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Olympus SP-570 preview (1 Viewer)

NoSpringChicken

NoSpringChicken

Well-known member
United Kingdom
DP Review have a preview of the forthcoming Olympus SP-570 which will replace the SP-560 in March. It will feature a 20x zoom lens, 10 megapixels and image stabilization. The specs sound interesting but I imagine it will be hampered by the small 1/2.33" sensor. Nevertheless I look forward to the first reviews in case miracles really do happen.

In common with the thread about the new Canon 450D on this forum Olympus seem to be in danger of alienating their existing users by updating their products with increasing frequency.

Preview here:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012204olysp570uz.asp

Ron
 
The previous Oly 18X zoom lens was not very sharp and I doubt this one will be much better. In addition, previous iterations of this model have had focusing problems and so-so image quality.
 
aomcm said:
The previous Oly 18X zoom lens was not very sharp and I doubt this one will be much better. In addition, previous iterations of this model have had focusing problems and so-so image quality.
Click to expand...


For a price around 350$ (this is the price for Oly 560 on Amazon) I would say that the imagine quality is (relative) good...
 
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Hi Cristian i have ordered a Panasonic FZ18 but was very tempted to go for the Oly after looking at your photo's, they're excellent. Hope mine are half as good!!
 
Hi Ron

I agree, having bought the 560 less than 6 months ago, and being less than impressed with the results."You gets what you pay for", as they say.
Mick
:C




NoSpringChicken said:
DP Review have a preview of the forthcoming Olympus SP-570 which will replace the SP-560 in March. It will feature a 20x zoom lens, 10 megapixels and image stabilization. The specs sound interesting but I imagine it will be hampered by the small 1/2.33" sensor. Nevertheless I look forward to the first reviews in case miracles really do happen.

In common with the thread about the new Canon 450D on this forum Olympus seem to be in danger of alienating their existing users by updating their products with increasing frequency.

Preview here:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012204olysp570uz.asp

Ron
Click to expand...
 
TSM23 said:
Hi Cristian i have ordered a Panasonic FZ18 but was very tempted to go for the Oly after looking at your photo's, they're excellent. Hope mine are half as good!!
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that you can take similar pics with your FZ18 - if you are a hard worker and if you have enough time to spend with this hobby...
Good luck!
 
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The SP-570 is now available to pre-order at Warehouse Express for £335. Due in February 2008.

I think it's about time they announced the SP-580. ;)

Ron
 
NoSpringChicken said:
The first few production versions of the SP-570 are finding their way into customers' hands now. I haven't been able to find many sample photos taken with the camera yet but did find these on the dpreview forum today. They are actually much better than I was expecting. I look forward to seeing more examples to be able to judge the camera better.

http://www.thewarmland.com/p723752988/?photo=h36C2A087#918724743

Ron
Click to expand...

I just received my SP-570 UZ and am really impressed with the feel and build quality at 310 BSP from ukcamerastoreltd.co.uk (now advertised at even less from Purely Gadgets). While awaiting a 2GB XD card I have taken a few garden bird shots, all on full x20 zoom, hand held auto settings and through double glazing. Initial impressions are very good, with great colour and clarity given my general lack of expertise and shooting limitations so far. The second brambling shot was doctored a tad on iphoto, the others raw "as is". The manual zoom feels a bit steppy and strange and will take some getting used to. I shall try and get some much better results in the field.
 

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I've just purchased the SP-570UZ and am very impressed by it so far. Picture quality is very good and the zoom is incredible. I've added the TCON-17 lens for 34x zoom and there's pretty much nothing I can't reach now. I've taken a ton of pictures here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24960882@N08/

None of the photos have been manipulated in any way, they are straight as they came out of the camera, including the panoramic ones. I'm new to photography so not all of my photos are great, but some highlights are:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24960882@N08/2349736097/in/set-72157604190357110/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24960882@N08/2349641715/in/set-72157604190357110/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24960882@N08/2350469656/in/set-72157604190357110/ (20x zoom, this was way up in the sky)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24960882@N08/2353677298/ (very low light, and the noise on the vinyl print is there in real life too).

If you have any questions just ask!
 
More from SP-570UZ

I enclose two more shots, this time not taken through double glazing! Not bad considering the poor light. The siskins are about 10 yards distant and much tamer than goldfinches for photography. Both exposures were rather bright, and so have been darkened as well as sharpened a little on iphoto.


1st shot:
Exposure: 1/125 sec
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 92 mm
ISO Speed: 125
Flash: Flash did not fire

2nd shot:
Exposure: 1/200 sec
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 92 mm
ISO Speed: 125
Flash: Flash did not fire
 

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Just wanted to point out that though the new Olympus boasts "20x" magnification versus only "18x" for other ultra zooms like the FZ 18, the actual difference in focal length is only 504 mm versus 520 mm. (most of the increase in multiple is achieved by the Olympus 570 having a lower end of the zoom range -- 26 mm). Thus you are only getting 16 mm of additional magnification, or less than one third of a binocular power. Not much of an increase to get excited about in terms of zoom alone.

Jim
 
J. Moore said:
Just wanted to point out that though the new Olympus boasts "20x" magnification versus only "18x" for other ultra zooms like the FZ 18, the actual difference in focal length is only 504 mm versus 520 mm. (most of the increase in multiple is achieved by the Olympus 570 having a lower end of the zoom range -- 26 mm). Thus you are only getting 16 mm of additional magnification, or less than one third of a binocular power. Not much of an increase to get excited about in terms of zoom alone.

Jim
Click to expand...

Totally correct (although the wide angle can sometimes come in useful). The teleconverter lens boosts the zoom to 880mm (34x) though - check some of my latest pictures on the link above to see the difference.
 
Can any of you guys who have one of these tell me what it's like for locking on to birds n flight (eg flyover Black Kites...)

Thanks,

Sean
 
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