Rating: Summary: Excellent camera Review: I bought this camera as an upgrade from a 1.3 Mega Pixel camera. I expected and received excellent quality photos with the Olympus. It comes with a 16 MB memory card, which I upgraded to 256 MB - a must do for this camera. Automatic settings produce sharp pictures, but manual settings are available for the adventuresome. Adjusting camera settings is a little cumbersome. Lense cap is very nice. No camera bag; wasted lots of time shopping on line - just go to Walmart and get a $6 bag. AVI videos are pretty crude, definitely not a replacement for a camcorder.
Rating: Summary: Did not last a week. Review: I had to return this camera after one week's use. While taking some important photos, the zoom lense motor decided to go berserk and over extend the lense. It actually got locked at a 30 degree angle and would not retract! I could only compare it to a periscope that did not work. How embarassing. It failed horribly and frustratingly. This is the second olympus to fail on me and definitely the last. I took it back and got a Sony.
Rating: Summary: Only one important thing that I don't like Review: I researched this camera for about an hour and a half and almost bought it. It has great optics, size, and at a 4mp res. it would have been my first choice-except for one thing. It does not have a lens that retracts, so you have to use a lens cover. This to me is archaic for this level of Camera. I just know that this a factor for a lot of other people too. I am very disapointed that I had to pass because of his design feature that did not appeal to my active lifestyle. When I am out in the outdoors, I have to insist that any camera I own has a lens that retracts and protects the Camera.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Camera, Unbelieveable Price Review: I upgraded to the Olympus C-4000 from a 2 MPix camera about a month ago and have taken about 400 photos since. I am very impressed with the results. First the plusses: Photos are extremely sharp. Very high quality output - no comparison to my old 2 MPix model. The pre-programmed modes are convenient and work great. Automatic mode is a decent default setting if you're in a hurry or don't have a pre-programmed setting for some shot (not as common as you'd think). Really very easy to switch from mode to mode. Camera is also very comfortable to hold and use. Everything is adjustable on this thing. If I find something I don't like (too much lag between pushing the button and taking the picture), there is usually a remedy (change to contiouous focus mode which makes the camera focus change wherever you point it without pushing 1/2 way - burns up batteries that way). Only negative is that in manual mode, it is a major pain to jump from menu to menu adjusting apeture, exposure, etc. I recommend this camera for anyone looking to upgrade.
Rating: Summary: Good optimum Review: ...I'm impressed of its full control mode - it's so elastic - even sharpness you can adjust in 6 steps, bracketing in two modes (great !!!) The only thing I don't like is an effect of chromatic abberations that appears in scenes with high contrast objects (trees with a strong light in a background). But comparing to Canon S200 - sharpness is outstanding, and 2 cm macro ability .... fun fun fun.
Rating: Summary: Red Eye Review: This camera generally takes very good pictures but I do have one complaint that has not been resolved. Even with red eye reduction feature on, it still takes bad redeye, especially with babies. The software does not eliminate it either. I have been through their customer service several times for this and one other problem and they were not helpful. I felt I was being talked down to and I finally gave up. I like the camera except for that, but I probably would not buy another Olympus unless customer service is more helpful.
Rating: Summary: Best 4 Megapixel Camera In The World. Review: I have it. Believe me. The only thing that isn't that great is that it uses Smartmedia cards that really suck. Otherwise it's great. Just get a 128MB Smartmedia card with it and you're set.
Rating: Summary: Great for Portraits and Close Ups! Review: I first want to say that I am a total novice. I probably have used about 1/10 of the features of this camera, and even then it's been great! I took some pictures of my daughter that would rival a professional photographer's headshots. I then printed them in black and white, 8 x 10, and they were superb! I did some of our two cats as well, and they, too, were excellent! I especially like the option of no flash. More often than not, I will choose this feature over flash indoors because the warm tones are amazing. The flash pictures can be cold in comparison. If you want to operate on a budget, here's what you can do: 1) Get a printer where you can easily figure out how to refill the black cartridges (color can be more difficult and the results unpredictable- who wants muddy skintones?) Check out atlanticinkjet.com. Then you can print black and whites at home, and go to your local Wal-Mart, CVS, etc. to get reprints and edits done easily without the hassle of worrying about replacing your color cartridges. 2) Get a Smart Media reader. They are relatively inexpensive, and they give you another option for quickly creating CDs that you can also bring to Wal-Mart rather than risking transporting your SmartMedia card and losing it or damaging it. 3) Use rechargeable NiMh batteries. They are cheap - about $7 for 4 of them. You will probably need at least 3 to 4 sets of 4. The chargers are also cheap. 3)Don't get conned into buying any package deals with lenses, etc.(this isn't an issue with buying from Amazon, but it can be with many Internet camera stores). You will pay a reasonable price for the camera, but a hefty price for the accessories. I know because it happened to me! So since I am a true novice with this camera, and still experiencing great results, I can recommend this camera. My one concern, however, and that may be a power issue, is that sometimes the camera initially shuts itself on and off. I also hope that the few times that I have forgotten to remove the lens cap have not been damaging to the lens. I am going to take the suggestion of several other positive users and use the adapter and UV filter which of course were bundled with all the over-priced accessories that I received. So, have fun, and enjoy getting to know this camera! And take lots of people pictures with no flash. Be aware that some will be blurry because you have to stay really still as does the subject, however, it will be worth it! Here is your accessory list:
1) Printer will easily refillable inkjet cartridges (Lexmark Z55 works great for black refill); 2) SmartMedia or card reader for more than one type of memory card; 3) 3 to 4 sets of 4 NiMh batteries -readily available at Wal-Mart and you should be able to use them to replace AA batteries in other electronic devices; 4) Digital Camera bag - you might get lucky and find it at Wal-Mart or similar store with many accessories included; 5) battery charger for 4 NiMh batteries - also cheap at Wal-Mart; 6) 46mm conversion lens adapter - mine is Sakar Digital for Olympic 2000/2020/3000/3030 models; 7) set of 46 mm filters including UV filter to fit on lens adapter-I have Digital Optics Super High Resolution Multi-Coated; 8) Lens Cleaner and Wipe Cloth; 9) AC Adapter - I purchased switching universal power supply and set it to 6.5V at laptopsforless.com for about $20 - you might need this if you run out of rechargeables and you don't have AA batteries on hand, or if you are connecting using the USB cable and don't want to waste your batteries. 10) 4 - 128 mb SmartMedia cards - each should store about 200 or so photos of good quality - they can be found at very different prices, so check around. Also, since it appears that newer cameras aren't sold with SmartMedia cards, you might want to purchase a few just for future use so they'll be readily available. I also have two lenses that were included with the fabulously expensive camera package. I haven't used them much, so I can't recommend them, but I'll try to update this review.
Have fun taking pictures!
Rating: Summary: Great Great Great Review: I've owned this camera now for over two years and it's done the job over and over again. Chance are if you're looking at this listing at this late date since release, you're not an early adopter of technology, and you're likely looking for something that does the job well, and this definitely fits the bill.
When I bought the camera back in the day it was in anticipation of a 7-day wilderness hike I was embarking on during which I would have no access to power for charging the batteries. The fact that this model uses AA batteries makes it an attractive choice for those away from power sources for extended periods of time. In fact, I made it through almost the whole seven days without power on one charge of my Panasonic batteries that I bought separately. I then slapped in flashlight batteries for the rest of the trip to get me home. As for all digital cameras, I'd suggest going with rechargables rather than repurchasing lithiums.
Yes, this thing is bulky compared to others out there. I bought a LowePro camera bag to go along with it to hold all the camera-related stuff in one place. It's big, but no bigger than a comparable 35mm SLR and this camera gives you almost the amount of flexibility with its manual features and exposure control. I've used the camera with success in instances where speedy automatic performance was required especially wildlife and candid people snapshots. I've equally been satisfied with the planned landscape, nightime, and "artsy" shots as well. I even had good success getting funky images at a "glow-in-the-dark bowling" party.
Other reviewers have touched on the fact that this camera has a lens cap which is an oddity in the digital camera realm, but was a required design feature given that it had to work with add-on lenses and filters. I haven't tried purchasing additional optics, but with this camera, it's an option as are external flashes. On the lens cap issue, I've found flipping off the lens cap is now second nature and doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the camera.
I like the menuing control to access the image functions which is similar across all Olympus cameras, and after my experience with this camera, I'd be inclined to stick with Olympus in the future. The newer C-7000 Zoom camera at 7MP and 5x optical zoom seems to be a their newer version of this camera for those looking for the latest and greatest. For those instead looking at something tried and true and more within their budget, this is the way to go, and I've often seen this C-4000 Zoom heavily discounted on the Net and elsewhere. If you're interested in more than just point-and-shoot, you can't go wrong with this.
Rating: Summary: Terrific Camera better than my 35mm SLR Review: I got my C-4000 after a recent trip when my, up til then, trusty 35mm SLR decided not to function and I lost 1 and 1/2 rolls of pictures that could not be replaced. Now with my digitals, I know that I have the pictures and will not lose nonreplaceable shots. The C-4000 is one GREAT camera with so many options it will be difficult to use them all. I highly recommend getting the "Referance Manual" from Olympus. This is much more complete than the users manual enclosed with the camera.
One method to protect the extended lens - yes, it does move out when the camera is turned on and can be a problem. This will also end the lens cap problem mentioned in some reviews. Get the lens adapter tube, an adapter ring and a UV filter. Leave them on the camera and there is no need to put the lens cap on and the lens will move inside the adapter tube and not get out of wack. It does make the front of the camera stick out a bit, but it is well worth it for the protection it affords.
I have an HP 435 point and shoot pocket size digital to carry around for quick shots, but for the absolute best results use my Olympus C-4000.
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