Point and shoot ease and full manual controls, the Olympus Camedia C-750 delivers sharp, crisp 4.0-megapixel images for print enlargements beyond 11 x 14 inches. The C-750 features a more compact body than its predecessor (the C-730), a new extra-low dispersion (ED) lens, movie mode, a built-in flash, and compatibility with XD memory cards. It also improves on the new C-740 with more megapixels (4.0 versus the 3.2 of the C-740), a 40x total zoom (10x optical and 4x digital zoom), addition of a hot shoe for external flash, an all metal body, and sound recording with movie mode.
Optics and Resolution
The 4.0-megapixel Olympus C-750 digital camera can capture images up to 2288 x 1712 pixels; it can also produce 3200 x 2400 pixel images through interpolation for extra-large prints. It boasts an outstanding Olympus aspherical glass 10x zoom lens with 11 lenses in 7 groups. When combined with the 4x digital zoom, you get a total zoom of 40x. The F2.8-F3.7 lens has a focal range of 6.3-63mm, or 38–380mm equivalent in 35mm photography. The ED coating on the lens helps reduce the purple fringing normally seen on larger zoom cameras.
The C-750 also features Olympus TruePic technology, which optimizes the image information captured on the CCD before the data is saved by using the brightness and color information of the neighboring pixels when processing the pixel data. This leads to digital pictures that set standards for picture sharpness, contrast, true colors, and gradation.
Storage and Transfer
With the C-750, you can store images on XD memory cards. With the included 16 MB XD card, you can store 16 images at HQ mode (2288 x 1712 pixels). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.
Movie Mode
In movie mode, the C-750 captures continuous video (with audio) at 15 frames per second in two formats: 320 x 240 (up to 16 seconds) or 160 x 120 pixels (up to 30 seconds). The QuickTime Motion JPEG format offers a limited resolution, which is great for capturing a short movie that can be e-mailed to friends and family, but is no replacement for a true camcorder.
More Features
- TTL hot shoe, which supports Olympus FL-20 and FL-40 external flashes as well as select third-party flashes.
- 1.5-inch low-temperature poly-silicon LCD screen and electronic viewfinder.
- Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, slow synch, and fill in modes.
- Stitch up to 10 frames to create a panorama effect with Camedia Master software when using Olympus brand XD memory cards.
- Six scene program modes; Four customizable My Modes let you choose and save preferred settings
- Image adjustment modes include sharpness, contrast, and saturation (adjustable +/- 5 steps).
- Super macro mode gets as close as 1.2 inches away from your subject.
Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by four AA-size Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (included with charger) or four AA alkaline batteries. The camera measures 4.2 x 2.6 x 2.7 inches and weighs 10.4 ounces. This package includes the Camedia C-750 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, four Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and charger, RM-2 wireless remote control, USB and A/V cables, wrist strap, warranty card, and CD-ROM with Camedia Master imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac. This camera is covered by the manufacturer's one-year limited warranty.
1 I made such a blunder!
If you EVER want to shoot indoors- GET ANOTHER CAMERA!
Outdoors or in VERY bright indoor lighting, this camera is WONDERFUL. (Well, it does have the "purple fringing" that others have mentioned, but otherwise its great.)
BUT you must remember two facts: The viewfinder is NOT an optical device. (It is an electronic display.) And it has a ten power optical Zoom. Think of it as a mid range telephoto lens.
So the result: You cannot get this camera to focus indoors. I could post a million examples. The auto focus DOESN'T work in indoor light (or any "less than sunshine" setting.)
And then becuase of the aforementioned electronic viewfinder display, manual focus is extremely difficult.
But even if you manage to get the focal distance right, that doesn't mean that you're out of the woods- because with this "long" lens- the depth of field is miniscule.
I just tried to take pictures at a concert (good range, bright stage lights) and I got a very sharp photo of a microphone.
Sadly, the singer is totally fuzzy...
Please, please, please don't make the mistake that I made. If you shoot indoors, get the same camera WITHOUT the 10x optical telephoto.
I have other complaints but ONLY buy this camera for OUTDOORS work (and in good lighting at that.)
2 A Great Value
Tons of features for a great price. Benefits include tons of settings, great zoom capbility, software is easy to use. Drawbacks - lag time before the image is taken. Buy a back up set of rechargeable batteries as they are expended fairly quickly. Also, the 256K xD card is a necessity since once you start using this camera it is very hard to stop!
3 Best Bang for the Buck
After 11 months of use, I like the camera better today than when I first purchased it. This thing takes great pictures. (especially after you learn how to use all the settings) At first I was disappointed with the low light focusing, but after doing some research it seems that most digital cameras suffer from the same problem. The solution with the C-750's low light focusing problem is LEARNING HOW TO USE THE MANUAL FOCUS feature, which is very easy to use.
PROS:
Great pics
Battery life is ok (always have charged spares)
10X zoom (be sure to use your tripod)
very easy to use
Great macro features
CONS:
I spend to much time taking pictues
Cost of accesories
Lack of image stabilization
1/1000 max shutter speed
This is a great all around camera. I use it daily. I would buy it again or atleast the newer versions.
4 Dependable camera with one small problem
I bought this camera about 10 months ago and have been using it since then. This is a great camera, especially with the 10X optical zoom. All my friends have been surprised with the brilliant pictures that can be taken with its full optical zoom. It's got a solid feel to it and is very well constructed - quite unlike the many plastic cameras in the market today. I had even dropped the camera once from my pocket onto a concrete floor while sitting on a bench - a 2 feet drop. There was just a scratch on the mode dial but no other issues - I don't think too many electronic devices can live after a fall like that.
The one problem with the camera is low light focus (By low light I mean a standard size room with just one 60W bulb). It often fails to focus in such conditions especially in high zoom. The solution in low light could be:
a) Take photos in full wide angle
b) If that fails try switching to manual focus. Here you could first try keeping the focus fixed at infinity.
But this is a problem with most 10X zoom cameras out there. I guess it's because of the large number of individual elements within the lens that reduce the light reaching the sensors. Due to this you may want to rethink buying this camera if you have to do a lot of photography in low light or you want a simple and uncomplicated point and shoot camera.
I have read some people complaining about the shutter delay and how it's impossible to take pictures of moving subjects. The solution is quite simple - just hold the shutter button half pressed and then and shoot exactly when you want to. The only problem could be if the subject's distance from you is rapidly changing. Personally, I have never found problems taking action shots though.
Pros:
- Excellent array of features. More than most amateurs would want or even experiment with.
- Excellent 10X optical zoom.
- Outstanding image quality.
- Good battery life - about 150 photos with LCD on.
- Comes with a set of 4 good rechargeable batteries with charger.
- No software needed to connect the camera to a computer.
Cons:
- Low light focusing.
- Will loose all settings every time you remove the batteries for more that 2 mins.
- Kind of large - I could have done with a smaller camera that I can pocket.
5 Another great Ultra Zoom from Olympus
I own the 750 and I own a 730 and a 700. All of them are excellent cameras and offer great optics. The 700 is still one of the only digital cameras out there allowing an ISO of 800 with an optical 10x zoom. The 730 accepts both the XD and the Smartmedia cards and the 750 offers a 4 MP capacity. I print 8x10 enlargements from all three cameras and they look great. With regard to some issues raised by other reviewers: the complete manual is included on the Camedia software disk in PDF format--it is worth the effort to print it out and read it. I have shut off all beeps and other noises on all of these cameras since I cannot stand any noise--instructions on how to do this are in the manual. With regard to shutter lag, I shoot a lot of hockey games and I almost always pre-focus by holding the shutter halfway down (using flash you see a green dot in the viewfinder) and then finish depressing the shutter when the picture is composed. If you are taking indoor sporting events, I heartily recommend external flash (get permission first). I use Olympus FL-40s but with the correct cable you can use cheaper flashes such as the Vivitar 283. Note: not all UZ models allow external flash--I do not recommend buying a digital camera without the ability to use external flash. Olympus pioneered the 10x optical zoom on a consumer digital camera and they are great lenses.
6 One year later
The zoom is brilliant, but the camera has some irritants. In very bright light, which is usual lighting conditions in South Australia, you need to take control of the exposure, because it will wash out the colours. In low light (ie needing a flash), you have to take control of the focussing. And every time you replace or re-charge the batteries, you'll need to turn off the stupid start-up/shutdown sound effects - if you prefer your photography to be subtle.
7 Movie files are "Quick Time" Don't Need it.....
Nice pictures. I don't have much to compare this too. The camera is complicated to master. A lot of settings. My big complaint is that the movies files the camera produces are only playable with QUICK TIME. I don't use quick time .... I don't want to use quick time. I use Media Player. You can not load these .mov files into Power Point. Bummer. It is crazy for a company these days to produce something like that. My opinion is that I would not buy another one.
8 slow autofocus - not great for movement
I got this camera because of the 10X optical zoom and the good reviews. I have two kids under 4 years old and I knew digital cameras would have trouble with them b/c of their (the cameras, that is) slow shutter time relative to film SLRs, and based on what I'd seen using other people's digital cameras. But I got the C-750 anyway. I sent it back after a week. The autofocus was unbearably slow, even when set in 'sports' mode, with or without flash. The pictures were often either blurry or I missed the moment because of the slow speed of the camera. A digital camera review web site I read ranked the C-750 as 'slower than average', and I would say that was also my impression comparing it to relatives/friends cameras.
9 Exceeded all my expectations
It's been almost a month i'm using this cam, and so far it has exceeded all my expectations.
After an extensive research, and even though i have read more than 400 positive reviews in several technical forums, i was still reluctant until i started shooting with this cam.
The pictures are amazingly life-like, no artifacts or unwanted color enhancements.
The night shots are dazzeling, especially with the 4secs shutter speed (use a tripod!) and the noise reduction feature, you will hardly notice any pixelization!
Overall, for the price you're paying, i doubt you will find a better choice.
10 Excellent Camera with Remarkable Results
I bought this camera before winter vacation and have used it too much since then. This is the best camera available in the market, no doubt about that. Its 10X optical zoom helps to take very clear pictures of people or places far off. Photographs are cyrstal clear and the prints are excellent without any haziness or dots or anything.
It comes with a remote and thus there you dont need to run after clicking the timer button...just set the remote option..make the pose comfortbaly..and then take the picture whenever u want to.
The video qulaity is good and sound recorded alongwith is also very clear. Its menu options are very easy to learn and you need not to read the manual. Though there are various options, but best pics are always in auto mode.
The only thing is that it takes a while to take the picture once you click it and thus you can miss a monemt like in any sporting event. But once you start using it, you will get an idea to click it timely using "fast pictures" mode. Also it does not have some pre-set options like beach mode etc which does nt matter as u can use Blue filter option provided in it.
One important thing is : To get best qulaity at higher zooms, wait for soemtime for enough light to enter the camera before taking the pciture.
Over all its a very good deal.
11 Best value for the price
My wife and I have been using this camera for about 5 months, and we're overall very happy with it. It has rich functionality, and excellent picture quality, not to mention the awesome 10x zoom.
Before our purchase, I was reading lots of reviews and viewing lots of sample pictures on the net. While --as other other reviewers have pointed out-- some artifacts may be present in extreme settings, most of these will only prevent you from taking truly professional shots. (However, if you're looking for a camera that exhibits much less artifacts, you'll need to look into a price range maybe an order of magnitude higher.) So since I definitely wanted a large zoom (you really need that if you aim at doing creative things), this camera seemed like an excellent value, with lots of nice features and really few problems.
We've made several thousand pictures already, and we really fell in love with the camera. It gives you amazingly real colors, excellent picture quality, and tremendous flexibility for your creativity. After showing it to a friend, he bought his own in a few days.
Talking about some other cons that other reviewers mentioned:
- small memory card: all cameras I know of come with small memory cards. This is just the way it is. (Probably because memory is expensive and many people just forget about it, making them willing to buy more expensive cameras.) Also, while the xD cards are slightly more expensive than most others, it's a one-time investment, and they are fast.
- poor charger, relatively short battery life: This is true but not really an influential factor. Just go and buy an Energizer 8-pack of 2100mAh batteries with charger for about $25, and then you have 12 batteries and 2 slow chargers, which I guarantee will be enough, and you don't need to buy the expensive fast charger.
- poor autofocus in dark: This is also true, but even AF assist lamps don't help at more than a few feet distance, so don't feel you're really missing out on that, except if you want lots of short-distance point-and-shoot shots in dark. Otherwise, to take shots in dark, you can buy a tripod (cheap) and use rich array of manual settings, which is what you'd do with any good camera. We've made lots of excellent night shots, even with full auto settings, using only a tripod.
So my recommendation: check the specs, and if it doesn't lack something you definitely need, then buy.
12 Great Digital Camera with Many Features
I've had this camera for about a week now. I love it. My first digital camera was Kodak dx4330. I was glad that I had the kodak one as my first digital camera because it was very user-friendly and easy to use. But I wanted to have more advanced features, such as A/S/M control, white balance, macro mode, exposure compensation. This Olympus camera offers lots of features I was looking for.
I must say that if you're a beginner photographer or new to the digital camera, this camera might be too complicated and not user-friendly. However, for those looking for cameras with advanced features, such as various manual setups and ultra zoom, this is a great camera for a reasonable price range.
When I tried to use the Movie mode with Sound (this model has an option of having Sound on or off with Movie mode), there was a constant mechanical grinding noise by the microphone and whenever I recorded the movie, it would record that annoying noise too. I called the technical support at Olympus. The person I talked to told me that that was "normal" for their digital cameras. He could not offer any solutions to get rid of that noise. I was so disappointed about this fault. However, yesterday when I was trying different modes and options on this camera, I discovered that turning off "FULLTIME AF" option from Movie Mode Menu gets rid of that noise. "FULLTIME AF" mode is offered in both Still Camera mode as well as in Movie mode. In order not to have the grining noise recorded in your movie, you need to turn off "FULLTIME AF" from the Movie Mode menu option.
13 UPDATED - There are much better cameras available
UPDATE:
I've been using the C-750 for over a year now. I gave the camera 4 stars in my original review. However, I can firmly say now that I'm not very happy with it after a year. I'm reducing my rating to 2 stars and do not recommend it.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
The only reason to buy the Olympus C-750 is if you need the powerful 10x optical zoom. However, if you can get by with a 3x optical zoom then you might consider another model.
I do a mix of 35mm film and digital photography. I had owned two earlier model Olympus cameras and was generally happy with the brand. I mostly used the digital cameras for snapshots and the film camera for more serious work. I bought the C-750 shortly after it came out hoping to do more digital photography. Yes, it is a nice camera with lots of great features. The menu system is relatively easy to use and it has a long battery life (a thing Olympus certainly does well).
However, while the C-750 is certainly an above average camera, it is not a great camera for the price. My biggest complaint about this camera is that it is very slow. It seems like it takes forever for the zoom to start moving after I press the adjustment lever. And if I want to make fine adjustments to the zoom while setting up a shot (which is common) it is again another long wait for the camera to respond. Added to this is another long delay from the time I press the shutter button to the time the camera actually takes the picture. You can improve the speed a little by playing with the settings, but not really enough to make a difference. This isn't a big deal if all you ever do are landscape shots, but most people like to photograph things that move as well. It's really very frustrating, as I've lost many great shots just because the scene changed during the C-750 delay.
If you're a serious photographer and perhaps accustom to the speed of a 35mm then you probably won't be happy with the C-750. There are other cameras on the market that offer a manual zoom and a quicker response time for the same cost. Anyway, I did want to point out this single, but serious, flaw in the C-750. Try it before you buy if possible.
14 Excellent Digital Cam with Sensational Optical Zoom
Hi,
I bought this cam last month. I am fully convinced that C-750 is an excellent buy.
I took over a hundred snaps in the past few weeks. I am amazed by the quality.
Pros:
1.Awesome Optical zoom
2.Best Advanced Zoom camera for this price
3.Possible to use rechargeable Nimh batteries
Cons:
1. I had to get additional 128 MB XD Memory. XD is Expensive compared to other memory products.
2. I could'nt find a perfect bag for this camera.
3. Lens cover is not attached to the body, it is attached to the lens projection.
15 Novice or Pro...This is one great camera!
Olympus has hit the right combination: high quality, great features, real zoom, light-weight, and terrific price. We are enjoying this camera very much. Five megapixels would have made it perfect, although it is still an excellent product as it stands.
16 alabama
this camera is wonderful it does it all, great night shots remember to use tripod,love the remote control,very good battery life and comes with rechargeable batteries w/charger,a GREAT camera
17 Nice Pro-Am camera, but heavy on the "Am"
I looked forward to this camera a lot (not helped by a large number of companies "selling" it long before they had stock, and chose it because of (1) the zoom (equivalent to c. 380mm on an SLR), (2) the AA batteries and (3) the external hotshoe (which i have never used...).
It is a nice, compact camera with excellent zoom, and really high quality pics. I mostly use it for photography on hikes and field trips, so have found it to be useful for both macro pics of insects and distant photos of giraffes, and pretty much everything in between. It seems to be pretty robust (i gave it a knock in the hills the other day which was equivalent to one which completely disabled my girlfriend's finepix a few months ago), and I have been really pleased with the battery life on 1700mA AA batteries... I can basically fill up my 500MB of cards on 2 battery changes. On the down side, the camera doesn't focus very well in low light, and the manual focus is obscure and hard to use. The standard macro function is pretty average, but is made up for by the superb "super-macro" (with a fixed lens zoom). As someone making a transition to digital photography from using a mid-range SLR, I find it frustrating that most of the mode dial is taken up with 'idiot' settings ('action' 'landscape' 'people with mountains placed on heads'(?)) that frankly I never use, while Manual, Aperture Priority and Shutter Speed priority all languish under the one mode, and have to be altered by going through menus (which is not too much of a drama, since the menu system is pretty good, and you can programme the 'my mode' mode to do wat you'd like). The eyepiece is a minute LCD, which bothered me when ordering the camera, but the quality of the wee screen is superb, and a significant improvement on the first electronic viewfinders, which are pretty useless. Reviews I had read complained about camera shake at high zooms, but I haven't had a problem with this - the camera will automatically select an ISO that is suitable for the task, and, well, that is what tripods are for. Outside dawn, dusk and stormy days, I find that I can regularly shoot at high zoom with shutter speeds of 1/250 or faster, enough to eliminate any shake.
All in all, I think that for simply taking photos this camera is is superb.
18 Great camera - beats my Nikon 35mm hands down
I bought the C-750 right before going on a trip at Thanksgiving time. It has totally awed me! I have pictures from half time performances at the Yale-Harvard game (taken from high up in the stadium with probably 7-8 power zoom) that I've easily blown up to 20" x 30"! I've shot pics for many years with a Nikon 35mm SLR and I can't get close to the flexibility I get with this small digital. The C-750 has an incredible number of features, which will take some time to master, though you can get excellent pictures right out of the box with intuitive controls. I certainly would prefer a hard-copy complete manual, but if that's the only negative, I'm sold. I had had an earlier digital, also from Olympus, and was not nearly as satisfied. However, with the C-750, it was like Olympus read my mind, and added every feature that I wanted in a camera and made it an outstanding bargain! It's an amazing camera, tiny, with built-in settings for nearly all picture taking needs, but still allows creative expression if you want that too. Olympus has always been known for giving the customer what they want in a product, and this is no exception. You'll have lots of fun with this one! I am taking far more pictures than I've ever taken before and getting much better results! This camera brings the digital world to life. p.s. My camera came with rechargeable batteries and a charger so you won't need but a spare set of rechargeable batteries. And, do buy a bigger xP memory card - I got the 256 meg one - you'll take so many pictures with this camera that you'll need one.
19 C750UZ Rocks!
After months of research I finally settled on Olympus as the manufacturer. It took me another few weeks to settle on the 750UZ. I think the October issue of PC Magazine kind of settled things for me. It was the Best digital camera $500 or more and was even better than the 5 Megapixels compared to it. Easy to use and even better- terrific pictures. Set the mode to Auto and take your pictures its as easy as that or for the more adventurous there are manual settings to muck with. The one insignificant problem that I had was with the manual. It comes on CD and you need Adobe Acrobat to read it. Other than that it was a wise choice. I am extremely happy with this camera, it ROCKS! Advice - get either a 128mb or 256mb xDcard. They hold tons of pictures. Also when using the 10X zoom its easier to hold it steady with a Tri or Mono - pod.
20 What no super bright lense ?
Olympus came out with the Super Bright 1.8 lense. Simply put, it is a larger opening, which lets in more light. When you increase the zoom, you restrict the aperture size, and let in less light. Consequently, you get slower shutter speeds, which requires a steady hand, and in the case of 10x zoom, a tripod. This Olympus C-750 comes with a 2.8 to 8.0, depending on the zoom level.
What we are missing here is that a significant portion of what most people use their digital cameras for, is interior shots. Conditions that would need a flash. Flash shots tend to be washed out with artificial light, let alone the battery drain.
I bought an Olympus C-2040 a couple of years ago, and it had the 1.8 lense. It is unbelievable. In an indoor shot, this thing sees light unavailable to the naked eye. (At least it seems that way) You can check the shot in the LCD, then take the picture, and what shows up as the final shot in the LCD is way brighter than the room, and the original viewfinder. So consequently, I turn off the flash, take interior shots using only the normal light of the room, and get shots that are nicely lit, warm natural skin tones, great battery life, and non blurry shots.
I remember years ago in my Nikon 35mm days. I had a 1.4 lense, which was a lot more glass than the standard lenses. The 1.2 had even more glass, it looked like an all glass lense, and was very expensive.
So what does all of this mean? Right now, Olympus is selling their C-5050, with the 1.8 lense as a clearance item. They replaced it with the C-5060, which once again, has a darker lense. I guess they figure people go for obvious numbers, like 4x or 10x in the zoom, instead of 3x like my C2040 or the C5050. Consumer reports rated my C-2040, and it's predecessor the C-2020 as their number one rated camera. They reported that the printed picture results were superior to even the 5 megapixels cameras, and the following year, to being equivalent in printed results to the 5's.
If you are doing outside, in brilliant sunlight action shots, then the 10x zoom is beneficial. But if you plan on taking the family photographs indoors, or interior room shots, then this is not the number one pick.
I am not an expert on the C-750, and it looks like a very nice camera. Nor am I into yeah this and boo that, they are both great cameras. Olympus makes nice gear. Personally I find the 3x zoom to be all I need. To think of giving up my super bright lense, for some additional zoom gives me the shivers.
I just thought I would shed some light on this model, in addition to the well deserved, 5 star reviews. Hope this helps.
21 Very Poor Customer Service
I've had the camera for a little more then 2 months and I would return it if I could. Probably not a bad camera however I haven't gotten a chance to really use it yet. I've been plagued with picture errors. I sent back the 256 mb memory card and it was replaced. Same problem. So then I send back the camera I sent them a CD, pictures, and pics in the camera that were corrupt. A week latter it is back on my doorstep....try it out, same problem. So I call them up and I'm told to send it back, again. They will not exchange the camera for a new one. I went up the ladder in their digital technical dept, explained the symptoms and was immediately told it was a defective camera as he had seen this problem before.
This is crazy, I've got $600.00 tied up in a camera that I haven't been able to use for 2 months.....and now looks like longer. So based on Olympus' customer service I do not recommend buying their product.
22 Packs a lot of punch
My first digital camera came after weeks of excrutiating research -- and so far I love it. I was moving from a very good 35mm Nikon SLR and so had a solid set of expectations. My criteria for a camera were
- compactness (a major gripe against my SLR)
- ample zoom to campture kids' candid moments without intruding
- unlimited movie capability - with sound
- support for "normal" (read: AA) batteries
- Support for external flash
- accurate color reproduction
- Cost ($300 - $400)
On all these counts, the C-750 is a winner. I did not really need the 4MPixel capability and was actually leaning toward the Fuji S5000. However, picture quality and manual configurability tipped the scales towards this slightly more expensive camera.
Although the factory presets will work fine in most situations, I would recommend taking the time to familiarize yourself with its features (on the extensive manual). Even without the gadgetry of a professional photographer you can easily compensate for unwanted artifacts (such as shadows) or poor color reproduction due to lighting.
There is a perceptible shutter-lag: The time between pressing the shutter trigger and the actual picture being taken; you can however, minimize this by pressing the trigger down half-way to compose you picture. Where I can see this being a problem would be if you are trying to capture those fleeting "Kodak momemnts".
The charger that ships with the camera takes a good 8-9 hours to charge 4 batteries. I would recommend that you purchase a smart-charging NiMH battery charger -- these are faster to charge and have auto shut-off features.
In comparing cameras based on movie capability make sure that the only limit is the memory capacity -- there are some (not the C-750) that impose a time limit.
Finally, if you are like me and this is your first foray into the digital world your expenses don't end with the camera: as I mentioned you need a good charger, a spare set of NiMH batteries, a good carrying case, maybe an upgrade from the photographic software that ships with the camera....
23 Feature information is incorrect
The feature information for this camera states it is powered by two CR-V3 battery packs and recommends you use 4 AA NiMH rechargeable batteries. My camera arrived today and inludes the recommended batteries and a charger, so save yourself the cost of purchasing them separately.
24 Great Camera
Just got this camera for Christmas. We're just amateurs who take LOTS of family photos (about 4,000 in last 7 years.) Loved my 35mm Olympus Stylus which is weatherproof and has withstood falling in the ocean and several rivers. Wish this camera was weatherproof, but opted for the 10X optical over the weatherproof feature. (And am glad we did.) Will pray every time we come near a river. It takes some re-learning when going from a 35mm to a digital. I can no longer just snap the button and take the picture. There's a pause as my subject moves across the screen and I'm never sure what I'll get. (I expect that's true of any digital.) This camera comes with a video mode so we can just turn it on when the kids are dancing with Grandma and print the stills we like without missing a movement. My biggest beef is it will cost $20 more for the software that will allow me to print stills from the movies. However, I'm glad to have that ability. In our first month of ownership we've taken several hundred pictures and are impressed with the quality of those that aren't boffed due to movement during the delay. Also, there's many times when we don't need the flash in low light situations, so sometimes the pictures are a bit dark because it was one of those times when we should have used the flash. As an amateur, I can't comment on a lot of the specific features. I can only tell other amateurs that you will need to relearn how to shoot photos when you transition to a digital. I'm glad I made the transition. The resolution on this camera is so good that, when we enlarged a close-up of my eye, we could see the edge of my contact lens.
25 Olympus C-750 Digital Camera Problems
I really don't have the ability to rate this camera. I purchased one from Amazon.Com on July 3, 2003, and as usual received fast delivery.
My problems stated almost immediately after I started using the camera. I took it to the factory repair facility in Cypress, California, twice for repair. Both times I was told the camera had been repaired when I picked it up. In truth, it wasn't repaired either time. In fact the second time I picked it up I wasn't even out of the building before it experienced the same problems.
When I took it back a third time for repair (a one hundred mile plus round trip) they kept the camera and told me I'd be receiving a replacement within one to two weeks. We are now at almost four weeks and I can't get an answer as to when to expect my replacement. Getting through to their customer support department is a problem. The shortest I've waited on hold being told "how they realize how important my time is" has been twenty minutes. In frustration I even sent them a fax trying to get resolution to this problem. Still no answer.
If integrity of the company and reliable customer service are important to you I would suggest you might consider my situation before making a purchase. If Olympus won't stand behind their product....well, why should I.
26 A Bargain for the High End Consumer Digital Shopper
At $600 retail, this is a bargain and if you shop around, you'll be able to get someone to toss in a big memory chip for free if you pay retail. Olympus has been a leader in consumer digital optics and the 750 is a giant step ahead compared to earlier Olympus cameras. Not everyone will have a use for the huge optical zoom range (it goes out to 380mm) but if you have a tripod handy and need the range, you will simply get higher quality images than you could with most all other consumer digital cameras, even those with larger image size.
On the test bench, the 750 fared very well compared to cameras by Kodak, Sony and Minolta, even models costing a few hundred bucks more. For its size, this is perhaps the highest performance digital camera I've yet tested. The customizable operating modes can help you get set up quickly when shooting in specific conditions. This is a solid class A performer at a price no other camera currently in the class can compare with.
27 Great zoom, very little problems
As far as I can see, this is a great camera. The only thing that I didn't realize when buying is that the viewfinder is 'pixelized'. As in, when you're looking through the thing to take a picture, you don't see a clear image of what you're taking until after you take the picture. It's not a normal glass-like viewfinder. Otherwise it's great. Awsome zoom. Panoramics are hard though. Just don't use regular batteries - get rechargeable. Also, you'll have to spend an extra $100 or so on a memory chip that will actually hold more than a few pictures.
28 Great camera
This is my first digital camera and I am very pleased with the quality of the camera and the pictures. I reviewed several digital cameras and finally decided on the C750 because of Olympus' reputation for quality lens and clear pictures. The results did not disappoint. The 10x zoom is a nice "bonus" feature not commonly found on digital cameras.
This camera comes ready to shoot straight out of the box in auto mode and yet has many manual features for those who prefer greater control. As an amateur photographer, the manual feature is a great way for me to learn without having to wait to see how the pictures will come out.
There are several negatives, but mostly minor ones. The C750 is a bit heavy for its size. The camera does not come with a carrying bag and because of its size, the bags that Amazon recommends are too small. The lens cover is not automatic, it has to be manually removed prior to taking pictures. The view screen freezes briefly when a picture is taken, which makes it difficult to follow the subject in an action shot. Olympus uses the xD picture card which is more expensive than other memory cards. Finally, the C750 does not have image stablization so a tripod is needed for clear zoom shots.
Overall, the Olympus C750 is a very well built camera that takes great pictures and is one of the best value/quality digital camera in the 4MP class.
29 Awesome Camera with a couple concerns
I was comtemplating on waiting for the Canon Powershot A80 but really wanted the 10x zoom so i went ahead and bought the Olympus C-750 instead. The main reason i bought it was the zoom and its usage of AA batteries. I also bought a 512mb xD card by Fuji which works great and holds somewhere around 180 pics at top rez. I dont really use the Camedia software but instead use ACDSee v6 which I am more familiar with, and didnt want to learn new software. I think i will be buying a help guide to learn how to use all the manual features in this cam, as there are many. The digital view finder is nice as long as its not a very dark environment (I have been told that an optical viewfinder on a 10x zoom is not feasible and would result in a very expensive camera). The only things I wish could be different would be the inclusion of a printed reference manual, and if there gonna make this camera only use the expensive xD memory they should at least make it so panoramic mode would be accessible on third party xD memory (if you want to use the panoramic you have to buy "Olympus" brand xD memory). Olympus also wants you to send em more money to upgrade their bundled Camedia software to "pro" which is pretty shady in my opinion. If they would bundle the "Pro" version of the software, and take the restriction off the third party xD memory, this camera would easy get 5 stars.
30 10x optical zoom, 4MP resolution at a good price
the ultra-zoom c-750 camera is an upgrade to the c-740. the most notable improvements include higher resolution (4MP vs 3MP), hot shoe, sound recording support, and remote control support. finally the c-750 has an all metal body while the c-740 has a mix of metal and plastic.
pros:
- 10x optical zoom - this is the main selling point of this camera (make sure you get a tripod or monopod to hold the camera steady at 10x, though).
- 4MP resolution.
- good image quality.
- allows a great deal of manual control, including the ability to fine-tune white balance.
- external flash hot shoe.
- support for add-on lenses.
- customizable buttons and menus.
- ability to store four sets of individual settings.
- bright 1.5" LCD display (smaller size than competition, though).
- has an electronic view finder allows you to see what the CCD sees.
- adjustable AF area, plus manual and automatic focus modes.
- auto bracketing, sequence, AF sequence, and hi-sequence capture modes.
- allows contrast, saturation, and sharpness image adjustments.
- ability to save low resolution movies directly to the xD card.
- supports TIFF format.
- included remote control.
- non-proprietary AA batteries used. this means replacement batteries are as close as the nearest convenience store (i recommend rechargeables though).
- compact for a 10x zoom camera: 4.2 x 2.6 x 2.8", 10.4oz.
cons:
- purple fringing noticeable.
- noise levels higher than expected.
- some barrel distortion at wide-angle.
- hair-trigger power button.
- electronic viewfinder difficult to view in low light.
- slowest shutter speeds only available in full manual mode.
- does not support RAW format.
- so-so battery life.
- no AF assist lamp, making autofocus difficult in low ambient light.
- the supplied 16MB xD card is inadequate. be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for more memory.
- add even more to buy more rechargeable batteries; you may also want to invest in a faster charger, the included charger is SLOW.
the c-750 is very easy to use and can be used as a point and shoot or as a full manual camera. the noisier than expected images at higher ISO settings and the lack of an AF assist light are areas for improvement. all in all, a solid camera at a good price. if you want to save some money and can live with 1MP less resolution and no hot shoe, you can also go with the c-740.
i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
31 The Best 700 Series Yet!
The long awaited Olympus 750 is the latest in a line of excellent relatively compact, long lens models. The last model, the 740, was a stop-gap measure that allowed the company to position a new model in the line while they worked out the kinks in the 750's updated autofocus system. The result was worth waiting for, as a much faster system now exists that allows the camera to take better advantage of low light and fast action scenes.
In addition, the 750 addresses another of the 740's drawbacks, the lack of sound on the occasionally very useful movie feature has been fixed. Many users will also be pleased to note that finally they have upped the maximum resolution from 3 to 4 megs.
Still troublesome however is the lack of stabilization, making long range zoom shots very tricky. In point of fact, zooming on any camera at 10X without a tripod or image stabilization is extremely challenging.
Anyway, this camera is beautifully made and ergonomically engineered. The aspherical all glass lens system is excellent and the resulting 4 megapixel images are crystal clear at 11" x 14" and beyond. The zoom of course remains the trump card on the 750, and the smoothness (just the right damping) with which it reaches its 10x limit is awesome.
The 750 (a feature that began with the 730) is the third Olympus to utilize the new xD memory card format, the "xD-Picture Card". This is a new type of ultra-compact memory media developed jointly by Fuji and Olympus. The main features of the xD-Picture Card are its ultra-compact size (20.0 x 25.0 x 1.7mm), its lower power consumption (the xD Picture-Card users will benefit from the convenience and savings of longer battery life on a single charge) and its faster read/write speeds. Of course, a new card means a new card-reader will be needed, but these are inexpensive and aren't immediately needed, as the camera can be linked by the included USB cable to your PC without too much fuss.
Overall, I think the 750 is the Olympus most users have been waiting for, sans stabilization. Whether that system (present on my Olympus 2100 & far from perfect) is in the works on a 760 model I cannot say, but if you're in the market for a relatively compact digicam with a very long zoom, you can hardly go wrong with any of the 700 series by Olympus.
32 I love this camera!
I bought the camera 10 weeks ago. This was the first time I purchased a camera that cost this much. (and anything on the web.) I was worried that the product might not be as good as it looked in the pictures. My worries was unfounded.The delivery was on time and to the right address.
Have taken about 300 pics and I love the camera! I am a real amateur and found it easy to set up and operate. The biggest bonus is that I can play with different settings without having to pay to see the results.
This camera is crammed with features. The one I like most is the panoramic picture feature: you set it up and take up to 10 pics, stitch them together using the supplied software and bingo, a 360 degree picture.
The only feature that still trips me up is the auto focus in bad light. Gotta take your time and keep the camera really still.
I would advise investing in 128MB extra memory - it allows about 30 pics at full resolution and about 400 at 1024 x 768.
33 Reads my mind.
I love the camera. It seems to know what I want to do and I have used only a few of the settings and features. The colors are great. The pictures I have taken with the zoom and macro are incredible. The camera works well with XP. So far, I have nothing negative to say about it and would highly recommend it.
34 Good camera, some flaws
This was the first digital camera we purchased. We were taken in by the huge zoom. One flaw of the zoom is that it doesnt have a stabilizer so you probably need to get a small tripod if you regularly need to take pictures at the 10x zoom. Pity Olympus didnt add a stabilizer to the zoom.
...
Hope this helps
35 Good camera, some flaws
This was the first digital camera we purchased. We were taken in by the huge zoom. One flaw of the zoom is that it doesnt have a stabilizer so you probably need to get a small tripod if you regularly need to take pictures at the 10x zoom. ... Olympus didnt add a stabilizer to the zoom.
...P>Hope this helps
36 Fantabulous
Can't ask for anything else! 4MP, 10x Optical ability to add-on lens. PIM ability and the new XD Picture card. What more can one ask for! Great Photos and User Friendly Camera.
37 withdraw my previous comment
OK, you can email the pics without buying the extra software licence, but as far as I can see you still need the extra to do the panoramic stitch.
38 Used for a couple of weeks....
and seems to take good pictures so far. I am kind of annoyed that there isn't more warning of low batteries. Twice I have had it die right in the middle of a photo (one of the photos can't be replaced) and good luck getting the lens to retract when the batteries die. Another problem is the purpling effect in some photos. One example is a shot taken up the trunk of a tree through a canopy of leaves, the purple effect was very apparent. This was done at F3.2. I tried again at F4.5 and it was better but probably would have still been obvious on a print. I also have a Canon G2 and tried the same shot and it did fine. I have even noticed purple on well exposed photos in sunny day scenes. The camera also just shut off once for no apparent reason.
On the upside the pictures are good overall. The 10x zoom lens makes clear pictures. The camera seems to be built well and seems like one that would last. You also have the option of TIFF format, although this is kind of a laugh with a 16MB memory card.
The software with the camera is not bad. I do remember my computer locking up a few times in the "Browse Images" selection.
I would probably give this camera 3 1/2 stars overall. If you really want that 10x zoom you might be able to live with some of the problems mentioned above. If you're really nitpicky about things like the purple effect then you might want to keep shopping.
39 Great camera, pity about the extra costs
Very impressed with the camera, not impressed at having to buy an extra software licence to be able to email the pictures. The email method is an irritant, too (have to email from within its own program, rather than attaching images to emails written on existing email setup).
40 Great camera, pity about the extra costs
Very impressed with the camera, not impressed at having to buy an extra software licence to be able to email the pictures. The email method is an irritant, too (have to email from within its own program, rather than attaching images to emails written on existing email setup).
41 Great camera, pity about the extra costs
Very impressed with the camera, not impressed at having to buy an extra software licence to be able to email the pictures. The email method is an irritant, too (have to email from within its own program, rather than attaching images to emails written on existing email setup).
42 Very Impressed so far...
As per the July 11 review that states: "it can't delete all the images from the card all at once unless you format the card"
There is an "All ERASE" option in the menu system on the very same screen that has the format option. It is not necessary to re-format the card as stated. See P.136 of the big owner's manual.
I've only used the camera for a few days but thus far I am blown away by the features and quality of the photos. Awesome camera!
43 Highest Quality & Full of Features
I've had the 750-Ultra Zoom for about 2 weeks now, and have yet to find a flaw. Not only has Olympus resolved the few flaws of previous models, but they've reduced the size and improved battery life. I am amazed at how many features are on board -- 10x optical zoom, panoramic shots, video w/ sound, black&white, "2 for 1" shots, voice stamping, etc. Plus, the CPU is definitely one of the fastest out there. Taking "quick shots" is finally possible on digital media. My compliments to Olympus!
44 Zoom zoom zoom
I had this camera for a few days before I switched to the c5050. The zoom is amazing on this camera. And Oly gave this (and the c740) their new ED lens, which cuts down on purple fringing a great deal. I could definitely see the benefits of the ED lens.
The picture quality is a little lacking compared to the c5050, but it makes up for this with the 10x zoom and the great battery life. The 10x zoom is awesome. I took some pics at a concert sitting way back zoomed all the way in, hand held..and the pics came out great. It also takes amazing macro shots.
I also like the fact that it uses AA batteries and not proprietary ones like some other brands. But you want to make sure to get a nice charger. I use a charger that charges in 3 hours and is smart enough to condition the batteries and doesn't overcharge the batteries. The charger is called maha or something close to that. The charger that comes with the unit will take a whole day and you probably won't want to leave your batteries in there for too long if it's fully charged.
This camera will be great for simply pointing and shooting, and it'll allow you room to grow when you can finally utilize the plethora of manual options.
Here is why it gets 4 stars and not 5:
1. It uses the XD card, which, at the time of this review, is more expensive than the commonly used CF and SM cards.
2. If you want to take panorama shots, you HAVE to buy an Olympus XD card.
3. It doesn't function too well in low light conditions (in-doors)
But the 10x zoom really makes up for all this. I got the c5050 and I really miss the zoom of the c750 :) Very compact too.
45 Great all around camera in a small package
This is my second Olympus camera. First one was a C2500L. I still use that camera. I got the C750 because I didn't wait long enough for Olympus to come out with the C2100 with the 10x zoom when I bought the C2500L. So I've wanted a 10x zoom camera for 4 years. The other reasons I went with the C750 is because the hot shoe for the camera is identical to that of the C2500L and it has movie mode with audio.
While I haven't used the camera for more than a day, it is very small compared to the C2500L. The camera comes with a tether for the lens cap that I found convenient. It takes amazing pictures with vivid color reproduction. The flash does not wash out the picture like my C2500L does. Illumination is more consistent throughout the shot than the C2500L. I would have liked the view finder to be optical instead of digital. But I am not going to complain since it automatically adjusts the focus and contrast fairly well for framing the shot. You can use the LCD to frame the shot and for recording movies. Very convenient.
Movie mode is pretty cool and can be done with or without audio. Pictures can also be taken with or without audio, though the wav file is separate from the picture file when you copy it to the computer. The camera will look like a regular drive to the computer. I use Windows XP. No software needed. Just plug and go. I don't use the Camedia software so I can't comment on that. You can record movies and take pictures all on the xD picture card.
Unlike my C2500L, it only takes xD picture cards. Contrary to my initial impression, it can delete all the images from the card all at once, without formating the card. The xD picture cards are so small, I don't mind having three types of cards for two cameras. My C2500L takes SmartMedia and Compact Flash. And the xD card is less than half the size of the SmartMedia at about the same thickness.
The charger that comes with the camera is slow. Said to take 9 hours to charge the batteries. It recommends unplugging the charger after the 9 hours even if the batteries are not fully charged. I haven't looked into that very much but I just unplugged it after ten non-continuous hours of charging and the batteries got very warm but the light didn't shut off. Olympus included 1700 mAH batteries. I'm using 2000 mAH batteries in this camera. I've purposely taken over 100 stills at night with the flash, over 100 stills during the day and four 181 second movies and viewed it many many times with audio and I'm still on the same 2000 mAh batteries on its first charge. Incredible.
I haven't been able to figure out how to get the camera to do fill flash photography. Don't know if it can.
The quick start guide is handy for those in a rush. The basic manual is useless. The reference manual is what most will need and it's on the CD or can be had from the Olympus website, which is where I got it. Unless you shut off All Reset, the camera will keep dumping some of your personal settings every time you power cycle it. That annoyed me because it kept setting the quality to HQ after I had set it to SHQ.
This camera is awesome. It's got lots of features that I've not had a chance to explore. More modes than I am used to with my C2500L. I recommend getting the fitted case for it. It should have been included with the camera but this is America where you get nickel and dimed. And plan on getting a larger capacity xD card. 16 MB just won't cut it.
Update: Fill flash can be done. It was quite easy with the flash mode button. There are two annoying things about this camera. First off, wherever the camera is pointed, it will try to focus so that you can see what you're pointing the camera at through the viewfinder or LCD. The camera does NOT allow you to change the zoom while it's trying to focus. It's a pain in low light conditions and you're trying to quickly change the zoom to take a picture of the moment. You'll miss it by miles.
The other annoying thing is that if you have a dark subject against a plain background, the camera will refuse to focus for the shot. I'll take a black pistol and put it on my bed with light blue covers to take a picture of it. The camera would focus so that the pistol will show up in the viewfinder. But when I tried to take the shot, it won't focus. My C2500L focused no problem. If I put a printed black and white document under the pistol, the camera focused no problem. I ended up taking the pictures with my old digital camera with the external FL-40 flash. I find this camera has inferior focusing capabilities to my C2500L. The C750 has a hard time focusing on a brass door knob on a brown door. No such problem with my C2500L. I took a star from the rating.
46 Amazing camera
This camera is just simply amazing. Whether you are new to photography, or are an avid photographer, this camera will fit all. The auto mode lets this camera operate as a simple point and shoot camera, while the multitude of manual adjustments offer a great deal of flexibility in shot selection. The pictures that I have taken thus far have been of very good quality. I can't wait to see what they look like once they are printed out on a decent printer.
This camera comes with 4 rechargeable NIMH batteries and a charger, Camedia 4.1 software, remote control, and of course users manual and cables. I love being able to view my pictures on a tv with the included A/V cables. The remote control is also very nice if you take a lot of self portrait shots or group photos. I haven't used the included rechargeable batteries yet, but they are only 1700MA.
The zoom of this camera is great. The optical zoom is a whopping 10X, but you can also use the digital zoom to get as close as 40X... and the quality is actually pretty good for that much digital scaling. The 4X digital zoom is available while taking pictures in any resolution!! My previous camera was a Finepix 3800, and I hated the variable digital zoom.
Some of the manual settings include aperture control, shutter control, white balance, saturation, contrast, focus....etc. This camera has been able to do anything that I want and then some.
As of this writing, I have absolutely no regrets about buying this camera. I thought at first that the initial...price was a little steep, but that was before I actually started using this incredible camera.
Great job Olympus!!
47 Great Camera
This camera has an amazing lens, and keeps the great Olympus picture quality I have grown used to from my previous 2 olympus digital cameras.
