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Olympus C-3030 Olympus extends their high-end compact to 3.3 megapixels, adds sound to its movies! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet C-3030 Test Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on C-3030 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Executive Overview :(Previous) | (Next): Viewfinder>> Page 3:Design Review First Posted: 5/18/2000

Design
With the C-3030 Zoom, Olympus has kept the familiar lightweight, compact styling of earlier models in the line, but this time with an all black facade. In fact, it incorporates all the features of the C-2020 Zoom, but now with a 3.3 megapixel CCD and sound recording capability (not to mention a wider array of image resolution sizes). The very rugged plastic body gives the camera a low weight of 10.6 ounces (300.5g). Dimension-wise, the camera measures 4.3 x 3.0 x 2.6 inches (107.5 x 76.4 x 66.4mm), so it's easily stashed in a coat pocket or purse. Overall, the design is almost identical to the C-2020 Zoom, with the sole exceptions of a larger handgrip area and a much easier to operate battery compartment lid.

Aside from the monotone body, the C-3030 doesn't look too different from the previous C-2020. The front of the camera is relatively clean, featuring the telescoping lens, built-in flash, optical viewfinder front and the remote control infrared sensor. When fully retracted, the lens only adds about a quarter of an inch protrusion beyond the handgrip to the front of the camera. When the camera is turned on, the lens comes out of hiding and likewise retracts when the camera is switched off. A minor gripe here is that the lens is protected by a removable lens cap that doesn't have a tether or any place to attach one. While this isn't a big deal, lens caps have a habit of disappearing, so we like to see designs that either omit them, or provide some sort of tether.

We're glad to see the continuance of the hefty handgrip on the side of the camera which holds the SmartMedia slot (beneath a snug plastic cover that snaps tightly into place). As noted above, the handgrip on the C-3030 Zoom is a little larger than that on the earlier 2020, making for a bit more secure grip.

On the opposite side of the camera are the digital, AC and video input jacks, also protected by a snug plastic cover. The dioptric adjustment dial for the optical viewfinder and the external flash sync connector (notably, not a standard "PC" sync connector) are also on this side of the camera. Users will want to be careful with the flash sync cover, as it's tiny and can be easily lost.

Up top is a small information display panel, the mode dial, shutter release button and zoom control. The small information display reports many of the camera's exposure settings, but you still need to rely on the LCD for exposure compensation adjustments, aperture, and shutter settings. (Note to Olympus: Black & White readouts are cheap, both in terms of materials cost and battery power: We'd really like to see you make more use of them for routine operating controls!)

Most of the controls are on the back panel of the camera with the LCD monitor in the center. The flash and macro controls, arrow keys, manual focus, display and menu buttons live back here. There's also a small, red LED on the side closest to the SmartMedia slot that lets you know when the card is in use (and therefore not to open the slot).

Both the locking battery compartment and plastic tripod mount are located on the bottom of the camera. Unfortunately, they are too close to each other to allow quick battery changes when the camera is mounted on a tripod. Frankly though, we don't know how Olympus could have gotten around that problem on this model, as the bottom of the camera body isn't wide enough to allow any leeway in this area and at the same time keep the tripod mount centrally located. We are glad to report that the battery compartment is now much easier to open than the previous design, as you just slide the lock and push the compartment door outwards as it flips open. (The previous model really required both hands to get it open without dropping the camera). A minor quibble on this part of the camera: The C-3030 Zoom uses a plastic tripod socket, albeit a replaceable one. Metal tripod sockets are the exception rather than the rule, but we really like the added durability that metal provides. Accordingly, we try to mention the tripod socket material in our reviews, as an encouragement to digicam makers to use metal more frequently.
We're also glad to see the return of the small infrared remote control which lets you trip the shutter, operate the zoom lens and scroll through recorded images in Playback mode. We really enjoyed this feature and the amount of freedom it gives. (We make continual use of the IR remote on our C-2020 Zoom in all our studio shooting: It's incredibly handy!)