Olympus C-725 Ultra Zoom Digital Camera ~ Lots of Features and Easy to Use
Written: Jan 15 '05
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Pros: 8x zoom, feature rich, good price for all the features
Cons: A little bulky, short battery life
The Bottom Line: Easy to use, many features, 8x zoom. Good for newbies or seasoned users. Great value.
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| amyk49's Full Review: Olympus Camedia C-725 Digital Camera |
I was stunned and excited to receive a wonderful Christmas gift this year - a digital camera! I have SO been wanting to get on the digital bandwagon, and this was just a perfect gift. I was a little scared to try it out though, since I have never used a digital camera before. This review will therefore be from the standpoint of a newbie.
I'll start out with the basic features offered with the Olympus C-725 Ultra Zoom Digital Camera.
~ Product Description
Key Features:
3.0 million pixels
8x optical zoom with ED lens (equiv. 40 - 320mm on 35mm camera), f2.8/3.4
Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Full Manual modes
Portrait, Sport and Night Scene modes
Movie recording function
Supplied with 16MB xD-Picture Card
Electronic viewfinder with 110,000 pixels
1.5” LCD with multi-language menu
USB AutoConnect
CAMEDIA Master 4.2 software provided
The Auto-Connect USB System Requirements: Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000 Pro/XP with USB port. Mac OS 8.6-9.2x/OS X 10.1 - 10.3 with USB port
Included in the box with the camera are a lens cap and string, strap, 4 AA alkaline batteries, Camedia Master CD-ROM, USB cable, xD-Picture Card, Basic Manual, Video Cable. Plus a printed Quick-Start Guide, which was very helpful.
~ My Experience
I was actually amazed at how easy it was to get the camera up and running, following the directions from the Quick Start guide. The menu function is intuitive, and just takes a moment to become familiar with. I was able to set the time and date easily, and then I was ready to start shooting pictures.
You can choose to find your subject in the monitor, or the viewfinder. It depends on the lighting and conditions, as well as your personal preference, as to which is easier to use. The monitor is 1.5" and easy to see, with great resolution and bright color. I was taking pictures within minutes, and enjoying the instant feedback you get with digital cameras.
The 8x zoom feature is wonderful and easy to use. You can zoom right in for a close shot, or back off. Wish I'd had this for our trip to Hawaii, sitting on the beach and seeing whales out in the ocean. I could have zoomed right in on them. Oh well, next trip I'll be ready. I did notice that on extremely tight zoom shots the clarity isn't quite as sharp, but only on the really tight shots.
I was taking these initial pictures in the Auto mode, which is the basic shooting mode where the camera automatically makes all the adjustments. The Auto mode does a fine job of making sure the pictures are accurately focused and seems to be forgiving of a shakey hand.
One of the great things about the Olympus C-725 Ultra Zoom Digital Camera is the variety of shooting modes available. In addition to the Auto mode are these other choices:
Sports Shooting - Suitable for fast-moving action without blurring. The camera will automatically set the optimal shooting conditions.
Landscape-Portrait Shooting - For taking photos of both your subject and the background. The picture is taken with the background as well as the subject in the foreground in focus.
Portrait Shooting - Suitable for shooting a portrait-style image of a person. This mode features an in-focus subject against a blurred background.
P/A/S/M (Program/Aperture priority/Shutter priority/Manual shooting) - Program Shooting - the camera sets aperture and shutter speed. Aperture Priority Shooting - You set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed. Shutter Priority Shooting - You set the shutter speed and the camera sets the aperture. Manual Shooting - You set both the aperture and shutter speed.
Movie Mode - Record short video sequences.
Needless to say, I haven't tried all these shooting modes yet. This camera has more features than I would probably ever use, but they are there should I feel so inclined.
But we're not done yet! The flash also has a few settings to choose from. There is Auto-Flash, which will automatically fire in appropriate situations. There is Red-Eye Reduction Flash, Fill-In Flash (always fires regardless of lighting), Night Scene (adjust flash for slow shutter speeds), and Night Scene with Red-Eye Reduction Flash.
The picture quality seems fantastic to me. I haven't used another digital camera for comparison however. But I have no complaints about quality. I've noticed no problems with red-eye, even without the red-eye reduction feature.
The movie mode is great fun, and a nice feature, allowing you to capture short video clips. You can freeze frame the movies for specific shots, too. Great way to capture action stills.
Note that the lens retracts into the camera body when the power is off. Yet even when fully retracted it does stick out a good 1 and 1/4" from the body. This is not a pocket camera.
~ Couple Cons
I found out quickly that the batteries don't last long at all. I haven't taken this on a trip yet, but I doubt it would last for a full tourist day of shots. Maybe a couple hours. I don't know how this stacks up against other digital cameras, but I'm now using a quick-charge battery recharger, and I wouldn't take this on trip without the recharger. The batteries that came with the camera are non-rechargeable, so I replaced them for rechargeable ones.
Also, you need to push a button to flip up the flash. I forgot to put the flash back down a couple times, and even though the camera was powered off, somehow the flash drained the battery. This happened twice. Now I know to be sure to put the flash back down to maximize battery life.
Plus, the battery indicator shows green, like you've still got good battery life, then all of a sudden the battery is dead. I would like it better if the battery indicator would give you some warning. I mean, isn't that the whole idea of a battery indicator?
Which is another little gripe - I would like to not have to remember or think about flipping a switch to have the flash up and ready to fire. Shouldn't that be an automatic feature? Even in Auto Flash mode, you still have to push a button to pop up the flash. Or maybe I'm just not getting it.....
Also, the Olympus C-725 Ultra Zoom Digital Camera seems a little bulky to me, compared to other digital cameras I've seen. It's like 4" wide, and 3" thick, including the lens which sticks out a lot. Of course being tiny or compact isn't this camera's claim to fame anyway. But you aren't going to be putting this in your pocket.
~ Final Thoughts
I am just super happy with my Olympus C-725 Ultra Zoom Digital Camera. It allows me, as a novice, to take foolproof pictures. This baby has probably way too many features for a newbie like me, but I'm having fun with it, and there's room to grow. The zoom feature is a huge plus. The picture quality seems perfect, except maybe on the extremely tight zoom shots. Even though I'm new to digital cameras, I found it easy and intuitive to use. Aside from a rather short battery life and a couple of minor gripes, this is a fantastic camera. This would be good for new users, as well as seasoned enthusiasts who can really use all the extra features. And the price is decent, too, at around $200.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): gift
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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