Digital Camera Review » Olympus

Olympus XZ-1 Review

Cuzzy — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 04:53:27 +0000

The recently introduced Olympus XZ-1 becomes that company’s “…ultra-compact flagship camera and first of a new series… developed for the photographer or enthusiast who is looking for the ultimate high-quality, high-performance premium compact camera.”

According to cnet:

Olympus forges into that market (< em>compact, fixed-lens models)with its XZ-1, a promising-looking model that’s not quite as compact as the S95, but with an exceptionally fast f1.8 lens and a sleek design that rivals models like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 in size and operation. I had some time to play with a preproduction version of the camera–can’t really make any judgments about photo quality or performance, unfortunately–and think it’s got a nice combination of features and usability that make it a model to watch.

According to dpreview:

The XZ-1 is a rather late addition to the burgeoning enthusiast compact sector and, in some respects, a surprising one – the XZ-1′s potential market can’t help but overlap with the E-PL2′s, to an extent. But it’s a very welcome addition to what’s become an exciting part of the market for the keen photographer. This now includes a fairly broad range of cameras, varying from the ‘point-and-shoot with manual-override’ of Canon’s S95 up to the big, bulky, button-and-dial-covered Nikon P7000 and Canon G12, via the middle-ground option offered by Panasonic’s LX5 and Samsung’s TL500 (EX1).

The XZ-1 steps in towards the more compact end of this spectrum and does a great job of balancing flexibility with pocketabilty. Not only does it offer a very versatile lens range (28-112mm equivalent), but it does so with a maximum aperture that can’t be matched. At F1.8-2.5 it’s brighter at every point than either the Panasonic or Samsung, and is in a completely different league to the F2.0-4.9 offered by the Canon S95 to which it’s otherwise so similar.

Olympus PEN E-PL1 – Review

Cuzzy — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 05:52:38 +0000

The mirror less camera was a long time search of many photographers. Olympus PEN E-PL1 came into fill the void very recently. It has a slim body and a simple interface. The simplified interface of this camera best suit the users who prefer compact cameras who wishes to get better photos in a simple shot. It might not be much convenient for photographers who need to get control of the shooting parameters for each shot. The suggested selling price of Olympus PEN E-PL1 when it was designed is $ 200 but where as today it sells for $ 599.00 and more. The camera is available in range of colors.

Olympus PEN E-PL1 is smaller when compared to the previous models of Olympus cameras. The screen is smaller and it comprises of few buttons which is much user convenient. Instant movie can be filmed from this camera using a red direct button where as this camera has the ability to record 720p HD movies with stereo audio quality. Olympus PEN E-PL1 is built with Micro Four Third lenses with 12.3 mega pixels delivering higher image quality with proper brightness. Image stabilization is built within the camera itself and assures blur less images. That’s why Olympus PEN E-PL1 is much better when shooting in low light intensity or else without a tri pod where shakes might occur. It has a LCD screen and can save images in SD or SDHC cards.

Most users are not happy with the battery life as it is short when compared to few other top ranking cameras. And the flash also doesn’t seem to be pretty good as it is little weaker. High blur occurs when shooting videos which most of the users who are keen of videos doesn’t prefer. It also has a very slow power on time.
Going beyond, rather it’s a good camera with the new mirror less technology.

Digital SLR From Olympus, the E-5

Cuzzy — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 07:50:17 +0000

This is the successor to the popular E-3. Like the E-3, the new E-5 features a dust- and splash-proof body that makes extensive use of seals and is made
of lightweight but rigid magnesium alloy. Any dust that does manage to penetrate to the image sensor is quickly removed by Olympus’s industry-leading Dust Reduction System. This make it possible for users to concentrate on taking pictures without worrying about the camera or lenses even under in punishing outdoor conditions.
At first glance the Olympus E-5 looks almost exactly the same as its predecessor, and also the weatherproof magnesium body houses the first full Olympus DSLR with HD video recording functionality.

While capped at 720p resolution, it can do so at 30FPS with an external microphone input. The E-5 body should cost the originally promised $1,700. Olympus also snuck details on another product release into its update, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 Micro Four Thirds zoom lens. It also ships on October 29, priced at the equivalent of $580 in Japan.

Immediately notice the huge 3-inch tilt-swivel LCD is a great advantage of this camera. Besides that they had to move some buttons around to make way for that big slab of an LCD but aside from that the controls appear to be the same except for one the auto focus point selector now doubles as a video button. That’s right, the new Olympus E-5 has video ,720p HD Motion JPEG at 30 frames per second, to be exact. That’s right, the new Olympus E-5 has video – 720p HD Motion JPEG at 30 frames per second, to be exact. It also sports a 12-megapixel High Speed Live MOS Sensor.
-That’s 20% more pixels than the E-3 and hopefully better all-around image quality.
-Live View, built-in sensor-level image stabilization; Supersonic Wave Filter dust-reduction system;
-a weather-sealed body with a burly magnesium chassis
-Art Filters; selectable aspect ratios, and I believe it has the same built-in electronic level Olympus debuted

in the E-30.
-It also uses the excellent Zuiko Digital lens line
-In spite of the increased resolution (compared to the E-3), larger LCD and HD video, the E-5 doesn’t feel like a dramatic update.
- Olympus says of the image quality, “The E-5 camera achieves the highest image quality of any Olympus camera by pairing a 12.3 megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor with a TruePic V+ image processing engine that boasts new “Fine Detail Processing” technology for greater detail in the photograph.”

Main Features highlight by olympus site itself:

1.The highest Image quality available from any of our cameras, made possible by a 12.3-megapixel High-Speed

Live MOS Sensor that maximizes the superior imaging potential of ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses together with the

“TruePic V+” image processing engine with new “Fine-Detail Processing” technology.

2.High reliability thanks to a rugged magnesium-alloy body, dust/splash-proof construction, and high-power Dust

Reduction System.

3.Free-angle shooting of both still images and movies using the 3-inch VGA HyperCrystal LCD monitor with the

dual-axis swivelling system.

Aditional Features by Olympus Original Website:
Other Features
The world’s fastest AF*1 with 11 Point-Full-Twin Cross AF Sensors
High-speed shutter of 1/8000 sec., High-speed sequential shooting of 5 frames/sec.
Responsive Live View shooting featuring imager AF compatible with any Four Thirds System lens and High-Speed

Imager AF
Built-in image stabilization mechanism with compensation up to 5 EV steps*2
Ten Art Filters including the new “Dramatic Tone” effect
Picture modes, including the newly added “i-FINISH” mode, now control Art Filters to add a sophisticated final

touch to images
720p HD movie and HDMI output for high-quality image
CF/SD dual slots
Large optical viewfinder with 100% field of view and 1.15x magnification
Extended function buttons and “My Set”
Underwater white balance control
Copyright owner information input
2-frame and 7-frame AE bracketing functions added
Indication of the level gauge in/on the viewfinder, Control panel, Rear LCD monitor
Two dials plus cursor keys with high operability convenient for playback view
Multiple-exposure function to superimpose current view on top of previously captured image
Built-in flash with Commander function for wireless off-camera flash synchronization
Durable high-speed shutter tested to 150,000 releases*2

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Olympus SP-800UZ

Cuzzy — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 18:10:39 +0000

The Olympus SP-800UZ boasts an impressive 30x optical zoom lens. It lacks the electronic viewfinder of its SP ultrazoom predecessors, but it’s equipped with a 3.0-inch LCD, 720p HD video recording, and Olympus’s Creative Art Filter processing modes.

Quick Specs

Megapixels: 14 MP
Weight: 15 ounces
Optical Zoom: 30 x
Media Type: SD memory card, SDHC

Source

ib software from Olympus

Cuzzy — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:11:37 +0000

Image editing software from Olympus has been updated. There are updated video editing features, movies slideshows and it comes under the version of 1.2. For those who are using the Olympus software ib. They can get the updated version in Olympus websites.

Safely Back up Images and Easily Organize Them.

When your camera is connected to your PC, the camera battery automatically charges and new images stored on the camera are automatically uploaded to your PC, ensuring you never forget to back them up.

For the convenience of photo viewing, images are first categorized by event. Location information and person names/descriptions can be added to each photo. Images can even be categorized in bulk. With [ib] you can quickly find and enjoy the images you are looking for.

Versatile Editing Features.

In addition to retouching features such as Instant Fix and Red-Eye Fix, advanced editing features such as Beautifier and Filters are also available.

Advanced RAW development options are available to allow you to customize the process to your personal preference.

Source

Olympus Stylus 7040 Review

Cuzzy — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 03:32:47 +0000

The Olympus Stylus 7040 is an ultra-compact digicam that had been equipped with all of the features that anyone would need to take fantastic pictures in almost any situation. Sporting a 14-Megapixel imaging sensor, you will easily be able to capture poster sized images without missing any of the small details in
the image. Also featured is a 7x wide optical zoom lens, Dual Image Stabilization, 3-inch LCD screen, Tracking AF, 2GB of Internal memory and 720p HD video
capture gives you an almost unparalleled feature set.

Source

Olympus Stylus Tough 3000 First Look

Cuzzy — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:25:49 +0000

Announced in January 2010 for a February entry into the market, The Olympus Stylus Tough 3000 compact digital becomes the first model in the series to feature a High-Definition (720p) video capability. The camera also packs the lowest MSRP in the Tough family, is waterproof to 10 feet, functional in temperatures down to 14 degrees F and can survive a 5 foot fall.

Our review model came in a snappy blue two-tone color scheme (there are green, pink and red versions available as well), but just as I was about to start grousing over the lack of a detailed user’s manual in the box, it turned out that no matter the color of the body, all Tough 3000s are green. Olympus has built in 1 gigabyte of internal memory (632 megabytes of which are available for shooting) and included the manual in-camera in lieu of a paper manual or CD-ROM.

Source

Olympus M Zuiko Digital 14-150mm F4-5.6 lens review

Cuzzy — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:17:37 +0000

Just posted! Our lens review featuring Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds superzoom, the M Zuiko Digital 14-150mm F4-5.6. This latest addition to the company’s Pen range continues with its downsizing theme, and is dramatically smaller and lighter than most similar SLR lenses. It also promises fast and silent focusing optimized for video shooting. So is this mini-marvel the ultimate general-purpose travel zoom?

Source

Olympus M Zuiko Digital 14-150mm F4-5.6 lens review

Cuzzy — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 03:32:38 +0000

Olympus dust reduction system wins Japanese invention award

Cuzzy — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:50:42 +0000

Olympus’s dust reduction system, incorporated both in its E-series DSLRs and Micro Four Thirds cameras has won an award in Japan’s National Invention Awards 2010. The awards are organized by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (JIII) every June to honor the most significant patents of awarded in the previous year. Olympus Development Division manager Kawai Sumio will receive the award sponsored by national newspaper Asahi Shimbun, for the dust reduction system. The original patent application was made in December 2000, with the technology first appearing in the company’s E-1 DSLR in 2003.

Source

Olympus E-P2

Cuzzy — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:05:58 +0000

Ten months passed between the announcement of the Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable lens format and Olympus unveiling its first model. For much of this time Panasonic had been selling its DSLR-like G1 while all we’d see from Olympus was a design mock-up it admitted wasn’t at that time feasible.But in June 2009, Olympus finally revealed the camera responsible for our most-read preview ever – the E-P1. The company was able to do what
very few of the current big players could – build on a history of compact photographers’ cameras. And, in doing so, appeared to provide the camera we’d been

asking manufacturers to make for many years – a small camera with a good level of photographic control and a large sensor (only Sigma had really tried this before).

The E-P1 managed to fit most of the company’s excellent E-620 DSLR into a comparatively small, beautifully styled metal case in a way that appealed to far beyond the camera-geek demographic. It was not without its problems, however – the main one being its autofocus system that was rather sluggish when compared to Panasonic’s G-series. Also its control system, inherited wholesale from the E-System Four Thirds DSLRs, didn’t always perfectly translate to the way its buttons are laid out (The newer, simpler E-PL1 and firmware updated Panasonics make this more apparent than it was at the time of review).

Then, a little under five months later, (and just a few weeks after Epson announced a high-res viewfinder display), Olympus launched the E-P2. The only major difference is the addition of an accessory port at the back of the camera underneath the flash hot shoe mount. This may not sound like a big deal but it does allow users to address one of the criticisms we leveled at the E-P1 – the lack of viewfinder and the difficulty of shooting in bright light that this brings.

Olympus has also been working hard boosting the AF speed of the PEN series and this quick review is based on the latest version which promises the fastest focusing yet across the whole range (E-P1, E-P2 and E-PL1). However, while it has been designing its new lenses, specifically the 9-18mm wide angle and 14-150mm superzoom, with single, lightweight internal focus groups for fast focusing, the company has not redesigned its 14-42mm kit zoom to offer the same advantages.

Key features

12.2 MP Four Thirds ‘Live MOS’ sensor

In-body image stabilization (claimed to be effective for 4 stops of stabilization)

TruePic V image processing engine

8 ‘Art Filter’ creative image effects

Classically styled metal casing

Accessory port for add-ons such as electronic viewfinder

AF tracking

i-Enhance ‘color boosting function’

ISO 100-6400

720p HD video (MJPEG format) with stereo sound

3.0″ 230,000 dot LCD screen

Face detection (up to 8 faces)

Virtual-horizon level adjustment

AF fine adjust

Shadow Adjustment Technology (adaptive tone curve adjustment)

Source

Olympus Pen E-PL1

Cuzzy — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:35:47 +0000

Olympus launched its Micro Four Thirds range with the prestigious Pen E-P1 and Pen E-P2 models, which traded heavily on the company’s film-camera heritage. The new, 12.3-megapixel Pen E-PL1, however, is the version for the man and woman on the street. It’s more cheaply made, so it’s less expensive, at around £550 with the 14-42mm kit lens. It’s also more basic — or is it?

Cheaper but more cheerful
You might imagine that Olympus would have dropped a few features with its lower-cost Micro Four Thirds camera. A quick check of the exterior reveals fewer controls and a more plasticky finish.

But, when you actually look at what the camera has and what it does, a different picture emerges. In fact, the E-PL1 does everything the others do, as well as offering a built-in flash. The flash isn’t that powerful compared to a digital SLR’s, but it’s as good as anything you’ll find on a compact camera, and it’s always good to have one for emergencies, even if you don’t use it that much.The E-PL1 really does feel quite different to the E-P1 and E-P2. The plastic construction is initially rather disappointing, but the camera is lighter, narrower and taller, and handles rather better than the other two.

It’s the same story with the controls. They’re more basic and more cheaply made, but they’re actually much more efficient. Olympus has ditched the two rather awkward rotary controllers seen on the E-P1 and E-P2 and used straightforward, four-way navigation buttons instead. They’re clear and simple, and work better. Changing the shutter speed and aperture in manual mode, for example, means pressing buttons instead of spinning dials, but that’s no great hardship. The 720p high-definition movie mode is rather good too, because it offers full manual control over shutter speed, aperture and focusing. You have to remember to set the autofocus to continuous mode before you start shooting if you want to use it, and you have to dip into the menus to choose the exposure mode, but all that’s quickly learned. The result is an excellent stills camera that’s also an HD camcorder suitable for seasoned video enthusiasts. You can shoot full-resolution stills in the middle of a clip, too.

The E-PL1′s stills are excellent too. Micro Four Thirds sensors have come a long way since the early days, but more through evolution than revolution. The E-PL1′s 12.3-megapixel sensor and 14-42mm kit lens match the best APS-C-format dSLRs for image quality. The camera’s pictures are rich, saturated and sharp, and it has one of the best kit lenses around.

Gripes of wrath
This kit lens is the source of one of the E-PL1′s few irritations, though. When it’s ‘folded’, it looks great, but you have to unlock it with a catch to start shooting, which is a drag. It also extends to twice its folded length and looks like a pile of pants. Still, it works, and it takes extremely good pictures. The other annoyance is that you have to press the zoom button repeatedly in playback mode, instead of just holding it down. But this is a very minor complaint.

Conclusion
So what if the Olympus Pen E-PL1 looks rather plasticky compared to its predecessors? In terms of design, features and everyday functionality, it makes the E-P1 and E-P2 look over-engineered, over-designed and overpriced. If only Olympus had built the E-PL1 right at the start.

Credit to: reviews.cnet.co.uk

Olympus E-30

Cuzzy — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:37:00 +0000

Over the years, famous photographers have channeled their individualism by depending on open imaginations and a good eye to create aestheticly pleasing works of art that change your world view to expose a deep meaning or opinion. The Olympus E-30 digital SLR camera is a robust camera that brings the artwork of picture taking to fresh creative peaks by providing the artistic freedom to photograph what you vision in your mind’s eye, not simply what you see through the lens of the camera.

Like the first brush stroke on a blank canvas, the E-30 renders split second artistic satisfaction. Its simplicity and ability to morph the average into something aesthetic is appealing to traditional artists, commercial artists, creative directors and website developers, people with an vission for style and creative people from all different backgrounds, not just photographers. New Art Filters and Multiple Exposure alter how we produce photos, letting loose a digital imaging experience different than anything else that creates brilliant masterpieces with just the camera without needing expensive software like Photoshop.

Besides the new Art Filters and Multiple Exposure features, the E-30 presents similar advanced-precision functionality and photo quality needed by master photographers who use the E-3, as well as the newbie-friendly functions found on the E-520, and many new surprises of its own. As with all Olympus DSLRs, the E-30 offers innovative Dust Reduction and in-body mechanized Image Stabilization so that all Four Thirds lens systems are steady. The E-30 also provides TruePic III+ Image Processor and Full Time Autofocus Live View. These functions are integrated with a new 12.3-megapixel high-speed Live MOS image sensor to take exhilarating photos.

Additional Features Include:

AF Focus Adjustment: use the AF sensor (when set to [Hybrid AF] or [AF Sensor]) to fine-adjust the focusing position to a range of ±20 steps
Lens Data Set: fine-adjust the AF for each lens. You can register the adjustment values for up to 20 lenses.
Focus Target Selection
AE Fine Adjustment
Smooth Live View (Frame Rate): change the frame rate of the Live View display
Customizing of information display: change what appears when you select the “INFO” button
Customized Battery Check Level: for use with the HLD-4 Battery Grip

Olympus Stylus Tough 6000

Cuzzy — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:45:39 +0000

For the first time, Dual Image Stabilization will be offered on Olympus cameras in the tough category. In the cold climates where Stylus Tough-6000 thrives, you may shiver, but the camera performs sure and steady even in shaking hands. Dual Image Stabilization combines two technologies–mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization–to provide one powerful anti-blur solution for capturing great images whether the photographer or the subject is moving. Olympus mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization keeps images sharp by adjusting the internal image sensor to compensate for camera movement, even in low-light conditions when shutter speeds are slower.

Additionally, Digital Image Stabilization freezes the action with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds that prevent blurry images often caused by a moving subject. There’s really only one word to describe the new shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof, crushproof and shakeproof Stylus 6000 from Olympus: Tough. Built to withstand some of the harshest environments on earth, the Stylus Tough series builds on the impressive specifications of the renowned Stylus SW Series by adding Dual Image Stabilization.

Now, when the Stylus Tough-6000 arrives at the windy mountain peak or dive into choppy waves, it stays steady and ready to capture blur-free images in virtually any condition. The 10-megapixel Stylus Tough-6000 is made for life’s everyday adventures–especially those with kids. From the kitchen to a waterslide park and the bunny slopes, the Stylus Tough-6000 can take a drop from 5 feet, dive to 10 feet below the surface, and beat the freezing cold. It also features Tap Control to make it easy for skiers, divers and snowmen makers to control key settings without removing their gloves.

Product Features

10-megapixel resolution for photo-quality, poster-size prints
Waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof and shakeproof
3.6x wide-angle optical dual image stabilized zoom
2.7-inch Advanced HyperCrystal III LCD screen
Compatible with xD Picture Cards and microSD memory cards

Olympus Stylus Tough 8000

Cuzzy — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:15:24 +0000

If I had to choose only one word to describe the new shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof, crushproof and shakeproof Stylus 8000 camera from Olympus, it would be: Tough. It’s designed to survive some of the roughest environments on the planet, the Stylus Tough series builds on the impressive specifications of the renowned Stylus SW Series by adding Dual Image Stabilization. Now, when the Stylus Tough-8000 arrives at the windy mountain peak or dive into choppy waves, it stays steady and ready to capture blur-free images in virtually any condition.

The Stylus Tough-8000, designed for active and adventurous people, features an impressive 12 million pixels of image resolution for poster-sized prints and can survive a 6.6-foot drop, venture 33 feet underwater, withstand 220 pounds of crushing pressure, and laugh at freezing temperatures. Tap Control makes it easy for skiers, divers and snowmen makers to control key settings without removing their gloves.

12-megapixel resolution for photo-quality, poster-size prints
Waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof and shakeproof
3.6x wide-angle optical dual image stabilized zoom
2.7-inch Advanced HyperCrystal III LCD screen
Compatible with xD Picture Cards and microSD memory cards