|
|
Features & Controls
By Josh Fate
Sporting a 24x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization, the Stylus SZ-16 gives you amazing versatility. Its 35mm equivalent of 25-600mm, f/3.0-6.9, is great for both wide landscape shots as well as getting close to distant objects. This lens's capabilities far surpass any lens you will find for a dSLR and most compact cameras as well. Sensor shift image stabilization helps to steady the large telephoto lens for handheld shots. It also helps to reduce shake and vibration in low-light situations.
Focus Range:
Normal Mode: W: 0.10m - ∞; T: 0.40m - ∞Super Macro Mode: 0.03m - ∞
Olympus's pop-up flash unit works in the basic shooting modes: On, Off, Auto and Red-Eye Reduction. It has a range of approx. 43ft.(W) at ISO 3200, which will shorten quickly as the ISO comes down and the zoom goes out, shortening to approx. 18ft. The flash pops up with a switch on the top left of the camera, allowing you to keep it up or down whenever you want.
The controls on the camera are incredibly simple. Looking at the top you can see the power button and shutter release which is coupled by the zoom lever. Not pictured is the flash release on the other end of the camera.
Framing and viewing your images is accomplished with the large 3.0-inch, 460,000 dot LCD screen. With 5 levels of brightness, the screen can be adjusted to be seen in just about any lighting condition, although reflections and direct sunlight can make it difficult.
Controls on the Back: At the top is the dedicated video recording button, allowing you to record in any shooting mode. Next you have the playback button, taking the camera to playback mode so you can view your captured images and movies. The 4-way controller lets you easily navigate the menu system as well as providing shortcuts to the camera info, flash and self-timer settings. In the center is the OK button for accepting changes to the settings. At the bottom is the menu button, which takes you into the camera menu.
Under a flap on the right side of the camera are its two I/O ports. On top is the USB port for charging the camera and connecting it to a computer. On the bottom is the mini HDMI port, allowing you to connect to any HDTV to view your images and movies.
The SZ-16 uses SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards to store its captured images and movies. The camera is shown here with a Toshiba Flash Air card. This card gives the camera WiFi capabilities while storing images. The camera will be tested with a SanDisk Extreme Pro 8GB SDHC card.
Powering the SZ-16 is a 3.7V, 925mAh rechargeable Li-Ion battery. Olympus claims that this battery is capable of capturing approx. 300 images on full charge, depending on use. Without an external charger, it can be difficult to keep a spare battery charged and on hand, but it's not impossible.
Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.
