Olympus SP-560 vs SP-550; 18x SLR-like with E410’ processor and 826mm Tele converter

Olympus was the first manufacturer who gave birth to 18x zoom SLR-like camera. It was Olympus SP-550 with some new features: a handy body but a small and noisy 1/2.5” sensor. I don’t know if it sells successfully but some mfrs followed Olympus SP-550’s example. As a result we can see the appearance of new ultra-zoom cameras such as: Panasonic FZ18, Fujifilm S8000 and again Olympus with SP-560. Let’s look through this model and designate how good this upgrade is. As for Fujifilm S8000 and Panasonic FZ18, look through my previous posts: Compare Fujifilm S8000, Olympus SP550, Panasonic FZ18 - nothing to S9100 and Panasonic FZ18 vs. Fujifilm S8000 or Olympus SP-550; Compare 18x SLR-likes.
I’m in search of any users information about this 18x SLR-like -- the SP-560 UZ just after it has appeared but I’m disappointed with only few replies in the Net. As for salesmen, they can’t distinctly explain what the difference between SP-550 and SP-560 is. They say only what I already know from reviews: the new Olympus SP-560 keeps its predecessor's 28 to 504mm-equivalent 18x lens and mechanical image stabilizer, but includes a new sensor, a new image processor, and offers some new features over the SP-550.
Some Olympus SP-560 user’s cons in comparison with SP-550:
- The Auto Focus is hardly noticeable to a tad faster. If not for the SP550 that was beside it to try immediately, would have thought there wasn't any difference there. In any case the AF of the SP5xx still can't compare to the faster competition.
- The RAW file speed still takes a few seconds to write.
- VR/anti-shake has a hard time getting sharp shots at full zoom beside it. Maybe it’s a problem with the VR on this particular SP560 show copy.
- General speed is not anything noticeable over SP550.
For more SP-550' details look at: Choosing SLR-likes compare Panasonic DMC-FZ8, Olympus SP-550 and Fujifilm IS-1/S9600. Good, expensive and very expensive.
The good and some funny features
I think that it is a little disappointed opinion about this upgrade. As for cool new features such as Shadow Adjustment Technology which "compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail", Face Detection Technology, Dual Image Stabilization etc., modern electronic and (what is more important) modern marketing can do anything. Unfortunately, these features can’t take great pictures instead they can force us to forget how to shoot. And so don’t pay attention to this rubbish and let’s look at some really interesting news.
There are two things which make me glad. First of all it’s a new 8 mega pixels 1/2.3 inch sensor. It’s not a secret that a great many pixels is not such important for image quality as a sensor size. But some mfrs preferred get around this fact. As a result we have as a rule 1/2.5” sensor instead of old-fashioned 1/1.8” (look through Olympus C-8080 with 2/3”, Nikon 8700 with 1/1.8” or Canon Pro1 with 2/3” at The summary table of the best SLR-like camera specifications). Of course it’s cheaper to make a SLR-like camera with a small sensor but rich of electronic features. Therefore it’s a great sign that Olympus used a large sensor for SP-550 upgrade.
New Olympus 826mm Tele: looking for moonlight
The next thing which makes me happy is the TruePic III image processor which is put in the latest Olympus SLRs such as Evolt E410 and E510: Olympus SLRs: E330, E400, E410, E500 and E510. Of course this is nothing but an electronic device. On the other hand it is a SLR’s processor which is able to work with big size images.
Instead the appearing of ‘a new kind of photographic freedom’-- the teleconverter lens TCON-017 and the adapter ring CLA-10 for Olympus SP-560 / SP-550 give a rise to doubts. What the hell, the Olympus makes an astounding 826mm Tele converter after two 18x ultra-zoom SLR-like cameras? It’s much better (and easier) to make a 6-10x zoom lens free from artifact and aberration, after all. Apropos I have already told about this easy way for making a great SLR-like camera in my previous post.
As for weight and dimensions, SP-560 has 365 g (12.9 oz) instead of SP-550’ 460 g (16.2 oz) and 116 x 78.5 x 78 mm (4.6 x 3.1 x 3.1 in) instead of 116 x 79 x 78 mm (4.6 x 3.1 x 3.1 in). In my opinion, the new Olympus SP 560 has more handy body but it’s very individual. It is much better to visit a store and to hold cameras yourself. For a pleasure of having a pro-processor and a larger sensor you have to pay extra $100, while a moonlight costs much more.
Conclusion
The Olympus tends to turn to the right way which makes SP-560 more preferable for customers than Panasonic FZ18 and Olympus SP-550 and puts it on the same level with Fujifilm S8000. But in my opinion designing the Tele Converter for SLR-like will help to produce good cameras without groovy 18x zoom but astronomers will be able to shoot their favorite Moon craters. To tell the truth, Canon G9’s way with using Tele and Wide-angle converters for digital compacts is a little expencive (look at Canon Powershot G9, SD950 and A650: can 12MP make SLR from compact). However, nothing is perfect.
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