Olympus SP-560 UZ

...helps if you've owned similar Olympus cameras - and this tends to mean it's not really a quick, one handed operating camera.

But, what do you expect from a camera that does everything except make the tea (and it may even do that - to be honest after several months of ownership I still haven't worked out what half the functions are! I'm sure face detection is useful for taking 'social pictures' but as I never do so, I've yet to have ...
...someone with prior experience of Olympus cameras, and wanting something better then most digital compacts, but cheaper, lighter and perhaps less complex than an SLR, the SP650uz may well be a good option. However, the similar Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ18 has a better lens, and new models are constantly appearing on the market: I wouldn't recommend paying full retail price for this camera, but if you can pick it up at a discount it's worth grabbing, even ... more

This is a nice robust feeling camera that fits into the hand well. The multitude of buttons and menu options does take a while to get used to though - it helps if you've owned similar Olympus cameras - and this tends to mean it's not really a quick, one handed operating camera.

But, what do you expect from a camera that does everything except make the tea (and it may even do that - to be honest after several months of ownership I still haven't worked out what half the functions are! I'm sure face detection is useful for taking 'social pictures' but as I never do so, I've yet to have the opportunity to try it. Image stabilization does help when using the full telephoto though.

There's a whole host of pre-set settings for everything from sunsets to underwater to fireworks to indoor portraits (some of which really require you to use a tripod though - so be warned!). These are idea for the less experienced photographer or those preferring more of a 'point and click' operation.

Alternatively you can, as I do, switch to manual overide and treat the camera much as like an SLR - with a good range of available shutter speeds from 1/2,000th to 15 sec but slightly less impressive aperture settings from 2.8 to 8.0 The camera will take pictures in RAW, though tends to be rather slow when doing so - not so good when at an action event, but no problem for landscape photography.

I've also found it very good for evening/night time photos and have managed some very satisfactory pictures of noctilucent clouds.

The 18x zoom offers plenty of scope for wildlife close ups. But here we do run into one of the camera's big drawback. Focusing is often a problem, especially in poor light and/or when on full zoom. Indeed, full zoom is really only worth using in very good lighting conditions. This can be frustrating at times!

And although there are settings for up to 6400 ISO, it's not really worth going above 400 ISO unless you like grainy, noise filled photos ....

Battery life is very good and since it uses AA batteries there's no worry about being away from home for a few days and not being able to replace a dead battery set.

I primarily use the camera for landscape photography in the Scottish hills and have been generally pleased with the results, though I wouldn't say they are always outstanding and certainly not a patch on the results you'd expect from a full SLR. But the SP560uz is a lot cheaper - and lighter - than an SLR (albeit both bigger and heavier than most compact digitals). It also, just, fits into my aging Camera Care Systems bag (originally purchased to house a 35mm zoom compact back in the old days of film ... ).

Filters can be fitted, but require the use of adaptor rings - which, due to the nature of the zoom lens - can be tricky to use (you need to change the number of rings according to how much zoom is used).

For someone with prior experience of Olympus cameras, and wanting something better then most digital compacts, but cheaper, lighter and perhaps less complex than an SLR, the SP650uz may well be a good option. However, the similar Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ18 has a better lens, and new models are constantly appearing on the market: I wouldn't recommend paying full retail price for this camera, but if you can pick it up at a discount it's worth grabbing, even if only as a stop gap until funds permit moving up to a full d-SLR 

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