Features

• 7.1 megapixel CCD and wide-angle 28-100mm, 3.6x optical zoom lens
• 13 Shooting Modes, including enhanced VGA Movie Mode
• Exclusive Canon image processor and iSAPS technology for faster processing and excellent image quality
• New print/Share Button for easy direct printing and downloads
• New Macro Mode that lets you shoot less than 2 inches from your subject

Amazon.com Product Description

With its small size and quick reaction time, the Sony DSCP93 digital camera will be your constant photographic companion. You'll pick up amazing detail with its 5.1-megapixel CCD--and produce poster-sized prints. The affordable, 5-megapixel DSCP93 offers point-and-shoot simplicity with a variety of features normally found in higher-end models. It features a 3x optical zoom, 9-shot burst mode, high-resolution 1.5-inch LCD screen for reviewing shots, A/V connection to view images on your TV, and a high-resolution movie mode that's limited only by your Memory Stick's capacity. For a step up in price, check out the Sony DSCP100 brings a high-quality Carl Zeiss lens, compatibility with Sony's Cybershot Station, and even more compact size to the table.

Optics and Resolution
The 1/1.8-inch Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD allows more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise, and provides a 5.1-megapixel effective resolution (2592 x 1944).The Real Imaging Processor offers greater clarity and picture quality as well as improved response time and battery life and decreased shutter lag. The DSCP93 has a 3x optical zoom lens that's combined with a smooth 2x digital zoom for a 6x total.

Movie Mode
Capture video with audio at 30 frames per second (fps) at VGA size 640 x 480;the included 32 MB memory card will store 87 seconds of vide at this setting. Movie length is only limited by the amount of storage you have on hand. The Video Mail mode captures a smaller movie (160 x 112 pixels) that's more suitable to sending to friends and family via e-mail.

More Features
In addition to optics, the DSCP93 offers the following additional features to the DSCP73:

• The 1.5-inch LCD monitor has a 123K-pixel resolution--double that of the DSCP73--enabling you to review fine details in your captured images.
• 9 Shot Burst Mode: Capture up to 9 shots (fine) or 15 shots (standard) at 1.2 frames/sec. even at 5 MP resolution. Perfect for high speed subjects or fast moving action such as sports. (The DSCP73 has only a 4-shot burst mode.)

Other features include:

• Resolution modes: 2592 x 1944 (5.1MP), 2592 x 1728 (3:2 aspect ratio), 2048 x 1536 (3MP), 1280 x 960 (1MP), and 640 x 480 (VGA)
• Live Histogram Display: Available in capture and playback the Live Histogram displays the concentration of pixels at each luminosity value making it easy to evaluate correct exposure.
• Real Imaging Processor: The innovative Real Imaging Processor in the DSC-P93 not only improves picture quality and clarity but also improves camera response time, decreases shutter lag and improves battery stamina.
• Selectable Focus Mode: Monitoring AF (Auto Focus) helps you anticipate the action by focusing even before you press the shutter release.
• Conversion Lens Compatible: Increase your shooting options by adding either telephoto lenses to increase your optical zoom, or wide-angle lenses to increase the width of your field of view. You can even add filters for special effects.
• 5 Area Multi-Point Auto Focus: By evaluating 5 separate focus areas of the frame, SonyÕs Multi-Point AF system can intelligently focus on the subject and avoid mistakenly focusing on the background.
• AF (Auto Focus) Illuminator: Briefly illuminating the subject, in low--or no--light conditions, the AF Illuminator helps establish a positive focus lock.
• Multi-Pattern Measuring: Independently light-metering 49 points of the frame, Multi-Pattern Measuring establishes the optimum exposure, even when highlight and shadow isnÕt centered in the frame.
• Multi-Burst Mode: Captures 16 320 x 240 frames as part of a single 1280 x 960 image which plays back sequentially in the camera (selectable 1/7.5, 1/15, 1/30 second).
• Manual Exposure Mode: Manual Exposure Mode provides extended control with 46-step adjustable Shutter speed (30 Ð 1/1000 sec.), and 2-step Aperture control.
• Scene Selection Mode: With 6 Scene Modes, parameters can be matched to the shooting conditions. Choose from one of the following: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Soft Snap, Candle, or Beach.
• Slow Shutter Noise Reduction: During long exposures, Slow Shutter NR captures the scene, and then the CCD noise pattern with a dark frame exposure. By subtracting the two, even long exposures can be clear.
• Pre-Flash Metering: With a momentary pre-flash, the camera illuminates the subject and sets exposure through the lens for accurate flash metering. Adjustable flash level and red-eye reduction ensure great flash shots.
• 9 Shot Burst Mode: Capture up to 9 shots (fine) or 15 shots (standard) at 1.2 frames/sec. even at 5 MP resolution. Perfect for high speed subjects or fast moving action such as sports. (The DSCP73 has only a 4-shot burst mode.)

Direct Printing
The Cybershot DSCP93 offers PictBridge functionality, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer--such as the Sony PictureStation DPP-EX50--without a PC or image-editing software. Images can be viewed and selected for printing right on the camera's LCD, with menus for print quantity, date, and index print.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Memory Sticks, and the Cybershot DSCP93 is compatible with Memory Stick Pro media--for storage up to 1 gigabyte. The included 32 MB Memory Stick will store 12 Fine and 23 Standard 5.1-megapixel images. The DSCP93 transfers images to PCs and Macs via a speedy USB 2.0 connection (which is backward compatible with USB 1.1 ports).

Power and Size
The camera is powered by two rechargeable NiMH AA-sized batteries (2100 mAh). The included adapter/charger provides power while you transfer images from the camera to your PC. It measures 4.63 x 2.13 x 1.38 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 7 ounces without Memory Stick or batteries.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony DSCP93 digital camera, 32 MB Memory Stick, two AA-size NiMH rechargeable batteries (NH-AA-DA), battery charger (BC-CS2), A/V and USB cables, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with photo editing software.

Sony Photo Vault
The optional Sony Photo Vault mini CD burner eliminates worry about running out of space on your Memory Stick when travelling. It burns images to mini CD-R's without a PC interface--just connect your camera using a USB cable. The Photo Vault also has a Memory Stick slot (compatible with Memory Stick Pro and Duo) and features a built-in photo album capability to display photos on a television screen using a television's standard AV input. ... Read more

Features

• 5-megapixel sensor (2592 x 1944 pixels) for enlargements up to 20 x 30 inches
• 3x optical zoom plus 2x digital zoom for 6x total
• High-resolution movie mode with sound; A/V output to TV; 9-shot burst; histogram display
• Compatible with Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro media; includes 32 MB card
• Powered by 2 AA batteries (NiMH rechargeables included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 2.0

Reviews (5)

Excellent
Well, despite the price (it's 499 dollars in my country) this is an excellent camera. If you are a newbie like me with digital cameras, you're starting with a monster.
This baby can take beautiful pictures, and offers options never before seen in P series. Manual control is superb.
Cons: It needs Memory Stick Pro to save video... agh!

AN EXCELLENT CHOICE FOR A PERFECT CAMERA!!!
It's my first Digital camera, and I must say, "It's perfect & worth every penny!"

With its 5.1 MP Sony lens, the photo quality is amazing! Crisp, Sharp, Colorful and very detailed.

I have to say, it works better than some CANON models! I took a photo of a same stationary subject with both cameras. I found out that the SONY's output was better than the CANON's. So I went for Sony.

The camera has various features to enjoy including Video recording and OPTICAL/DIGITAL Zoom.

Well done SONY! :)

Best camera I ever bought!
I just bought this camera and I have had the best time using it. It takes wonderful crisp pictures and is easy and fun to use. It works great in all conditions. This camera was a great buy at 5 megapixels at a great price...better than other cameras that were more expensive at 4 megapixels with features that an everyday user would not need.

Fabulous!
This was the first digital camera I purchased, and I must say that I got quite lucky.
The resolution is brilliant at 5.1 MP. You can stretch and crop all you want without distortion, and it doesn't have that blurry look quintessential of digial cameras.
The price is an excellent bargain, especially since here it is offered for $350 (probably subject to change) as opposed to the list $450.
It is very user friendly, and has many functions to produce the optimum photo for your situation/context. The amount of flash is automatically decided by the camera, making one's life easier, although you do have the power to override flashes.
I recommend that you pruchase the two-sided, 128 MB each memory stick by sony to go along.
My only negative comment would be that the batteries are not the super-power ones found in most other cameras. I don't know much about their chemical composition or any of that, but I do maintain that the batteries have a tendency to run out rather fast. However, they are rechargeable and the camera comes with an included recharger you can plug in to an electrical outlet.
I really suggest you buy this camera. I am certainly glad I did.

Great price-point for a 5mp with excellent quality
As a user of both Canon and Sony Digital cameras in the past, I wanted something that used rechargeable AA's (flexible for travel) with excellent picture quality (barely noticeable picture quality from the Carl Zeiss lenses) and portability (slightly larger than the P100). Also wanted something that good samaritan photographers could use easily and hold adeptly. (this was a problem with my tiny Sony U30) I have had numerous friends take pictures for me with this picture and the pics have been rock solid with this camera.

The price point is great. Uses Memory sticks which are coming down in price. Also, the power up time is fast, and the shutter lag is very small. Flash works great in dark situations.

Drawbacks of the camera is that since it's using NIMH AA's there is less battery life than a Li Ion batt. The big bonus is that NiMH batteries are so prevalent. Also works well with alkaline batteries in a pinch (I tried it out.) There is also the styling - a tad dated compared with the snazzy new T1's, SD10's, and U40's of the world.

In combination with my current U30, the P93 synergistically works as a high-photo quality camera when I don't absolutely have to have the micro camera on me. ... Read more

Features

• 5.0-megapixel sensor creates photo-quality 2560 by 1920 pixel images
• 3x optical, 4x digital zoom
• 1.8-inch LCD screen, 21 different picture shooting modes
• Store images on 10 MB internal memory or SD memory card (not included)
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery, estimated for 180 shots

Amazon.com Product Description

Nikon's exciting, advanced 5.1-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 5400 digital camera adds a new dimension to the popular Coolpix line of digital cameras and combines a host of enhanced features and design elements. With superior 4x Zoom-Nikkor ED optics, wide-angle coverage and the exclusive new Best Shot Selector (BSS) feature, the Nikon Coolpix 5400 provides the ideal tool for digital photographers who are serious about the art of photography. The durable and lightweight Nikon Coolpix 5400 is the perfect tool to enhance any advanced photographer's creative imagination.

Optics and Resolution
The Coolpix 5400 uses a 5.1 effective-megapixel CCD to capture images at a maximum native resolution of 2,592 x 1,944 pixels. This allows for clear printouts up to 20x30 inches in size. The camera incorporates a wide angle Zoom-Nikkor lens with a maximum optical zoom of 4x coupled with a stepless 4x digital zoom for a 16x total zoom. The lens contains nine elements in eight groups, with the Zoom-Nikkor lens using Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass and two aspherical lenses completing the setup. With a focal length range of 5.8 mm to 24mm, the 4x optical zoom is equivalent to a 28-116mm lens on a 35mm camera.

The camera has fifteen preset shooting modes for easily shooting portraits, panoramas, landscapes, and many more. Users can select center-weighted, spot, AF spot, or a special 256-segment matrix metering mode in conjunction with TTL white balance to provide incredible exposure and color balance. Shutter speeds vary from 1/4000 second to ten minutes, making it possible to capture a wide variety of shots, and the Ultra Macro Mode allows for close-ups from a range of .4-inches.

Storage and Transfer
The 5400 stores images on either Type I or Type II CompactFlash cards and is compatible with 512 MB and 1GB MicroDrives. Shots are stored in either uncompressed TIFF-RGB format or compressed JPEG format. The camera uses a USB 1.1 interface and also outputs (selectable) NTSC or PAL video.

Movie Mode
It is possible to capture 70 seconds of video with audio using the 640 x 480 TV mode, or 180 seconds of video with audio using the 320 x 240 Small Movie mode.

More Features
It's always easy to get the perfect pictures thanks to the 5400's Best Shot Selector. In this mode the camera snaps five consecutive shots, analyzes them, and saves only the best of the bunch based on several selection parameters. A similar Auto Exposure Best Shot Selector mode does the same thing by comparing the tonal range and gradation of five consecutive shots snapped in quick succession. All the other pictures are then discarded to conserve storage space. All this is made possible by the camera's integrated 64 MB buffer that can quickly store several shots without committing them to the slower CompactFlash card.

Other features include:

• Advanced flash modes including Rear Curtain Sync and Repeating flash
• Record up to three minutes of QuickTime video with audio
• Hot shoe for adding powered accessories

Power and Size
An included rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL1 battery powers the camera for up to 110 minutes when using the LCD monitor. The camera measures 4.3-inches by 2.9-inches by 2.7-inches and weighs 11.3 ounces without the batteries and storage media.

What's in the Box
The 5400 comes with a lens cap, camera strap, AV cable, Nikon Coolpix Starter Memory Card, USB cable, rechargeable Li-ion battery, external battery charger, and a Nikon View software CD-ROM. ... Read more

Features

• 5 megapixel sensor (2592 x 1944 pixels) for enlargements up to 20 x 30 inches
• 4x optical plus 4x digital (16x total) zoom lens with autofocus
• Fully-articulating 1.5" LCD; shutter speeds from 1/4,000 second up to 10 minutes; 256-segment matrix metering
• Includes 16 MB CompactFlash card; compatible with MicroDrives
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery(EN-EL1, included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

Reviews (23)

Nikon's Coolpix 5400 is full of Great Features
Finally decided to get the Nikon 5400 from Amazon at the regular Nikon suggested price, because I have grown to trust Amazon, and my impression is that the "lower priced" 5400's out there are mostly gray market. This made-in-Japan wonder, has not let me down. Have been using the 5400 about 10 days now. I took camera and manual up to a lean-to in the Adirondacks for an overnight, and had a great time trying the various features. I took pictures in the deep forest in a misty rain, using a Leki Photo walking stick as a monopod and got great results. I set the white balance for "cloudy" and colors were rendered accurately. Subsequently, on a clear day in the shade, with white balance set to "shade", greens were nice and warm - not blue as with slide film (unless you put on a filter.) You can even bring along a piece of white paper, aim the camera at it, and set the white balance precisely for any lighting situation. I have methodically plodded through the manual, and pleasant surprises abound. The camera is a joy to use, controls are well deployed. And with battery, it only weighs 13 oz - a backpacker's dream camera, with 28 - 116 zoom. This is possibly the only 5 MP camera on the market with a 28mm equivalent wide angle lens integral to the camera. In macro, it will focus as close as 1/2 inch! If you are into scenics and nature, this is the camera to own. The only down side so far is the viewfinder (the glass one you look through) which has a somewhat restricted view.

solid 5MP camera with 4x zoom, but compare vs competition
the nikon coolpix 5400 is a solid 5MP, 4x zoom camera with a strong feature set. but it has a few shortcomings so make sure to consider its competition.

pros:
- 5MP and 4x optical zoom.
- good color response, average resolution for 5MP.
- photos have very low noise.
- allows a great deal of manual control.
- macro mode better than most.
- low redeye occurrence.
- virtually free of chromatic aberrations.
- shadow highlights maintained.
- timed exposures up to 10 minutes.
- expandable with a boatload of lenses, flashes, and other accessories from nikon.
- wider lens than most.
- supports CF card types I and II.
- flip-out LCD display - protects LCD when not in use.
- high resolution LCD with anti-reflective coating that actually works.
- very comfortable to hold with a deep hand grip made of soft rubber.
- compact body feels solid.
- reprogrammable FUNC button, and initial record menu.
- above average battery life (i still recommend getting a spare though).

cons:
- some lens distortion, especially at maximum zoom.
- images occasionally appear soft around corners.
- slow response interface, non-intuitive menus.
- no AF assist light - very puzzling why nikon doesn't provide this.
- to add insult to injury, this camera has a hard time focusing in low light so an AF assist light would really come in handy.
- average auto focus speed.
- buffering issue? the camera locks towards the end of write process.
- slow CF write speed / processing.
- you're on your own when using manual focus - it doesn't show focus distance.
- LCD smaller than competition.
- RAW mode not supported.
- flimsy cover for CF slot.
- no live histogram in record mode.
- no support for external Speedlight features such as AF assist or flash zoom.
- connectivity options all over the place rather than in a central location.
- uses proprietary battery so make sure you add some $$ to your budget to get a spare.
- the supplied 16MB CF card is inadequate - again, more $$ for more memory.

the coolpix 5400 is a solid camera from nikon with a very strong feature set. it will produce very good pics in point and shoot mode but still has full manual control if you want to be more creative with your shots. i've given this a 4-star rating because of two important factors for me: the lack of an AF assist light and the dead time at the end of write process. i would suggest that you consider the canon g5 and the sony dsc-v1 before committing to the nikon 5400.

i hope this helps with your buying decision. peace.

A Pro's camera
Having had some doubt about the ability to get high performance from a digital camera (below stratospheric costs), I decide to try the Nikon 5400. It has delivered consistent, fine images and allows many pre-set modes to shoot as well as manual control. A top piece of equipment with Nikon know-how.

Powerful Camera in a Compact Size
This camera measures roughly 4"x3"x2.5". It weighs 0.8 lbs with the battery. As I am 200 lb size man, this camera definitely is compact for me.
The camera is powerful. It has a wide angle lens, standard. The optical zoom is 4x. Shutter speeds range from 10 mins (bulb) to 1/8000 sec (ultra high speed); but, 97% of my shooting uses 1/8 sec to 1/700 sec shutter speeds. f/ values range from 2.8 to 8.0 (8.0 reached at 4x zoom). In 1600x1200 jpg fine picture mode, it can snap 7 frames in 2.7 sec (high speed continuous), or 54 frames in 33.5 sec (low speed continuous). For faster continuous shooting, I recommend using the QuickTime movie mode (includes sound), rather than the ultra high speed continuous mode. The movie mode is 15 fps, 3 mins max at 320x240 pixels or 70 secs max at 640x480 pixels. You can combine and edit the movie clips, using QuickTime Pro software ($30 extra).
The camera can be used in fully auto mode, or for the best pictures, you will want to go to the fully manual mode ( this will be a learning experience for the novice). Also, available, if you need extra high quality pictures (better than jpg), you can use the TIFF 2,592x1,944 pixel mode (5 mega-pixels is also available for the jpg images).
The color accuracy of this camera is very high. While photo editing the pictures, I seldom need more than one click of adjustment to achieve perfect color, and half the time , zero adjustment is needed.
Auto focus will be 97-100% accurate in average or bright light, but if the light is very dim, then the auto focus quits working. Also, the natural focus of the lens tends to be soft, so that a setting of high image sharpening, + contrast, and +1 color saturation is recommended. The lens has rather low chromatic and linear aberration.
The auto ISO sensitivity and the auto white balance of the camera is generally very good , so no manual adjustment is needed or recommended. Image "noise" is almost zero at ISO's of 50 to 150.
The monitor measures 1 1/4" x 7/8" , 1.5" diagonally. It is easy to see the image in bright sunlight, and has good resolution at 134,000 pixels. The monitor is big enough for me - I am nearsighted, but a lot of people would prefer the 1.8" size monitor.
I can't give this camera a 5 star rating, because, then you would have to give the professional league cameras a 6 star rating. But, for its size and weight, Nikon has made a very powerful camera.

Doesn't deserve to be called a Nikon
In recent weeks, I put many hours into researching the pros and cons of particular prosumer cameras; finally I settled on the 5400, a camera that was to be an upgrade from my three-and-a-half-year-old Nikon Coolpix 990. The old 990 had proved to be a dependable workhorse; other than some self-inflicted problems that occurred after I spilled some sugary soda on it (I had to have it professionally cleaned to the tune of $200!), it never let me down. Still, I'm getting more serious about my photography, and wanted something with better resolution and more advanced options.

I had been really looking forward to receiving the 5400 and was predisposed to liking the camera a lot. In reality, I soured on the thing within 72 hours.

First of all, BELIEVE what camera cognoscenti say about the inability of the 5400 to autofocus in low-light conditions. What I hadn't understood until I was shooting with the camera is that 'low light' doesn't necessarily refer to broom closets or dinners by candlelight. I was snapping pics of my two-year-old in the living room today, on a sunny afternoon, with the blinds mostly open. Half the time, I couldn't get the camera to lock no matter what. Moving to the hallway, where there's only indirect light sthat streams in from the living room and dining room, effectively rendered the camera inoperable. I encountered no such problems outside, so if the great outdoors is where you do all your shooting, the 5400 may be for you.

Except for one other thing -- and this is a biggie. What absolutely DESTROYS this camera's performance is its pathetic color accuracy. Maybe I got a lemon -- I find it hard to believe that Nikon, the top-of-the heap manufacturer of pro-quality imaging equipment, would release a model that is so wildly off in how the internal chip processes color. But at least with the specimen I have, all the colors come out hyped. I photographed a still life that included some salmon-colored paper; it acquired a distinct, troublesome reddish tint in the picture I took with the 5400. This is a CRITICAL area for any camera; if it doesn't render reds and pinks accurately, it's an almost useless tool, as Caucasian faces, especially, will look ruddy and unappealing. And my 5400 has trouble with other hues, too, first turning a purplish blue shirt into a something much more like ROYAL blue, then pulling the exact same feat with a baby blue yogurt lid in another still life. It makes no sense to me either, but there it is.

I spent HOURS tweaking white balance and playing with the camera's saturation settings, all to little avail. Was the 5400's (too-small) display at fault, perhaps, as opposed to its internal color-rendering chip? I wish. After transferring the pictures to my Mac G4 and opening them in Photoshop 7, the same problems were immediately evident on the big monitor. To a degree, the 'off' colors can be corrected in Photoshop, of course. But sorry Nikon, I'm not prepared to do that kind of digital cosmetic surgery on virtually every picture I take.

My old Nikon 990 has better color accuracy by a mile; so does a more recent four-megapixel Canon A70 point-and-shoot that a friend was using to photograph the same test scenes on which I trained the 5400.

I should note that I am not a professional photographer, and that I'm probably much more forgiving of mild deviations in color and sharpness than a pro lensman would be. But the problems I mentioned are far from mild. They were, in fact, easily picked up and commented on by my wife, who is supremely uninterested in tweaky, geeky stuff, and who would presumably be happy with an old Kodak Brownie if it took halfway decent pictures.

I still give the 5400 two stars because the macro pictures it takes are nothing short of astounding (if you can forget about the patently incorrect colors for a moment). A picture of the engraving inside a ring brought out awesome detail, even specks of dust and scratches that were hard to pick up with the naked eye. A photo of a piece of transparent sticky tape I'd pulled off an envelope showed paper fibers in such detail, it seemed that by zooming in just one step further, actual atoms would appear in the image...

Still, all told, I'm sorely disappointed, and so this camera is going back to Amazon for a refund. Guess I'll be trying out the twice-as-expensive Nikon D-70 next, hopefully with much better results. ... Read more

Features

• 5.1-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 13-by-17-inch enlargements
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 3x optical zoom lens combines with a 2x digital zoom for 6x total zoom
• 300-degree rotating lens design; 1.8-inch LCD monitor; 1.6 frame-per-second Shot Burst mode
• Store images on Memory Stick (32 MB Memory Stick included) or Memory Stick Pro media
• Powered by rechargeable InfoLithium battery (included with charger); connects to computers via USB 2.0

Amazon.com Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pros:

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

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

Features

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

Reviews (16)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Am I glad I bought it? Yes definitely.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 11-by-15-inch enlargements
• 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens combines with 4x digital zoom for 12x total zoom
• One-Touch Red-Eye Fix feature; movie mode with sound; PictBridge compatible
• Store images in 14.5 MB internal memory or optional Secure Digital (SD) cards
• Powered by 2 AA-size batteries (alkaline included; rechargeable Ni-MH recommended); connects to computers via USB

Reviews (1)

Great deal!
It's the best deal if you wanna spend around 250$. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Compact and stylish, the Olympus D-590 makes it easy to snap clear pictures with amazing details wherever you roam. It features a 4-megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom, a 1.8-inch LCD that provides a brilliant display even in bright sunlight, and a movie mode with sound that can capture as much video as your memory card can handle.

Optics and Resolution
The 1/2.8" CCD captures 4-megapixel images for printed enlargements up to 11 x 17 inches. Image resolutions include: 2272 x 1704 (4MP), 2048 x 1704 (3MP), 1600 x 1200 (2MP), 1280 x 960 (1MP), 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. The lens, which is seated in the top-right corner of the camera's front, has a 5.8-17.4mm focal range (35-105mm equivalent in 35mm photography) with an f3.1 to f5.2 aperture range. The camera has a 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom for a total 12x zoom.

Movie Mode
In addition to still images, the D-590 also captures QuickTime video with sound at two resolutions (320 x 240 and 160x 120) at 15 frames per second (fps).

More Features
The D-590 has a durable ultra-compact polycarbonate body finished in bright silver combined with a new look for the D-Series that replaces the sliding clamshell lens barrier with a modern looking circular lens cover that folds into the camera's body for convenience.

The 2.5 inch LCD boasts 134,000 pixels, is impressively clear, and makes light work of sunny weather. Innovative sunshine LCD technology uses semi-transparent layers that allow light to penetrate a few layers into the panel before it is reflected back. This, along with a backlight, preserves contrast to ensure the LCD presents dazzling images in all conditions.

Other features include:

• Exclusive TruePic Turbo image processor suppresses noise and boosts image definition to ensure sharper, clearer images
• 10 preset Scene Modes provide fully automatic exposure adjustments to make it possible to capture the best shot in a variety of settings: Full Auto, Portrait, Indoor, Beach and Snow, Cuisine, Portrait-Landscape, Landscape, Night Scene, Self Portrait, Movie.
• 5 preset white balance adjustment: Auto, Overcast, Sunlight, Tungsten, Fluorescent
• Exposure compensation: +/- 2 EV steps in 1/3EV steps
• Super macro mode of 3.5 inches
• Flash modes: auto, red-eye reduction, fill-in, and off
• Flash charging time of 5 seconds
• Self timer of up to 12 seconds

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on XD memory cards. The card's small size, about the same as a postage stamp, helps to keep the camera size down. The included 16 MB card will store approximately 16 images at 2272 x 1704 pixels (at HQ, JPEG setting) without sound. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1 connectivity.

Direct Printing
The D-590 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 D-590 is powered by a lithium-ion rechargeable battery (LI-12B). It measures 3.9 x 2.28 x 1.39 inches (WxHxD) and weighs just 4.3 ounces.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Olympus D-590 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, lithium-ion rechargeable battery (LI-12B), battery charger, wrist strap, USB cable, A/V cable, printed QuickStart guide and basic instruction manual, and CD-ROM with Camedia Master 1.0 software and PDF reference manual. ... Read more

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality prints up to 11 x 17
• 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom (12x total)
• 1.8-inch LCD visible even in bright sunlight; movie mode with sound
• Store images on XD Picture Cards; 16 MB memory card included
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery; connects via USB 1.1. to PCs and Macs

Amazon.com Review

Building on the success of the amateur range of Coolpix cameras, Nikon has introduced the Coolpix 5700 in an attempt to bridge the gap between the amateur and professional markets. This time around Nikon has gone for a semicompact feel, combining an almost palm-size unit with a powerful features one would expect to find on a high-specification midrange digital camera.

The swiveling, swing-out screen on the Coolpix 5700 makes it easier to frame self-portrait, overhead, and floor-level shots.

The Coolpix 5700 comes equipped with an automatic pop-up flash, plus a hot-shoe for additional flash units. The bundled NikonView 5 browser software makes it simple to download, organize, and print images. The package includes a lens cap, camera strap, 16 MB CompactFlash card, AV cable, USB cable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and battery charger. It is compatible with CompactFlash memory cards (Type I or II), as well as IBM Microdrives.

The 5700 allows the use of the viewfinder or the LCD monitor (which rotates through 180 degrees after it's opened out) for framing a picture, providing full freedom of movement and allowing you to capture a picture at any angle--no matter how obtuse. Zoom capability has been increased on the 5700, and the camera features an impressive 8x optical zoom, the results from which are good at all levels and distances. Supporting a maximum resolution of 2,560 x 1,920 (4.91 megapixels), an ISO range of 100 to 800, and a top shutter speed of 1/4,000, this camera is definitely a good all-rounder, providing you with great flexibility under different conditions.

The 5700 performs admirably, producing results way above expectation. Color balance is good, and the overall results are of a very high quality. We did have a middling complaint about its size, which actually feels a bit on the small size. With an extra couple of centimeters added to the bodywork, the 5700 would have felt much easier to handle and control in everyday usage. The position of the camera strap attachment also seems awkward, being as it is located on the upper right quadrant of the lens housing, making it sometimes difficult to gain a good grip when in use.

These criticisms aside, the Coolpix 5700 is bound to be another sure-fire hit for Nikon, balancing the huge 5-megapixel image size against a competitive pricepoint. For those not yet ready to move up to the professional level of 35mm digital SLRs such as the Nikon D100, the Coolpix 5700 proves to be a worthy alternative. --Elly Russell

Pros:

• Palm-sized 5-megapixel camera with a powerful feature set
• Includes sizeable 16 MB memory card--can accept IBM Microdrives
• 8x optical zoom

Cons:

• Could be slightly larger for easier handling

Features

• 5.0 megapixel sensor creates 2,560 x 1,920 images for prints at 11 x 14 and beyond
• 8x optical zoom and 4 x digital zoom for 32x total; provides an equivalent zoom range of 35mm-280mm in 35mm photography
• Includes 16 MB CompactFlash card; MicroDrive compatible
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
• Uses 1 rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL1 battery (included)

Reviews (93)

Nikon 5700, first 1000 pictures
I have owned this camera for 6 months and find its picture quality superb. The ability to preprogram for certain functions such as cloudy lighting, movie mode, and a third incandescent light ( you can program many other features easily yourself) all easily accessible through the turn of a dial, are wonderful to have. Accessing the macro function is also readily accessible. I mad 700 pictures in the Galapagos islands, and having 5 mega pixels to crop and enlarge to make great 8X10 pictures that are really wonderful. The movie function with sound is much better than my Nikon 880. the 8X zoom functioned well. Comparing my photos with those of my fellow travelers, I think the colors are more saturated and clearer.

Reading the instruction manual is important to use all the features of this camera. Battery life is shorter than I would like. Focusing when there is not much light and at times for close-ups is slow. Since I had read about this from others, I was prepared and accepted it. I have not tried manual focusing yet. Taking pictures of fast moving objects is possible, but difficult, as with most non-professional digital cameras. I enthusiastically recommend this camera.

Color Print Film is Dead
The 8x zoom and 5 megapixels finally lured me from film about 6 months ago. I am a nature/landscape photographer using medium and large format, and gave up my 35mm equipment a few years ago. I just came back from a month long trip to the Antarctic, and the prints I've made from the Nikon are sharp,in focus, and colorful. Plusses: very good lens, great zoom, excellent meter compensation for different light levels (think ice); good color balance; good beginner photo software;a heckuva lot lighter than a view camera. Minuses: shutter lag is annoying for action shots; forget the digital zoom; automatic preview gets in the way of repeated shots (can be overridden); buy an extra battery. Overall: This is a great little camera with the right mix of automatic features for the beginner, but with plenty of options to appeal to the more advanced (and particular) photographer. Put it on a tripod and it's awesome. Well worth the price premium over lesser offerings.

I love this camera to death
This is my second digital camera and it is the best. My mom has the 35mm Nikon and she loves it. Nikon is the best name in photagraphy and it shows. I just printed out my first photos and i am so impressed with the quality. I will never buy an other brand of cameras.

Fantastic Camera
As a novice shutterbug, a simple point & shoot digital was fine at first, but as I gained confidence, and became a little more serious, I found that I had quickly outgrown my Cannon A40. The Nikon 5700 seemed to be exactly what I needed, so I purchased one. To say I love the camera, would be an understatement! I'm still learning how to do what I want to, but being completely self-taught as far as photography, I understand there will be a learning curve. The features are supurb, without being overwhelming. While I'm sure the professional would consider it "not enough"... it more than suits my needs as my "hobby" grows. Perhaps one day, I'll want/need/be ready for a high end camera, but for under 1K, this one will definately help me develop my skills for quite some time!

One of the Best for the Price!
After reading these reviews I am starting to wonder if we are even discussing the same camera; people either love it or hate it. I am of the former persuasion: I really love this camera. No, it's not perfect, but all in all it is the best digital non-SLR machine I've ever used. First I'll discuss the things I'm not happy with; then I'll cover the features of which I am. After that section I'll address some of the complaints that I've read in some of the other reviews.

Let's get started:

What don't I like? I do wish the buttons on the side of the barrel were moved as they are a bit too easy to push by mistake, though once you get used to their location that sort of goes away. I also wish the tripod mount was directly in-line with the lens, not in the middle of the bottom of the case (though to be fair, that's the way it is with most cameras).

Nikon refers to the included 16 MB Compact Flash card (think of it as your digital film, if you aren't familiar with the digital camera world) as a "starter card"; and that unfortunately is true. 16 MB only holds 12 pics at 5 megapixels.. For the price of this instrument I strongly feel Nikon could include a larger capacity card; 64 MB or higher would be ideal but I'd settle for 32. Finally, it would be nice if the camera would accept other forms of media in addition to the compact flash or micro drive. However, this final observation isn't really a major complaint. It's more like a wish.

The things I love

Picture quality is first rate! The color and clarity of the pics are superb, as is the tolerance of slight hand shake. I've taken quite a few snaps where I've known I moved my hand a little at the last moment, and the pics came out razor sharp (not so with other cams). It has auto bracketing (it will take a series of shots that vary between a range you select for white balance/exposure, adjusting slightly between shots, and display the results with the data, allowing you to choose which is the most satisfying), best shot selector (you hold the shutter release button down and the 5700 takes a series of pics-up to 10-and saves the best focused to the card), image sharpening, noise reduction, and about a million other settings. It also allows you to save up to three sets of options or settings as "user settings", so you can recall the settings with just one menu choice, instead of resetting everything again.

One of my favorite features is the macro mode. You can take sharp amazing snaps up to 3 cm or 0.8". If any of you are interested in seeing a sample, send me an email.

The printed user guide is good; not great, but good. I haven't seen any that were better, and quite a few that were worse. You could buy a third party guide to the 5700, and they are usually worth the price, as they give you tips and lessons that the manual doesn't include. Also, the Nikon web site has a multimedia manual/lesson feature for the 5700, and it is a very good overview and covers the basics well. This is provided free of charge.

The case is metal, which makes it feel substantial and allows the quality of the build to come through. I don't feel that it is too small, in fact, it feels pretty much just right and I am rather ham-handed. I also love the fact the camera can save in the RAW format for use in programs such as Photoshop CS. Working with RAW images really opens the field of creativity.

Complaints Others Have Expressed
The most common seems to be the auto-focus at low light. I've not had any trouble at all with this feature. I've taken pics in pretty dim areas and the AF worked fine. I wonder if the folks who had problems had the selected the correct settings; a read of the manual could solve the apparent problems. In addition, you can turn the auto-focus off and use the manual (focus)

I've also read some have found the buttons confusing. Now here I feel I must get on my soapbox. "Prosumer" level cameras are called such and cost the amount they do because of the quality of the images as well as the user controlled settings/features/options. If you are going to spend the kind of cash these machines cost, then it only makes sense to devote some time to learning how everything works. Any camera at this level is similar, there are just too many options to be able to make everything appear when/where every single user expects them to.

I've taught enough people to know that some folks become very frustrated very quickly no matter what the subject. If this is you then I suggest you avoid the Coolpix 5700 or any of the other cameras at this level; you'll just drive yourself nuts. There are a number of good quality point and shoot models in the market and these will be a much better match. If you are one of the folks who enjoys learning new things and the challenge of such, then these types of cameras are great. In the case of the 5700 I found the menus quite intuitive; however, you do have to read the manual to get an overview of how the camera works.

Some people also complained about the battery life. I've not experienced any problems. In fact, I own dig cams from Kodak, Olympus, Pentax and Canon, and all operate about the same as the 5700. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Keep shooting picture after picture without worry of losing battery power with the Casio Exilim EX-Z40, which features a new imaging processor that saves on power and increases battery life. The 4-megapixel EX-Z40 also features a docking cradle for image transfer and battery charging, a quick start-up time of 1.6 seconds, an approximate 0.01-second release time lag, a 3x optical zoom, 2-inch LCD screen, 9.7 MB internal memory (compatibility with SD and MMC memory cards), and a movie mode with audio.

Optics and Resolution
The Exilim EX-Z40 has a 1/2.5-inch square pixel primary color CCD that captures up to 4 megapixels of detail (2304 x 1728). It also offers the following resolution modes: 2304 X 1536 (3:2), 1600 X 1200 (2MP), 1280 X 960 (1MP) 640 X 480 (VGA). The lens uses a three-segment telescoping mechanism that makes it possible to provide 3x optical zoom capabilities in an amazingly thin camera configuration. The Pentax aspherical lens (6 lenses in 5 groups) has a focal range of 5.8-17.4mm (equifalent to 35-105mm in 35mm photography).

Video and Audio
A multimedia multitasker, the Exilim EX-Z40 operates as a digital voice recorder in addition to capturing video with audio. The camera's movie mode records video in AVI (motion JPEG) format at 320 x 240 pixels and 15 frames per second (fps). The internal 9.7 MB memory can hold approximately 30 seconds of video or 40 minutes of audio recordings.

More Features
The Exilim EX-Z40 incorporates the Casio Exilim Engine, a newly developed compact image processing module with a 3-layer stack LSI that achieves high picture quality and speedy response using a 1.8V low-power system and makes the camera's compact dimensions possible. This camera has a battery life 2.5 times longer than the previous model (the EX-Z4), allowing up to 360 photos to be taken on a single charge.

Other features include:

• 2.0-inch digital interface TFT color LCD, 84,960 pixels (354 x 240)
• Best Shot mode provides sample images, allowing you to choose the photos you want
• 7-point multi-auto focus for automatic selection of the optimum focus point location
• Built-in flash with auto, flash on, flash off, and red-eye reduction modes (approximate range - 0.5 to 3.4 meters)
• Calendar function shows thumbnail images of photos on the day they were taken; World Time function lets you select one of 162 cities in 32 time zones as your home or destination time

Direct Printing
The Exilim EX-Z40 offers PictBridge functionality, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer without a PC or image-editing software. Images can be viewed and selected for printing right on the camera's LCD, with menus for print quantity, date, and index print.

Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored in the built-in 9.7 MB memory, or on optional Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards. The internal memory can store approximately 4 Fine and 6 Standard 4-megapixel images. A docking cradle is included with the Exilim EX-Z40, which charges the battery and transfers images to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1 connectivity.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included), which provides power for approximately 360 snapshots or approximately 5 hours of voice recording. It measures 3.43 x 2.24 x .91 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 4.27 ounces (excluding battery and accessories).

What's in the Box
This package includes the Exilim EX-Z40 digital camera, docking cradle, USB cable, AC adapter, lithium-ion rechargeable battery, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with image editing software. ... Read more

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor (2304 x 1728) captures enough detail to create photo-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• 3x optical zoom plus 4x digital zoom for 12x total
• Includes docking cradle for charging battery/connecting to PC; 2-inch LCD; long battery life
• 9.7 MB internal memory; compatible with Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery; connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

Reviews (18)

Great styling, okay picture quality
The Exilim EX-Z40 is a small wonder to look at and hold ... and to actually use. It's arguably the best-looking digital camera on the market today. One look at it and you'll want to buy one. The matching cradle is also just as "cute."

Picture-quality-wise, it's good, but not as good as Canon's offerings. There's a certain softness to the pictures it takes, and you cannot adjust the sharpness level like you can on many (admittedly larger) cameras. The 2" LCD is just totally wonderful, but does put on some drain on the dimunitive battery.

All in all, a pretty good package if a bit expensive. It's definitely something you can impress a lot of people with.

Love My Casio!
I love my Casio. This is the second digital camera that I have owned, my first being a Sony Mavica. The size on this camera makes it so convenient to bring anywhere. It is very easy to use, especially with the accompanying camera dock to upload your pictures to the computer. Battery lasts forever. I can't find a bad thing to say about the Casio Exilim.

Great Little Camara!
If your looking for a good, pocket type camara with a lot of features, look no more. This camara is great. I love the quality and the awesome size. The battery is great, it lasts for 360 shots! The controls are great to, and the LCD is huge. Its bigger than most camara LCDs. Is shoots great movies(for a digital camara) and it can also has a recording voice feature. I love all the shots i've taken, they are alot better than my previous camara(Konica Minolta XG). The camara has a good grip for such a compact camara. You can put it in your pocket and take it anywhere. If your looking for a small, take it anywhere camara, with good photo quality and long battery life this is the camara for you.

Poor Quality, worst under low light
We bought this camera thinking we could take nice pictures in night events, sports, etc, because it has multiple ISO and shutter speed settings.

But you can't control speed or exposure, and we can't have good night shots, unless it's just an scene.

I'd rather buy a Canon or Sony the same price, not this fancy but useless Casio.

Normally a canon lover, but this camera is AWESOME
I have been a Canon user all my life, and often recommend my customers to the Canon name (I work for a major electronics store in the camera department). So initially I was a little leary at purchasing a Casio camera... but I am not at all disappointed in the quality. Granted, I purchased it only two days ago, but I have taken over 70 pictures... and I am extremely impressed. The macro mode is phenominal, better then that of the Canon S400, allowing me to get practically on top of a flower with a clear picture. The other shooting modes on the camera are remarkable as well, even though I haven't had much of an oppurtunity to play with them. For instance, there is a sunset mode, which adds a reddish filter to the image, there is a portrait mode which blurs the background adding an effect to the subject, a landscape mode, and some other fun tools that allow you to take pictures of fireworks, to stitch yourself into a picture if there are only two people, and a black and white as well as sepia filter. The best part is the ease at accessing all of these modes.

Some of the best features I have seen from this camera are the battery, allowing the user to take over 300 pictures with one charge with the LCD running , the memory which by using SD allows the speed of taking pictures to be incredible, and of course, the lens quality which is made by Pentax . The actual size of the camera is what sets it apart from the rest- it's thin and compact, perfect for throwing into a shirt pocket, or a purse.

The only drawbacks I can see are the LCD in REALLY low light conditions tends to be a bit grainy, and the actual view finder itself is tough to use- especially for those who have vision problems- but since the camera is more or less designed to solely use the LCD, it works out. The only other recommendation I have is don't use the camera on normal mode- use it on fine if you want amazing quality pictures. Otherwise you may notice a grainy quality.

The bottom line is whether you are a new user, a novice, or a professional, you will be impressed with the sleek style and professional quality this camera has to offer. The average user will be impressed with the bonus features, and the person without a computer will be impressed with the editing abilities on the camera itself. I can not speak enough about this camera, its docking cradle, or the features it contains (if you couldn't tell). Its so intuitive- so user friendly, you have to wonder why other camera manufacturers haven't made it this easy. I am glad to see that Casio is getting back into the market, and the Exilim Z40 is definately a phenominal product. I hope if you purchase it, you enjoy it as much as I do. ... Read more

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• Fixed focus lens with 3x digital zoom
• High-resolution movie mode with sound; 6 scene modes; 4-shot burst mode
• Compatible with Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro media; includes 16 MB card
• Powered by 2 AA batteries (Included, optional NiMH rechargeables recommended); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 2.0

Reviews (10)

Best Camera Ever!!!!
No wonder its the best selling digital camera of the year. Sure you need a larger memory card and different batteries but all I did was buy some lithium batteries and they are still full powered and they arent that expensive! Its not like the memory cards are a million dollars so whats to complain? A great camera for under 200 dollars! Bonus: it is so hott!!

Excellent Value
The prints from this camera are as sharp as my Canon 35MM and I can carry it in my pocket. Excellent Value!

I absolutely LOVE this camera!!!
I previously owned a 3.1 MP camera by Sony that I honestly thought didn't take such great pics. So, I was wary about buying another Sony. I did some research on this one and found that it got a lot of positive feedback. I love taking pics wherever I go, so size was also a factor in choosing the right camera for me. You will be amazed at how tiny this camera is! The pictures look great and when I print them at home, they look as though I just picked them up at my local photo stop. They have different settings so you can choose just the right lighting and it even has a feature that allows you to take black & white photos. Please note that you need to buy an additional media card because at 4.1MP, the card it comes with only holds 8 pictures! It's very easy to use and definitely makes a great gift idea. Two of my friends have went on to purchase this camera and love it. Oh, as with any digital camera... make sure you invest in rechargeable batteries.

WOW!! $200 For a good looking 4MP Sony Digital Camera??!!
I should have bought this camera on Amazon instead of Circuit City's online site. Amazon doesn't tax you and will also give you a $25 coupon on some digital camera accessory purchases, and also if you buy $250 or more of electronics at Amazon, they'll give you a $50 certificate on your next purchase. So, if you buy this camera and then buy the SanDisk Memory Stick Pro (256MB for ~$60), you'll get that $50 certificate (act FAST!! offer ends AUGUST 1). With that $50 certificate, you can purchase those much needed rechargables on your next purchase, or go to Costco like me and buy that $20 Panasonic charger with 6 AA and 2AAA batteries in the package. Those batteries are good for digital cameras (2100 mAH). Not to bad for $20.

I've used this camera for about a month, and its going great. Decided to buy screen protectors for it (saw some at Radioshack for ~6.00), and also just purchased that SanDisk 256MB Memory Stick Pro. That'll store about 100+ pictures on 4MP. The camera does eat up a lot of batteries, so rechargables are a must. Quality is excellent, but the zoom is only pretty good. But hey, it's only $200 and what do you expect? My girlfriend has an Aiptek, and although their price on their products are ~100, the aiptek digital cameras can't shoot in low to no light conditions at all. This sony definitely can.

I also found a Minolta 4MP camera with opt. zoom for $220 at Amazon, but the appearance and size of it is not comparable to this Sony DSCP41. I'd pick this one even though it lacks the opt. zoom. Also, to the person that wrote about how this Sony digicam's lens is not protected, yah it isn't really that protected. Luckily the shutter comes on when it is not in use for about a min. or when you turn it off. Just not smudge the lens and clean it once in a while and it will be fine.

Batteries
I don't own this but was thinking about it... it says "The camera is powered by two AA batteries (alkalines included, NiMH rechargeables recommended). It measures 4 x 2.13 x 1.38 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 5.5 ounces without Memory Stick or batteries. "
Realize the word recomended after rechargeables... it says alkline included... so that would be your problem ... Read more

Features

• 2-megapixel digital camera with 1,600 x 1,200 resolution, 4x digital zoom
• 4,800 x 1,200 resolution on photo paper, 2,400 x 1,200 resolution on other paper
• Up to 20 ppm black and 14 ppm color print speed
• 16 MB internal memory with SD card slot
• USB 2.0 interface; Windows and Mac compatible

Amazon.com Review

The Nikon Coolpix 4300 packs a lot into its tiny frame: a 4-megapixel CCD, a 3x optical zoom (4x digital), and an excellent list of high-end features. It's also easy to grip and can be used entirely with one hand--for right-handers at least (as usual, southpaws will just have to get used to the design).

We were able to adjust the saturation, white balance, and noise reduction of our images even before taking a shot. The 1.5-inch LCD is smaller than average, but the bright and crisp panel was clearly visible in anything but direct sunlight.

The 4300's image quality duly impressed us--crisp, bright colors that stood up to 11-by-17-inch enlargements. You can also capture 40-second video clips, although they're silent movies. We appreciated the Best Shot Selector feature, which let us snap up to 10 quick pictures and then have the Nikon cull out the best one for us.

We were able to get over 90 minutes of use out of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery, although we had to remove it for recharging. This design works well for an optional backup battery; however, you'll need a fully-charged battery ready to go. Nikon includes a 16 MB CompactFlash card, but you'll want to upgrade early on--high-resolution images and video clips fill 16 MB rapidly.

One minor caveat: if we turned the camera on with the lens cap in place, the 4300 would flash a message telling us about it. Removing the lens cap didn't work, and we had to turn the camera off and back on to clear the message and get started.

For the price, the Coolpix 4300 delivers a lot of megapixels and excellent image quality. If you're planning on upgrading to a high-end digital camera, plan a stop right here. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Bright, crisp images
• High-end features
• Easy-to-hold design

Cons:

• Have to remove battery to recharge
• Lens cap irritation

Features

• 4.0 megapixel sensor creates 2,272 x 1,704 images for prints at 11 x 14 and beyond
• 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom for 12x total
• Included 16 MB CompactFlash card holds 16 images at normal setting and 2272 pixel resolution
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
• Uses 1 rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL1 battery (included)

Reviews (65)

Excellent Compact Digital Camera
I am a Nikon fan, and owned and used SLR Nikon FE, N50 and N90s for many many years.

Recently bought this Coolpix 4300 along with a 256MB ULTRA flash card ... As expected, I happily found that qualities of the picture are excellent with 3M-4M Pixel/FINE combos and many of the user-friendly functions are very similar to SLR models, and with added convenience of a digital camera that you can see pictures immediately. I particularly like the "TXT" file which records all the Control information for all the pictures you take...The compact digital camera is especially useful if you have little children around and you can always take the camera with you and take many pictures of them.

Try to buy a high capacity Ultra card, as it's 2X as faster as the regular CF card. Consider the time you save during picture taking (especially not missing a good moment) and during download, it's well worth the little extra money.

An extra rechargeable EN-EL1 battery.. is also handy, so you will seldom run into "out of battery" situation. Use the rechargeable because that saves you money and helps the environment in a long run.

One thing puzzles me is that for "FINE and 2200+" quality pictures, one Ultra 256MB CF card can only hold 130-140 pics, but the size of the pictures are only around 1.2MB, the math does not add up. I would expecct the card to hold over 200 pictures for size of 1.2 MB/per. Anybody can explain that?

A Nikon will make you happier and leave you lots of good memories, as always.

Pretty cool pics
Coming up to 1000 pics with this camera now and this Coolpix does the job. A slightly older design, but now down in price to compete with the newer kids on the block, so look out for the deals. Feeling feels solid in the hand with a pleasingly positive shutter button, it is slightly heavier than the competition which helps to steady your shot when you capture the moment.

In the 'green' all auto mode it produces pretty good results with a low button count. Switch to the scene mode (fireworks, sunset etc) and you don't have to worry about f-stops and apertures, your pictures will also benefit. There is also enough scope for the developing photographer to explore in the manual mode. Manual white balance, shutter speed and focussing are all here although there are only 2 true apertures from which to choose. So sit down, get a tripod and read the manual - the menus at times can be a little esoteric. Take some time to play at home and become familiar with the camera, it's well worth it.

Essential accessories:
- Battery - this camera does not take AA's so buy one or two 3 rd party batteries
- Compactflash cards - again 1 or 2 128MB (or larger) cards don't go crazy and get a huge 4GB CF - buy a couple of smaller cards rather than one large one - you will sit on one, drop one in a cup of tea one day, transfer regularly and you won't lose you precious pics
-Card reader - less than $10 for a PC card for your laptop or not much more for a USB reader - save your batteries and faster transfers

A day shooting about 120 pics will use up approximately one 128MB card and 1 battery (using LCD, shooting 4mp JPEGs etc) so don't get caught out, stock up!

Pros:

-Clean, sharp images that print nicely at 6x4" 5x7" size (4mp is more than enough for this and gives you a little leeway for cropping)
-Superb macro out of the box - very easy to get great results
-Not too button heavy - 'auto' modes yield good pictures without delving in the manual
-Uses cheap, readily available Compactflash media
-Feels solid and comfortable in the hand, heavier and less plasticky than Canon A70/80

Cons:

-Proprietory battery - not AA so you're stuck when you can't recharge you Li-ions, but 3rd party battery so far is cheap and running well
-Lens cap - it will get on your nerves
-Huge shutter lag (5-6 secs) when LCD is turned off good for saving battery, bad for catching the action

But go to a shop, pick it up, play with it then buy it on Amazon!

Good pictures, loud, slow, and a bit big.
Overall: Good for the price, and the quality Nikon optics.

But it is slower than I imagined - comparing it to other camers that use a different metering system with the "red light laser" thingy.

That plastic cap - I got use to it - don't worry about that.
The battery - I NEED ONE THAT LASTS LONGER!
The pictures - great 4mp quality with plenty of handy scene modes
The extras - I wnat to get a wide angle lens soon.

Stationed in Iraq......
and this camera is everything I wanted! Even more. Extremely easy to use right out of the box. Very durable......so far. Pictures are perfectly clear and easy to send to my wife via e-mail. Two drawbacks: Camera is a bit loud. Maybe because it's always focusing on objects. 16 mb card is a joke. Luckily, I have a thumb drive and I can download them to it. Anyway, if you're looking for a great camera at a reasonable price, go with the Nikon 4300.

good camera, but not terrific
I bought this camera one year ago and paid mid $300 for it. It did produce several nice pictures. But I'm disappointed with two facts. First of all, it's hard to get a good picture of moving subjects. Many pictures of my baby girl, when she is waving her hands or rolling over on the floor, are blurry. Second, I haven't gotten any good prints yet. All pictures look vivid on the computer but dull on the print. Maybe it's because I developed them at Sam's club. But it sucks if the only way to get good pix is to develop them at somewhere else at higher price.

I have read several good reviews of this product on this website and many others. I feel either those guys are smarter than me, or they just have relatively low expectation of digital cameras. I really hope that in the future when someone writes his enthusiastic reviews of this product, he can tell us whether he has experienced my problems, and if yes, how he solves them. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Like the very popular Dimage Xi, the Minolta Dimage Xt is a 3.2 megapixel camera, but with more versatile features and packaged in an even smaller body. The new design eliminates more than 5 percent from the size and nearly 8 percent from the weight of the Dimage Xi. The exclusive folded optical zoom system allowed Minolta to recreate the world's thinnest (as of April 2003) compact, planar digital camera with a 3x optical zoom.

Optics and Resolution

Minolta's folded optics provides a 3x optical zoom within its slim design.

Featuring a 3.2-megapixel CCD sensor, the Dimage E223 delivers image detail up to 2048 x 1536 pixels for print enlargements up to 11 x 14 inches. This revolutionary non-extending lens is responsible for maintaining the camera's 0.8-inch thin profile either while recording or when stored. The 3x optical zoom, equivalent to a 37-111mm lens on a 35mm camera, is assisted by a 4x digital zoom giving a seamless zoom range of 12x. The lens focuses down to 5.9 inches at all focal lengths for close-up photographs without having to use a separate function.

Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored on either Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards; a 16 MB SD card is included. Download image files to either a Mac or PC via USB connectivity, including any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Movie and Audio Modes
The Dimage Xt is not limited to recording still images. Video with audio can be captured at either 160 x 120 or 320 x 240 pixel resolution. The length of movie clips is only limited by the memory card capacity. The new Direct Video function allows the camera to be connected directly to a VHS or DVD recording deck.

The Dimage Xt can be used as a remote camera for video conferencing. Simply use the supplied USB cable to connect the camera to a computer with a Windows operating system and a compatible application such as Microsoft Windows Messenger.

The audio recording mode records up to 180 minutes of audio. Voice memo allows up to 15 seconds of audio to be attached to an image when it is captured. The audio-caption function can attach an audio track to any recorded still-image. The audio tracks can be played back in the camera.

The included base serves as both a recharging station and camera stand.

More Features
The Dimage Xt is a fast, responsive camera. It is ready to use approximately 1.1 seconds after turning it on. This is the fastest start-up time of any digital camera with an optical zoom (as of April 2003). The fluid playback performance only causes a slight 0.2 second delay between frames regardless of file size.

An improved e-mail copy function allows a still image to be copied and resized to 640 x 480 or 160 x 120 pixels so that it may be attached to an e-mail message or posted on the Internet.

The Dimage Xt's charger stand can recharge the battery while it is still in the camera. It can also charge a single spare battery by itself. The charger doubles as a camera stand for when the Dimage Xt is used for self-portraits, a remote camera, or when connected to a computer.

• 1.5-inch TFT (transreflective) LCD monitor.
• Built-in flash with autoflash, autoflash with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, night portrait, and flash cancel modes.
• Extended shutter-speed range controls the exposure from 4 seconds for night scenes to 1/1000th of a second for brilliant sunlit landscapes.
• Spot metering and spot AF allows you to meter or focus on a specific subject.
• Multi-segment metering and five-point AF make taking beautiful, sharp images simple.
• Exposure control from 4 seconds for scenes at night to 1/1000th of a second for brilliant sunlit landscapes

Features

• 3.2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• New design is smaller in size and lighter in weight than Dimage Xi
• Exclusive folded 3x optical zoom system with 4x digital zoom (for 12x total); movie mode (320 x 240) with sound
• Includes 16 MB Secure Digital card; also compatible with MMC cards
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery(NP-200, included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

Reviews (50)

Great little package
I just bought this camera to take with me to Harley-Davidson's 100year anniversary celebration in Milwaukee. I already had a Fuji Finepix 4700 digital camera, but wanted something smaller & easier to carry. I also chose the Dimage Xt because of it's 3X optical internal zoom which works with the Minolta Marine Case (MC-DG200). I also wanted to take the camera kayaking and underwater.

The Dimage Xt appears to have many features which I have yet to use. I found taking regular snapshots easy. However, changing settings was not as quick as on my Fuji. The small built in flash is not the best. Even group shots at night caused the shutter to be too slow and the resulting photos shakey. But we have to make compromises for the advantages that the size of this camera provides. Its so easy to slip into a pocket and have with you for those "non-Kodak moments". Quality of daylight photos were very good.

Overall, I recommend this camera to anyone who is looking for a pocket-size camera that will take sharp enough pictures for most purposes. Add the Marine Case if you want to turn it into a nice underwater digital camera that you can take down to 100 feet. Add an extra battery too. You'll need it.

All the right features, but picture quality could be better.
I looked at a lot of digital cameras before I bought this one. I chose the Dimage Xt because it was the only ultracompact under $300 with all the features I wanted.

Pros
-Ultracompact size. Take it anywhere you go.
-SD card. Small, plenty of memory for the money, acts like a hard drive when you connect to a computer.
-Quick startup. You won't miss many pictures with this camera.
-Docking station gives you the option of charging battery in-camera (my preference) or by itself.
-Auto white balance. This feature seems to work very well.
-Auto ISO (50-160), ISO 400 selectable.
-3X optical zoom. Amazing for a camera this size.
-3.2 MP.
-Night mode. Works very well as long as you keep the camera still. Almost a necessity with the inadequate flash.
-Makes movies and can be used as an audio recorder.
-Reasonable price given all the above features.
-Controls are easy to use and understand. In minutes, I was more comfortable with this camera than with my 2 year old, 1.3 MP, Olympus D-460.

Cons
-Picture quality could be better for a 3.2 MP camera. I think it must be the folded lens.
-Flash is underpowered and does not cover wide angles. Night mode makes a big difference, but you have to tell the subjects to be still for a couple seconds after the flash.
-Autofocus could be quicker. Results in out-of-focus shots if you rush. Take time to compose your shots.
-Easy to take a picture of your finger if you use your left hand to hold the camera steady.

Overall, I'm quite happy with this camera. The picture quality could be better, but the small size, features, and ease-of-use make up for it. I will probably get a more advanced camera in the future to take better pictures, but I will probably keep this camera to carry around.

I love mine, but a few warnings...
For me, the compact size of the camera was key. I also liked that all of the zoom was internal, leaving less possibility of problems with focusing and external zoom damage (e.g. getting sand in the camera if you take it to the beach).

I found that it stacked up nicely with others in it's price range; however, I would not recommend this camera for a 1st-time-digital-camera owner. The features and settings are in depth.

The major downfall of this camera, I think, is that with it's compact size it begs to be taken everywhere, but the camera does not come with a case. My screen is pretty scratched now, and I've had mine for about 6 months. I'm not rough on it, it just accumulates, and I'm noticing now that it seems to be from the positioning of the plastic part on the wrist strap. As a precaution I'd also get a case of some sort.

Great Camera, Easy to use!
Well, I know nothing about techology and I don't want to spend too much time on figuring out how to use a camera. This camera is perfect for me! I love it! I brought it for 2 months now, I am still loving it! The ONLY problem I had was the memory card that came with it.. it didn't work. I thought it was the camera problem, I was going to return the whole thing, but I brought another memory just to see if it was the camera problem or the card.. Thank god it was the card, not the camera. Besides that, everything else went well, nothing to complain about this camera, this is one good deal.

The Minolta Dimage...a handy camera
I bought the Dimage about 6 months ago. For the most part I have been very pleased with its performance. It is very easy to use....The controls and settings are very self explanatory and doesn't require a computer science degree to figure out. In fact, I didn't even open up the manual to learn how to use it. The construction quality is sound and seems to be pretty rugged. (Yes I have dropped it at least twice and it still works). The image quality is decent. On the TIFF mode, you can't beat it, but at other settings...well let me say I have seen better. I call it my "snap shot camera" I wouldn't use this camera if I were a professional.
I choose this camera primarily for its size. It is awesome! Put it in your jacket pocket and go. Its light and small. (almost too small if you have big hands) For those of you that remember the Kodak disc cameras...the Dimage is very similar in feel. For the "on the go" folks or outdoors types, I highly recommend this camera. If you are interested in "professional" or "artsy" photos...this is not the camera for you.

Here are the pros:
light, easy, decent quality shots, rugged (and it always seems to be a conversation piece because of its size, if that is impt to you). Battery life...I have taken a number of long weekend trips without difficulty. The battery does gripe a little when its cold out...but what battery doesn't.
Cons:
--the viewfinder..useless. Use the LCD--mayber for smaller hands it might be more useful, but the mits I have always block the lens when I bring the camera to my face.
--The Flash...works great in low or medium light...not great in very low light situations. The images come out blurry. If you plan on taking shots in darkness, take a pen light so the camera has something to focus on.
--Shutter delay...seems long. I have had to redo a number of pics because the subjects thought they had waited long enough and walked away mid-shot.

The true test would be to ask if I would buy this camera again? I would! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Canon's EOS-10D 6.3-megapixel digital SLR builds on the strengths of the award-winning EOS-D60 and offers a range of improvements to both the camera's design and its feature set. It offers a seven-point wide-area autofocus system, fast 3-frames-per-second burst rate, and an ergonomic, super-tough magnesium alloy body shell.

The 6.3-million effective pixel CMOS sensor--providing up to 3,072 x 2,048 pixels--is supported by Canon's unique high-power DIGital Imaging Core (DIGIC) processor. The speed at which the DIGIC processor works has allowed Canon to extend the number of full resolution images in burst sequences to nine, at a rate of 3 frames per second. As well as improved speed, DIGIC also helps produce more accurate color rendition while reducing image noise.

The metering system, using the newest metering algorithm available and a 35-zone evaluative metering system linked to all seven focus points, offers improved exposure consistency and stability. A range covering ISO 100 to 1,600 offers high-quality images across a very broad spectrum of shooting conditions. Photographers working in particularly poor light may also take advantage of an option to extend this range to ISO 3,200.

The EOS-10D is the first digital SLR camera to feature direct printing. Linking via a USB cable, you can make prints immediately from any of Canon's range of compatible bubble jet or CPprinters--including the S830D, S530D, and CP-100--without the need to connect to a computer. Controls within the camera's own menu system allow you to choose print quantity, size, and image cropping. When using Canon's card photo printer CP-100, with the optional battery pack, prints can be made in the field away from a power supply.

Other features include:

• Automatic selection of FAT16 or FAT32 file systems, to supportlarge-capacity CompactFlash Type I or II memory cards of over 2 GB storage size (such as Microdrives).
• 1.8-inch TFT (transreflective) LCD monitor with five brightness levels and 10x zoom.
• Super Intelligent Orientation Sensor detects whether the camera is being held in the portrait or landscape orientation when an image is captured, and automatically rotates the image in the camera's LCD preview screen and on a computer when downloading using Canon's ZoomBrowser software.
• Extended battery life providing approximately 650 images without flash or 500 images with 50 percent flash.
• Ability to save an image in RAW format even when it was shot in JPEG mode.

The EOS-10D comes complete with battery pack, compact singlebattery-charging unit, USB cable, video cable, the latest Canon software and Photoshop Elements. The EOS-10D accepts the same BP-511 battery pack, and the same BG-ED3 battery grip as the EOS-D60. ... Read more

Features

• 6.3-megapixel CMOS image sensor for images up to 3072 x 2048 pixels
• Magnesium body; can save images simultaneously in both RAW and JPEG formats
• 3 frames per second (fps) burst rate up to 9; Adobe RGB color space; 7-area AF sensor
• Compatible with CompactFlash Type I and II cards; no card included
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery (BP-511); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

Reviews (59)

Amazing camera, outstanding flexibility
The 10D is the camera I had been waiting for; the look and feel of a 35 with all the benefits of a digital camera. The camera feels great in your hands and produces outstanding results. It can be used as a point and shoot with little instruction and the creative modes and manual override settings allow you the freedom to take control of any shooting situation. The 9 shot drive mode is great for sports action. The camera even gets good battery life (approx. 500 shots w/half flash). I highly recommend a minimum of 128mb compact flash card for higher end photos as well as a tripod for optimal control. B/c the 10D is compatible with all EF lenses it's easy to pickup extra lenses at good prices. Extra batteries and other accessories are also available. Outstanding camera but still very hard to find and a bit pricey when you can find one.

canon eos 10 :affordable digital for serious photographers
I purchased my Canon eos 10d seven months ago after extensive reviews of available cameras that were affordable. Recent price drops have made this camera within the reach of serious amateur phtographers. I would never go back to film because the instant review of photos is a great learning tool, plus you can experiment with settings without paying for film or waiting for developing. Reading all the camera tests was great but there is no substitute for actual experience.
I have taken over 4000 photos of wildlife, mostly birds, plus quite a few landscapes. The quality of your work will depend a great deal on quality lenses, study of exposure theory and becoming familiar with the cameras features. If you just want to point and shoot, buy a less expesive camera. to get the best use you will need to use the customized features to adjust exposure. This camera will require manual focus in low light nature scenes and shots with lots of sky. It also will not function in autofocus mode when using the teleconvertor on a lens like the Canon 100-400L IS. This unit also tends to overexpose when taking landscapes with lots of light, requiring the use of built in exposure compesation or photoediting programs. Be prepared to spend time studying the manual or buying
an aftermarket book. With these reservations I highly reccomend this camera.

Not happy with this camera
I have owned a Canon TX and Canon 650 film cameras. I was always very happy with my Canon film cameras. I bought the 10d thinking that I was finally able to get a digital replacement for my old Canon film cameras.

I have now owned my 10d for over a year. The picture quality is only fair. It often selects ISO 100 and gives me fuzzy pictures. The white balance is extremely poor compared with the film cameras. The "full automatic" mode does a poor job of focus and white balance. The "creative" modes are similar to the film cameras but don't seem to work so very well. I am just having a terrible time trying to get the settings right to get good pictures! After a year of trying I am extremely frustrated with it.

Finally, the print pictures I get from it are _always_ too dark. It seems I need to post-process EVERY PICTURE in photoshop to get the gamut correct, or brighten/enhance/correct the photos to make them look right. Argh!

It's all probably user error, but I never had these problems with my old film cameras. If I could easily get PhotoCDs made I would go back to film immediately!

WOW!!!
This camera is everything I desired in a digital camera and so much more. While other kids played baseball and football I grew up with a Pentax MX strapped around my neck. Photography was and is my passion. This camera allows me the expression I always dreamed of. Combined with Adobe Photoshop, this is the best camera/darkroom setup I've ever worked with!

Mega happy
I've had my 10D for just over six months, taking mainly landscape/wildlife photos during that time. I moved up from a Minolta film SLR and chose the 10D in preference to Nikon due to my experiences with the Powershot S400 (compatability of menu systems, software etc) and in preference to the Digital Rebel due to build quality/feel and the slightly faster FPS and improved buffer (important to me when trying to photograph animals). I have a big trip to Alaska coming up where the camera will pay for itself with the savings in film/developing alone, never mind the instant feedback and convenience of not having to sort through 250 rolls of film when I get back.

Overall experience with the 10D is very positive with minimal/no shutter lag, great autofocus speed, and the SLR type features often missing such as depth of field preview, mirror lock up etc. If I have any issue with the camera it is the boot up time which seems like an age compared to simply turning on a film camera but isn't too unreasonable compared to other digital SLRs (the brand new Nikon being one of the few exceptions-at a price, mind).

Other reviewers here and on other sites have commented on the soft focussing. Never had an issue with it but I'm not shooting portraits of people but rather I'm normally using large depth of field.

Picture quality has been consistently excellent. Without trying to mess around with the white balance etc I find the color to be spot on and exposure is consistently where I expect it to be. The additional exposure latitude of digital over slide film really helps on difficult to catch contrasty outdoor scenes and the 10D does a great job of making the most of it (comparing it to point and shoot digital images really brings out the differences). I've printed numerous prints at 13"x19" on a Canon i9100 inkjet at home that are outstanding and exceed the quality that pro lab printed slides/negatives have achieved.

Unfortunately, I managed to get the dreaded "Error 99" message a few weeks ago. I use two new Canon lenses (28-135IS and 100-400IS) and a Sigma 12-24. Seeing other comments about non-Canon lenses causing the problem, I called Sigma who confirmed the 12-24 is software compliant and shouldn't be the issue. I called the Canon service hotline and after 20 seconds was actually speaking to a live body (amazing in this day and age). The technician ran through all the things that could be tried to fix it and confirmed that the camera needed to be sent in for repair. I mailed it on a Tuesday and received the camera back the following Wednesday (with the Memorial Day weekend in between) fully functioning, with a new shutter, updated software, and fully cleaned and running to factory specs. Outstanding service response and an experience to put a smile on my face.

Highly recommended accessories to get for the 10D: 1) a second battery (good power usage but I take way more shots than I used to on film and it's not good to run out while in the middle of nowhere); 2) some form of cover for the LCD screen (hoodman peel-on/off work great and help protect it from scratches). ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Featuring a high-tech design with aluminum front cover and metallic handgrip, the Canon PowerShot A70 combines a sense of both the modern and the traditional. Despite its entry-level designation in Canon's digital lineup, the 3.2-megapixel PowerShot A70 is a surprisingly advanced model with a higher resolution than its counterpart A60 model and more manual features than you'll find on most digital point-and-shoots.

Optics and Resolution
The PowerShot A70 features a 3.2-megapixel sensor that can capture images up to 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, producing print enlargements up to 11 by 14 inches. It's also equipped with a 3x optical zoom lens (35-105mm, f/2.8-4.8) to cover a wide selection of photographic opportunities, as well as a 3.2x digital zoom. The PowerShot A70 also features Canon's five-point AiAF (Artificial intelligence Auto Focus) system for focusing accuracy, shutter speeds of 15 to 1/2,000 second, and fast sequence shooting at a rate of 2.2 frames per second (fps).

Movie Mode
Shoot up to three minutes of MPEG video at resolutions up to 320 x 240 pixels with sound, editing controls, and VCR-like playback. You can also shoot video at up to VGA resolution (640 x 480) for 30 seconds. The camera can also attach voice memos or sound files of up to 60 seconds to each image.

More Features
Offering a wider scope for photographic experimentation, Canon has also included manual, aperture priority, and shutter priority exposure modes. These modes are supported by a metering system that boasts evaluative, center-weighted average and spot options. Canon's DIGIC (DIGital Imaging Core) processor ensures excellent color rendition and white balance for every shot, as well as super-fast auto focusing, noise-free imaging, and advanced flash exposure performance.

Other features include:

• 1.5-inch TFT (transreflective) LCD monitor.
• Built-in flash with auto, on, off, manual, and red-eye reduction modes.
• Shot modes include manual, portrait, landscape, night scene, stitch assist, and more.

Storage and Transfer
Images and video are stored on CompactFlash memory cards (Type I only) and the included 16 MB card holds approximately 16 images at the Large/Fine setting. Files can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98/Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Printing
Canon has introduced a series of printers designed to work directly with its lineup of digital cameras. Using these printers, no computer is required--simply connect the camera to the printer and start printing. Printers include Canon's bubble jet direct printers S830D and S530D, and card photo printer CP-100. Of course, photos from your camera can also be printed on any home computer system with an inkjet printer, sent off for online processing, or simply enjoyed on your computer screen.

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by four AA batteries (alkalines included; rechargeable NiMH batteries recommended). It measures 4.0 by 2.5 by 1.3 inches and weighs 7.6 ounces (without batteries). This package includes the PowerShot A70 digital camera, 16 MB CompactFlash card, four AA batteries, USB and AV cables, wrist strap, and ArcSoft Camera Suite CD-ROM and USB drivers for Windows and Mac. ... Read more

Features

• 3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• 3x optical zoom and 3.2x digital zoom (9.6x total)
• Up to 3 minutes of video with sound; manual, aperture and shutter priority exposure modes
• Compatible with CompactFlash Type I cards; 16 MB card included
• Powered by 4 AA batteries (alkalines included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

Reviews (208)

Only camera with full manual under 300!
Pro's
1. Excellent features like 3MP, Video out, AA batteries, movie w/sound etc.
2. Very competitively priced.
3. Manual features like long shutter and shutter/aperture priority mode.
4. Superb battery life, works even on normal alkaline AA's.
5.Uses standard & inexpensive CF card. (not stick or xd card).
6.Good LCD screen, very good ergonomics.

Con's
1. Its effectively 2 inches thick not 1.3, when you consider the battery compartment size.
2. Not pocketable, very heavy with 4 AA batteries and thick. (Canon didn't use just 2 AA's probably to protect their Elph line.)
3. AF assist is just a gimmick, doesn't help camera focus better. The weak beam reaches only a few feet.
4. Soft images and lot of time needed to auto-focus & also shutter lag.
5. Build quality and reliability isn't as good as Elph's (Elph's are made in Japan in Canon factories unlike A70/A60 which are outsourced).

In short, if you want manual features and can live with its weight/size then this is the best 3MP for your money. If size/pocketability/reliability is more imp than manual features then Elph series is much better.

Buy it! You won't be disappointed.
I purchased the Canon Powershot A70 in May in anticipation of using it on a trip to Europe. After researching several online photo equipment review sites and looking at the cameras in local retail stores, I decided on the A70. The facts that influenced my decision to purchase this camera were: size, weight, type of battery, ability to shoot in full automatic or with some level of manual control. The additional advantages this camera offered, were the ability to use rechargeble batteries and add a macro or telephoto lens.

The learning curve is very fast. I didn't have time to get very familiar with the camera before leaving, but it didn't take long to learn how to make adjustments. Digital cameras tend to be much smaller than film cameras and that affects their handling and controls. The menus are easy to access and once familiar can be changed quickly. At first I thought the words on the menus were difficult to read in the LCD but this became less of a problem with time and with my glasses on. In outdoor light all LCD's tend to be difficult to see but this is a very bright LCD and indoors is fantastic for viewing pictures.

The macro worked wonderful. If you are photographing a stationary object you could use the manual focus, but to photograph insects or anything that moves, use the autofocus in macro mode to get spectacular photos.

I used a battery recharger with 2 sets of 4 rechargeable AA batteries, so I always had a spare set. I used the LCD all the time and reviewed images at night of the day's photos, the batteries seemed to last forever. As long as you have a recharger with an adapter for European current, you can plug it in at night in a hotel room and be ready for the next day. The AA batteries can double in an emergency to power up your PDA with an adapter so you won't be carrying dead weight for only one device.

The 16MB compact flash that comes with the camera is best left home. Get a 512MB CF and you can put nearly 500 photos in L mode (2048 X 1536). You can add music or a memo to your photos. I added a music memo to a picture of a band playing 60 feet away and the camera recorded it flawlessly. This camera also has a movie mode with sound.

All controls are easy to access, the camera is well-balanced, and fast to turn on and off. Don't be fooled into thinking this camera is too big. Many of the new cameras are smaller, but they are not easy to get a grip on or hold with one hand without getting your fingers in the way of the lens.

Once you get your pictures home it is easy to view them. The camera comes with a cable to view them on a TV with video and audio inputs or you can upload them to your computer via a USB cable.

This camera is much more than it might appear and for a modest price it delivers.

A Bargain! Buy it while it's still available!
This is my first digital camera and I absolutely love it. I am a computer guy myself, so the basic come a little easier to me than others but even my wife (not so much the computer person) is able to use it without reserve and she prefers it better than our still camera.

The shooting modes are easily accessible on the top dial. You can switch from AUTO, to camcorder, to action shots within seconds. I can get 137 pix out of one 128mb card. The battery life is great. I DEFINITELY recommend rechargables!

There are a couple little *quirks* about it like the fact that there are two menus which can be a pain if you know you saw a feature somewhere but don't remember exactly which menu had it. Plus I can't figure out a way to get a date on the print. It may be there but then I'd have to read the manual :-)

Otherwise, you simply can't beat this camera for the price. Get it now before Canon phases it out. There are two newer models out there now so the clock is ticking!

better than expected! but off to the factory already!
i got this camera after being disappointed with the quality of my 3MP fuji finepix s5000. i did my homework and researched 3MP digital cameras for a few weeks. i noticed the A70 had the same advanced controls as the finepix s5000. it got good reviews from both professionals and casual users. so, i bought it and i have been VERY happy with this camera ever since.

my advice? READ THE MANUAL if you ever plan on doing more than pointing and shooting. even if you don't, read it anyway! this camera has a great feature set and you'd be wasting your hard earned money if you don't check it out. also, as always, spring for a bigger compact flash card (at least 128MB), rechargable batteries and a case. protect your investment!

PROS:
* takes excellent 3MP photos (color is cool and images are sharp). isn't this what digital photography is all about?
* advanced features are great! it's a great point and shoot camera, but also has tons of advanced features for those wanting more control; white balance, shutter speed, aperature, ISO, and many, many more!
* movie feature is kinda cool. with sound, too!
* fairly small and feels comfortable in your hand. controls are where they should be.
* menu is easy to understand.
* battery life seems to be pretty good (i use rechargables).

CONS:
* LCD on back of camera scratches very easily. don't remove the protective cover, or buy one on ebay. people actually sell these things. :)
* LCD gets a pink hue to it when i am in daylight, taking photos. the LCD is hard to see in daylight. try using the viewfinder. though the optical viewfinder isn't exactly what you'll see when you transfer to your 'puter, but it's close enough.
* time between photos could be better.

overall, a SUPER camera! i just hope i don't get the dreaded "E18" error!

7.12.04
well, it's off to the factory already for repairs. it's been a little over a month since i bought the A70 and it's already got problems. pink streaking on the LCD and although it doesn't show up in the pictures, it does show up on the video. i am so scared of sending this thing to the canon factory to be worked on 'cause i have heard so many stories about their horrible customer service. oh well, here goes...

Great camera, especially for the learner
I've long believed that the only way to become good at photography is to keep experimenting and the move to digital allowed me to indulge in my hobby without worrying about consuming film on failed photographs. I have found the A70, with its impressive list of manual controls, perfect for the job. Its pictures are sharp and clear and uploading them to the computer is a piece of cake.

Its wide range of shutter speeds and apertures allows for a lot of experimentation, especially with low light and night shots. I've come up with some night shots and macros that I've been quite proud of. I also have a three year old and as anyone with kids knows, they never have the time to pose for a photograph. So for such moments when there isn't enough time to fiddle around with the settings, the preset modes like portrait, shutter priority, etc. work real well. The batteries last quite long(I've taken about 200 shots, most of them with the LCD on, with one set) and with 2 sets of rechargeables, I make sure I'm never without a fresh set.

The reduction of 1 star is due to the E18 error I've gotten several times. And apparently it is quite prevalent if the forums are to be believed. Though its never affected my photographs(since it occurs only when shutting down or turning the camera on in play mode), it is quite annoying and scary.

Overall, I love my A70 and never leave the house without it! ... Read more

Features

• 5.1-megapixel resolution for photo-quality 11 x 14-plus sized enlargements
• Olympus 4x wide-angle optical zoom lens to capture more of the scene
• Fully adjustable LCD monitor swivels for forward and rear viewpoints and easily tucks away to protect the screen when not in use
• Store images on either xD-Picture Card or CompactFlash memory card; comes with a 32 MB xD-Picture Card
• Powered by a BLM-1 Lithium-ion Battery(included with charger)

Reviews (26)

Point and shoot or take charge--your choice
Before buying this camera I seriously considered the Sony DSCV1. My daughter has the Sony DSCP10, and it seemed a good idea to share accessories. However, research made me decide that the Sony had serious problems--short battery use in the camera (with a battery that sometimes wouldn't hold too many recharges) and a viewscreen that sometimes conked out the minute the warranty (90 days for this part) was up.

I chose the Olympus C5060 because the lens is approximately equivalent to the Sony DSCV1 and most of the other high-end lenses out there for this type of camera. Not as bright as the renowned C5050, but respectable. I've used Olympus 35mm cameras, (and a very early digital) and I personally have liked them very much--they just feel right in my hands. This particular model has a mostly-metal (lightweight magnesium) body, which feels quite sturdy.

Good stuff:

1. Batteries are the same as for the digital SLR camera--good for a lot of shots (about 400-600 in "normal" conditions) between charges.

2. You can personalize nearly all camera settings, from power-up to viewing, to shooting, to power-down. "My Mode" allows you to save special photo settings that you use frequently--flip to it, and everything is the way you like it. Manual, AP and SP modes, too. And the P setting allows point-and-shoot no-brain photography.

3. While too chubby to be pocket-sized, the camera is compact and lightweight.

4. Dual slots for media storage--Olympus proprietary and generic CF. You can switch between them and use them both.

5. Quick shutter response time--almost like a film camera!

6. LCD viewscreen turns in against the camera back when not in use--nice protection feature.

Bad stuff:

1. Long charge time (6 hours--i.e. overnight) for that long-life battery. I can live with it... A second battery runs about $100.00, by the way. This is a heavy-duty item!

2. Lens tube is plastic--probably identical in construction to all C series cameras. (There's a metal rim so that plastic isn't exposed when the camera is closed--except for the lens cap.)

3. No 5050 lens, alas... Will we ever see 1.8 again?

All in all, I'm glad I got this camera instead of my original choice.

Proprietary batteries a bad choice
Most disappointed with the choice that Olympus made to go with proprietary batteries in most of their new C series digital cameras. Love their cameras and matter of fact have bought three C-5050 zooms this year for myself and family. However, there is nothing worse than having the batteries go dead on you and there is no way to recharge the batteries. With the C5050 Zoom camera it comes with rechargeable AA batteries , but in a pinch if they run down you can always use any AA battery at your local 7-11 store. One of my biggest bragging points and reasons for buying Olympus has been their choice not to use proprietary batteries, but now I am sad to say I have bought my last Olympus unless they rethink this. I know the proprietary batteries that comes with the C-5060 Zoom has a tiny bit more power and you can get a few more shots than with the rechargeable AA batteries that comes with the C-5050 Zoom, but Olympus did not do this for that very small gain. Olympus was thinking profits and only profits and they know this camera is almost worthless with one battery. They know most people will have to purchase a second "extremely over prices" proprietary battery and that means big bucks. Sometimes I just don't get corporate America. I understanding wanting more profits, but they need to calculate in how many customers they will lose doing it.

Great!
PROS: Great Images Can be obtained from this camera. Color & the like.Batt. life has been great even with a full night of flash use. Almost every command has a shortcut or a button on the cameramaking it a blast to use. Support for 3 types of Memory CF, XD, Or MD (Hint: 340MB MDs DO work in this ca) Wide array of add ons. Works great MACs with OSX and above. Iphoto will read the camera like a dream. With the dual slots for cards/MD you can switch on the fly between the two and that means you can have loads of memory! PhotoShop CS support for the RAW format. No plugin needed! The camera is not lite but not going to make your arm fall off. That's what I love about it. It feels like a camera and not a toy (EX. Cannons EOS digi) CONS:Save your money and get a good TTL flash for this camera and/or the bracket with a HS link cable. The flash on the camera is not in the worst place but I have found red eye and other flash points to be a bit of a trouble.Get more lens sets. You do have to buy a tube to make them work but it's not all that big of a deal. They also make aftermarket lens sets in a vast range of sizes. (Big Deal you have to buy lens sets and items for film cameras to0.) Also it will take a while for you to learn everything about the camera because the manual is not very well. In short I love my 5060 and have loads of great photos! My friend bought bought the finepix and it stoped working after 2 months! Mine is going strong without a problem!

Charger problem solved
Just for information to the people who bought the c 5060 recently like I did and reported the problem with the charger's blinking red light when first charged out of the box. I had the same problem but went ahead and fully charged the battery overnight despite the instructions saying to call customer support. The battery was fully charged in the morning, the indicator light was green, and have not had a problem since. What happened I think is the battery came from the supplier uncharged so the first time it is charged it takes a long time (I left it overnight probably 10 hours) and red indicator light is blinking.

Another DOA
Just like the other reviewer from Texas, out-of-the-box the battery/charger have a problem. I'm sure this is a good camera if I ever get to use it.
The charger flashes red after about 2 minutes of charging. The instructions say to immediately call Olympus support. Which I did and after about 15 minutes on hold, I'm told I can either return the camera or mail in the charger and battery. I'm mailing the charger/battery - so I'm guessing I'm out of a camera for a couple of weeks.
When two people take the time to report the same problem within 2 months, I think Olympus has a serious problem with a supplier. ... Read more

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

• 4-megapixel resolution for photo-quality 11 x 14-sized enlargements
• 3x optical zoom lens; audio playback and voice recording
• 2-inch color LCD screen; 0.01-second shutter lag; built-in lens cover
• Store images in either 10 MB built-in memory or on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (memory card not included)
• Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included with USB docking/recharging station)

Reviews (52)

GREAT camera for casual photographers...
What I mean is.. this camera works GREAT for people like me who just want to take pictures at family events and parties, not for people who are heavy in to photography and want alot of control over their camera.

This camera is tiny (about the size of a credit card, but 1/2" thick) so it fits easily in to a jeans pocket or coat pocket. It's incredibly easy to transport. It's also incredibly easy to operate! It turns on super quick, you flick the switch to picture taking mode and hit a button. There aren't 20 million buttons and switches on this camera, so even a novice like me can easily operate it.

It has some faults - the zoom feature takes HORRIBLE pictures - so don't use it! It also doesn't take very good movies. But for taking pictures at family events, or taking pictures of a new baby, or new puppy (in my case!) it works GREAT. I absolutely adore this camera and I use it all the time! I highly recommend it as a camera for digital camera dummies like myself!

Everything I expected
I've had the camera about 1 week now and love it. So many features /and controls you've got to read the manual to use/understand them all! I doubt anyone will use them all but it's nice to know they are there. The camera is very easy to personalize if you like. Takes GREAT pictures (digital zoom is basically worthless although it is on most cameras). Most liked features: Small size, large 2"sreen, very versital. Dislikes: only one so far... it is too easy to "format" your memory card by accident(which erases all pictures on the card even if they are protected). It should require more than one push of a button to do this. I wrote to Casio suggesting a prompt "Are You Sure?". This has happened twice... once by me learning the camera and once by someone familar with digitals checking out the camera. So be careful! Oh and it should come with a case! Not having movie capability was not important to me. Only improvement I'd like to see is ability to direct connect to TV for viewing of pictures on-screen (my daughters Olympus has that feature!)

Handy product with big LCD, but NO VIDEO RECORDING
I bought this product from Amazon which at the time still adverticed video capability as well, which this product is really lacking. As I was only visiting US soil at the time, the offering from Amazon to return the product was not applicable.

Otherwise the product has proven to be handy - but this lack of camcorder feature is really a handicap.

It's a good camera!
This camera is a great camera. The only bad thing is the zoom... it's blurry. But I love it. And I don't leave my house without it.

Great value - recommended
Couldn't disagree more with some of the other reviews. We bought this camera as our second digital on the recommendation of the salesman at the local Apple store. We went to buy another Nikon Coolpix for my wife, but the size and quality of this camera blew us away. I have taken hundreds of photos in the last month or two - indoor and outdoor weddings, museums, family trips, professional shots for websites, etc. Indoor photos are great, if you remember the basics of flash photography (film or digital) e.g. long distance + small flash = crappy picture (No surprise here.) One of the best tricks to use is to turn the auto flash off indoors. You'll be amazed at how good the shots come out using ambient light.

The only two criticisms we can think of are the digital zoom is not much use, but that's true for about all the other digital cameras I've used. The other is that manual does not describe the Movie record function that is advertised. But hey, if it's that important, buy a camcorder.

Do yourself a favor and buy a 256MB SD card at Costco, Staples or Office Max for ~$60 and you'll be happy. This camera fits in a pocket or purse (even an evening bag), battery has great life, photos are great - can't ask for much more, especially at this price.

Highly Recommended!!!! ... Read more

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