Offering the most powerful optical zoom range among consumer digicams, the SP-550's "Ultra Zoom" moniker is no misrepresentation; the lens covers an astonishing 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 28-504mm! Olympus included several other features that complement the lens, including sensor-shift Image Stabilization that reduces the liklihood of camera-shake image blur at long focal lengths, ISO 5000 sensitivity to enable the use of higher shutter speeds in marginal lighting conditions, and two high-speed shooting modes to help you capture the decisive moment. As a package, these features are a sports shooters dream, but there are several limitations that reduce the SP-500's effectiveness at capturing action.

While the SP-550 was a responsive performer in most respects, its autofocus speed was poor, taking a whopping 1.3 seconds to focus on a high contrast subject. But that 1.3 seconds wasn't entirely attributable to autofocus; using manual focus, manual exposure mode, manual white balance and turning IS off, the SP-550 still imposed a 6/10 second lag between depressing the shutter button and capturing the image. I don't know what the SP-550 is doing during that 6/10 second span, but it certainly detracts from the camera's responsiveness.

Start-up time is relatively slow at 3.7 seconds, to a large extent attributable to the extension of the 18x zoom lens. Shutter lag when pre-focused is very good at 1/10 second, a great deal of that resulting from the delay in the live image on either the EVF or LCD viewfinder. Shot-to-shot delay without flash in single capture mode was 2.7 seconds for three shots, slowing to 4 second intervals for subsequent shots. With flash, the shot-to-shot interval ranged between 3 and 10 seconds, depending on subject distance and battery condition. Shutter lag when using red eye reduction pre-flash measured 1.1 seconds, during which the LCD or EVF goes blank.

The SP-550 offers 3 continuous drive modes: normal, Hi1 and Hi2. Using normal continuous drive mode to capture SHQ images, the SP-550 captured 3 images in 2.5 seconds and took 6 seconds to clear its buffer. Both the LCD and EVF blanked between shots; because of the relatively slow capture rate, the viewfinders were essentially useless for following a moving subject while shooting. Normal continuous drive mode offers the most flexibility in the selection of image size and quality; only the capture of RAW images is prohibited in this mode.

The SP-550's high speed sequential shooting modes offer astonishing capture rates, but have limitations on image size, quality and ISO. Both modes require a minimum sensitivity setting of ISO 400. While ISO 400 introduces a noticeable amount of image noise, its use can also result in overexposure; the smallest lens aperture of f/8 and the fastest shutter speed of 1/2000 second are sometimes simply not enough to use ISO 400 in very brightly illuminated conditions.

In Hi1 mode, we were able to capture 10 SQ1 images in 1.1 seconds, with buffer clearing taking 10 seconds. Both viewfinders blank between images but, because of the high capture rate, following a moving subject was not a problem. I was not pleased with the quality of the SQ1 (2048x1536) images; although HIGH was the default (and only) quality setting, the SP-550 appeared to record images at Normal (high compression) quality.

Hi2 mode was even faster, capturing 20 SQ2 (1280x960) shots in 1.3 seconds and taking 9 seconds to clear the buffer. As with Hi1 mode, the viewfinders blanked between images, but the high capture rate allowed me to follow a moving subject. Image quality was also an issue in Hi2 mode, the SP-550 capturing images only in Normal (high compression) quality. Please see our samples page for a comparison of Hi1/SQ1 versus a normal speed SQ1 HIGH quality, and of a Hi2/SQ2 versus a normal speed SQ2 HIGH quality example.

Hi2 mode offers an interesting feature that really helps you capture the decisive moment in an action scene, Pre-Capture. In this mode, the SP-550 begins capturing images when you have half-depressed the shutter button, saving them in a 5-shot circular buffer. When you fully depress the shutter button, the SP-550 stores the 5 images in its circular buffer, and seamlessly begins capturing subsequent images until you release the shutter button. Both viewfinders remained usable for following moving subjects, the blanking interval between pre-captured images being short enough to appear almost continuous.

Our performance tests were done using an Olympus H 1GB xD-Picture Card, Program mode, SHQ quality, preview off, flash off, and all other settings at default unless specified otherwise. Times may vary depending on camera settings, lighting conditions, media, etc.

Ergonomics were good, with a grippy rubberized surface to hold with your right hand and all controls falling within easy reach of your thumb or forefinger. The menu system was logically organized and easy to navigate, but the "main" menu can be viewed only on the LCD. The shooting function menu (White balance, ISO, drive mode and metering mode) is called-up by depressing the OK/FUNC button and is displayed on either the LCD or EVF. For my purposes, I found the EVF preferable for shooting, and the LCD for menu navigation and image review. In marginal lighting, both screens "gain up" nicely to help in composing the shot.

The quality of the SP-550's SHQ images is on par with many 7-megapixel consumer models. Our outdoor shots were sharp with good overall exposure and color saturation. At ISO settings of 200 and below, images were essentially noise free. At ISO 400, noise becomes detectable, at ISO 800 noticeable with some loss of detail, and at ISO 1600 and up increasing noise and decreasing detail. That said, there will be times that you'll appreciate the SP-550's high sensitivity settings. You can see for yourself by taking a look at some examples on our samples page. With the noise issue aside, I was pleased with our portrait (people) photos. Both indoors and out, the SP-550 captures images with natural skin tones, and as long as you are within the limits of its powerful built-in flash (approx. 14.8 ft. at wide angle).

The telephoto capabilities of its 18x lens add tremendously to the overall versatility of the camera. This lens covers a 35mm equivalent range of 28 - 504mm, Olympus not sacrificing wide angle field of view in favor of telephoto magnification. At 28mm, you'll be able to capture interior shots in fairly tight quarters and at 504mm take high quality images of very distant subjects without resorting to digital zoom. Chromatic aberrations were well controlled, with only a trace of purple fringing evident in high contrast areas. We found a moderate amount of barrel distortion at wide angle, and slight pincushioning at the telephoto extreme. Center sharpness was good, but images were a bit soft at the edges. On balance, this is a very nice piece of glass.

The SP-550 also allows you to capture uncompressed RAW .ORF image files. These need to be later converted into JPEG format either in-camera or in an image editor that supports Olympus' RAW format. Like more advanced cameras, you can also choose to shoot RAW + JPEG. I used this function and then converted the RAW file in-camera into an SHQ image. You can see them side by side on the samples page. Overall, I don't think this function will be used by the average user who will purchase this model. However, it does add some appeal to the model, and I'm sure some of the more advanced users will appreciate this feature.

Olympus has joined the rest of the players by adding a VGA sized movie mode. You can record video at 640x480 or 320x240 with either 30fps or 15fps frame rates. Sound can be recorded, however you have to make sure you enable this option in the menu. When recording movies with sound, the optical zoom may not be used during recording, but can be preset beforehand. Image Stabilization is disabled when sound is enabled during movie recording, but can be activated when sound is turned off. Overall, our movie samples were good with typical amounts of compression noise. Just remember, the SHQ (640x480, 30fps) mode consumes about 1.75MB per second, so be sure you have a large capacity (512MB - 1GB) xD card.

The SP-550 uses four standard AA-type cells, this means you can use a variety of different batteries. We highly recommend the use of NiMH cells or one-use lithiums if you are in a bind. We found that the SP-550 really sips power, capturing more than 500 images on a freshly charged set of 2500mAh NiMH batteries.

Bottom line - As a sports shooter, the SP-550 UZ is a bit of an enigma, hampered by its slow autofocus performance and poor image quality in its 2 high speed drive modes. But no other consumer digicam can come close to its high speed capture rate and the pre-capture mode that renders anticipating the decisive moment a moot point. The SP-550's high-quality lens can't be matched either, offering a versatile focal length range that is equally at home in tight interiors and athletic playing fields. Combine that with its very good image quality in standard drive modes, and the SP-550 UZ represents a good value at its $499 MSRP. Please have a look at our Sample Photos and see for yourself; included are some action sequences taken with the camera's high speed drive modes and pre-capture.