Rating: 
Summary: Buy it!
Review: As a rule the digital cameras fall in price, this one has gone up. I have been looking to buy this one since it first appeared 1 or 2 years ago, finally found one that was reconditioned. This camera is good for all, beginner, etc.check out the other 47 reviews if you do not believe me.
Rating:
Summary: Best bang for buck!
Review: This is simply an amazing camera. Right out of the box I was able to take superb photos on auto mode. The more I use it, the more I learn to use the advanced/manual features.One caution, however, is that the connection software does not work so well with WindowsXP. It does allow downloading on pics, but not a lot else. That's all I need, however, so it's not a problem for me.
Rating:
Summary: If you are not a millionaire
Review: And I am not, But if I were the 2100 UZ would still be my camera of choice. I have been doing digital photography since Olympus came out with the first digital model.and I had moved up to the 2500C and was perfectly happy untill it was stolen from my car.My insurance co. would replace it up to [amt]
I looked at them all and chose the 2100UZ because of the Zoom and image stablization.. If I could have any camera up to [amt], I would still go with the 2100 UZ.The picture quality is absolutely GREAT, I could go on and on, But let me say just this, BUY this camera you will not be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Get one if you can!
Review: I had to hunt to find this camera because it apparently is being discontinued. If this is true, it's a real shame because it's the most exciting camera I've run across in 20+ years of being a fairly serious photography enthusiast. I decided to try the camera after a friend raved about using one on a recent trip to Europe. The extreme range of the zoom lens made it very versatile, and the image stablization feature enabled her to take it into a variety of settings where tripods were not allowed and she came away with beautiful, handheld shots. After a couple of weeks of shooting with my new camera I've found it to be everything she said it was. It's versatile, light, sturdy enough for serious use, and it takes WONDERFUL pictures. The controls are very intuitive. You have all the control of shutter speed, aperture, and focus options of a manual camera but with the added benefit of several automatic modes. I'm not so fond of the menu-oriented approach to giving you these options, but I think with practice this won't seem so cumbersome. I'd have preferred a shorter focal length on the wide angle side, but just love the long zoom. I photograph everything from birds to plants, so coupling the long lens with macro capability is much appreciated. I suspect that many people would shy away from this camera because of the 2.1 megapixel rating. I use a Photoshop add-on called Genuine Fractals that enables me to do rather extreme blow-ups without degraded image quality, and would highly recommend this approach to anyone who thinks the pixel rating of this camera might be an issue. So far, I haven't even bothered using the camera's highest resolution setting, and I've been very pleased with the results. (This is a real surprise to me because Kodachrome 25 is my preferred film for 35 mm--again, the image quality from this cameria is amazing. And, I can't believe I'm getting these results without my trusty tripod!) If you can find one, give it a trial. It really is an amazing camera for the money.
Rating:
Summary: Buy This Camera!
Review: If you are reading this, you are thinking about this camera-- BUY IT! This camera is my 3rd digital camera, and is a must buy if you are interested in a camera with a powerful zoom lens with a lot of features. After reading professional reviews, I almost didn't buy it, but am now glad that I did. The low scores in many reviews were more attibuted to the price for a 2 megapixel camera, [price], when it first came out. I just paid [price]at compUSA- by far the cheapest anywhere on earth. It is just a 2 megapixel camera, but I think that there is too much emphasis on megapixels in reviews. What really counts is a good quality photo which this camera produces. Most printers today can not even begin to take advantage of the 4 and 5 megapixel cameras unless you are planning on printing a lot of pictures larger than 8X10. (unless you are willing to spend [price] or [price]for a professional printer)It's just plain overkill! I have printed from 4X6 to 8X10 and have been very pleased with the results. I printed comparative shots between my 3.3 megapixel (with very little zoom) and this 2 megapixel, and this Olympus produced better photos in color detail and saturation. What you will get is unbelievable pictures that you were previosly unable to capture by virtue of a 10X zoom. I have an HP 1315 photo printer. You will need a good printer to get good print results. I did not rate support as I have not needed any. A few things that may be considered negative: is a little complicated to learn, but there is just so much you can do. I also don't like that I have to reset the date and clock each time I change the batteries. The 8 mb card that comes with the camera is a joke. Buy a 128 mb card right away, they are cheap. I also prefer to use a seperate card reader for loading photos into the computer, it is much faster than going through the camera and does not use any battery power. The EVU takes a little getting use to, and can be difficult to see in low light. I'm going on a carribean cruise, and my 3.3 megapixel is staying home.
Rating:
Summary: What a CAMERA!!!
Review: Have only had this camera for a week now. Moved up from Fuji MX1200 (beginner grade). The Fuji took excellent pictures even in macro mode....but this Olympus takes the cake. I have a lot to learn yet, but I am having soooooo much fun! The zoom was the determining factor for me. With the 10x zoom and the 2.5 digital zoom...you are right on top of your subject. Great, clear, sharp pictures. The price is right and the name Olympus was enough for me. I highly recommend this camera. Could not ask for more. Shop around...lots of difference in prices.
Rating:
Summary: The one that rocks...
Review: I'm a schoolteacher, and I'm no stranger to homework. I've agonized for almost a year on this. Being a manual SLR enthusiast for more years than I care to remember, going digital was a big decision. After taking Seattle vacation images on an entry level digicam, I was hooked. I pestered camera shop owners, scanned the Web, magnified film, 3.3 digital and 2.1 digital images in 8x10 format. I finally decided on my first choice, the Olympus C-2100. My decision was partially based on magazine articles stating that this model was used by some medium-format professionals as their "test" camera. While I agree that 3.3 might make a better 11x14, I found no difference at the "atomic" level between 3.3 & 2.1 mp for an 8x10 printed photo, which is the largest I ever print. If I should ever want larger, I'll use my Pentax SLR. Photography is my passion, not my profession. About the camera. Let me point out the negative: The 8mb card. Don't use it. It's almost funny. If you're going digital, expect some expense. Get the 64 or 128. So much for the bad. That's it.
As I anticipated, I am ecstatic. I have found n-o-t-h-i-n-g that matches this 10x aspherical lens with IMAGE STABILIZATION at this price! I've tried taking bad shots, but it's not easy...this machine only wants to do right! And that's just the programmed mode. You just have to try the aperture-preferred, shutter-preferred, scene program, and MANUAL. If that's not enough, you will play with the sepia and black and white modes for nostalgia! At the price I paid, which is hundreds less than a year ago, it might be my last toy... Armed with the included 1600 rated rechargeables, I took loads of photos in the back yard, Waikiki, flower farms, and scenics. Dumped unwanted images, took more, gave up counting, downloaded, and the original batteries are STILL going! If you use alkalines, this machine will drain them like a vampire; fifteen photos and they are deceased.
It may not be the norm, but the shot-to-write time ratio for the Smartmedia card appears to be much shorter with the 2.1 mp CCD, which may be why energy could be distributed more efficiently to the image stabilization feature. USB cable and provided Camedia software are excellent; Adobe Photodeluxe even fixed "b-a-d" images. This camera caters to SLR lovers. If you want tiny, and if you want one to put in your pocket or purse, look to the C-700 instead, if you still want 10x zoom. It just doesn't have image stabilization. The C-2100 cradles readily into the hands like an SLR, but without the tonnage. Olympus even positioned the strap so it would counterbalance the feature item: The massive lens barrel housing. That way, the lens doesn't droop down looking at your feet. I've taken about twenty night shots, available artificial light, NO TRIPOD (even though I usually use one). Sharp, facial-stubble clarity, stunning color quality. If you don't have one, you might invest in a CD burner and CD RW's for all the pictures you'll take. This baby is THAT good.
Rating:
Summary: The one that rocks...
Review: I do a lot of homework, and I agonized over this one for almost a year, pestering camera shop owners and trekking the Web. After being a hobbyist manual SLR user for many, many moons, I took my first digital images in Seattle with an entry-level digicam, and loved it. I then made a commitment toward it, which meant research and saving bucks.
My quandry was, do I go for 3+ megapixels with 3-5x optical zoom, or 2+ megapixels with 10x zoom? I do agree with the idea that more megapixels would give me better 11x14, but I NEVER print images larger than 8x10. I use my Pentax for those. Photography is my passion, not my profession. After months of examining 8x10 images from our film cameras, and comparing them under extreme magnification with 8x10 digital imaging, my mind was made up, and went with my first choice, the Olympus C-2100. I was not disappointed. In fact, I am thrilled. My decision was partly due to reading in several magazine how some medium-format professionals use this model as their test camera.
Armed with their included rechargeables, I took photos in the back yard, Waikiki, flower nurseries, and scenics. Took more, gave up counting, downloaded, and the original batteries are STILL going. Alkalines melt like butter in a hot pan.
Due to the 2.1 mp CCD, write time to the Smartmedia card is astonishingly fast. By the way, get the 64mb or 128mb. Using the included 8 mb card is almost funny.
This baby caters to SLR lovers. It almost cradles in your hands. If you want tiny, if you want something to stick in your pocket or purse, look at the C-700. The neckstrap for the 2100 balances the camera so that the main feature, the massive lens barrel housing, doesn't drop over (cool). Oh, speaking about the lens...I found n-o-t-h-i-n-g that even comes CLOSE to this lens on a camera this small and in this price range. To have an aspherical 10x optical (38-380 mm, 35mm comp.) with LENS STABILIZER opens up enormous opportunities formerly lost. I can actually gamble and take shots without fear of bad images, even hand-held, artificial-light street scenes at 9 pm! Throw the bad ones out...no film to develop.
If that weren't enough, the camera's menu has so many options to keep anyone happy. Programmed mode, aperture or shutter preferred, scene-program, and MANUAL. The sepia and black and white mode will take you on nostalgic trips.
Downloading for me is fast via their software, and Adobe Photodeluxe fixes even some b-a-d images. You might want to invest in RW CDs for the tons of pictures you might be taking. This equipment is THAT good.
Rating:
Summary: By By 35mm!!!
Review: This is by far the best camera I've ever owned. The camera may look complicated but if you simply want to point and shoot it's no problem. As you advance in your photo skills it will advance with you. It feels like your holding an old fashioned 35mm, but takes even better pictures. Order a larger memory card if you love to take pictures, the standard 16 picture capacity was simply not enough for me. I've had my C-2100 for a year and thought it was a great buy ...! I'm kind of sick to see it can be purchased for nearly half that price now!
Rating:
Summary: C-2100 is a versatile performer for advanced amateurs
Review: The combination of 10X zoom, macro mode, and image stabilization gives this camera a level of versatility found only in professional level digital cameras. Although it has only 2.1 Mega-pixels, this is more than enough for most amateurs, producing satisfactory 8X10 enlargements. Image stabilization allows you to take (300mm eqivalent) tele-photos without using a tripod. Macro mode allows reasonable close-ups as well. The image viewfinder is not optical, but uses a small LCD screen. This does take a bit of getting used to, and is sometimes a problem with low light . Likewise, taking action shots with image stabilization and at a high zoom level can make the image quite jumpy. Turn off image stabilization if you are using a fast shutter. Overall, I rate this as some of the best money that I've spent. It certainly gotten me interested in photography again.
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