Olympus C-4000 ZoomOlympus introduces a top-of-the-line four-megapixel model with superb *configurability* great image quality, and an impressively low price.<<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, SoftwareReview First Posted: 8/27/2002 |
Video Out
The
C-4000 Zoom has a Video Out port that supports the NTSC timing format. (PAL
systems are available for European customers.) The video output can be used
for reviewing previously captured images and movies, or running slide shows
from the camera. It also shows all of the LCD menu screens, as well as the preview
display from the LCD viewfinder.
Power
The
C-4000 Zoom is powered by two CR-V3 lithium battery packs, four AA batteries
(alkaline, lithium, NiMH, or NiCd), or by an optional AC adapter that can significantly
extend battery life if you're doing a lot of downloads on the computer or working
in a studio environment.
|
|
(@ 6.8 v) |
(Four 1600 mAh NiMH AA cells) |
| Capture Mode, w/LCD |
|
132 |
| Capture Mode, no LCD |
|
90 hours (!) |
| Half-pressed shutter w/LCD |
|
132 |
| Half-pressed w/o LCD |
|
207 |
| Memory Write (transient) |
|
|
| Flash Recharge (transient) |
|
|
| Image Playback |
|
213 |
Like other Olympus cameras I've tested, the C-4000 Zoom is fairly conservative in its use of battery power. You should be able to get at least two hours of continuous operating time out of a freshly charged set of high-capacity NiMH AA cells, even with the LCD enabled. Even running in the absolute worst case operating mode, with both LCD and continuous autofocus operation, you should get a good hour and a half The biggest news with Olympus cameras though, is that they consume almost no power when the LCD is turned off and they're just waiting for the next picture. I've always felt this was a great feature, since it means you can comfortably leave the camera turned on and ready to go all day long, without worrying about draining the batteries. Being able to snap a photo in just a couple of seconds, rather than 7 or 8 seconds (as required when starting up from a power-off condition) could mean the difference between getting that once-in-a-lifetime vacation shot or missing it entirely.
Even though it's fairly conservative in its battery usage, the C-4000 Zoom really does need high-capacity rechargeable NiMH AA cells to be happy. Do yourself a favor and buy two or three sets and a good charger to go with them. Keep at least one set fully charged in addition to the one that's in the camera at all times. (Murphy's law says that your batteries will run out the moment the best shot of the day appears.) You can read my Great Battery Shootout article for the latest rundown on which batteries are the best, and/or read my review of my favorite battery charger, the Maha C-204F.
Included Software
The C-4000 Zoom comes with a nice complement of software on the supplied CD. Direct camera control and image downloading are provided by Olympus' Camedia Master software package (Version 4.0) for both Mac and Windows platforms (Macintosh OS 8.6 and higher, Windows 98v2/Me/2000 Pro). USB drivers for both platforms and an Apple QuickTime reader are also included.
Camedia Master lets you download and organize images, as well as perform minor image correction and enhancement functions (such as adjusting contrast, sharpness, and color balance). For panoramic images, Camedia Master supplies a "stitching" utility to piece together shots vertically or horizontally. A complete printing utility works with the DPOF settings and lets you print images directly to Olympus or other DPOF-compliant photo printers.
In the Box
The following items are included in the box:
- C-4000 Zoom digital camera
- 16MB SmartMedia card
- Two CR-V3 lithium battery packs
- USB cable
- NTSC video cable
- Camedia Master 4.0 software CD-ROM
- Neck strap
- Lens cap with tether strap
- User manuals and registration card
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