a Baseball game in Safeco
field is one reason.

I have a 5mp Oly C5050 and a 10mp Canon A640. All I lack is an 8
or 10mp super zoom and I can make large-format digital prints for
relatives, buds, etc.

The 10mp images I take with the Canon are noticeably more
detailed than the Oly and 8x10's look much better when made from
the 10mp originals, even up close, which is what happens with
sports photos - they are often viewed close.
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom 

On Jan 26, 6:43 am, "Ken" <Reply to NG only> wrote:
> This look like it will be a good one???
>
> Not yet in UK but anyone elsewhere got one or know the price range?
>
> Ken

Lets see what this "toy's" long end shots are like. Assuming it will
even focus.
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom 

Paul D. Sullivan wrote:
>> For what applications do you need 8MP?
>
> More detail in sports shots while at a Baseball game in Safeco
> field is one reason.
>
> I have a 5mp Oly C5050 and a 10mp Canon A640. All I lack is an 8
> or 10mp super zoom and I can make large-format digital prints for
> relatives, buds, etc.
>
> The 10mp images I take with the Canon are noticeably more
> detailed than the Oly and 8x10's look much better when made from
> the 10mp originals, even up close, which is what happens with
> sports photos - they are often viewed close.

It's a little old now, and a little big and heavy for my liking, but a
Nikon 8800 has:

- 2/3-inch sensor (8.8 x 6.6 mm)
- 8MP
- image stabilisation
- 35 - 350mm (eq) range

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp8800/

I didn't like the relative small aperture an maximum zoom.

Plus, of course, all the Panasonic cameras in that range, including the
FZ20 with its f/2.8 constant aperture Leica lens covering 36 - 432mm
(eq.).

David
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom 

In article <HmIuh.1010$Pk5.417@trndny04>, Paul D. Sullivan says...
> Same here. But suddenly, so many of the new cameras seem to use
> SD, and Digital Video Recorders even come with 'em now. I was
> confident Compact Flash would have won, but I guess its size
> makes it less desireable.

That's good news then, because CF has a horrible mechanical interface
with all those pins.
--

Alfred Molon
------------------------------
Olympus 50X0, 7070, 8080, E300, E330, E400 and E500 forum at
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/MyOlympus/
Olympus E330 resource - http://myolympus.org/E330/
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom 

Alfred Molon <REMOVEalfred_molon.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> writes:

> In article <45b9fa35$0$31237$da0feed9@news.zen.co.uk>, says...
> > My needs are for a camera with wide angle (28mm) which I have with my
> > Olympus 5060 but missing a better zoom when I need to get further back! So
> > will keep an eye on it as the 7 megapixels is fine for my needs.
>
> If you don't need live preview you could get an E400 with the double
> lens kit. You'd cover the 28-300mm range and still have a very compact
> package.

Except there is no image stabalization in the E-400, and you have to change
lenses.

--
Michael Meissner
email: mrmnews.RemoveThis@the-meissners.org
http://www.the-meissners.org
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom 

Sounds great. I hope you are very happy with it.

Is Kodak a good quality Digital Camera? I had been thinking top
tier like Nikon, Olympus, etc. and had not considered Kodak in
terms of cameras. Do they compare well?

> I recently bought a Kodak P850 refurb from the kodak online
> store. 12x zoom, IS, only 5.1mp, SD card, and 237k EVF - much
> better than the 110k EVF on most competing brands. I'm quite
> pleased with it.
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom 

On Sat, 27 Jan 2007 21:48:16 +0000, Paul D. Sullivan wrote:

> Sounds great. I hope you are very happy with it.
>
> Is Kodak a good quality Digital Camera? I had been thinking top
> tier like Nikon, Olympus, etc. and had not considered Kodak in
> terms of cameras. Do they compare well?

YMMV - we've had two Kodak digital cameras, one Nikon and one Minolta. I
don't find a lot of fault with any of them. I think they are fine, some
folks seem to have a problem.


>
>> I recently bought a Kodak P850 refurb from the kodak online
>> store. 12x zoom, IS, only 5.1mp, SD card, and 237k EVF - much
>> better than the 110k EVF on most competing brands. I'm quite
>> pleased with it.
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP-550 UZ: 18x ultra zoom