Here are a few images that accurately reflect the abilities
of any given camera model. The images are altered only in
terms of size and sharpness after reduction and by the JPEG
compression used. Unless otherwise mentioned, assume that
any marbling or artifacts visible in the images are due to
the compression required to display them here. We feel however,
that they still faithfully represent the results we experienced.
STILL LIFE PHOTO
This subject is photographed in a room that has a mix of fluorescent and incandescent light, but which is not brightly lit. The camera's flash is used to add fill light. The backdrop is 1.95 m (6.5 ft) from the camera.
At the widest angle of the zoom, the built-in flash of the
SP-500 UZ provides homogeneous light, and there is no noticeable
light falloff in the corners of the frame. However, probably
because of the ambient lighting, the metering underexposes
the image slightly and to capture a brighter photo a compensation
of +0.3 EV is used.
Even with this mix of light sources the colours produced
by the Auto white balance turn out quite well.
Photo Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/30 sec.
Res.:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
On
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
80
File Size:
3.6 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
Now we zoom in on a specific area. The intent is to test the sharpness of the image at the zoom's maximum setting. The camera remains at the same distance as with the preceding photo.
At the maximum telephoto setting, the powerful 10X zoom
of the SP-500 UZ is able to capture a small portion of the
subject. And, although the content of the frame is quite different,
the colours remain as accurate as those captured with the
zoom at the wide angle end.
The image reveals an excellent level of detail, and it is
even possible to see the fibres of the paper of the old photographic
paper envelope.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.7
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/250 sec.
Res.:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
On
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
80
File Size:
3.9 MB
Focal Length:
380 mm (35mm Eq.)
However, the small aperture selected
by the Program mode yields only a very short depth of field.
Captured in RAW format (8.6 MB) then converted
as-shot in TIFF-exif format (17
MB)
Aperture: f8, shutter speed: 2.5 sec., 80 ISO with Noise Reduction,
Aperture Priority mode and Super Macro mode.
MACRO PHOTO
As do a few other cameras, the Olympus SP-500 UZ is equipped
with 2 macro modes. The first is a standard Macro mode
that allows focusing to take place on a subject that is 7
cm (2.73") from the front element of the lens at the
wide angle setting, and 120 cm (46.8") away when the
zoom is at the maximum telephoto setting. With this mode,
the camera can capture a field of view (horizontally) of 8.7
cm (3.4") with the wide angle and 15 cm (5.85")
at the telephoto end.
The second mode is the Super Macro mode.
This mode automatically locks
the zoom at a focal length equivalent to 65.7mm in the 35mm
format, and allows a minimum focus distance of 3 cm (1.17").
At this distance, the field of view the camera captures is approximately
3.7cm (1.44").
BUILDING PHOTO
This image is our outdoor test. The architecture of the building, in particular the angled girders, immediately show the presence of jaggies. The shadowed entrance can also often reveal the quality of the exposure.
A partly sunny day in the Fall provides a fairly harsh and
white light with deep shadows, but it was the best available
while this camera was tested. The ESP metering gives more
importance to the brightness at the centre of the frame, much
like a centre-weighted pattern, while metering the rest of
the frame as well, and with this fairly contrasted subject
the metering produces a good image.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/800 sec.
Resolution:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
Off
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
80
File Size:
3.5 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (35mm Eq.)
The photo reveals only a light chromatic
aberration, but no distortion. On the other hand, a bit of noise
can be seen in the shadow areas that contain a uniform colour.
ZOOM PHOTO
Zooming in on the entrance of the building, the
shadowed entrance takes on a greater importance for the metering
and can cause an overexposure of sections that are directly
lit.
Zoomed in, the section of the building framed by the camera
contains mostly shadow areas, which influences the metering.
As a result, the concrete ashtray by the entrance of the building
becomes a bit overexposed. It is worth noting that the exposure
for the most important elements of the subject is correct
and that little sign on the right door is legible, and that
many details behind the tinted glass doors are visible.
Photo Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.7
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/125 sec.
Resolution:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
Off
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
80
File Size:
3.4 MB
Focal Length:
380 mm (35mm
Eq.)
As with the wide angle shot, the
image the SP-500 UZ captures is free of any distortion.
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera is capable of long exposures, a photo taken at night is included here.
Aperture: f3.2; shutter
speed: 10 sec., 80 ISO.
The SP-500 UZ is equipped with
a full Manual mode that is perfectly suited to capturing long
exposures. The Manual mode provides shutter speeds down to
15 seconds, and a Bulb mode that allows the shutter to remain
open for up to 8 minutes as long as the shutter release is
maintained pressed in. Regrettably, even with the camera mounted
securely on a solid tripod, keeping the shutter release pressed
for an extended period can lead to vibrations in the camera,
making the usefulness of the Bulb mode somewhat limited.
The image presented here was captured with the
sensitivity set to 80 ISO so as to limit the intrusion of
noise into the image. With an f3.2 aperture and an exposure
time of 10 seconds, the SP-500 UZ yields an image that has
the ideal brightness for this type of shot.
The noise reduction system — enabled in the menu —
is used and while effective its effect is discreet and there
is little loss of detail in the image.
Compare Prices for Black Diamond 512MB xD Memory Card For Olympus SP Series SP-500 UZ Digital Camera
Test Photos
