Olympus Ultra Zoom cameras set the benchmark. Again
Olympus lets its zooms do the talking
New UZ duo promise another decade of dominance
London, 10 January 2012 – An Olympus Ultra Zoom ‘Traveller’ camera
wears its class on its sleeve – there’s no mistaking the huge optical
zoom lens on the front, nor the extraordinary character and quality of
the images it delivers. That’s what makes the new SP-620UZ and SP-
720UZ Travellers the cameras of choice for anyone with the ambition to
step up from a pint-sized point-and-shoot to a powerful, great-value,
go-anywhere compact that can capture genuinely challenging shots.
Both offer impressive wide-angle capability for shooting landscapes,
interiors and crowds. But it’s the extreme telephoto potential that really
stands out. Notwithstanding its super-slim, compact design, the SP-
620UZ comes with a 21x optical zoom while the top-of-the-range SP-
720UZ delivers fully 26x magnification. That gives you the flexibility to
zoom in and capture the expressive energy of wildlife, competitive
sports and other unapproachable subjects without having to carry
interchangeable lenses. The outstanding optics are matched by some
of Olympus’ very best automatic aids and components, including Multi-
Motion Movie IS (on the SP-620UZ) and HDR Backlight Adjustment (on
the SP-720UZ) that achieves perfect exposure when you’re shooting
against the light. The SP-720UZ is available from late March for £229.99.
The SP-620UZ goes on sale for £179.99 in mid-February. Both cameras
come in silver or black.
Performance to be proud of
More than ten years ago, with its first SP Ultra Zoom (UZ) camera, Olympus
laid down a marker for first-class specifications, versatility and sheer
telephoto performance. On the evidence of the latest editions to the
Traveller family, in this specialist segment they remain the cameras to beat.
The powerful optics are all the more impressive given the modest
dimensions. In fact, they take up most of the camera, especially on the
SP-620UZ, which is incredibly slender and light for a camera of this zoom
potential. It comes equipped with a 21x wide-angle optical zoom lens (25-
525mm*) while the SP-720UZ has a spectacular 26x wide-angle optical
zoom (26-676mm*). In addition to close-quarter wide angles, expansive
panoramas and nose-to-nose close-ups, these lenses give you the flexibility
to experiment with intermediate zoom settings – from portraits to still lifes
and holiday movies in Full HD (720p HD on the SP-620UZ). Image quality is
excellent on both cameras, thanks in part to the 14-Megapixel CMOS
sensor on the SP-720UZ and a 16-Megapixel CCD on the
SP-620UZ. You can look forward to radiant colours, low noise and razorsharp
edges. Blur is conspicuous only by its absence.
Assistants you can trust
Olympus’ Traveller Series has a history of ingenious electronic aids and the
latest generation is again packed with technical wizardry. Like Multi-Motion
IS on the SP-620UZ which cuts out camera shake even when the user is
moving, allowing you to record movies in the best quality available in a
compact camera today**. Another unique feature is HDR Backlight
Adjustment (on the SP-720UZ) that captures the scene just as you see it, no
matter if you’re shooting against the light. Instead of recording just one shot,
it takes multiple images very quickly at different exposure settings then
creates a collage of ideally exposed photos, blended seamlessly into one
perfect shot.
With a host of creative Magic Filters, Olympus again steals a march on the
competition. Unlike most rival filters, the majority of these spectacular
effects can be applied to movies as well as still photos. Eye-Fi card
compatibility, 3D photo shooting and a 3” LCD are just some of the other
features that make it simple to capture and share stills and HD movies with
outstanding character and quality.
The SP-720UZ is available from late March for £229.99. The SP-620UZ
costs £179.99 and comes out around a month earlier.
Outstanding features:
Image Quality:
26x wide angle optical zoom lens with 26-676mm* for superb closeups
and group shots
(SP-620UZ: 21x wide angle optical zoom with 25-525mm*)
14 Megapixel CMOS sensor for high-resolution, superb-quality fullsize
movies, stills and prints, even in low light
(SP-620UZ: 16 Megapixel CCD sensor)
TruePic III+ image processor for ideal colour reproduction and low
noise
1080p Full HD Movie with sound for capturing movies in the best
image quality currently available in compact cameras**
(SP-620UZ: 720p HD Movie)
Dual Image Stabilisation for reducing blur with fast-moving shots
Multi-motion Movie IS for capturing HD movies with reduced blur
while walking (SP-620UZ only)
Usability:
Eye-Fi Card compatibility for automatic wireless uploading of
images to a website or PC
3” colour LCD (460,000 dots) for easily framing, reviewing and
sharing shots (SP-620UZ: 230,00 dots)
HDR Backlight Adjustment for perfectly exposed pictures of
inanimate objects even when shooting against the light
(SP-720UZ only)
Advanced Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology for
capturing people’s faces just as you want them (SP-720UZ: regular
Face Detection)
Intelligent Auto Mode (i-Auto) and AF Tracking for easy setting and
focussing
Scene Mode for automatic settings that suit specific conditions
(e.g., Landscape, Night)
Creativity & Flexibility:
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, Reflection, Miniature, Fragmented
(photos only) and Dramatic (photos and SP-720UZ only)
Beauty Make-up Mode for adding fun make-up effects to three
people and hiding blemishes before you shoot
3D photo shooting mode for striking stills
Pet Detection Mode for automatically capturing dog’s or cat’s faces
when they look at the camera
High-speed sequential shooting for a dynamic series of fast-moving
objects
Macro shooting for beautiful, detail-rich close-ups
Other key features:
Slim body for an attractive, highly portable design
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
In-camera Panorama for quick and easy panorama shots
SDHC and SDXC memory card compatible***
Built-in flash
In-camera manual and in-camera help guide (SP-720UZ: in-camera
help guide only)
USB battery charging (SP-720UZ only)
* 35mm camera equivalent.
** As of November 2011.
*** SD is a trademark of SD Card Association. UHS Speed Class is not
supported.
