C-720/C-730 Ultra Zoom
| Page Type | Gear Review |
|---|---|
| Object Title | C-720/C-730 Ultra Zoom |
| Manufacturer | Olympus |
| Page By | GreenNerve |
| Page Type | Apr 17, 2003 / Apr 17, 2003 |
| Object ID | 719 |
| Hits | 4006 |
| Vote |
The C730 ($600) adds 10X optical zoom, xD Picture Card storage, a few more shooting modes and a negligible increase in resolution.
C-720:
-An 8x optical and 3x digital zoom combine in this ultra-compact digital model for a seamless 24x zoom.
-3.0 megapixel CCD (effective) allows for high-quality 8" x 10" prints or larger.
-TruePicTM technology means images are smooth and clear.
-Auto-Connect USB feature means the digital camera can be easily connected to almost any USB-equipped computer for quick downloading of images, without any additional software to be installed.
-Scene Program Modes: Portrait, Sports, Landscape-Portrait, Customizable My Mode.
-Aperture & Shutter Control - Take control and take exactly the picture you want, or choose Program Auto mode for point & shoot ease of use.
-Compact and stylish design makes the C-720 Ultra Zoom easy to handle and carry.
-Camera includes CR-V3 Lithium batteries that last 20 to 30 times longer than AA alkaline batteries and 2.75 times longer than AA Lithium batteries.
-Automatic Pixel Mapping checks the CCD and re-maps it for maximum CCD performance.
-Fast shutter speeds: 1/1000 - ½ sec. (Automatic); 1/1000 - 8 sec. (Manual); 2 sec. (Night-Scene).
-QuickTime® movie mode provides an exciting alternative to still image capture for those "don't miss" moments.
-Built-in pop-up flash automatically pops up so it's ready when you are.
-12-second self-timer lets you get in the picture, too.
CCD Imager:
-3.0 Megapixel Effective
-3.3 Megapixel Gross (Full optical CCD resolution)
-Size 1 /2.5” (0.4”) CCD
Lens:
-Olympus aspherical glass 8x optical zoom lens 6.4-51.2mm
(equivalent to 40-320mm in 35mm camera)
Seamless Digital Zoom:
-24x Total Seamless Zoom (8x optical r 3x digital)
Aperture Range:
-f2.8-f7.1 (adjustable in 1/3 steps EV)
Shutter Speeds:
-1/1000 sec. – 1/2 sec. Automatic
-1/1000 sec. – 8 sec. Manual (Night-scene mode: 2 sec.)
ISO Auto: 100- 400 / Manual: 100, 200, 400 (equivalent)
Recording Mode(s) Still image: TIFF, EXIF JPEG, DCF (design rule for Camera File system), QuickTime® Motion JPEG (Movie Mode)
Adjustable Resolutions:
-1984 x 1488 TIFF, JPEG (x2)
-1600 x 1200 JPEG(x1)1280 x 960 JPEG(x1)
-1024 x 768 JPEG(x1)
-640 x 480 JPEG(x1)
NOTE: TIFF mode only available in 1984 x 1488
-320 x 240 @15fps QuickTime® Motion JPEG (16 sec.)
-160 x 120 @15fps QuickTime® Motion JPEG (70 sec.)
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) Print Reserve, All print reservation, Date/time
Optical Image Enlargement N/A
Image Adjustment Modes Noise Reduction: no
Automated Pixel Mapping
Image Effects:
-Black & White Mode
-Sepia Mode
-Resize – portable file size for email or web
-Sharpness (Hard/normal/soft)
-Contrast (Hard/Normal/soft)
Panorama Yes
Sequence 1.2 frames per second burst up to 5 frames in HQ mode
Viewfinder EVF (0.5 inch, 110,000 pixels) viewfinder
LCD 1.5” (3.8cm) Wide-View color TFT LCD (114,000 pixels)used for viewing, reviewing images.
Focusing System AF (autofocus) TTL system (contrast detection)
Focusing Ranges:
-Macro Mode 3.93” – 6.56’(0.1m-2m)
-Normal Mode 23.6” – Infinity (.6m to Infinity)
Exposure Control:
-Program Auto (f 2.8(W)/3.4 (T) – 7.1 / 1/1000 sec. – 1/2 sec.)
-Aperture Priority (f 2.8(W)/3.4(T) – 7.1 / 1/1000 sec. – 1/2 sec.)
-Shutter Priority (f 2.8(W)/3.4(T) – 7.1 / 1/1000 sec. – 1/2 sec.)
-Scene Program (landscape-portrait, sports, portrait) f2.8(W)/3.4(T) – 7.1 / 1/1000 sec. – 1/2 sec)
-Manual (f 2.8 – 7.1 / 1/1000 sec. – 8 sec.) Up to 2 sec in Night scene-Slow Sync
-Exposure Compensation +/- 2EV in +/- 1/3 EV steps
-Auto Bracketing: selectable from 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV and 1 EV, 3 or 5 images
-AE Lock (exposure lock)
Metering System Digital ESP, Spot
White Balance System:
-iESP auto TTL
-Pre-set manual (Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten and Fluorescent)
Flash Built-in Flash (Pop-up)
Flash Modes:
-Auto Flash for low and backlight
-“Red-eye” Reduction Flash
-Fill-in Flash (forced on flash)
-Slow Shutter Synchronized Flash (1st and 1st with Red-eye reduction)
-Flash Off
Flash Working Range:
-Wide: 3.9” – 18’ (0.1m – 5.5m) @ ISO 100
-Tele: 3.3’ – 14.8’ (1m – 4.5m) @ISO 100
Flash Charging Time Approx. 7 seconds (at normal temperature with new CR-3V batteries)
Removable Media Card:
-3V (3.3V) SmartMediaTM card (4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 MB)
-16MB card included
Selftimer/Remote Selftimer: 12-second delay. No remote control.
Setting Memorization On/Off
Outer Connectors USB connector (Auto-Connect), Video Output DC input
Auto-connect USB Compatible with Windows 98/98SE/Me/2000 Pro/XP-Mac OS 8.6-9.2X/OSX 10.1
Image Playback:
-Index display, up to 3X enlargement, Slide-show, Scene rotation
-Movie Playback: Normal, Reverse, Frame-by-Frame
Operating Environment:
-Operation: 32°F –104°F (0°C – 40°C) 30-90% Humidity
-Storage: -4°F – 140°F (-20°C – 60°C) 10-90% Humidity
Power Supply:
-Main Power Source: 2 x LB-01 (CR-V3) Lithium batteries (included)
-4 x AA Alkaline batteries
-4 x AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries
-4 x AA Lithium batteries
-4 x AA NiCd rechargeable batteries
(Manganese batteries cannot be used)
-AC Power: C-7AU AC adapter (optional)
Date/Time Calendar Simultaneous recording into image date
Calendar Automatic up to the year 2031
Size 4.23 W x 3” H x 3.05” D (107.5mm W x 76mm H x 77.5mm D)
Weight 315 g/11.1 oz. Without batteries and SmartMediaTM
Reviews
Viewing: 1-2 of 2 |
SJD - Jan 8, 2004 12:10 am - Voted 5/5
Untitled Review
Just an additional note to say that I have the 740 version of this camera. It has perfromed w-a-y beyond my expectations and is easy to use. The 740 has 10x zoom and an additional 3x digital zoom.
Of the multi modes preprogrammed, there is also a "my setting" control which allows the user to preconfigure the three most used settings. I use simple 480x640 in the backcountry or around town. In this mode with a 128 card, I get more than 580 pictures! As noted by GN, the lithium batteries seem to last forever. I bought the camera in August 03 and with occassional use I am still using the original batteries (it's 1/8/04). No it is not as tiny or robust as some cameras, but it's not big or fragile either.
Of the multi modes preprogrammed, there is also a "my setting" control which allows the user to preconfigure the three most used settings. I use simple 480x640 in the backcountry or around town. In this mode with a 128 card, I get more than 580 pictures! As noted by GN, the lithium batteries seem to last forever. I bought the camera in August 03 and with occassional use I am still using the original batteries (it's 1/8/04). No it is not as tiny or robust as some cameras, but it's not big or fragile either.
Viewing: 1-2 of 2 |
GreenNerve - Apr 17, 2003 4:29 pm - Voted 5/5
Untitled ReviewI’ve read several reviews where people have basically said: “the lithium batteries are too expensive, but they last a really long time.” The fact is they more than pass a rough cost-benefit analysis. But, if you’re not convinced, AA alkaline or rechargables will work.
A word on storage: cameras that use the mini CD’s are too large, heavy and slow. xD picture cards are probably unnecessary because SmartMedia cards are already of negligible size and weight. But be afraid of the industry abandoning SmartMedia. I don’t know enough about Sony’s proprietary stuff to comment, but I instinctively don’t like the idea of proprietary hardware when there are perfectly good alternatives. Downloading from xD or SmartMedia may be a problem if you don’t have a USB port on your computer. I paid $60 for a 128MB SmartMedia card and $20 for a reader that plugs into the computer. You can also upload straight from the camera. The 128MB card holds about 120 - 1984 x 1488 jpeg images.
Downsides: no manual focus, no sound or zoom for movies, deleting pictures is a slow process. The focus has, so far, not been an issue.