*SP-100* Questions for Owners

A few answers for you. Happy to answer any more you may have.

Kev

1/ Just tried the burst mode a few times and It reels off aprox 6 shots the shows buffer full for 2-3 seconds. I did this a few times

2/ No and very annoying this is.

3/ One of the cameras strong points.  I find I have been able to fill the frame within about  10 feet.

4/ not into video.

5/ The red dot sight is great. I have been using it for still objects more, not really had the chance to use if for BIF yet.

6/ I have the camera set for centre focus since purchase and it remains when switched off and on.

Stevie Boy Blue wrote:

Hi there

Hoping that those who already own the camera can answer the following:

1. Does the claimed 7 fps burst shooting mode actually function sufficiently long enough for users to take a series of at least 7 or more consecutive images with each single press of the shutter? Or, as I’m led to believe with the Panasonic FZ70, does the Olympus SP-100 only allow for 2 to 3 shots at maximum speed per press of the shutter release button?
2. Does the SP-100 have the means for users to change in-camera settings for levels of noise reduction, sharpening, colour, contrast, saturation, etc?
3. When shooting at full 1200mm zoom, what is the closest one can focus on a subject with the SP-100? For example, using one of the macro settings, I understand that the FZ70 can focus on a subject approx 4.5ft away, which enables users to almost fill the frame with the likes of butterflies/other insects of similar size with minimal post cropping required. Does the same or similar apply with the SP-100?
4. Are users able to set the SP-100 to shoot video in Mpeg 4 format as well as higher quality?
5. How useful are users finding the red dot sight for tracking the likes of birds in flight?
6. Can the autofocus be set to shoot at single spot-size? If so, once obtained, does the setting remain at spot when the camera is switched off and back again?

Please, if you have the SP-100 and can answer any or preferably all of these questions, your help would be greatly appreciated as I’m looking to narrow down the number of cameras I’m considering with this extra-long type focal length. For the record, I’ve just tried and returned a Nikon P600, which, after using my preferred Panasonic FZs for so long – especially the later models – I found to be rather slow at focussing, with a continuous shooting mode that is next to useless due to screen blackout and very poor buffer speed.

On returning the P600 to the shop, I was pushed for time, but did manage to briefly handle a SP-100 before having to rush home, but not before I’d noticed that the SP’s focus speed is on a par with FZ’s, which is pleasing to say the least. However, as I didn’t want to rush into buying the camera on the spot, I thought I’d approach Olympus forum users for their own SP-100 experiences.

In closing, knowing of the Panasonic/Olympus association, although I may be wrong and have no problem in being so, I’m left intrigued by the possibility that much of the guts within the SP-100 may be the same or very similar to those found in the FZ70. With such similar specifications and that fact all SP-100 images appear to carry the prefixed letter ‘P’ (as all Panasonic examples do), I just can’t help but think that this could be another amalgamated project. As I say, I don’t mind being incorrect on that score, but I really would appreciate it if SP-100 users could answer any of the above questions.

Thanks very much for your time in advance.

Kind regards to all

Stevie Boy