Amazon.com Product Description

Olympus yet again raises the bar in the ultra-zoom digital camera arena with the 4-megapixel Camedia C-765. It's the smallest digital camera in the world featuring an optical 10x optical zoom (as of February 2004), measuring 4.11 x 2.36 x 2.7 inches (12-percent smaller than its predecessor, the C-750) and weighing only 9.9 ounces. It also features a Super Zoom function that extends to 14x close-ups, movie mode with audio, fast USB 2.0 connectivity, and a bevy of manual features.

Optics and Resolution

 	Olympus' 10x optical zoom gets the detail of hard-to-reach subjects without loss of image quality.

With its 4-megapixel resolution, the C-765 captures 2288 x 1712 pixel images for impressive, photo-quality 11 x 14-inch print enlargements. It als features a full range of resolution modes: 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480 pixels. It records both in JPEG and TIFF format. The C-765's bright (f2.8-f3.7) optical system--normally only found in pro-level SLR cameras--comprises 11 elements arranged in 7 groups and includes two aspherical lenses to reduce distortion as well as an ED element to help reduce chromatic aberration.

The 10x optical zoom lens (6.3-63mm, or 38-380mm equivalent in 35mm photography) is combined with a 4x digital zoom for a seamless 40x total zoom. The new Super Zoom function--captured at 1600 x 1200 (2-megapixel) resolution--enables you to extend to an amazing 14x optical zoom.

Movie Mode
Use the C-765 to shoot video with sound using the QuickTime motion JPEG format. It records video at 15 frames per second (fps) and has two resolution modes: 320 x 240 and 160 x 120 pixels.

More Features
The C-765 is one of the first Olympus models to feature TruePic Turbo, a new image processor that sharpens image clarity, contrast, and color for life-like results. This feature also makes the camera 30% faster in processing images and is combined with a super-fast shutter release time.

The mode dial offers quick access to automatic settings, as well as four customizable "My Mode" settings.

In auto mode, the C-765 offers point-and-shoot simplicity for flawless picture taking. For those times when you want to tweak your creativity, the C-765 has aperture priority, shutter priority, or full manual settings. The 6 Scene modes (controlled by the dial on top of the camera) provide fully automatic exposure adjustments in a wide variety of settings: Portrait, Self Portrait, Landscape-Portrait, Sports, Night Scene and Landscape photography. The 4 customizable "My Mode" settings help save time by allowing you to assign frequently used settings to the mode dial for quick access.

The optimized electronic viewfinder (unlike many optical viewfinders) enables precise framing of the shot as well as displays all activated settings so you don't have to take your eyes off your subject.

Other features include:

• 1.8-inch low-temperature poly-silicon TFT LCD (118,000 pixels)
• Built-in flash with several modes: auto for low light and backlight, red-eye reduction , fill-in (forced on), and slow shutter synchronized
• 1.5 frames per second burst mode up to 8 frames in HQ mode
• ISO settings: Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400

Direct Printing
The C-765 is PictBridge compatible, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer (such as the Olympus P-10), without a PC or image-editing software. All PictBridge devices share three basic features: camera-to-printer connecting, single-image printing, and uniform error messages (in case something goes wrong).

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on XD Picture Card memory cards. The card's small size, about the same as a postage stamp, helps to keep the camera size down. The included 16 MB card will store approximately 16 images at 2288 x 1712 pixels (at HQ, JPEG setting). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via ultra-fast USB 2.0 connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98 Rev2Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery (model Li-10B, included), which provides approximately 175 shots per charge with typical use. It measures 4.11 x 2.36 x 2.7 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 9.9 ounces (excluding battery and storage media).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Camedia C-765 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, lithium-ion rechargeable battery (Li-10B) and battery charger, USB and A/V cables, carrying strap, lens cap with retainer cord, quick-start guide, and printed instruction manual. The CD-ROM features Camedia Master software, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Camera Reference Manual. ... Read more

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 11-by-14-inch enlargements
• 10x optical zoom combines with 4x digital zoom for a 40x total zoom
• 1.8-inch LCD display; PictBridge enabled; Quicktime movie mode
• Store images on xD memory cards
• Powered by rechargeable lithium ion battery (included with charger)

Reviews (5)

Love it!
I've had this camera for a couple of months and I love it. The pictures look great and it is very easy to use. Its big and boxy so it won't fit in a small purse or pocket, but its worth hanging a camera case around your shoulder if you like to take high quality outdoor pictures.

Great Camera
I replace my old Olympus 450 with this camera. I loved the old camera but it did not have all the features that I wanted. The new camera is great. It takes great pictures out of the box. If you spend the time to get to know all the features it takes even better pictures. I love being able to customize the settings. The zoom is the best feature of the camera. Allows you to get very close to your subject. Battery life is great but I would buy an extra battery because it does not give much warning when it is going.

Great first camera
Other than a cheap point and shoot camera, this is the first real camera that I have owned. I decided to go with a digital camera that way I would practice my photography skills without wasting a whole lot of money on film. Overall, I have been very impressed with this camera. I recently got back from a trip to London and everyone was very impressed with the pictures that I got. For the beginner, you can set the camera on Auto Mode on and get great shots. For the more advanced photographer, the camera offers enough creative control over things such as aperature and shutter speed. I experimented with the camera in the Sport Mode and was able to freeze an acrobat in the middle of a flip. This camera is not for a professional, but for the beginner to an intermediately advanced photographer, it makes a great camera. My only real complaint with the camera is shooting pictures at night or extremely low light situations is somewhat difficult. I recommend using a tripod or some other way to stabilize it for best results. It is possible that there is something that I haven't figured out yet since I feel like I am still learning a lot about this camera. Other than this though, I highly recommend this camera to anyone looking for a solid, reliable camera that takes excellent photos.

Great Camera
I just got this camera. I love it. It takes excellent pictures and is easy to use.

A great upgrade for digital camera users.
I just purchased this camera and love it. Prior to getting this one, I had been using my Olympus Camedia 3030. This one has several things that really make it better than the old one:

First and foremost, it has the 10x optical zoom. I often found with the C-3030 that I couldn't get close enough in on people and animals if they were more than about 20 feet away. This one solves that problem.

Second, the lag time from pressing the button to the shutter releasing is significantly reduced in this camera. I can actually capture my son before he has left the picture frame. It still isn't as fast as an SLR, but it is light years ahead of where it used to be.

Third, I have noticed significantly fewer red eye issues with this camera. This is a big deal for me since everyone in my family is fair skinned with blue eyes.

Last, the battery is a Li rechargeable. It only takes about two hours to get a full charge. Picture quality is exceptional. I haven't had any problems with the zoom lens (but I do try to steady the camera on a fence or something if the zoom is fully extended).

All in all, I think this is a great camera. Admittedly, I don't use all the bell and whistles -- mostly the automatic settings. Oh, and one other thing I like -- it is easier to control the flash with this one since you have to open it to use it.

A Few Cons: It may be overpriced compared to the competition. The battery and charger come with the camera, but a spare battery costs approx. $50.00 (and you can't use AA's in a pinch). You'll definitely need to buy a 256MB card right away. The one that comes with the camera only holds about 16 pictures. The digital display window can not be adjusted or turned -- so it is hard to preview your images in some bright light situations. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Olympus DM-10 stereo digital voice recorder/music player packs 64 MB of built-in flash memory to give you nearly 22 hours (1,340 minutes) of voice recording or a full hour of near-CD-quality music in either MP3 or WMA formats. The DM-10's compact, lightweight design and smooth, silvery finish make it an ideal travel companion. Measuring a mere 4.31 x 1.56 x 0.6 inches (H x W x D) and weighing in at a mere 3 ounces, the attractive and ergonomic DM-10 fits comfortably in the hand of the on-the-go professional or exercise enthusiast.

The DM-10 has 5 separate file folders capable of holding 199 files each, so you can organize nearly 1,000 files according to subjects like "work," "personal," and "to do." When recording, simply capture your high-quality voice files in either WMA or DSS (Digital Speech Standard) format and then place the recorder in the included USB docking station to begin downloading hours of audio to a PC or Macintosh computer. Stereo voice recording is possible with an optional stereo microphone.

Alarm playback will alert you to meetings, dates, show reminders, or wake-up times. You can simply dictate reminders into the DM-10--such as "Time to pick up the kids!"--and assign a time for this message to sound, like an alarm clock's buzzer.

Built-in WOW sound enhancement produces rich bass, and three-dimensional sound, while a user-selectable 5-setting equalizer lets you tailor the sound to your taste or environment. Olympus's innovative noise-canceling technology makes the sound even clearer. removing unwanted hiss and background noise.

The unit offers a built-in condenser microphone, and a .125-inch microphone jack gives you the option to use a high-quality external mic (not included). A .125-inch earphone jack and supplied stereo ear bud headphones let you monitor your files during or after recording. To suit various sound conditions, you can adjust the microphone's sensitivity. The recorder can be viewed in low-light situations, such as at a lecture hall or during presentations, thanks to its easy-to-read backlit LCD.

After capturing recordings you can erase them or move them between folders. The DM-10 also lets you set up to 16 index marks per message, during recording and during playback. This way, you can locate specific sections of individual dictations quickly and easily. The individual files may be played back at three different speeds: normal, fast, or slow, through either the built-in speaker or the supplied earphones. In addition, with the Repeat Playback function, the DM-10 can repeatedly play back a particular user-selected section of audio recording--ideal for transcribing dictation.

The unit's Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) ensures that recording begins only when sound occurs, while its security lock prevents accidental deletion of sensitive files.

The DM-10 is perfectly suited to meet varying professional needs. You can easily attach voice files to e-mails or forward them to others for transcription. The optional AS-3000 transcription kit (DSS Player Pro transcription module with foot switch and headset) can further streamline this process. The DM-10 is also compatible with most voice recognition software, including IBM's Via Voice.

What's in the Box
Voice recorder, docking station, USB cable, stereo ear bud headphones, a CD-ROM, a user's manual, and warranty information. ... Read more

Features

• Voice recorder and music recorder/player all in one; stereo recording and playback supports DSS, MP3, and WMA file formats
• 64 MB built-in internal memory for 22 hours of voice recording or 1 hour of near-CD-quality music; offers voice activation, index marking, backlit LCD
• Manage your voice files in 5 folders and music files in 2 folders capable of storing up to 199 files each
• USB docking station grants quick, easy uploads and downloads; PC and Macintosh compatible; comes with stereo ear bud headphones
• Noise Cancellation mode reduces ambient sound; WOW audio technology provides rich bass and 3-dimensional sound during music playback

Reviews (8)

Excellent product
I purchased the DM-20, which has twice the storage. I would recommend finding that one if you plan to use it much for music. It has great support for Windows Media Audio .wma and .mp3 files, and their proprietary format. I try to do everything in .wma. At the lowest quality compression setting you get a very long recording time. Navigation is easy. The controls are set out well. The LCD has good info and lots of options. The voice recording quality is excellent, especially from the remote control plug-in microphone (which might not be available in all versions).

Fragile equipment
On May 29, 2004 I ordered the digital recorder, based upon the glowing reviews that I've read about the sound quality. I'm a barbershopper and wanted to have high fidelity digital recordings for the chorus web site and for learning tapes. The device is tiny, sleek and shiny like an elongated lighter. It sounded sensational with the little ear buds, but came with no protective case. On 07/09/04 it stopped working entirely. The display did not light up, yet the batteries were new (2 days old)and the battery display showed that it was fully charged the day before. I was heading out for a rehearsal, and had it on my wrist by the strap. My guess is that it must have bumped into the car door as I slid into the driver's seat. When I took it off my wrist to put on the seat belt, that's when I discovered that the display was dead. I opened the battery slide and the little coil that pushes against the battery sprung out. Without that in place the recorder cannot work. Because the failure happened more than a month after purchase, Home Depot would not cover it. Olympus is having me send it back. We'll see what happens. It's a nice device, with great fidelity, but it's incredibly fragile. I'd hesitate before recommending it.

Beware, DSS is Olympus proprietary format, not a "standard"
Yes, the features of this machine are nice, but the DSS format's name "Digital Speech Standard" and Olympus's touting of it as an "international standard" are deliberately misleading. In fact, Olympus owns it and does not even make it available enough for software vendors to develop conversion software. There is no way to, for instance, convert a CD audio, or MP3, or any other audio file into DSS format in order to play it on the DM-10. If you buy the thing thinking you can load 10 hours of CD audio books onto it, you will find that instead you only get 1 hour (in WMA format). And if you call Olympus to ask about it, their tech support people based in India will just tell you tough luck.

Wonderful voice recorder, works great in ALL modes
I am going to be conducting interviews for research. I was new to the digital voice recorder buying scene and started out by buying an Olympus VN-3600. That device is OK, but has severe limitations. The most obvious one being that the lower end digital voice recorders do not transfer files to a computer. So if you want to use the space again you have to take your notes and lose the original. The other limitation that the lower-end voice recorders have is poor to unsuable recording in the long-play mode. For the 3600, 6 hours was a joke. Believe me it was completely unsuable. I knew that going in but I didn't realize how crippling not being able to transfer files to the computer would be.

Enter the DM-10. From the reviews here and across the web I decided to give it a try. I am VERY GLAD that I did. What a remarkable device. It has 3(4) recording modes and each one of them is crystal clear. I put 4 in parathensis because if you use a stero microphone it automatically records in SHQ or Super High Quality mode. As many voice recorders have this has a voice activation level so that pauses shut down the recording. This one works really well with 15 different levels. The SP mode gives you 22hours of recording! And it is usable.

I just downloaded the software and it is great. I recorded two files one in HQ mode and one in SP mode. SP and LP recordings are stored in something called DSS files whereas the HQ and SHQ are stored as WMA files. They downloaded in a flash. I also copied them to a folder and then clicked on them and they brought up the software for replay in a flash.

You can also use the DM-10 as an MP3 player. As a nice bonus, and I bought this in early June 2004, the package I got included a stero microphone. You usually get what you pay for and I would suggest if you want to have a ton of recording space and you feel that storing your recordings would be helpful, spend the money on this device. It has too many features to list but all are well-thought out and enhance its usability. The manual is well-written and will get you started in minutes. Really a superb device and worth the money.

Buy this DVR. You won't regret it!!!
I was looking for a digital voice recorder for a long time and first tried Olympus W 10 and did not like its sound quality. After reading the reviews here for DM 10, I decided to give it a try and boy am I happy to do that or what??? !!! Features are superb and the sound quality is perfect. Even the LP mode, which can give you a whopping 22 and half hour long recording, is quite decent. It is easily attached to the computer thru USB and transfering files is a piece of cake. It is small and very portable; it can fit easily into your shirt pocket. It looks slick and slim in design. It can even give you CD quality sound for your MP3's on the go. I am very happy with this purchase and wanted to share this with those who are looking for a good DVR. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

The Olympus Stylus 300 is perhaps the best go-anywhere point-and-shoot digital camera, thanks to its all-metal, weatherproof exterior. Easy on the eyes and comfortable in the hand, the Stylus 300 can also withstand water splashes, driving rain, and windy snowstorms. And though it's not waterproof, you can add the optional PT-016 underwater case for diving photos down to 130 feet underwater.

While not as Elph-in as some other compact digital cameras, the Stylus 300 is easily pocketable for on-the-go photo fun, from sightseeing to impromptu get-togethers. It’s also very quick to respond on start-up. Just slide open the clam-shell cover, and the Stylus 300 is ready to snap pics in about 3 seconds.

The Stylus 300 is made for automatic point-and-shoot possibilities, and the camera offers some basic scene modes (landscape, night, portrait, and self-portrait) and white balance settings (daylight, overcast, tungsten, and fluorescent). The menu system accessed through the 1.5-inch LCD continues the Olympus tradition of a well-mapped out software system.

We were quite happy with the exterior, providing a lot of area from the right side of the camera to the lens, which helped to eliminate fingers getting in the way of the lens. Additionally, the shutter button at the top of the camera was nicely sizeable for our chunky fingers. We were a bit disappointed, though, with the size and slipperiness of the function buttons on the back of the Stylus--the all-metal exterior was just too smooth and the buttons not rubbery enough.

With the 3.2-megapixel resolution, you’ll be able to capture enough image detail to print out decent 11 x 14 print enlargements. But the best thing about more pixels is the amount of stored pixel information, which enabled us to play around and crop images on our PC without losing much clarity or sharpness. At the highest quality setting, you’ll get 2048 x 1536 pixel images, but you can also step down to lower pixel ranges--from 1600 x 1200 to 640 x 480.

You can also record small QuickTime videos, though we found the movie mode to be fairly basic compared to some of the other new releases of 2003. Since there’s no built-in microphone, your movies will be silent, and you can’t utilize the zoom while filming. Choose between 320 x 240 for 16 seconds and 160 x 120 for 40 seconds.

If you’re looking for pure point-and-shoot pleasure, the Stylus 300 is the camera for you. It’s nicely automated and ready to snap pics in a flash. We were also quite happy with the battery life, though you might want to invest in an additional battery (model LI-10B) as well as a higher-capacity XD card for safety's sake. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• All-weather means never having to worry about rain, sleet, or snow
• Great automatic point-and-shoot features
• Fast start-up time

Cons:

• No manual controls
• Movie mode doesn’t have sound, short video length

Features

• First digital camera with all-weather reliability --shoot digital images under almost any weather condition
• 3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• 3x optical plus 4x digital (12x total) zoom lens with autofocus
• Included 16 MB XD memory card holds 20 images at 2048 x 1536 HQ setting
• Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery included; connects with Macs and PCs via USB port

Reviews (48)

WOW! What a camera!
This is a snap response after recieving this camera today and playing with it for about an hour or so.

First, THE GOOD:

The first thing you're gonna notice about this camera is it's apearance. It's simply GORGEOUS! It's called the STYLUS for a reason! It's STYLISH! It's hands down the most attractive looking camera I've seen, it just looks cool. You're bound to get compliments any time you whip it out among company. The shiny aluminum case is no just very classy looking, but also makes for a durable and sturdy frame.

The Stylus 300 Digital by Olympus is very well made, and feels firm and durable in the hand. It does'nt feel flimsy at all. You get the feeling that if you dropped it on a sidewalk a few times it would probably survive with little more than a dent (Although I wouldnt try that!). Also, it's supposedly made for all-weather use, so you should be able to take pictures in driving rain if you wanted to. You'l notice that all the ports and connectors are protected by rubber covers and all the little compartments with plastic doors (for example the little cover that you flip up to put in a memory card) covering them are sealed with rubber rims to keep out water. This is a great camera for anyone who tends to be a bit clumbsy or who wants to be able to have take pictures in bad weather.

The camera is also pretty small. It may not be the smallest camera out (when compared to other super-tiny models) but it's pretty damn small! It's about the size of a pack of cigarretts! It's actually smaller than my wallet!

The camera is also very well designed. There is no lens cap to loose or have to remember to put on. Instead a door slides over the lens and protects it. This same door/sleave is used to turn the camera on/off. Turning it on is as simple as flipping the door over. Start up is very quick! I was able to turn the camera on, take a picture, and turn the camera back off and in my pocket in about 10 seconds! It's pretty responsive. It's pretty quick taking pictures too, the wait time between pictures is very short (shorter than my 35mm), not quite as fast as would be wished for though.

Olympus also through in a remote control! This is great for self portraits or when you want to actually be IN the pictures you're taking. The battery life apears to be pretty good, and a lithium Ion battery is included as well as a charger. Also included is a 16 MB memory card. I wish there was a little built in memory or a larger card had been included for the money. The card technology is either a new one I am not familiar with or a proprietary one - it's called "XD picture card". The 'card' is a TINY (about the size of thumbnail).

USB is supported (as expected) and you can ussually plug the camera right in and windows (XP and ME) will automatically recognize it as a removeable drive. This is great as you can even use you're camera's memory to carry around or transfer other types of files as well which might be useful in a pinch. It also supports video out so you can view pictures on your TV.

Finally there is also a movie mode that lets you take 16 second video clips. The down side is that this is in quicktime format (I would much prefer MPEG or AVI). Another thing is that the length is ALWAYS limited to 16 seconds - even if you have a 128 MB card in there, you can only take 16 second clips... that's just dumb. If I have enough memory why cant I take longer clips? Come on Olympus, release a firmware patch to allow us to take longer clips or use a different video format. There is also no sound, which is a feature that IS present in models made by cannon and Kodak (who provde both built in mics, built in speakers, and the time of your movie clips is only limited to memory restraints). This is a significant drawback if this featureset interests you, but isn't enough to weigh down the rest of the quality present.

The interface is also pretty easy to use and supports plenty of features. It's not QUITE as easy as the Kodak DX4330, but most people will find it pretty simple with a minimal learning curve.

All in all, this is a GREAT camera. While you're probably going to want to buy a bigger memory card, you'll probably be VERY happy with this as a choice. The only cons are the lack of support for video features - the lack of sound and the time restraints are both unexcusable considering the price.

Still I give it a 5 star rating for the quality of construction and the over-all design. Im very happy with this camera, they just need to add sound to the next version. Heck, if they would just release a patch t allow video clips to use MPEG or even just allow us to take longer clips, then I would call this the ONLY CHOICE in digital cameras for the price range.

Great Picture Quality
My pictures look incredible with this Olympus Stylus! I can go out in the rain and shoot some different looking images and not worry about my camera getting wet. Its small, so I can slide it into my pocket and it is metal so it feels more durable. In doors, I find if I turn on all of my lights when shooting I get better lighting (but I had to do this with my small film camera too). I would HIGHLY recommend this Olympus Stylus to anyone looking to purchase a digital camera. My wife enjoys it too because it is simple but we still get pro results

good for day trips
This is a great camera for day time use. It has taken horrible pictures in doors and at night. It takes beautiful pictures in the sun light though. Wouldn't recommend to a friend.

Excellent camera
If you use a digital camera, you need to get off those 4 AA from your drug store. They are just not practical, the battery on this camera last for a whole 250 MB card at max resolution. Additional battery is cheap (cheaper than buying those 4 AA batteries over time). Just like you would charge a digital video camera, you plug the charger in the wall, place the battery eaily on top and leave it. In less than the time it takes you to drive to that drig store, you got a full charge!
The media card is the one you would use for this camera, why would you want CF for example? Average user would have one digital camera with one card, that easily download into your PC.
I bought the Canon powershot and this by far has a better color especially for Macro shots. Go ahead and get it, it can be used everywhere, it wont run out of battery even if you store ity for a month as long as it is charged and it wont die as soon as as a little increase in humidity hits it. I have been useing it for 2 years and no problems, highly recommended.

dead
Fabulous camera for all 5 months that it worked. Now it turns on but the shutter button does not work. Olympus wants $125. to look at it and probably replace it with a refurb. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Olympus xD-Picture Card is compact for smaller and more stylish digital devices. It's powerful for amazing memory capacity now, and increased memory capacity in the future. It's durable, making it a media you can trust with your most valuable data. And it's versatile, for unprecedented device flexibility. Olympus xD-Picture Cards--the most advanced digital media cards ever for the best digital images yet. Nothing's impossible.

Quickly and easily transferring images and data to a computer is a cinch when the Olympus xD-Picture Card is used with any xD-compatible product. And it's just as easy using non-xD devices as well, thanks to a number of groundbreaking adapters that will be available, including a CompactFlash Adapter, SmartMedia USB Reader/Writer, and PCMCIA/PC Card Adapter.

Designed with the most advanced storage technology available, the Olympus xD-Picture Card system meets the memory capacity needs of today, while also being readily available to fulfill the increased memory capacity needs of tomorrow.

Olympus xD-Picture Cards are the only xD cards that support the Panorama function found on most Olympus digital cameras. ... Read more

Features

• 256 MB storage capacity
• Ultra-compact 0.97" by 0.98" by 0.67" size
• Designed for maximum durability
• Compatible with most products that use xD cards
• Supports the Panorama function found on most Olympus digital cameras

Reviews (7)

Not a commodity if you shoot in Panorama Mode
Several reviewers have indicated xD memory is a commodity. Buyer beware: If you have an Olympus digital camera, and you shoot in the Panorama mode (which I use regularly and really like when snowboarding and backpacking), you HAVE TO HAVE AN OLYMPUS BRANDED xD CARD; non-Olympus cards don't support and won't enter the mode

commodity product; buy where you want
I bought this item from the local office supply store. Costco has it cheaper and has a better return policy (and is 5 min. from my house). Buy this where it makes sense.

Beware xD memory...
Thank heavens analogue cameras standardised on 35mm. Just imagine you went into a shop and had a choice of 2inch, 30mm, 25mm, 33mm, 35mm etc films, only one of which would fit your camera. Olympus have done a Sony and repackaged the same old memory chips (e.g. SD, MMC, SM, CF, MD) as xD and decided to sell it at twice the price of SD memory. Once you buy one of their (admittedly good) digital cameras the small xD market will force you to buy expensive memory that is incompatible with almost everything else our there. As I already own some cheap standard SD memory that's not usable in most Olympus cameras, I have had to look elsewhere for a camera :o(

Great Card!!
This is a great card if you want to shoot video or shoot high mb photos. Unfortunately for Amazon, its less than $80 at Costco.

Enough of confusing standards and formats
I wish the electronics manufacturers don't take consumers for granted. Every year, they come with new storage cards and drive formats. That is the reason many like me are not happy to buya a new electronic device. How can you improve the economy if you don't standardise these sort of things and give the confidence to the consumer that what he/she buys will stay productive and useful at least for two to three years? Remember it is the middle class common man who forms the largest consumer base. We just got over a few years ago from Betamax and VHS formats. Now we have competing DVD formats making most of us totally confused and preventing us from buying any of the multiformat DVD writers even! Until these sort of the incompatabilities are not sorted by all the manufacturers together, they are bound to loose their investment and have poor returns. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Olympus yet again raises the bar in the ultra-zoom digital camera arena with the 4-megapixel Camedia C-770. It's the smallest digital camera in the world featuring an optical 10x optical zoom (as of February 2004), measuring 4.11 x 2.36 x 2.7 inches (12-percent smaller than its predecessor, the C-750) and weighing only 9.9 ounces. It also features an MPEG4 movie mode with sound for high-resolution video at 30 frames per second. Other features include an all-metal body, a Super Zoom function that extends to 14x close-ups, fast USB 2.0 connectivity, and a bevy of manual features.

Optics and Resolution

 	Olympus' 10x optical zoom gets the detail of hard-to-reach subjects without loss of image quality.

With its 4-megapixel resolution, the C-770 captures 2288 x 1712 pixel images for impressive, photo-quality 11 x 14-inch print enlargements. It als features a full range of resolution modes: 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480 pixels. It records both in JPEG and TIFF format. The C-770's bright (f2.8-f3.7) optical system--normally only found in pro-level SLR cameras--comprises 11 elements arranged in 7 groups and includes two aspherical lenses to reduce distortion as well as an ED element to help reduce chromatic aberration.

The 10x optical zoom lens (6.3-63mm, or 38-380mm equivalent in 35mm photography) is combined with a 4x digital zoom for a seamless 40x total zoom. The new Super Zoom function--captured at 1600 x 1200 (2-megapixel) resolution--enables you to extend to an amazing 14x optical zoom.

Movie Mode
The C-770 captures video with audio in MPEG4 movie format, the next-generation video standard with more efficient file compression. You can shoot at an astonishing 30 frames per second (fps) while in SHQ mode (640 x 480 pixels). Two other resolution modes (320 x 240 and 160 x 120) capture video at 15 fps.

More Features
The C-770 is one of the first Olympus models to feature TruePic Turbo, a new image processor that sharpens image clarity, contrast, and color for life-like results. This feature also makes the camera 30% faster in processing images and is combined with a super-fast shutter release time.

The mode dial offers quick access to automatic settings, as well as four customizable "My Mode" settings.

In auto mode, the C-770 offers point-and-shoot simplicity for flawless picture taking. For those times when you want to tweak your creativity, the C-770 has aperture priority, shutter priority, or full manual settings. The 6 Scene modes (controlled by the dial on top of the camera) provide fully automatic exposure adjustments in a wide variety of settings: Portrait, Self Portrait, Landscape-Portrait, Sports, Night Scene and Landscape photography. The 4 customizable "My Mode" settings help save time by allowing you to assign frequently used settings to the mode dial for quick access.

The optimized electronic viewfinder (unlike many optical viewfinders) enables precise framing of the shot as well as displays all activated settings so you don't have to take your eyes off your subject.

Other features include:

• 1.8-inch low-temperature poly-silicon TFT LCD (118,000 pixels)
• Built-in flash with several modes: auto for low light and backlight, red-eye reduction , fill-in (forced on), and slow shutter synchronized
• Dedicated hot shoe connection for adding an external flash or sync to a studio strobe
• 1.5 frames per second burst mode up to 8 frames in HQ mode
• ISO settings: Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400

Direct Printing
The C-770 is PictBridge compatible, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer (such as the Olympus P-10), without a PC or image-editing software. All PictBridge devices share three basic features: camera-to-printer connecting, single-image printing, and uniform error messages (in case something goes wrong).

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on XD Picture Card memory cards. The card's small size, about the same as a postage stamp, helps to keep the camera size down. The included 16 MB card will store approximately 16 images at 2288 x 1712 pixels (at HQ, JPEG setting). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via ultra-fast USB 2.0 connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98 Rev2Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery (model Li-10B, included), which provides approximately 175 shots per charge with typical use. It measures 4.11 x 2.36 x 2.7 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 9.9 ounces (excluding battery and storage media).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Camedia C-770 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, lithium-ion rechargeable battery (Li-10B) and battery charger, USB and A/V cables, carrying strap, lens cap with retainer cord, quick-start guide, and printed instruction manual. The CD-ROM features Camedia Master software, VideoStudio7 SE Basic (for MPEG4 video editing), Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Camera Reference Manual. ... Read more

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 11-by-15-inch enlargements
• 10x optical zoom combines with 4x digital zoom for 40x total zoom
• MPEG4 movie mode with audio; 1.8-inch LCD display; PictBridge enabled
• Store images on xD memory cards
• Powered by rechargeable lithium ion battery (included with charger)

Features

• 5-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 13-by-17-inch enlargements
• All-weather construction allows for outdoor use even on a rainy day
• 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD; 3x optical zoom, 12x total zoom
• Movie mode takes QuickTime movies with sound--easy to e-mail to friends
• Store images on xD-Picture cards (32 MB card included)

Features

• Designed for use by digital cameras and devices that accept the XD-PictureCard
• Up to 512MB Storage

Reviews (3)

perfect
Whats there not to like about this card?? A little pricey maybe, but you wont have to get another one any time soon!!!

Does not work with Olympus C-50
Be warned: this memory card is not compatible with the Olympus C-50 camera. The best you can get in the 128.

Plenty of Storage
This is a great card if you plan to take many photos. The only caveat is that for use with an Olympus C50 you must get a firmware upgrade which can take up to 10 days and requires you to ship the camera to Olympus. ... Read more

Product Description

The EVOLT E-300 is a 100% digital SLR camera that eliminates any photographic limitations. A powerful 8 megapixel CCD combines with interchangeable Zuiko digital lenses, our exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter & other cutting-edge technologies for world-class images. Advances in design make for a durable & portable compact camera you can take & trust anywhere. With impressively fast shooting & operating speeds that ensure you never miss a photo op, & the ability to switch lenses & add flashes so you never miss a beat.Along with the advantages provided by the 8 megapixel Full Frame Transfer CCD & Olympus' exclusive dust eliminating Supersonic Wave FilterTM, images captured with the EVOLT E-300 benefit from a number of additional technologies as well.The full line of Zuiko Digital Specific LensesTM are compatible with the EVOLT E-300 and each is perfectly matched with the 4/3-type image sensor to deliver light more directly to each of the imager's pixels. By filling each pixel more precisely, the outcome is clear, accurate color, sharp contrast & bright images even at the edges.These lenses also feature their own internal CPU which allows them to directly communicate with the camera & transfer data specific to the lens being used to the software where corrections of potential distortions occur automatically.Furthermore, the camera's TruePic TURBO image processor offers significantly improved image quality & combines with anti-blooming techn ... Read more

Features

• Compatible with the complete range of Olympus E-system lenses and new accessories; Zuiko Digital 14-45mm (28-90mm) f3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm (80-300mm) f3.5-4.5 lenses
• Compact design incorporates a built-in flash and hot shoe
• 8.0-megapixel SLR with full-frame transfer CCD (FFT CCD)
• User-friendly menu plus full manual operation; scene program and scene select program modes
• Records to CompactFlash cards and Microdrives

Reviews (8)

Simply Amazing SLR
Hey guess who!? The sinister minister with yet another Digicam review!Well the E300 brings my camera count up to 5 and it may very well decrease it. I have by nature been very weary of the digital SLR's even though I sell tons of them every week, I have used the Canon XT and 20D, and the Nikon D70, consistantly. I have demonstrated them untill I can set one up in my sleep, and as fast and advanced as they may seem I just couldn't get past thier hefty price tags.But then here comes the E300, the first thing you notice about this camera is it looks like no other SLR on the market, it almost like a stealth camera! Size wise it compares pretty evenly with its counterparts, however it is somewhat lighter. Unlike the Rebel XT however this camera is built like a tank, with a good solid hand grip, and a textured metal body. That aside the main thing that attracted me to this camera was the fact that it uses Digital Zuiko lenses, each lens has its own processor! How cool is that! Not to mention the benefits you get when reading light or getting in focus. And to top that off they are sanely priced!! Now the most important feature of any camera my friends is what you buy it for, and that is pictures! The E-300 takes amazing pictures! It takes them fast, clear, and in just about any light situation you can think of. Oh and by the way? thats before you even start to mess around with the settings! Lets talk about a few: ISO: Neat feature the E300 has is a thing called "ISO Boost" you can switch the 2 highest ISO settings on or off (800 & 1600)! Noise in this department was pretty darn good until you shoot at 1600 then it gets a bit spooky, there aren't many cameras that don't (believe me) even the 20D you fantasize about takes a crappy shot with the ISO cranked up! Shutter speeds are about even with most other SLRs, and it even has an 8 minute "Bulb" mode (Hooray) but you have to hold the shutter button down (BOO).Menues: This camera has the coolest, and easiest to use damn menu system I have ever seen! I love it I was running thru things like I had owned the camera for years after just a few minutes, Nothing like the Canons (some things on those I still can't find!!) 8MP: my favorite resolution! I own 4 8MP cameras and I love every one of them! I well tell you now what I tell all my customers at Bestbuy anything over 8MP is a waste of money and time, I think even 8MP is more than most people need.5MP is average 6 is just stupid, 7MP is a good point and shoot. But SLRs need to be at least 8MP (hello Nikon?) The lens ranges work so well with that resolution anything less is really an injustice (I think).Scene Modes: Yes the E-300 has a ton of them (see spec's above) including the "Sunset Mode" (I love Nikon's)This is almost as good although a little too red at times. I haven't had the camera long so I haven't had the chance to run thru them all, but the ones I have used have all been right on the money. Speed: well okay this one has to go to the 20D, speed wise the E-300 is about par, but it's not gonna win any races about 4 frames at 2.5 sec for as long as the shutter is pressed.White balance features are excellent in this camera ranging from auto to 3000k all the way up to 7500k in addition to 4 spaces for custom settings (nice job Olympus).Full AF or manual focus modes as well as several combinations of the two! Flash: the E-300 probably has the best on board flash of any camera I have ever used, and without a doubt the most versitile as far as being able to control intensity, speed, etc. I actually like using it (Normally I hate flash photography). Huge selection of Image formats: this camera will save your pictures in at least 20 different files types and resolutions, not to mention you can completely edit Raw image files directly within the camera! Exsposure, contrast, sharpness the whole deal right on board. Battery life is excellent being as good as my F-828 at 230-220 minutes.Micro-drive capable, and I absolutely love the Zuiko lenses.I have to admit I never thought I would own an Olympus let alone one of thier SLRs, Olympus has a tendency to cut on quality when it comes to thier lower end models the people that own em love em. However I have always heard that Olympus high end cameras are among the best. After using the E-300 I would agree WOW!.This camera has so many other benifits and features that I can't go into here, so check your online review sources and make up your own mind. As I said I am a professional photographer and I sell cameras and aside from some bells and whistles, speed you'll never use, the E-300 is everybit as good a digital SLR camera as its Canon and Nikon counterparts (more so in some ways)The biggest being price!
I added another lens to mine and a Microdrive (4gb) and a Canon would have still cost me more, and I'd still be lost in those menus!Want my advice? Put the E-300 on your short list and decide based on picture and price, not speed. Weather its film or digital, photography has always been about the pictures, SLR's by nature take amazing photographs, is it really worth it to have to take on a second job just to pay for it!? I hope this helps somewhat, after I have used the camera a while I may offer an update, until then Happy shooting!

I Love this Camera!
The E-300 is one outstanding digital camera.I have been doing 35mm for many years, and it was nice to find a digital camera that has the look and feel of a high end 35mm.It even has the sound of the shutter clicking and the film winding sound also.A very easy to use camera, once I figured out the menus.Pictures are outstanding even at the middle of the resolution range.Good job, Olympus!But... I could mention two complaints, neither of which will make me return the camera.One, the camera does have a bit of a problem taking flash pictures in low light conditions.And the other problem, an obvious money-grubbing device (Bad Olympus!), the AC adapter that sells for $130 or so could be replaced by any $10 wall wart, except for that little proprietary connector on the camera.Come on, Olympus, what's up with that?

Best bang for the buck, by far
When I decided to go fully digital I read every review I could find.Not having $6-7000 to spend I kept it under $2500.

This is the best camera out there in this price range.It is sharper than any of the others.There are minor complaints about color acuracy, but that is a lot easier to fix than lack of sharpness.

Very powerful flash.Amazing for its size.

Nice weight and balance.

If you want a DSLR this is really the best you can get for under
$1000 and that is with 2 lenses.

THE BEST SLR AND THE BEST LOOKING CAMERA I HAVE SEEN!
Before, I bought the E-300,I looked at the other SLR camera's and was impressed by some of them. But, not as impressed by the E-300. The E-300 caught my eye by it's looks and it's functions. Also, all things it can do! Plus it was easy to use! When I first started using the camera I was "VERY" impressed by how well the pictures were coming out. I am pretty impressed with the E-300! I am "GLAD" I choose this camera and I would not trade it in for anythings else.

Nice Digi SLR camera with this price
Nice pictures, good price, bring me total different feeling comparing with my other digi cameras. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The performance features of the C-60 are as impressive as its stylish metal exterior. In addition to a 6.1-megapixel resolution, the compact, durable C-60 features Olympus's new TruePic TURBO image processor, a dual autofocus system usually found in SLR-style digital cameras (like the C-8080), and sunshine LCD technology that makes it easy to review your photo shoot even in bright daylight. The C-60 also offers a 3x optical zoom lens, USB 2.0 connectivity, PictBridge compatibility, and movie mode with audio.

Optics and Resolution The C-60 has a maximum resolution of 2816 x 2112 pixels, which will produce 30 x 40 print enlargements. It also offers these lower resolution modes: 2560 x 1920 (5 MP), 2288 x 1704 (4 MP), 2048 x 1536 (3 MP), 1600 x 1200 (2 MP), 1280 x 960 (1 MP), 1024 x 768 (SVGA), and 640 x 480 (VGA). The 3x optical zoom aspherical glass lens has a 35mm equivalent of 38mm-114mm. It also features a 4x digital zoom, for a 12x total zoom.

Movie Mode
In addition to still images, the C-60 can record video with sound at two resolution modes: 320 x 240 and 160 x 120 (both at 15 frames per second). Movie length is only limited by the size of your memory card. The included 32 MB XD card will record approximately 80 seconds of high-resolution video.

More Features
The C-60 is one of the first Olympus models to feature TruePic Turbo, a new image processor that sharpens image clarity, contrast, and color for life-like results. This feature also makes the camera 30% faster in processing images and is combined with a super-fast shutter release time. Other features include:

• 1.8-inch low-temperature poly-silicon LCD (approximately 134,000 pixels)
• Thirteen shooting modes give you the flexibility to capture amazing images for various situations
• Full aperture and shutter control in Manual mode
• Built-in multi mode flash and Dual Auto Focus system is designed to ensure your subjects are properly lit and in focus quickly
• Stitch up to 10 images together to create a single panoramic with an Olympus-branded XD memory card

Olympus Sunshine LCD Technology
Olympus' new sunshine LCD technology enables you to review your shots even in direct sunlight. A standard display reflects sunlight from its surface and therefore in bright sunshine it is difficult to review an image. The sunshine LCD, however, has semi-transparent layers which enable the sunlight to penetrate a few layers into the panel. This light is reflected by the underside of the liquid crystal layer, and images are clearer and brighter thanks to this additional "back light." The display also adjusts its brightness to cater for the surrounding light conditions, whether it be on a beach or in a brightly-lit room.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on tiny XD memory cards, and a 32 MB card is included with the C-60. You'll be able to store 7 shots of SHQ (or 14 HQ) 2816 x 2112 pixel images on the included card. The C-60 transfers images to Macs and Windows-based PCs via a speedy USB 2.0 connection.

Direct Printing
The C-60 is PictBridge compatible, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer (such as the Olympus P-10), without a PC or image-editing software. All PictBridge devices share three basic features: camera-to-printer connecting, single-image printing, and uniform error messages (in case something goes wrong).

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery (LI-12B). The C-60 measures 3.9 x 2.22 x 1.6 inches (WxHxD) and weighs a lean 7 ounces without batteries or recording media.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Olympus C-60 digital camera, 32 MB XD memory card, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (LI-12B), battery charger, remote control, wrist strap, USB and A/V cables, and CD-ROM with Camedia Master software. ... Read more

Features

• 6-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 14-by-19-inch enlargements
• 3x optical zoom combines with 4x digital zoom for 12x total zoom
• Movie mode with audio; PictBridge enabled
• Store images on xD memory cards
• Powered by rechargeable lithium ion battery (included with charger)

Reviews (7)

Great camera, weak flash
Strengths: Very compact & light, quick startup (slower with bigger XD Media cards), lots of great features (like continuous shooting mode and red-eye reduction), long battery life.
Weaknesses: Weak flash, red-eye reduction not available in continuous shooting mode, slow startup with big XD Media cards.
Summary: This is overall a great camera (see list of main strengths above). My biggest complaint is that the flash is pretty weak, and cannot be brightened in "auto" mode. However, if you switch the camera to one of the manual modes, you have more control over the brightness of the flash -- but I've found that increasing the brightness washes out the subjects too much. So you're stuck between a rock & a hard place. The perfect flash I ever used was on a Nikon Coolpix 995 camera, but that camera is big & bulky & slow compared to this camera. So if you're going to be doing a lot of daylight shooting or outdoor shooting that doesn't require heavy use of a flash, this camera is for you. If you're doing a lot of nighttime or indoor shooting (like me), you'll be hard-pressed to get rid of this spritely little camera that's chock-full of features, and instead you'll find yourself turning on lots of overhead lights to flood more light into the room.

Good camera
I have this camera for 2 months.
Good quality photos. Easy to use.
No digital zoom in auto mode.
I can't buy extra battery LI-12B

Olympus has done it again
Simply love it, I purchased this camera about a month ago this is my 2nd olympus the 1st lasting for 5 years (and still going strong) but just a 1.3 megapixel only good for 4 x 6 prints My wife & I wanted a camera capable of larger prints. We have had 8 x 10s printed from the camera and they are excellent. We were told you could get a 20 x 30 print if we wanted. Some may have trouble with the controls but this is not just a "point and shoot camera" it has all of the bells & whistles that photo buffs demand, but also an Auto mode and the camera will do all the work.

A Great Little Camera
I have been getting excellent results with this little beauty. I don't understand the comment on battery life, since I am getting 200-250 pictures on a charge. My only complaint is the size of the XD card that they supply with the unit. For a 6 Megapixel camera, you would think they would give you more storage to start with than 32MB. other than that the quality is excellent, pictures are high resolution and the Camedia software supplied with the camera does an excellent job.

BIG DISAPPOINTMENT
I received this camera as a birthday present. I have an Olympus C-3000 and since I have had such luck with this Olympus, wanted to upgrade to something smaller and better. Well, the C60 looks and feels great but I was terribly disappointed in the quality of the pictures, as well as not being user friendly. Battery life is also TERRIBLE. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The affordable, ergonomic Olympus D-535 digital camera makes it easy and fun to capture the memories of your life with its easy-to-use one-button, one-function operation. It features a 3.2-megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom, built-in pop-up flash, 12 MB internal memory and XD Picture Card compatibility, and a movie mode with sound that can capture as much video as your memory card can handle.

Optics and Resolution
The 1/2.7-inch CCD captures 3.2-megapixel images for printed enlargements up to 11 x 17 inches. Image resolutions include: 2048 x 1536 (3 MP), 1600 x 1200 (2 MP), and 640 x 480. The lens, which is seated in the top-right corner of the camera's front, has a 5.8-17.4mm focal range (35-105mm equivalent in 35mm photography) with an f2.9 to f5.0 aperture range. The camera has a 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom for a total 12x zoom.

Movie Mode
The camera's QuickTime Movie Mode (at 15 frames per second, or fps) without sound can be used to make mini movies limited only by the amount of available memory (internally or externally). It features the following movie resolutions: 320 x 420 and 160 x 120.

More Features

• 1.5-inch TFT color LCD (approximately 130,000 pixels)
• Super macro mode as close as 2cm
• 4 scene modes: Portrait, Landscape, Indoors, and Night Scene
• Exposure compensation: +/- 2 EV (exposure value)steps in 1/3 EV steps
• Flash modes: auto, red-eye reduction, fill-in, and off
• Self timer of up to 12 seconds

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored either within the 12 MB internal memory or on optional XD memory cards. The XD card's small size, about the same as a postage stamp, helps to keep the camera size down. The internal 12 MB memory will store approximately 14 images at 2048 x 1536 pixels (at HQ, JPEG setting) without sound. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1 connectivity.

Direct Printing
The D-535 is PictBridge compatible, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer (such as the Olympus P-10), without a PC or image-editing software. All PictBridge devices share three basic features: camera-to-printer connecting, single-image printing, and uniform error messages (in case something goes wrong).

Power and Size
This camera is powered by 2 AA batteries (alkalines supplied; NiMH rechargeables recommended). It measures 3.4 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 4.9 ounces without battery or media card.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Olympus D-535 digital camera, 2 AA batteries, wrist strap, USB cable, A/V cable, CD-ROM with Camedia Master 1.0 software and PDF QuickStart guide, basic instruction manual, and reference manual. ... Read more

Features

• 3-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 10-by-14-inch enlargments
• Optical and digital zoom combine for a 12x total zoom
• An easy-to-use physical mode dial allows you to quickly switch between six shooting modes: portrait, landscape, indoors, night scene, and more.
• Save images and videos with 12 MB of internal memory or using a compatible xD-Picture Card
• Easy USB connectivity and PictBridge technology for convenient printing on the spot

Amazon.com Review

With the C-8080, Olympus enters the 8-megapixel arena with a splash. It's well suited both to amateur photo enthusiasts who want to ramp up their power and to professional photographers who need a smaller camera that's still loaded with a high-quality lens and expected high-end features. To that end, the C-8080 has a hot shoe for an external flash and the ability to add lenses (in conjunction with Olympus's bayonet-connected lens adapter tube).

With a body modeled after Olympus's professional E-20N, it has a classic SLR-style look but with a smaller profile (it's less bulky than Sony's DSC-F828). The rubber hand grip feels quite comfortable, making it easy for our fingers to access all the operation buttons on the right side. That said, we had to train ourselves to press the shutter-release button instead of the power button, since it is placed a bit lower from the top than where our fingers wanted to go. We also occasionally turned off the camera when making adjustments to the mode dial.

The left side also collects several buttons that are used in combination with the jog dial on the back (enabling quick access without having to go through all the menus). These buttons include flash pop-up and mode selection, resolution and image quality, and exposure compensation buttons. The LCD can be pulled away from the camera body and tilted up and down, which is especially handy for capturing ground-level photos.

Ergonomics aside, the C-8080 offers a powerful array of photographic features that make it easy to snap pics automatically or with your own manual settings. Here are some highlights:

• The C-8080 has four continuous shooting modes, with the fastest being five shots at 1.5 frames-per-second (which was helpful in capturing the tip-off at an NCAA basketball game). It also has an AF burst mode where the focus is adjusted frame by frame, but this slows down the capture speed.
• The manual focus mode allows you to get in as close as 7.9 inches (20 cm). A zoomed portion of your subject appears at the center of the LCD enabling you to get the right adjustment.
• The movie mode allows you to record up to 640 x 480 resolution (VGA) with sound, and it's only limited by the amount of free space on your memory card--the LCD shows how much more video you can fit there. You'll also be able to hear audio during in-camera playback thanks to a small, built-in speaker at the bottom.

Although the 5x optical zoom is smaller than other current 8 MP models, we found it to be quite adequate. It's also a bit on the wide side--28-140mm with maximum aperture settings of f2.4 at wide and f3.5 at telephoto. The aspherical glass lens is built to the same quality level as the Zuiko lenses used with Olympus's E-1 digital SLR. We were quite happy with its clarity and ability to pick up fine details--even in a romantically lit restaurant.

The included 32 MB xD memory card is nice start, but you'll definitely need the space for storing 8 MP photos; we were able to fit 20 HQ 3264 x 2448 images onto the card. It's also compatible with Type I and II CompactFlash cards, and we recommend purchasing either a large-capacity CF card or a MicroDrive to ensure you've got enough capacity. One bonus of using xD is its faster write speed (images save about one second faster than a MicroDrive). The downside to using the two card formats at once is you have to choose a destination card each time you start the camera (it defaults to the xD card, even if it's maxed out).

We found the battery life to be quite long-lasting--we only used about half of its capacity during five days of moderate use. The C-8080 is powered by the rechargeable lithium-ion BLM-1 battery. The camera conserves battery power by going to sleep within three minutes of not being used; press any button to immediately bring it back to life.

Overall, Olympus delivers a worthy, professional, SLR-style camera with a good range of high-end controls, handy features, expandability, and great image detail. The only factor that tempers our enthusiasm is its somewhat awkward button layout. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• Sharp 8-megapixel details and bright lens
• Good variety of professional-quality photographic features, including hot shoe and add-on lenses
• Articulated LCD and electronic viewfinder for saving battery drain
• Dual xD and CompactFlash/MicroDrive compatibility
• Long-lasting lithium-ion rechargeable battery

• Poor layout of control buttons--a slip of the finger easily turns off the camera
• Need to choose CF card every time camera is turned on if xD card also present

Features

• 8-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 16-by-22-inch enlargements
• 5x optical zoom combines with 3x digital zoom for 15x total zoom
• Movie mode with audio; PictBridge enabled; 1.8-inch articulated LCD display
• Store images on xD or Compact Flash memory cards
• Powered by lithium ion battery (included with charger)

Reviews (16)

Outstanding 8-Megapixel Camera with top quality lens.
After some extensive research on 8-megapixel digital cameras, I decided on the Olympus C-8080 for several reasons. I'll highlight a few of them below.

* The magnesium cased Olympus C-8080 has a quality feel to it in my hands. It feels solid. This camera won't creak or flex when handled like some of the others I tried.

* The Olympus C-8080 power up time is extremely fast which is important for catching those special moments. It has one of the fastest power up times of any 8-megapixel camera.

* The C-8080 has one of the best lenses available in its class with just the right balance of range and speed... The lens is rather large for good light gathering ability. It's also very sharp. At 5x and 28mm - 140mm (35mm equivalent) range, some might lean more toward a camera with a broader optical range sacrificing speed and quality. For me, it's about quality not quantity! I find that I often use 28mm indoors where space is limited or for those wide outdoor scenic shots. And 140mm is usually sufficient for most of my 'telephoto' needs. You can also purchase optional adapters for wider angle or more zoom if you find it necessary.

* Battery life on this camera is top notch... it's one of the longest lasting and far superior to most other 8-megapixel cameras. Although I own 2 batteries for my Olympus C-8080, I have yet to need more than one for an entire day of shooting. My findings pretty much mirror what the professional reviewers have tested with regard to long battery life on the Olympus C-8080. I have yet to see my 'low battery' indicator come on!

I should also mention that I wear eye glasses which is a problem for me with some viewfinders. Not so with the Olympus C-8080. The ring surrounding the viewfinder is rubberized and when I place the lens from my eye glasses up against the view finder, I can see the entire frame clearly and comfortably. The viewfinder also has a diopter adjustment to compensate for less than perfect vision.

Some people have commented that the controls on the Olympus are a bit confusing. The camera is very versatile with many features and I've gotten used to the controls. Also, the power on/off button is located fairly close to the shutter release button but I got used to this within just a few minutes. It really isn't a problem. Unless you're seriously lacking in manual dexterity, you'll get used to it very quickly.

Also, don't skimp on the memory card. I have a 512MB xD card in the camera and keep a blank 256MB card in my pocket in case I fill up the first card before getting a chance to download all the images to my PC. I might just get a 512MB CompactFlash card as well since the camera has a slot for both xD and CF style memory cards.

To quote another reviewer, the Olympus C-8080 is the one to get!

A Miriade of features at a reasonable price
If your like me and dont have a bunch of lenses already there that could be added to the camera as in the Canon Rebel then the next best choice is to try to get a camera that has all you need in one camera. This camera also feels better than any other camera I tried. And I tried them all, HP, Canon, Minolta, Fuji, Sony, and Olympus less expensive older models.

That is what I see is one of the main advantages of the Olympus C-8080. It is a very flexible highly featured camera. The lenses on it feature both wide and telephoto capabilities and Olympus has taken the time to make sure that the lense does well in these areas. They were special produced for this camera.
I have been able to get some excellent image quality out of my Olympus C-8080 so far. By excellent I mean that there is alot of detail in mid tones. Some of the noise artifacts in high contrast areas in other cameras such as purple hazing seem to either not be there or greatly reduced. In other words I have not seen that as an issue. This is attributable to a new CCD for the camera that impliments cyan dots into the color capture system. I love the extra colors I am getting from the CCD on board that has increased my color ranges in blues and greens as well as neutral shadow areas.

Olympus also implimented an anti noise feature in this camera that is said to help with those issues.

This camera is complex. It will take alot of time to be able to use all its featured capabilities. The menu system is intuitive and very customizable.

Am I glad I bought it? Yes definitely.

Also look at the built in historgram. Better than any of the competion. That is because it has a historgram in a historgram. You can learn on line how to use historgrams and then that feature will mean more.

Negatives:
Red laser focus system can be blinding for shooting portraits
lack of stablization system like Minolta uses
Lack of illuminated controls for night shooting

Reaching out to touch the world
Today's bright and sunny, but you have major photos in which you have to take for that over due book or portfilo. The olpmpus C-8080 wide zoom digital camera catches the closest snap shots when you need to get that 200-400 speed shot of a moving animal or that clear visible close-up shot of the models on runway.. Although, it may seem like a timeless task, but with this camera , the photos are taken like a breeze. Also, it is very easy to use ,so no need for that refresher course for visual commications for that new heads up on speed photograpy...<br /><br />So here's to the high life of the world of photography<br /><br />Thank You<br />Shara L. Bouie<br />Atlanta,Ga

A review for the ambitious amature
This is my third digital camera. My first was a canon powershot g3-- A camera I would still be using if it hadn't developed a problem with storing images to CF cards and downloading them to the computer. My 2nd camera is a Canon s100 point and shoot. Just so that you can understand the view point of this review, I will let you know that I consider myself an amature with intentions of improvement. If you are a pro photographer or even an advance amature, this review won't offer you much.

That being said, if your aspirations are like mine, this camera is an excellent choice. I explored most of the major online sites prior to making my choice: Steve's Digicams, DPR, etc. All those sites gave the camera high marks.

What I liked most about this camera was the image quality. It had the least noise, and least chromatic abberation and distortion of any of the 8 megapixel cameras in nearly all the reviews. Since what I wanted most at the end of it all were excellent photos, this was enough for me to make my choice. And if you aren't happy with the shots straight from the camera, you can tweak every thing from sharpness to saturation to achieve the results you want.

Other features that I liked included the wide array of image size, and shooting options available. I felt that this camera could certainly grow with my skill level for years to come.

Many have complained about the placement of the power button. I haven't had any probs with it. I have not accidentally turned it off or on even once.

Now what I would change if I could:
Oh I wish the LCD were a swivel display. I have grown accustom to this with my canon.

The flash does not automatically pop up when you need it.

The EVF is taking some getting used to. I am still wary of weather or not what I am seeing actually represents actually color, lighting etc...

The menu system could use some revision. I am sure it will take me a while to learn to use the camera to its best capacity simply because the menu system is not intuitive. You actually need to read the manual and the one on the CD to work out the ends and outs of the camera.

The camera defaults to the xD card if you have a both and xD and a CF card in place. This has caused me some problems. You will be less frustrated if you only have one or the other installed.

I like this camera more and more every time I use it. I researched my choice exaustively and none of the other 8 megapixels currently available even tempt me when I look at the whole picture. I don't think this camera will dissappoint you .

5X Zoom Question
Here's a little optic lesson.

The higher the zoom ratio i.e. 2x vs 7x, the more problems with the lens. This may show up as
distortion, out of focus corners, resolution, etc. Generally, the greater power, the more
apochromatic problems with the lens. Also the higher the zoom power, the lens gets larger or the
f/ get smaller as it's zoomed. Olympus did a very good job with this lens. The "cost" of a greater
power would be of not much value if they had to compromise the image quality. Just about, the
only one who cares about 5x vs 7x are idiots. Don't get a complex over it. You have the best lens (for 8MP camera's today) ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With the Stylus 410, Olympus adds improvements and refinements to its popular all-weather Stylus 400. This 4-megapixel digital camera still features a 3x optical zoom and a splash-proof design that protects the camera even on rainy days. But it also adds an all-weather microphone for movies with audio and Olympus's new TruePic Turbo image processor, which speeds up the camera's start-up, shutter lag, recording and playback time.

Optics and Resolution
Featuring a 4.0-megapixel CCD sensor, the Stylus 410 delivers images up to 2,272 x 1,704 pixels and photo-quality 11 x 14-inch enlargements. It also features 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480 resolution modes. An Olympus 3x optical zoom (and 4x digital zoom for a seamless 12x total) gives you the ability to fill your pictures with sharp detail and vibrant color. The high-quality, all-glass lens (with aspherical lens elements) is specially designed for digital cameras, and provides a focal range of 5.8-17.4mm (35-105mm equivalent in 35mm photography).

Movie Mode
The Stylus 410 now adds sound to its movie-making capabilities (thanks to its all-weather microphone). You can record video at 15 frames per second (fps) in two resolution modes: 320 x 240 and 160 x 120 pixels. The length of the recording is only limited by the capacity of the XD memory card.

More Features
The lightweight and ergonomic metal body of the Stylus 410 provides all-weather protection from the elements--perfect for any condition from a downpour to snowy slopes to whipping sea spray on a sailboat. Rubber gaskets throughout the camera's interior insure that rain, sleet and snow can't stop the Stylus 410 from taking great shots.

A range of automatic functions such as TTL autofocus and Digital ESP (Electro Selective Pattern) light metering help ensure best results with the minimum of fuss. The Stylus 410 boasts a scene program for every occasion: Portrait, Self Portrait, Night Scene, Landscape, Landscape with Portrait, Beach and Snow, Cuisine and Indoor.

The Stylus 410 is the first Stylus model to feature TruePic Turbo, a new image processor that sharpens image clarity, contrast, and color for life-like results. This feature also makes the camera 30% faster in processing images and is combined with a super-fast shutter release time.

With a clamshell lens barrier (pioneered by Olympus) and an artistic design inspired by the beauty of ocean waves, the Stylus line has won numerous awards and accolades such as being displayed at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art. The camera has a sliding lens barrier attractively accented in silver and gold, and a champagne gold body that blurs the line between technology and artistry.

Use the Virtual Dial--viewed from the 1.5-inch LCD (134,000 pixels) to select from among ten shooting modes to determine the best option for the situation and receive optimum picture results.

Direct Printing
The Stylus 410 is PictBridge compatible, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer (such as the Olympus P-10), without a PC or image-editing software. All PictBridge devices share three basic features: camera-to-printer connecting, single-image printing, and uniform error messages (in case something goes wrong).

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on XD Picture Card memory cards. The card's small size, about the same as a postage stamp, helps to keep the camera size down. The included 32 MB card will store approximately 16 images at 2,272 x 1,704 pixels (at HQ, JPEG setting). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1 connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98 Rev2Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a proprietary, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (LI-10B; included). It measures 3.9 x 2.2 x 1.3 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 5.6 ounces (excluding battery and storage media).

Wh