The Galleria, Photo of the Day

Olympus SP-500UZ

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Olympus SP-500UZ, First Impression

CCD Resurgence: Images with an Olympus SP-500UZ, a 6.0MP CCD digital bridge camera released in 2005 with a 10x optical zoom (equivalent to 38-380mm) lens, a curative 21 scene shooting mode, and full manual exposure controls.

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A low-cost entry for those who are interested in trying their hand at CCD sensor imagery. The Olympus SP-500UZ, launched in 2005 by Olympus, comes with a 6MP CCD sensor, a fast Olympus aspherical glass 1:2.8-3.7 10x optical (+ 5x Optical) zoom lens, a non-adjustable electronic viewfinder, and a 115,000 pixels 2.5 inch LCD with four display options.

The focal length of the lens is 6.3–63mm, which works out as equivalent to 38-380mm on 35mm full-frame cameras. The camera runs on 4 AA batteries.

Small, light, and compact, the camera measures 106 x 75 x 71 mm and weighs 285 grams, has a manual pop-up flash, and a lens that extends forward when switched on. Unlike some other long-zoom models, the SP-500UZ does not have in-built image stabilization, but compensation for digital camera movement is, however, provided in movie mode. A top-mounted exposure mode dial carries settings for Auto, P, A, S, and M modes, a customizable My Mode setting, a selection of 21 Scene modes, Movie, and Playback.

Olympus SP-500UZ

The SP-500UZ has a rather extensive menu and display options, best learned with the help of the instruction booklet. Pressing the menu button located in the middle of the four-way controller, for example, will bring up the main menu selection. The top, left, and bottom 'shortcuts' can be assigned to almost any setting, and the right arrow takes you to the menu pages. The four tabs are for the camera, picture, card (formatting), and setup settings. The menus have options for virtually every shooting variable, from macro, burst, and drive mode to ISO, white balance, focus mode, sharpness, saturation, and contrast.

Fujifilm FinePix BigJob HD-3W, First Impression

Compact Comeback: The vintage 6MP CCD Fujifilm FinePix BigJob HD-3W (2007), a ruggedized digital camera for the construction and engineering industry.

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A camera I am rather excited about now is the 6MP CCD Fujifilm FinePix BigJob HD-3W, an easy and simple-to-use ruggedized digital camera that is encased in a water, shock, and dustproof body.

The camera was initially produced for the Japanese domestic market before it was introduced to the UK and Europe in 2007. The camera is fitted with a wide-angle Fujinon 3x 4.7-14.1 (28-84mm equivalent) lens, with ISO 1600 light sensitivity, and a powerful flash that is effective up to 10 meters.

Form-wise, the camera is a rectangular medium-sized body with rubber grips and big buttons, capable of withstanding a drop test to 70cm. Just like the previous 35mm film version of the Fuji Work Record OP, the BigJob HD-3W is designed to be used in challenging environments of construction, engineering, health and safety, and manufacturing industries.

Fujifilm FinePix BigJob HD-3W

With its go-anywhere-do-anything look, I am sure that the camera is ever ready for the rough and tough outdoors with image projections that are better than what is seen from the images posted here. Looking forward!

The Galleria, Photo of the Day

Lumix DMC-FZ45

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The Galleria, Photo of the Day

Lumix DMC-FZ45

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