Olympus adds mid-range compact cameras to catalog
updated 11:36 am EDT, Thu August 23, 2012
Pet Modes, 3D photography and binoculars make appearances
Camera manufacturer Olympus has listed more cameras and a package it intends to release over the coming months. The Olympus SZ-14 DX "Big Telephoto Set" is a combined camera and binoculars bundle, where the SZ-14 camera with 24x optical zoom, multi-motion supported image stabilization and face detection is joined by the 8-21RCII binoculars with 8x magnification.
The Stylus SP-820UZ boasts a 14-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor on a 22.4mm wide-angle lens, and an image processing engine established with the Olympus Pen. Equipped with Dual IS for double image stabilization, it is capable of a 40x optical zoom, raised to 80x in Super Resolution mode. Full HD movies can be recorded in MOV and H.264 formats with the dedicated movie button, and the built-in filters for still images can also be used with the videos. A 3-inch LCD screen, Eye-Fi support, and Pet-Cat and Pet-Dog modes that automatically focus on the animal's faces round off the features list.
Although the SP-720UZ packs a lower 26x optical zoom, it has many of the same specifications as the SP-820UZ. The 14-megapixel camera uses a CMOS shift-type sensor with enableable HDR backlit correction and high-speed continuous shooting at up to 30 frames per second for a 5 megapixel image. A 3D Photo function is also included for still images, which after selecting the option and holding the shutter button, sliding the camera horizontally will take the extra images. 3D data in MPO format as well as JPEG images are created at that point, with both automatic and manual controls available for image taking, and the final product can be viewed on a 3D compatible computer screen or HD TV.
Pricing for the SZ-14 DX bundle and the SP-720UZ is not currently known, although both are aimed to go on sale at the end of this month. The Stylus SP-820UZ is set for a late September release for around $330.
