Olympus SP-570 UZ

Focus
Auto Focus (7.75)
The default iESP mode attempts to determine the subject of the photo by analyzing the scene and focuses accordingly. Spot focus limits focus to the auto focus target mark in the center of the screen, while Area auto focus lets the user move the auto focus mark using the four-way controller. Face detect  mode is also available, which identifies the people in a scene and sets focus and exposure accordingly.

Full-time auto focus is available in both still and movie modes, maintaining focus without requiring the shutter button to be depressed halfway.  Of course, this mode will wear down batteries more quickly, and produces a noticeable ongoing vibration as you move the camera around which we find unpleasant.

AF Predict attempts to keep a moving subject in focus as you keep the shutter half-pressed. We had mixed results here, with a swinging ball on the end of a rope tracked fairly well but a speeding dog and a panning camera just too much for the system.
 

There are two macro mode settings, available by pressing the rightmost button in the four-way controller group. Regular macro mode allows focusing as close as 3.9 inches (10 cm) from your subject. If that doesn't fill the screen sufficiently, there's Super macro mode, which lets you cozy up as close as 0.4 inch (1 cm) from your target, if you can somehow manage not to block the light at that nearly-touching range.
 

In all focus modes, the auto focus illuminator can be switched on or off. It's a red LCD light with a good long range, and with its assistance we found low-light auto focus quite speedy.
 

Exposure (7.00)
The 570UZ provides the full complement of aperture-priority, shutter-priority and full manual exposure controls, all available via the top Mode dial. The Control dial, to the right of the Mode dial, changes the selected variable easily in aperture- or shutter-priority modes. In full manual, with only one control dial available, you have to press the exposure compensation button near the shutter to toggle between setting aperture or shutter. The on-screen display highlights the selected function, displays the current exposure value above or below the ideal numerically in 1/3 EV increments, and brightens or darkens the screen interactively to show the impact of settings changes.

Exposure compensation is available in the ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV increments. The setting is managed by holding down the exposure compensation button (behind and to the left of the shutter) with your index finger, then turning the control dial with your thumb. Changes are reflected in the on-screen image as they're made. It's a fast, efficient system, much easier than burrowing down through the menu system.
 

The AEL/ AFL button can be set to lock auto focus, auto exposure or both, using the Setting menu.
 

Metering (6,75)
There are three available metering modes. ESP doesn't actually set the exposure based on psychic readings; it stands for Electronic Selective Pattern, analyzes the full frame and attempts to create a balanced exposure favoring what the system calculates to be the subject of the photo. Spot metering reads only at the auto focus point, while center-weighted metering reads a wider but still limited area in the middle of the screen..

Shutter Speed (8.75)
Shutter speeds are adjustable from 1/2000 second up to 15 seconds. There is also a Bulb setting that keeps the shutter open for up to 8 minutes, as long as the button remains depressed, though Bulb shooting is only available with the camera set to ISO 64, an odd limitation.

Aperture (7.00)
The available aperture range varies depending on the zoom lens position. At maximum wide angle, apertures range from f/2.8 - f/8.0; at maximum telephoto, it's f/4.5 - f/8.0. We're impressed with the large available aperture at both ends of the spectrum. At f/2.8, you're much more likely to get away with a flash-free shot in available light than with the typical f/3.5-or-thereabouts compact camera lens. And an f/4.5 aperture helps eke out higher shutter speeds when shooting with the equivalent of a powerful 520mm telephoto, making blur-free telephoto photography more practical.