Olympus SZ-10 18x superzoom camera goes 3D

The Olympus SZ-10 is a new superzoom that's 18 with a bullet. It has an 18x optical zoom, anyway, as well as snapping 3D pictures.

The 18x zoom lens has a focal length of 28-504mm, equivalent to a 35mm camera. The long zoom is supported by sensor-shifting image stabilisation, so there's less camera shake even when you're zoomed right in.

The SZ-10 is getting in on the 3D action. We can't think why, Olympus doesn't have 3D TVs to flog like Sony -- maybe it's feeling left out. To take a 3D picture you select 3D mode, snap the first picture, then slowly pan until the camera snaps a second shot. The two pictures from slightly different angles are combined into an .mpo file to be played back on your 3D telly or laptop.

Speaking of televisions, there's an HDMI connection for playing back the SZ-10's 720p high-definition video. The camera sports a 3-inch, 460,000-pixel screen for composing.

The panorama feature also combines multiple pictures taken in one movement. Extra-wide pictures are created in one motion by panning across the scene, with the camera automatically stitching together three photos.

Other features include panorama mode and eight 'magic filters', which apply different looks such as soft focus, fish-eye or pin hole effects. 

The SZ-10 will be available in March, and will cost £200. It comes in either black and silver.