Aspects of the Olympus SP-570 UZ

It's early days, but overall I'm so far impressed with this camera's performance. In digital cameras I have previously owned the Olympus C-3030 Z and the SP-360 Z and now the SP-570 UZ, which comparatively size-wise is beyond slipping into a pocket. As much as I’d like to use a DSLR its size means I’m unlikely to have at hand when there’s a photo opportunity. The SP-570 UZ just scrapes in as a camera that I might have handy for the opportune times I can use it, though it won’t be in my pocket.

I’m not so crazy about its phenomenal zoom capability, though now I have it I can see myself using it, no, it’s the wide angle capability of the SP-370 UZ that really pleases and saves me having to back myself into corner to take in the shot. Here’s an advantage I haven’t seen in the competition without the hassle of bolting on a wide angle lens adapter.

I gave its in-camera panorama stitching function a whirl and was amazed at how effective it was and the simplicity of its operation. The shadow adjustment is something else I’m used to doing in post but is mildly effective as an in-camera function.

For all the additional features the menu system copes well and there are enough dedicated buttons and dials not to have to go burrowing down to reach what’s commonly used. I read the criticisms on the zoom control but I don’t see it as a problem since it’s plenty responsive enough to frame most shots quickly. If it were a video camera then I’d understand the frustration, but since changing zoom is not active for this side function it’s not a problem.

The camera’s responsiveness is reasonable and mostly workable. It’s true what they say about its AF difficulties in low light and even with the less common (and less capacity) “H” type high speed XD media you will find yourself waiting to take the next shot.

Hopefully one day cameras of this ilk will attain the sensitivity required to operate under relatively low levels of light without recourse to the flash and the weird stark unnatural effects it can produce, though with this camera I might be tempted to use its supported wireless flash to accomplish a more natural cast of light. That said I’m pleasantly pleased at this camera’s low light performance and the IS sure helps, provided your subjects are at rest.

A built-in time lapse function is something very few cameras possess for reasons I’ll never comprehend since it is a trivial use of the inherent capabilities of any digital camera to implement. May be such a feature is truly unpopular, certainly Olympus makes no mention of this distinguishing feature in their marketing blurb, yet the SP-360 UZ does it. Admittedly, like previous models, it is lamely restricted to 99 shots at a minimum of 1 min intervals, but even so can produce some truly remarkably results.

This brings me to the greatest con for this camera, which if the promise of time lapse didn’t excite you, then this almost certainly won’t bother you. Apparently Olympus no longer supports a SDK for their cameras below the E DSLR range meaning no PC remote control of the camera, leaving this entire rich field of possibilities to Canon, the only other company that continues to properly support their cameras for software developers. Shame on Olympus, unless there’s a change of heart you’ve just sold me your last camera no matter how good the pictures are.