Rating: Summary: The C-740 Review: I have had this camera for a year. I also own the Olympus C-3030 and being the klutz I am, I dropped it and broke the lens. While that was being repaired, I went nuts without, so bought the C-740 as I had really wanted the 10x zoom. I've been very happy with it. Some of you state the settings re-set to default every time. Without going to get my camera, use your menu or get your book and you can set it so that it does not default and everything will remain as you have it set, no matter how many times you power it on and off.
I highly recommend this camera - but would now recommend the C-765 with more megapixels and it is a newer version. I LOVE Olympus cameras and recommend them to anybody in the market for a digital camera. I use the card reader for fast and easy and no battery-use computer downloading.
Rating: Summary: C-740 and C-750 are Not as described in Manual Review: I have used an Olympus C-3000 for several years and like it. I then purchased a C-740 because of the 10X optical zoom, but quickly learned that it does not function according to the the instruction manual. I actually downloaded the manual first to check the capabilities before I bought one. For one thing you cannot access the top level menu in the "P" (Program) mode without separately turning on the monitor. This is a serious drain on the batteries while you adjust your settings. Another problem is that when the REC VIEW function is on (the default) the camera is supposed to flash the picture just taken on the monitor while the picture is being written to memory. This feature also does not work. The only way to view the last picture taken is to double click the monitor button. Then pushing the monitor button again turns the monitor off or you can press the shutter button half-way down to turn the monitor off. Of course, you can also use the review function to see all pictures on the memory media. I also was not impressed by the digital viewfinder as opposed to an optical viewfinder. A friend of mine has a C-750 which is identical to the C-740 except that the 750 is a 4 mp machine. Her C-750 had the same problems, but she didn't seem to mind because she is not technically oriented. She runs her camera in the Auto mode all the time. I, however, did mind these drawbacks because these are two important features, so I sent my back.
Rating: Summary: Great features, great size, good price Review: I just got the C-740 a week ago and I'm really enjoying it so far. I moved up from an Olympus D-360L 1.3 megapixel camera and aside from more megapixels, I really wanted the optical zoom (since digital zoom is a marketing gimmick... really). This Olympus (and its cousin the C-750) has an unmatched 10x zoom lens for this price bracket. In fact, it could cost in the thousands to get a camera with a similar zoom factor. The lens is all glass, which is important.The camera does very well. Not only are the distance shots great with the 10x magnification, but close ups are also superb, especially with the Super-Macro mode; some of my best pictures have been close ups of flowers. It has all the manual features, which I also wanted for more creative control. It is worth noting that at full zoom, you can get blurry shots, but this is typical of any unstabilized zoom lens. To correct it, just steady the camera with both hands or use a tripod. I haven't found it to be a big problem, but it is worth noting so that when you get some blurry shots, you were warned. I like the electronic viewfinder. Most cameras have the LCD and an optical viewfinder. This has the LCD and an EVF, which is a mini-LCD in place of the viewfinder. The result is that you get a smaller LCD (and thus less battery consumption), but you can change all the options via menus WHILE looking through the viewfinder. Lots of cameras require you to take the camera away from your face, turn on the LCD, change settings, and go back to composing the shot. Some people may not like it, but I personally like the option. Olympus even did the ergonomics right with the menu navigation buttons! Pros: - 10x glass, optical, ED (Extra-low dispersion, which reduces chromatic aberration) lens - Great great macro - Intuitive menus - Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) - Excellent photo quality - Solid-feel - Small - Takes AA batteries, so you can buy them anywhere in a pinch. VERY GOOD IDEA! Cons: - EVF, due to extra battery consumption... unfortunate tradeoff for not having optical viewfinder - Mostly plastic body, I believe... just don't drop it! - Manual-focus is iffy, but I've used the Canon manual-focus system and it's no better. I'm waiting for [$$] digicams like this to get focus rings! - Small capacity xD memory included' and xD is new, which means expensive! But it *is* physically small' - Non-rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries' replace 'em with NiMH rechargeables! All in all, it's a great camera with great picture quality. 3.2 megapixel is good for crystal-clear 4x6's and sharp 8x10's. I highly recommend. The next model up, the C-750, has sound recording with movies (which I think is a novelty and unnecessary), a hot shoe for optical flashes, and 4 megapixels. But it's a bunch more money for not much extra. You don't need 4 megapixels unless you're doing big 11x16 blow ups. This is not a simple point-and-shoot camera; I'd recommend the Digital Stylus line or the Canon S45 and similar for a more simple, smaller package. If you want a great zoom, lots of creative control, and great photos, this is for you.
Rating: Summary: Great camera Review: I owned a c-2020 which did a great job, but wanted a better zoom. The 740 is a fine camera for a wide range of users. I recommend this camera to anyone looking for a versitle camera with a great zoom.
Rating: Summary: just like C-3020 but with 10x optical zoom Review: I owned an Olympus C-3020 prior to this one and never had any problems with it. However, the presence of 10x zoom in C-740 was very appealing, so I decided to sell the C-3020 and buy this one. So far I haven't had any problems. It works basically just like my old C-3020 (same picture quality, same controls and so on), but the 10x optical zoom is just amazing.
Rating: Summary: Great photos for a Great price Review: I received this camera 1 year ago for my birthday.
It by far has not only saved me $$ on film, and developing but actually takes clear photographs. With amazing ZOOM
capabilities. Easy to use. Easy downloading.
Only negative feedback I would have to say is having to purchase new batteries after evey 1000 pictures or so. I travel alot and take many many photos and would have preferred a rechargable battery.
But all & all whether you are a beginner or a pro this is a very nice camera to have.
Rating: Summary: A perfect first Review: I recently just bought the Olympus C-740 and absolutely love it. The pictures are so crystal clear...once you auto focus, and the zoom is amazing. I bought it mainly for the zoom, since I like my pictures close up. It's super easy to use and printing off my PC is so simple with the USB cable. I didn't even need any software. I take my pictures on CD to the store and have them printed up, saves on the wear and tear on my printer along with the price of ink and paper. Definitely worth buying!
Rating: Summary: Great Camera Review: I was a little blown away with all the choices in digital cameras out there but I ended up with this one, a fantastic camera. The zoom is amazing so long as (1) You take the photo outdoors or (2) you use the flash. The zoom got a little grainy when the digital zoom kicked in but I alway got great pictures and touched them up in Photoshop. The batteries that come with the camera last incredibly long! Now I use rechargable batteries and I get good life out of them especially considering the fact that I like to use the LCD viewfinder. This is really a mini SLR!
Rating: Summary: I love this camera Review: I went to a 4th of July celebration where I took 319 pictures. Only 5 of them were bad pictures (probably user mistake). I have taken some awesome fireworks picture. The 10X optical zoom really helps get in close on subjects. The only MINOR complaints that I have are: 1) It's not a fast click between pictures with AutoFocus. 2) Camera settings are reset each time by default. 3) When changing the quality to Super High Quality, the picture gets darker. All in all, I am very happy with this purchase.
Rating: Summary: I love this camera Review: I went to a 4th of July celebration where I took 319 pictures. Only 5 of them were bad pictures (probably user mistake). I have taken some awesome fireworks picture. The 10X optical zoom really helps get in close on subjects. The only MINOR complaints that I have are: 1) It's not a fast click between pictures with AutoFocus. 2) Camera settings are reset each time by default. 3) When changing the quality to Super High Quality, the picture gets darker. All in all, I am very happy with this purchase.
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