Olympus SP-550 UZ

[gjtoth]

I am seriously considering procuring one of these. Mainly for the 18x zoom but it does have some other really nice features over my Kodak Z612. The upside is all the extra accessories & lenses I have purchased for my Z612 will fit this camera.

Has anyone used this camera? If so, what is your opinion of it? Pros & cons?

Specs can be viewed here:

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1289

[Snappers]

Wouldn't you fancy going for a full Digital SLR with removable lenses? It would give you far more choice over your lens options.

[gjtoth]

Wouldn't you fancy going for a full Digital SLR with removable lenses? It would give you far more choice over your lens options.

Actually, no. 1.- DSLRs are WAAAAY out of my price range. 2.- The lenses are WAAAAAY out of my price range. 3.- I'm an amateur and want to stay that way. Therefore, I really can't justify the expense. If I had intended to "go pro" at some point, I might consider it. But, remember one of my first posts here? It seems when I start out doing something for enjoyment and turn it into a "profession", it becomes drudgery. Work is work, relaxation & enjoyment are relaxation & enjoyment.

Click! <soapbox mode off> heheh ;)

[gjtoth]

Peter has shown me the light on this one. I'll be sticking with my Z612.

Thanks, Peter.

[jonrayner]

Actually, no. 1.- DSLRs are WAAAAY out of my price range. 2.- The lenses are WAAAAAY out of my price range. 3.- I'm an amateur and want to stay that way. Therefore, I really can't justify the expense. If I had intended to "go pro" at some point, I might consider it. But, remember one of my first posts here? It seems when I start out doing something for enjoyment and turn it into a "profession", it becomes drudgery. Work is work, relaxation & enjoyment are relaxation & enjoyment.

Click! <soapbox mode off> heheh ;)

I admire you will power. I am finding hard not to spend, spend, spend. I have lost count the number of times I have almost clicked 'buy' on a nice new all singing, all dancing lens. I will have to cut up my credit cards to make sure!!

There is a lot of truth in that last statement, work is work......

[gjtoth]

I admire you will power. I am finding hard not to spend, spend, spend. I have lost count the number of times I have almost clicked 'buy' on a nice new all singing, all dancing lens. I will have to cut up my credit cards to make sure!!

There is a lot of truth in that last statement, work is work......

Thanks, Jon but it's not so much a matter of willpower but a matter of keeping my scalp in place :D Seriously, one should know where to draw the line and if not, get some advice from HIGHLY knowledgeable people to help him. In my case, it's Peter. Although, I would LIKE the new camera, Peter has convinced me I don't NEED a new camera. Hence... I'm keeping my scalp intact as well as my wallet!

[LensBaby]

Yeah a new camera is only as good as the person taking the photos huh? I on the other hand love the DSLR only because it gives me a little bit of a challenge, and that is my hobbie haha finding a challenge and over coming it. I have been to school my whole life (I am almost 38 and I have so many certification,degrees, etc.) I can say the one challenge that I hated...and only one that I can think of was becoming a police officer. It wasnt the job it was the politics involved. I know everywhere has politics, but this department was and still is soooo bad ! I am not a pro at shooting a camera, but shooting a 45 semi auto I am ! Thats a hobby of mine as well. EXPENSIVE HOBBY!

[Snappers]

I am not a pro at shooting a camera, but shooting a 45 semi auto I am ! Thats a hobby of mine as well. EXPENSIVE HOBBY!

And a very dangerous one too:eek:

Just remember which one you are shooting at any particualar time otherwise, you could end up with a mess you dont want:)

On a side note, I bet teh 45 semi doesnt take as nice a picture as the camera

[Snappers]

Actually, no. 1.- DSLRs are WAAAAY out of my price range. 2.- The lenses are WAAAAAY out of my price range. 3.- I'm an amateur and want to stay that way. Therefore, I really can't justify the expense. If I had intended to "go pro" at some point, I might consider it. But, remember one of my first posts here? It seems when I start out doing something for enjoyment and turn it into a "profession", it becomes drudgery. Work is work, relaxation & enjoyment are relaxation & enjoyment.

Click! <soapbox mode off> heheh ;)


Fair enough Gary, I fully understand.
There was a time a while ago, when I used to build computers. I would quite often "upgrade" my computer but there was really no need as the equipment I had, did what I needed it to.

You can carry on spending money all day long but if the equipment you have does what you want it to do, then there's no point spending the extra is there.

[gjtoth]

Fair enough Gary, I fully understand.
There was a time a while ago, when I used to build computers. I would quite often "upgrade" my computer but there was really no need as the equipment I had, did what I needed it to.

You can carry on spending money all day long but if the equipment you have does what you want it to do, then there's no point spending the extra is there.

Exactly. I, too, did the "computer rebuild" thing. It became endless. I'm glad Peter was there to splash on the cold water and bring me to my senses. Photography was about to follow the same path of endless spending. One of the big reasons I wanted the Olympus was the 18x zoom. I just got a 2x converter and it works just fine -- MUCH cheaper than a new camera.

[Snappers]

Exactly. I, too, did the "computer rebuild" thing. It became endless. I'm glad Peter was there to splash on the cold water and bring me to my senses. Photography was about to follow the same path of endless spending. One of the big reasons I wanted the Olympus was the 18x zoom. I just got a 2x converter and it works just fine -- MUCH cheaper than a new camera.

Excellent, Gary. The problem with the upgrades was, as soon as you had done them, there was something else out that was better! Lol

[gjtoth]

Excellent, Gary. The problem with the upgrades was, as soon as you had done them, there was something else out that was better! Lol

"Supposedly" better. I can recall upgrading one thing or another only to find out the "old" stuff worked better.

Here's a sample of what that 2x Telephoto lens does for me. Both photos are shot a max optical zoom. To be honest, I think the shot with the lens is a bit blurred. :o BUT, it gets me where I want to be.

Without the lens:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2023/2094110898_9f124cd933.jpg

With the lens:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2365/2093335747_13e8e45d2e.jpg

[Snappers]

Yeh I know what you mean.

As for the photo, It does seem to be loosing something. Not sure if that is supposed to happen with the 2x lens, others may have experience of that.