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CharlesL

CharlesL

PFG, Picture Framing God
In Memorium
Rest In Peace

Gone but not forgotten
Joined
Apr 9, 2001
Posts
7,255
Loc
Clayton, NC
We are thinking of buying a digital camera for/through the shop. What do you guys think of this one:

PC.OLM.C4000ZOOM.RT.JPG


Olympus 4.0 Megapixel 3x Optical/3.3x Digital Zoom Digital Camera
Brand/Model: OLM C4000ZOOM

$499.00

Image size: 302k
Customer Ratings Based on 41 ratings
What are customer ratings?

Avg
Picture Quality 4.8
Features 4.7
Battery Life 4.3
Cost - Benefit 4.7
Overall 4.6
Was $499.99, Now $449.99, Save $50!
Save $75 after combined purchase rebate!

This 4-megapixel Camedia digital camera has an Olympus aspherical glass 3x optical zoom lens. That means you can get closer to the action and still get great shots. Take a picture and view it on the 1.8-inch LCD to decide whether to keep it or not. Various flash modes help you create the perfect picture to be saved on the 16MB SmartMedia™ memory card. Use the self-timer to get yourself in the picture. Downloading is always easy with auto-connect USB.

Product Specs Specification
Olympus 4.0 Megapixel 3x Optical/3.3x Digital Zoom Digital Camera
Warranty:Months Labor/Parts 12/12
Item Height in Inches 3
Item Width in Inches 4.3
Item Depth in Inches 2.8
Megapixel Gross 4.1
Megapixel Effective CCD 4.0
Type of Memory Storage SmartMedia™ Card
Included Memory 16MB
LCD Screen Size 1.8 Inches
Zoom Range 3x Optical/3.3x Digital
Flash Features Auto Flash for low and backlight, “Red-Eye” Reduction Flash, Fill-in Flash, Slow Shutter Synchronized Flash (first curtain, second curtain, and first with red-eye reduction, Flash Off (built-in or external flash)
Self Timer YES - 12 Second Countdown
Direct to TV or VCR YES
USB Output YES
Batteries Required 2 x LB-01 (CR-V3) Lithium batteries (included), 4 x AA Alkaline batteries, 4 x AA NiMH rechargeable batteries, 4 x AA Lithium batteries, 4 x AA NiCd rechargeable batteries (Manganese batteries cannot be used), or C-7AU 6 Volt AC adapter (optional)
Included Software CAMEDIA Master Software for photo manipulation and management, User “Reference” manual
Included Accessories 16MB SmartMedia™ removable memory card, USB Computer Connection Cable, NTSC Video Cable, Carrying Strap, 2 LB-01/CR-V3 batteries
PC System Requirements Windows 98 rev2/Me/2000 Pro/XP
Other Features Virtual Mode Dial, Noise Reduction Mode, Aperture and Shutter Control, QuickTime® Movies, 6 Scene Programs

And, will there be a significant difference in a 2.0 camera and a 4.0? I may well be interested in case I take a really good pic, of blowing it up, larger than 8X10....
 
...as opposed to this one:

PC.EKC.DX4900.CN.JPG


$349.95

Image size: 264k
Customer Ratings Based on 90 ratings
What are customer ratings?

Avg
Picture Quality 4.5
Features 4.3
Battery Life 3.9
Cost - Benefit 4.4
Overall 4.3
Start by focusing on your subject, snap the picture, and the image is instantly stored on the included 16MB CompactFlash card. You can transfer your pictures with the touch of a button with the Kodak EasyShare Camera Dock (sold separately). The 4.0 megapixel resolution means you'll be able to print stunning 4" x 6" or 8" x 10" pictures at home, and the 2x optical/3x digital zoom gives you detailed close-ups.

Product Specs Specification
Kodak 4.0 Megapixel 2x Optical/3x Digital Zoom Digital Camera
Warranty:Months Labor/Parts 12/12
Item Height in Inches 2.6
Item Width in Inches 4.6
Item Depth in Inches 1.7
Megapixel Gross 4.1
Megapixel Effective CCD 4.0
Type of Memory Storage CompactFlash
Included Memory 16MB
LCD Screen Size 1.5 Inches
Zoom Range 2x Optical, 3x Digital
Flash Features Auto, Off, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill
Self Timer YES - 10-Second Countdown
Direct to TV or VCR YES
USB Output YES
Batteries Required 2AA Lithium or Ni-MH batteries or 1 CRV3 Lithium battery
Included Software KODAK Software CD
Included Accessories 2AA Lithium batteries or equivalent, Video out cable, USB cable, Wrist strap, Removable COMPACTFLASH memory card, Insert for optional KODAK EASYSHARE (sold separately) Camera Dock
PC System Requirements WINDOWS 98, 2000, Millennium Edition, or XP; Personal computer with 200 MHz processor or greater; 32MB RAM available; 70MB hard drive disk space available; CD-ROM drive; Available USB port; 16-bit or higher color monitor
 
We are compelled to sell the Kodak cameras, they are great for entry level digital work and do a good job. The c-4000 is considerably better.
As for the user ratings, I am pretty unsure how the heck people can rate a product without having used at least two or three other models in its class, the interesting factor here is that both get a similar rating for Battery Life, there is no comparison the Olympus will (in the field so to speak) last as much as ten times longer than the Kodak using the same battery.
I could say to take one over the other for many reasons, the Olympus is by far the better camera and will produce better results.
Canon Powershot cameras are also very good, the S45 has a lot of promise but I am yet to see the proof. The G2 and G3 are fantastic cameras worthy of at least a look.

My thought here is to get yourself into a camera store and try the darned things out, see what camera suits you when it comes to comfort, the numbers and bells/whistles really don't make that much difference anymore. I now consider it to be very similar to a 35mm camera, whereas a mildly competent user can get a good photo.
I can only warn anyone against buying a digital camera off the net only shops, not only because we are a brick and mortar store, mostly because we have to deal with the mess (no cables, software, support or warranty) on a daily basis, apparently it is our fault that some people are cheapskates.

I just noticed that you also asked the difference between a 2mp and a 4mp, if you can afford a 4mp then get it, 2mp is the smallest you can go nowadays anyhow. At 10x8 a 4mp is still pretty darned good, a 2mp is verging on "noticably digital".
 
Sorry I cannot resist, the Leica Digilux 1 is the best value for money (though it is more money than others). This is also the ugliest camera out there, but get it in your hand it's a cracker!!!
It is the best 4mp .
 
Charles, for what it's worth, I've got a Kodak 3200, and like it ok. I've had a real problem getting it to talk to my new computer that is running Win ME. I'm not sure what the problem is, as I haven't had time to really work on it. However, again, for what it's worth, as I'm sure not one of the techies on here, and I'm a picture taker, not a photographer, I really wish that I had gotten the Cannon digital elph, instead of what I did get. It seems to be as easy to use, and gives much better results.
 
fttom, I am glad that you did not get a Canon Eplh, as you have found Win ME is not so great with Kodak digital cameras, Canon are likely to be many times more difficult on the same operating system whilst these confilcts can be resolved, many will be bald by the time this happens.
If you are still experiencing problems you should get hold of the shop you bought it from, or if that is not an option I will help you where I can.
 
Thanks, Lance. I may be in touch. I've gotten instructions from both Kodak and HP on trying to solve the problem, but simply have not had the time to sit down and go through them. I did buy a usb reader for my smart cards, but have not tried it, as yet, either. I've really got to just schedule a day to work on the thing, and see if I can work out all of the problems.
 
Susan,

I'm just shooting in the dark here, but...

I'd bet that your Windows ME computer has a USB 1.0 port, not a newer 2.0 port. The 1.0 has a lot of issues with printers and digital cameras and often won't work. You can put a card in there for a bout $15 to fix that. If you run XP itll even be worse with the 1.0.

I had the same problem with a printer and with my Kodak and the card fixed it.

Mike
 
Thanks, Mike. I'll check into it. This thing acts like that the port that I've got the camera plugged into is not turned on. I've looked at the bios, but can't tell it it's on or not. That's one reason I bought the usb reader. I've got a usb port on the front of the tower that it will plug into, and by-pass the port on the back. The only problem with that, is I can't use the camera's internal memory. I can only use the cards. I've installed the software for the reader, but have not tried it out.
 
Those were the exact symptoms I had. I found the solution on Kodak's web site about the 1.0 problem. The ports sometimes work and sometimes don't. If I rebooted, it would often work for a short time.

Mike
 
Mike, is there any way that I can tell if I've got the 1.0 port or the 2.0 port? Or if I need the card? I'm not real sure what I'm looking for here, and could use some help! Thanks! :eek:
 
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