The Olympus SP-590UZ is one of the ultra-zoom range of Olympus cameras, with a 26x optical zoom with a focal range of 26-676mm. The SP-590UZ also has a 12 megapixel sensor, 2.7 inch LCD screen, Advanced Face Detection and ISO 64-6400. Despite the plastic casing the camera feels well-built.
The camera runs on four AA batteries and takes only xD cards, with the internal memory of 22MB this provides a disadvantage as xD cards are more expensive than the more common SD cards and not many external card readers support them, especially those on laptops. The camera boasts Dual Image Stabilisation to produce sharp images on handheld shots by counteracting camera shake.
The camera has a fully automatic mode for the non professional or less experienced photographer and manual modes for the more experienced.
The 'beauty' setting automatically smoothes people's skin when taking photographs and there are 3 different effects (Clear Skin, Sparkle Eye and Dramatic Eye) available in playback mode.
The camera has several auto focusing modes including face detection as well as a manual focusing mode. SAT or shadow adjustment technology lifts the shadows in an image without affecting the midrange or lighter tones.
The macro mode provides exceptional shots allowing focus only 1cm away from a subject! The night mode also resulted in exceptional shots. As a wildlife photographer the zoom allows a range of shots and angles, especially good for catching snapshots of the more ellusive creatures, I've taken some of my best deer shots with this camera mostly due to the 26x zoom. The image stabelisation works for handheld shots but I'd still recommend a tripod for truly sharp and clear images especially if like me you tend to have a lot of camera shake. I took the camera on a recent scientific study in Greece and found it exceptionally detailed for identificatoin shots which require far more detail than the average holiday snap or wildlife picture, the best macro mode I have encountered so far. Since using the camera (one of many available from my office) I have bought one myself and for the price I have so far found it an excellent purchase.