The SP-570 features a very powerful 20x optical zoom lens which covers a 35mm equivalent range of 26 - 520mm. The Maximum aperture rage is F2.8 - F4.5, and is comprised of 14 lenses in 11 groups with 4 aspherical lenses and 2 ED (extra-dispersion) lenses. It offers tremendous shooting versatility for travel, sports and day-to-day use.

Dual Image Stabilization combines the benefits of mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization to ensure beautiful, blur-free images in any situation and at lower shutter speeds than non-stabilized lens cameras.

Equipped with a low-light AF-assist lamp, the contrast detection autofocus system has selectable iESP Auto, Spot AF, Face Detection AF, Full-Time AF, Selective AF Target, AF Lock, Predictive AF, and Manual target modes and a working range of:

• Normal/Macro: Wide 3.9" - infinity (0.1m - infinity), Telephoto 47.2" - infinity (1.2m - infinity)
• Super Macro mode: 0.39" - infinity (0.01m - infinity)

The optional CLA-10 Conversion Lens Adapter Tube enables the attachment of add-on wide angle or telephoto conversion lenses. Compatible accessory lenses include the TCON-17 1.7x telephoto conversion lens.

The manual popup speedlight has modes for Auto (for low light and back lit conditions), Red- eye Reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in + red eye, Slow Synchro 1&2, Slow Synchro + Red-Eye Reduction and Off. The working flash range is 0.98ft (0.3m) - 21ft (6.4m) Wide, 3.9ft (1.2m) - 13.1ft. (4m) Telephoto, using ISO 400.

The SP-570 employs a color electronic viewfinder (EVF) as the eyelevel viewfinder, it has full dioptric adjustment. The EVF can display the same data as the large LCD, with the exception of the Main menu (shown on the LCD only.) Simply press the MONITOR button to toggle the active display.

Controls on the back: At the top center is the MONITOR button, which toggles the display between EVF and LCD. The is the AEL/AFL (Auto Exposure Lock/AutoFocus Lock) button, in playback it serves as the burst mode sequence display. Along the left of the LCD, you can see the Play mode, Shadow Adjustment (erase in playback), MENU, and DISPlay buttons. The DISP/GUIDE button toggles the overlay information on the EVF/LCD image and enables the histogram. When viewing menu screens, select a menu item and press it to display an explanation of the item's intended function. The MENU button calls up and dismisses the main menu options. The 4-way controller is for navigating menus, changing settings and selecting playback images. The OK/FUNCtion button accepts menu selections and calls up the FUNCtion shortcut menu. Pressing the 4-way controller "Up" toggles the Custom Button function (set via the Menu), "Right" selects the flash mode, "Down" enters self-timer mode, and "Left" enables Macro focus.

Grip controls: You can see the shutter release and Exposure Compensation button at the top. The Mode Dial has positions for: AUTO, Program AE, Aperture priority, Shutter-speed priority, Manual, MyMODE, SCeNe, Guide, Movie and Playback. Next you can see the Control Dial, which changes exposure values in Record mode and controls the Magnify and Index playback options.

On the side is are the I/O ports. The top is the DC IN for an external power supply, while the lower port handles both the A/V output, video is NTSC or PAL, audio is monaural and the USB 2.0 (high-speed) data. The SP-570 is Pictbridge compatible and may be connected directly to any Pictbridge enabled photo printer without the need of a computer.

The SP-570 stores its data on 45MB of built-in memory or on optional xD-Picture Cards. xD cards are currently available up to 2GB in capacity. Olympus brand xD cards are required if using the camera's built-in Panorama function.

Approx. Still Image Capacity

Approx. Movie Capacity

The SP-570 is powered by four standard AA batteries, alkaline, or NiMH type cells. Olympus claims you can capture up to 390 shots (using CIPA Standard testing), but they do not specify what type of batteries were used. We recommend the use of high-capacity NiMH batteries, they last much longer and they'll save you a lot of money.

Check out our Rechargeable Battery Page for info and prices on various brands of NiMH AA cells and chargers.