Bridge Cameras

The Stylus SP-100 Digital Camera from Olympus is a fixed lens point-and-shoot digital camera with a very powerful 50x optical zoom lens, equivalent to a 24-1200mm lens in the 35mm format. The lens is particularly versatile, able to capture perspectives from true wide-angle to ultra telephoto. It even includes a macro mode that can focus as close as 0.39″ (1 cm). With an innovative On-Camera Dot Sight it is easier to locate and track distant subjects when utilizing the extreme telephoto focal lengths achievable with this lens. The Dot Sight incorporates a pop-up glass panel and a projected red light to combine a wide field of view with a dot of light that follows your subject, making it easy to keep your subject in frame and in focus despite distance and movement.

The SP-100 features a 16MP 1/2.3″ BSI CMOS sensor and the TruePic VII Image Processor, which is also found on Olympus’ top-end mirrorless cameras. The sensor and image processor combine to offer high resolution images with rich tonal range, low light sensitivity and fast autofocus and response times. Full HD 1080/60p video is supported, as is lower resolution video options, including slow-motion capture. A lens-shift image stabilization system compensates for camera movement to reduce the blur often found in images shot in dim light and at long focal lengths.

A 920k-dot Electronic Viewfinder is featured for bright, stable, eye-level composition. Camera settings are visible within the EVF so making adjustments without removing your eye from the subject is possible, and an adjustable diopter is supported for those who wear eyeglasses. In addition, a 3.0″ 460k-dot LCD monitor provides large and accurate image playback and is useful for odd-angle and discreet composition.

The SP-100 is a practical camera for photographers of any skill level. It offers an enhanced Intelligent Auto feature with scene and subject recognition technologies. These shooting modes make it simple to capture difficult shots as the camera will recognize what you are shooting and apply the optimal settings. Also, full manual exposure control and shutter priority and aperture priority modes enable exacting control for those who prefer to utilize such options. Three autofocus modes, as well as Manual Focus and a Focus Limit function, provide several alternatives for automatic control or precise manual control of focusing. A built-in flash will add light to your scene if needed. And in addition, Picture and Art Filters allow you to add effects to your images, 360º Panorama Mode captures astonishing vistas, and Interval Shooting mode lets you create time lapse videos.

A solid yet compact form factor with a large hand grip and ergonomically placed buttons and zoom lever enable comfortable handling. The SP-100 is compatible with SD, SDHC, SDXC and FlashAir SDHC memory cards. FlashAir cards allow for wireless transfer of images stored on the card to compatible computers, smartphones, and tablets.

The SP-820UZ iHS Digital Camera from Olympus features an incredibly powerful 40x optical zoom lens which has a 35mm equivalency of 22.4-896mm. With a lens like this, you’ll need no other. From true wide angle all the way to ultra-telephoto, this lens will shoot a wide expansive landscape then zoom in to get a clear, full-frame shot of a subject in the distance. It’s hard to understate the power of an 896mm reach, it will bring far away subjects breathtakingly close and the wide angle lengths are open enough to shoot all your friends gathered around the dinner table or the entirety of a beautiful interior. Of course, these focal lengths won’t mean much if the quality of the images aren’t good.

Fortunately, the Olympus SP-820UZ has that covered thanks to its 14MP CMOS Sensor and TruePic V Image Processor. Together, Olympus terms this their iHS technology or Intelligent High Speed and High Sensitivity. It’s a very accurate term because the image quality and camera performance of the SP-820UZ is well above standards. And thanks to its dual image stabilization system, photos taken with its extremely long lens and shots taken in low light will come out blur-free and with sharp details.

The SP-820UZ also houses Full HD video for recording all the important moments that just won’t fit into one image. Quality of the video image is also improved when shooting at long focal lengths due to Multi Motion Movie IS, an image stabilization system specifically designed for HD Video. A dedicated one-touch button starts your video recording and for viewing your videos immediately, an HDMI output is included in the camera body. Simply connect the cable and push play to screen your films in crystal clear HD.

This “bridge” camera offers the style and look of a DSLR but the ease and functionality of a compact point and shoot and brings to the table some of the best qualities of both. For example, like a DSLR, the SP-820UZ has high-speed sequential shooting so you’ll never miss an action shot or the perfect unposed smile. But, like a compact camera it is easy to use and features an iAuto mode which will select all the camera’s settings based on the image it reads and let you simply compose your image and shoot. The iHS technology also brings with it two helpful functions. HDR Backlight Adjustment creates well balanced shots of high contrast scenes by shooting multiple takes of the same image with different exposure levels and combining them into one shot in which both shadows and highlights are evenly exposed. Hand-Held Starlight performs a similar function with night shots and leaves you with images that are crisp, detailed and without light streaks or blurs.

The SP-820UZ also has features like Smart Panorama and Magic Art Filters. Smart Panorama captures 360º images in one frame by simply panning the camera across the scene and Magic Filters allow you to add effects, like Fish-eye, Miniature and Pin Hole to your photos.

With its powerful lens that will cover all your shooting needs and its superior image quality, this easy-to-hold, easy-to-use Olympus camera is an affordable gem to keep with you for when life’s memories are being made.