Olympus? is inviting you to get closer than ever before with the world’s first 18x optical zoom bridge camera ? the SP-550. The ultra-zoom camera has an equivilent focal length of 28mm-504mm and boasts ?double protection against camera shake? with Dual Image Stabilization. Due to hit shops in March, the camera has a suggested price of £375 and aside from the probing lens, packs in 7 megapixels, a 2.5inch LCD and PASM exposure modes.

See below for the full press release:

The Olympus SP-550 UZ: Picture the possibilities

London, 25 January 2007 ? Get up close and personal in a whole new way. With the world?s first wide 18x optical zoom, the Olympus SP-550 UZ accepts no limits, bringing photographers closer to distant subjects than ever before. Capture candid street scenes from a discreet distance, grab the detail of your favourite sport from way up in the stands ? then even use the wide angle lens to take in the whole game ? as this model?s focal length spans an amazing 28mm-504mm (in 35mm camera equivalent terms)! Enjoy double protection against camera shake with Dual Image Stabilization. Even at high magnifications or when capturing fast-moving objects, this technology ensures results are significantly sharper. Packing 7.1 Megapixels of detail-capturing power, the SP-550 UZ opens up a new realm of creative possibility.

The Olympus SP-550 UZ will be available from March 2007 at around £375. For further information call 0800 0720070 or visit www.olympus.co.uk.

Ready for your close up?
Explore the possibilities of truly remarkable magnification power. With an 18x wide zoom lens (equivalent to 28-504mm on a 35mm camera) there?s no need to disturb your subject, whether it be an animal wandering through the wilderness or people lounging in a city park. Telephoto shots can be more prone to blur caused by camera shake, so the SP-550 UZ features Dual Image Stabilization to help deliver the clearest results possible. Get a front-row view from a safe distance in high-action situations ? and even make use of the phenomenally-high burst rate to take great sequential shots at speeds never before seen in this category: Up to 15 frames per second*!

See more of everything!
Experience a lens that?s simply more versatile than anything you?ve seen before. On top of astounding ultra-zoom attributes, its wide-angle capabilities stretch to 28mm (35mm camera equivalent). Therefore the SP-550 UZ offers photographers a broader viewpoint from which the photographer can see and do more. And with a 6.4cm LCD it?s easy to frame and capture shots, without having to squint and make guesses about how the image will turn out.

Go for the details
See the world from a different point of view with Super Macro mode ? making shots possible from as close as 1cm! From the tiniest wonders nature has to offer, to the simple detail of everyday life: The most unique photographic opportunities are easily recorded with the SP-550 UZ.

Capture the night
Don?t let low light ruin a photo opportunity. You can rely on BrightCapture Technology to add brightness to any shot, even in movie mode! With the help of an extra-bright LCD, framing dim shots is no problem, making high-quality photo and video capture a reality in virtually any low-light situation.

Comfortable, creative control
Thanks to an ergonomic design plus the intuitive menu and button layouts, the SP-550 UZ is a delight to hold and just as much fun to operate. With P/A/S/M exposure modes and 23 scene modes available, there?s a perfect setting for every user, and for pretty much any situation.

The versatile Olympus SP-550 UZ turns creative dreams into reality. Featuring the world?s first wide 18x optical zoom, this compact camera will be available from March 2007 at around £375.

The SP-550 UZ main features:
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 1.2MP mode)
Super Macro mode (from as close as 1cm)
P/A/S/M exposure modes
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

Dual Image Stabilization
Providing two-fold protection, this special function helps to avoid image blur caused by camera shake or fast-moving subjects. It combines high ISO values with a CCD-based mechanical image stabiliser, where a built-in gyro sensor detects camera movement and adjusts the CCD accordingly.

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