Olympus SP-320 Review

Click to take a QTVR tour of the SP-320

The 7.1-megapixel SP-320 digital camera is designed for photographers of all skill levels with the convenience of over 30 shooting modes plus manual settings. The compact and lightweight SP-320 features a high quality 3x optical zoom and a large 2.5-inch color LCD. Available add-on accessory lenses, flashes, and an underwater housing further expand the photographic options of the SP-320.

The 7.1-megapixel CCD image sensor inside the SP-320 delivers high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even in large-format prints - up to poster sizes as large as 16 x 20 inches. The Olympus 3x optical zoom lens was designed specifically for digital cameras and provides the equivalent of 38 to 114mm focal length, f2.8 - f4.9 in 35mm photography. Its Super Macro Mode that captures the most subtle details from as close as 0.8" (2cm).

Composing and reviewing images is far easier when you don't have to strain. The 115,000- pixel anti-glare LCD enables you to view images in large and vivid detail. Now you don't have to download and print images each time you want to share them - you can treat your friends and family to a slide show right on the back of your camera.

The Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes give users versatility and control for optimal performance in any situation. Users can express their creative vision - adjusting the f-stop for detailed portraits with softened backgrounds, or slowing the exposure speed to create the blurred effect of motion, or just sit back and let the camera do the work with the automatic settings.

The SP-320 features Digital Image Stabilization Mode for capturing crisp, clear pictures - free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects - with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speed. The SP-320 makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations with 31 pre-programmed shooting modes, such as Night Scene, Indoor, Portrait, Beach, Snow, or Auction. And with its QuickTime Movie Mode, the camera can record VGA-quality movies of any length.

Olympus' SP-series cameras feature a threaded barrel, which enables easy attachment of add-on wide-angle or telephoto conversion lenses for even more creative control. Compatible accessory lenses include the WCON-07F wide angle lens, which enables a wider field of view (26.6mm equivalent) for shooting skylines, landscapes or group shots, and the TCON-17F telephoto conversion lens, which extends the camera's magnification capability by 1.7 times (196mm equivalent) for bringing subjects dramatically closer, great for shooting sports events, concerts or wildlife.

Olympus' exclusive TruePic TURBO™ Image Processor enhances image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBOTM enable the cameras to capture information with pixel "micro-smoothing" that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos, even at lower resolutions. The fast startup of less than one second and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so you are always ready to take great pictures.

The power of PictBridge technology enables photos to be printed directly from the camera to any PictBridge-enabled printer without using a computer. And the new one-touch printing button makes printing a single-step process. Printing and sharing images has never been easier!

With in-camera editing features such as Red-Eye Fix, resizing, color, brightness and saturation adjustments, and adding frames and titles, users can edit photos right in their camera. Simple image touch-ups are quick and easy without the hassle of a PC.

The PT-030 underwater housing is created specially for the SP-series camera - so you can take your camera with you on your underwater excursions. The large 2.5-inch premium size LCD, compact body size, and three underwater scene modes make it the perfect camera to take along diving. Connecting the SP-320 Zoom to a computer is easy with the USB Auto Connect feature, which connects directly via USB 2.0 cable and requires no software. Or, if you prefer, forget the computer altogether. The power of PictBridge technology enables photos to be printed directly from the camera with any PictBridge-enabled printer, such as the Olympus P-11 Digital Photo Printer, without using a computer. Printing and sharing images is more convenient than ever, and the P-11's photo lab-quality dye-sublimation printing produces archival-quality prints in rich color.

OLYMPUS Master™ software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. And with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye reduction, images can be touched up before printing or emailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away.

SP-320 Zoom Features:

• 7.1 Megapixel CCD imager for up to 20x30-inch prints
• Compressed JPEG and RAW image modes
• 3x optical 38-114mm (35mm equiv) zoom
• Digital Image Stabilization to reduce image blurring
• Low-light focus assist illuminator
• 2.5" color LCD with realtime histogram and 5x playback zoom
• Auto, Program AE, Shutter-speed priority, Aperture priority, Manual and creative scene modes for beginners
• Quicktime movie mode w/sound 640x480 at 30fps
• SHQ 2.4fps burst capture of up to 2 frames, 1.4fps HQ up to 10 frames
• Digital ESP metering on focus point or Spot metering option
• Stitch Assist mode for perfect panoramas
• Exposure compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments
• White Balance: iESP2 Auto, 6 presets, custom WB
• Shutter speeds of 15 seconds to 1/2000 second
• Noise reduction for shutter speeds of 1/2 sec. or longer
• Selectable ISO settings from 64 to 800
• Built-in microphone and speaker
• Powered by 2 standard AA type batteries
• USB Direct-print with any PictBridge compatible printer
• USB 2.0 high speed connectivity for PC and Mac
• 25MB of built-in memory plus xD-Picture Card slot

The SP-320 Zoom is available now. It includes: Wrist Strap, Camera WIN/Mac USB Cable, Video cable, 2 AA batteries, Quick Start Guide, Basic Manual, Warranty Card, CD-ROM with OLYMPUS Master Software, and Advanced Manual.