Easy-to-Use Digicam With Advanced Features Building on the success of their popular C-2020, C-3030 and C-4040 digital cameras, Olympus has introduced the magnesium-bodied Camedia C-5050 Zoom—a compact model with a broad array of features and capabilities. This model is a good choice for just about any photographer; from beginners or amateurs who are making the transition from film to digital, to pros who want to shoot digital but aren't ready to commit to a digital SLR.
Despite its versatility, the advanced C-5050 is very easy to handle, and delivers fine results when used in the automatic mode. On the other hand, the camera has enough creative controls to satisfy the needs of most serious photographers.
The C-5050 comes equipped with a 5-megapixel CCD image sensor. Files can be written in RAW or TIFF uncompressed file formats, or as Super High Quality (SHQ) or High Quality (HQ) JPEGs. The camera also offers a choice of resolution settings from the maximum 2560x1920 pixels all the way down to 640x480 pixels, with six interim steps. The new Olympus digicam can also capture QuickTime video clips with accompanying audio.
Great Image Quality
A major factor contributing to the high-quality images provided by the C-5050 is its excellent optics. The built-in optical zoom lens utilizes special aspherical elements and features a focal range of 7.1–21.3mm—equivalent to 35–105mm in the 35mm format. The camera also has a 3.3X digital zoom, for a total telephoto capability that's comparable to 350mm on a 35mm camera.
With its maximum aperture of f/1.8, the lens is as much as 11/2 stops faster than that in many other consumer digicams. This extra speed is great for shooting in low-light situations, such as at dawn or dusk, or in dark shadows. The camera's extended dynamic range also makes it possible to capture detail in highlights that, with other models, might be lost.
The camera is particularly good for close-up work, with macro focusing down to eight inches. There's also a special Super Macro mode which enables you to achieve sharp results with subjects as close as 0.8-inches from the camera. When shooting in the Macro or Super Macro modes, it's advisable to use the LCD rather than the viewfinder to avoid parallax problems.
The color LCD on the back of the body flips up to make it easier to shoot from the waist or from other awkward positions. As with any digital camera, consistent use of the LCD significantly increases power consumption. The C-5050 is powered by four AA cells, and the camera's power management system is very good.
Creative Capabilities
The camera provides a complete set of creative controls, including Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Program-AE and Manual exposure modes. Less-experienced photographers will appreciate the camera's special scene modes that make it easy to take pictures in unusual situations or under difficult lighting conditions. With these modes, it's possible to confidently shoot portraits, landscapes and night scenes, without having to know the specific requirements for capturing such images. There are also a number of special "My Modes" that enable users to group and preset frequently used functions.
The C-5050's sophisticated digital ESP multi-pattern metering delivered great results under a variety of lighting conditions. The camera features spot-metering capability as well.
The C-5050 features the innovative Olympus TruePic technology which uses all 5 million pixels at all resolution settings to avoid discarding any critical image data. TruePic technology also enhances image quality by smoothing the individual pixels. The result of all this is more realistic colors, finer gradations and better skin tones.
The camera also features a Noise Reduction Mode that reduces the image degradation that typically plagues long exposures as electronic noise interference accumulates in the image sensor. The Noise Reduction Mode reduces the electronic interference in exposures of 1/2 second or longer.
ISO sensitivity options range from 64–400 in addition to the Auto setting. There are also multiple white balance options, including four custom settings.
Camera Handling
The navigation button on the back makes it easy to move through the camera's various menu options that come up on screen. The mode selection dial, shutter release button, and zoom settings are atop of the body, along with a monochrome data LCD and the hot-shoe for external flash. The unit features a built-in electronic flash, which is powerful enough for fill-flash and general close-up work. It's possible to use through-the-lens (TTL) flash control when coupling the camera with the optional Olympus FL-40 flash.
One reason that the C-5050 is so extremely easy to use, is the quick access that is available to many if its features. For example, a button on the left side of the camera activates a "Virtual Dial" on the LCD for selecting different flash modes. Similarly, a button atop the camera lets you scroll through the focusing options, while another enables you to adjust exposure compensation without navigating through a series of menus and submenus.
The versatile C-5050 accepts Type I and Type II CompactFlash memory cards, as well as SmartMedia and the new Olympus miniature xD-Picture Card. For added flexibility, it's even possible to move captured images from one type of media to another within the camera.
The new C-5050 will further enhance Olympus' reputation for producing high-quality digital cameras. Shooting with the camera is a pleasure, in part because it is so well balanced. While it falls into the category of a consumer model, its high resolution, excellent optics and creative controls make it a good choice for a wide range of advanced photographic applications as well. It's a lot of camera for $899. For more information, visit www.olympusamerica.com.
Camera: Olympus C-5050 Zoom
Category: Digital Camera
AF Performance ***
Metering Performance ****
Feature Set *****
Ease of Use ****
Ergonomics ****
Value ****
