Olympus's 2012 budget ultra-zoom bridge — 16MP CCD, 21x 25-525mm lens, 720p video, AA power and SD storage.
The SP-620UZ was announced in January 2012 as the affordable ultra-zoom in Olympus's SP bridge line, succeeding the SP-610UZ and sitting below the flagship SP-810UZ. Olympus pitched it squarely at families wanting big zoom range with the convenience of AA batteries, at a launch price of $199.
A 16-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sits behind a 21x optical zoom covering 25-525mm equivalent with a maximum aperture of f/3.1, driven by the TruePic III+ processor. Macro focusing reaches 10cm, framing uses a 3.0-inch LCD, video records at 720p HD, and a mini HDMI port handles playback. Magic Art filters and a multi-shot 3D mode were the period extras, storage is on SD-family cards with Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility, and power comes from AA batteries.
It suits casual shooters who want one camera to span wide group shots to distant subjects at minimal cost, with AA power a genuine travel convenience. Fully automatic operation means no manual exposure modes, and small-sensor CCD output softens at the long end and in dim light, so expectations should match the price point.
AA power and SD storage make this one of the easier used bridge cameras to live with — no proprietary battery or dead card format to chase. Run the zoom through the full 21x range checking for hesitation or off-centre wobble, confirm stabilised shots at 525mm equivalent are usable, and test the pop-up flash and HDMI-era playback. Screen condition matters as there is no viewfinder.