Olympus SP-810UZ

July 27, 2011 | Zoltan Arva-Toth | Digital Compact Cameras | Comment |

The Olympus SP-810UZ is a new 14-megapixel camera with 36x optical zoom. Successor to last year’s SP-800UZ (read review), the Olympus SP-810UZ inherits its predecessor’s three-inch, 16:9 rear screen and 720p HD movie capture but adds a new 24-864mm equivalent lens, 3D shooting mode and “pet detection” mode. Also on board are 10 “magic filters”, intelligent Auto and beauty modes and features like AF Tracking and in-camera panorama stitching. Compatible with SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards including Eye-Fi media, the Olympus SP-810UZ will be available in black or silver from the start of September for £229.99. In the U.S. it will only be available in black, also from September, for $329.99.

Olympus UK Press Release

Nothing gets closer, nothing comes close

The new Olympus SP-810UZ Ultra Zoom

London, 27 July 2011 – You can’t get more flexibility than this. A dandelion clock shot from far off or St Peter’s cathedral in close-up – when it comes to choosing your subject, the 36x wide-angle zoom on the new SP-810UZ guarantees virtually limitless freedom. No compact camera from Olympus has ever delivered better zoom performance. A fast, wide 1:2.9-5.7 24-864mm* zoom lens and 14 Megapixel image sensor makes the SP-810UZ the benchmark in its class. As the most powerful camera in Olympus’ Traveller category, it succeeds the highly-regarded SP-800UZ. Not only is the SP-810UZ better equipped than its predecessor, it’s also more compact. In fact, it’s the smallest compact camera currently on the market with a zoom factor over 30**, which makes it the ideal travelling companion. Available from the start of September for an extremely competitive £229.99 in a black or silver finish.

Sharper shots
The SP-810UZ is not just pretty to look at. It’s also an expert performer, with stills or HD movies. The fast wide 1:2.9-5.7 24-864mm* zoom lens combines with Dual Image Stabilisation and enhanced ISO sensitivity to guarantee pin-sharp photos and virtually eliminate blur in videos. Need to document a dynamic sports event with photos? That’s when AF-Tracking comes into play. It keeps subjects in focus even if they move in and out of the shot.

Creative options
Anyone with a creative eye will be delighted with the SP-810UZ’s 10 Magic Filters that can nearly all be applied to stills and movies. These include the new Miniature and Reflection filters. Miniature gives your photos the look of a miniature model with stronger colours and contrast (by narrowing the depth of field) while Reflection simulates a magical horizontal reflection of your subject, as if it were standing next to perfectly flat water. What’s more, the fast and wide precision lens gives even inexperienced users every chance to experiment with background blurring to create truly outstanding shots. In 3D Mode, the SP-810UZ combines two photos of the same subject from different angles to generate dynamic 3D images that can be viewed on a suitable screen in 3D. Another creative highlight is In-Camera Panorama that helps you capture a super-wide angle, wrap-around photo simply by panning the camera across the scene. Three frames are taken and combined by the camera.

HD playback
To admire your images in glorious HD quality, you can hook the camera up to a flat-screen TV via the HDMI output. For an impressive sneak preview, the SP-810UZ comes with a large and bright 3-inch LCD in the 16:9 format. It also supports the Eye-Fi card, enabling simple transfer of photos via WLAN.

Easy operation
By doing away with time-consuming manual settings, the SP-810UZ frees you up to concentrate on the essentials. Intelligent Auto Mode recognises the five most common photo scenarios and automatically optimises settings such as focus and lighting. With additional features like Advanced Face Detection or Beauty Mode, high quality imaging is child’s play on the SP-810UZ.

The SP-810UZ is available in black or silver from the start of September for just £229.99.

Outstanding features:

Image Quality
? 36x wide optical zoom (24-864mm*) for superb close-ups and group shots
? TruePic III+ image processor for ideal colour reproduction and low noise
? 720p HD Movie with sound for capturing movies in excellent quality
? 14 Megapixels for high-quality full-size movies, stills and prints
? Dual Image Stabilisation for reducing blur with fast-moving shots

Usability
? 3” colour LCD in 16:9 format (230,000 dots) for easily framing, reviewing and sharing shots
? Advanced Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology for capturing people’s faces just as you want them
? Beauty Mode for hiding unwanted blemishes
? Intelligent Auto Mode (i-Auto) and AF Tracking for easy setting and focussing
? Pet Detection Mode for automatically capturing dog’s or cat’s faces when they look at the camera
? Scene Modes for automatic settings that suit specific conditions (e.g., Fireworks, Sunset)

Creativity & Flexibility
? 3D photo shooting mode for striking stills
? Eye-Fi Card compatibility for automatic wireless uploading of images to a website or PC
? 10 Magic Filters for adding creative effects to HD movies and/or stills: Punk, Pop Art, Pin Hole, Drawing, Fish Eye, Soft Focus, Sparkle (photos only), Watercolour, plus new Miniature (photos only) and Reflection
? In-camera Panorama for quick and easy panorama shots

Other key features
? Photo surfing and [ib] software for browsing, organising and viewing images by person, place, location or event
? HDMI technology for controlling your camera from one remote when it’s connected to HD equipment
? SDHC and SDXC memory card compatible (UHS speed class is not supported)***
? Built-in flash
? In-camera manual
? USB charging

* 35mm camera equivalent.
** As of July 2011.
*** SD is a trademark of SD Card Association.
For a full list of features, please go to www.olympus.co.uk

Olympus America Press Release

Have Lens Will Travel: Olympus SP-810UZ™ Boasts The World’S Longest Zoom In A Compact Camera

Amazing 36X Ultra Wide Zoom, 3.0” Wide LCD and New Magic Filters Maximize Performance, Flexibility and Creativity for All of Life’s Adventures

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., July 27, 2011 – Travelers looking for a camera flexible enough to get up close for beautiful macro images of flowers while exploring exotic islands or to capture the magnificence of the Old Faithful geyser from hundreds of feet away without changing lenses, now have the ultimate camera with the introduction of the new SP-810UZ. Featuring a wide 1:2.9-5.7 24-864mm* zoom lens and a 36x optical zoom, this S-series camera is one of the smallest compact cameras currently on the market with a zoom of 36x**, providing further proof that Olympus lets you capture it all.

“The SP-810UZ is the best zoom performance Olympus has ever delivered,” said Jennifer Schmell, product manager Olympus Imaging America Inc. “No compact camera from Olympus has ever offered such impressive wide-angle zoom performance. As the most powerful camera in Olympus’ ultrazoom category, it succeeds the prestigious SP-800UZ.”

Expert Still and HD Movie Performance
From the sidelines of the soccer field to bird-watching on a riverboat, engage AF Tracking technology to lock focus on your fast-moving subjects and keep them in focus, even while they move in and out of the frame. The fast, wide 1:2.9-5.7 24-864mm* zoom lens combined with Dual Image Stabilization, enhanced ISO sensitivity, Shadow Adjustment Technology and TruePic III+ image processor guarantee tack-sharp photos and virtually eliminate blur in high-definition (HD) videos. With HDMI Control, you can use your HDTV’s remote to control playback functions and navigate the camera’s menus from the comfort of your couch.

Be Creative and Express More
Ten Magic Filters apply your own creative vision to movies and stills for greater artistic freedom. New Miniature Filter narrows the depth of focus and enhances color and contrast to convert your real-life images to look like a magical toy world. The new Reflection Filter adds a reflection to your subject as though it were standing over a glassy, still lake. In 3D-mode, the SP-810UZ combines two photos of the same subject from different angles to generate dynamic 3D images that can be viewed on a 3D-compatible monitor or television. Another creative highlight is In-Camera Panorama, which helps you capture a super-wide angle photo simply by panning the camera across the scene to combine three shots into one inside the camera.

Easy Operation
By eliminating time-consuming manual settings, the SP-810UZ frees you to concentrate on your subject. Intelligent Auto Mode recognizes the five most common photo scenarios and automatically optimizes settings such as focus and lighting. Don’t forget the family pet! Activate Pet Detection mode to automatically capture your furry friend’s face when it looks at the camera. The SP-810UZ is also compatible with an optional Eye-Fi SD card, adding Wi-Fi capability so you can automatically upload images to your computer as you take them. Be the life of the social media party by uploading your shots immediately.

Availability
The Olympus SP-810UZ will be available in black, starting in September 2011. It will ship with a Lithium-Ion Battery (LI-50C) & Charger, USB Cable, USB-AC Adapter, Audio/Video Cable, Protective Lens Cap w/ Strap, Camera Strap, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card, Instruction Manual and [ib] Software CD-ROM.

U.S. Pricing / Product Configurations
Olympus SP-810UZ Estimated Street Price: $329.99