16MP sensor, 24x zoom Olympus SZ-30MR released alongside 12.5x zoom Olympus SZ-20

Olympus has launched two new models capable of impressive optical magnifications, some high continuous burst rates as well as the ability to shoot both stills and video at the same time in the shape of the SZ-30MR and SZ-20.

The SZ-30MR has a 24x optical zoom, 1080p video and a 9fps continuous shot rate. Forming the backbone of this new superzoom model is a 16MP sensor, which is capable of shooting high definition video and taking hgh resolution stills at the same time, which is a word’s first for a digital camera. With so many models offering above 30x optical zoom it comes as something of a surprise that Olympus hasn’t attempted to better the likes of the Nikon P500, which possesses 36x magnification.

Having a 24mm wide angle lens will certainly make the Olympus SZ-30MR more versatile for landscape and macro work, with a 3in LCD screen and 3D shooting mode rounding out the major features.      

The next model down, the Olympus SZ-20, simply drops the zoom length to 12.5x optical zoom but keeps the other specs the same, including the 24mm wide angle lens.

The only confirmed price this far is for the SZ-30MR, which is at £299 srp. For more information head to the Olympus website.