Olympus SP-620UZ Review | 108 Data compared

The Olympus SP-620UZ is a budget-friendly 16-megapixel "Traveller" camera featuring a 21x wide optical zoom lens (25-525mm equivalent) and Dual Image Stabilisation, making it suitable for capturing distant subjects. It offers user-friendly features like AA battery power, 3D shooting, and various Magic Filters, alongside an in-camera panorama mode. However, the camera is limited by 720p video recording with no zoom functionality while filming, a low-resolution 230k-dot screen, and a lack of a viewfinder. Furthermore, reviewers noted visible digital noise at higher ISO settings and a somewhat flimsy, plasticky construction.

The Trusted Reviews evaluation of the Olympus SP-620UZ highlights its 21x optical zoom and 16-megapixel sensor, which provide excellent image quality and effective noise control for a budget camera. Pros include the versatile zoom lens, natural color reproduction, and creative Magic Filters, all offered at a highly competitive price point. Conversely, the review identifies significant drawbacks, including a flimsy, plasticky build and an uncomfortable, clunky design with a difficult rear scroll wheel. Additionally, video functionality is limited to 720p resolution without optical zoom capability, representing a notable weakness for the device.

The What Digital Camera review of the Olympus SP-620UZ highlights its value, praising the 16-megapixel sensor for controlling noise and delivering realistic colors in automatic modes. It is described as a high-value option for users seeking a budget superzoom with creative features like Magic Filters. What Digital Camera However, the review critiques the camera for its flimsy, plastic construction and poor handling of lens flare in bright conditions. Technical limitations, including the lack of an ISO 3200 mode, are noted as drawbacks to its low-light performance.

The Olympus SP-620UZ is an entry-level, budget-friendly superzoom camera designed for beginners and travelers on a budget. Priced at under £200 ($199.99), this camera features a 16-megapixel CCD sensor and a wide 21x optical zoom range (25-525mm equivalent) tucked into a compact, mini-DSLR style body. It is one of the smallest cameras in its class, weighing 435 grams, and runs on four standard AA batteries. The camera lacks traditional manual dials, dedicated buttons, and viewfinders, forcing users to rely entirely on a fixed 3-inch, 230k-dot LCD screen for taking and reviewing photos. However, it does include fun built-in extras like a panorama mode, 3D stills capability, and digital Magic Filters. The review highlights several distinct advantages and drawbacks for potential buyers. On the positive side, the camera is highly inexpensive, easy to use, and offers a broader than average zoom range alongside a 16MP sensor and a modest ISO range. On the negative side, users cannot record sound and use the optical zoom at the same time. Additionally, the body feels plasticky, the scroll wheel is over-sensitive, and the device...

The Olympus SP-620UZ is an affordable superzoom camera that offers a mixed bag of features for casual photographers. On the positive side, it features a powerful 21x zoom lens that covers an impressive 25-525mm field of view, yet it remains relatively small and lightweight for its class. The camera also delivers quick performance, boasting an admirable 1.9-second startup time and fast continuous shooting modes at lower resolutions. Additionally, it produces very sharp images in good lighting conditions and utilizes four AA batteries, making it highly flexible for users who prefer easily replaceable power sources. However, the camera has several clear drawbacks that may deter advanced shooters. It lacks manual shooting modes like Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority, restricting users mostly to automatic and scene modes. Image quality also degrades significantly at higher ISO settings, where the CCD sensor suffers from noticeable image noise. Furthermore, its 3-inch rear screen has a very low 230k-dot resolution, making it tough to clearly preview photos. Finally, video recording is a notable weak point because it is limited to 720p resolution and completely restricts you...

The Olympus SP-620UZ is a budget-friendly 16-megapixel bridge camera designed for amateur photographers looking for an easy-to-use device with more reach than a standard point-and-shoot. It features a 21x optical zoom lens (25-525mm equivalent) that delivers commendably sharp results and natural colours, even when shooting handheld at maximum telephoto capacity. Designed for less-experienced users, the camera lacks physical shooting mode dials or advanced viewfinders, relying instead on a fixed 3-inch, 230k-dot rear LCD screen and on-screen menus to navigate automatic functions like intelligent auto, 3D image creation, and automatic panoramas. However, its low price point results in several notable design and functional compromises. The camera has a distinctly plastic exterior, a poorly placed battery compartment door that is prone to accidental power-ups, and a highly oversensitive rear scroll wheel that makes menu navigation frustrating. Performance-wise, it is hindered by its reliance on four non-rechargeable AA alkaline batteries, a lower-resolution LCD display, and a lack of a hotshoe or electronic viewfinder. Crucially, the camera does not allow users to record audio while using the optical zoom during 720p HD video capture,...

The Olympus SP-620UZ is a budget-friendly, chunky bridge camera priced around £160 that features a 16-megapixel sensor and a 21x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 25-525mm). In performance testing, its primary strengths include excellent macro and super-macro modes that allow shooting as close as 1cm from a subject, resulting in sharp focus and a pleasing depth of field. It also delivers a relatively bright maximum aperture at full telephoto (f/5.8) compared to its slimmer peers, which helps capture sharper images with less exposure time in low-light zoom scenarios. Additionally, the camera accurately reproduces warmer tones, captures high surface detail, and features a sensitive microphone that records clear audio during 720p video capture. However, the camera comes with notable downsides, including a bulky and heavy body powered by four AA batteries instead of a more convenient, modern rechargeable pack. While it performs admirably in well-lit environments, its automatic white balance struggles under overcast skies, producing pale, washed-out green foliage and a slight rainbow artifacting on water surfaces. Close examination at 100% zoom also reveals distinct image noise and dappling on sharp...