Olympus SZ-30MR and SZ-20 are HD and 3D multi-tasking marvels

The Olympus SZ-30MR and SZ-20 are 16-megapixel high-definition superzoom cameras capable of multi-tasking HD and 3D.

Richard Trenholm

Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.

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Richard Trenholm

March 2, 2011 7:14 a.m. PT

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Crave struggles to do one thing at a time, let alone two. So we're overawed by the new Olympus SZ-30MR and SZ-20, two 16-megapixel, high-definition superzoom cameras capable of multitasking pictures and video.

The SZ-30 packs a 24x optical zoom. The focal length is 25-600mm, equivalent to a 35mm camera. Olympus reckons the SZ-30 is the first ever camera to capture full HD movies and 16-megapixel photos at the same time.

More intriguingly, the camera captures two movies in different modes or from different angles. They also snap 3D pictures you can play back on a 3D TV or laptop. We can't wait to try all that out in one of our famous in-depth reviews.

The SZ-30 looks gorgeous, flaunting a slick two-tone metallic finish, giving it a much sleeker look than the average superzoom.

The SZ-20 sports a 12.5x optical zoom, equivalent to 24-300mm. It looks equally slick, with the black version boasting a classy dimpled handgrip. Both models feature a 3-inch screen and scroll wheels at the back.

Both the multi-tasking marvels shoot 1080p high-definition video and include a 16-megapixel backlit CMOS. Rear-illuminated CMOS sensors move the wiring gubbins to the back of the sensor so it doesn't get in the way of the light entering the camera, cutting down on image noise and improving picture quality in low-light.

Each camera comes in silver or black. Launch details for the SZ-20 haven't been decided yet, but the SZ-30 arrives in April for around £300.