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Category: Beginner to Serious

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Olympus SP-500 UZ Review is based on a production model. All sample images are unretouched, except where specified.

This review has been submitted to DIWA Awards [Total: 71%].

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38mm, Program Auto, ESP, 1/40 sec., F2.8 and ISO 400

The Olympus SP-500 is packed with features that should appeal to an aspiring photographer. It is well-built, handles comfortably and looks very professional in its black body. A 10x optical zoom brings far subjects close but image stabilization is missing.

The Olympus SP-500 starts up in about 2 sec. and there is no practical shutter lag at the wide-angle end. At full tele, AF can sometimes take about 2 sec. to lock, depending on your subject. An extra large 2.5 in. LCD makes it easy to view and compose shots, though we would have preferred extra resolution and a faster refresh rate. The LCD "gains up" slightly in low-light to permit composing.

Image quality is very good, though highlights tend to be blown. Noise is very low at ISO 80 and 100.

The Olympus SP-500 has full exposure flexibility, displays a live histogram, provides 15 sec. of long exposure (plus Bulb), and allows you to save images in RAW. It uses 4 AA Alkaline batteries.

The Olympus SP-500 has many advanced features and should prove attractive to both beginners and more advanced photographers. It is easy to get good results with this camera, and so it makes a good family camera. The high degree of control it allows the photographer also makes it a good choice for photography students.

See if you fit the Olympus SP-500 User Profile below:

 

Olympus SP-500 User Profile • Desire a 6MP resolution digital camera with very good image quality. • Want a long zoom. Want a long zoom. Want a long zoom. • Want a well-rounded digital camera for general family use. • Want eveything a beginner or serious amateur photographer needs to learn, experiment and grow in digital photography. • Want more exposure flexibility than provided by a point-and-shoot digital camera. • Want pro-level features, such as RAW, manual WB, Histogram, time-lapse.