Olympus 26x Optical Wide-Angle Zoom SP-590UZ

Olympus rewrote the rule book again for how powerful a point-and-shoot camera’s zoom can be with the launch of the new 26x optical zoom SP-590 Ultra Zoom.With its incredible 26x wide-angle optical zoom it covers an amazing 26-676mm focal length range, leaving the competition far behind. From close-ups of distant subjects to group shots indoors, this camera takes everything in its stride.

It offers the compact body of an ultra zoom with the flexibility of high-performance optics usually found in interchangeable lenses for DSLR cameras, a 12-megapixel image sensor, Dual Image Stabilization, Face Detection, Ultra High-Speed Sequential shooting and a bright 2.7-inch LCD. The compact lens construction combines aspherical lens elements and extra-low dispersion (ED) lens elements to deliver edge-to-edge sharpness and clarity.

The SP-590UZ has a 12-megapixel sensor that enables consumers to achieve consistently sharp and vivid images when producing large-format prints or cropping/enlarging a portion of an image.

“The SP-590UZ brings subjects closer with the world’s most powerful optical zoom, and the zoom is just one of many elements that set this camera apart. Macro to wide-angle there are no compromises,” said an official statement.

The SP-590UZ will hit stores in early March 2009.

Main Features

Most powerful optical performance in minimum size: 26x wide optical zoom (26-676mm*) – from extreme close-ups to the action as well as stunning scenes, 130x incl. digital zoom
• Avoids camera shake and blurry images thanks to Dual Image Stabilization (combines mechanical and digital image stabilization)
• Don’t miss the moment with high-speed 10fps sequence shooting**
• P/A/S/M exposure modes for creative freedom
• High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI™) technology incorporated for viewing images in high definition quality on HDMI compatible HD TVs
• 12 Megapixels to make poster-size prints if you want to
• Advanced Face Detection of up to 16 persons for perfectly focused and exposed faces. In combination with Shadow Adjustment Technology other main parts of the picture are also correctly exposed.
• 6.9cm/2.7″ HyperCrystal II LCD with a bright display even in brilliant sunlight and at extreme angles (230,000 dots)
• Built-in flash and wireless flash control directly from the camera body

Technical Specifications

Aperture Rangef2.8 (W) / f5.0 (T)

Display2.7″ (6.9cm) HyperCrystalTM II LCD 230,000 dots 5 Steps Brightness AdjustmentViewfinderElectronic View Finder with Dioptic CorrectionFocus SystemCCD Contrast DetectionFocus Range (from lens surface)Normal mode: Wide: 3.9″ – infinity (0.1m – infinity) Tele: 66.9″ – infinity (1.7m – infinity)
Macro mode: Wide: 3.9″ – infinity (0.1m – infinity) Tele: 66.9″ – infinity (1.7m – infinity)
Super Macro mode: 0.39″ – infinity (1cm – infinity)Focus ModeiESP Auto, Spot AF, Selective AF Target, Face Detection AF, Full-Time AF, Predictive AF, AF Lock, Manual FocusShutter SpeedAuto: 1/2000 sec. –1/2 sec. (up to 4 sec. in Night Scene)
Manual: 1/2000 sec – 15 sec
Bulb: up to 8 min.ISO Sensitivity (SOS: Standard Output Sensitivity)Auto, High Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 (equivalent)Exposure MeteringDigital ESP Metering, Spot Metering, Center-Weighted Metering, Face Detection AE (when Face Detection AF is selected)White Balance ControliESP 2 Auto, One-Touch, Presets (Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten and 3 Fluorescents), White Balance CompensationExposure Compensation±2 EV steps in 1/3 EV stepsImage File FormatStill Image: JPEG
Movie: AVI Motion JPEGNumber of Recorded Pixels12MP (3,968 x 2,976)
5MP (2,560 x 1,920)
3MP (2,048 x 1,536)
2MP (1,600 x 1,200)
1MP (1,280 x 960)
VGA (640 x 480)
16:9 L (3,968 x 2,232)
16:9 S (1,920 x 1,080)Motion Blur SuppressionDual Image StabilizationShooting Modes28 Shooting Modes;
Auto, Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority, Manual, My Mode, Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization, Beauty Mode, Scene Modes (1. PORTRAIT, 2. LANDSCAPE, 3. SPORT, 4. NIGHT SCENE, 5. NIGHT+PORTRAIT, 6. INDOOR, 7. CANDLE, 8. SUNSET, 9. FIREWORKS, 10. MULTI FIREWORKS, 11. MULTIPLE EXPOSURE, 12. CUISINE, 13. DOCUMENTS, 14. SMILE SHOT, 15. BEACH & SNOW, 16. BIRD WATCHING, 17. PRE-CAPTURE MOVIE, 18. QUICK SHUTTER, 19. SOFT BACKGROUND SHOT), MoviePanoramaIn-Camera Panorama, PC Panorama (Up to 10 frames automatically stitchable with OLYMPUS Master software)Continuous ShootingHigh-speed2: 10 frames per second, 30 frames (3MP)
High-speed1: 6 frames per second, 30 frames (5MP)
Normal speed: 1.2 frames per second, 7 frames (10MP)
Bracketing: Exposure Bracketing, 5 Frames
Interval ShootingShooting Assist FunctionsSharpness, Contrast, Saturation, Perfect Shot Preview, Histogram, Frame Assist, AF Lock, AE Lock, Voice RecordingMovie ModeAVI Movie with Sound;
640×480 (30/15fps) 320×240 (30/15fps)Image ProcessingTruePic™ III Image ProcessorNoise ReductionSet automatically at shutter speeds of 0.5 second or longer in specific scene modesImage PlaybackStill Image: Single, Index Display (4/9/16/25), Up to 10x Enlargement, Slideshow, Rotation, Calendar, Histogram, Voice Playback
Movie: Normal, Fast-Forward, Reverse, Frame-by-Frame, Index, Voice PlaybackPlayback Edit EffectsStill Image: Red-Eye Fix, Shadow Adjustment Edit, Beauty Fix, Resize, Cropping, Black & White, Sepia, Calendar, Face Focus, Brightness
Movie: Movie Edit, Still Image Cropping, Frame IndexFlashBuilt-in, Wireless FlashFlash ModesAuto (for low light and backlit conditions)
Red-Eye Reduction
Fill-in
Fill-in + Red-Eye Reduction
Slow Synchro1
Slow1 + Red-Eye Reduction
Slow Synchro2
OffFlash Working RangeWide: 0.98ft (0.3m) – 21.0ft (6.4m) at ISO 400
Tele: 5.6ft (1.7m) – 11.98ft (3.6m) at ISO 400Self-Timer12 SecondsRemovable Media CardxD-Picture Card™ (1GB, 2GB), microSD (MASD-1 is required)Outer ConnectorsMulti-Terminal (USB Connector, Audio/Video Output), DC Input, HD OutputAuto-Connect USBUSB 2.0 High-Speed (USB Mass Storage)System RequirementsAuto-Connect USB: Windows® 2000/XP/VISTA with USB port, Mac OS X 10.3 or later with USB port
Software: Windows® 2000PRO/XP/VISTA, Mac OS X 10.3 – 10.5Operating Temperature/Humidity”Operation: 32° – 104°F (0° – 40°C) Storage: -4° – 140°F (-20° – 60°C) Operation: 30% – 90% humidity Storage: 10% – 90% humidityPower Source(4) AA Batteries, AC Adapter (C-7AC)Dimension4.3″W x 3.5″H x 3.9″D (110mm x 89mm x 98mm)Weight15.3oz (435g) without batteries and media card