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| Click photo for more images of the Olympus SP-570 UZ. |
In the lead-up to the 2008 PMA trade show in Las Vegas, NV, Olympus added a new model to its line of high-zoom point-and-shoots. The 10-megapixel SP-570 Ultra Zoom features an f/2.8-4.5, 26mm-520mm (35mm camera equivalent) 20x zoom lens that incorporates Extra-low Dispersion (ED) and aspherical elements to minimize chromatic aberration and other optical flaws. Optical image stabilization is available via a sensor-shift system. An electronic viewfinder (EVF) supplements the camera's 230,000-dot, 2.7-inch LCD. In addition to features for serious photographers such as manual exposure and RAW image capture, the SP-570 UZ provides advanced automatic technology and uses the company's TruePic III processor. The new Ultra Zoom also has a hotshoe and can control wireless remote flash units.
The SP-570 UZ provides 31 shooting modes, including manual and priority exposure, an underwater mode for use with an underwater housing, and a Smile Shot mode that uses face-detection technology to automatically snap a photo when someone in front of the camera smiles. There's also a Multi-Fireworks mode that captures multiple exposures in a frame and could presumably be put to creative uses that aren't limited to photographing fireworks. Exposure controls include light-sensitivity settings up to ISO 6400 and a shutter-speed range of 1/2000 to 15 seconds, with a Bulb mode that allows exposures as long as 8 minutes. There's also a live histogram, automatic exposure bracketing, spot and center-weighted metering, and an interval mode for timelapse photography. Exposures can be improved after the shot with Olympus's Shadow Adjustment Technology feature, which uses software processing to open up dark shadows while retaining highlight detail.
The camera's advanced automatic tools include face-detection autofocus and autoexposure; Perfect Shot Preview, which helps users preview the effects of setting changes before taking a photo; and Perfect Fix, which automatically adjusts exposure, sharpens blurry areas, and corrects redeye in playback mode.
For high-speed photography SP-570 UZ's continuous-shooting mode can capture 3-megapixel images at 13.5 frames per second in 30-frame bursts, or shoot 30 5-megapixel photos at 7.2fps. At full resolution, it captures a series of seven shots at 1.2fps. The camera's Pre-Capture feature can be used to automatically save five frames as soon as focus is locked. There's also a video mode that records 640x480 video at a smooth 30 frames per second, as well as a separate voice recording mode.
The SP-570 UZ comes with Olympus Master 2 image processing software and will be available in March 2008 for $499.99.
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