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Artwork: Rick Rizner, Chris Manners
Olympus SP-500 UZ Digital Camera
Pricing
Latest Price: $151.49
- Spec Navigator
- Digital Format
- Display
- Exposure
- Image Processor
- Included Hardware
- Included Software
- Lens
- Shutter
- Storage
- LCD Screen
- Exposure Controls
- Dimensions
- Power
- Flash
- Lens Features
- Connectivity
- Other Features
Image Processor
| Number of image sensor pixels | 6 megapixels |
| Image sensor | CCD |
| Maximum horizontal image resolution | 2816 |
| Maximum vertical image resolution | 2112 |
| Image sensor quantity | 1 |
| Image format |
|
| White balance | 0 |
Included Software
| Included Software | Olympus Master Image Editing Softwareadvanced instruction manual. |
Lens
| Accessory Lens | Yes |
| Lens Model | Olympus 10x |
| Telephoto Aperture Maximum | 3.7 mm |
| Wide-Angle Aperture Maximum | 2.8 mm |
Exposure Controls
| Maximum shutter speed | 1000 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 15 |
| Bulb setting | 0 |
| ISO equivalencies |
|
| Exposure settings | 0 |
| Exposure compensation range | 0 |
| Number of scene modes | 21 |
- Lab Tested
- How We Test Cameras »
Pros
High image quality
Powerful zoom
Cons
No image stabilization
Bottom Line
The low-priced SP-500 delivers high image quality, long battery life, and a powerful zoom. But it lacks image stabilization.
Olympus SP-500 Ultra Zoom
SP-500 UZ Digital Camera Review, by Richard Baguley January 11, 2006
The Olympus SP-500 Ultra Zoom is the lowest-priced advanced camera we've ever examined. Previously, the PC World Test Center tested the SP-500 as a point-and-shoot model. But after its impressive performance in that category, we chose to test its mettle against advanced cameras--and came away with similar results. The SP-500 matched the image quality of much more expensive models, and it offers such notable features as a remote like the one that accompanies the Canon PowerShot Pro1 (which costs almost twice as much) and the ability to store four customized scene modes.
The biggest thing about the SP-500 is its impressive 10X lens. But because the camera has no image stabilization, this long zoom can be a mixed blessing. In anything other than bright sunlight you may end up with blurry pictures because the long zoom amplifies camera shake, especially with long shutter times. As for freezing quick action, the fastest shutter speed is a disappointing 1/1000 second; most advanced cameras we've tested have a minimum shutter speed of 1/2000 or 1/4000 second.
The long lens expands to 3.5 inches deep when the camera is turned on. Even so, the SP-500 isn't terribly heavy--about 14 ounces with battery and memory card--and the wide grip makes it comfortable to hold while you shoot. You can easily snap a picture, use the zoom, or turn the mode dial with your right hand, but you'll need your other hand to access the on-screen menu. An auto-exposure lock button is conveniently located on the top of the camera.
Though the 2.5-inch LCD screen is viewable in daylight, the electronic viewfinder works much better in that type of setting, and it also saves battery life. You can switch between the two by pressing a button to the right of the viewfinder.
Battery life should not be a worry. Powered by four AA Duracell Ultra batteries, this SP-500 was still going after 500 shots, which is when we stop testing. And its use of standard AA batteries means that you won't have any problem finding replacements.
At $380, the SP-500 Ultra Zoom is inexpensive for a camera with a long zoom. Its resolution of 6 megapixels is a little behind that of the 7.2- and 8.4-megapixel models that we typically see in this category now, but the Olympus's resolution is more than adequate for most people. You can easily blow up images to 8-by-10-inch size and get photos that will look good on the wall.
You get a selection of 21 scene modes, including "museum" (which turns off the sound and the flash) and the unusual "behind glass." But there is no way to switch from one of them to another; you have to scroll through the list. One workaround is to use the My Mode setting on the dial to create saved groups of settings; this enables you to switch among four groups of customizable settings--a nice touch for advanced photographers, who may prefer a setting that differs in its details from the closest default scene mode.
We were impressed with the color in the photos we took with the SP-500, and the camera accurately exposed the images. We did notice some slight distortion when using the zoom lens at its widest settings, and the photos looked rather soft: Details such as small text and fine lines dissolved in a blurry haze. Switching to the document scene mode, however, improved sharpness by boosting contrast.
Upshot: This competitively priced model has a long zoom lens, numerous scene modes that will appeal to beginners, and plenty of manual controls for more serious shutterbugs.
Richard Baguley
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PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
-
91
-
76
-
76
- See Complete Lab Results »
91
69
71Performance
| Battery Life (minutes) | 273.5 |
| Battery Life Score | Superior |
| Image Quality Score | Very Good |
| Image Quality, Color | 65.6 |
| Image Quality, Color--Adjusted | 67.1 |
| Image Quality, Color--Auto | 64 |
| Image Quality, Distortion | 56.4 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Noise | 28.9 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Noise Reduction | 87.1 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Sharp Interpolation | 66.5 |
| Image Quality, Exposure | 61.7 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Flash | 60.3 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Normal | 62.2 |
| Image Quality, Overall | 64.7 |
| Image Quality, Sharpness | 41.6 |
| Number of Batteries | 4 |
| Number of Shots | 500 |
User Reviews
Average User Reviews for Olympus SP-500 UZ Digital Camera
2 Reviews Add your own »
- Latest User Reviews 2 reviews
-
Reviewed by: markp
Duration of ownership: 2 Years
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Reviewed by: sitsi
Duration of ownership: 5 Months
Strengths: Zoom, Beautiful images, it does what you tell it to do.
Weaknesses: Again...No image stabilization, expensive XD cards
Overall: I love this camera, it has better images than my previoous Sony Cybershot. The pictures are taken as I imagine them, the camera does what you tell it to do
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: alibailey
Strengths: Affordable - Great price for all this camera offers! Great Features, Lightweight, Super Photos, Great Zoom. Love it!
Weaknesses: Seriously, none to write about.
Overall: This has been one awesome camera. It was my first digital camera - and as it's turned out - I couldn't have picked a better camera to learn on. I learned as I shot and I have used it every single day for almost 2 years. It renewed my love for photography in a big way. This camera is sturdy and easy to use. I have alot of arthritis in my hands so I need a camera that is lightweight with an overall style that makes it easy to grip and hold on to. This camera has both.The zoom is great and all the features are easy to use. The final result is always what you want cause if there's a pic you don't want - one press of a button and it's deleted.Even the software was easy to use. This is a great camera!
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Reviewed by: bobandray
Strengths: Manual, shutter priority, and aperture priority shooting. Zoom. Good quality photographs.
Weaknesses: None
Overall: I bought my first SP-500 for my daughter's college class. It was recommended by the professor. I tried it out first and fell in love with it. Photos are sharp, exposed properly, and have correct color and skin tones. I am used to using manual 35 mm cameras and know how to match shutter speed with lens length. So far I have not had trouble with shake on hand held telephoto shots. I liked the camera so much that I bought one for myself. So far, I have had no negative experiences.
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Reviewed by: bucmeister
Strengths: Zoom, 2.5 inch LCD
Weaknesses: Very weak indecisive AF. Painful shutter lag. Oly knows better.
Overall: I like the camera well enough, the pictures are good when in focus and timed right for the shutter lag that I thought was supposed to be SO improved, NOT. In this day and time of state of the art electronics there is absolutely no excuse for such a sorry AF system as what this camera has, my old Fuji A205 does better. Shutter lag, if I smoked I could almost light a cigarette between the time the button is pushed and the picture is taken, again the A205 seems faster. I have two years experience with the A205 and only 2 weeks with the SP500 so maybe it will get better. I will look more carefully next time. This will seriously impact my brand perspecive when and if I ever choose to upgrade to a dSLR.My years with an Olympus OM1, that I dearly loved and would still be using if it had not been stolen, tainted my perspective when looking into buying this camera. I may end up going back to my old Minolta 700 film camera afterall.
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Reviewed by: jacjj5
Strengths: Zoom, Flash
Weaknesses: No image Stabilization
Overall: This camera is awesome. To list any weaknesses besides a lack of image stabilization would be nitpicking. I do find myself taking a couple of shots to get it right when I zoom in close because of the blurriness though. With image stabilization, this would be the world's perfect camera. The flash is so intense that I took a picture in complete darkness and it looked like I was outside, the picture was so clear and well lit. I'm still working on how to adjust the intensity of the flash in order not to "over bright" my pictures when taking them indoors. I find sometimes that when I do not use the flash, my pictures loose focus. But that's the glory of a digital camera. If you don't like the first picture, just delete and try again. I truly love this camera. I owned a Camedia Sports Zoom and it was good. It gave me trust in the Olympus name to buy another. And this camera came through with flying colors. I recommend this camera to the point and shoot user as well as the more advanced user. You won't be disappointed.
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Reviewed by: susho
Strengths: light weight
Weaknesses: absence of image stabilization, high shutter lag
Overall: While the camera is very light and has got lots of (21) scene modes it really gives trouble due to absence of any optical image stabilization. Due to a slight movement of the camera or the subject during taking the snap the photo gets spoiled. particularly at low light, when shutter speed has to be low any picture just gets blurred. This should be taken as a word of caution by the potential byers. Before purchasing please be very sure that you want this model.
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