By Leonard Goh
08/05/2009
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digitalcameras/0,39001469,62044132,00.htm

Olympus has its roots as a microscope manufacturer in 1920, and at the time the Japanese company was then known as Takachiho Seisakusho. The next development wasn't cameras, but the shutter mechanism used in then. It wasn't until 1935 when the company started to design its own shooters and the firm grew to what it is today.

Olympus was an early adopter when digital made its way into cameras. In 1996, it launched its first consumer digital point-and-shoots, the Camedia C-800L and Camedia C-400L. Subsequently, this lineup expanded and was vastly popular with shutterbugs who wanted to make the transition from film to digital.

The Camedia series was replaced by the Mju lineup in 2004. µ (mju) is a greek symbol and its origins come from the word "mikros", which Olympus told us means "small and miniature". The first µ was a film-based compact developed in 1991, which has since undergone several revamps along the route to digital. However, it retained the trademark sliding lens cover even for shooters today.

Currently, the µ(mju)-series houses two classes of point-and-shoots, one of which has carved a niche in branding itself as among the toughest snappers on the market.

If you've set your eyes on an Olympus point-and-shoot but aren't quite sure which one is suitable for you, we've put together a comprehensive guide for its lineup.

Click on the images to find out more about the series.

Click on the brand names to find out more about their cameras.

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» Canon
» Samsung

» Fujifilm
» Panasonic

The FE-series

Although the FE series is Olympus' entry-level lineup, the sleek and slim design lends an elegant touch to the shooters. They have in-camera guides to help beginners take better pictures. According to Olympus, FE stands for Friendly and Easy. Cameras in this series are generally more affordable, which makes them excellent options for shutterbugs on a budget.

Price range: S$249 to S$359

In this series

Olympus FE-3000
The Japanese company claims that users can operate the FE-3000 even without reading the instruction manual, thanks to the onboard guide and clever shooting modes. These take the guesswork out of exposure settings for different scenes. Besides a 10-megapixel sensor, the FE-3000 also has a 3x optical zoom lens, 2.7-inch LCD and face detection function.

Olympus FE-360
With a 17.8mm profile, the FE-360 is slimmer than the FE-3000. The stylish metal body houses an 8-megapixel sensor, 2.5-inch LCD and 3x optical zoom lens. The lack of an optical or mechanical image stabilizer (IS) system is replaced by digital IS. This bumps up the ISO sensitivity and shutter speed to capture fast-moving subjects or prevent blur in pictures caused by shaky hands.

Olympus FE-45
The FE-45 uses the readily available AA-sized cells for operation. This is great for travelers who have difficulty finding an electrical outlet to charge the batteries for their shooters. Beneath its amateurish outlook are features such as a 3x optical zoom lens, 10-megapixel sensor and 2.5-inch LCD.
Quick summary
Useful onboard guide and large display makes this affordable shooter easy for beginners to start snapping.

The µ(mju)-series

The mju series underwent a slight revamp the last time Olympus announced new point-and-shoots earlier this year. This latest lineup caters not only to the fashionable crowd, but also targets serious users who demand better-performing compact cameras. A new waterproof series has also been added to this family of shooters, and this targets the younger crowd who wants a digicam to bring along to the beach or pool.

Price range: S$449 to S$529

In this series

Olympus Mju 9000
This model is Olympus' contender in the long-zoom point-and-shoot category. The company claims this model is the world's smallest and slimmest shooter with 10x optical zoom. The Mju 9000 also incorporates a whole suite of intelligent features including Beauty Mode which enhances the appearance of subjects.
Other related models: Mju 7000 (7x optical zoom and 3-inch LCD), Mju 5000 (5x optical zoom and 2.7-inch LCD)

Olympus Mju 1070
The Mju 1070 attempts to take on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 with an ultraslim profile of just 16.5mm and a similar-looking sliding lens cover. However, this Olympus camera does not come with a touchscreen display like the T90. This shooter employs the firm's latest imaging technologies such as Beauty Mode and Intelligent Auto function; the latter analyzes scenes to capture the best exposure.
Other related models: Mju 1060 and Mju 1040

Olympus Mju WP 550 WP
This entry-level waterproof camera can go to depths of 3m, which makes it suitable for shutterbugs who want a shooter to bring along to the beach or pool. According to Olympus, the rubberized exterior has "self-healing" properties which can resolve minor scratches easily. The 10-megapixel Mju 550 WP has a 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD and other intelligent shooting modes.
Quick summary
Fashion-conscious individuals will like the slim styling while the tech-savvy will appreciate the features bundled in this point-and-shoot.

The µ(mju)Tough-series

The Mju Tough series was previously known as the Mju SW, but Olympus felt that SW (Shockproof and Waterproof) was not enough to represent this lineup, so it adopted Tough as the new branding for this family of rugged cameras. The hardiest camera in this series is a tough nut to crack, being able to withstand up to 100kg of pressure. If you live life under the sun and want a camera that can go places with you, these shooters are for you to consider.

Price range: S$499 to S$649

In this series

Olympus Mju Tough-8000
It is apt to call the Tough-8000 a "mini tank". After all, it is compliant with military standards to withstand harsh environments. One of the notable upgrades of this model from previous ones is the inclusion of a 28mm wide-angle lens. It also features a tap control system to allow users, particularly those who wear thick winter gloves, to tap the sides of the camera to activate certain functions such as flash and exposure settings.
Other related models: Mju Tough-6000, Mju 1030 SW, Mju 1050 SW
Quick summary
This shooter is one of those gadgets you know can withstand rough handling by toddlers and survive to make another picture.

The SP-series

SP here stands for Special Performance, which is what Olympus wants to emphasize for this series of cameras. These superzoom models have 18x zoom and above, with the latest model reaching 26x optical zoom in a portable camera body. Advanced users will also be pleased to know that these megazoom snappers have manual exposure settings to allow for more creative control when taking shots.

Price range: S$699

In this series

Olympus SP-590UZ
This 12-megapixel camera is like a mini-dSLR, sans the interchangeable lens system. It comes with a 26mm ultra-wide-angle lens and has a 26x optical zoom lens to snap subjects that are far away. Besides manual exposure functions, it also offers RAW image capture for a dSLR-like experience when shooting.
Other related model: SP-570UZ
Quick summary
The long zoom range and extensive shooting modes will appeal to both travelers and advanced photographers who want an all-in-one shooter.