17. Olympus SP350: The Beauty Of Classicism

Alongside its more consumer-oriented models, Olympus offers compacts that can satisfy amateurs who want additional control over the more technical aspects of picture-making. That's the case with the SP310 and SP350, two very similar models; we tested the higher-end SP350.

Overall Design And Handling

Small without being tiny, the SP350 is a model that stands apart from the crowd due to its broad range of adjustments and the many possibilities it offers. In other words, it will appeal to people who know something about photography, or who are eager to learn. Its zoom has only a fairly standard range, so the 350 is not spectacular in that regard, but it gives the impression of really being designed to shoot pictures. With its right-hand handgrip, the 350 handles well. The essential controls fall nicely under the fingers, so you can shoot comfortably with one hand - important in certain situations.