Olympus C-700 Ultra ZoomOlympus packs a 10x zoom lens into an amazingly small body, for an amazingly low price.(Next): Executive Overview>> Page 1:Intro and HighlightsReview First Posted: 5/31/2001 |
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2 megapixel resolution for 1600x1200 images |
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10x zoom lens |
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Surprisingly compact body for a long-zoom camera |
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Inexpensive for a long-zoom camera |
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Manufacturer Overview
For several years now, Olympus has been a dominant player in the digicam marketplace. It boasts one of the broadest digital camera lineups in the industry, with numerous models ranging from pure entry-level, point-and-shoot digicams to the incredible E-10 SLR. With the Camedia C-3040 Zoom, Olympus updated its former top-of-the-line 3-megapixel design, the Camedia C-3030, incorporating some user interface enhancements and a new, very "fast" lens (f/1.8 at wide angle). Changes to the camera's electronics also provide improved color rendition and better low-light performance.
The C-700 represents a new benchmark in compact digital SLR style cameras. It's the smallest 10x optical zoom camera we've reviewed to date (May 2001), no larger or heavier than its 3x zoom counterparts. It offers a much broader range of exposure controls, with three fully automatic settings, four manual modes, QuickTime movie capabilities, panoramic stitching, and a continuous shooting function. The most notable advancement, however, is in the enhanced user interface, which can be individually customized to meet the photographer's special needs. With an expected street price of less than $600, the C-700 definitely deserves consideration if you're looking for the greatest possible versatility from your advance consumer digicam.
High Points
- 2.11-megapixel CCD delivering image resolutions as high as 1,600 x 1,200 pixels.
- 1.5-inch color LCD monitor and mini-LCD electronic optical viewfinder.
- 10x, 5.9-59mm lens, equivalent to a 38-380mm zoom lens on a 35mm camera.
- 2.7x Digital Zoom.
- Automatic and manual focus control.
- Aperture range from f/2.8 to f/8.0.
- Shutter speeds adjustable from 1/1,000 to 16 seconds for still images; 1/10,000 to 1/30 second for movies.
- Automatic and manual exposure control, with Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, Portrait, Sport, Landscape, and Automatic exposure modes.
- Adjustable White Balance with six settings, plus a WB color adjustment function.
- Digital ESP Multi-Pattern, Spot, and Multi-Spot metering options.
- Auto Bracketing, Sequence Shooting, and Panorama shooting modes.
- Adjustable ISO with five settings.
- Built-in, pop-up flash with five modes, plus three Slow Synchro modes.
- Five-pin external flash socket.
- QuickTime Movie mode with sound and edit capability.
- 12-second Self-Timer.
- Image Effects menu as well as Sharpness and Contrast adjustments.
- JPEG and uncompressed TIFF file formats.
- Images saved to SmartMedia cards (8MB card included).
- USB cable for quick connection to a computer.
- Software CD containing Camedia Master 2.5 utility software, as well as QuickTime and USB drivers.
- Power from four AA batteries or two CR-V3 battery packs (included). Optional AC adapter available as an accessory.
- NTSC video cable for image playback on a TV.
- Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compatible.
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