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Expert Recommendation
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Overview
When comparing superzoom digicams, the Olympus 550 UZ is as much fun for adults as PBS’ “Zoom” TV show was for kids. This full-featured camera raises the bar for long-reaching lenses into the stratosphere with a remarkable 18x magnification that can go places other superzooms can’t. What makes it a good travel camera, though, is its wide-angle capabilities (a plus when snapping family photos in front of landmarks), full complement of scene modes (for hassle-free photography), high ISO capabilities (for available-light, low-light, and nighttime photography, and optional accessories (like an underwater housing). Whether you’re snorkeling, sightseeing or hiking, the 550 UZ has you covered.
My Best In Class Pick
Olympus SP-550UZ
Olympus SP-550UZ. The old adage “location, location, location” could be changed in this case to “range, range, range.” Although the Panasonic and Fuji offer appealing choices, for the widest possible range of travel snapshots, that 18x zoom is unmatchable. To put things in perspective, you can expect to pay $6-7,000 for a comparably equipped DSLR with a 500mm prime lens, which would only be useful for extreme long-range shots, besides being heavier than an anchor. The 550UZ gives you the reach without breaking your back or your wallet. With this much ambition in a camera, you can expect some quirks from the 550UZ, but while it may take a while to fully realize its awesome potential, in the meantime, think of how much fun you’ll have zooming in on that waiter’s fez in Fez from across the medina.
Where to buy
Olympus SP-550UZ
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Best Price:
$548
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Specifications
- Zoom: 18.0x
- Resolution: 7.1MP
- AF Shutter Lag: 1.1 - 1.5s
- Size: 4.6 x 3.1 x 3.1 in.
- Battery Life: 560 shots
- Easy to Use: Yes
Comparing My Best In Class Pick with Other Good Choices
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| Price | $548.88 | ||
| Size (W x H x D) | 4.6 x 3.1 x 3.1 in. | 5.5 x 3.4 x 5.6 in. | 5.2 x 3.8 x 5.0 in. |
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Effective Sensor Resolution
The Effective Sensor Resolution tells you the total number of pixels that are recorded when you take a picture. The units are MP, which stands for megapixels or millions of pixels. For outstanding fine compression prints, 3MP is required for 5x7's, 7.1MP for 8x10's, and 10.9MP for 11x14's. The effective sensor resolution is only one of many important factors that will determine the quality of the photograph when displayed or printed at different sizes.
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7.1 megapixels | 10.1 megapixels | 6.3 megapixels |
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Shutter Lag Time (including auto-focus time)
This is the time from fully pressing the shutter button until the image is captured. Longer shutter lag times make it more difficult to capture the desired moment.
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1.1 - 1.5 sec | 0.4 - 0.5 sec | 0.5 - 0.6 sec |
| Max Shooting Speed (burst) | 15 frames/sec | 2.3 frames/sec | 2.3 frames/sec |
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Min Focal Length (35 mm equivalent)
The 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and the sensor size. The term originates from the time when the vast majority of photography was done with 35 mm film. On any 35 mm film camera, a 30 mm or less lens is considered a wide-angle lens.
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28 mm | 35 mm | 28 mm |
| Optical Zoom | 18.0x | 12.0x | 10.7x |
| Digital Zoom | 5.6x | 2.0x | 2.0x |
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Image Stabilization Available
Image stabilization features are designed to reduce the blur that results from normal, minute shaking of a lens due to hand-held shooting. However, image stabilization does not prevent motion blur caused by the movement of the subject or by extreme movements of the camera.
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Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Image Stabilization Type | Optical and Digital | Optical | Digital |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/2000 sec | 1/2000 sec | 1/4000 sec |
| Max ISO Setting | 5000 | 3200 | 3200 |
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Face Detection Available
Face detection technology will try to set the focus, exposure, and color balance so that faces appear sharp, well-exposed, and with the proper color.
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No | No | Yes |
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Viewfinder Available
A viewfinder is a window that you look through to compose the picture. Some cameras do not have a viewfinder and instead use the LCD display. The LCD display may be difficult to see in bright light and may make it more difficult to capture fast-moving subjects because of the time required to update the display.
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Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic | Electronic |
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LCD Screen Size
The LCD Screen Size is the length of the miniature LCD monitor measured diagonally.
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2.5 in. | 2.0 in. | 2.5 in. |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 230000 pixels | 207000 pixels | 235000 pixels |
| Storage Media | xD-Picture Card | SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card | xD-Picture Card |
| Sensor Raw Format Available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Type | AA-size (x4) | Proprietary Lithium Ion Rechargeable | AA-size (x4) |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
This elite Lumix-branded offering from Panasonic throws in a bunch of appealing features. Its 10.1 megapixels make it a class leader among superzooms. A Leica lens with a relatively fast aperture (2.8-3.7) which zooms out 12x, from 35mm normal perspective to 420mm super-telephoto, keeps things sharp and versatile. A Mega O.I.S. optical stabilizer makes blur-free telephoto and low-light shots possible. Tons of in-camera adjustments, from Manual, Aperture, and Shutter-priority modes to sepia-tone and B&W options to three types of metering. For even better lighting control, there’s a hotshoe connector for an external flash, and an electronic view finder (EVF) – an especially nice feature to have in bright sunlight, when the 2.5” LCD screen can get washed out. The FZ-50 can record in video and is rated for 380 shots per Li-Ion battery charge, though your mileage may vary.
Where to buy
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
Specifications
- Zoom: 12.0x
- Resolution: 10.1MP
- AF Shutter Lag: 0.4 - 0.5s
- Size: 5.5 x 3.4 x 5.6 in.
- Battery Life: 360 shots
- Easy to Use: Yes
- Highly Recommended at DPReview.com
- Dave's Pick at Imaging-Resource.com
- Rated Very Good by CNET.com
Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd
The FinePix S6000fd carries on Fuji’s tradition of delivering affordable, feature-rich cameras. Its body looks like a mini-DSLR, with a knurled grip in front, a rotating shooting dial on top, and a switch to toggle between AF modes on the side. With a powerful, 10.7x zoom, the S6000fd can quickly go from wide-angle to extreme telephoto, and a Super Macro mode allows for close-ups from as near as 0.4” away. A 2.2 FPS burst also nears DSLR speeds, and Picture Stabilization makes the most of the camera’s ISO 3200 setting. Dual-Shooting mode takes some of the guesswork out of that eternal question, “to flash or not to flash” by capturing with- and without-flash images side by side. Face Detection can identify up to 10 people in a shot, a great feature to have for group photos. Other features include an electronic viewfinder and a 2.5” LCD monitor. While the S6000fd has “only” 6 megapixels, it does feature Fuji’s proprietary Super CCD technology which offers a vibrant, more film-like rendering of colors.
Where to buy
Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd
Specifications
- Zoom: 10.7x
- Resolution: 6.3MP
- AF Shutter Lag: 0.5 - 0.6s
- Size: 5.2 x 3.8 x 5.0 in.
- Battery Life: 400 shots
- Easy to Use: Yes
- Highly Recommended at DPReview.com
- Dave's Pick at Imaging-Resource.com
- Rated Very Good by CNET.com
How It Works
You tell us your budget, intended uses, and desired features. We show you personalized recommendations from unbiased experts to quickly identify the best digital camera for you.
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How to Pick Digital Cameras
- For Travel Photos
- For Photos of Children or Pets
- For Action or Sports Photos
- For Photos in Low Light
