Once you have realized how much fun it is to take digital images, you will soon realize that one memory card is never enough. Olympus SmartMedia cards are compatible with any product that uses SmartMedia (3.3V).Olympus SmartMedia memory cards also make panorama pictures a snap by taking advantage of the panorama function in Olympus digital cameras.Note: Certain models require a SmartMedia Upgrade in order to use this card. This includes the following models: D-320L, D-340L/R, D-500L, and D-600L.
Olympus's 32 MB SmartMedia memory card offers superb storage for digital cameras. When used with Olympus digital cameras that offer a panorama mode, it can help create digital panoramic photos. It can be used in any digital camera compatible with 32 MB SmartMedia.
1 panorama gets addictive
As the other reviews make plain, how much you appreciate the Olympus card depends on whether you use the panorama function. If you are a new user who doesn't think they will need the function, try out your camera before deciding. Using an Olympus D360L, which has digital zoom but not optical zoom, I found that there were shots that were *just* too wide, esp. of gardens and buildings. So while the "traditional" panorama might be of four pictures stitched together to get the horizon, a city skyline, a view from the top of the Empire State Building, etc., I now use the panorama function regularly just to stitch two photos together and get a slightly wider view on a subject. Some days (as a tourist) these are between a quarter and a third of the photos I take. That's when it becomes too inconvenient to switch cards and the Olympus card is worth the extra charge.
2 Worth the price premium!
This is a great card even though you don't really pay apremium. Of the 3 32 MB Smart media cards currently on amazon thisone this the median price with the Sandisk card being ( )less and the New Media card ( ) more (as of 5/26/00). If you own an olympus digital camera with a panorama feature this is the card to get and is certainly worth the extra money. I use this card more than my 64 MB SanDisk because it has that awesome panorama mode! END
3 Might not be worth the price premium
SmartMedia is sold under several brands. Olympus branded SmartMedia allows you to take "panorama" shots. Essentially, you take multiple shots while making sure to overlap edges. You then reassemble these multiple shots using the "Camedia" software that came with your Olympus camera. The difference is that when an Olympus brand SmartMedia card is used, your digital camera keeps exposure settings constant across these multiple shots; which makes for a consistent panorama when you reassemble the individual shots via your computer.
This is a nice feature, but not a feature most of us use often. If you are going to purchase multiple SmartMedia cards, you might be able to do with just one or two Olympus brand cards - especially since they cost more than other brands. I use two 32Mb other brand cards, and save my two 8Mb Olympus brand cards for when panorama shots present (since you can switch the cards out at anytime - unlike traditional camera film).
