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November 12, 2008
[REVIEW-OLYMPUS SP-565UZ camera]
Price: $600
Huge zoom range with compromises
The low-down: This is a 10 megapixel camera with what is claimed to be the world’s longest zoom – 26–520mm (film equivalent). Image stabilisation is by CCD shift. The electronic viewfinder is typical for superzooms. There is the usual face and smile detection. There are two macro settings with Super allowing focusing to 10cm. Images can be captured in RAW format. Burst mode will take up to 13.5 frames per second, but in a reduced image size. Memory is on xD cards or Micro SD – an adapter is provided. Power is from four AA batteries, either alkaline or NiMH.
Like: The camera is responsive with reasonably fast focusing even at the longest extension. User controls are comparable with a DSLR. Noise is well handled. It is apparent at ISO200 but it is not made worse with intrusive noise reduction. RAW images are good and it is worth the trouble of conversion. The supplied software is not great but it gets you started in trying RAW mode. The image stabilisation is effective.
Dislike: The electronic viewfinder is dire. You would only use it in bright daylight when the LCD can’t be seen. There is very pronounced barrel distortion at the wide end of the zoom range which needs correction in software post-camera. Images at the extreme long end of the range are not sharp.
Verdict: Frankly we think the 20x zoom range is expecting too much. It involves too many optical compromises. In the middle of the zoom range resolution is reasonable but the extremes are plagued with distortion or diminished sharpness. There is an optional tele-converter that extends the range to 1200mm – Olympus say it is specially for bird photography!
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Posted by terry at November 12, 2008 10:27 PM
Worth Checking Out
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