Olympus SP-500 UZ

Reviewed November 2005

Introduction

For those willing to trade a couple of million pixels of resolution in exchange for a big 10X zoom, the 6-megapixel Olympus SP-500 UZ may be an interesting alternative to the 8-megapixel SP-350 as it carries an identical price tag.

Indeed, although organized slightly differently, the SP-500 UZ offers very similar features to the SP-350 making it comparable in many areas.

And all the top mounted controls are grouped on the right side of the pop-up flash.

At the top of the grip is the two-stage chromed shutter release, which is surrounded by the zoom control. As is often the case, the zoom control can also be used in Playback while reviewing images. By pushing the zoom control to towards the W side, index views showing 4, 9, 16, or 25 images per screen or the photos grouped by date in a calendar presentation can be displayed. And, by pulling the zoom control towards the T side, sections of an image currently displayed on the monitor can be zoomed up to 10X.

Two buttons are arranged behind the shutter release and zoom control. The first, on the left, is labelled Power and serves to turn on the camera. The second, on the right, has two labels, indicating that it controls two functions:

AEL (Auto Exposure Lock) serves to lock the metered exposure making it possible to re-frame the subject so it is off-centre and yet exposed correctly. Pressing the button once locks the exposure, pressing it again unlocks it. In addition, as it is with the SP-350, the AEL button can be personalized in the Setup menu so it activates another function (see the Interface and Software section of the review for more information about the Setup menu).

And, when the SP-500 is connected directly through USB to a PictBridge compatible printer, this button can be used to start the printing process.

The Mode Dial is positioned on the back right corner of the camera's top. The Mode Dial has 9 settings, 8 of which are for capture modes while the 9th, , is for Playback:

	Set to the Auto mode, the SP-500 UZ is very simple to use — all that is required is to press the shutter release — as the camera takes care of all settings.
	Program mode leaves the selection of aperture and shutter speed up to the camera, but all other parameters are left to the discretion of the user.
	The Aperture Priority mode makes it possible to select an aperture, and hence the depth of field of the image — between f2.8 and f8 at the wide angle end and between f3.7 and f8 at the telephoto end — while the camera matches it to a shutter speed.
	The Shutter Priority mode allows selecting the exposure time — between 1/1000 second and 2 seconds when the noise reduction system is inactive, and up to 4 seconds when it is active — while the camera selects a matching aperture.
	The Manuel mode provides full control over the aperture — with the same range as the A mode — and the shutter speed but this time with a range that extends from 1/1000 second down to 15 seconds, and with access to a Bulb mode that provides an untimed exposure as long as 8 minutes.
	My Mode serves to save up to 4 distinct sets of shooting parameters that can all be recalled at once by selecting any one of the My Modes. (See the Characteristics section of the review for more information).
	When the Mode Dial is turned to this position, an illustrated menu is displayed on the screen, which serves to choose any of the 21 Scene modes available on the SP-500 UZ. Each mode features a typical image, which is replaced after a couple of seconds by a short description of its intended use:

Night + Portrait Indoor Candle Available Light Portrait Self Portrait Sunset Fireworks Museum Behind Glass Cuisine Documents Auction Shoot and Select 1 Shoot and Select 2 Beach Snow

The SP-500UZ can also be used to record Movies with or without sound. All movies are recorded at a frame size of 320 x 240 pixels and at either 30 frames per second or 15 frames per second, the duration of the recording being governed by the amount of memory available. During recording, the microphone is able to capture sound out to a distance of 1 m (3.3 ft). Moreover, during movies with sound, the optical zoom is locked in position when the recording starts, as well as the focus, and only a 3X digital zoom can be used. However, when movies are captured without sound, focus is continuous and the optical zoom remains useable. Finally, an electronic Camera Movement Compensation system is also available with the movie mode, minimizing camera shake during the recording.

The SP-500 UZ is equipped with a relatively high resolution Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) that offers 235, 000 pixels.

Its exit pupil, however, is quite spartan. Made of hard plastic — no rubber eyecup — it does not offer a dioptre correction and can be a bit uncomfortable with eyeglasses.

To the right of the viewfinder, a rounded black button serves to manually open the built-in pop-up flash. And to its right, a silver button controls the Display making it possible to use the EVF or the large 2.5 -inch, 115,000 pixel monitor.

All the remaining external controls of the SP-500 UZ are grouped on the right of the monitor, starting with the three small buttons that are above the 4-direction navigation control:

The QUICK VIEW button, below the DISP./GUIDE button, places the camera into the Review mode, immediately displaying the last captured image and acting as a shortcut to the Playback mode.

To the right, the third of the small buttons above the 4-direction control also provides 2 functions, each indicated by an icon:

	Set to a still image capture mode the button serves to select the Flash mode: Auto, Auto with Red-eye Reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in with Red-eye Reduction, or Forced Off.
	Set to the Playback mode, the button serves to delete images, either one at a time as it is displayed on the screen, or images that have been selected for deletion using the index presentation.

The 4-direction control's primary function is for navigation, be it when a menu is on the screen or to switch from one image to another in playback. In addition, the 4 directional arrow buttons also make it possible to set an exposure compensation, or to select apertures and shutter speeds in the modes that allow it.

Last, the OK MENU button at the centre of the four directional arrow controls serves to display the Top menu applicable to the mode as set by the Mode dial, and also to confirm some selections made there.

As mentioned earlier, the SP-500 UZ is equipped with a built-in pop-up flash. While the flash opens by pivoting on itself, it is still sufficiently high in comparison to the lens that the lens does not cast a shadow even at the widest angle and the shortest focus distance. Worth noting, it cannot be used when the SP-500's super macro mode is used. (For more information about the focusing modes of the SP-500 UZ see the Characteristics section of the review.)

Ergonomically, the SP-500 UZ offers a bit of a mixed bag. While it provides a high definition electronic viewfinder, it has a relatively low refresh rate and its image can become choppy when the subject is moving rapidly. Likewise, its exit pupil lacks a rubber eyecup to help seal out external light, a problem that is exacerbated when the user has to wear glasses.

Aside from this, the in-hand feel of the camera is good and feels secure when held by the grip. Likewise, the external controls are well-placed and easy to use.