The world’s first wide 18x optical zoom, the Olympus SP-550 UZ accepts no limits, bringing photographers closer to far-away subjects. Packing 7.1 Megapixels of detail-capturing power, the SP-550 UZ opens up a new realm of creative possibility. With an 18x wide zoom lens (equivalent to 28-504mm on a 35mm camera) there’s no need to disturb a subject, whether it be an animal wandering through the wilderness or people lounging in a city park. Since telephoto shots can be more prone to blur caused by camera shake, 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. Thanks to an ergonomic design plus the intuitive menu and button layouts, the Olympus 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 25 languages on board ensure that just about anyone can enjoy the camera’s user-friendly menus. With an xD-Picture Card slot the Olympus SP-550 UZ measures 116 x 78.5 x 78 mm, weighs 365g(no batteries) and will be available from February 2007. SP-550 UZ is expected to cost in the region of $500.