Photography and Digital Camera

Review based on a production Pentax Optio A20

As is the nature of this business the Option A20 replaced the A10 only seven months after that model had been announced (and is itself about to be replaced by the further upgraded A30). The |A10 was one of the disappointments of last year, offering typical Pentax high quality output and wealth of features but with serious performance issues that made using it frustrating to say the least. The A20 has a new ASIC (processor), two million more pixels (10.0 MP 1/1.8-inch sensor) and a handful of new features. We decided to find out if Pentax has solved the problems that stopped the A10 from being a really great camera, starting as ever with the headline features:

• 10.0 effective megapixels
• High-performance smc PENTAX 3x zoom lens
• New ASIC
• SR (Shake Reduction)
• Face Recognition AF & AE
• Auto-tracking AF continuously focuses on a moving subject
• High-quality movies with an anti-shake function
• Auto Picture mode automatically determines the best settings for the shooting conditions
• ISO 64-800
• Shutter Priority, Manual and numerous scene modes
• SDHC support
• Post-shot red-eye removal

Pentax Optio A20 Key specifications

Announced just before PMA in January 2007 the SP-550UZ is the first serious attempt by Olympus to take back some ground in the super zoom sector, a sector it almost single-handedly created back in 2000 with the legendary C-2100UZ, but has since struggled to make a mark in. The SP-550UZ is a significant step up from the previous models in the ‘SP’ range (including the current SP-510UZ), offering 7MP resolution, image stabilization (CCD-shift) and an astounding 28-500mm (equiv.) 18x optical zoom range. The ‘super zoom’ market is an increasingly crowded and competitive one, and the SP-550UZ goes head to head with popular and well-regarded models such as the Sony H5, Canon S3 IS and Panasonic FZ8. Rarely has a camera caused so much interest based on its specification alone… so can the SP-550UZ live up to the hype? Let’s find out, starting as ever with the headline specifications:

• 18x wide optical zoom (equivalent to 28-504mm on a 35mm camera) 1:2.8-4.5
• Dual Image Stabilization
• 7.1 Megapixels
• 6.4cm/2.5” LCD with 230,000 pixels
• High burst rate (up to 15fps in 1.2 Megapixel mode )
• Super Macro mode (from as close as 1cm)
• P/A/S/M exposure modes
• RAW mode
• BrightCapture Technology for better low light photography – also available in movie mode
• 23 scene modes (including Portrait, Sports, Night Scene)
• 25 languages on board
• Internal memory plus xD-Picture Card slot
• Supplied with Olympus Master software and four AA batteries

Side by side

Although not a small camera the SP-550UZ is very similar in size and weight to the Canon S3 IS and Panasonic Lumix FZ8 (also the Sony H2/H5, not shown). In fact the only cameras in this class that are significantly different in size are the considerably larger Fujifilm S6000 and the Panasonic FZ50 (not shown).

Olympus SP-550UZ specifications

Panasonic – the company that is more than any other responsible for the renaissance and continuing success of the ‘big zoom’ bridge camera – launched the original ‘Travel Zoom’ TZ1 back in February 2006. The formula – a big zoom on a small camera – isn’t exactly new, but the combination of Leica’s lens design expertise and Panasonic’s technology (image stabilization, fast performance) made the TZ1 the first serious alternative to bigger ‘SLR-style’ super zooms. And now the TZ1 has been superceded by two models with a new 28-280mm equiv. lens, the TZ2 (6MP, slightly lower spec) and the camera on test here, the TZ3. As well as the new wide lens the TZ3 also ups the sensor resolution to 7 megapixels, increases the screen size and throws in a few new features. The big question is, has Panasonic managed to improve some of the image quality issues that dogged the otherwise superbly capable TZ1? Let’s find out, starting as usual with the headline specification:

• 7.2 million effective pixel / 8.5 million pixels total 1/2.35″ CCD
• 10x (28-280mm equiv.) Leica DC Vario-Elmarit optical zoom
• MEGA OIS image stabilization
• Larger sensor for 28mm equiv. angle of view at 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 aspect ratios
• Venus III Engine processor
• Fast Linear autofocus system
• High Resolution (230,000 pixel) 3.0-inch LCD
• Movies up to 840 x 480 pixels (WVGA) @ 30 fps
• 20 scene modes plus Intelligent ISO mode

TZ3 (and TZ2) vs TZ1: Key changes

As is the case with most of Panasonic’s Lumix models the TZ1 is available in either silver or black (though this may not be the case for every country and / or every retailer).

• Wider (and shorter) 28-280mm (equiv.) lens range (TZ1 was 35-350mm)
• Built in lens cover (TZ1 had a lens cap)
• Smaller and lighter camera
• Increased sensor resolution (TZ3: 7MP, TZ2: 6MP, TZ1: 5MP)
• Larger 3.0-inch screen (TZ3 only)
• Intelligent ISO mode
• Clipboard function
• ISO 1250 at full size (TZ1 was ‘only’ ISO 800), High Sensitivity mode now to ISO 3200
• White balance adjustment and extra ‘Shade’ WB preset
• Slightly improved burst mode (TZ3 only)
• Slightly better battery life

Color options

The TZ3 is available in three colors; blue, silver and black (though this may not be the case for every country and / or every retailer).

DMC-TZ3 specifications