Good First Digital
Pros:
takes pictures quickly, portable, easy link to computer, quick start-up, fits in a man's hand
Cons:
blurry image, uncontrollable flash, poor zoom quality, requires AA batteries
The Bottom Line:
For beginning digital photographers, this is a cheap and easy way to be exposed to digital photography. Anyone with more experience won't like the battery swaps and inflexibility.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I first received this product as a Christmas present, and subsequently took it on several vacations, including my honeymoon. It had plenty of features, and, since I never had a digital camera to compare it to, it seemed like a pretty neat camera. Olympus is a trusted brand, in my opinion.
Initial impressions were pretty good. The camera was lightweight, although "bulky" enough to fit in a man's hand -- mine. It started up quickly and snapped pictures quickly.
Over time, I "outgrew" the camera in that I wanted to take pictures that it was not capable of. Things like image stabilization and flash control became important, and this camera didn't have much flexibility. In addition, the camera had poor zoom quality and only a couple megapixels. This meant that the highest resolution required no zooming and really good lighting. Furthermore, the camera required AA batteries, which needed constant replacing. I was only able to use the camera in 2-hour spurts of on/off touristy photograph taking.
I must say, however, that the camera easily links to my computer and transfers quickly and simply. The included Olympus software provided some nice image editing features -- not too advanced, not too simple. All in all, the camera was a good first camera for someone not exposed to digital cameras. It also makes for a good camera to pass down to someone younger or less experienced.
