Kickaha

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Olympus introduces 3.2 megapixel camera
by Dennis Sellers, dsellers@maccentral.com
September 12, 2002 10:55 am ET

Olympus America has a new digital camera that it claims is the world's smallest 3.2 megapixel model: the Camedia C-730 Ultra Zoom. Due next month, the camera can capture QuickTime video and sound.

The US$599 camera boasts a 10X optical ultra-zoom lens (30X total seamless zoom when combined with the 3X digital zoom) on a body that weighs just 11.1 ounces and measures 4.2 x 3.0 inches. The 10X zoom is an equivalent zoom range of 38mm to 380mm. The C-730 sports a shutter speed of 1/1000th of a second and a shutter speed range that allows long exposures of up to eight seconds. Super Macro Mode lets you take photographs from distances as close as 1.2-inches to capture details like dewdrops on a leaf.

In fully Programmed Auto mode, the camera offers basic point-and-shoot simplicity. The Scene Program on the mode dial offers fully automatic exposure adjustments in a variety of settings: Portrait, Self Portrait, Landscape-Portrait, and Sports or Action photography. The special "My Mode" feature saves time by allowing the user to assign a frequently used function to the mode dial for quick access, according to Richard Pelkowski, associate product manager, Olympus America.

The C-730 Ultra Zoom's advanced settings include controls for aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual operation. Images can be transferred to your computer with a supplied Auto-Connect USB function that doesn't require software drivers. Images may also be viewed on a television with the supplied video cable.

The camera's Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) displays aperture, shutter speed and image quality settings and can be used in playback as well the 1.5-inch color LCD display. The 3.2 Megapixel Imager captures the detail needed for printing large print sizes over 8 x 10 inches. Other controls include Digital ESP multi-pattern and spot metering; adjustable white balance; multiple flash settings including slow sync flash; and auto bracketing and exposure compensation. The digital camera comes with an external 5-pin dedicated flash terminal for even more flash control.

The C-730 Ultra Zoom will ship with an Auto-Connect USB cable, audio/video out cable, carrying strap, lens cap with retainer cord, 2 LB-01 (CR-3V) Lithium batteries, a 16MB xD-Picture Card, Olympus Camedia Master Software 4.0, user manual and Quick Start guide.
 

BuckSnort

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Sounds like a great camera,do you know if it has image stabilization?
 

spectr17

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My first question too Bucksnort. You would think they would include IS after all the heat Olympus got for leaving it out of the 700 model.
 

WildBird

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Anybody tried one of these? I'm in the market and can't seem to locate the 2100. I would probably be packing a small tripod or monopod so could do without the zoom stabilization feature. WB
 

Jim Thompson

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Wildbird,

I have a c700 and love it. The 730 is basically the same cam with higher MP's. Most reports are decent on the camera. I carry a tripod every where I go now. Have really gotten some great pics with it.

Check this site for more info.

Good luck.

www.dpreview.com

Click here for one of my galleries to see the 700 in action.

http://www.pbase.com/huntinginga/sunrise

Jim
 

glen71

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Wildbird - I bought a C-730 online, but I have had only 4 days. It is my first digital, and I have not had a lot of time to get familiar with it. I really like that I can over ride the auto systems and use it like my 35mm SLR.
<
 

WildBird

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Jim and Glenn -

Thanks for the info boys. Great pics Jim. Glenn, post a few when you get the hang of it. Take a look at my post on the Campfire forum from today on using Imagestation.com server so you can paste your pics directly into your posts here as IMG's.

Where did you find the best deal on the cam?

WB
<
 

glen71

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I bought mine online from B&H Photo Video. The price was $499.99 plus about $12 shipping. There were lower prices on other sites, but I suspect most are rip-offs. B&H's website address is listed in Jesse's second thread in this forum "Before you buy...". It is a legitimate and safe company to deal with online.
 

TxCowboy

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I've been spending some time over at the DP Review forums since I bought my new C-2100 and there are alot of people using the C-730. From what I've read, no it doesn't have the IS (image stabilization). From what I've read the camera seems to be pretty good except for the lack of IS. Alot of users were reporting an excess of "noise" in their pictures and I think they were looking into the cause. The 10x optical is great but I wouldn't put much hope in the digital zoom. My C-2100 has a 10x optical and a 2.7x digital zoom and I'm not reall impressed with the digital zoom at all. It really reaches out there but the pictures just don't have the clear quality that an optical lens does.

If I hadn't found my 2100 I would have probably gone with the C-730, it looks like a great camera.
 

Kickaha

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Digital zooms are great for using your camera as a telescope, but that's about it. I never, ever, ever use them for picture taking. There's nothing the camera's digital zoom can do that can't be done afterwards - with better results - in image editing software. This goes for all cameras.
 

Jim Thompson

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Both of you are right on here. Digital Zoom is almost, but not quite, worthless. The only time I have ever used digital is to see what it would do.

The 730 has definitely received a lot of concerns about the noise and lack of IS. Again my 720 has no IS, but I almost always use a tripod or rest when using anything above 2 zoom.

I cannot wait until OLY shows up with a 10X high MP cam like the one that has been rumored for some time now.

Jim
 

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