The latest addition to Olympus' specialist or SP range is the 10 megapixel SP-570 UZ, built around a huge 20x optical zoom lens.

The lens offers an equivalent focal range of 26-520mm, making it the world’s most powerful zoom camera in this segment, claims Olympus.

Focal range can be increased to 2600mm when combined with the 5.0x digital zoom, or up to 4420mm when adding the optional TCON-17 Teleconverter and CLA-10 Adapter Ring.

Because the risk of blurry images grows as the focal length increases, Olympus adds that it has incorporated Dual Image Stabilisation in the SP-570 UZ.

The camera also boasts a 15fps burst rate and a pre-capture mode enables recording of five frames before the shutter is released.

Additional features include a 2.7 inch HyperCrystal LCD and a suite of tools including BrightCapture Technology, High ISO Settings, Face Detection Technology and Shadow Adjustment Technology.

The SP-570 UZ also features a choice of 22 scene modes.

For snappers who want more control, focus and zoom levels can be adjusted manually using the camera's lens ring.

In addition to a hotshoe, the camera has a wireless flash control and is with the Olympus FL-50R and FL-36R flash units which were initially introduced for use with the Olympus E-3 DSLR.

While the zoom capabilities make long distance photography a possibility, photographers will also be able to take advantage of a minimum shooting distance of 1cm in the camera's Super Macro mode.

The SP-570 UZ will arrive in stores in March priced £389.99.