Two New Olympus Cameras

[Kickaha]

PMA: Olympus rolls out C-750, C-740 digital cameras
by Dennis Sellers, dsellers@maccentral.com
March 3, 2003 12:30 pm ET
http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0303/0.../03.olympus.php

Olympus America has released a new 4 megapixel camera and a new 3.2 megapixel model at this week's PMA (Photo Marketing Association) Show in Las Vegas.

The Camedia C-750 Ultra Zoom, touted as "the world's smallest 10X optical zoom, 4.0 megapixel digital camera," is Olympus's first 4.0 megapixel Ultra Zoom. Due in May at an estimated street price of US$599, it sports an aspherical ED (extra dispersion) glass lens to evenly distribute light across the camera's CCD sensor to create an even exposure.

The camera's 10X optical zoom is an equivalent zoom range of 38mm to 380mm; its additional digital zoom capabilities increase the lens range to a total 40X seamless zoom (10X optical zoom + 4X digital zoom) of about 1520mm equivalent. In addition, having this wide zoom range allows photographers to leave heavy lenses at home and cut down on the gear they have to lug about, according to Martin Lee, Olympus America's vice president of marketing.

The C-750 Ultra Zoom is the first Olympus Ultra Zoom digital camera with a built-in hot-shoe that allows an external flash to be connected without cables. And it's the first Olympus Ultra Zoom to have a metal body. Because it uses the miniature xD-Picture Card exclusively, the C-750 measures 4.2 x 2.6 x 2.8 inches and weighs 10.4 ounces.

Also new from Olympus is the C-740 Ultra Zoom, a 10X optical zoom, 3.2 megapixel digital camera targeted to the budget-conscious family photographer who wants the flexibility of a wide focal length range, automatic controls for basic point-and-shoot simplicity and manual controls. It has the same aspherical ED glass lens, Programmed Auto Mode, Scene Mode, My Mode, Auto-Connect USB, shutter speeds, QuickTime video capture, controls, and 10X optical zoom features as the C-750. The C-740's additional seamless digital zoom capabilities increase the lens range to a total 30X seamless zoom (10X optical zoom + 3X digital zoom) of about 1050mm equivalent, somewhat less than that of C-750.

Also like the C-750, the C-740 uses the miniature xD-Picture Card exclusively. It measures 4.2 x 2.6 x 2.7 inches and weighs 10.4 ounces. The C-740's Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) displays aperture, shutter speed, and image quality settings and can be used in playback in addition to the 1.5-inch color LCD display. The C-740 Ultra Zoom will be available next month at a street price of $499.

 

[Jim Thompson]

Thanks for the heads up Kickaha!

Sounds like it is almost time to trade in the Oly C700. I have been waiting on a 4mp 10X zoom.

Jim

 

[rut]

Kickaha,
Does the 10x optical zoom have image stabilization??

Thanks for the post, rut

 

[Jim Thompson]

Rut, I could not find it in the specs at the olympus page. My c700 does not and it is fine, as long as I only use more than 3X zoom with a quality rest.

Jim

 

[Qbn Hunter]

Thanks for the info. Awesome cameras.

 

[AnnieAK]

Wow. No kidding, these look great. I have the Oly C3000 and the ONLY problems with it are it's only a 3X zoom, and only 3.3 megapix (when I got it that was about the max!).
Those are good prices, too. I was seriously looking at the Minolta 7i, but this knds of makes me think twice.

 

[TxCowboy]

No none of these new Olys have image stabilization. I think the 750 is a great looking camera and I really like the all metal design. These would be great for putting in your bag on a hunting trip because they are small enough not get in the way.

However, I really prefer an SLR size camera. Granted, it's bulky and you can't really carry it on the bow stand while hunting.lol I just like the feel of a bigger camera. I also think I hold it steadier. I have the D-490 and really liked it but when I moved up to the C-2100 I was amazed at how a bigger camera felt in my hands. I also like being able to add on lens' and filters. I'd really like to get my hands on a E-10 or E-20, or even the new E-series DSLR's or a Nikon D-1 DSLR!!!!

Ok my dreams are biggert than my wallet.

 

[Jim Thompson]

TXBoy,

Nothing wrong with dreaming!

Although since my only real reason for a camera is stand shooting and some landscape, I gotta stick with the pocket cams. My old Kodak was perfect size...shirt pocket, but only had 2x zoom.

My Oly 700 is almost too big

but it has 10x

So now I look forward to maybe a 750 one day, probably as soon as I drop mine from 20ft up.

Jim

 

[TxCowboy]

Jim I hear ya! To be honest I'd really like to have a little 730,40, or 50 for using in the stand. They are dang nice little cameras. I almost bought the 730 before I got my 2100.

Maybe the 730's will get cheap with the new influx of 740's and 50's and then I can get one. I doubt I'll be able to convice the wife though.

 

[AnnieAK]

TxCowboy:
You got this all wrong!! Don't even try to convince your wife, just get her interested in photography and then she'll WANT to buy it!!!! It works with EVERYTHING!!!!!!!

I like the feel of an SLR-size camera, too. That's why I've been looking at the Minolta. BUTTTTT, for wildlife photos of any kind, you need some tele power. The E20 just doesn't have, and the Minolta is borderline ( equiv to a 200 mm lens). I would really like something that's about 400 mm equiv. I guess using a 1.5 or 1.8 teleconverter to get that might be OK, but I know from experience that my 5X tele converter is just too limiting.
Annie

 

[WildBird]

At first look I think the best thing about the new model releases will be to lower the price of the 730. I have 1 and it is great. Takes the cheap SM cards (128 meg $29) and the xD (faster write speed but more $). Some users complain about focus problems and "purple fringing" with back lighted scenes, but I think these complaints relate mostly to operator error. No problem here. The learning curve is hefty here, especially to me who is used to using a light meter then making adjustments with film camera's. Once I learn the menus and don't have to think about the adjustments much I will really be happy. WB

 

[copilot]

AnnieAK
Just to keep you up to date Olympus offers a 420 mm adapter lens for the E-10 and or the E-20. Now if my wife would let me buy one for my E-10 I would be a happy camper.
Olympus has a good selection of lenses for the digital 35mm format cameras, just visit their site and check under acceseries.
Fyi the 420mm lens is 550.00 out of your pocket from B&h photo, if you find it any less let me know so I can buy it.

 

[karstic]

Originally posted by AnnieAK@Mar 14 2003, 10:27 AM
TxCowboy:
You got this all wrong!! Don't even try to convince your wife, just get her interested in photography and then she'll WANT to buy it!!!! It works with EVERYTHING!!!!!!!

AnnieAK you hit the nail on the head. When I bought my 2100C part of my argument was "Think of the photos you could use in your classroom (my wife is a HS science teacher)"