Olympus SP-350 Review

Click on the SP-350 for 360° QuickTime VR tour

For 2005 Olympus has announced a new SP-series of digital cameras, the 7.0-megapixel SP-310 and the 8.0-megapixel SP-350 introduce specialized features that enable photographers of all skill levels to express their creative vision. Both cameras feature a new 3x optical zoom lens designed specifically for digital cameras that provides the equivalent of 38 to 114mm focal length with a Super Macro Mode that captures details from as close as 2 cm. They also offer the option of either manual settings for creative control or 30 selectable shooting modes, along with optional add-on accessory lenses, an optional underwater housing, and a large, easy-to-view 2.5-inch premium size LCD. The SP-350 has a hot shoe for external flashes, providing additional versatility when difficult lighting is an issue.

With the new SP-series cameras, Olympus returns to the traditional, compact appearance of its traditional range-finder cameras. At a compact size of just 3.9" W x 2.6" H x 1.4" D and less than 7 ounces, it tucks away easily into a pocket or backpack. The addition of an ergonomic grip makes it easy to hold with one hand, for capturing those photo ops when you are, literally, on the run.

The SP-310 and SP-350 make it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations with 24 pre-programmed scene modes, such as Night Scene, Indoor Portrait or Cuisine Mode. And with its QuickTime Movie Mode, the cameras can record movies of any length, limited only by the size of the xD-Picture Card in the camera. The addition of manual Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes gives users versatility and control for optimal performance in any situation. With in-camera editing features such as Red-Eye Fix, color brightness and saturation adjustments, users can edit photos on the fly - no longer do you have to tool around with computers and editing software for simple image touch-ups!

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 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 for bringing subjects dramatically closer, great for shooting sports events, concerts or wildlife.

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!

SP-350 Features:

• 8-megapixel CCD captures images in clear, ultra-high resolution
• Olympus' exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor reproduces images as clearly and naturally as they appear to the photographer's eye
• 3x Optical Zoom lens with 38-114mm coverage (35mm equivalent)
• Large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor ensures a clear view even in bright light
• Slim, sleek, and elegant body with a luxurious black finish
• JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG image modes
• 30 selectable shooting modes including AE Bracketing and Timelapse
• Digital iESP metering, center and spot metering modes
• 640x480 QuickTime video @ 30fps with Anti-Shake and audio
• Automatic noise-reduction for long exposures
• Flash hot shoe for Olympus speedlights
• Image adjustments for saturation, contrast and sharpness
• ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400 equivalents
• Histogram feature in record and playback
• ~25MB of internal memory plus xD-Picture Card slot
• Powered by two standard AA batteries or one CRV3 type
• USB 2.0 high speed connectivity and AV output for TV slideshows
• PictBridge, Exif Print, and Epson PRINT Image Matching II compatible
• Optional PT-030 underwater housing and special underwater scene modes