| Likes |
|
- $379 price
- Long 10x optical zoom lens
- Thorough playback mode with editing options
- Easy print button
- Interesting frame and title options
- Tons of image size options
- Lots of flash controls
|
| Dislikes |
- Poor LCD resolution
- 4 AA batteries add significant bulk
- Non-intuitive icons
- No great viewing options
- Manual focus is a joke
- No image stabilization
- Poor color reproduction
- Slow burst mode |
Conclusion
The Olympus SP-500 UZ has a cheap plastic body but includes a lot of nice features and manual functionality at a very reasonable $379 price. With 6 megapixels, this digital camera has a complete set of recording modes: manual, priority, automatic, movie, and an extensive list of 21 scene modes. These are complemented by the Olympus ED 10x optical zoom lens that works in the movie mode as well as the still image recording modes.
Olympus cut costs by omitting an image stabilization system, which would have greatly benefited users and is included on much of its ultra zoom competition. Olympus also cut costs a few other ways too: the 2.5-inch LCD screen has only 115,000 pixels, the electronic viewfinder doesn’t have the cushy padding its competitors have, and the body is constructed from plastic. The burst mode is slow and the colors aren’t fantastic, but the Olympus SP-500 still has some very interesting features. With its in-camera editing, users can take a picture and add a frame and text, then print it with the Easy Print button – all within a matter of two minutes. All in all, the Olympus SP-500 UZ is a fine option for those who want an inexpensive ultra zoom model; it’s tough beat its $379 retail price.
