| Likes |
-Sturdy body
- High ISO sensitivity
- 18x optical zoom
- Optical image stabilization
- Simultaneous RAW and JPEG shooting
- LCD’s smooth refresh rate
- Great LCD
- Perfect Fix technology
- In-camera editing
-Low noise and excellent dynamic range at ISO 50 and 100 |
| Dislikes |
-Long menus
- Optical zoom doesn’t function with audio in Movie mode
- Expensive
-Slow autofocus system
-Long processing time
-Undersaturated and inaccurate colors
-Disappointing resolution
-Soft focus in videos
-Obvious barrel distortion
-Blue cast to ISO 1600 and 3200 photos
-Long exposures show glowing spots in them |
Conclusion
Olympus’ newest ultra-zoom digital camera comes with face detection and a slightly wider, but still incredibly long lens. The Olympus SP-560UZ keeps some of its predecessor’s best features: a high-resolution 2.5-inch LCD screen, lots of great picture effects, and a sturdy body.
The 18x optical zoom lens is the headline feature, and it delivers with a nice range that can be used in almost any circumstance. The 8.1-megapixel SP-560 retails for $499, which is at the high end of what most consumers are willing to pay for a non-DSLR camera.
The Olympus SP-560UZ improves upon its predecessor, but still falls short of its competition. Its colors are inaccurate and there are still problems with basic features like focus and continuous shooting modes: they aren’t fast and the focus can be soft, especially in movies. In the end, there are more things to dislike about the SP-560 than there are to like. There are better ultra-zoom digital cameras out there for less expensive prices.
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