Situational shooter
The screen is a dazzler, but that's not the best part.
We still can't get over the SP-700's most important physical feature: a bright 3-inch LCD. In fact, the SP-700 has the biggest LCD of all Olympus cameras so far. The screen makes for easier framing and allows you to see your pictures much more clearly (or show them off).
Even better than the size and brightness of the LCD is the SP-700's 25 presets for various photographic experiments. While these include the usual Landscape and Portrait modes, Olympus has thoughtfully included other settings such as Fireworks, which uses a slower shutter speed so you can take better pictures of pyrotechnic displays; Museum, which lets you take pictures in – where else – museums without using the flash; and Candle, for pictures during that romantic dinner in Antonio's. Thing is, the SP-700 takes pictures a little too clearly. It's perfect for taking pictures of scenery or inanimate objects, but focus the camera on yourself and it will capture every speck, blemish, and pore on your face. Not to worry, though. You can use the SP-700's Compare and Shoot function to check your pictures and see which ones to reshoot, or fire up its built-in photo editor to adjust your picture's brightness or color.
The only beef we have with this camera is that it takes a while to achieve auto-focus lock, and for the picture to be taken after you've clicked the shutter. Not good if you love taking pictures on the fly. But overall, the Olympus SP-700 is the camera for those who would like to take better pictures and need a little extra flexibility. It's still a bit too shiny, pretty, and compact to be part of a proper photographer's gear, but for dabblers, it does the job. Lynn Lopez
OLYMPUS SP-700 | P29,000
www.olympus.com
TECH 6.0 megapixels. 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD. 3x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom, Super Macro mode, VGA-quality video recording. 11MB internal memory. xD card support.
LOVE Sleek and shiny look. 25 scene modes. Huge LCD. Great results even in low light.
HATE Just 11MB internal memory. Memory card purchased separately. AF Lock and shutter speed somewhat slow.
WE SAY This camera is choc-full of features that will make it easier for you to take pictures, no matter what the setting.
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T3 Magazine Philippines - March 2006 Issue
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 OLYMPUS SP-700
Fun with three inches
More camera manufactures are adopting 3-inch LCDs in their compact cameras in lieu of an optical viewfinder.
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