The 8-megapixel Olympus SP-350 is inexpensive ($325 as of August 25, 2006) for an advanced camera, yet it offers top-notch image quality. Its tiny, closely packed buttons, however, make the SP-350 most suitable for users who want the option of working with manual controls but don't plan to use them regularly.
Olympus SP-350 Digital Camera (8.3MP, 3264x2448, 3x Opt, 25MB Internal Memory, xD Slot)

Pricing
$344.95 From 1 Vendor Get Best Prices »
- Spec Navigator
- Digital Format
- Display
- Exposure
- Image Processor
- Included Hardware
- Included Software
- Lens
- Shutter
- Storage
- LCD Screen
- Exposure Controls
- Dimensions
- Power
- Flash
- Lens Features
- Connectivity
- Other Features
Image Processor
| Number of image sensor pixels | 8 megapixels |
| Image sensor | CCD |
| Maximum horizontal image resolution | 3072 |
| Maximum vertical image resolution | 2304 |
| Image sensor quantity | 1 |
| Image format |
|
| White balance | 0 |
Lens
| Accessory Lens | Yes |
| Lens Model | Olympus 3X Zoom Lens |
| Telephoto Aperture Maximum | 4.9 mm |
| Wide-Angle Aperture Maximum | 2.8 mm |
Exposure Controls
| Maximum shutter speed | 2000 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 15 |
| Bulb setting | 0 |
| ISO equivalencies |
|
| Exposure settings | 0 |
| Exposure compensation range | 0 |
| Number of scene modes | 24 |
- Lab Tested
- How We Test Cameras »
Pros
Very high image quality
Long battery life
Cons
Must use menus to change many settings
Lacks image stabilization
Bottom Line
The compact SP-350 delivers top-notch image quality and long battery life, but has few control buttons.
Olympus SP-350
SP-350 Digital Camera (8.3MP, 3264x2448, 3x Opt, 25MB Internal Memory, xD Slot) Review, by Eric Butterfield September 21, 2006
In our lab tests, the SP-350 earned our top rating (Superior) for overall image quality. It also received very high marks for color and exposure accuracy, outscoring some significantly more-expensive models. Informal images I shot in macro mode were impressively sharp. Sometimes, however, the camera was a little slow to zoom, focus, and display images on its 2.5-inch LCD. The SP-350's CRV3 battery excelled in our battery life test, continuing to power the camera when we reached the test's 500-shot maximum.
The SP-350 measures just 3.9 by 1.4 by 2.6 inches, so it fits conveniently in a pocket or bag. At 8.2 ounces, it's significantly lighter than any other advanced camera we've tested recently, and more akin to a point-and-shoot model. The model's small size is possible in part to the SP-350's limited optical zoom range of 3X (many advanced cameras now sport a 10X or 12X zoom). Because there is room for only a few buttons, you have to dive into the on-screen menus to access settings such as macro mode and ISO. (Some advanced cameras offer dedicated buttons for these settings.) And since the SP-350's buttons are small and close together, people with large fingers may find the navigation a bit clumsy.
Useful features include a live histogram display, the ability to store four custom modes, and a flash shoe--though perching an external flash atop such a small camera could make the camera feel imbalanced.
In other respects, the SP-350 resembles a point-and-shoot. For example, it offers 24 scene modes--more than any other recently tested advanced camera. Some scene modes are so similar to settings in other modes--for example, "self portrait" (which resembles "portrait") and "auction" (which closely matches "indoor")--that they seem like overkill. Unfortunately, the control dial on top of the body doesn't include even the four most common scene modes (portrait, landscape, sports, and nighttime portrait), so you have to use the on-screen menu to select them.
Another weakness of the SP-350 is low-light photography. Its maximum light sensitivity of ISO 400 falls short of what some point-and-shoot cameras offer (some reach ISO 800). It doesn't allow you to make color adjustments either, though it does provide sharpness, contrast, and saturation controls. Some other advanced cameras include white balance bracketing and image stabilization, both of which the SP-350 lacks.
Nonetheless, if you can live without the fancier settings, this step up from a point-and-shoot delivers top-notch image quality for a very reasonable price.
Eric Butterfield
0 Comments | 0 Topics | Print Only This Review
- Rating Breakdown
-
97
-
72
-
76
- See Complete Lab Results »
Performance Comparison with Similar Cameras
97
77
75
81
Performance
| Battery Life (minutes) | 273.5 |
| Battery Life Score | Superior |
| Image Quality Score | Superior |
| Image Quality, Color | 66.3 |
| Image Quality, Color--Adjusted | 74.9 |
| Image Quality, Color--Auto | 57.7 |
| Image Quality, Distortion | 55.8 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Noise | 28.5 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Noise Reduction | 86.4 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Sharp Interpolation | 65.8 |
| Image Quality, Exposure | 64.4 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Flash | 61.1 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Normal | 65.8 |
| Image Quality, Overall | 72.1 |
| Image Quality, Sharpness | 55.2 |
| Number of Batteries | 1 |
| Number of Shots | 500 |
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
-
Reviewed by: esstek
Strengths: HOT SHOE works fine with most large, AUTO flash units. Able to be manually adjusted for most settings. Excellent 2.5" LCD display. Nice handgrip. Optical viewfinder.
Weaknesses: BATTERY LIFE is almost non-existent! I'm lucky to get 25 to 35 photos with 2500mAH or 2650mAH NiMH rechargable batteries. Lithium pack is much better, but expensive.
Overall: This is a very capable camera for use by advanced amateur photographers! It can perform almost anything you care to manually adjust it to do. Or, you can simply set it to AUTO focus and PROGRAM mode and use it for snapshots. Very versatile with extremely good images when handled properly. Great MACRO modes, too! I have upgraded the firmware to v1.3, which was supposed to fix low battery threshold, but I can't tell much difference. It still seems to need fresh batteries constantly...
-
Reviewed by: Burtsbud
Strengths: Standard AAA batteries, size, weight, ease of use, quality of the pictures.
Weaknesses: Not good when you want a rapid series of shots. (Use the video instead)
Overall: I wanted a good quality "knock-around" camera to keep with me at work and while on the road. Love at first sight! This camera takes excellent pictures. I'm still learning my way around with all of its "bells & whistles". I do miss the speed of my Minolta slr (film) when I want to take a rapid series of shots. However, the excellent quality, features, and price should entice anybody. The camera also takes very good quality video. I had purchased a cheaper 5meg camera to use for general use and wanted to reserve the SP-350 for when I wanted/needed high quality pictures. Well, the 5meg camera sits on my closet shelf. Invest in the optional power cord which comes in very handy, rechargeable batteries and a good quality photo printer. My prints rival Lab Quality pictures.
-
Reviewed by: chibacat
Strengths: compact, 8.3 meg, easy to use, Great price!
Weaknesses: I don't know of any for me
Overall: I love this little camera. Had all I wanted and paid less than $200 for it. I upgraded from a Fugi Finepix A210 ( for which the software that came with it NEVER worked). What a difference. Easy to pack for trips and carry around. I'm not a killer photographer so I don't have the complaints that many do. 3x zoom is fine for me and I had no problem with it shaking when extended. I also had no issue with buying an Xd card ( got the 1 G one) that some complained about. I like using all the different modes available. IF you need a camera with a zillion bells and whistles then you should probably invest more money instead of trying to get it all in a small camera and then whine that you didn't. If you're like me, you'll love it also.
-
Reviewed by: foortiz
Strengths: This camera just takes incredible pictures. And the print quality will surprise you even more. Color is great and it feels firm and secure allowing you to take pictures using only one hand.
Weaknesses: Battery life is very short. When you view your pictures it takes time to load from shot to shot. Sometimes pictures are blurry.
Overall: This is the best camera I ever owned!! I love this camera!! I have taken incredible pictures with it. Prints look amazing and when you enlarge, prints maintain sharpness and focus. I like the hot shoe which will allow me to connect an external and more powerful flash. So far the internal flash has done and excellent job in low light situations, though. I recommend using the flash all the time when taking family pictures. I wish the 3x zoom would be more powerful, but I suppose you have to compromise somewhere. I like the large LCD monitor but this is probably the reason why battery life is short. When viewing your shots it takes time to load, which is a nuisance if you are looking to view one particular shot among many. My bulkier digital SRL allows me to view my pictures instantly. But I totally love the size of this camera. I can take it everywhere in my shirt pocket.
-
Reviewed by: touristguy87
Strengths: Good-looking images, fairly easy to use, very handy, nice in-viewfinder information, nice viewfinder :) small and light for a 10x zoom
Weaknesses: the lens is not well-mounted and shakes when extended. Not confidence-inspiring
Overall: I like this camera. I think the sp-310 makes better images (probably because it has a bigger CCD, the sp-350 has a 1/2.5" to the 1/1.8" 7mp ccd on the sp-310. It is noticeably not quite as good as the sp-310...but...the sp310 doesn't have the 10x zoom. You choose one or the other when you choose between these two cameras, but otherwise the sp-350 is a great choice. If you can get past the lens mounting. But with a big 2.5" LCD and good button positioning and full manual control it really is a nice camera. Its true downsides are that the shutter speed is limited to 1/1000 and the movie capability is pretty basic. And it's not one of those fuji or canon pocket-sized frames. Last but not least, the LCD is fixed, and you are going to miss that when the camera is not in front of your face.
Cameras similar to the Olympus SP-350 Digital Camera (8.3MP, 3264x2448, 3x Opt, 25MB Internal Memory, xD Slot)
We recommend these Cameras for their similarities to the Olympus SP-350 Digital Camera (8.3MP, 3264x2448, 3x Opt, 25MB Internal Memory, xD Slot) in features, specs, ratings, and user interest.
![]() |
|
Latest Prices » |
![]() |
|
Latest Prices » |
![]() |
|
Latest Prices » |
![]() |
|
Latest Prices » |
![]() |
|
Latest Prices » |
![]() |
|
Latest Prices » |
![]() |
|
Latest Prices » |
![]() |
|
Latest Prices » |
![]() |
|
Latest Prices » |
![]() |
|
Latest Prices » |
- Before you buy
- How to Buy a Digital Camera

Pricing
$344.95 From 1 Vendor Get Best Prices »
Start New Topic Don't see the answer to your question? Ask it here!
Dell End of Year Deals
-
Ring in the New Year with Huge Deals on Dell Computers
Up to 30% Popular Dell Laptops, up to 25% off Popular Dell Desktops. Sales ends 12/31 5AM EST.
Cameras
Camcorders
Cell Phones
Components
Desktops
HDTV
Home Theater
GPS
Laptops
Monitors
MP3 Players
Networking &
Printers
Storage
Facebook




















