Olympus SP-565UZ 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom
From Olympus
Olympus has given the SP-570 UZ the worlds most powerful ultra zoom digital camera an extreme makeover by creating the new SP-565 Ultra Zoom, a smaller and lighter version with the same amazing precision-crafted 20x wide-angle telephoto zoom lens (26-520mm equivalent), but the ease-of-use of a point-and-shoot camera. Photographers searching for an even more portable and approachable ultra zoom to take anywhere will rejoice in the cameras new form factor, and with 10 million pixels and Dual Image Stabilization delivering superior, virtually blur-free images, the SP-565 UZ is proof that good things do come in small packages. The cameras enhanced Face Detection can now track up to 16 faces within the frame and optimize exposure even when subjects are moving, ensuring that family reunion group portraits will come out well-focused. In addition, the SP-565 UZ ensures sharp, brilliant images with a host of other features.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #6225 in Camera & Photo
- Brand: Olympus
- Model: SP-565 UZ
- Released on: 2008-10-22
- Dimensions: 3.30" h x 4.60" w x 3.40" l, .90 pounds
- Memory: 48MB
- Display size: 2.5
Olympus has given the SP-570 UZ – the world’s most powerful ultra zoom digital camera – an extreme makeover by creating the new SP-565 Ultra Zoom, a smaller and lighter version with the same amazing precision-crafted 20x wide-angle telephoto zoom lens (26-520mm equivalent), but the ease-of-use of a point-and-shoot camera. Photographers searching for an even more portable and approachable ultra zoom to take anywhere will rejoice in the camera’s new form factor, and with 10 million pixels and Dual Image Stabilization delivering superior, virtually blur-free images, the SP-565 UZ is proof that good things do come in small packages.
The camera’s enhanced Face Detection can now track up to 16 faces within the frame and optimize exposure even when subjects are moving, ensuring that family reunion group portraits will come out well-focused. In addition, the SP-565 UZ ensures sharp, brilliant images with a host of other features:
- Dual Image Stabilization combines the benefits of Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization to compensate for both camera shake and moving subjects, helping to create beautiful, virtually blur-free images in any situation;
- Shadow Adjustment Technology enables users to preview and capture images as the human eye sees them, compensating for difficult lighting situations and maintaining detail in highlights while improving detail in the shadows to produce more balanced photos; and
- Perfect Shot Preview takes the guesswork out of great photography by allowing users to preview and select various photographic effects live on the LCD screen, before snapping the shot.
SP-565UZ Highlights Lightening the Lens Load Lugging a bag full of lenses can slow traveling photographers down, so the SP-565 UZ comes fully equipped with the equivalent of three lenses in one complete camera. The bright, f2.8-4.5 lens provides the equivalent of 26-520mm focal length with 100x total seamless zoom (5x digital zoom). By using the toggle lever with one finger, users can get close to the action with the versatile yet compact 20x super telephoto zoom, while the wide-angle (26mm) lens captures more of the subject in each frame. Its super-macro capabilities capture the subtlest details from as close as one centimeter. The compact lens construction combines aspherical and extra-dispersion (ED) lens elements to deliver edge-to-edge sharpness and clarity. Whether you’re hiking through the mountains or shooting a tennis match, this sturdy compact body with wide-angle and telephoto lenses provide the versatility to get the job done.
Dual Image Stabilization Dual Image Stabilization enables users to take crisp, clear pictures in virtually any shooting situation – adjusting for camera shake and a moving subject. Olympus’ mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization keeps images sharp by adjusting the CCD to compensate for camera shake, which often occurs when zooming in on your subject and in low-light conditions when shutter speeds are slower. Digital Image Stabilization freezes the action with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds that help to prevent blur caused by a moving subject.
Face Detection Face Detection tracks up to 16 faces within the frame and automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure (Face Detection AE) quickly for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures. Now, your subject’s face is in focus whether it is in the center of the target area or not.
Manual Controls The Manual, Aperture Priority and Shutter Speed Priority modes give users versatility and control for optimal performance in any situation. Users can express their creative vision – adjusting the f-stop for detailed portraits with softened backgrounds, or slowing the exposure speed to create the blurred effect of motion, or just sit back and let the camera do the thinking through the use of the automatic settings.
High-Speed Sequential Shooting and Pre-Capture The SP-565 UZ is capable of capturing images at an incredible 13.5 frames per second (with a reduced image size of 3 megapixels). The inclusion of Pre-Capture technology, which works in conjunction with High-Speed Sequential Shooting, enables users to capture the action before and after fully pressing the shutter button. Pre-Capture begins working as soon as the focus is locked, automatically archiving 10 frames in the camera’s buffer memory prior to the shutter release – virtually guaranteeing that none of the action will be missed even if the user’s reaction time is slow. Perfect for situations where timing is essential, such as photographing a tennis player serving, children playing or a whale breaching.
Shadow Adjustment Technology Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark shadowed areas and bright sunlight areas. While the human eye is capable of detecting the nuances between dark and light and all the details in between, image sensors traditionally have not been quite as sensitive. The SP-565 UZ addresses this challenge head-on with a new Shadow Adjustment Technology, which compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. With the new technology, users can preview and capture images that have the same contrast as seen with the naked eye.
Perfect Shot Preview The SP-565 UZ features a Perfect Shot Preview mode that enables users to preview and select various photographic effects (such as zoom, exposure compensation, white balance and metering) on a live, multi-window screen before snapping the shot. Perfect Shot Preview enables users to see precisely what the image will look like when adjustments are made, ensuring users are capturing the exact image they want. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques.
Perfect Fix In-Camera Editing Olympus’ Perfect Fix feature offers quick solutions for unanticipated image quality issues, which may be caused by several adverse conditions. Lighting Fix can be used to adjust any underexposed areas and Red-Eye Fix can be used to reduce the effects of red-eye sometimes caused by a direct flash. Additional in-camera editing functions can be quickly accessed right in the camera by the touch of a button; features available include resizing, trimming, black and white, and sepia.
TruePic III Image Processor Olympus’ enhanced TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to deliver superior picture quality with more accurate colors, true-to-life flesh tones and faster processing speeds. TruePic III also captures sharp images at high ISO settings, which are traditionally associated with increasing image noise or producing grainy photos.
33 Shooting Modes Including Multi-Fireworks The SP-565 UZ makes it easy to take great photos in a variety of scenarios and lighting situations with 33 shooting modes, including a Multi-Fireworks mode. To capture the most stunning fireworks displays, this multi-exposure feature overlays the fireworks to create the memory of a lifetime. To activate any of the camera’s pre-set modes, simply select the desired mode for portraits, landscapes, night scenes, fast-action and more.
Versatile Memory All Olympus digital point-and-shoot cameras accept xD-Picture Card media. The SP-565 UZ will also come equipped with an adapter, which will enable microSD memory cards to be used when capturing images. The microSD cards are emerging in consumer electronic devices, including mobile phones and PDAs. Users can also easily display photos on their HDTVs.
Olympus Master 2 Software Olympus Master 2 software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are easily organized by folders or albums and searchable by date in Calendar view. Also, with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away. Use the optional muvee Theater Pack to create professional quality slide shows and DVDs from your pictures using any of several built-in templates.
SP-565UZ is a dream camera for me! Great for Genealogy!
I owned an 550UZ for 18 months and decided to upgrade to the 565UZ for the extra mega-pixels and other feature differences. I'm an amateur photographer but married to a professional. We originally purchased the 550UZ so that I had a camera that was easy for me to use yet if I wanted to I could override the settings while I learned more about photography from him. First, I have used both cameras extensively for copying pages from books, copying photographs, and snapping microfilm screens in libraries for my genealogical research. With the document mode the camera is in almost the perfect settings. I always use a custom white balance so that I don't have to do ANYTHING to the book photos. I have taught several other genealogists who are not techies to use this camera and set the white balance! The same camera goes immediately outside for tourist pictures with stunning results. Like all AF cameras you have to be aware of where the camera is focusing and make sure you press the shutter button down half way and give the camera time to focus. Many times I get as good shots as my husband's (his still has more pixels!). The extra 2X zoom helps get nicer long shots in focus. My favorite part of working with this camera is being able to swap between outside landscape mode to available light shots to documents within seconds!
SP570UZ done right!
After playing around with this camera for a week, I can cheerfully say that this is what Olympus SP570UZ should have been in the first place. The Olympus SP565UZ (I am cutting out the SP and UZ from this point on) is not only smaller and lighter then 570 but it also got auto focus and AUTO-ZOOM feature. How surprising that turned out to be.
In essence, 565 is an physical makeover of the 570. It is in fact, 570 in all its capabilities but better. Its better because it was able to maintained most of the features of the 570 while improving on its deficits. Outside of putting back in the auto zoom that was my biggest and major complaint about the 570, they also managed to fixed my second complaint, the viewfinder that is far more easier to use then 570. Only the video remain the same but I can live with that shortcoming.
On the downside, this camera still uses Olympus xD card, one of the most inferior media cards in the market. I don't know why Olympus just bite the bullet and take one for their camera industry and do away with the xD card. Thus, unless you are in one of those burst modes, the recycle speed of this camera will NOT be breaking any records. Another minor downside for me at least is that their self timer mode is still at 2 seconds and 12 seconds. I was kind of hoping that they might have an custom self-timer like Canon ultra-zoom cameras got.
This camera do take a micro-SD card. Inside the box, there is an adapter for the micro SD card. Its in the shape of a xD card of course. I supposed this was added on so you can download easier to your phone or IPod or whatever. Of course, they could be like Fuji and add a second slot for SD card. But who is whining anyway??
As Amazon stated, this camera have more of a point and shoot feel then the 570. Anyone who have handled the old 550 and 560 can easily handled this 565 without much adjustments. The menu has been changed to streamlined thing. Back of the camera has definitely changed. But its still one of the best cameras to use in comfort. On the 570, there were four buttons on the left side of the LCD screen, now all these buttons are located around the cursor button like the old 550 and 560. One button on the 570 that is missing on the 565 is the auto exposure lock button. That function is now served by a custom button, a slight downgrade for some. This camera however, managed to keep all the manual features of the 570. In fact, if you put this camera into the "manual mode", it is almost like having a small version of 570 in your hands. The rubberized grip on the lens appears to be a carry over from the 570.
Overall, if you enjoyed the 550 and 560, then you will have no problem enjoying 565 series. The 20x zoom is fantastic, all the frills like shadow adjustments and face detections worked just fine. They also add another feature I haven't use much but sound promising. They called it "pre capture" and you have to use a lower resolution but when you half press the shutter, it take ten photos at once and you get pick which one you like the best after you finished it off by pushing the shutter button all the way down. Weird but if you got the card space and the time to review all ten shots, then its pretty neat.
Hope this review been helpful in some ways.
Auto mode and user interface needs work
Just got this camera recently but here is my initial take. Ideally I'd like to have a camera that can take intelligent pictures without much guess when in auto mode. Some of my pictures in auto mode will come out nice and others will come out blurry, even in good light conditions. Any settings saved in auto mode or scn mode are reset just by changing modes or turning off the camera. So if you don't want to use iESP and want to use spot focus instead, you have to keep resetting it each time. Settings will only be saved in P, A, S, M or video modes. Macros come out really nice. Zoom is great, but can loose focus in auto mode especially if zoomed to the max. The evf switches to lcd screen after each shot, so you have to watch it on the screen after each shot and not on the evf. When switching between scene modes, you have to go through lots of buttons and you cant see how the image looks through the lens, instead you see the built in images representing each mode and then it switches to a text description for each mode. I miss having the scenes on the dial and to be able to see the images as they appear while going through each scene. The feel and the construction of the camera is excellent. If Olympus can just work on their user interface and the auto intelligent mode, this camera can rock. Sometimes when you have to take a quick shot, you want to rely on the auto mode.
