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Overall, the Olympus SP-510 UZ is an eminently usable digicam that will perform acceptably in a broad range of outdoor picture taking situations. Serious shooters will likely be put off by the SP-510 UZ’s shortcomings, but scrap-bookers, family shutterbugs, casual photographers, travelers, and nature lovers will be impressed with the SP-510 UZ’s 10X zoom, broad features list, and comparatively low price.

While the wide angle, 5x optical zoom lens and 6 megapixel resolution is currently a kind of “sweet spot” in the current point and shoot market, the FE-200 doesn’t perform well enough to keep up with the competition.  In addition, in my opinion, any price difference between this camera and a competitor, if there is any, is not enough to make the FE-200 any more attractive… Bottom line, I would have a hard time recommending this camera.  For the same price, you’ll be able to find much better cameras, like the Canon Powershot A530, Nikon Coolpix L2 or Coolpix L3.

This might be the most pointless upgrade I’ve ever seen. The mju 725 SW is identical to its predecessor the mju 720 except for an extra two metres of underwater depth. It has all the same faults as the previous camera, and there are plenty of them. If you need a camera to take diving, buy a Fuji F30 or Canon A540 with an underwater case instead.

Though devoted Olympus users might be happy with the Olympus SP-510—warts and all—I struggled with this ultra zoom model in everything but the most ideal, perfectly lit conditions. This 7-megapixel camera has a 10x zoom, it uses digital image stabilization instead of the preferred optical image stabilization, producing slightly noisy, not always sharp, photos when fully zoomed in. I found the camera’s slow overall speed when taking pictures and performing basic functions to be irksome as well.

With lots of picture modes and a generally simplified body control system, this is a DSLR that beginners can pick up and use. It produces very good results, and with a high 10Mp resolution can equally be used for landscapes and portraits. The autofocus is fast and accurate, but lacks sophisticated tracking and selection options. The ISO range is decent, but gets very noisy at 1600, even with noise reduction.

The Olympus E-400 is a very accomplished camera, a serious photographic tool that will appeal to both professionals and advanced amateurs. It offers a combination of easily controlled versatility, exceptional performance and superb image quality that should secure it a place in the top rank of mid-range digital SLRs. The kit price may seem expensive, but it includes two excellent lenses that perfectly complement this outstanding camera…