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Olympus C-5060 Wide Zoom Olympus makes a strong update to the top of their prosumer lineup Select a topic Reference: Datasheet C-5060 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 C-5060 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index (Next): Executive Overview>> Page 1:Intro and Highlights Review First Posted: 11/21/2003

	*	Five-megapixel sensor, delivering 2,592 x 1,944-pixel images
	*	Super wide angle lens, with 4x optical zoom, equivalent to a 27-110mm lens on a 35mm camera
	*	Enhanced histogram function for better exposures
	*	Bulb shutter setting for long exposures
	*	Accepts xD-Picture Card and CompactFlash memory card formats

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Manufacturer Overview

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The Olympus C-5060 Wide Zoom digital camera is the latest in a long line of Olympus Camedia models stretching back to the earliest days of the consumer digicam industry. Olympus is one of the truly dominant players in the digicam marketplace, with a current product line that ranges from bare-bones entry level models like the D-390 to their "from the ground up" all-digital SLR, the E-1.

With the Camedia C-5060 Wide Zoom, Olympus has improved upon the recent Camedia C-5050 Zoom model just slightly (an outstanding digicam in its own right), by incorporating a 4x, super wide angle lens. The C-5060's tilting LCD monitor offers more angles than the previous C-5050, and the camera's histogram feature has been enhanced for better exposure control as well. The C-5060 Wide Zoom now supports CompactFlash and xD-Picture Card recording media formats. (While the previous C-5050 Zoom also supported SmartMedia on top of these, Olympus dropped SmartMedia in the C-5060 due to its 128 MB capacity limit and reduced usage in the marketplace.) Like the C-5050 Zoom, the C-5060 Wide Zoom also features a RAW data mode, and the ability to extract JPEG images with adjusted image parameters from RAW files in the camera, as well as all of the extensive exposure control that I so enjoyed on the C-5050 model.

The Olympus C-5060 Wide Zoom is clearly one of the leaders in the new generation of five-megapixel "prosumer" digital cameras intended for the advanced amateur and professional market. Aggressively priced at just under $700 as of its introduction, the Camedia 5060 delivers uninterpolated images as large as 2,592 x 1,944 pixels, which when combined with Olympus' new noise reduction technology and "optimum image enlargement" function, can produce quality prints as large as 16 x 20 inches.

All in all, the Olympus C-5060 Wide Zoom is an impressive package of picture-taking technology, well deserving of serious consideration by anyone looking for a capable "enthusiast" camera in the 5-megapixel category.


High Points

• 5.1-megapixel CCD delivering up to 2,592 x 1,944-pixel resolution images (3,264 x 2,448 pixels with Optimum Image Enlargement interpolation).
• 1.8-inch, color LCD display that tilts 180 degrees upward and swivels 180 degrees around.
• Olympus 4x, 5.7 - 22.8mm, f2.8 - f/8.0 zoom lens (equivalent to a 27-110mm lens on a 35mm camera).
• 3.5x Digital Zoom.
• Manual, Auto (iESP), Spot, and Selective Spot Auto Focus control, with AF assist light for low-light shooting.
• Shutter speeds from 1/4,000 to 16 seconds, with a Bulb setting. (Shutter speeds higher than 1/2,000 are only available when the lens aperture is set to f/8 though.)
• Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual exposure modes, plus five preset Scene modes.
• My Mode for saving custom user settings.
• Spot, Multi-Spot, or ESP multi-patterned metering systems.
• Adjustable sensitivity with an Auto setting and 64, 100, 200, and 400 ISO equivalents.
• Auto Bracketing, Sequence Shooting, Panoramic, and "2-in-1" capture modes.
• Adjustable White Balance with 11 settings, plus a WB color adjustment function.
• Built-in flash with four operating modes, three Slow Sync modes.
• External flash hot-shoe accepts generic strobes as well as dedicated Olympus units.
• Optional "single-pop" flash mode for use with external slave flash units.
• Noise Reduction for improved image quality on long exposures.
• Optional autofocus-assist illuminator.
• Live histogram display option.
• Image sharpness, saturation, and contrast adjustments.
• Black-and-White, Sepia, White Board, and Black Board capture modes.
• QuickTime Movie mode with sound, and Voice Caption mode.
• Compatible with optional infrared remote control.
• JPEG, uncompressed TIFF, and RAW file formats.
• Images saved to either CompactFlash or xD-Picture Card memory cards (32MB xD-Picture Card included in the box in the US).
• USB Auto-Connect for fast image download.
• Video cable for connecting to a television set.
• Software CD with Olympus' Camedia Master utility software (includes QuickTime and USB drivers).
• DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatibility and print settings.
• Power from a single lithium-ion battery pack or optional AC adapter (battery and charger included).