STYLUS Traveller creates a higher class of compact. World’s first 5-axis movie IS changes category forever
01/08/2013 • Olympus multiple-axis technology sets multiple benchmarks. A new launch, a new technology, a new world first! Olympus innovations have done it again, and this time it’s their mid-priced, high-zoom STYLUS Traveller compacts that have hobby photographers licking their lips: the new SH-50, SZ-16 and SZ-15. The flagship Traveller SH-50 comes with manual M settings and multiple-axis image stabilisation (IS), a world-first technology for compact digital cameras. Hybrid 5-axis Movie IS is so effective you can record a blur-free Full HD movie literally on the run. In addition to the usual yaw and pitch, it compensates for movement around the axis of the lens as well as horizontal and vertical shift. The SH-50 and the SZ-16 both come with advanced iHS sensor and processing technologies that raise the image-quality bar in low-light conditions. They also offer Telephoto Macro and 120fps high-speed movie recording – with the slow-motion videos available in HD on the flagship model. All three Traveller cameras outstrip rivals with a 24x super wide (25-600mm*) optical zoom lens and Super-resolution Zoom that doubles zoom capability to 48x with effectively no notable loss of still image quality. At €299,99, the SH-50 is ideal for very ambitious photographers, while the SZ-16 offers iHS creativity for less outlay: €219,99. The SZ-15 is the most affordable new Traveller model available with a 24x optical zoom. The SH-50 and SZ-16 both come in black, silver and white, the SZ-15 in black, silver and red, for €199,99. All three will be available from March 2013.
Highly stable
The true test of any compact is the quality of the images it generates and with some of the most advanced technology in the category at their fingertips, SH-50 owners can expect visual fireworks. Even at high zoom ratios and in low light, the SH-50 combines the very best iHS technologies with its new world-beating IS system to essentially eliminate blur. 3-axis Photo IS is simply the most potent IS for still photos ever installed in a compact digital camera, while Hybrid 5-axis Movie IS is the first digital/mechanical hybrid of its kind in any type of compact camera at all.
Whereas most optical IS only compensates for tipping (pitch) or side-to- side yaw (the way a skidding car rotates on a bend), 3-axis Photo IS also counteracts movement around the rotary axis – the imaginary line that runs straight through the lens from the front of the camera to the back. This is vital with handheld shots at high zoom ratios because even the slightest tremble could be magnified disproportionately to cause blur. Hybrid 5-axis Movie IS is even more refined. It uses a mixture of powerful mechanical and digital IS to affect five different planes of movement – mechanical for pitch, yaw and rotary shift; sensor-based digital for vertical and horizontal shift (along the extended plane of the lens surface). Conventional yaw-and-pitch video IS has its limitations, but Hybrid 5-axis Movie IS is so stable that you can film on the move. You simply touch the LCD screen to record blur-free** Full HD movies without pausing to break stride. You can even zoom in and out as you walk along.
Highly sensitive
If some of these SH-50 specs read like the feature list for a D-SLR camera, it’s no coincidence. Mechanical 5-axis IS was first fitted to Olympus’ high-end Micro Four Thirds OM-D model. Of course, the same goes for manual control of aperture and exposure settings in M mode. The SH-50 harnesses iHS – a combination of the next-generation TruePic VI image processor and the 16-Megapixel backlit CMOS sensor – to reduce noise and dramatically improve low-light imaging. The SZ-16 likewise draws on a CMOS sensor and the fast TruePic V processor. Both cameras combine iHS with excellent optics, 6400 ISO, Fast AF and an array of automated innovations like Handheld Starlight Mode and i-Auto to achieve startling image quality in the most challenging conditions. The SZ-16 counteracts blur with superb Dual Image Stabilisation plus Multi-motion Movie IS, and the SZ-15 also boasts excellent stabilisation for this price category. It uses the sophisticated sensor-shift algorithms of Dual IS.
Highly detailed
One benefit of a 24x optical zoom lens with a range of 25 to 600mm* is shooting close-ups in a split second without having to wait – either to get closer to your subject or to change the lens. All three Traveller series come equipped with this outstanding, spontaneous zoom potential. What’s more, they all offer Telephoto Macro and Super-resolution Zoom, which doubles the zoom factor to 48x without the noticeable loss of quality associated with digital zoom boosters. Telephoto Macro means you can effectively capture the fascinating details of macro photography with a zoom equivalent to 600mm, but as close as 40cm to the subject. You can defocus the background to achieve professional-looking bokeh without worrying about disturbing sensitive subjects like insects.
Highly simplified
Choose your format, press record. Whenever you want to capture and share a video, the SH-50 makes life easy by letting you pick the best format for your needs before you record the footage – 1080 Full 60i HD, 1080 Full 30p HD or up to 240fps high-speed movies. 1080 Full 60i HD is ideal if you want super-smooth high-def video images, whereas 1080 Full 30p HD is better if you want to extract stunning still photos. High-speed recording is also an option on the SZ-16. It lets you play back footage of fast-action subjects like sport and animals in dramatic slow motion, often revealing details normally too quick for the human eye.
Equally practical are the 11 Magic Filters that come with all three new Travellers, most of which can be applied to stills and movies. You can share your finished images wirelessly with social media via Eye-Fi™ or – on the SH-50 and SZ-16 – via an optional FlashAir™ card using your familiar smartphone interface.
Highly regarded
For cameras with such great zooming power, the new Travellers are unexpectedly compact and affordable – not to mention beautifully styled. An elegant blend of the contemporary and timeless, the new design makes your camera a pleasure to own. The Traveller triad is available from March 2013. The SH-50 and SZ-16 in black, silver and white for €299,99 and €219,99 respectively. The SZ-15 comes in black, silver and red for €199,99.
Outstanding features
SH-50
Image Quality
- 24x super wide optical zoom (25-600mm*) for exceptional close-ups
- The world’s first Hybrid 5-axis Movie IS and 3-axis Photo IS (in a compact digital camera) for unparalleled blur reduction when zooming and shooting on the move
- iHS technologies for capturing exactly the shots you want with rich colour and low noise, irrespective of shooting conditions
- 16-Megapixel backlit CMOS sensor for high-resolution, superb-quality full-size movies, stills and prints, even in low light
- 1080 Full 60i or 30p HD movie with sound for choosing the very best movie format
- 720p HD (at 120fps) or HVGA (at 240fps) high-speed movie recording for dramatic slow-motion playback of fast-action scenes
- Super-resolution Zoom for digitally extending the range of the optical zoom with virtually no loss of image quality (with movies and stills)
- Telephoto Macro for shooting fascinating close-ups and detail from as close as 40cm from the subject
Usability
- 3” touch-sensitive colour LCD (460,000 dots) for easily framing, reviewing and sharing shots, or operating key features
- M mode for manual adjustment of aperture and exposure time
- Touch Shutter for focussing on the subject you touch on the LCD and taking the picture automatically
Creativity & Flexibility
- Multi Recording for recording movies and photos simultaneously, or for shooting movies before and after taking a photo
- Live Guide for easy operation – even by beginners
- Magic Filters for adding creative effects to movies and/or stills
Storage & Sharing
- FlashAir™ compatible for transferring password-protected images to selected smartphones and social networks
- Eye-Fi™ card compatibility for automatic wireless uploading of images to a website or PC
- Free iOS and Android software downloads for editing and sharing images in social networks via smartphone or tablet PC
SZ-16 and SZ-15
Image Quality
- 24x super wide optical zoom (25-600mm*) for exceptional close-ups
- iHS technologies for capturing exactly the shots you want irrespective of shooting conditions (SZ-16 only)
- Multi-motion Movie IS for recording 1080p Full HD Movie with sound and reduced blur while walking (SZ-16 only)
- TruePic V image processor for ideal colour reproduction and low noise (SZ-15: TruePic III+)
- 1080 Full 30p HD movie with sound for first-class movie quality on a Full HD TV (SZ-16 only)
- 720p HD Movie with sound for HD movies in excellent quality
- (SZ-15)
- 16-Megapixel CMOS sensor for high-resolution, superb-quality full-size movies, stills and prints, even in low light (SZ-15: CCD sensor)
- 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 (still photos only)
- 120fps (640x480) or 240fps (320x240) high-speed movie recording for dramatic slow-motion playback of fast-action scenes (SZ-16 only)
- Telephoto Macro for shooting fascinating close-ups and detail from as close as 40cm from the subject
- Photo with Movie Clip for recording a movie before and after taking a still photo (SZ-16 only)
- Magic Filters for adding creative effects to HD movies and/or stills
Storage & Sharing
- 3” colour LCD (460,000 dots) for easily framing, reviewing and sharing shots
- FlashAir™ compatible for transferring password-protected images to selected smartphones and social networks (SZ-16 only)
- Eye-Fi™ card compatibility for automatic wireless uploading of images to a website or PC
- Free iOS and Android software downloads for editing and sharing images in social networks via smartphone or tablet PC (SZ-16 only)
* 35mm equivalent
** Blurring may occur in extreme shooting conditions
FlashAir is a trademark of Toshiba Corporation.
Eye-Fi is a trademark of Eye-Fi, Inc.
Product specifications are subject to change without notice. Please check the Olympus website at http://www.olympus-europa.com for the latest specifications.
For feature descriptions, please see the online appendix: http://www.olympus-europa.com/corporate/rmt/media/corporate_1/press_release_content/Appendix_EU.pdf
For questions or additional information, please contact:
Julia Rauther
Olympus Europa Holding GmbH
Tel.: +49-40-23773-4258
Email: Julia.Rauther@Olympus-europa.com