Olympus SP-500 UZ Ultra Zoom 6MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom

by Olympus

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14.7 x 10.8 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000A7B9Z8
• Item model number: 225720
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,961 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 28, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Boasting the most powerful zoom in this new series, the 6.0 megapixel SP-500 UZ gets you much closer to your world. Whether your child is scoring her first goal or you've set your sights on a distant eagle's nest, its 10x optical zoom will serve you well. With a full complement of high-quality features, the SP-500 UZ puts no limits on your ability now and can grow with your skill level. Take comfort with a true, ergonomic grip and a large 2.5-inch LCD that gives clear evidence of your subject's proximity. Includes Easy Print for one-button printing to a PictBridge-enabled printer, full manual and automatic settings, 27 shooting modes, the flexibility to accept lenses with its threaded barrel and our exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor.

10x Ultra Zoom
The powerful 10x optical zoom, 30x total zoom--and Olympus precision-crafted lenses--bring your subject within easy view, on your local soccer field or on vacation.

6.0 Megapixels
Capture subtle detail and increase the size of printed images without loss of clarity.

2.5-Inch LCD
This large LCD helps you view and share images during shooting and playback.

Easy Print
One-button printing from the camera to any PictBridge-enabled printer (including the Olympus P-11).

Full Manual and Automatic Control
Whether you're feeling creative or prefer the camera to handle things, you have the power to decide.

27 Selectable Shooting Modes
Simply turn the dial and select the desired shooting mode from 21 creative scene options--including landscape, portrait, indoor, night scene, candle, or fireworks.

Expanded Capabilities
As your needs change or ability improves, enjoy the freedom to add Olympus conversion lenses.

TruePic TURBO Image Processor
This exclusive Olympus technology enables smoother, more accurate images with accelerated startup and shutter release times.

QuickTime Movie Mode with Audio
Bring your pictures to life, then e-mail them to family and friends.

What's in the Box
Olympus SP-500 UZ digital camera, strap, multi-connector for USB and AV, 4 AA batteries, basic instruction manual, quick start guide, warranty card, CD ROM: Olympus Master Software, and advanced manual.

Product Description

The SP-500 is a hybrid digital-camera. It's shaped closer to an SLR than a compact model. The optical zoom, however, is 10x - compared to 3x on a compact model. When compared to a 35mm, the SP-500 has a focal length of 38mm to 380mm. That's wide-angle to large telephoto, yet the lens remains extraordinarily compact. It's designed for easy use but has manual capabilities to let you exercise your creative potential. Overall...a very fine camera. Recording Modes - DCF Exif 2.21, JPEG , PIM 27 shooting modes - AUTO, Program Auto, A, S, M, MY, Scene Preset (Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Night Scene, Sport, Night + Portrait, Indoor, Candle, Self-Portrait, Available Light Portrait, Sunset, Fireworks, Museum, Behind Glass, Cuisine, Documents, Auction, Shoot & Select1, Shoot & Select2, Beach, Snow) Panorama Modes Up to 10 frames automatically stitchable with Olympus Master software when using Olympus brand xD-Picture card Switch things up by adding an optional conversion lens via the threaded lens barrel. Camera speed and image quality receive a great boost thanks to the exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor Record up to 4 seconds of sound with each still picture captured, or add sound later on Uses xD-PictureCard storage Uses 4 AA batteries - We advise purchasing optional rechargeable AA Playback images on the LCD, a computer or your TV in a slideshow using any of 9 transitions Comfortable ergonomic grip Windows PC and Macintosh compatible Size 4.15 W x 2.93 H x 2.80 D / Weight 10.05 oz.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

152 of 154 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Camera!, October 15, 2005

By 

G. Dingle (Mill Creek, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Olympus SP-500 UZ Ultra Zoom 6MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I've had the Olympus SP-500 for about five days. I started out taking simple portrait shots and was pleased with the quality.

Today was the real test of why I bought the Olympus SP-500 - the ability to zoom in close and catch action shots at my daughter's soccer games. The result? I'm very impressed. No 'action blur' to be seen, the pictures look great, and with the 10x optical zoom there was no need to keep running around the sidelines trying to get up close to the players.

I was concerned about comments I've read about other cameras with a high level of zoom needing image stabilization (or otherwise the zoom would be worthless). Not the case here. No image stabilization on this camera and the pictures look great. Just remember to put the scene setting on 'Sport' rather than leaving the setting on 'Auto' when taking action shots.

I've played with video mode and liked the result. The controls are easy to reach and the menu system was easy to understand. Having a dedicated 'trash' button is a nice touch. And with manual controls and the ability to add additional lenses, I think I have a camera that can grow with my abilities.

I'll post again if I run into any negatives. For now, I couldn't be happier.

280 of 300 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Point and shoot with SLR Speed?, October 16, 2005

By 

Sinister Minister - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olympus SP-500 UZ Ultra Zoom 6MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Hi All!
Sin Min here with another run down for you on a new camera. Now, I don't own this one but I have given it some hands on testing and I was impressed enough, that I thought I'd pass it on. As some of you know (or may not know) I work as a Pro pix taker by day, and sell cameras for BestBuy by night (hey gets me out of the house!) So I basically spend 90% of any given day with a camera in my hand. The SP-500 UZ is one of several new models being offered to the public by Olympus this year. We have recieved three of these so far and this camera is best of the lot.The size of the camera is deceptive, when I first saw pictures of it i thought it would be around the size of the immortal C-8080! But it is about 45% smaller with twice the Zoom!
Hmmm-impressive to be sure. However with only a 6MP CCD I lost a tad of enthusiasum (I love to shoot at 7MP or higher).Olympus hasn't changed much as far as menu layout, operation, and basic functions, however looks can be deceving. When the camera arrived at the store I was in the process of setting up the camera for display, when a customer came up and asked me about differences in speed between point and shoot cameras, prosumer cameras, and the SLRs. I proceeded to tell him the usual...how SLR cameras will always be faster than point and shoot, smaller point and shoot cameras are built just for snap shots so If your looking for speed you need more camera, blah, blah. Except for some of the Sony point and shoot cameras which have a fair speed rate.Anyway, so here I am telling this guy, how point and shoot cameras are so slow, I said "Here take this camera for example." holding up the SP-500. " I'll set the camera to "Burst" mode and you'll see how much slower it is." So I set it up hit the shutter and all of a sudden...POP!POP!POP!POP!POP!POP! This dinky little point and shoot camera pops off about 15 shots nearly as fast as the D-50 I just showed the guy! I'm standing there looking like someone just smacked me in the face with a 2X4, and he's looking at me like I should be selling CDs or something!! Long story short the guy bought the SP-500!
Now I own a C-8080 as well as an E-300 SLR and as near as I can tell from taking pictures within the store the overall picture quality is on par with Olympus higher end cameras, The Pictures are clear and bright, and the sharpness levels are all great. I can't say how the camera would fare in ambient or low light (not much low anything in BestBuy) but I assume the SP-500 would perform in a similar fashion to my cameras.The SP-500 is the latest in a new trend of digital cameras, that I like to call "Power Point N Shoot" Higher resolutions 7 and 8MP, more features but still the same crappy 3x optical Zoom.(Except in the case of this camera) One of the new Olympus models is a tiny camera with 8MP and a hot shoe!! The freaking flash would be twice the size of the camera! I Gave the SP-500 only 4 stars because of the cheesy resolution they gave the camera. At the size it is , if they had made it 7 or and 8MP it would have been something to really be excited about. But as I said whatever else this little camera is fast...Very Fast!!
Thanks for reading and Happy Shooting!

64 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Power packed, stylish, intermediate camera, November 15, 2005

By 

artknows (Chicago, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olympus SP-500 UZ Ultra Zoom 6MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

First, let me say that I am always suspect when I see poor reviews of a product, right next to shining reviews. Who is right? And you can't ask any follow up questions like in a forum. In this case I think the positive reviews are right.

The Olympus SP 500 UZ is a very nice camera for the beginner to intermediate photographer at an excellent price point. You can spend more and get more. You can spend less and get less. However, this camera has a host of great features that are designed to give you more control and creativity over your photos.

Olympus is a solid brand name and they have made many GREAT cameras in their history. While my experience with the SP 500 has been brief, I like it a lot and hope that it continues to delight.

Some of the decision factors that pointed me to the SP 500:

AA Batteries: On my two other digicams I use rechargeables. Cheap, easy to find. Can use alkaline if you run out. Other cameras have a proprietary or "special use" battery which costs $$ to replace and if you run out of battery power you are forced to recharge. Me, I just pop in some fresh AAs.

Lens: Olympus has always been known for making a nice lens. This camera has good optics in my opinion and is reasonably "fast" at f2.8. The wide angle is wide enough for me, and goes to 10x zoom. Very handy.

Large LCD Display: 2.5 inches is really nice on my 40 plus year old eyes.

Threaded Barrel: Allows for easy addition of filter (prevent scratches to lens) and additional lenses.

27 yes 27 shooting modes! I can't wait to try them all.

6.0 Mega Pixels. That's one more than 5!! I can't say I've ever enlarged to more than 8 x 10. Perhaps with this camera I will.

Well that's what sold me. I'm sure others will disagree. No camera can take perfect shots every time. That's where the user comes in to the equation. If you are getting a lot of bad shots with this camera, maybe it's not the camera (sorry).