In summary
A lightweight, long-zoom digicam with plenty of adjustable controls.An update to the SP-500, the new Olympus SP-510UZ has higher resolution and double the internal memory. It also boasts new “Shakeproof” technologies, which increase sensitivity to ISO 4000 plus an in-camera gyro sensor that detects camera shake and applies software compensation to counteract blurring. This ‘digital image stabilisation’ cannot be compared with optical image stabilisation, which doesn’t reduce image quality. . . [more]
Full review
An update to the SP-500, the new Olympus SP-510UZ has higher resolution and double the internal memory. It also boasts new ‘Shakeproof’ technologies, which increase sensitivity to ISO 4000, plus an in-camera gyro sensor that detects camera shake and applies software compensation to counteract blurring. This ‘digital image stabilisation’ cannot be compared with optical image stabilisation, which doesn’t reduce image quality.
The LCD features the same ‘Nightproof” function as the Mju 750 and 740 models, making it easier to frame subjects and review shots in low light. Another new addition is “
‘finezoom’ functionality, which allows users to achieve up to 15x magnification at 3-megapixel output for making snapshot-sized prints. Olympus has also improved the noise-reduction circuitry and enhanced power management to allow up to 630 shots to be taken with the supplied AA alkaline batteries.
The new model’s lens, monitor and menu system are, essentially, identical to the SP-500 but its plastic body is shiny silver; not black. However, the EVF features Displaytech’s ferroelectric liquid-crystal-on-silicon (FLCOS) technology, which offers better image resolution and power efficiency than the SP-500’s EVF.
Pictures from the test camera showed elevated contrast and saturation. Imatest indicated resolution varied from the centre to the edge of field, but showed no significant loss of resolution at high ISO settings. It also detected moderate to serious lateral chromatic aberration with all lens settings. Digital zoom shots were sharp but not artefact-free, and close-ups were impressive.
White balance performance was typical of most digicams, with the manual measurement providing the best colour rendition. The flash has enough power to illuminate an average-sized room at ISO 100 but we noticed an orange shift in flash exposures at ISO 800 and above. Image noise was well controlled up to ISO 400 but increased from ISO 800 on, with shots taken at ISO 4000 becoming virtually unusable. Camera response times were average.
IMATEST GRAPHS
TEST IMAGES
Digital zoom shots were sharp, but not totally artefact-free.
The Super Macro setting delivered some excellent close-ups.
Shots taken at ISO 4000 were soft and noise-affected.
The auto white balance setting failed to correct incandescent light casts.
But manual white balance measurement produced good results with both incandescent and fluorescent lighting.
Specifications
Image sensor: 5.76 x 4.29mm CCD with 7.4 million photosites (7.1 megapixels effective)
Lens: 6.3-63mm f2.8-3.7 zoom lens (38-380mm in 35mm format)
Zoom ratio: 10x optical, up to 5x digital
Image formats: Stills ““ Raw, JPEG (Exif 2.21); Movies – QuickTime Motion JPEG with sound (VGA/QVGA at 15/30 fps)
Image Sizes: 3072 x 2304, 3072 x 2048 (3:2), 2560 x 1920, 2304 x 1728, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024×768, 640×480.
Shutter speed range: 15-1/1000 sec
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
Focus system/range: TTL iESP auto focus with contrast detection (143 AF areas selectable); range 60cm to infinity; macro 7cm to infinity; Super Macro to 2cm
Exposure metering/control: ESP, centre-weighted and spot metering; P, A and S shooting modes plus 21 scene modes.
White balance: iESP II auto, Sunlight, Overcast, Tungsten, Fluorescent (x3), One-Touch manual plus -7 Red to +7 Blue adjustment
Flash modes/range (ISO auto): Auto, red-eye reduction, fill-in\, off, slow synch; flash compensation +/- 2 EV; range 0.3 to 4.5 m (wide) 1.2 to3.4 m (tele)
ISO range: Auto, ISO 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2500, 4000 (image size limited to 2048 x 1536 for ISO 2500 and 4000)
Sequence shooting: 1.65 fps for 2 frames
Storage Media: 21 MB internal memory plus xD-Picture Card slot
Viewfinder: Electronic viewfinder
LCD monitor: 2.5-inch LCD (with 115,000 pixels)
Power supply: 4x AA Alkaline or NiMH batteries
Dimensions (wxhxd): 105.5 x 74.5 x 70 mm
Weight: 325g (without battery and card)
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Rating
RRP: $499
Rating (out of 10):
- Build: 8
- Ease of use: 8
- Image quality: 8
- OVERALL: 8