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Whither Olympus SP-100

Started Sep 14, 2015 | Discussions thread
CoachLittle Junior Member • Posts: 33
Re: Whither Olympus SP-100
1

I'm kind of sad to hear this.  I have one of these and find it pretty fun to use.  The dot sight is really handy if you are trying to get birds, planes, or objects (see below) at long range.  The built in effects are actually pretty cool and are right there for use.  It's modestly sized and I found the menus and interactions to be very usable.  I often have it in a small Case Logic bag with extra batteries in my backpack on the go.  If it isn't in my backpack then I'm carrying my Coolpix A (NO zoom, but DSLR sensor).  I guess I go to extremes :D.

I can compare the SP100 to a Nikon P900 (I tried two of these out - one had focus issues and with the 2nd one I just couldn't justify the cost to use ratio).  The Nikon P900 dwarfs the SP100 for range AND for size -- it was a beast.  It did take some nice photos and was remarkably clear...when it focused.  I've also played with the Canon SX50 and found that the Canon images were sharper, no doubt than the SP100.  I found the focus time on the SP100 to be very quick.

All that said, the SP100 has a much better viewfinder than the Canon, and the effects/fun factor was far, far higher with the Olympus than the Nikon or the Canon.  I recently bought an SX50 again during the recent clearance deal and hope to match it up with an EE-1 as sort of a backup cam should my SP100 ever fail or when I don't want to use any effects and need more clarity at long ranges.

I like my SP100 and plan to keep it and hope it has a long and treasured life.  I will attest that for pixel peeping or for very long distance shots you do get a more soft images than you will on an SX50.  But I haven't found a mega/super zoom camera yet that is easier to use and more fun to use than the SP100.  Maybe there's a replacement on the horizon, and if not, then enjoy your SP100 if you have one while it lasts.

Here are a few shots from a vacation this summer to Paris:

View from hotel room.  We were about 1 km away from the church.  Using one of the built in effects (Dramatic mode I think...)

More zoom from hotel room.

Shot from hotel room.  This is the very top of the tallest spire in photo 1. Handheld.

Photograph taken at Cathedral (basically an opposite view of the figures in photo 2)

Close up

Obligatory gargoyle photo

Cheers!

Steve

 CoachLittle's gear list:CoachLittle's gear list
Casio Exilim EX-S600 Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Canon PowerShot S110 Nikon Coolpix A Canon PowerShot SX280 HS +9 more
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