Archive for the ‘Olympus’ Category

Olympus SP-570 UZ with 20x Optical Zoom

Monday, December 10th, 2007

olympus_sp570uz.jpgThe ultra zoom camera category has a new world champion: the Olympus SP-570 UZ brings you closer to the action than ever before with an incredible 20x wide optical zoom. Featuring built-in Dual Image Stabilization, Olympus’ latest innovation for ambitious, specialist and creative photographers eliminates blur associated with camera shake to deliver razor sharp images, even at high levels of magnification. You can also breathe easy as you close in on the shot of a lifetime: sequential shooting at up to 13.5fps makes sure you won’t miss a thing. The SP-570 UZ will arrive in stores in March 2008.

Cutting-edge ultra zoom technology

Capture unique moments in the middle of a sports field or at the front of a college podium – even when you’re stuck on the sidelines or at the back of the theatre. Providing photographers with unprecedented telephoto power, the spectacular zoom capabilities of the SP-570 UZ bring your subject virtually close enough to touch. This 20x wide optical zoom model covers an equivalent focal range of 26-520mm, making it the world’s most powerful zoom camera in this segment*. Performance can be enhanced to an amazing 2600mm when combined with the 5.0x digital zoom. Even greater magnification up to a breathtaking maximum of 4420mm is possible when adding the optional TCON-17 Teleconverter and CLA-10 Adapter Ring.

Because the risk of blurry images grows as the focal length increases, Olympus incorporates Dual Image Stabilization in the SP-570 UZ. It guards against blur caused by camera shake and is the perfect insurance for sports photographers and in all other situations where there are no second chances to capture the magic of the moment. Furthermore, this model’s 13.5fps** burst rate means not even a split-second of action will be missed. Additional smart technology also helps to capture unexpected surprises – the pre-capture mode enables recording of five frames** before the shutter is even released.

The big picture

The 26mm wide-angle capabilities of the SP-570 UZ make it perfect for getting the full picture when it comes to indoor and architectural photography. Framing is easy too, with a large 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal LCD BrightCapture Technology faithfully depicting the composition.

Close encounters

Get up close and explore the enchanting miniature world around you. With a minimum shooting distance of merely 1cm, the Super Macro mode of the SP-570 UZ is perfect for unlocking nature’s secrets and photographing other captivating details and surface textures.

A full technological arsenal

The SP-570 UZ features a full suite of Olympus digital imaging innovations to ensure the capture of best possible images. This includes High ISO Settings, Face Detection Technology, Shadow Adjustment Technology, and TruePic III.

Ease of use

On top of automatic shooting and manual (P/A/S/M) control options, the SP-570 UZ also features a choice of 23 scene modes which are optimised for frequently encountered shooting situations. This ensures an ideal balance between point-and-shoot ease and creative freedom for ambitious photographers. Those seeking yet a further degree of control will appreciate the ability to manually adjust focus and zoom levels using the lens ring. In addition to a hotshoe, wireless flash control makes cable clutter a thing of the past: the SP-570 UZ boasts compatibility with the new Olympus FL-50R and FL-36R flash units which were initially introduced for use with the Olympus professional D-SLR model, the E-3. And dioptric correction enables those who wear glasses to use the viewfinder, while a menu in 38 languages ensures problem-free navigation for virtually everyone.

The fully-featured SP-570 UZ gives users unprecedented zoom power and a fill of extras that add up to a rewarding all-round photo experience. The camera will become available from March.

The Olympus SP-570 UZ – main features:
20x optical zoom (equivalent to 26-520mm*) – from extreme close-ups to stunning scenes
Avoids blur thanks to Dual Image Stabilisation
Don’t miss the moment with high-speed 13.5fps sequence shooting**
Face Detection Technology for perfectly focused and exposed faces plus correct exposure of other image areas
P/A/S/M exposure modes for creative freedom
23 scene modes for the best results in different situations
10 Megapixels to make poster-size prints
See and share images on the 6.9cm/2.7″ LCD
Better low light shooting thanks to BrightCapture Technology
Great for shots of flowers and detail from as close as 1cm with Super Macro mode
Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound
TruePic III image processor for faster image handling and higher image quality
38 languages on board
Dioptric correction
Flexible shooting with internal memory or using xD-Picture Card
Supplied with Olympus Master software 2.03 including Muvee Pack trial version plus four AA batteries
TCON-017 teleconversion lens and CLA-10 adapter ring optionally available for maximum of 884mm (or 4420mm when combined with digital zoom)
* Equivalent to a 35mm camera

** In 3.0 Megapixel mode
Appendix

BrightCapture Technology

A technology developed for better shooting results in low light situations. It works in two ways: i) All available pixel information from the image sensor is used to provide a view on the LCD that’s up to four times brighter than conventional types, to make framing easy even in dark surroundings. ii) In certain shooting modes sensitivity is increased (resolution is sometimes reduced), which results in well-exposed images with accurate color reproduction, high contrast and definition, even when not using the flash. Scene modes that benefit from BrightCapture Technology include Candle, Night Scene and Available Light.

Dual Image Stabilization

Providing two-fold protection, this special function helps to avoid image blur caused by camera shake or fast-moving subjects. It combines high ISO values with a CCD-based mechanical image stabiliser, where a built-in gyro sensor detects camera movement and adjusts the CCD accordingly.

Face Detection Technology

A technology that searches for faces in a composition and recognises them as the main subject. It then automatically puts them in focus and optimally adjusts exposure to create an image that’s sharp in the right places and ideally exposed.

HyperCrystal

A high-grade, fully-transmissive technology used in LCDs, which employs an additional layer at the bottom of the LCD to reflect light from external light sources. This enhances the brightness of the LCD, so even in direct sunlight images are displayed sharply and improved contrast compared to that of conventional displays. Also, it provides for particularly wide viewing angles without glare or shadow, so images can be framed from a variety of angles and viewed by several people at once.

Pre-capture mode

This mode lets the camera record five frames occurring immediately before the shutter is released. It works by continuously storing the five frames in buffer memory (in 3MP resolution). In this way, that decisive split-second between when something occurs and when the shutter is actually triggered is overcome.

Shadow Adjustment Technology

A technology designed to improve exposure for pictures with dark areas. Using a sensor that works much like the human eye, dark parts of a composition (e.g. a shadow under a tree) are identified and the camera then adjusts the exposure settings accordingly for those areas. The result is a more realistic and detailed picture.

TruePic III image processor

Olympus’ newest-generation image processing engine. It automatically enhances important aspects of image quality including: Color reproduction (color range, saturation and brightness), picture sharpness (reduced image noise, improved edge reproduction), as well as providing faster processing speeds.

Wireless Flash Control

The user can control wireless flash units remotely – eliminating the need for extra cables – by using the built-in flash as the system’s master unit. Control options include the ability to independently regulate flash mode and compensation settings for up to three groups of flashes, four channel settings to avoid interference as well as a wide range of brightness levels.