Model Design / Appearance (6.5)
This digital camera has some physical characteristics of both DSLRs and compact models – although it is definitely more on the compact end. The Olympus SP-500 UZ has a thick body, a bit of heft (thanks to 4 AA batteries), and a matte black finish typical of single lens reflex cameras. It also has a wide ergonomic handgrip with a shutter release button tilted toward the front like an SLR. Still, this model is definitely designed for a less serious photographic crowd. Its components are and feel inexpensive when compared with an SLR. The SP-500 UZ’s viewfinder is plastic and uncomfortable. The body itself is built of plastic with rubber components.

The Olympus SP-500 UZ can be purchased for much less than other similar models, reflecting the quality of the construction. The camera’s large LCD is typical of compact models, as is its sub-par 115,000-pixel resolution. The simplistic layout and feature offerings are also typical of an upper level compact digital camera. The camera body looks neither awkward nor attractive and is quite plain; its appearance is nothing to draw one’s eye.

Size / Portability (6.0)
With a boxy frame, the Olympus SP-500 UZ has a thick body and several protrusions to boot. The camera body measures 4.15 x 2.93 x 2.8 inches at its thickest points. The right-hand grip protrudes significantly as does the 10x optical zoom lens – even when the camera is off. Even without the lens and grip, the body is still quite thick. The SP-500 weighs 10.05 oz without the batteries and card. Those elements add substantial weight, especially the four AA batteries that this Olympus uses. Fortunately, there are eyelets on each side of the camera body so the included neck strap can be attached. The body is too boxy for a purse or pocket, but would do well in a small camera bag.

Handling Ability (7.5)
There is some heft to the SP-500, but the handling is otherwise quite effortless. All of the control buttons are located on the right side of the camera (when viewing from the back), so users can access controls quite easily and do it without major shooting interruptions. There is a nice ergonomic handgrip that is wide enough to provide comfort for the palm while also providing a textured rubber finger grip for stability. Users can operate the SP-500 UZ with one hand, although two is certainly recommended.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (7.0)
The control buttons and general layout of controls on the Olympus SP-500 UZ is in-line with other compact models. The buttons placed on the back of the camera are adequately sized and positioned. The mode dial is exceptionally large and easy to rotate. The multi-selector is also quite large with a big OK/ Menu selection button in the center. Many compact models with this type of multi-selector have an undersized selection button, but the SP-500 does not have that problem. All of the buttons are placed within easy reach of the right thumb, so the controls are easily accessible. However, those users who prefer an array of exterior controls may be a bit disappointed as the SP-500 UZ does bury some essential shooting functions in menus.

Menu (6.5)
The SP-500’s menus are printed in all capital letters; finicky users might be irritated by that. The words themselves are also quite large, which might appeal to farsighted users. When the designated Menu button is pressed, a matrix-type menu appears with four options. Three of the options are shortcuts that can lead to selections in the longer Mode Menu option that is always on the right side of the screen. The shortcuts are selectable, so if users find themselves adjusting the white balance constantly they can make one of the three shortcuts jump to the white balance option in the mode menu.

These shortcuts are much needed as the mode menu is quite lengthy. It consists of four folder-like tabs. The tabs along the left side of the screen are Camera, Picture, Card, and Setup. The Camera menu consists of these options: Metering, Macro, Drive, ISO, Self Timer, Flash Intensity, Flash Synchro, Flash, Digital Zoom, Noise Reduction, AF Mode, Focus Mode, Fulltime AF, Panorama, Sound, Timelapse, and AF Predict. The Picture tab reveals these options: Image Size, White Balance, White Balance Compensation, Sharpness, Contrast, and Saturation. The Card tab only contains Format and Backup options, while the setup menu is much longer. The Setup tab contains these options: Reset, Language, Power On Setup, Power Off Setup, Rec. View, Volume, Beep, Shutter Sound, My Mode Setup, File Name, Pixel Mapping, LCD Brightness, Time, Dual Time Setup, m/ft, Video Out, AF Illuminator, Short Cut, Histogram, Frame Assist, and Custom Button.

The color coded design of the SP-500 UZ’s menus help with organization; the tabs are gray, the menu options are blue, and the selected option is yellow; the menu box is superimposed atop the live view on the LCD screen. Navigation in the menus is simple with the multi-selector that has four directional buttons and a large Menu / OK selection button in its center. The only drawback to the menu is the abundance of non-intuitive icons. Some digital cameras pair unknown icons with text that appears when the option is highlighted; this isn’t so with the Olympus SP-500 UZ. The icons are difficult to decipher and there is no text option to help out; confused users must consult the user manual, which is unfortunately located on a not-so-handy CD-ROM.

Ease of Use (7.0)
The Olympus SP-500 UZ is fairly easy to use, but it does have a few quirks. The menus have a large font, but are insanely long and full of icons that are tough to figure out. When users can’t figure out what the icons mean, there is a small Disp./ Guide button that provides some explanation. Overall, the SP-500 is quite simple to figure out (which is good since the advanced manual is only available on CD-ROM). The handgrip is comfortable, the designated buttons are organized and properly labeled, and the camera can easily transform into a point-and-shoot with a flip of the mode dial to the Auto position.

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