Looking afar from Mount Olympus
Previewed on 14 September 2007

True to its slogan, the Olympus SP-560 UZ is ‘18x closer, 18x wilder.’ However, it would be a mistake to assume that the camera is all about its farseeing lens and not much else. The SP-560 inherits and amplifies the strengths of its predecessor the SP-550 UZ, thereby firmly placing itself at the top of Olympus’s mount of creative cameras.

While it may appear initially to be the same 18x optical zoom as the SP-550, it actually adds to it by widening the focal range from 28-504mm to 27-486mm; as such. What’s more, by adding an extra million pixels to the camera’s resolution, the SP-560’s 1 /2.3 8 megapixels image sensor is more than capable of replicating objects exactly as it is in real-life in prints of poster-size and on its 2.5-inch LCD.

You will be able to fully utilise the additional optical and digital power thanks to the TruePic III image processor of the SP-560. The TruePic engine is infused with advanced and convenient technology such as Face Detection and P/A/S/M Exposure, which makes sure the object of your desire is perfectly focused and exposed and BrightCapture technology, which permits low-light photography. Also, to guard against the increased likelihood and magnified effects of image blur at the far end of the zoom range, the lens employs Dual Image Stabilisation to prevent that possibility. All these may be utilised in the 24 scene modes for shooting in different situations.

On the usage side of things, the SP-560 also includes a dioptric viewfinder for eyesight correction and a battery grip for easy handling. Furthermore, for photographers who want to manually control the SP-560’s focal length or shoot in aquatic situations, a set of tele-converter lenses and an underwater case that can withstand pressure of up to 40m are part of its optional accessories. All these improvements and accessories make the Olympus SP-560 UZ the new zenith of Olympus’s mount of creative cameras. The SP-560 UZ is available for pre-order, please click here for purchase information.