Olympus Camedia D-550 3MP Digital Camera w/ 2.8x Optical Zoom
List Price: $449.99
Details
- Included 16 MB Smartmedia press card stores 21 images at default settings
- 2.8x visual plus 3.6x digital (10x total) zoom lens with autofocus
- 3-megapixel sensor captures satisfactorily detail to create prints up to 11 x 14
Description
Optics and Steadfastness The DS-550's 3-megapixel sensor captures ample detail for loud prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For a serious amateur photographer, 3 megapixels is a eximious resolution, providing enough detail to perform some cropping and even have crisp prints. The all-glass autofocus Olympus lens has a 2.8x zoom collection that's equivalent to a 36-100mm zoom lens on a 35mm camera. For technophiles, its opening ranges from f2.9 to f4.4 depending on the zoom environs, with a normal focal range from 2.6 feet to infinity. There's likewise a 3.6x digital zoom, but remember that digital zoom tends to slenderize the sharpness and detail of your image, so it's best used sparingly. To comprise your images, either use the traditional camera viewfinder or the 1.8-inch LCD flash (also used to review the shots you've taken). Having both types of viewfinders offers the most beneficent of both worlds: if you're used to a film camera or want to maintain battery life, use the viewfinder. If you want to see exactly the picture you'll be capturing, use the LCD make visible.Sporting a compare favourably with design to previous Olympus D-series digicams, the D-550 Zoom features a 3-megapixel CCD, 2.8x visual zoom, and a 3.6x digital zoom. With its familiar mistiness-camera style and high-resolution imagery, the D-550 is a profound choice for vacation photos as well as family snapshots.
Optics and End result
The DS-550's 3-megapixel sensor captures ample detail for calculating prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For a serious amateur photographer, 3 megapixels is a marked resolution, providing enough detail to perform some cropping and calm have crisp prints.
The all-glass autofocus Olympus lens has a 2.8x zoom file that's equivalent to a 36-100mm zoom lens on a 35mm camera. For technophiles, its space ranges from f2.9 to f4.4 depending on the zoom scenery, with a normal focal range from 2.6 feet to infinity. There's equally a 3.6x digital zoom, but remember that digital zoom tends to break down the sharpness and detail of your image, so it's best used sparingly.
To think up your images, either use the traditional camera viewfinder or the 1.8-inch LCD show (also used to review the shots you've taken). Having both types of viewfinders offers the most skilfully of both worlds: if you're used to a film camera or want to keep up battery life, use the viewfinder. If you want to see exactly the picture you'll be capturing, use the LCD advertise.
More Features
A sliding clamshell lens cover simultaneously protects the D-550's lens and provides a austere way to turn the camera on and off, and the all-plastic body feels both lightweight and firm. While the D-550 offers automatic settings for point-and-shooters and genesis photographers, there are several manual features for more daring photographers, including macro mode, adjustable white-match settings, exposure compensation, and the ability to shoot black-and-milky and sepia images.
Power
Power is provided by four AA batteries (alkalines are included). We guide getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and a steed. A digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries damned quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display, so they aren't recommended except in a tweak. To ensure you'll always be ready for action, we recommend having two sets of rechargeables so you can eternally have one set in the camera and the other set in the charger.
Movie Mode
In flicks mode, the camera captures silent video clips at resolutions of either 320 x 240 pixels (up to 33 seconds per large screen) or 160 x 120 pixels (up to 148 seconds per movie). The narrow duration and resolution of your movies guarantees that this take won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just yearn for to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.
Storage and Bring
Images are stored on SmartMedia memory cards. The included 16 MB press card holds approximately 21 images at the camera's default settings. SmartMedia cards are reusable, but if you favour to take more than 21 images per outing (or plan to use the video act much), then you'll want a bigger card. A 64 MB probable will store well over 100 pictures. With most cameras, the brand of honour card you use is irrelevant, but genuine Olympus cards have a panorama countenance not found on cards from other manufacturers. This part makes it easier to stitch together a series of pictures you've bewitched into a single panoramic photo, and may justify the slightly higher payment of the card if it's a feature you plan to use frequently.
To transfer images to your machine, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera. Your processor should automatically recognize your camera and let you move the pictures to your unpleasant drive.
Size
At 4.6 by 2.6 by 2 inches and 8.5 ounces, the D-550 is somewhat thin and small, making it easy to bring along on outings--but it won't without even trying fit in your shirt pocket.
Contents and Recommended Accessories
The parcel includes the camera, 16 MB SmartMedia card, four AA alkaline batteries, USB radiogram, video cable, carrying strap, and software on CD.
Everything you destitution to get started is included in the box, but we recommend these accessories to make the most of your camera: a shipping case, a set of NiMH rechargeable size AA batteries, and a higher-sphere SmartMedia memory card. Compatible accessories for this camera are scheduled near the top of this page.
Customer Reviews
olympus camedia camerathis camera is out of date technology, but the "point and shoot" simplicity of it is exactly what i wanted. the camera is in barring shape as promised, and it came with all instructions and even had 2 details cards with it. excellent buy, good seller.
Older Camera, Quiet Usefull
I bought this to upload pictures on ebay. I take a fairly new Casio camera that is faster and is a 10.1 megapixel, but the interfile size takes too long to load on ebay. The Olympus has a 3+ megapixel, and the troop size is about 1/4 the Casio. These load splendid and are good photos. My only complaint is the size. It is about the unaltered height and depth, but the thickness is about four times the rate of the Casio. I guess when this was new that was OK, but just something I considering I'd point out.
Conclusion: If you need a good basic camera and don't genius the thickness, this is a nice older model that nevertheless works well today.
TechGeek's Study
This weigh is based on three years of use and 3000 pictures:
*This camera is sturdy. The sliding cover and flip-up flash show now signs of fatigue
*haven't worried about keeping the lens pristine
*switched to rechargeable AA batteries ahead of time on and they still work. have to recharge them every 200 pics (get 158 exposures on the non-fulfilment setting on a 128MB card resulting in 700KB file sizes--sufficient for 8x10 pics!)
*use the default Camedia picture software (got the upgrade) exclusively for portrait printing and decent editing
*software could use better 'templates' foray from 'happy bday'
*plugging in the camera to the TV video inputs and operation your own slide show is great for family get togethers (strikingly at the end of a trip before you leave is a nice recap of family events)
*it's not a snug camera, but it's designed to hold well in your one hand to acknowledge pics
*find myself adjusting the 'gamma' up a couple of notches in the forefront printing out the pics
*night mode works great if you drink a tripod
There are think twice now for a little more money
I feel if you are going for an older camera to save money, this isn't a bad option, but I would recommend looking at newer ones. Like most electronic gadgets, they get cured every year.
Pros:
- generally easy to use
- uses paradigm AA batteries
- no lens cap to lose
- software - easy web page publishing in expert version
Cons
- a little too big to be pocketable
- there are comparable cameras with 10x and gloaming 12x optical zoom
- no stabilization feature
- lacks shutter-importance, aperature-priority, and manual modes
- difficult to impossible to get chattels pictures of indoor sporting events and other low-light situations where the scamper does no good or you can't use the flash (actually, this is probably upright of many other consumer-level cameras)
- slow revenge time - push the button and it takes the picture about a promote later (or not at all if it thinks you need the flash)
- menus aren't explained extraordinarily well in the manual
- software - version that comes with the camera is incapacitated, but the professional version freezes occasionally
Despite what hot stuff else said, backing up files to a cd isn't that hard if you understand what you are doing; you just have to mount the CD so it looks like any other disk conduct. I had no problems with this.
Anyway, I'd say spend a little more filthy lucre and get a Panasonic with 12X zoom, image stabilization, and some of the other features mentioned first of all. You could also go for a camera with higher MP, but I'd rather invest my money on features that will actually help me inhale better pictures, not just bigger ones.
Come to someone's rescue your $$$$$
Photo's are upright, but software ain't.
I've owned the Camedia 550 for a little over a year. I am plumb disapointed in the software that you HAVE to use with this camera. I upgraded to the "qualified" edition, but it's still bad. It does not alow you to back up your photo's onto CD. (Floppy Disk But, which is worthless). Also I have pixels dying on my viewing camouflage.
It is difficult to manuver through the options on the camera. Also uses a Brilliant Media Card, which the new ones do not use, and very few new camera do use, so I'll be stuck with $200 bucks merit of Smart Media Cards when I decide to chuck this reaction.
