Amazon.com Product Description

Olympus D-Series cameras are renowned for combining easy-to-use features with high-quality optics for great-looking results, and the Camedia D-390 lives up to that tradition. Featuring a compact body and 2-megapixel resolution, the D-390 is the most affordable digital camera from Olympus, making an ideal choice for beginners in digital photography.

The D-390 has a durable plastic body with a sliding clamshell lens barrier. Its small size is due, in part, to the use of the miniature XD memory card--the D-390 is 15% smaller than its predecessor the D-380--making it easy to slip into your pocket.

The 2-megapixel resolution will produce images up to 1600 x 1200 pixels for print enlargements up to 8 x 10 inches. The D-390 features a high-quality, all-glass Olympus lens that's specially designed for digital cameras. It also offers a 2.5x digital zoom to help you get in closer to your subjects.

The included 16 MB XD memory card will store approximately 32 images captured at 1600 x 1200 pixels in HQ mode. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Other features include:

• 1.8-inch color TFT (transreflective) LCD screen for reviewing and editing images.
• Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, fill in, and slow synch modes.
• Four scene program modes including Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, and Self-Portrait.
• Movie mode (with no sound) for video at 320 x 240 (up to 15 seconds) or 160 x 120 (up to 60 seconds)

The camera is powered by two AA batteries (included); rechargeable AA-size NiMH batteries are. It measures 4.2 x 2.3 x 1.6 inches and weighs 5.8 ounces. This package includes the Camedia D-390 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, batteries, USB and A/V cables, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with Camedia Master imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac. ... Read more

Features

• 2.0-megapixel sensor creates 1,600 x 1,200 images for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 x 10 inches
• 2.5x digital zoom
• Large 1.8-inch LCD; up to 60 seconds of video
• 16 MB XD memory card included
• Powered by 2 AA batteries (alkalines included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

Reviews (40)

Good for the money!
I received this camera as a lovely gift from a friend. I was very impressed when I opened it...really classy and tiny looking with a nice, sleek look and the cute LCD screen.

This camera is very good with picture quality! It beat my sister's ... digital camera with the quality! It records short videos (no sound) and does the auto-picture thing (set it and it takes the picture in 10 seconds). It has great options like the redeye mode, landscape mode, night mode, portrait mode, and more! You can even make your images black/white, sepia (old ancient look), or normal of course. Good customizations!

The bad. The batteries don't last very long. I'll say in about 1 hour of use, dead. So get some good batteries or at least rechargable ones to save you money.
Another bad. The zoom. The zoom is almost pointless. First of all, it doesn't zoom very close. Second, the picture quality is just terrible with each zoom you do. Because of this, you're almost without a zoom. Oh well.

Besides those 2 bad things, the camera is A-OK! Worth the money and a great gift for anyone. Really easy and fun!

Pros, cons, and tips
I like my Olympus D-390, but here are some faults I find with it:

- doesn't use power from USB when transferring photos to computer -- drains batteries instead!
- no optical zoom
- can't turn on menus when lens barrier is closed
- no dock
- no battery charger
- must wade through menus to get to scene selector (portrait, macro, landscape etc.) -- wish this was on a physical dial like on Canons

Stuff I really like

- price ($... Cdn at ...)
- self-portrait mode, where you can point the camera at yourself (is this mode unique to Olympus?)
- lens barrier, which doubles as power switch (lower-end cameras like Kodak's often don't even have a lens cap)
- quality: 2 megapixels are adequate for 5x7's

Tips
- by default, all the settings reset when you turn the camera off. Set it so that it doesn't do this (see manual for details)
- set the flash to be always off! On one shot it made my mom look like a ghost. Besides, with it off, pictures will appear as in their natural light.

You Get What You Pay For.
I recently got this as a gift and it is my first digital camera. I am quite pleased with the pictures and features. You get what you pay for. To an extent there is slightly more noise than most camera's in its class but this can be easily corrected with noise reduction software. With a little patience and practice you should be able to get satisfactory results. My advice is turn off the flash and take pictures in ambient light as far as possible and hold camera extra steady. The pictures are good enough for upto 5 X 7 prints. Normal 6 X 4 prints are very good.

The reset function can be turned off. Please get in touch with me if any wish to see sample pictures. shinebob@hotmail.com.

Good camera for your money
I just bought this camera and find that it takes good pictures and downloads easily to a computer. As for the movie mode if you were looking for something that has sound or lasts longer you should have read the box it clearly states that the movie mode does not record sound and is only 15 secs. You cannot expect a camera that is under 200.00 to act like one that is priced over 300. You get what you pay for don't expect professional grade pictures from this camera if that is what you want dig a little deeper and shell out the extra cash for a better camera.

Great camera for the price
This camera is perhaps the easiest, most user friendly I have ever seen. I didnt even read the manual, and I have figured out how to navigate the menus, change picture resolutions, do video capture, work the zoom, and review photos. Transferring files to your computer and managing the flash disk is just as simple, as the USB mass storage lets you connect w/out drivers or software. Maybe one day they'll start making blue tooth ready cameras in digital SLR formats. Very easy to use. Great for internet based applications like ebay photos, propery viewing, and general photo taking. I love it. I bought mine for $50 from an online classified, and the camera came all the way from Antarctica. For those of you that complain that it resets to the default settings at power off and eats batteries, you're right. however, if you read the manual, or even search the on screen menus, it gives you the option to turn that off, and why in God's name would you not use a lithium battery?! Thats what all cameras should be using, and they last forever. Think people. Train smarter, not harder. ... Read more

Features

• One dedicated slot for xD-Picture cards
• USB interface
• Reads and writes to and from cards
• Compatible with both PC and Mac
• Easily clips onto key ring

Reviews (2)

Olympus getting it right!
I read with concern the large number of reviews in which users have problenms with flash drives including this Olympus MAUSB100.
Could these user failures be related to misuse or improper shutdown?? Am using it with Win98 and it works just as advertised. I download my photos and then follow the disconnect procedure. Have also uploaded and downloaded mp3 files...again with 100% success. The unit does get very warm and this does concern me, however, being aware of this issue forces me to not leave it active any longer than the task requires. Afterall, it isn't a true hard drive and should be treated with care. Fuji also has a very reliable unit with similar features. I do like this product and will most likely purchase a 2nd one....

Nice extension cable, Just throw the reader out
Stops working in a matter of minutes. Gets very hot. Extension cable is nice but not worth $20. ... Read more

Features

• Integrated 38-170mm Zoom Lens offering a vast range of wide-angle, normal and telephoto perspectives
• Fully automatic operation (autofocus, auto exposure, auto film load, advance and rewind)
• Selectable Quartz date offers convenient date/time imprinting on selected pictures
• All-Weather water-resistant body
• Built-in multi-mode electronic-flash

Features

• 3.2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 10-by-14-inch enlargements
• 3x optical zoom
• 'Ferrari red' finish with Ferrari's 'prancing horse' logo; 2.5-inch LCD screen; includes a multi-function cradle
• Store images on xD picture cards (16 MB xD picture card included)
• Powered by Lithium-Ion battery LI-20B

Features

• 32MB of built-in memory
• Built-in Speaker
• Compatible with PC and Macintosh computer systems
• Noise Cancel feature can be activated during playback to reduce noise for clearer listening
• Convenient NEW button enables you to quickly end one recording and begin another

Features

• Includes -16MB xD picture card, USB cable, AV cable, Lens cap, 2 x CR-V3 lithium batteries, Wrist strap, Instruction manual, Warranty card, Software CD-ROM (Camedia Master 4.2).
• 3 Megapixel effective for still images up to 1984x1488 pixels
• Also has a QuickTime movie mode
• Optical Zoom -8x lens (equivalent 40 - 320mm on 35mm camera), f2.8/3.4 )
• 3x Digital Zoom

Amazon.com Product Description

Stylish and compact, the Olympus D-395 is an affordable and fun way to enter the world of digital photography. Designed for ease of use without sacrificing photographic quality, the D-395 integrates a bright f2.8 lens and smart picture taking functions for incredible shots with point-and-shoot ease. It also offers a 3.2-megapixel resolution, built-in flash, and automatic exposure, focusing and ISO systems.

Optics and Resolution The D-395 has a maximum resolution of 3.2 megapixels, good enough for print enlargements up to 11 x 14 inches. It also offers 1024 x 768 (SVGA) and 640 x 480 (VGA) low-resolution modes. The Olympus 2 aspherical glass fixed focus lens has a 33mm equivalent in 35mm photography), and it's constructed of 5 lenses in 4 groups. Get closer to your subject with the 2.5x digital zoom.

Movie Mode
In addition to still images, the C-60 can record video with sound at two resolution modes--320 x 240 (15-second movies) and 160 x 120 (60-second movies)--both at 15 frames per second. Movie length is only limited by the size of your memory card.

More Features
The D-395 boasts four scene programs enabling you to get to grips with any photographic situation. These include Landscape to capture sweeping mountain ranges and Night Scene to shoot after sundown.

• 1.5-inch 120,000-pixel LCD display with multi-language menu
• Built-in multi-mode flash (auto for low and backlight, red-eye reduction, fill-in, off)
• Self-timer with approximate 12-second delay
• Image effects: black and white, sepia, resize

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on tiny XD memory cards, and a 16 MB card is included with the D-395. You'll be able to store 6 shots of SHQ (or 20 HQ) 2048 x 1536 pixel images on the included card. The D-395 transfers images to Macs and Windows-based PCs via a USB 1.1 connection. The Auto-Connect USB function is designed to connect to almost any computer with a USB port and transfer images quickly, with no additional software to install.

Direct Printing
The D-395 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 2 AA batteries (alkaline included; NiMH rechargeables recommended). The D-395 measures 4.3 x 2.4 x 1.5 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 5.4 ounces without batteries or recording media.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Olympus D-395 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, 2 AA alkaline batteries, wrist strap, USB cable, and CD-ROM with Camedia Master software and Windows drivers. ... Read more

Features

• 3-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 10-by-13-inch enlargements
• 2x digital zoom
• Optical viewfinder; PictBridge enabled; 1.5-inch LCD display
• Store images on xD memory cards
• Powered by 2 AA-size batteries (alkaline included, rechargeable NiMH recommended)

Reviews (6)

Olympus bad choice
I bought the D-390 version. It worked great for a year and 2 months. Then it stopped. Everything was black. When I called Olympus they said I was out of warranty and out of luck. I wanted a camera that would last a little longer or I at least would like to do business with a company who would stand by their product a little better than that.

Not a great camera, but not a bad camera either.
I just bought this camera. I compared a few and this was the best value I found. The pictures come out clear in all modes and the flash is acceptable. It is a bit slow, but so are all of these small cameras. I've used a Ricoh and a Nikon in the type and price range before and this is the best out of the three. The movie setting is unimportant to me, but the quality of the videos is very poor. If you want to take movies, buy a movie camera. This unit is very easy to use, simple on screen settings, easy fast download via the included USB cable. I do suggest getting rechargeable batteries, but I suggest that for all of these types of cameras. All in all, the camera is small and light, easy to carry, easy to use and takes great photos for the format of camera that it is. If you want to do fine photography you must buy top of the line equipment as none of these little cameras will take those kinds of pictures. There is more to it than just mega-pixels!

simple user friendly camera
I just bought this camera;after buying, two negative reviews came out on amazon.This happened before I recieved the camera;worried I tried to cancel but the camera was in the shipping process.Boy am I glad I didn,t cancel;the camera works good for me.I bought it to take fish pictures;I also have a olympus 5050(top of the line camera 5mp)so I know what a good camera can do.I also know what to expect from a $130.oo camera.This camera is good for snapshot I don,t get redeye with the flash;the movies look better than my Olympus 5050;the color is fantastic.The olympus d-395 is small light(fits in your pocket)shoots good right out of the box.I can't stress this enough,if you like simplicity and want a simple camera that shoots good with no adjustments this camera is it.The display is 120000 pixels and looks as sharp and clear as my Olympus 5050;this makes it easy to check the sharpness of your pictures(you can zoom your picture in when displaying the picture on the lcd to check them)The camera is slow shot to shot but so are most cameras in this price range.The 395 also download you pictures without software with included USB cable.I prefer to back my exposier off -.5 when shooting in bright sunny outdoor conditions.I also turned down the LCD brightness 2 clicks.If you want simplicity,easy downloads,good picture on auto,fantastic LCD resolution,compactness and OLympus quality then buy this camera.

Use and study before buying!
I now own three Olympus digital cameras. The D-395 was my third and most disappointing, but it won't by my last Olympus because I made a consumer error when I purchased this camera....ASSUMPTIONS!

I was looking for a replacement for my older Olympus D-380 because I had proudly given it to my significant. A good performer and reliable the D-380 was.

I assumed that the newer D-395 would be at least as fast as my older D-380 when actually taking the desired photo after the shutter release was pressed. Wrong! Be prepared to limit your candid shots because you'll 'miss the moment'. Stills and portraits are fine though.

I assumed that it would have as fast a flash recharge time as fast as my older D-380. Wrong! This is another 'miss the moment' issue.

I assumed that it would be able to take as many and as fast of pictures in the continuous drive mode as my old D-380. Wrong!

I assumed that it would charge up as fast when I first turn it on. Wrong! Yup, more of the same.

I assumed that the display would be as clear. Wrong!

I assumed that the flash would work as well in low light conditions. Wrong!

As I mentioned before I made several assumptions when it came to these details. I am very pleased with my other Olympus products. So, be sure you know what you are buying and don't assume that just because you are purchasing the same brand AND upgrading in model number that you are upgrading the camera! Wrong!

Pass it on
This camera was a big disappointment for me. The pics are really grainy and low budget looking. The camera does not respond well at all to low lighting and the flash discolors everything. The body is really cheap and the lense is hard to clean. I've used the Canon 60 and Nikon Coolpix 2100 and the pic quality was soooo much better.

I did not purchase it from Amazon, but I will be returning this camera and getting something here instead. ... Read more

Product Description

The D-630 Zoom ultra-slim 5.0-megapixel digital camera, features an elegant new design for compact portability. The minimalist beauty of this thin, brushed metal camera is much more than skin deep, with loads of features specifically designed for simplicity.Every action is accessed directly from the camera's menu, which is easy to view in the large 2.0-inch LCD. A built-in help guide provides new users with all the information they need. And automatic scene modesensure fabulous results in even the most difficult-to-capture lighting situations.The metal body has clean, sharp lines that will appeal to the discerning eye and hand of the purist. Small er than a deck of cards, at a mere one-inch thick (3.1" W x 2.4" H x 1.0" D) & weighing just 4.4 oz., the D-630 Zoom slips discreetly in a shirt or jacket pocket without so much as a bulge.The D-630 Zoom is designed to enable users of all skill levels to enjoy the fun and convenience of digital photography from shooting pictures to sharing them with friends without the learning curve. The large 2.0-inch LCD makes it easy to review images and make menu selections.A built-in help guide can be accessedfrom the menu with images and brief descriptions of each function and shooting mode to help users determine the settings that best suit their shooting situation and purpose. The inclusion of 10 automatic scene modes makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations, such as portrait, ... Read more

Features

• Powered by a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery; records images on xD-Picture Cards
• 5.3 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 18-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom; 2.0-inch LCD display
• Ultra compact--less then 1.0 inch thick
• Quicktime movie mode with audio

Reviews (3)

Do not buy this camera!
I waited to buy this camera for 1 month- even resisted buying other cameras when I really needed it for a trip.The camera itself looks great- but the photos it takes are REALLY bad.My 5 yr old 3 megapixel camera took much better and much sharper pictures.It makes my old camera look like a 7 megapixel camera in comparison.The indoor pics are so grainy I'd be embarrassed to show them to anyone.The flash is not very good.The LCD screen is pretty bad too.I gave it a chance after taking a few pics in the store- that maybe it would look better on the computer screen.I was wrong and I'm taking the camera back.What I really wanted was to throw it out the window- but I will take it back and get a different camera.It's pretty, but a waste of time and money.Olympus should be ashamed of putting out such a poor quality camera. Do not buy!

Disappointing pictures
I saw this model in person and fell instantly in love with the design.It was very compact, had a good sized LCD, and seemed to be a reasonable price for an ultra-compact with 5 MP.I ended it up ordering it from Amazon and upon receiving it and testing it out, I must say I was pretty disappointed in it.

General build/condition: I still love the design and feel of the camera.However, the one that I got was noticeably dirty.There were black smudges around the top panel, and there were little pieces of reside all over that just kept the camera from feeling "brand new."Nothing else in the box looked like it had been touched so I don't imagine that it was a return.It wasn't a big deal, I cleaned it up but it was just a bad way to greet my new camera.

LCD: At the same time I purchased this, I also purchased a Canon A510 for my mother.I tested them out side-by-side.I noticed that while the LCD on the Olympus was bigger - which was nice - it looked very grainy.Not sharp at all.And this was while the Canon still had its protective covering on the LCD.The Olympus did not come with a protective covering on its LCD.Protective covering meaning that little clear plastic square that they always put over sensitive things on electronics.

Picture quality: I must say I am a complete novice when it comes to photography.I hardly ever veer from the default settings.I took a series of comparison pictures with my current camera (an Olympus D-40), my mom's new camera, and my new camera.The Canon was the obvious winner.The pictures from the Olympus D-630 were very washed out from the flash and was oversaturated with redness.I noticed that my older Olympus also was very red-toned, but it was not nearly as bad as the D-630.I'm sure if you know how to manipulate the different settings and fix photos in Photoshop, it wouldn't be a problem.But that's not how I would use my camera in an everyday setting, so it was the dealbreaker.

I wanted to share my experience with this camera because since it is such a new model, there aren't any real reviews out there for it.I hope this will help someone in my position make a more informed decision.

Super Sleek
Very light.... takes great pictures.
Supersexy...
I just upgraded from a Olympus C-2100 and while i miss the 10X Optical zoom, the 3X works well and the 5MP allows for clear picrtures that can be cropped.

There are three buttons under the screen that make picture management easy. One button puts you in picture taking mode, another puts you in picture viewing mode, and the third button deletes the picture from memory.

The rest of the menu options are organized very well. Using the buttons it is very easy to select what type of picture mode you want (Portrait, Night-time, Landscape, etc.) and it provides a very easy way to switch between picture quallity (2560 x 1920,1600 x 1200,640 x 480). The camera has other features too but these are the ones I use the most.

I also recommend purchasing a xD Memory card. For the Avg user I would say either the 256MB or 512MB (I use the 256MB). Just some numbers for the 512...
2560 x 1920 SHQ - 128 Shots
2560 x 1920 HQ-416 Shots
1600 x 1200 SQ1 - 1024 Shots
640 x 480SQ2 -2896 Shots
Using the 265MB card and the 2560 x 1920 HQ gives me 208 shots. As I travel with my laptop, that is more than enough space for me.

If you want a top of the line ultra portable and don't want to pay a Sony price... this is for you. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Point and shoot ease and full manual controls, the Olympus Camedia C-750 delivers sharp, crisp 4.0-megapixel images for print enlargements beyond 11 x 14 inches. The C-750 features a more compact body than its predecessor (the C-730), a new extra-low dispersion (ED) lens, movie mode, a built-in flash, and compatibility with XD memory cards. It also improves on the new C-740 with more megapixels (4.0 versus the 3.2 of the C-740), a 40x total zoom (10x optical and 4x digital zoom), addition of a hot shoe for external flash, an all metal body, and sound recording with movie mode.

Optics and Resolution
The 4.0-megapixel Olympus C-750 digital camera can capture images up to 2288 x 1712 pixels; it can also produce 3200 x 2400 pixel images through interpolation for extra-large prints. It boasts an outstanding Olympus aspherical glass 10x zoom lens with 11 lenses in 7 groups. When combined with the 4x digital zoom, you get a total zoom of 40x. The F2.8-F3.7 lens has a focal range of 6.3-63mm, or 38–380mm equivalent in 35mm photography. The ED coating on the lens helps reduce the purple fringing normally seen on larger zoom cameras.

The C-750 also features Olympus TruePic technology, which optimizes the image information captured on the CCD before the data is saved by using the brightness and color information of the neighboring pixels when processing the pixel data. This leads to digital pictures that set standards for picture sharpness, contrast, true colors, and gradation.

Storage and Transfer
With the C-750, you can store images on XD memory cards. With the included 16 MB XD card, you can store 16 images at HQ mode (2288 x 1712 pixels). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Movie Mode
In moviemode, the C-750 captures continuous video (with audio) at 15 frames per second in two formats: 320 x 240 (up to 16 seconds) or 160 x 120 pixels (up to 30 seconds). The QuickTime Motion JPEG format offers a limited resolution, which is great for capturing a short movie that can be e-mailed to friends and family, but is no replacement for a true camcorder.

More Features

• TTL hot shoe, which supports Olympus FL-20 and FL-40 external flashesas well as select third-party flashes.
• 1.5-inch low-temperature poly-silicon LCD screen and electronic viewfinder.
• Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, slow synch, and fill in modes.
• Stitch up to 10 frames to create a panorama effect with Camedia Master software when using Olympus brand XD memory cards.
• Six scene program modes; Four customizable My Modes let you choose and save preferred settings
• Image adjustment modes include sharpness, contrast, and saturation (adjustable +/- 5 steps).
• Super macro mode gets as close as 1.2 inches away from your subject.

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by four AA-size Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (included with charger) or four AA alkaline batteries. The camera measures 4.2 x 2.6 x 2.7 inches and weighs 10.4 ounces. This package includes the Camedia C-750 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, four Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and charger, RM-2 wireless remote control, USB and A/V cables, wrist strap, warranty card, and CD-ROM with Camedia Master imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac. This camera is covered by the manufacturer's one-year limited warranty. ... Read more

Features

• 4.0 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality prints up to 11 x 14 and beyond
• 10x optical zoom with 4x digital zoom (40x total)
• All-metal body, hot shoe for external flash, movie mode with sound
• Included 16 MB XD memory card stores 16 images at 2288 x 1712HQ mode
• Powered by 4 AA-size NiMH rechargeables (included with charger); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

Reviews (39)

A few flaws to consider before buying
The only reason to buy the Olympus C-750 is if you need the powerful 10x optical zoom. However, if you can get by with a 3x optical zoom then you might consider another model.

I do a mix of 35mm film and digital photography. I had owned two earlier model Olympus cameras and was generally happy with the brand. I mostly used the digital cameras for snapshots and the film camera for more serious work. I bought the C-750 shortly after it came out hoping to do more digital photography. Yes, it is a nice camera with lots of great features. The menu system is relatively easy to use and it has a long battery life (a thing Olympus certainly does well).

However, while the C-750 is certainly an above average camera, it is not a great camera for the price. My biggest complaint about this camera is that it is very slow. It seems like it takes forever for the zoom to start moving after I press the adjustment lever. And if I want to make fine adjustments to the zoom while setting up a shot (which is common) it is again another long wait for the camera to respond. Added to this is another long delay from the time I press the shutter button to the time the camera actually takes the picture. You can improve the speed a little by playing with the settings, but not really enough to make a difference. This isn't a big deal if all you ever do are landscape shots, but most people like to photograph things that move as well. It's really very frustrating, as I've lost many great shots just because the scene changed during the C-750 delay.

If you're a serious photographer and perhaps accustom to the speed of a 35mm then you probably won't be happy with the C-750. There are other cameras on the market that offer a manual zoom and a quicker response time for the same cost. Anyway, I did want to point out this single, but serious, flaw in the C-750. Try it before you buy if possible.

Amazing camera
This camera is just simply amazing. Whether you are new to photography, or are an avid photographer, this camera will fit all. The auto mode lets this camera operate as a simple point and shoot camera, while the multitude of manual adjustments offer a great deal of flexibility in shot selection. The pictures that I have taken thus far have been of very good quality. I can't wait to see what they look like once they are printed out on a decent printer.
This camera comes with 4 rechargeable NIMH batteries and a charger, Camedia 4.1 software, remote control, and of course users manual and cables. I love being able to view my pictures on a tv with the included A/V cables. The remote control is also very nice if you take a lot of self portrait shots or group photos. I haven't used the included rechargeable batteries yet, but they are only 1700MA.
The zoom of this camera is great. The optical zoom is a whopping 10X, but you can also use the digital zoom to get as close as 40X... and the quality is actually pretty good for that much digital scaling. The 4X digital zoom is available while taking pictures in any resolution!! My previous camera was a Finepix 3800, and I hated the variable digital zoom.
Some of the manual settings include aperture control, shutter control, white balance, saturation, contrast, focus....etc. This camera has been able to do anything that I want and then some.
As of this writing, I have absolutely no regrets about buying this camera. I thought at first that the initial...price was a little steep, but that was before I actually started using this incredible camera.
Great job Olympus!!

One year later
The zoom is brilliant, but the camera has some irritants. In very bright light, which is usual lighting conditions in South Australia, you need to take control of the exposure, because it will wash out the colours. In low light (ie needing a flash), you have to take control of the focussing. And every time you replace or re-charge the batteries, you'll need to turn off the stupid start-up/shutdown sound effects - if you prefer your photography to be subtle.

Movie files are "Quick Time" Don't Need it.....
Nice pictures. I don't have much to compare this too. The camera is complicated to master. A lot of settings. My big complaint is that the movies files the camera produces are only playable with QUICK TIME. I don't use quick time .... I don't want to use quick time. I use Media Player. You can not load these .mov files into Power Point. Bummer. It is crazy for a company these days to produce something like that. My opinion is that I would not buy another one.

slow autofocus - not great for movement
I got this camera because of the 10X optical zoom and the good reviews. I have two kids under 4 years old and I knew digital cameras would have trouble with them b/c of their (the cameras, that is) slow shutter time relative to film SLRs, and based on what I'd seen using other people's digital cameras. But I got the C-750 anyway. I sent it back after a week. The autofocus was unbearably slow, even when set in 'sports' mode, with or without flash. The pictures were often either blurry or I missed the moment because of the slow speed of the camera. A digital camera review web site I read ranked the C-750 as 'slower than average', and I would say that was also my impression comparing it to relatives/friends cameras. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

You'd be hard-pressed to find a digital camera that captures better images than those from the Olympus E-20N. The camera pairs a 5-megapixel sensor with a high-quality custom-designed 4x zoom lens for photos with clarity that rivals film.

First, a note about naming conventions: this camera is also known as the E-20 and the E-20P. The N in E-20N signifies that this is an NTSC (North American) model. European versions are called E-20P because their video-out feature is designed to work with PAL televisions. The models are otherwise identical.

Design and Optics
The E-20N looks and feels like a high-quality professional film SLR. It's hefty, weighing in at 37 ounces, due both to the glass in the lens and the camera's cast-aluminum body. Unlike other digital cameras in its class, the lens on the E-20N is not removable, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. Digital SLRs from other manufacturers typically include just the camera body, and adding a quality lens is a substantial additional expense. Olympus asserts that having removable lenses exposes the sensor to dust, but digital SLRs from Nikon, Canon, and Fuji all use removable lenses, and dust isn't a widely reported problem with those models. Olympus also states that using a lens specifically designed for a digital camera produces sharper images than using a lens designed for a 35mm SLR. This makes sense, since the imaging sensor in a digital camera is smaller than a 35mm negative.

The lens on the E-20N contains aspheric elements, ED elements, and a Gauss-type lens group--features designed to maximize image quality, and typically found only on high-end lenses. In 35mm terms, the lens zooms from 35-140mm, with a maximum aperture of f2.0 to f2.4, depending on how much zoom is used. If you're looking for even more flexibility, add-on lenses ranging from 28mm to 420mm are available.

To compose your photos, either use the swivel-mounted 1.8-inch LCD on the back of the camera or look through the traditional-style ground-glass viewfinder. Most digital SLRs use a mirror to send light to either the viewfinder or the CCD sensor, but the Olympus uses a beam-splitter--basically a prism--to illuminate the viewfinder and the sensor simultaneously. The LCD monitor also sits on a hinge, letting you tilt it up 90 degrees, or down 20 degrees, so you can take pictures from unusual camera angles while still accurately framing the scene.

The 5-megapixel CCD sensor on the E-20N is one of the highest-resolution sensors currently available and captures images with filmlike detail. Like most CCDs, this unit retains a design limitation handed down from the device's origins in television cameras: it is an interlaced chip, which means the camera reads information from the CCD twice--once for all pixels in the sensor's even rows, and again for all the odd rows. The camera then merges these two sets of data into a single image. This technology limits the top shutter speed in 5-megapixel mode to 1/640th of a second--reasonably quick, but not fast enough for high-speed photography. To get around this limitation, Olympus has added a progressive-scan feature to the camera. In simple terms, this mode only reads information from half of the pixels on the sensor (and limits your photos to 2.5 megapixels), but increases your shutter speed to a screaming 1/18,000th of a second, increasing the camera's flexibility tremendously.

More Features
Shooting options on the E-20N include all of the typical modes you'd expect to see on a high-end consumer digital camera: program, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual shooting modes. Other user-controlled settings include exposure compensation, metering mode, ISO setting, flash, white balance, and focus. Users can leave white balance on auto, select from a number of kelvin temperatures, or manually create a preset. The built-in flash features red-eye reduction, auto, fill-in, and off modes. External flashes can connect to the E-20N through the hot-shoe on top of the camera. Exposure compensation can be set from -3 to +3 EV in one-third EV increments. The ISO can be set to 80, 160, or 320. Also, an autobracketing feature takes three pictures, one over exposed and one under exposed, and allows you to set the exposure compensation up to one EV step in either direction, in one-third EV step increments. A histogram function lets you view exposure information after you capture an image, giving you instant feedback about how to improve your picture-taking skills. A large internal buffer allows the E-20N to take up to take up to four shots in sequence at three frames per second, even when set to record images as uncompressed TIFFs.

Power
The E-20N uses four AA or two CR-V3 lithium batteries--a set of the lithium batteries is included. These batteries have a long life, but they aren't rechargeable, so they're not a good long-term solution unless you're an extremely occasional photographer. We strongly recommend using a set of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries.

Storage and Transfer
Unlike most other digital cameras, the E-20N uses both SmartMedia and CompactFlash (Type I and II, including the IBM Microdrive) for storage, and can use both simultaneously. The camera has slots for both types of cards, and a menu setting lets you toggle between the slots for storage. The included 32 MB SmartMedia card holds 11 pictures at full resolution with normal compression or two pictures in uncompressed TIFF mode. The card can be erased and reused over and over, but if you plan to take more than 11 photos on an outing, then you'll want a higher-capacity card--a 256 MB CompactFlash card, for example, holds around 80 photos at default settings.

Contents and Recommended Accessories
The kit includes the camera, lens hood, lens cap, video, and USB cables, strap, lithium disposable batteries, wireless remote control, 32 MB SmartMedia card, basic manual, and software on CD, including Adobe PhotoShop Elements. Everything you need to get started is included in the box, but to make the most of your camera, we strongly recommend a higher-capacity memory card, rechargeable batteries, and a carrying case. Compatible accessories for this camera are listed near the top of this page.

Conclusion
For serious 35mm SLR users considering a digital camera, the E-20N is a natural choice. The camera feels extremely solid, and controls are logically arranged. Thanks to the high-resolution sensor and fine lens, picture quality is excellent. Admittedly, there are still some areas where the E-20N can't keep up with a film camera, but unless you're a sports or news photographer who needs to blast through a roll of film in five seconds, or someone who requires an unusual lens, this Olympus should offer the features and performance you need. --Shane Burnett

Pros:

• 5-megapixel sensor captures filmlike detail
• Features, appearance, and performance are all similar to a 35mm SLR
• Dual memory card slots let you choose your format--or load both slots for more capacity

Cons:

• Though the lens is of extremely high quality, competitors' models feature detachable lenses
• Rechargeable batteries and more memory are necessities for long-term use

Features

• 5.2 megapixel sensor creates 2,560 x 1,920 images for prints at 11 x 14 and beyond
• 4x optical zoom lens with autofocus
• Included 32 MB SmartMedia card holds 7 images at default resolution
• Compatible with SmartMedia and Type I and II CompactFlash
• Uses 2 disposable lithium batteries (included) or 4 AA batteries; auto-connects with Macs and PCs via USB port

Reviews (17)

This Is A Camera Not A Toy
What an amazing machine this is. After suffering through the flimsy plastic trinket cameras with little or no real optical quality, I finally own a truly versatile digital camera. The E-20 (as with the E10) offers extraordinary flexibility in digital photography. Prior to my recent purchase I spent at least a year and a half researching and waiting for this last pixel jump. The E-20 offers all of the flexibility of a high-level SLR which is missing on most other digital cameras.

Good Points:

-The feel... It has enough weight for good stability, and it fits your hand very nicely.
-Excellent lens with the ability to add extenders, filters, what-have-you.
-Super Image Quality
-Good bundled software (Adobe PhotoShop Elements and Camedia)
-Image control
-SmartMedia, CompactFlash, AND Microdrive compliant with the ability to use more than one card type at a time (you can switch between the cards).
-True SLR (some competitors offer interchangeable optics, but still have you look through a viewfinder. What's with that? I want to see what I'm taking.).
-Great accessories! (I can't wait to get the lithium polymer attachment)

Drawbacks
-I'll have to get a better strap
-Flexibility & control vs. ease of use trade-off... there are roughly 30 buttons to learn (but most of us will want that kind of control).
-It doesn't come with a case... even a cheapie
-I need to buy stock in a battery company
-Remembering to turn it off whenever I open the media bay or change power source

This is probably not the camera you would buy for your instamatic dependent Aunt Sally or Uncle Jimmy-Bob, but if push came to shove you could always tell them to just put the big knob on "P" (Program) and snap away.

When you pick your camera, don't go by statistics alone (or reviews alone for that matter). You've got to get out there and see how the camera feels in your hands. If you've a history with good quality 35mm SLR's you are going to love the E-20.

Excellent VeriPic compatible camera
We tested this camera for compatibility with VeriPic. We put it through its paces in all the modes including adjusting manual white balance, IS, PS and Noise Reduction mode, sharpness filter, all combinations of the 5 resolutions and 3 compression modes. The camera performed flawlessly and what amazed us is the camera was very frugal on the batteries. Once set of charged 1600 mah NiMH AA batteries actually got us through 350 pictures! This was a very pleasant supprise. The technical specs also don't mention another gem...There is a large RAM buffer that allows you to take up to 5 FULL mode resolution (5 MegaPixel) photos one after another without waiting for the photos to write to the Compact Flash card! This means you can take photos quickly without having the normal digital camera wait between photos that other cameras have. (The manual lists a 60 ms wait between shutter press and photo capture. This is almost too small to notice and the user will think this camera responds like a 35 mm SLR). The photos look great in FULL resolution JPeg at 1:2.7 compression. Don't use the two TIFF modes because you'll run out of memory card soon and there is no noticable quality difference between the TIFF and JPeg mode so you might as well use JPeg and save some memory. Additionally this camera is VeriPic compatible! That means it is suitable for professional insurance or evidence photography work. We would have given this camera 5 stars instead of 4 except for two things we didn't like about it. The camera is a bit too heavy and hard to lug around unlike the direct competitor (Minolta Dimage 7 which is significantly lighter) and the second drawback is that it is significantly higher price than the Dimage 7. Otherwise it is a great camera!

Olympus E-20N
I love this camera! This camera is the most like a TTL SL Reflex 35mm camera I've ever seen in a digital camera. The only drawback is how it seems to "go to sleep" between shots, if the shots are not within a few seconds of each other, and then the camera is hard to "wake up." Of course, I am still learning how to use the camera, especially with the built-in flash, and the Olympus dedicated flash. And as far as I am concerned, as a user of Canon and Nikon cameras for many years, I bought this camera because I know that Olympus has made great cameras for as long as I can remember, and the 5 megapixel print quality from its images is excellent.

OLYMPUS BUILDS GREAT PROFESIONAL SLR
I OWN AN E10 , E20 AND E1 . THEY ALL PRODUCE THE FINEST IMAGES I'VE EVER PRODUCED I'VE WORKED IN A STUDIO FOR 30 YEARS AND USED MANY CAMERAS INCLUDING AS LARGE 11 X 14 VUE CAMERAS . THE IMAGE QUALITY OF THESE CAMERAS IS HARD TO BEAT-THIS IS A GOOD CHOICE FOR ANYONE WHO IS WILLING TO READ THE MANUAL.-- THE OPTICS ARE THE ( BEST ) I'VE EVER HAD.INCLUDING NIKON OR CANON.IF I HAD TO PICK ONE IT WOULD BE THE E1 BECAUSE OF THE CHOICE OF OPTICS BUT FOR ALL AROUND WORK ITS A DRAW.

Best Buy at twice the price.
At least that is what I paid for the camera. I do most of my shots in camera raw which gives me aproximately 26 pictures on a 256 mg card. Excelent camera for use with Photoshop CS. Flash is weak for any type of professional use. Optics are excellent. The camera gives you the option to point and shoot or have complete control of all aspects of the picture. Untill the price comes down below 10K for a good digital back for my 2 1/4 in cameras, this is a top choice to use. The only thing better today is the E-1 which was not out when I purchased this camera. ... Read more

Features

• Powerful, versatile 28~140mm 5x zoom lens with ED glass elements (f4.9-6.9; 15 elements in 10 groups) makes toting a bagful of replacement lenses a fading memory
• Advanced twin flash system with Intelligent Variable-Power Flash control provides appropriate light under a variety of scenarios ? automatically
• Auto Color-Balancing detects artificial & fluorescent light sources, determining appropriate flash settings for complex lighting situations
• Flash synch at shutter speeds to 1/2000 second
• Multimode Programmed Auto Exposure, plus Manual, Aperture & Shutter Priority Exposure Modes provide fullest creative range

Reviews (2)

SLR Quality; Point-and-Shoot Simplicity
This camera is NOT a true SLR camera, as Olympus implies in the camera's description. In fact, many web sites list it under their Point-and-Shoot models. Nevertheless, this camera is an excellent compromise between big, expensive SLR cameras and smaller, easy to use Point-and-Shoot cameras.

The camera does have true SLR features not found on lesser Point-and-Shoot models. The view-finder is TTL (through-the-lens), so you can get an accurate preview of your photograph. The pop-up, bi-directional, color-correcting flash unit does a great job lighting your photos without the harsh shadows inherent in most small flash units. The flash also does a fairly good job reducing red-eye, but does NOT eliminate the problem. Using the "Red-Eye Reduction" flash mode helps significantly, but causes the flash to pre-fire for a couple of seconds before the shutter releases, so while it's highly effective with posed portrait photography, it's totally impractical for spontaneous photographs.

One of the most unique features of this camera is the 52mm threaded lens, which allows you to use all of the various filters available for SLR lenses. In fact, I HIGHLY recommend immediately purchasing a 52mm UV filter, which can be attached to front of the lens permanently to protect the lens itself. The UV filter also significantly improves photos taken outdoors. (Note: I also recommend shelling out a few extra dollars to buy a multi-coated UV filter instead of the cheap uncoated filters. The anti-reflective coating on a Hoya or Heliopan filter allows over 40% more light through to the lens compared to uncoated filters).

If you already own an SLR and have invested in larger filters, you can purchase a 52mm-58mm step-up ring for less than $15. The step-up ring is very thin, and is barely noticeable (although you can't use Olympus's fancy flip-up lens cover with the step-up ring). This option alone makes the Olympus IS-5 a great back-up camera for SLR owners.

The primary reason I contend that this camera is not a true SLR is simply because it doesn't offer the same flexibility as a Canon or Nikon SLR camera body. For example, you can't use interchangeable lenses with the Olympus IS-5, so you're stuck with the 28-140mm focal length. Furthermore, and perhaps more significantly, the camera doesn't have a "hotshoe", so you can't add a separate flash unit (like a Canon SpeedLite) or a multi-flash set-up to extend the range of your flash capability or increase your options when it comes to lighting.

In summary, the Olympus IS-5 is an excellent camera with a very high-quality lens, and would be a great choice for the vast majority of people who simply want an easy-to-use camera for everyday photos but don't want to settle for the lesser optics and flash units found on more compact Point-and-Shoot cameras. It is also a great back-up camera for more serious photographers who may already own an SLR and lens filters.

Great camera!
Although I've only had this camera for 6 weeks, I LOVE it! It's easy to use and the picture quality is quite good.
I purchased this camera after two months of research into all makes and models. I chose this one mainly for the extra zoom and date imprinting feature. I'm still learning to utilize all the features, but I'm VERY happy with it so far. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Sleek and expertly designed, the Olympus IS-50 35mm camera provides all the manual controls you need to give photos that personal touch; or, you can sit back and let the automatic functions take over effortlessly. The powerful wide-angle 4.3x zoom lens provides you the range of perspectives you need without having to lug around various lenses.

The advanced flash system has variable power to provide the right amount of light for different conditions, and you can also set the flash to red-eye reduction, fill, and manual off. The predictive autofocus system keeps the subject sharp and clear. Shoot in different exposure modes like landscape, night scene, portrait, and stop action for the ideal look. You can easily keep track of these settings with the large LCD panel.

Film operation is a cinch with fully automatic film load, advance, and rewind. The 12-second self-timer is useful for shooting self-portraits and group photos. You can also imprint the date and time onto photos for record-keeping purposes. Given its ergonomic design, the IS-50 is easy to hold and carry around for any purpose. ... Read more

Features

• 35mm autofocus camera
• Wide angle 4.3x zoom lens
• Variable power twin autoflash system
• Multiple exposure modes
• Date and time imprinting

Reviews (14)

Couldnt be more pleased
I bought this camera wanting some control and great zoom with, at least moderate picture quality. What turned me on most was the fact that I didnt have to buy and carry around another lens to get "closer" to the object I wanted to capture. I havent owned many SLR cameras but, I have to say this is easily the best camera I have ever owned. I thought for the price, I would just be getting a mediocre camera with marginal picture quality at best, but I was pleasently mistaken. This camera takes great pictures with incredible detail. If you do not know anything about apurature, and how to generally opperate an SLR camera this is the camera you should seriously look into. It is fully automatic. It will sellect the best settings for the light and focus for you with only a push of a button. If your a control freak, dont worry, you have that option as well. You can sellect a manual setting that will give you total control. The zoom is unbelievable, and the camera is well balanced. For the price, you cant beat it! Ive really enjoyed taking pictures with this camera. Enjoy!

Professional quality, with the ease of point and shoot!
That "inner voice" told me that this was the camera I wanted. I checked it out in the stores. I liked the way it looked, I liked the way it felt. The fact that it was a 35mm SLR, and a good zoom was a must.
I checked prices on this camera EVERYWHERE. You will not find a better deal on this camera than here at Amazon.com!
So the incredible price sealed the deal.
It is so easy to use. It has an automatic feature that does it all for you, right down to the focus. Or all the settings for a professional.
BUT! I got my first pictures back today, and WOW!!!! The color is brilliant, the images sharp! We took pictures at the zoo, and they look like they came out of a magazine!
The only drawback is the size. It's a little heavy and bulky, but preserving my precious children's faces in such a quality photo.... I don't mind! I couldn't reccomend a better camera

Fun starter camera
Although all the gadgets were a little overwhelming at first their instruction manual is very helpful and helped me not only with the camera but a little general photography. It would have been nice to get some batteries with it but if that's the only gripe I've got I'm pretty impressed.

Excellent Beginner SLR
I recently went on a trip to England, and wanted a camera that was of higher quality. I chose the SLR style because I wanted what I saw in the viewfinder to be what the final product looked like. I chose this camera specifically because it has an integrated zoom lense (up to 120mm) and multiple automatic features. I have found this camera to be excellent in nearly every aspect.

PROS:
1.Fantastic image quality. Olympus lenses seem to be of superior quality to some other major brands I've tried.
2. Quick selection of auto features (night, landscape, high speed, etc.)
3. LONG battery life
4. Quick rewind and loading of 35mm. film

CONS:
1. Built in lens means no way to change lense (No going to a telephoto or macro lense.) What you see is what you get.

Great Camera
The pictures taken with this camera are GREAT!!!!!! The pictures look so real. I love it!! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Five-megapixel resolution is quickly becoming the new standard for digital cameras. But these cameras are often bulky, heavy things to lug around. Enter the Olympus Camedia C-50, a svelte, lightweight image capturer with a fair amount of features.

The 3x optical zoom lens folds up inside the camera case with the covers sliding shut over it when not in use, making the camera's small metal frame easily pocketable. While the camera also uses the tiny XD media for storage, it only comes with a 32 MB card, barely enough to hold a dozen images at the highest resolution, so you'll want to stock up on storage (which is thankfully getting cheaper by the month).

Although only 1.5 inches in size, the bright LCD provides an accurate and easy to view image of framed shots before capture. The C-50 also offers an optical viewfinder for framing shots and saving on battery life.

Speaking of, the battery recharges quickly (averaging about two hours) and lasts for several hundred shots before needing a recharge. Even with the limited surface area, the well-placed dials and menu buttons are within easy reach when using the camera, making it a snap to utilize one of the camera's six different scene modes or five flash modes.

With its 5.0 megapixels, captured images offer incredible details and bright colors and can be printed at nearly poster size without any loss of resolution. The C-50 also captures short QuickTime movies, albeit without sound, small enough to be e-mailed to friends and family. Users of newer computers (both Windows and Mac) don't even need to install a driver to transfer images and movies to their system via the camera's USB cable.

The sticker price on the C-50 is still a bit hefty for a point-and-click compact camera, but not bad when you consider the potential of all those megapixels. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Very compact
• High-quality images
• Long battery life

Cons:

• Only 32 MB memory card
• No sound in movie mode

Features

• 5.0 megapixel sensor creates 2,560 x 1,920 images for prints at 11 x 14 and beyond
• 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom for 12x total
• Included 32 MB XD memory card holds 26 images at normal setting and 2560 pixel resolution
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
• Uses 1 rechargeable Li-ion LI-10B battery (included)

Reviews (56)

All my research and patience paid off!
Pros: Ultra compact, five megapixels, manual exposure options, Compact, high resolution, razor sharp, bright LCD, Small, lithium ion battery/charger, picture quality, compactness, easy to use, loaded with advanced features yet point-and-shoot simple on automatic, multiple resolution options, including uncompressed TIFF, compact and light.

Cons: No LCD screen cover, no AF assist light, questionable low-light capabilities, many settings, price, uses new xD picture card, Poor LCD viewing in very low light, extremely slow save for TIFFs, occasional image noise, works poorly with a tripod.

Summary: I did quite a bit of research before deciding on the Olympus C50. I wanted a small digital camera that had some manual controls. The camera also had to feel sturdy and have a menu system that was intuitive for me. The C50 won out over my other choices hands down (Minolta F100 and Nikon CP4500). Overall, I'm happy with my purchase and can live with the little quirks I've read about with this camera. The remote comes in handy when displaying your pictures on TV. Also, the battery life on this little guy is quite good -- much better than the Kodak I had. Olympus could have done a better job on the printed manual. The manual on CD is much better and they should have just printed out that manual in the appropriate language for the countries they ship to.

decent camera but loses out to competition
pros:
- 5MP resolution in a small, well-designed metal body.
- allows a great deal of manual control.
- good color reproduction.
- higher than expected contrast from tonal balance.
- low image noise with moderate shutter speeds.
- spot metering.
- shooting priority play mode (double press of quick view button).
- good night exposures with automatic noise reduction.
- solid build quality.
- bright, high resolution LCD monitor with anti-reflective coating.
- included Infrared remote control.
- decent battery life (but i'd still recommend getting a spare).
- compact dimensions 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.7 in, weighing 8.0 oz.

cons:
- some purple fringing / chromatic aberrations.
- noisy images, "jaggies" visible.
- limited adjustment on image parameters.
- no manual white balance.
- no manual focus.
- some blue cast using the flash.
- no AF illuminator.
- high redeye occurrence.
- poor movie mode when compared to competition.
- manual is on CD.
- LCD not very useful in very low light.
- glacial write times for TIFFs.
- slow image write times.
- RAW format not supported.
- you can't slide the lens cover to turn the camera on and off when mounted on a tripod nor can you change the battery or xD card.
- poor macro ability.
- fastest continuous shooting speed is only 1 fps.
- no histogram display in record or play mode.
- the supplied 32MB xD card is inadequate. be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for more memory.
- the batteries supplied are proprietary so add a few bucks to your budget for a spare.

the c-50z is a decent camera with 5MP resolution in a compact package. but there is no manual white balance and no manual focus plus the images compare unfavorably against its competition. at this price point, check out the canon s50.

i hope this helps you in your buying decision. peace.

Novice to Digital
This is really my first digital and I have only had it a couple of weeks. However I find the delay between when I press the button and when the picture is taken far too long. It averages 6 seconds on auto and 2 or more on the sports setting, which I am told is as fast as it gets. By this time my kids are halfway down the block. I have a lot of pictures of my yard, empty doorways, and blank walls. At least I know I have to take the picture again because I can view it immediately, but somethings can not be repeated. Is this delay normal for other cameras...?

Necesito Informacion
señores Amazon
Yo deseo comprar la Camara Digital Olympus C 50 5MP, yo vivo en Cali - Colombia y quisiera saber si ustedes me envian a mi ciudad Cali la camara y si tiene algun costo el envio.

Agradezco su pronta respuesta.

Mil gracias

Juan Carlos Chemás

POS
I bought this thing six months ago and I must say the quality of the photos and the duribility of the c-50 was horrible! Get this, I just returned it because it broke and it has been discontinued. SIX MONTHS AGO THIS WAS THE SHING DING. Olympus makes a great product and I exchanged it for the c-5000, 5 star for that one. Please stay away from the c-50, it has been discontinued so if it breaks and no warrenty, SOL. ... Read more

Features

• Saving files in schedule folder displays them according to the day they were made
• 3 recording qualities (HQ, SP, LP)
• 32MB internal memory
• About 177 minutes recording in High Quality mode, 267 minutes Standard Play, 493 minutes Long Play
• Alarm function -- just record appointment details, and set the time you want to be reminded

Amazon.com Product Description

Sporting a similar design to previous Olympus D-series digicams, the D-550 Zoom features a 3-megapixel CCD, 2.8x optical zoom, and a 3.6x digital zoom. With its familiar film-camera style and high-resolution imagery, the D-550 is a great choice for vacation photos as well as family snapshots.

Optics and Resolution
The DS-550's 3-megapixel sensor captures ample detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For a serious amateur photographer, 3 megapixels is a great resolution, providing enough detail to perform some cropping and still have crisp prints.

The all-glass autofocus Olympus lens has a 2.8x zoom range that's equivalent to a 36-100mm zoom lens on a 35mm camera. For technophiles, its aperture ranges from f2.9 to f4.4 depending on the zoom setting, with a normal focal range from 2.6 feet to infinity. There's also a 3.6x digital zoom, but remember that digital zoom tends to reduce the sharpness and detail of your image, so it's best used sparingly.

To compose your images, either use the traditional camera viewfinder or the 1.8-inch LCD display (also used to review the shots you've taken). Having both types of viewfinders offers the best of both worlds: if you're used to a film camera or want to conserve battery life, use the viewfinder. If you want to see exactly the picture you'll be capturing, use the LCD display.

More Features
A sliding clamshell lens cover simultaneously protects the D-550's lens and provides a simple way to turn the camera on and off, and the all-plastic body feels both lightweight and durable. While the D-550 offers automatic settings for point-and-shooters and beginning photographers, there are several manual features for more adventurous photographers, including macro mode, adjustable white-balance settings, exposure compensation, and the ability to shoot black-and-white and sepia images.

Power
Power is provided by four AA batteries (alkalines are included). We recommend getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and a charger. A digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries extremely quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display, so they aren't recommended except in a pinch. To ensure you'll always be ready for action, we recommend having two sets of rechargeables so you can always have one set in the camera and the other set in the charger.

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the camera captures silent video clips at resolutions of either 320 x 240 pixels (up to 33 seconds per movie) or 160 x 120 pixels (up to 148 seconds per movie). The limited duration and resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on SmartMedia memory cards. The included 16 MB card holds approximately 21 images at the camera's default settings. SmartMedia cards are reusable, but if you tend to take more than 21 images per outing (or plan to use the video feature much), then you'll want a bigger card. A 64 MB card will store well over 100 pictures. With most cameras, the brand of memory card you use is irrelevant, but genuine Olympus cards have a panorama feature not found on cards from other manufacturers. This feature makes it easier to stitch together a series of pictures you've taken into a single panoramic photo, and may justify the slightly higher price of the card if it's a feature you plan to use frequently.

To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera. Your computer should automatically recognize your camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive.

Size
At 4.6 by 2.6 by 2 inches and 8.5 ounces, the D-550 is fairly thin and small, making it easy to bring along on outings--but it won't easily fit in your shirt pocket.

Contents and Recommended Accessories
The package includes the camera, 16 MB SmartMedia card, four AA alkaline batteries, USB cable, video cable, carrying strap, and software on CD.

Everything you need to get started is included in the box, but we recommend these accessories to make the most of your camera: a carrying case, a set of NiMH rechargeable size AA batteries, and a higher-capacity SmartMedia memory card. Compatible accessories for this camera are listed near the top of this page. ... Read more

Features

• 3-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create prints up to 11 x 14
• 2.8x optical plus 3.6x digital (10x total) zoom lens with autofocus
• Included 16 MB Smartmedia card stores 21 images at default settings
• Movie mode captures up to 33 seconds of video with no audio
• Uses 2 CR-V3 lithium batteries or 4 AA batteries (rechargeables recommended); connects with Macs and PCs via USB port

Reviews (57)

Wished I had this when I was in Europe!!!
Olympus has a great reputation with their 35mm and now that reputation is passed on to their digital cameras.
The camera feels very sturdy except for the shutter door which I do agree needs a new design.
However after the initial akwardness of the shutter door, it doesn't become much of a big deal. You just get used to it.

What's great is that the pictures turn out ABSOLUTELY WONDERFULL if you choose
the HQ (high quality) or SQ function which takes up a bit of memory. Therefore I highly recommend getting
a 128MB smart media card which lets you take 173 photos and short 30 seconds movie clips (no sound)!
Also I do recommend getting the rechargeable battery and adaptor because the LCD eats up all your battery juice.

I do recommend this camera if you are thinking of getting a digital camera that is reliable and affordable.
It has a lot of potential and features that you can explore but I'm a point-and-shoot type of person.

For me, the perfect digital camera
I've tried out many different digital cameras over the last three or four years, from Kodak to Olympus to Canon to odd ones like HP. I've tried cameras that cost anything from $150 to $1000. So, when it came time for me to give up my never-used 35mm Canon SLR, I knew exactly which digital camera I wanted to replace it with.

A few years back, I tried out a friend's Olympus Camedia camera with the same body as this one. It was only in the 2-megapixel range, as opposed to the 3 megapixels of this model, but I was always really impressed with the quality of picture it took. For a point and shoot digital camera, the shots were just amazing.

So I didn't have to look very far before I found this camera, the Camedia D-550. And it's certainly lived up to the expectations I'd developed from using the friend's camera.

In my opinion, this is what really makes this camera stand out from its competition:

' It looks and feels like a camera. Some digital cameras go out of their way to be all futuristic and oddly shaped, which I find annoying. I want to be able to hold a camera with my hands, not my fingertips.

' The design of the navigation software is excellent. I've used cameras that go to the extremes of interface design, and I've hated it. I used a Kodak camera once that used menus and control panels that were so big and colorful, it was like it was designed by Fisher-Price. Sure, it looked friendlier to use at first, but when I actually tried to find anything, like how to change the size of my pictures, it was too big and clunky. On the other extreme, some companies make cameras that use a completely bare and technical interface that's impossible to understand. With the Camedia D-550, all of your important tools are no more than two button presses away, thanks to the intuitive design of the interface. If you want to switch to Macro mode, you just turn the camera on and press "Up" twice. If you want to change the size of the pictures you're taking, you just hit the menu button and press left on the wheel that pops up, and you'll see a nice list. Not too invasive, not too technical.

' Streamlined features. A few years ago, it became popular to pack as many different things into a camera as you possibly could. Sound recorders! Movie cameras! PDAs! Cell phones! Put everything you'd ever want in one device! I thought this was a terrible idea. If you want a video camera, get a video camera. A still camera can't possibly hold more than a tiny clip, so why even bother? While this Camedia D-550 does come with the ability to take video clips, it doesn't assume that video will be your primary use of the camera like other models sometimes do. The feature is there, but you can easily ignore it.

' Rugged body design. Olympus sells a similar Camedia to this in features and price, but a different body. I borrowed one for a weekend, and was constantly having trouble with the lens that stuck out of the camera body. The lens cap would fall off all the time, and I just wasn't careful enough with it. When I had my 35mm SLR, I just put a UV filter over the glass of the real lens, and didn't worry about scratching it, but you couldn't do that with the other Camedia lens. With the D-550, you avoid the problem entirely. When you turn the camera off, the lens retracts into the body of the camera, and is covered by the sliding panel that's part of the camera body. It's a brilliant design that keeps the lens safe, and the speed of the lens movement is quick enough that it's not annoying. I love that my camera is so tough. Though I haven't dropped it yet, I have the feeling it would survive a drop just fine.

' And, of course, the image quality. Even with plain old point-and-shoot simplicity, the colors are vivid and sharp, the exposure is just right, and the low-light pictures are just incredible, which is important to me as a hater of flashbulbs. The other day, a bird fell down our chimney and got trapped in the upper grill of our fireplace, beyond where we could see. So I stuck the camera up into the fireplace and had someone point a dim flashlight where we thought the bird was, and I got a pretty decent picture of it! The bird ended up getting out of the fireplace and flying out the window just fine, by the way. :-) The macro feature is pretty cool, too. My desktop picture on my computer is a photo of an ant I took with my D-550. People are really impressed that the ant takes up 3 inches on my screen.

When you consider all the excellent features this camera has, then realize that it's much less expensive than similar cameras, it seems like a no-brainer. I would have easily paid twice what I did for the D-550, and still felt like I was getting a great deal. This camera is going to last me a long, long time, and I'm loving every minute of it.

Save your $$$$$
Photo's are good, but software ain't.

I've owned the Camedia 550 for a little over a year. I am very disapointed in the software that you HAVE to use with this camera. I upgraded to the "professional" edition, but it's still bad. It does not alow you to back up your photo's onto CD. (Floppy Disk Only, which is worthless). Also I have pixels dying on my viewing screen.
It is difficult to manuver through the options on the camera. Also uses a Smart Media Card, which the new ones do not use, and very few new camera do use, so I'll be stuck with $200 bucks worth of Smart Media Cards when I decide to chuck this thing.

Money Well Spent
I bought this camera a year ago; it has served me well in many different environments and in both nighttime and blazing sun conditions. Downloads are swift with either the 3.5 inch flash path floppy or USB. Picture quality is great at low compression settings, higher settings are even better. I use a 64 MB memory card and that is more than adequate for my needs. Battery life is impressive: one charge was good for a 2 week vacation, and that included at least one hour of time viewing pictures with relatives on the built-in screen. Easy to use. Documentation is a bit on the slim side, but sufficient, with the exception of instructions on taking a panoramic picture. Apparently, that info is on the CD. We've taken 1,200 pics or so, no problems.

great camera
I bought this camera 18 months ago, and it takes GREAT pictures. I have taken thousands of pictures with this camera with no problem. The two only drwabacks to this camera is its size and it takes a second or two to save the picture to the card, but that's the way it is.
On the other hand, the reason why it is so big is because it uses regular batteries=cheap! However, battery life is great.
Would recommend this camera to anyone who needs a digital camera. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The W-10 doesn't just make it easy to record, it makes it easy to manage audio and image files, too. With two folders devoted to audio files--each capable of storing 100 messages--and a dedicated folder for image files that can hold 250 pictures, organizing and locating important files is simple. You can even move files between folders and erase a single file or an entire folder. Thumb-pad navigation is available with a jog dial, and the W-10's built-in 16 MB memory provides up to three hours of recording in long-play mode (other modes are standard and high-quality). Audio is stored as WAV files, and images are JPEGs. The recorder can be voice activated, and it even has an alarm feature, so you'll never miss an interview. Included Voice Album software lets you display pictures on a PC monitor in slide show fashion and add descriptions and narration to recorded images.

An LCD panel shows recording time remaining, sound quality, folder name, and other non-image-related information (though the LCD cannot be used to review pictures). When the recorder is hooked up to an external monitor, however, visual indexing lets you display an image while playing related audio. The W-10 uses a 0.3 Megapixel CMOS chip for visual indexing (640 x 480 resolution). The W-10 runs on two AAA batteries (not supplied) and cannot run from an AC adapter. Two batteries run about 24 hours. Supported operating systems include Microsoft Windows 98, 98SE, Me, 2000 Professional, and XP Professional and Home editions. Your computer must be running an Intel Pentium II class 233 MHz or faster with 64 MB RAM minimum and a Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 sound board (or 100 percent compatible). Your video card and display must be 800 x 600 pixels minimum with 256 colors minimum. One available USB port is required. ... Read more

Features

• Up to 3 hours of voice recording
• 16 MB inboard memory
• Two dedicated audio folders (up to 100 WAV files each), One dedicated image folder (up to 250 JPEGs)
• Voice Album Software lets you add descriptions and narration to recorded images for a slideshow on your PC
• Jog dial simplifies navigation and usage

Reviews (8)

Failed expectations
I must admit this was the first voice recoder I had ever purchased and with the features and price I thought I could not have found a better bargain. What I got was a tiny well designed pseudofunctional device. I read a few reviews but figured when the people had said the camera wasn't too bad was an understatement, but then again I had high expectations (don't make this mistake). The pictures even at a short distance showed up relatively fuzzy. In high quality mode the W-10 reproduced recordings exceptionally well, however unless you don't leave your computer or a pc to continually download the files you only get about 47 minutes worth, the reason I got the thing in the first place was so I could record my professors whose lectures were consecutive, making it impossible to use that mode. The Standard mode gives fair sound reproduction with a slight hiss, overall its bearable, howeveryou only are allowed 68 minutes not enough time to complete one lecture for my T,R classes (75 minutes for non college readers). Low quality mode, I'll just say I used it once and that was enough of that setting. Also the recoder saves files from modes lesser than high in a different wave level so you can't put them on cds unless you change the format which i dont have time to figure out. In conclusion, if you don't require a lengthy recording then this is a pretty good buy, I have to also admit that just because I complain of the quality of the pictures the camera option would be nice on rare occasions, also the pc interface is a no-brainer. Hope this helps someone looking for a something better not to be unhappy with their purchase!

fun, practical, conversation piece
Pro: A wonderful tiny device I tend to carry with me everywhere. Con: I cannot see the photos til I get home!
Solution: Olympus(or someone) should create software so the w-10 could send images to a pda (palm or PC Pocket OS).

Incredibly Handy
This is an incredible value for a Digital Voice Recorder. It has 1hr. of recording capacity at the highest resolution setting. Over 10 hours of battery life. Voice Activated. All software, cables, earphone piece, and case are included. It's incredibly slim. Easy to manage. And it'll take pictures (not the highest quality but definately am added bonus). What more could you really want?? I am a very satisfied customer.

Olympus W10
I am a teacher and I was looking for a digital recorder that would allow me to put audio material on my website and in my email. The W10 with its software is extremely easy to use with a computer. The audio quality is very good. The digital camera is a real plus. I am pleasantly surprised about the quality of the pictures. I have taken pictures inside and outside and the pictures are very clear for such a small camera. The pictures are also easy to download to a computer. To sum it all up, I really am pleased with my purchase of the Olympus W10. It may not be for every application, but it sure works for me.

Very Pleased with the W-10
I purchased the Olympus W-10 primarily as a general-purpose note and meeting recorder, replacing a micro-cassette. The W-10 generally met or exceeded my expectations in all areas.

Sound Recording -- This unit is extremely easy to use, and the interface software is excellent. Sound quality is very acceptable at the HQ and SP speeds, although I would not count on using the LP mode for anything, as the quality is very poor. I would have much preferred a 2-hour record time that was actually intelligible, instead of a 3-hour time that is not. The max usable record time, then, is at the SP 'speed,' at a little over an hour. The voice-activated recording mode works very well, and has the effect of expanding your recording time by cutting out periods of silence. For my purposes, an hour is find. Microphone sensitivity is very good.

Photo capability -- There have been very mixed reviews about the camera feature, and here are my two cents on that topic: If you are looking for a camera to take on your vacation, you will be disappointed with this product. If you are looking for a solid voice recorder, this is a good product, and the ability to snap a photo or two in situations where you would otherwise not have access to a camera is a real plus. I have read reviews complaining about a lack of sharpness in the image. I don't think that this is a problem, as long as you understand that the photos are only at a 640 by 480 pixel resolution. In fact, I think that the sharpness is fairly good. What is less good is that colors are not very vivid, and high-contrast situations are not handled well. The photo feature is nice as a supplement to voice recordings, as a way to include a visual reference to the audio. When you play back a voice recording on your PC, any photos taken during that recording will be displayed at the appropriate point in the playback. I could easily live without the camera feature, but it is really nice to have.

Battery life seems to be very good, as I have recorded 8-10 hours in all, with no change in the battery level indicator. Some other digital voice recorders are real battery hogs.

In all, I think that this product is an excellent value! ... Read more

Features

• 4 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 11 x 15 prints
• 2x optical and 4x digital zoom; PictBridge enabled
• Capture video clips with sound; view images even in bright light with 1.8-inch HyperCrystal LCD
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included with charger)
• Resists damage from the elements with all-weather engineering

Features

• 2.76x optical zoom (38 to 105mm) lens with aspherical and ED glass elements for sharp results
• All-weather reliability protects camera from a variety of conditions
• Automatic film load, advance, and rewind
• Quartz date imprinting; pop-up flash with red-eye reduction and auto color balancing
• Kit includes camera case, 3-volt lithium battery, and infrared remote control unit

Amazon.com Product Description

With exposure options ranging from automatic to manual control, as well as six innovative scene program modes, it's easy to customize the Olympus C-4000 digital camera for any shot you line up. The C-4000 features a 4-megapixel CCD sensor, a 3x optical zoom lens, and expandability via SmartMedia cards.

Optics and Resolution
Featuring a CCD sensor with 4 million effective pixels, the C-4000 can capture digital images up to 2,288 x 1,712 pixels for 11-by-14-inch prints and beyond. The C-4000 features an Olympus aspherical glass lens (6.5-19.5mm, or 32-96mm equivalent in 35mm photography) that's designed exclusively for digital photography and provides vibrant color and sharp detail. It features an aperture range of f2.8 to f11.

Shoot both wide-angle and close-up shots easily with the 10x total zoom lens (3x optical and 3.3x digital). Use the macro mode to shoot a flower from a distance of 8 inches, or use supermacro mode to shoot a dewdrop on a petal from just 1 inch away.

Storage and Transfer
The 16 MB SmartMedia memory card supplied with the C-4000 can store 16 images at the default high-quality setting (2,288 x 1,712 pixels). You can save images as either a TIFF or a JPEG. We recommend purchasing an additional high-capacity memory card.

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the C-4000 produces digital videos in two formats--320 x 240 and 160 x 120 pixels--for QuickTime movies at 15 frames per second. You can shoot movies up to 2 minutes in length.

The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

More Features
The advanced manual controls let you take the picture you envision. Or choose full-auto mode for point-and-shoot simplicity. The C-4000 also includes six scene modes, including portrait, self-portrait, sport, landscape, landscape-portrait, and night scene. There are even four customizable "my modes" for instant access to your favorite combinations of camera settings. The new virtual-dial interface provides quick, easy, and intuitive access to all shooting modes, including the six scene modes.

For extra-large prints, choose the optimum image enlargement mode to increase image size to the equivalent of 7.6 million pixels (3,200 x 2,400). And with 3:2 aspect modes, you can print photos in traditional 35mm format. Olympus's noise-reduction technology helps prevent the image noise that could otherwise appear in longer exposures taken in low light. The C-4000's USB autoconnect enables you to connect to your PC automatically--no driver software is required to transfer photos to most computers

Power
The camera is powered by two CR-V3 lithium-ion battery packs (included). We recommend getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries (you'll need a total of four AA NiMH batteries to power the camera) and a charger. A digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries extremely quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display, so they aren't recommended except in a pinch.

Size
The C-4000 measures 4.3 by 3.0 by 2.8 inches and 10.5 ounces (without battery).

Contents
This package includes the Olympus C-4000 digital camera, a 16 MB SmartMedia card, AV and USB cables, two CR-V3 lithium-ion battery packs (model LB-01), carrying strap, lens cap and retainer cord, Camedia Master software CD-ROM, drivers for Mac and Windows, and a printed instruction manual. ... Read more

Features

• 4.0 megapixel sensor captures 2,288 x 1,712 images for prints at 11 x 14 inches and beyond
• 3x optical plus 3.3xdigital zoom lens (for 10x total) with autofocus
• Stores photos on 16 MB SmartMedia card--16 images at high-quality setting
• Movie mode captures up to 2 minutes of video with no audio; connects to Macs and PCs via USB port
• Includes 2 CR-V3 lithium-ion batteries (model LB-01); also accepts NiMH rechargeable batteries

Reviews (67)

Olympus C4000: The Best Four Megapixel Digital Camera Deal!!
Pros: Lots of manual options, incredible feature set, superb four megapixel digital images, Fantastic optics for color and clarity, Manual and automatic controls for pros and debutants, Very little lag, Excellent image quality and easy to use buttons, Fast, Many settings and options, great zoom ratio, nice control layout, nice size LCD

Cons: Slightly Heavy, Not as cool looking as other cameras, 8 MB Storage card supplied with camera is woefully inadequate, User manual, software kind of plain, battery life, Size of pictures and erase features are not what I would like.

Summary: The C-4000z is a very impressive digital camera and for the price it can't be beat. This camera packs a serious punch with features only found on higher end digital cameras. I have been using digital cameras for the past four years from Kodak to Sony but this one out beats them all. Now I won't beat around the bush and say there are no flaws with the cam, the first being the batteries shipped with the cam (they are one time use only)! So right off the bat you have to spend a couple more dollars for rechargeable batteries. The batteries I got I'm able to take about 200 hundred high res. (TIFF) pictures before being replaced. The second problem is the small memory card shipped with the cam (at the time of my buy Olympus was giving free 64 mb cards with mail in rebate). The camera does come with a owners manual but has very limited information in it, for a extensive manual you have to read it off the installation disk in PDF form which isn't bad for me because it makes it a little easier to look something up using the word find feature. Now for the good things about the camera. This camera is packed with features and this should be taken into account if your new to digital cameras there is a lot to take in. Everything is arranged on the camera that makes it easy to navigate and set up. Olympus even went and put a user choice setting button which is nice if you use certain setting such as focal length, shutter speed etc. which enables you to set your preferences and return to them without having to set the whole camera up again. The pictures that result from this camera are amazing! I was at Yosemite a couple of weeks ago and shot some impressive pictures which I framed and had hanging on my wall a service tech who was doing some work in my house actually wanted to know where I had bought the pictures. Several other features that Olympus thought of were the ability to attach an external flash (optional). The camera also gives you the ability to crop pictures right on the camera. The panoramic feature takes a little to get used to but works really well. I don't want to bore you with the fine details (exposure settings, shutter speeds etc) but just wanted to let you know if your looking for a decent digital camera at a fair price the C-4000z is for you. Oh just one more thing a little tip I use all the time, If you happen to have a smart media card take it along with you to your local camera shop or electronic store and ask the sales person if you can insert your card and try the camera. You can then take the card home and if you have a media reader or printer that has a reader built in you can see the results of the camera prior to buying it (just a suggestion). It also gives you the opportunity to see how your digital dark room will do when it come to printing from this camera.

Best Value for a 4MP Camera
WHO IT'S FOR: With its complete set of manual controls, the Olympus C-4000 is for the serious amateur photographer or a novice wanting to learn a lot more about photography. If you're one who would rather just point-and-shoot, this camera or its rivals (like the Canon S45) is NOT for you, better just save your $200 and go for the cute compact types.

Granted that YOU ARE serious about your photography BUT you are on a tight budget, then this camera is perfect for you. The 4MP is just right for the occasional 8x10 prints and more than enough quality for 5x7 prints. Among the competition (Canon S45/G2, Nikon Coolpix 4300, Sony S85), its price and features stand out.

I bought this camera here at Amazon 5 months ago for 2 main reasons:
- given the features and full manual controls, it had the most competitive price among the competition.
- although not included in the package, the camera uses standard 4 AA-sized NiMH rechargeable batteries.

I brought the camera to Europe for my honeymoon and have taken 300+ pictures with it. I am extremely pleased with it. Prints on 4x6 came out as crisp as my 20-year-old SLR (the excellent Nikon F3), and sometimes better (mainly because you can preview a shot and tweak exposure and composition without worrying about the cost of film: an obvious advantage for all digicams).

PROS:
- excellent daylight exposures on full auto or manual modes.
- a fully-charged set of AA NiMH batteries lasts me two days of shooting 60+ pictures and previewing the LCD, something the proprietary batteries of other digicams would be hard-pressed to match.

CONS:
- You have to remember to remove the cap before turning the camera on -- an annoyance for all C-class Olympus cameras. Forgetting that doesn't damage the camera, but it's an annoyance still.
- No remote control. You have to turn on the timer every time if you want to be in the picture or you want to take long exposures.
- The lens cap more often than not gets removed inadvertently when removing or replacing the camera in its case. Be sure to always bring lens tissues or whatever you use to clean lenses.
- The paltry 16MB card that comes with it. Although all camera brands have this fault of not including enough memory, I hoped Olympus would just do the right thing and pack it with a 128MB card.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Always have two sets of 4 AA NiMH batteries. Buy the Olympus B-50SU Quick Charger or the Kodak Max K2000 Battery Charger. They both come with 4 NiMH AA batteries and works whatever a country's voltage is. Then buy an additional set of 4 Kodak Max 1850mAh NiMH batteries.
- Buy at least 2 128MB SmartMedia cards. Each 128MB card stores about 60-70 pictures at full 4MP SHQ resolution. Better still, bring your laptop along when going on extended vacations to backup your pics. I made the mistake of not bringing mine and had to look for shops to transfer my pics to CDs whenever space on my cards were running out.

Finally, just go ahead and buy it (with the charger, extra batteries and extra memory cards). It's an excellent camera given its features and price.

Red Eye
This camera generally takes very good pictures but I do have one complaint that has not been resolved. Even with red eye reduction feature on, it still takes bad redeye, especially with babies. The software does not eliminate it either. I have been through their customer service several times for this and one other problem and they were not helpful. I felt I was being talked down to and I finally gave up. I like the camera except for that, but I probably would not buy another Olympus unless customer service is more helpful.

Very good for the money
I've had this camera for over a year now and I'm very pleased with it. I've purchased nothing but Olympus products since I started photography as a hobby about 10 years ago. This is my second Olympus digital camera and it gives great pictures time and again. I've made prints up to 20"x30" that look like they were perfessionaly taken. I do recommend having an extra set of rechargable batteries on hand and extra memory cards. Very nice camera that isn't very bulky yet not too small that it will slip from your hands. You will be very happy with this camera.

I love this camera!!!
The camera is just outstanding! I love it! I had it for about a year and the pictures are just great. It has ton of options and even after a year, I haven't used them all.

There are several reasons, hovever, why I gave it only 4 stars. 1. The cap on the lense got to go. I forgot to take it off once just when I bought the camera, and the camera died on me. I had to send it back for a replacement.
2. It's pretty bulky and you have to carry it around in it's own case, which could be problematic when you go to other countries and don't want to attract attention.
3. The flash makes everybody blink and it's hard sometimes to get a good picture.
Other than that, I would highly recommend the camera and I would buy it again in a second!
Buy it. ... Read more

Features

• Ultra compact, foldable design
• High-index BAK-4 roof prism
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• 11mm eye relief
• Center focus knob