Now the price of a near-professional digital SLR has dropped in response to rising popularity, manufacturers are having to offer something pretty special from their ‘super zoom’ or ‘bridge’ cameras – so called because they feature longer-than-average zooms, and offer a bridge between the ease of use of a compact and a more complex D-SLR.

Suitable for both beginners and more advanced users is Olympus’ latest bridge, the SLR-styled 7.1 megapixel, 10x zoom (38-380mm in 35mm terms) SP-510UZ.

Aside from the above specification, fairly typical for a camera of this type, Olympus has boosted the plastic-bodied SP-510UZ’s sensitivity to light with a best-in-class top setting of ISO4000, meaning in theory you’ll be able to get a natural-looking image in very low lighting without flash.

Keeping overheads low the camera is powered by four AA batteries, which slot neatly inside its handgrip, lending a much-needed weighty feel.

The SP-510UZ powers up in a couple of seconds, its 2.5-in LCD flicking on and 10x lens extending to maximum wide angle ready for the first shot. There’s a choice of framing images via the LCD or the electronic viewfinder above, with no discernable shutter delay – the period between you pressing the shutter button and the camera taking the shot.

Alongside capturing images in standard JPEG format, enthusiasts have the choice of RAW files, which eat up more memory but offer the best quality. No removable xD-Picture Card was supplied with our review unit, and, as the internal memory only holds four top-quality JPEGS, we recommend factoring one into your budget.

We found some of the SP-510UZ’s controls required fingertip precision. Plus, although it boasts a Digital Image Stabilisation mode to counteract camera shake when using the full extent of the zoom, all this does is select a higher ISO speed – as opposed to moving the camera’s internal sensor to counterbalance external wobble, a feature used more effectively on competing models.

The camera has a Fine Zoom feature that boosts the range to a 15x equivalent, but with the effect that image size drops to three megapixels. Disappointingly, that impressive ISO4000 setting is likewise only selectable in three-megapixel mode; perhaps just as well as the results resemble an Impressionist painting.

A still respectable ISO1600 is achievable at maximum 7.1 million pixels, though we recommend sticking below IS800 to avoid visible image noise (grain-like dots).

For beginners there’s a series of 21 scene modes optimised for common shooting conditions and subjects – you simply select one and point and shoot – and a further guide mode that explains what each function does. Overall you can’t criticise the SP-510UZ for lack of features or price, even if performance falls short of ambition.

Also Consider:
Sony Cyber-Shot H2
Overall: Easy to use six megapixel, 12x zoom camera aimed both at beginner and expert with a price that’s hard to fault, even if it resembles something from the Dr Who workshop
Price: £350
Rating: 4

Pentax K100D
Overall: The Pentax K100D is a sturdily built, well performing and well-priced DSLR camera. However, it still faces tough competition from the likes of Canon (350D/400D) and Nikon (D50/D70S).
Rating: 4
Price: £410 (body only)

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