Olympus made a second round of camera announcements for 2010 today, bringing out their new line of Ultra Zoom series cameras and rugged Stylus Tough cameras.

In terms of zoom, Olympus’ UZ series (Ultra-zoom) live right up to their name, one of which features a 15X optical zoom lens, while the other has a whopping 30X optical zoom in a single lens. Yes, you heard that right, THIRTY times optical zoom (I wonder how anyone can handhold that and take a sharp photo for anything but landscapes on a sunny day). The two new UZ cameras take several small steps forward with plenty of internal memory, 720p HD movie mode, plenty of bells and whistles, and how could we forget, that huge 30X lens… but they also take a big step backward in terms of control – both of today’s newly announced cameras lack any sort of manual exposure controls (unlike their predecessors and forefathers). Plus they also lack electronic viewfinders (presumably to reduce size, not that either camera is pocketable)

Next up are two rugged cameras. Olympus, the pioneer of rugged digital cameras (I think their first one came out in 2005/2006), has always been at the front if ’super heavy duty’, ultra-rugged cameras are what you want. These two new Tough series cameras sport decent improvements, including a brand new 5X optical zoom lens and 720p HD movie mode. Let’s see if their image quality can live up to their features.

Previews of Olympus’ new ultra-zoom and rugged cameras to come!

Olympus SP600 UZ and SP800 UZ
(Ultra-zoom cameras)

• SP600 UZ: 12 effective megapixels
  SP800 UZ: 14 effective megapixels
• SP600 UZ: 28 – 420 mm (f3.5 – f5.4) 15X optical zoom lens
  SP800 UZ: 28 – 840 mm (f2.8 – f5.6) 30X optical zoom lens
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• SP600 UZ: 2.7 inch LCD (230,000 pixels)
  SP800 UZ: 3.0 inch LCD (230,000 pixels) widescreen
  Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder (EVF)
• No manual controls (huh?! why?!)
• Magic Filters, AF tracking and Intelligent Auto features
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC cards
  SP600 UZ has 1 GB internal memory
  SP800 UZ has 2 GB internal memory
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in March for $250 (SP600 UZ) and $350 (SP800 UZ)

Olympus Stylus/Mju TOUGH 6020 and Stylus/Mju TOUGH 8010
(Rugged compact cameras)

• 14 effective megapixels
• 28 – 140 mm (f3.9 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD (230,000 pixels)
• No manual controls
• Built-in LED lamp to illuminate photos and videos
• Tap Control allows you to adjust settings by tapping the camera’s sides
• Magic Filters, AF tracking and Intelligent Auto features
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC cards
  Stylus/Mju Tough 6020 has 1 GB internal memory
  Stylus/Mju Tough 8010 has 2 GB internal memory
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February for $300 (Stylus/Mju Tough 6020) and $400 (Stylus/Mju Tough 8010)
• Stylus Tough 6020: Waterproof (16 feet/5.5 meters), shockproof (5 feet/1.5 meters), dustproof, freezeproof (14 F/0 C)
  Stylus Tough 8010: Waterproof (33 feet/11 meters), shockproof (6.6 feet/2.0 meters), dustproof, freezeproof (14 F/0 C), crushproof (220 lbs/100 kg)

Nikon just announced a bunch of new Coolpix digital cameras earlier today. They’ve got something for almost everyone, and seem to be pushing aggressively into the ultra-zoom and compact super-zoom camera markets with pretty solid offerings. They’ve also [fianlly] included 720p and 1080p HD movie modes in most of today’s newly announced cameras. We’ll see how they perform in real life once they become available…

Nikon Coolpix P100
(Ultra-zoom camera)

• 10 effective megapixels (backlit CMOS)
• 26 – 678 mm (f2.8 – f5.0) 26X optical zoom lens
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• 3.0 inch LCD (460,000 pixels) with EVF
• Full manual controls
• Continuous shooting up to 10 frames per second at full resolution
• Smart Potrait: Face, smile and blink detection, software redeye removal, skin softening
• Camera HDR combines several pictures into one HDR photo
• Night Landscape combines several pictures into one low-noise photo
• Full HD (1920 x 1080) 30 FPS movie mode with stereo sound and optical zoom
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in March for $400

Nikon Coolpix S8000
(Compact super-zoom)

• 14 effective megapixels
• 30 – 300 mm (f3.5 – f5.6) 10X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 3.0 inch LCD (921,000 pixels)
• No manual controls
• Smart Potrait: Face, smile and blink detection, software redeye removal, skin softening
• Creative Slider allows quick and easy adjustment of image brightness, saturation and tone
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with stereo sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February for $300
• Comes in your choice of silver, black, red or brown

Nikon Coolpix L110
(Compact super-zoom)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 28 – 420 mm (f3.5 – f5.4) 15X optical zoom lens
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• 3.0 inch LCD (460,000 pixels)
• No manual controls
• Smart Potrait: Face, smile and blink detection, software redeye removal, skin softening
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with stereo sound and optical zoom
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses 4 AA batteries
• Available in February for $280
• Comes in your choice of black or red

Nikon Coolpix S6000
(Compact super-zoom)

• 14 effective megapixels
• 28 – 196 mm (f3.7 – f5.6) 7X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD (230,000 pixels)
• No manual controls
• Smart Potrait: Face, smile and blink detection, software redeye removal, skin softening
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with stereo sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February for $250
• Comes in your choice of silver, black, red or brown

Nikon Coolpix S3000/S4000
(Compact cameras)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 27 – 108 mm (f3.2 – f5.9) 4X optical zoom lens
• NO image stabilization
• S3000: 2.7 inch non-touch LCD (230,000 pixels)
  S4000: 3.0 inch touchscreen (460,000 pixels)
• No manual controls
• Smart Potrait: Face, smile and blink detection, software redeye removal, skin softening
• S3000: VGA (640 x 480) 30 FPS movie mode with mono sound
  S4000: 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with mono sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in March for $150 (S3000) and $200 (S4000)
• S3000: Comes in your choice of silver, black, purple, red or pink
  S4000: Comes in your choice of silver, black, purple, blue, orange or green

Nikon Coolpix L22
(Entry-level camera)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 37 – 134 mm (f3.1 – f6.7) 3.6X optical zoom lens
• NO image stabilization
• 3.0 inch LCD (230,000 pixels)
• No manual controls
• Smart Potrait: Face, smile and blink detection, software redeye removal, skin softening
• VGA (640 x 480) 30 FPS movie mode with mono sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses 2 AA batteries
• Available in March for $130
• Comes in your choice of black, silver, red or blue

Panasonic has just announced four new compact Lumix cameras today. First come the pair of compact super zoom cameras Lumix ZS5 and ZS7 (also known as TZ8 and TZ10 respectively in many parts of the world) which replace last year’s successful ZS3 AKA TZ7, and they now come with full manual controls among other bells and whistles. Then comes the rugged Panasonic Lumix TS2 also known as the Lumix FT2, a camera that you can literally “bring anywhere” with its compact size and waterproof, shockproof and now even freezeproof characteristics. The last camera for today is the Lumix ZR3 AKA Lumix ZX3, which is a budget compact super-zoom alternative.

Panasonic Lumix ZS5 and Lumix ZS7
also known as Lumix TZ8 and TZ10
(Compact super-zoom cameras)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 25 – 300 mm (f3.3 – f4.9) 12X optical zoom lens
• Power OIS Optical image stabilization
• ZS5: 2.7 inch LCD; ZS7: 3 inch LCD
• Full manual controls (kudos to Panasonic for finally implementing this after three generations)
• NEW: Intelligent resolution boosts overall sharpness while preserving softer tones like skin; allows use of “reduced compromise” 1.3X digital zoom
• NEW: Weirdly-named Happy mode improves contrast and saturation to make subjects ‘pop’
• ZS7/TZ10 only: Sonic Speed Autofocus claims to improve focusing speeds and camera response
• ZS7/TZ10 only: In-built GPS geotags photos with their location; auto adjusts camera clock when travelling
• ZS7/TZ10 only: New Venus Engine HD2 image processor (ZS5 uses older processor)
• ZS5/TZ8: 720p (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with mono sound in MJPEG format
  ZS7/TZ10: 720p (1280 x 720) 60 FPS movie mode with Dolby Digital stereo sound in choice of AVCHD or MJPEG formats
  Optical zoom and optical image stabilizer usable while recording in both cameras
• Takes SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Availability and price to be announced
• ZS7/TZ10: Comes in your choice of silver, black, blue or red

Panasonic Lumix TS2
also known as Lumix FT2
(Rugged compact camera)

• 14 effective megapixels
• 28 – 128 mm (f3.3 – f5.9) 4.6X optical zoom lens
• Power OIS Optical image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD
• Rugged design: Waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof (latter is new, TS1 was not certified freezeproof)
• No manual controls: point-and-shoot functionality with scene modes
• NEW: Intelligent resolution boosts overall sharpness while preserving softer tones like skin; allows use of “reduced compromise” 1.3X digital zoom
• NEW: Weirdly-named Happy mode improves contrast and saturation to make subjects ‘pop’
• Sonic Speed Autofocus claims to improve focusing speeds and camera response
• New Venus Engine HD2 image processor
• 720p (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with Dolby Digital stereo sound in choice of AVCHD or MJPEG formats; Optical zoom and optical image stabilizer usable while recording
• Takes SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Availability and price to be announced
• Comes in your choice of silver, blue, yellow or orange

Panasonic Lumix ZR3
also known as Lumix ZX3
(Compact super-zoom camera)

• 14 effective megapixels
• 25 – 200 mm (f3.3 – f5.9) 8X optical zoom lens
• Power OIS Optical image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD
• NEW: Intelligent resolution boosts overall sharpness while preserving softer tones like skin; allows use of “reduced compromise” 1.3X digital zoom
• NEW: Weirdly-named Happy mode improves contrast and saturation to make subjects ‘pop’
• Sonic Speed Autofocus claims to improve focusing speeds and camera response
• No manual controls: point-and-shoot functionality with scene modes
• 720p (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with mono sound
• Takes SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Availability and price to be announced
• Comes in your choice of silver, black, red or blue

Pentax just announced a trio of new compact cameras today, including the retro looking Optio I-10 model. Other than the unique designs, it’s sad to say that on paper, these models look pretty uninteresting, in a bland sense.

Pentax Optio I-10
(Compact camera)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 28 – 140 mm (f3.5 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD
• No manual controls: point-and-shoot functionality with scene modes
• 720p (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February for $300
• Comes in your choice of white or black

Pentax Optio H90
(Compact camera)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 28 – 140 mm (f3.5 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
• NO image stabilization (Digital IS available)
• 2.7 inch LCD
• No manual controls: point-and-shoot functionality with scene modes
• 720p (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February for $180
• Comes in your choice of silver plus orange, while or black tones

Pentax Optio E90
(Compact camera)

• 10 effective megapixels
• 32 – 95 mm (f2.9 – f5.2) 3X optical zoom lens
• NO image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD
• No manual controls: point-and-shoot functionality with scene modes
• VGA 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February for $100
• Comes in your choice of black or red

Well, it wasn’t very long ago when Samsung announced half a dozen new compact cameras and an interchangeable lens camera for CES 2010… and looks like they’re not done yet. They’ve recently released another five new cameras this week.

Samsung HZ30W and HZ35W
also known as WB600 and WB650
(Compact super-zoom cameras)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 24 – 360 mm (f3.2 – f5.8) 15X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 3 inch LCD for HZ30W; 3 inch AMOLED display for HZ35W
• Full manual controls
• Samsung Perfect Portrait features: Face, smile and blink detection; skin beauty mode
• HZ35W only: Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in March; price to be announced
• Comes in your choice of black or gray

Samsung TL105 and TL110
also known as ST60 and ST70
(Compact cameras)

• TL105: 12 effective megapixels
  TL110: 14 effective megapixels
• TL105/PL100: 28 – 110 mm (f3.2 – f5.9) 4X optical zoom lens
  TL110/PL150: 27 – 135 mm (f3.5 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
• TL110/PL150: optical image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD
• Face, smile and blink detection; Smart Auto with auto scene selection
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February; price to be announced
• TL110: Comes in your choice of black, silver, blue or orange

Samsung SL600
(Entry-level camera)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 28 – 140 mm, 5X optical zoom lens
• 2.7 inch LCD
• Face, smile and blink detection; Smart Auto with auto scene selection
• VGA (640 x 480) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in March; price to be announced

Canon is going to make available a new version of the 70-200 mm IS lens, it’s the new EF 70-200 mm f2.8L IS II USM. This new lens features a reworked design compared to the original 70-200 mm IS, containing 23 elements in 19 groups and promising higher image quality. There’s also an improved 4-stop optical image stabilization system inside this lens, 8 blade aperture and weather-sealing.

As an owner of a Canon 70-200 mm myself (which already produces images of impressive quality), I’m sure this upgrade is going to be even better; a good choice for professionals and users who can afford to ‘upgrade’ their existing 70-200 mm lenses, or for those who do not yet own a telephoto zoom lens and are shopping for one.

*In other news, I have the review of the new Canon PowerShot SD980 Digital ELPH A.K.A. Digital IXUS 200 coming soon this week.

And finally, it’s Olympus’ turn to update their cameras for 2010, and oh my, what big steps they’ve taken this year to bring their cameras up to speed with the crowd. I remember I was ranting about the lack of HD video recording on the Stylus/Mju cameras last year… well, no more: the new Stylus/Mju cameras today are Olympus’ first cameras (ever) to feature HD movie modes. That’s not all, they also have ports for HDMI output (finally).

Olympus also executed a move that I’ve been speculating would happen sooner or later – they’ve essentially dumped their long-time (but not so widely adopted) proprietary xD-Picture card format for the more conventional, widely-used SD/SDHC memory cards. Kudos to Olympus! Indeed, this move by Olympus (and a similar unanticipated move by Sony earlier today) have certainly made the world a slightly brighter place to live in .

Well, Olympus isn’t turning their backs on old Olympus camera owners just yet (plus they want to court more buyers) as they’ve included a whopping 1 to 2 GB of built-in memory (versus the paltry 20-50 MB of other cameras) into their new Stylus/Mju cameras today. Again, another thumbs up to Olympus, they really seem to be getting their act together this year. Now, I just hope that they’ve improved performance and image quality of these new cameras as well – I’ll have to see once I manage to get my hands on them!

Olympus Stylus AKA Mju 5010
(Compact camera)

• 14 effective megapixels
• 26 – 130 mm (f2.8 – f6.5) 5X optical zoom lens
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD (230,000 pixels)
• No manual controls
• Magic Filters, AF tracking and Intelligent Auto features
• HDMI output port
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC cards; 1 GB internal memory
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February for $200
• Comes in your choice of silver, blue or pink

Olympus Stylus/Mju 7030 and Stylus/Mju 7040
(Compact camera)

• 14 effective megapixels
• 28 – 196 mm (f3.0 – f5.9) 7X optical zoom lens
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• Stylus/Mju 7030: 2.7 inch LCD (230,000 pixels)
  Stylus/Mju 7040: 3.0 inch LCD (230,000 pixels)
• No manual controls
• Magic Filters, AF tracking and Intelligent Auto features
• Stylus/Mju 7040 only: HDMI output port
• Stylus/Mju 7030: VGA (640 x 480) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
  Stylus/Mju 7040: 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC cards
  Stylus/Mju 7030 has 1 GB internal memory
  Stylus/Mju 7040 has 2 GB internal memory
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February for $200 (Stylus/Mju 7030) and $250 (Stylus/Mju 7040)
• Stylus/Mju 7030: Comes in your choice of silver, blue or purple
  Stylus/Mju 7040: Comes in your choice of silver, blue or pink

Olympus Stylus AKA Mju 3000
(Rugged camera)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 28 – 102 mm (f3.5 – f5.1) 3.6X optical zoom lens
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD (230,000 pixels)
• Waterproof (10 feet/3 meters), shockproof (5 feet/1.5 meters), freezeproof
• No manual controls
• Tap Conrol allows you to adjust settings by tapping the camera’s sides
• Magic Filters, AF tracking and Intelligent Auto features
• HDMI output port
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC cards; 1 GB internal memory
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February for $230
• Comes in your choice of red, green, blue or pink

Olympus is also making four new entry-level FE-series models available.