Olympus Camedia C-5050 5MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Olympus Camedia C-5050 5MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
Manufacturer: Olympus
Product Type: Photography

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Professional features abound in the five-megapixel C-5050ZOOM. The ergonomically designed camera incorporates an ultra-bright f1.8-f2.6, 3x optical zoom lens system. Its many manual options give you the freedom to create the images you want. The tilting LCD monitor helps frame scenes when shooting from difficult angles, such as from the floor or above the head. A range of automatic modes is also included, enabling the quick reaction to capture the moment. Furthermore the C-5050ZOOM is compatible with the new digital image storage standard xD-Picture card, as well as SmartMedia, Compact Flash and Microdrive.
Amazon.com Review
The Olympus Camedia C-5050 is a monster in terms of performance, compatibility, and unfortunately, price. This 5.0 megapixel camera captures images at some of the highest detail possible in a digital device. It also supports a variety of storage media including CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Microdrive, and XD (it ships with a 32 MB XD card).

The 3x optical zoom lens slides into the black body of the camera when it's turned off. Although this doesn't cut down much on the heft of the 13-ounce Magnesium device, its design still allows it to be easily held in one hand while shooting. Since its powered by four AA batteries, you'll want to pick up some rechargeable ones to save on battery swapping.

Its bright, large 1.8-inch LCD can be viewed easily even in high light environments. It also conveniently detaches from the camera body and swivels out into multiple positions to aid in atypically angled shots (although not through as wide a range as other cameras offering this feature).

All of the controls within this camera are adjustable, including aperture and shutter priority, Panorama, special effects, etc., as well as programmable into a My Mode, letting you customize your most oft-used settings. Captured images were incredibly detailed at the highest resolution of 2560 by 1960 (large enough for printing out at 13 by 17 inches). You can also capture video clips complete with sound with lengths limited only by your storage capacity.

The myriad buttons and dials on the top and back of the camera might prove a bit daunting to the novice digital photographer, although the power and price of this camera will most likely be attracting intermediate or advanced users.

This isn't a camera to get for your kid's sweet sixteen present, but if you're looking for a digital cam with the performance and range of features to compete with a high-end film camera, the C-5050 holds its own. --J. Curtis

Pros:

Lots of features
High resolution captures
Video with audio

Cons:

Pricey and hefty
Menus have a learning curve

Amazon.com Product Description
With the Camedia C-5050, Olympus introduces a new professional standard within the compact digital camera class. With an exceptionally bright, high-quality 3x zoom optical system and 5-megapixel resolution, the C-5050 includes a full complement of high-end features. An ergonomic design and intuitively located controls further enhance this model. In addition to the optical real-image viewfinder, the tilting LCD monitor located on the rear of the camera is particularly helpful when shooting from difficult angles.

Optics and Resolution
The 5-megapixel Olympus C-5050 digital camera can produce quality prints up to 11 by 14 inches and beyond. It boasts a 3x optical zoom lens and 3.3x digital zoom for a total zoom of 10x.

Storage
This model is compatible with the new XD memory-card format (it includes 32 MB card), as well as SmartMedia, CompactFlash, and Microdrive cards.

More Features
Serious photographers will appreciate the versatility of manually adjustable aperture settings and shutter speed, as well as the manual focus. Sharpness control can of course also be left to the camera's automatic TTL iESP (intelligent Electro Selective Pattern) contrast-detection focusing system.

White balance can be fine-tuned via nine preset options, including four fluorescent settings, and may also be regulated manually or automatically with the TTL iESP II system. Five preset scene program modes, such as sport, landscape, and portrait, provide users with settings that reflect the typically optimal photographic parameters for a range of common situations.

Two impressive continuous shooting speeds are attainable: either 11 images at 1.7 frames per second, or 4 shots at a fast 3.3 frames per second.

In addition to its powerful built-in flash with numerous modes, including first- and second-curtain synchronization, the C-5050 also incorporates a hot-shoe for connecting an optional external flash unit, and works with slave strobe lights.

Olympus Camedia C-5050 5MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Average customer rating:

Loses its Settings Every Battery Change / False Battery Low Warning
Camera Loses its Settings Every Battery Change
I will never buy another Olympus product.
For me this camera has been a lemon
Great Camera but can't figure out how to print date and time on pictures

Olympus Camedia C-5050 5MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Manufacturer: Olympus
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

All Camera & Photo | Olympus | Camera & Photo Brands | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

Digital Cameras | Olympus | Camera & Photo Brands | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

Digital Cameras | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

All Digital Cameras | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

5 to 5.9 Megapixels | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Under 4x Optical Zoom | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Olympus Leather Camera Case for C-Series Cameras
Digital Concepts 1300 MAH Replacement Battery for Olympus Li-10B
Olympus Metal Neck Strap for C & D Series Digital Cameras
Ultralast UL-LI10B Camcorder/Digital Camera Battery Equivalent to Olympus LI-10B
Olympus PT-027 Underwater Housing for Olympus C-5060 and C-7070

Product Features:

5.0 megapixel sensor creates 2500 x 2000 images for high-resolution prints up to poster size
3x optical plus 3.3x digital (10x total) autofocus zoom lens
Includes 32 MB XD Picture card--also compatible with SmartMedia, CompactFlash, and Microdrive cards
Movie mode captures up to 148 seconds of video with audio
Powered by 4 AA NiMH rechargeable batteries (charger included); connects with PCs and Macs via USB port

ASIN: B00006JLOS
Release Date: 2002-11-18

Product Description

Professional features abound in the five-megapixel C-5050ZOOM. The ergonomically designed camera incorporates an ultra-bright f1.8-f2.6, 3x optical zoom lens system. Its many manual options give you the freedom to create the images you want. The tilting LCD monitor helps frame scenes when shooting from difficult angles, such as from the floor or above the head. A range of automatic modes is also included, enabling the quick reaction to capture the moment. Furthermore the C-5050ZOOM is compatible with the new digital image storage standard xD-Picture card, as well as SmartMedia, Compact Flash and Microdrive.

Amazon.com Review

The Olympus Camedia C-5050 is a monster in terms of performance, compatibility, and unfortunately, price. This 5.0 megapixel camera captures images at some of the highest detail possible in a digital device. It also supports a variety of storage media including CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Microdrive, and XD (it ships with a 32 MB XD card).

Pros:

Lots of features
High resolution captures
Video with audio

Cons:

Pricey and hefty
Menus have a learning curve

Amazon.com Product Description

With the Camedia C-5050, Olympus introduces a new professional standard within the compact digital camera class. With an exceptionally bright, high-quality 3x zoom optical system and 5-megapixel resolution, the C-5050 includes a full complement of high-end features. An ergonomic design and intuitively located controls further enhance this model. In addition to the optical real-image viewfinder, the tilting LCD monitor located on the rear of the camera is particularly helpful when shooting from difficult angles.

Storage
This model is compatible with the new XD memory-card format (it includes 32 MB card), as well as SmartMedia, CompactFlash, and Microdrive cards.

Two impressive continuous shooting speeds are attainable: either 11 images at 1.7 frames per second, or 4 shots at a fast 3.3 frames per second.

Customer Reviews:

Loses its Settings Every Battery Change / False Battery Low Warning.......2006-11-03

Purchased C5050-Zoom in August 2003, refurbished. Worked great for about 2 years. Then when switching batteries, date/time is lost every time. I searched internet, no info on getting a 'base' battery replaced or details on type of battery. Sent e-mail to check on service, and told to send it in an it would cost a lot of money ($170 comes to mind).

My children know how to operate and take photos/movies. Ages 20 - 6. Has advanced features for more experienced users.

Around Aug. 2006, I noticed that after putting in fully charged batteries, after taking a few pictures (with or w/o flash) that the 'low battery' warning was blinking. If I power on/off, it goes away for a few pictures. I tried this just yesterday (31 Oct 2006) on 'low batteries', ended up taking 118 pictures with it. Most were without flash, and did not use LCD viewfinder.

Used a C-2100 Ultra Zoom for over a year in 2000-2001 which I why I picked Olympus. 2 other family members purchased Olympus on my recommendation. I hope those models turn out better than the C5050 and Olympus support is better and more reasonable.

For the expense of servicing, I'm just riding out this camera until it stops working. Will then put money towards a newer/better/cheaper model. Other family members have Kodak Easy-Share models, have not heard problems with them. Great photos, easier to charge on base and copy files to computer.

Camera Loses its Settings Every Battery Change.......2006-07-20

This camera takes excellent photos and in particular I like its ability to take photos in low light conditions. However, I can not recommend it based on my experience. After less than two years the capacitor that maintains the date, time, and user-mode settings failed. Now everytime I change the batteries, no matter how quickly I change them, the camera loses these settings. It's very annoying and in my opinion a serious product defect. Based on my Internet research I am not alone in having this problem and Olympus apparently has no interest in offering a reasonably priced repair. Very disappointing.

I will never buy another Olympus product........2006-07-12

My Olympus C-5050 is less than two years old. Two years of very light usage, and it's already broken. I sent it to the Olympus Service Center. They replied with an estimate for $197.96 but no mention of what was wrong with the camera. (The $197.96, incidentally, only buys me six more months of warrranty.) A call to their "service representative" yielded no further information. I was told that their was no one I could speak to who could tell me what was wrong with the camera. They did know, however, that it wasn't the bad CCD issue (a covered repair) because my serial number wasn't in the batch of cameras that had that problem.

I was given the option of paying $197.96 for a camera that would then be guaranteed to work only six more months or trading in for a cheaper camera for $240. The cheaper camera is an Olympus SP310 which Amazon sells for $243. Some trade-in, huh?

Not surprisingly the C-5050 has been discontinued but don't be another Olympus victim. I would urge anyone thinking of purchasing an Olympus product to read some of the other Olympus Horror Stories here and other places before sending these people any of your money.

Consider yourself warned.

For me this camera has been a lemon.......2006-07-10

My husband bought me this camera for Christmas in Dec 2003 at $979 Canadian for the basic camera before cards and warranty.

I love the photos when the camera is not in for warranty (luckily he purchased extended warranty for $79) work:

1/ Sept 2005 - the camera just stops working - noted that the camera is in clean condition; repair printed circuit board; repair electrical system; replace command unit.

2/Jan 2006 - camera stops working - it is noted as clean; repair printed circuit board; repair electrical system; replace mode dial.

3/ Jun 2006 - camera stops working - is noted as clean; repair printed circuit board; repair electrical system; replace mode dial.

The sad part about this last warranty is that I was on a trip to Australia for 1 month and it died on day 3!! I had to purchase a $300 digital there to get me through the trip.

I can't wait to sell/trade/give away this camera as it has been nothing but a heartache!
deborah in canada

Great Camera but can't figure out how to print date and time on pictures.......2006-05-23

I'd like to give this 4 3/4 stars, with the 1/4 being that I can't get the date and time stamp to show on pictures.

I've had the camera for about 3 years. I love it. Good quality prints every time. Easy point and click so my kids from 6+ can use it. It has a ton of features that I don't think I'll ever use.

The only thing is...I could never get the date to print on the pictures, which was one of the reasons why I bought this camera, because the spec metioned "Date and Time stamp".

I did not want to edit the photographs which would be a pain. I take a lot of family pictures and with my old 35mm camera the date & time appeared on the photographs. It was great to look back at old photos (baby pictures) and see what year they were taken.

I looked at manual, very vague. I researched forums and still nothing. Not even sure if you can do this w/ C5050.

I also took a lot of closeup jewelry and flowers and the macro mode works wonderfully for this purpose. I also have one wide angle and one zoom add-on lens which work well also for nature shots.

The LCD screen flickered and the camera produced green/purple pictures at one point and stopped working. I went to Olympus site and read that there was a call-back for certain models, so I sent mine in and they repaired it for free. Even paid for packaging and shipping.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics

Consumer Electronics

Konica Minolta Magicolor 2430 DL Color Laser Printer

17IN LCD 500:1 1280X1024 75HZ Silver VGA Dvi Spkr Vesa Lock Slot

Philips DVP620VR Progressive Scan DVD / VCR Combo

HP OmniBook 7150 - PII 300 MHz - RAM : 64 MB - HD : 8.1 GB - DVD - Win95 - 14.1" TFT 1024 x 768

Samsung Digimax A400 4MP Digital Camera with 2.8x Optical Zoom

HP OmniBook 6000 - PIII 700 MHz - RAM : 128 MB - HD : 12 GB - DVD - Win2000 - 14.1" TFT 1024 x 768

Office Depot 220 Pocket Calculator

Compaq Presario 12XL310 - C 600 MHz - RAM : 64 MB - HD : 6 GB - DVD - Win ME - 12.1" TFT 800 x 600