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Olympus SP-100 User comments requested

Started Oct 12, 2014 | Discussions
Setter Dog Veteran Member • Posts: 5,768
Olympus SP-100 User comments requested

Hello Friends,...I've never visited this forum before and never owned an Oly digital camera, so I'll provide a little background for this post.

I am a long zoom enthusiast. From the deck of my Idaho home, I see distant deer and elk almost daily and on frequent trips to Teton/Yellowstone NPs, I get lots of opportunities for distant shots of big animals. They are sometimes very hard to even see with the naked eye.

After trying DSLRs, m43s etc. with long and expensive zoom lenses, I have found my best results are from a Canon SX50 50X 1200mm zoom. What's more, with the Canon, I normally get acceptable results from the Extended Zoom setting at 2400mm. I am happy with the Canon's IQ, IS, etc. However, it has such a poor EVF that I often have trouble locating distant animals, especially if they are in shade. I'm looking for another long zoom that has an excellent EVF. On paper, these are only the Canon SX60 and the Oly SP-100.

So, my questions are:

Is the SP-100 EVF as good in practice as it is in tech specs? It seems to be among the best.

Is the Extended Zoom, or whatever Oly calls it, effective. Is the IQ acceptable at these settings?

Is the Image Stabilization good?

I'd appreciate any other input on the SP-100. Any comparisons to other bridge cameras would be appreciated. I also have a Pany FZ200 and Pany FZ1000. Good EVF on the FZ200 and AMAZING EVF on the FZ1000.

Thanks very much for any information or comments on the Oly SP-100. References to reviews appreciated also. Thanks!

Jack

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS Olympus Stylus SP-100 Panasonic FZ1000 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200
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OP Setter Dog Veteran Member • Posts: 5,768
Re: Olympus SP-100 User comments requested

There doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm for this camera on the forum?? Wonder why?

OP Setter Dog Veteran Member • Posts: 5,768
Re: Olympus SP-100 User comments requested

I'm really interested in this camera but this forum doesn't seem to be the place to get information on it. Anyone have an idea where I might get some input.

I appreciate any suggestions.

Jack

stevenic Senior Member • Posts: 1,459
Re: Olympus SP-100 User comments requested

Hi,

Have a look at pcmag and ephotozine reviews. I compared it to about 6 superzooms. Nice colors, fast focus but the image quality was not up to the canon sx50  or Nikon p600. When you pixel peeped it had a smearing affect and lacked some fine detail also at full zoom the photos were a bit soft.

Cheers

Steve.

OP Setter Dog Veteran Member • Posts: 5,768
Re: Olympus SP-100 User comments requested

Thanks, Steve. I'll check those out,...

Jack

elliottnewcomb Forum Pro • Posts: 18,223
Re: Olympus SP-100 User comments requested

I don't know that model, but,

IF the SP-100 extra zoom works like it does in the Stylus 1, it is implemented advantageously for your use. Instead of being only a progressive amount of extra zoom, like my Sony is, it is a single button press to get double the optical focal length you are in. After it is engaged, then it zooms like a progressive extra zoom.

Advantage waiting for the elk to raise his head or move from the shadows: zoom full optical, engage 2x, adjust zoom for desired framing. Now, disengage 2x (single button press, perfectly located). You have twice the width to find and follow the elk, until he stops, press 2x button, wait for the raised head, shoot. He moves, press button, back out of 2x, find him, back into 2x. It's instant.

20. In-camera extra zoom, 2X (JPEG Only) Any time you engage 2X it doubles the optical Focal Length, (by in-camera cropping, and in-camera upscaling back to full 12mp). (activate 2X default is F1 button) Later, in the picture properties, the digital zoom info line will show ‘2’. Just multiply the 35mm equivalent by 2 for effective FL up to600mm or 1,020mm with tcon 1.7X and 2X (510mm x 2x). Jpeg only, it’s ‘effortlessly good enough’, well worth a look.

21. Tcon 1.7X conversion lens. If or when you buy one, you can/should tell the camera when it is installed. Camera 2, bottom line, symbol of lens. Off/ON. Two benefits. 1. The camera automatically zooms past vignette upon turn on. 2. The EXIF math, optical zoom x 1.7x optical conversion lens is computed by the camera, the effective 35mm focal length is given, up to 510mm optical. pg 53

....................................

I don't know how you choose a superzoom, they are saying and showing very nice results from new Sony HX400v

24-1,200 with CIZ to 2,400.

http://store.sony.com/sony-high-zoom-point-and-shoot-camera-zid27-DSCHX400/B/cat-27-catid-All-Cyber-shot-H-Series-Cameras?_t=pfm%3Dsearch

Aisse is a master bird shooter from the rain forests of Brazil

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3738549

Stephen says this is the limit of the 1,200 optical you get for RAW

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3739473

Elliott

 elliottnewcomb's gear list:elliottnewcomb's gear list
Sony RX1R Sony RX100 III Olympus Stylus 1s Sony RX100 VI Sony Xperia XZ +1 more
KEV1N Regular Member • Posts: 443
Re: Olympus SP-100 User comments requested

I had the SP100 for a few months. Discussed in some depth in the link below.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53522933

 KEV1N's gear list:KEV1N's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Panasonic FZ80/FZ82 Canon EOS 5D Canon EF 50mm F1.8 STM
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