Olympus continues to unleash powerful mega-zoom cameras with their SP series offerings. The SP-590 UZ maintains the tradition of this line, offering a superb optical zoom lens that reaches out to an equivalent of 676mm, while at the same time offering a nice wide angle extreme of approx 26mm. This unit is quite fast too, with a wide open maximum aperture of f2.8 wide or 5.0 telephoto. The lens alone makes this one appealing model, however the SP-590 has even more to offer.

What many consider a "bridge" camera, the SP-590UZ does boast many advanced features and controls that one would find on a consumer or entry-level dSLR. With a wide range of manual function and exposure options, the SP-590 does offer some of the flexibility that many enthusiast or amateur photographers enjoy using. Other important features on this camera include a 12-megapixel image sensor, Dual Image Stabilization, high-speed sequential or burst shooting and a bright 2.7-inch LCD.

New to this line are Olympus' Artistic Scenes, which include Multiple Exposure, Soft Background Focus and Beauty mode. These new features enable beginners to capture more creative photos, without having to know or learn the techniques used to capture them.

SP-590 UZ Features:

• 12 Megapixels (effective), 1/2.33" CCD for up to 3,968 x 2,976 pixel images
• 26x wide-alngle Optical Zoom + 5x Digital Zoom with Dual Image Stabilization
• TruePic III Image Processor
• Accurate AutoFocus system with Face Detection mode
• Panoramic Mode stitches 3 images together
• Shadow Adjustment technology and Soft Background Focus Mode
  
• Low-light focus assist Illuminator
• Built-in pop-up flash with wireless flash compatibility
  
• 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD 230,000 dots 5 Steps Brightness Adjustment
• 29 shooting modes including Auto, Program Auto, Shutter-speed priority, Aperture priority, Manual, My Mode, Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization, Beauty Mode, and creative scene modes for beginners
• 10fps burst speeds @ 3MP, 6fps @ 5MP, or 1fps @ full resolution
• AVI format movie mode w/sound 640x480 or 320x240 at 15 or 30 fps
• Digital ESP, Spot, Center-weighted and Face Detection AE metering options
• Exposure Compensation: ±2 EV steps in 1/3 EV steps
• White Balance: iESP2 Auto, 6 presets, custom WB
• Shutter speeds of 15 seconds to 1/2000 second (Bulb up to 8 minutes)
• Noise reduction for shutter speeds of 1/2 sec. or longer
• Selectable ISO settings from 64 to 6400 (3200/6400 @ 5MP only)
• In camera editing options such as Perfect Fix and Beauty Fix.
• Built-in microphone and speaker
• Attach short audio clips to still images.
  
• Powered by 4 standard AA type batteries
• USB Direct-print with any PictBridge compatible printer
• USB 2.0 High-speed connectivity for PC and Mac
• 22MB of built-in memory plus optional xD-Picture or microSD (adapter required) memory cards

The Olympus SP-590 UZ UZ camera kit includes:

• - SP-590 UZ digital camera
• - USB cable
• - Audio/Video cable
• - Manual
• - Neck strap
• - Lens Cap and Lens Cap Strap
• - microSD Attachment
  
• - AA Batteries (4)
• - OLYMPUS Master 2 Software CD-ROM
• - Warranty card

The SP-590 UZ is available now with an MSRP of US$449.99