Olympus SP-560 UZ

Connectivity
Software (8.0)
The Olympus SP-560UZ comes with the second version of Olympus Master Software. It is compatible with Windows and Macintosh operating systems. It also includes a trial version of Olympus muvee theaterPack, but only on Windows.

The program takes about 10 minutes to install and load existing pictures from the computer; this figure probably depends on the quality of the computer and how many pictures it is loading, though.

The second version of the Olympus Master software is exponentially better than its previous version. It has a much more intuitive layout and is more visually pleasing – something important to photographers, of course. It is also easier to use. When it starts up, a Quick Start guide appears and explains how to perform certain functions like browsing and printing.

Along the top of the window are plenty of access points: Transfer, Slide Show, E-mail, Print Menu, Edit, RAW, Panorama, Option, Update/Language, Quick Guide, and Help are arranged from left to right. There are organizational features along the left side of the window.

There are a decent number of editing options. It is still not as elaborate as Photoshop, but it is easier to use for the majority of point-and-shooters. From the Edit button, users can resize, crop, insert text, adjust the brightness & contrast, color balance, tone curve, gamma, auto tone correction, hue & saturation, monochrome & sepia, sharpness & blur, distortion correction, and red-eye reduction, as well as crop.

All in all, the included software with the Olympus SP-560UZ is above average compared to what is normally supplied with compact digital cameras. 

Jacks, ports, plugs (7.0)
On the left side of the camera is a rubber door that can be pried open. Beneath it are two ports: one for the DC in power adapter and the other for the USB/AV cables.

Direct Print Options (6.25)
Olympus included lots of picture effects in the Playback menu so users can print all kinds of projects directly from the camera: calendars, scrapbook pages, greeting cards, and of course good old-fashioned pictures. Printing is done through the Playback menu, where print orders can be created in the Print Order link from the initial menu screen. When this is pushed, users can scroll through and select pictures and choose to print 0-10 copies. If you want to print one of everything, there is an option to do that, too. Users can also choose to attach the date, time, or both. There is a playback button on the back of the camera with a print icon on it; this transfers the print order to the printer when the USB cable is connected.

Battery (4.5)
The Olympus SP-560UZ is powered by four AA batteries that fit into a compartment below the hand grip. The compartment is secured by a plastic door with a sliding lock on it. Once the door is closed, it won’t fly open. However, cramming it closed is tough because the batteries seem to want to spring out. There is a green battery life indicator on the LCD screen that shows only two levels; it would have been more helpful to have at least three levels so there is a little more warning before the batteries die.

Memory (3.0)
The Olympus SP-560 comes with 47 MB of internal memory, which is currently the most offered in any ultra-zoom digital camera. The camera has a plastic door on the right side that opens to a slot that fits xD-Picture cards. This type of media is generally used only on Olympus and Fujifilm digital cameras, as opposed to the more widely-used SD media. Unfortunately, the SP-560 can support cards only up to 2 GB, which will go quickly when shooting RAW images and recording clips. 

Other features (7.0)
Panorama – The SP-560 is just like other Olympus digital cameras. The Panorama mode provides guide lines, but not even a translucent sliver of a previously taken image like on most digital cameras. The pictures don’t stitch together in the camera, either; they must be loaded into software to do that. This feature can take up to 10 pictures and requires an Olympus-branded xD-Picture card to function.

Time Lapse – If you are into shooting butterflies hatching or buildings being built, the Olympus SP-560 has a built-in time lapse photography feature. It can take 2-99 pictures at intervals of 1-99 minutes.

Alarm Clock – The alarm clock can be turned on and off in the Setup menu. It can be set to go off once or every day. A snooze option can be turned on and off and users have a choice between three equally annoying alarm sounds. The volume has three levels of adjustment, too.

Guide Mode – This is located on the mode dial and walks beginners through basic photography lessons. There is a long list of common problems covered, such as brightening subjects and choosing Scene modes.