Olympus SP-570 UZ

Comparisons

Canon PowerShot SX110 IS – A far less expensive camera, at $250, the XS1100 IS zoom is a much more modest 10x versus 20x for the Olympus, but that's still enough to frame many long-lens shots effectively. We like the Canon menu system better than the Olympus style, and as usual, were impressed with the Canon color accuracy, and both cameras offer a full set of manual exposure controls. Physically, though, the clunky Canon body can't compare with the elegantly shaped, solidly built Olympus. Still, if you're looking for higher-than-average zoom capability and can't afford the $450 SP-570UZ, the PowerShot SX1100 IS is worth considering.

 Casio Exilim EX-FH20 – This 7-megapixel camera carries a $600 price tag thanks to a special feature above and beyond its 20x zoom: the Casio can shoot up to 40 frames per second, and ultra-slow-motion video at up to 1000 fps. Image quality testing turned up mediocre results, but like the Olympus, not enough to discourage those eager for the special features offered. We prefer the build quality and interface of the Olympus, but sports and other action photographers may be justified paying more to feed their need for speed.


 

Olympus SP-560UZ – In most respects, the 570UZ brings significant advantages over its only slightly lower-priced ($399.99) cousin. The 570UZ offers higher resolution (10 megapixels versus 8) and slightly higher zoom (20x versus 18x), but it's the lab testing that really separate the two, with better color and resolution performance and significantly superior image noise results making the extra $50 for the 570UZ money well spent.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 – The $350 FZ18, with 8-megapixel resolution and an 18x zoom, is a formidable competitor to the Olympus. The two share an SLR-style design that feels good and handles nicely, along with manual exposure control and effective image stabilization systems. The Olympus does have a sharper LCD screen and superior image noise performance and resolution test results, but the Panasonic was the winner when it comes to color accuracy.