Value (7.0)
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and so is value. I say that this 6 megapixel model has a lot of nice features, but most of them show their inexpensive construct. The 2.5-inch LCD screen is nicely sized but has poor resolution. The electronic viewfinder is an addition on most SLR-shaped models, but the SP-500’s is plastic and not very comfortable. There is a 10x optical zoom lens, but no image stabilization system to support its telephoto recording. Still, the price is right at $379, which is a low price for an ultra zoom. And for consumers who want to snap a shot and send out customized holiday greeting cards ten minutes later, this is definitely the right model at the right price.

Comparisons
Canon PowerShot S2 IS – This digital camera has a similar shape, but isn’t quite as compact as the Olympus model. The Canon S2 IS has 5 megapixels and similar manual, priority, and automatic modes. With its 12x optical zoom lens and optical image stabilization system, the S2 has fancy features. It also has a 1.8-inch LCD monitor that folds out from the body and rotates like a camcorder screen. While this screen is a lot smaller than the SP-500’s, they both have the same 115,000-pixel resolution. The Canon PowerShot S2 IS may have fewer megapixels, but it has a nicer lens and a coveted image stabilization system so it has a higher retail price of $499.


Fujifilm FinePix S5200 – The Fujifilm S5200 has a SLR-like body in a compact form and a 10x optical zoom lens that is compatible with conversion lenses. It shoots in RAW and JPEG and has an electronic viewfinders as well as an LCD screen. Sound familiar? The Fuji and the Olympus have their differences though. The Fuji has 5 megapixels on its 1/2.5-inch Super CCD, and the S5200 has a smaller 1.8-inch LCD screen. The cameras both have manual and priority modes, but the S5200 has fewer scene modes. Both the S5200 and the SP-500 run on four AA batteries.




Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z6 – The strangely shaped Z6 is visually comparable to a Star Wars TIE Fighter because of its bulky right-hand grip, protruding lens barrel, and skinny midsection connecting the two (as illustrated here). The 6 megapixel digital camera has a 12x optical zoom lens that is coupled nicely with anti-shake technology. The easy to use Z6 has similar mode offerings, but its exposure settings are a little different The DiMAGE has a shorter 4-1/1000th shutter speed range and a maximum aperture of f/4.5 at the telephoto end of the lens (f/2.8 in wide). The Z6 has a pop-up flash that must be manually opened like the Olympus, but it is not as powerful as the one on the SP-500. The Konica Minolta digital camera has a 2-inch LCD screen with 114,000 pixels and in-camera editing of the contrast and sharpness. The Z6 eats through its 4 AA batteries quite quickly. The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z6 retails for $399.


Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 – This model is similarly shaped and has a long 12x optical zoom lens, but has one megapixel less than the Olympus SP-500. Sony included a nice optical image stabilization system on a body that has a fast start-up and hardly any shutter lag. The H1 has a LCD screen with similar 2.5-inch, 115,000-pixel specifications. The Cyber-shot produced relatively low noise as well. The 5 megapixel digital camera is the flagship of Sony’s "enthusiast" series and it too is compatible with conversion lenses. It has 32 MB of internal memory and retails for $499.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – These consumers will love the auto mode and the lengthy list of scene modes. And perhaps someday they will come to appreciate the more manual aspects of the Olympus SP-500 UZ. Still, this would be a great camera for a point-and-shooter that may do more than point and shoot in the future.

Budget Consumers – Manual controls, a 10x optical zoom lens, and a 2.5-inch LCD screen are all fancy options for a $379 digital camera. Budget consumers will definitely give the SP-500 a look and perhaps even buy it without a discount or rebate.

Gadget Freaks – There aren’t exceptionally cool gadgets on the SP-500. There is a pixel mapping option, but that’s not exactly something you’d whip out to show your friends. There are frame and title options in playback that make direct printing pretty fun, but this is an otherwise average camera.

Manual Control Freaks – Shutter speed and aperture can be manually adjusted. There is a manual white balance mode and plenty of other options that can be manually selected. Manual control freaks can control nearly every aspect of the shot. Manual control freaks can even attach conversion lenses, but alas there is no hot shoe for flash accessories.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists – For someone who is really into digital photography, this probably isn’t the right model. The LCD has poor resolution, the electronic viewfinder is almost unusable, the body makes it look more like a compact model, and the lack of a zoom ring is enough to drive any serious hobbyist into a funk.

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