The most impressive feature of the Olympus 570UZ is the 20x wide-angle lens, which covers a 35mm equivalent range of 26-520 mm. The maximum aperture range is f2.8-f4.5.  As mentioned earlier, this camera does not allow you to change the lens, but the built-in lens offers plenty of power and versatility.

The wide-angle lens lets you capture the big picture, while the 20x optical zoom really lets you zero in on your subject. As shown in Figure 3, the zoom is controlled by a turn wheel. When the camera is turned off, the lens collapses and can be covered with the included lens cap. We have lost enough lens caps to be thankful that this one is attached to the camera with a small cord.

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Figure 3: The controls on the top of the camera.

This camera has some nice features. It has dual image stabilization which really helps to keep blurred pictures at bay. The face detection features automatically focuses on the subjects face and optimizes exposure for good portraits and people shots.

As a hybrid between a point-and-shoot and an SLR, the 570 offers automatic settings, but it also allows you to fiddle with all the setting yourself, just as you would on most digital SLRs. The controls on the top of the camera are shown in Figure 3.

On the top of the grip you will see the shutter release and the exposure compensation button. The Mode Dial has positions for: AUTO, Program AE, Aperture priority, Shutter-speed priority, Manual, MyMODE, Scene, Guide, Movie and Playback. At the bottom of the Mode Dial is the on/off switch. Next to the Mode Dial is a Control Dial which changes exposure values in the record mode and controls the magnify and index options when in the playback mode.

Most of the choices on the Mode Dial are the usual controls, but The Guide Mode is a bit unique. The Guide Mode brings up an on-screen helper that gives additional information, kind of like a mini user’s manual. It’s a good idea, but it needs better implementation. In our everyday use it failed to give us the information that we were looking for as often as it helped.

Also, the Scene Modes are unique, not in their availability, but rather in the choices. The modes include  the usual Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Night Scene, Indoors, Landscape, and Portrait, but there are also modes for:

• Quick Shutter – To take pictures faster using Full-Time AF
• Smile Shot-The camera automatically takes a picture when the subject smiles.
• Shoot & Select which is for shooting constantly moving subjects in succession and saving only the images you like.
• Auction which captures 3 pictures sequentially at different exposures in the appropriate size for ebay or other digital auctions.
• Documents – The contrast between letters and background is increased for shooting documents.
• Behind Glass – For shooting a subject through glass
• Cuisine – Vivid reproduction of colors for still life like flowers, fruit, and food
• Multi Fireworks – Takes sequential images of fireworks and automatically combines them into one image
• Sunset – Produces a vivid reproduction of reds and yellows.
• Available Light – For shooting sensitive subjects in lowlight conditions without a flash
• Self Portrait – Lets you take a picture of yourself while holding the camera.
• Candle – Reproduces warm colors for shooting under candlelight.
• Night Portrait -- For shooting main subject with illuminated background at night
• Sport – For fast-moving action without blurring
• Landscape & Portrait – For shooting main subject and background with vivid reproduction of blues and greens.

We found that most of these worked quite well, and you can have a lot of fun just trying them out.