Olympus SP-570UZ 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom

Olympus SP-570UZ 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom

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• 10-megapixel image sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
• 20x optical dual image-stabilized zoom
• 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD
• Perfect Fix in-camera editing; includes Olympus Master 2 software
• Stores images on xD Picture Cards (not included)

From the Manufacturer The powerful, versatile Olympus SP-570 Ultra Zoom digital compact camera stands out from the crowd with an astounding precision-crafted 20x, wide-angle optical zoom (26-520mm equivalent) and 10 million pixels of resolution for superior image quality in any shooting situation. The SP-570 UZ offers the advanced manual controls that experienced photographers demand and find on a digital SLR (single lens reflex), including a new zoom ring and hotshoe for external flash, and RAW format capture. At the same time, users can easily set the camera to operate like a simple point-and-shoot with automatic scene modes. Beyond its impressive lens and pixel count, the SP-570 UZ delivers other key innovations, including: Dual Image Stabilization combines the benefits of Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization to compensate for both camera shake and moving subjects, ensuring beautiful, blur-free images in any situation; Face Detection continually tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses, and optimizes exposure for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures even if your subject is moving; Shadow Adjustment Technology enables users to preview and capture images as the human eye sees them, compensating for difficult lighting situations and maintaining detail in highlights while improving the detail in the shadows to produce more balanced photos; Perfect Shot Preview takes the guesswork out of great photography by allowing users to preview and select various photographic effects live on the LCD screen, before snapping the shot; and Large, 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD with anti-glare technology improves visibility in bright sunlight and provides a wider viewing angle (176 degrees in every direction) for easier composition and viewing of images during playback. Olympus SP-570UZ Highlights Capturing it all, far and wide Precision optics is fundamental for producing quality images, and the SP-570 UZ comes fully equipped with the equivalent of three lenses in one complete camera. The bright, f2.8-4.5 lens provides the equivalent of 26-520mm focal length with 100x total seamless zoom (5x digital zoom). Get close to the action with the cameras versatile yet compact 20x super telephoto zoom and at the same time, the wide-angle (26mm) lens captures more in each frame. Its super-macro capabilities capture the subtlest details from as close as one centimeter. The compact lens construction combines high-refractive, aspherical and extra-dispersion (ED) lens elements to deliver edge-to-edge sharpness and clarity. Whether it is capturing fast-action sports or for everyday use, this sturdy compact body with a wide-angle and telephoto lens provides the versatility to get the job done. Dual Image Stabilization Dual Image Stabilization enables users to take crisp, clear pictures in virtually any shooting situation -- adjusting for camera shake and a moving subject. Olympus mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization keeps images sharp by adjusting the CCD to compensate for camera shake, which often occurs when zooming in on your subject and in low-light conditions when shutter speeds are slower. Digital Image Stabilization freezes the action with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds that prevent blur caused by a moving subject. Full manual control The Manual, Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes give users versatility and control for optimal performance in any situation. Users can express their creative vision -- adjusting the f-stop for detailed portraits with softened backgrounds, or slowing the exposure speed to create the blurred effect of motion, or just sit back and let the camera do the thinking through the use of the automatic settings. Manual focus is also available for users who want to have full creative control. Hotshoe for external flashes The SP-570 UZ offers a hotshoe for connecting an external flash, providing greater versatility for different lighting effects. Additionally, the SP-570 UZ supports wireless flashes, enabling a user to capture beautiful images even in difficult lighting situations. Face Detection Face Detection tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure (Face Detection AE) quickly for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures. Now, your subjects face is in focus whether it is in the center of the target area or not. High-Speed Sequential Shooting and Pre-Capture The SP-570 UZ is capable of capturing images at an incredible 13.5 frames per second (with a reduced image size of 3 megapixels). The inclusion of Pre-Capture technology, which works in conjunction with High-Speed Sequential Shooting, enables users to capture the action before and after fully pressing the shutter button. Pre-Capture begins working as soon as the focus is locked, automatically archiving five frames in the cameras buffer memory prior to the shutter release -- virtually guaranteeing that none of the action will be missed even if the users reaction time is slow. Perfect for situations where timing is essential, such as photographing a tennis player serving, children playing or a whale breaching. 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD The SP-570 UZ utilizes a HyperCrystal LCD designed to offer a wider viewing angle without glare or shadow. Now, images and movies appear crisp and clear on the LCD with a greater than 140-degree viewing angle (left-to-right or up-and-down), while composing or reviewing an image. Its electronic viewfinder is very sharp and includes a diopter to adjust to ones own eye strength when not wearing glasses. Shadow Adjustment Technology Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark shadowed areas and bright sunlight areas. While the human eye is capable of detecting the nuances between dark and light and all the details in between, image sensors traditionally have not been quite as sensitive. The SP-570 UZ addresses this challenge head-on with a new Shadow Adjustment Technology, which compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. With the new technology, users can preview and capture images that have the same contrast as seen with the naked eye. Perfect Shot Preview The SP-570 UZ features a Perfect Shot Preview mode that enables users to preview and select various photographic effects (such as zoom, exposure compensation, white balance and metering) on a live, multi-window screen before snapping the shot. Perfect Shot Preview enables users to see precisely what the image will look like when adjustments are made, ensuring users are capturing the exact image they want. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques. Perfect Fix in-camera editing Olympus Perfect Fix feature offers quick solutions for unanticipated image quality issues, which may be caused by several adverse conditions. Lighting Fix can be used to adjust any underexposed areas and Red-Eye Fix can be used to reduce the effects of red-eye sometimes caused by a direct flash. Additional in-camera editing functions can be quickly accessed right in the camera by the touch of a button; features available include resizing, trimming, frames, text options, black and white, and sepia. TruePic III image processor Olympus enhanced TruePic III image processor produces crystal clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to deliver superior picture quality with more accurate colors, true-to-life flesh tones and faster processing speeds. TruePic III also captures sharp images at high ISO settings, which are traditionally associated with increasing image noise or producing grainy photos. 31 shooting modes The SP-570 UZ makes it easy to take great photos in a variety of scenarios and lighting situations with 31 shooting modes, including a Multi-Fireworks mode. To capture the most stunning fireworks displays, this multi-exposure feature overlays the fireworks to create the memory of a lifetime. To activate any of the cameras pre-set modes, simply select the desired mode for portraits, landscapes, night scenes, fast-action and more. Olympus Master 2 software Olympus Master 2 software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are easily organized by folders or albums and searchable by date in Calendar view. Also, with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away. Use the optional muvee Theater Pack to create professional quality slide shows and DVDs from your pictures using any of several built-in templates.

Buy Now : Olympus SP-570UZ 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom

Brand : Olympus
Category : Electronics,Camera & Photo,Digital Cameras,Point & Shoot Digital Cameras
Rating : 4.1
Review Count : 85
Auto Focus Technology : Selective single-point, Multi-area, Single, Contrast Detection, Live View
Photo Sensor Size : 1/2.3-inch
Photo Sensor Technology : CCD
Effective Still Resolution : 10 MP
Camera Flash : F2.8
Video Capture Resolution : 480p
Video Standard : AVI
Model Name : Olympus SP-570UZ
Model Number : 226355
Best Sellers Rank : #583,313 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #4,008 in Digital Point & Shoot Cameras
Color : Black
Included Components : Instruction Manual
Expanded ISO Maximum : 3200
Lens Type : Zoom
Optical Zoom : 20 x
Compatible Mountings : Micro Four Thirds
Screen Size : 2.7 Inches
Display Type : LCD
Batteries Required? : No
Number of Batteries : 1 Lithium Ion batteries required.
Are Batteries Included : No
Rechargeable Battery Included : No
Target Gender : Unisex
Connectivity Technology : USB
Continuous Shooting Speed : 1.2
Special Feature : Image Stabilization
Skill Level : Professional
Form Factor : Compact
Display Resolution Maximum : 230,000
Image Stabilization : Sensor-shift
Viewfinder Type : LCD
Item Dimensions LxWxH : 4.57 x 3.07 x 3.11 inches
Item Weight : 0.89 Pounds
Zoom Type : Digital Zoom, Optical Zoom
Focus Type : Autofocus & Manual
Maximum Focal Length : 520 Millimeters
Minimum Focal Length : 26 Millimeters
Expanded ISO Minimum : 100
Shooting Modes : Scene
Battery Description : Nickel Metal Hydride
Wireless Communication Technology : None
Flash Memory Type : xD Picture Card, Internal
GPS : None
Max Shutter Speed : 1/2000 seconds
Min Shutter Speed : 4 seconds
Digital Zoom : 5
Autofocus Points : 143
Aperture Modes : F2.8
Real Angle of View : 140 Degrees

Olympus SP-570UZ 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom

• I\'ve read so many good things about this camera that I almost hate to be a detractor. But as a hard-shooting amateur, I find this camera frustrating in so many ways that I\'m already seeking a replacement after just a few months.Some of the big things are OK (build, weight, menu structure, view finder, LCD, battery life, memory) but some of the biggest things are not (auto-focus speed and accuracy, image stabilization, lens, menu defaults, controls, zoom). But even if you can live with some of the subjective choices made by Olympus on the big things, their choices on many of the little things are pretty frustrating.The bottom line:- I frequently miss shots with this camera.- I frequently get blurry pictures across many lighting conditions.- Even when I get the shot, the images, while not terrible, are sub-standard in many ways (and I don\'t think this is a subjective read on my part, nor do I think I have a defective unit).This is not my first Olympus UZ. That was the  Olympus C-2100 2MP Digital Camera w/ 10x Optical Zoom , with which I took about 16,000 pictures over the last 6 1/2 years. That camera was a pioneer in the UZ category, featuring 10X optical zoom (100X digital), the earliest image stabilization and a fabulous lens made by Canon. Its only real downside was the 2.1MP resolution (which was at the low end even as it was introduced). Mine ultimately developed some dead pixels on the sensor which led me into a very quick search for a replacement.I\'d had such good luck with the Olympus, that I didn\'t even consider other brands. After reading a handful of reviews which labeled this camera the best of its class, I didn\'t even hesitate. I assumed that time had improved most of the features, and that the learning curve would be fairly small. The latter proved true, the former did not.At 10MP, resolution is not an issue. The ability to save RAW and JPG simultaneously is fabulous, though slow (I don\'t use it regularly). The view finder and LCD are great. Battery life (with hybrid rechargeables and a few tweaks to the default settings) is superb. Some people complain about the menu structure, but there are a lot of features on this camera. I think the menu structure is pretty good. And this camera does feel good in the hand. The built-in flash is also much more usable than the one in its predecessor.That\'s where the good ends.The first questionable thing I noticed is that the camera was making unexpected decisions on which portion of the frame to use for auto-focusing. These decisions were not good. I have a whole bunch of early shots with some arbitrary element of the shot -- often far from the center -- in focus while everything else is fuzzy. This turns out to be a \"feature\" called \"iESP\" mode in which, according to the manual, \"The camera determines which subject within the screen to focus on.\" I quickly disabled it in favor of the \"spot\" mode (center of the frame gets the focus). There are additional modes available, and though I realize there will be times when iESP is a usable feature, it simply should not be the default.This also turns out to be the first of several senseless defaults that I discovered as I worked through the menus. These include:- Movies default to recording without sound.- The \"record view\" (which shows each picture for a second or two immediately after taking it) defaults to ON, but also defaults to the LCD screen even if you\'re using the viewfinder, rendering it virtually useless. By the time you get the camera away from your eye to view the captured image, it\'s gone.- When using the viewfinder, by default the control panel is visible on the LCD. Unless you change settings frequently, this is a needless drain on the batteries.Once I got the auto-focus mode changed, that\'s when I began to realize just how poor it is. It\'s slow, frequently inaccurate, and performs especially poorly in anything other than direct sunlight. On my previous Olympus, I had become accustomed to a quick and perfect focus every time. With the 570, it sometimes takes three or four tries before it can focus, and it almost requires a hard edge somewhere within the AF target mark. This may help explain why iESP is the default: it allows the camera to search for hard edges in the frame and use those to get a quicker focus lock. Unfortunately, it also means weird auto-focus decisions.I appreciate the extended zoom range of this camera, especially at the wide angle end. But this comes with serious trade-offs.First, the lens has some serious pin-cushioning problems which even zooming cannot completely alleviate. I often have to use my camera to take pictures of images in square frames. This camera makes that an especially difficult task.Second, at the telephoto end, autofocus becomes a painful problem. I also take lots of pictures from the stands at baseball games, and this camera performs very poorly in that type of setting. Even worse, the image stabilization is of very little help. In my previous Olympus camera, handheld was always an option -- even at the 100X end. With this, even a tripod cannot guarantee that the image you see in the view finder will be the image you get. The simple act of pressing the shutter button is often enough to make it reset, which is very frustrating.These problems render the optional digital zoom portion as essentially worthless. When all is said and done, the usable telephoto zoom on this camera is about the same as the earlier model (though there is definitely more useful range at the wide angle end if you can live with the pin-cushioning).You will see mention in almost every review of the zoom ring on the lens. Most reviewers dismiss it as \"not too bad.\" I have to disagree. It\'s very, very bad in design and implementation.Some photographers may be able to adjust to its quirks, but I find them simply unacceptable. First and foremost, the zoom does not respond exactly to the turning of the ring. Sometimes it stops before you stop moving your hand, other times it continues zooming after you have stopped moving your hand. Moving it slowly sometimes results in a slower zoom, but the threshold between slow and fast zooming is hard to find. It is possible to move the ring and get no change whatsoever in the zoom. As a result, accuracy with the zoom is nearly impossible.Though the concept is a throwback to the old SLRs of my childhood, the more modern alternative (a small lever near the shutter release which can be operated by the index finger of your shooting hand) is far superior. The ring on the 570 essentially forces the use of two hands, and even then cripples your ability to frame a shot as you wish on the fly.And finally, the zoom ring turns the wrong direction. Counter-clockwise zooms in, clockwise zooms out. I am forever getting this wrong -- another reason for missing shots.This last piece, the direction to turn the control, is just one of many annoying smaller things found in this camera. Among these are:- You must remove the lens cap when the camera is powered on. I prefer to leave the power on with the lens cap on, then just slip the lens cap off when I\'m ready to shoot. That\'s not possible with this camera.- If you forget to take the lens cap off, you get an error message, the camera locks up, and you must cycle the power off and on. At a minimum, this triples the boot-up time.- The edge of the lens cap is very close to the surface of the lens. Finger smudges on the lens have become a very real and common problem.- There are some very subtle differences between the \"P\" mode and the \"Auto\" mode of shooting -- limitations which you may not realize until you look at the pictures later (I used \"P\" initially, then switched to \"Auto\" when I discovered some subtle improvements to the results).- The so-called \"smile detector\" feature is worthless. Don\'t buy this camera for that. It just plain doesn\'t work unless all the conditions are perfect (a rarity).- The camera sounds are LOUD, even at their quietest setting. The alternative, \"silent mode\", is so quiet that you can\'t tell when the shutter has snapped.- The shutter snap sound is artificial, and there is no tactile sense that the shutter has snapped. The older Olympus had a soft mechanical click, and it was essential. Over time, this -- along with shutter lag -- have served to differentiate between the professional DSLR class and the amateur UltraZoom. There is no question that this camera is aimed at amateurs (and not even at a \"prosumer\" class user).- When reviewing photos, they are displayed in either the viewfinder or on the LCD based on which you were using to take photos. Viewing pictures is difficult in the viewfinder, and there should be an option to specify that the LCD is always used for reviewing. But there is no such setting.Finally, when you get used to all of the quirks on this camera and get ready to take a family picture, you will discover that this camera does not support the use of a remote control. There is a time delay shutter release, but that\'s just not the same.If I had known this, I would not have purchased this camera.I suppose that none of these things would be deal-breakers if the image quality was as exceptional as I have become used to with Olympus cameras. But I find the images soft and the colors somewhat wan. I came to discover that there are various menu settings which allow these characteristics to be adjusted (picture mode, sharpness, contrast, and saturation), but that seems ridiculous to me. I want crisp images and accurate colors. That should be the default (and only) option on the camera. Even after I have adjusted these settings at great length, the image quality remains quite flat.An additional frustration does creep in with regard to the menus. Though I find their organization to be quite easy to navigate, I find myself frustrated because certain menu options are unavailable based on mode settings. For example, I don\'t understand why the \"Camera Menu\" is grayed out and unavailable when the camera is in \"Auto\" mode.If you are drawn to this camera for some of the gimmicky features I have not mentioned, I recommend that you think twice. Yes, there are lots of scene modes and image preview/editing options, as well as extensive bracketing and shooting parameters to adjust. But I consider these to be mainly toys, and I do not use them. If you are shooting portraits in a studio somewhere, such nuanced options may come in handy (but you probably wouldn\'t want an ultra-zoom in such a setting anyway). If you are taking pictures out in the real world, there is just not enough time to decide on and set the correct scene mode before you snap.Two final things: First, the camera contains some internal memory which allows you to take pictures without using the optional xD memory card. But be careful not to lose the USB cable which comes with the camera. The camera-end connector is not standard, and without that cable there is no way to offload those pictures. (I found this out the hard way.) Second, though the quality of video clips is acceptable, the zoom range is severely hobbled when in the video mode. Full-range zoom is not possible when shooting videos.As you can tell, the SP-570UZ has been a disappointment to me almost from the moment it came out of the box. It may be that this is truly the best camera currently available in this class, but if that is the case, the class has regressed since the C-2100UZ was released in 2001. That would be a shame.*** UPDATE January 2010 ***I\'ve been using this camera for 18 months and I absolutely hate it. But let me correct a few small things from the review.1. Even though I eventually found the USB cord, I also discovered that it\'s possible to \"back up\" photos stored internally to the xD card. Clunky, but it works.2. Out of frustration with image quality, I began experimenting more systematically with the scene modes. They are uniformly worthless, and the difference in results between them is almost laughably invisible.3. Battery life has turned out to be excellent. It\'s a cold comfort.4. Because of poor performance in anything other than direct sunlight, I tend to avoid cloudy days and use the flash much more often. No camera should make you want to do either of these things. The results remain quite disappointing.5. Video quality is especially poor. There\'s also a weird limitation on zooming. It appears to be only digital, and as you zoom in, the picture degrades very quickly. It\'s nice to have no arbitrary time limit on video length, but when the quality is this bad, using it for that purpose should be avoided. (My cheap, Flip-style camcorder gets WAY better results.)For now I\'m stuck with this dog while saving up for something better (a D90 perhaps).
• Hands down, this is the most flexible of the dozen or so (film and digital) cameras that I have owned.But it is also the easiest to use over a wide variety of situations. And the 20x optical zoom is just amazing, equivalent of 26mm to 520mm on a classical 35mm camera. For 3-megapixel shots, there\'s a 30x \"soft zoom\" mode that combines 1.5x digital zoom with the optical zoom, without loss of resolution.The one downside is that the small (1/2.33\") sensor does exhibit quite a bit of color noise in low-light situations. To be fair, it takes usable pictures in lighting, and at distances, where none of my previous cameras would have gotten anything at all.Turn the mode dial to Auto, and you have the consummate point and shoot camera. The things you need to master to take good snapshots in most situations are: taking off the lens cap, turning on the power switch, pointing the camera, and pressing the shutter button.From there, you can mix and match other features and controls wherever your photographic needs, sophistication, and interests take you. One button to enable the flash. One ring to control the zoom. One switch for manual focus. Program, Aperture, or Shutter priority modes. Exposure compensation. Over 20 specialized \"scene\" modes, such as Portrait, Smile Shot, Fireworks, Candlelight, ... One button to switch to Macro or SuperMacro (1cm) focusing.Flash metering is through the lens and there is a hot shoe that interfaces with external Olympus flashes for TTL metering, which seems quite accurate.The camera has enough buttons (and a multi-purpose \"setting\" dial) to provide an efficient interface for all the common controls an advanced amateur is likely to want. And it also provides a very general menu interface that provides direct control of even more camera parameters for users who need it, without having to remember which button controls what. Exposure and flash exposure compensation. Bracketing (3 or 5 shots, with 0.3, 0.7, or 1.0 steps). Drive: single shot, bracket, continuous, high speed (13.5 frames/sec.), time lapse. Sharpness, contrast, and saturation adjustment. Metering \"intelligent,\" spot, or area mode. Autofocus face, \"intelligent,\" spot, or area mode. Fulltime or predictive auto-focus. And so on.An Olympus feature I like is MyMode, where I can pre-establish four combinations of settings that I expect to use a lot, and get to them just by selecting one of my four modes.No wonder the \"Quick Start Guide\" is 100 pages.NB: Don\'t be fooled: The $10.00 \"Instruction Manual\" that can be purchased separately from Olympus is just the \"Quick Start Guide\" in plastic covers. There does not seem to be ANY official source for the rest of the information an owner might want.Shooting pictures at 5 megapixels, image quality under all conditions seems to meet or exceed that of my older Olympus C-750. (And it\'s dramatically better in every single dimension than the Olympus C-2100 I reviewed back in 2001.) I expect to be able to crop pictures normally and still make 8\"x10\" prints without any visible digital artifacts. As with all my digital cameras, I\'ll use Photoshop to fix up pictures to my taste; I\'ve played with, but don\'t expect to seriously use, the 570UZ\'s in-camera editing facilities.Oh, yes, the 570UZ is also a pretty decent little camcorder. Just turn the mode dial to Video, and you can shoot videos at VGA (640x480) or qVGA (320x240) resolution at either 15 or 30 frames per second. Everything the  Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder  can do, in a package that\'s only a little larger, with 20x optical instead of 2x digital zoom, and only one button you have to understand. But with the potential of using most of the camera controls described above, if you want to. Because it records to a flash memory card (and the maximum xD card is 2GB), video chews up memory pretty fast: Less than 19 minutes/2GB at full resolution and frame rate, just over 50 minutes/2GB at minimum res and rate.

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