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Olympus C-50 Zoom Olympus packs a 5.0-megapixel CCD into an ultra-compact body, with a host of advanced features too. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet C50 Photo Gallery! C50 Sample 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 C50 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Design :(Previous) | (Next): Optics>> Page 4:Viewfinder Review First Posted: 11/26/2002

Viewfinder
The C-50 Zoom features a real-image optical viewfinder as well as a rear panel, 1.5-inch, TFT color LCD screen for composing images. The optical viewfinder zooms along with the lens, but doesn't reflect any digital zoom, which requires the LCD monitor to be active. A set of black cross hairs in the center of the view marks the autofocus and autoexposure target area. Though it doesn't have a diopter adjustment dial, the C-50's optical viewfinder has a fairly high eyepoint, making it possible to see essentially all of the frame while wearing eyeglasses. Two LED lamps directly to the right of the viewfinder indicate autofocus and flash status. The C-50's optical viewfinder proved to be somewhat tight in my testing, showing approximately 84 percent of the final image area.

The C-50's LCD monitor is controlled by the Display button located just off its upper right corner. Pressing the button simply turns the main LCD display on or off, but doesn't affect the information display, which is always present. A detailed information readout highlights a number of exposure settings, including the currently selected f/stop, shutter speed, and exposure compensation adjustments across the top of the screen. In Aperture and Shutter Priority modes, the chosen aperture or shutter speed appears as a constant, while the second, automatically determined exposure value updates continuously to respond to changes in the subject or lighting. The Manual mode displays the selected f/stop and shutter speed values together, while the exposure compensation value reports when a setting is over- or underexposed by glowing red. In my testing, I found the LCD's viewfinder display fairly accurate, showing about 97 percent of the final image area. (Great performance, since I like to see LCD monitors as close to 100 percent accuracy as possible.)

When using the LCD monitor to review captured images, you can zoom in on displayed images and then scroll around the enlarged image using the arrow buttons. This is extremely handy for checking focus, small details, or precise framing. There's also an Index display option, which shows either four, nine, or 16 thumbnail-sized images at a time. A very handy "quick view" function lets you check the last picture taken in Record mode by pressing the Display button twice in quick succession. The image will remain displayed on the LCD until you revert back to Record mode by pressing the Display button again, or by half-pressing the Shutter button.