The 16-megapixel SZ-31MR has 24x zoom, shoots Full HD movie, gets iHS and high-res touch LCD. It’ll be available in May 2012 in either black or silver.
The Olympus SZ-31MR comes in either black or silver
Olympus claims that the new SZ-31MR has the lightest, smallest (and cutest) body of any compact with a 20-plus optical zoom.
Olympus SZ-31MR
The SZ Traveller range is the first to capture 1080 Full HD movies and 16-megapixel stills simultaneously, using Olympus’ Multi Recording (MR) technology.
The AF is faster, the LCD is brighter and – thanks to the new touch interface – features like Multi Framing and Live Guide are even easier to use.
The SZ-31MR can now record movies and stills at high frame rates, and play back photo slideshows with music and transition effects.
Olympus SZ-31MR has 24x optical zoom
The SZ-31MR is an extraordinary compact, despite its 24x wide optical zoom lens from 25-600mm (35mm equivalent).
The new iHS (Intelligence, High Sensitivity and High Speed) technologies make it possible to capture good blur-free images in the most challenging conditions, for example in low light or with backlight.
iHS draws on Olympus’ 16-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor and two separate TruePic V image processors (originally developed for D-SLR cameras) to dramatically improve low-light performance, speed up camera response and enhance scene and subject recognition.
Olympus SZ-31MR has16 megapixels
Combined with high-speed sequential shooting and high-speed autofocus, iHS cuts down picture noise and enhances resolution and colour gradation with fast-moving subjects, night scenes and other tricky shots.
Multi motion Movie IS and Dual Image Stabilisation all but eliminate blur, even when you are walking and shooting at the same time.
IS is crucial with macros or close-ups of inaccessible subjects, when even the slightest wobble might otherwise ruin stand-out shots that regular lightweight compacts, with their weaker zoom lenses, simply can’t deliver.
Olympus SZ-31MR shoots Full HD
When time is tight, Multi Recording and Multi Framing give another big advantage: You never have to choose between capturing one-off scenes as a 1080 Full HD movie or still photo – nor as a close-up or broader shot.
The SZ-31MR lets you do both.
A simple tap on the bright 3-inch 920,000-dot LCD takes a photo while you are filming.
Olympus SZ-31MR
Or resets the point of focus, shutter speed and zoom factor – all without interrupting your movie recording.
The touch-sensitive screen also gives you direct access to Live Guide, which in i-Auto mode displays a sliding scale that you can move with your finger to adjust key parameters such as brightness and depth of field.
You can check the effect of your changes in real time before you capture the scene.
Main features for the SZ-31MR:
- 24x wide optical zoom (25-600mm*) for exceptional close-ups
- iHS technologies for capturing exactly the shots you want irrespective of shooting conditions
- 16-Megapixel backlit CMOS sensor for high-resolution, superb-quality full-size movies, stills and prints, even in low light
- Multi-motion Movie IS for recording 1080p Full HD Movie with sound with reduced blur while walking, in the best image quality currently available in compact cameras
- Dual Image Stabilisation for reducing blur with fast-moving shots
- Super-resolution Zoom for digitally extending the range of the optical zoom with virtually no loss of image quality
Usability:
- 3” touch-sensitive colour LCD (920,000 dots) for easily framing, reviewing and sharing shots, or operating key features
- Touch Shutter for focusing on the subject you touch on the LCD and taking the picture automatically
- Touch AF for focusing automatically on the subject you touch, even if it moves
- Smart Panorama for capturing sweeping stills just by panning the camera
- HDR Backlight Adjustment for perfectly exposed pictures of inanimate objects even when shooting against the light
- Handheld Starlight Mode for shooting blur-free at night without a tripod
- Face Detection and Advanced Shadow Adjustment Technology for capturing people’s faces just as you want them
- Live Guide for easy slide-bar adjustment of key settings in real time, including background blur, colour intensity, colour temperature and brightness
- Pet Detection Mode for automatically capturing dog’s or cat’s faces when they look at the camera
- Advanced Intelligent Auto Mode (i-Auto) and AF Tracking for easy setting and focussing
- Scene Mode for automatic settings that suit specific conditions (e.g., Landscape, Night)
Creativity & Flexibility:
- Multi Recording with Dual Engine TruePic V image processor for recording movies and photos simultaneously, or two movies in different modes or from different angles
- High-speed movie capture and high-speed sequential shooting
- Multi-Effect Slideshow for hands-free browsing of shots from one event with background music and transition effects
- Beauty Make-up Mode for adding fun make-up effects to three people and hiding blemishes before you shoot
- Eye-Fi Card compatibility for automatic wireless uploading of images to a website or PC 3D photo shooting mode for striking stills: Magic Filters for adding creative effects to Full HD movies and/or stills: Punk, Pop Art, Pin Hole, Drawing, Fish Eye, Soft Focus, Sparkle (photos only), Watercolour, Reflection, Miniature, Fragmented (photos only), Dramatic (photos only)
Other key features:
- Photo surfing and [ib] software for browsing, organising and viewing images by person, place, location or event
- HDMI technology for controlling your camera from one remote when it is connected to HD equipment
- ISO 80 to 6400
- SDHC and SDXC memory card compatible, including UHS-I support
- Built-in flash
- In-camera help guide
- USB charging