Olympus SP-350

Pros: Many features for the price!

Cons: Image Stabilization isn't one of them; focus requires good light, especially in Macro mode.

Summary: I purchased the SP-350 and although I eventually returned it in favor of the Olympus E-300 dSLR, which I found for less than $500 on clearance, I found the CNET rating inaccurate because the reviewers posted inaccurate statements about the nature of digital camera photography. Said the reviewers:

"The camera produces vivid colors, and the dynamic range favors slight underexposure, which sometimes results in clipped highlights; however, exposures are generally accurate."

News flash: Slight underexposure does NOT clip highlights. If anything, underexposure diminishes SHADOW detail because an underexposed image is generally darker than it should be, which causes areas that are dark to begin with to become even harder to make out. When a digital camera underexposes or exposes correctly, HIGHLIGHT detail is generally maintained — not lost.

If forced to deal with underexposure vs. overexposure, most pros would rather work with an image that appears slightly underexposed. Why? Because underexposure PRESERVES highlight detail. You can always post process an image in the likes of Photoshop to lighten up an underexposed image, but you cannot, in the case of overexposure, bring back highlight details that have been clipped (blown out).

The statement in CNET's review is either a serious typo — having used the term “underexposure” when they intended to use the word “overexposure” — or the people who are supposed to have the credibility to edit and post reviews on behalf of CNET do not understand photography, in which case readers would be better off visiting dedicated digital-camera-only Websites (or reading CNET's user reviews and ignoring the editorial ratings entirely).

As for the Olympus SP-350, I also found the review a bit harsh in terms of image quality. Dynamic range is always limited in a point-and-shoot camera, so to single it out in a consumer-level point-and-shoot camera amounts to a red herring. After all, even professional level dSLRs equipped with the larger CMOS sensors have less dynamic range than a comparable film-based camera. In fact, digital photography in general is more akin to slide photography than film photography where dynamic range is concerned. Consequently, digital photography is comparatively unforgiving when exposure is not just right. To get the best results out of ANY camera, the you will need to use those extra settings such as EV (exposure compensation). As great as they are, point-and-shoot digital cameras do not function like a film-based point-and-shoot camera, or even the disposable you can buy at a drugstore. Reading the user manual is critical to the use of any digital camera.

Based on actual use and not assumptions about this camera, here are my impressions. First off, you simply can't get more features for the money — especially when you consider the available accessories for this camera and the inclusion of a hot shoe for external flash! However, that isn't to say the camera is perfect. For one, don’t expect to get many pictures out of AA batteries; you’ll need to pair this camera to the highest rated rechargeable batteries on the market. Second, the SP-350 lacks image stabilization. I would like to see a future model with image stabilization AND a better telephoto lens (at least 6x optical). On my wish list is also the addition of 800+ sensitivity, with better high ISO implementation than the overrated Fuji FinePix F10. Next, I hope that Olympus will improve their camera’s ability to focus even on reflective objects such as jewelry, crystal vases, etc. Under ordinary household light, the SP-350, like the SP 140 and other Olympus current models, struggles more than most cameras I’ve tested to focus on small or reflective objects close-up or in macro. And unlike other cameras, flash is disabled in macro. As a result, you need ideal light for ideal focus, which is why I rate this only as "Very Good" rather than "Excellent". That being said, Olympus is closer than most when it comes to hitting a home run in the consumer point-and shoot category.