Olympus 225295 Olympus Camedia C-4040 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Where can I get this Olympus Camedia C-4040 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Another Step ForwardBy William W. SmithI admit to buying each of the Olympus cameras in this series, starting with the C2000. And just about the time I discover what features I really want, Olympus brings out a new model with just those features. Fortunately, I have a hand-me-down system that puts the previous models into good hands.And the models in this series do get better and better. This latest model has some significant improvements, not the least being a greatly improved menu system.To start, this is nominally a 4.1MP camera, though I believe the effective pixel count is on the order of 3.87. No matter, it's now at the point where you can make truly superb 8x10 prints with todays's best inkjet photo printers or Oly's own dye sub printer, which is probably the best you can do at home. And as if that were not enough, Olympus supplies this camera with an interpolated mode that creates a gaint 7,680,000 pixel file. I haven't had time to try that yet, since I am wary of these interpolated modes.The extra pixels are welcome, as is the very fast F1.8 lens. This is probably the same lens that was introduced on the C3040, one of the few cameras in this series I didn't get. Glad to have waited until there was a bit more on offer than just a fast lens. The extra speed lets you shoot more often at 100 ISO, and also give you more selective focus when you need it. It's a worthy improvement. Perhaps the most welcome improvement is the new menu system, which lets you use configurable top-level short cuts to get to the most used settings. I used to fumble when I wanted to change from one picture size or quality to another. Fumble again when I wanted to tone down the flash power. Now I can put these settings at the top level, where I can find and set them easily. You can also change the function of a new button marked AEL, which comes preset to lock an exposure when you want to expose for something that would ordinarily be overwhelmed by other contrasting elements. Since this function is so useful, I decided not to change its setting, but you could configure it to do something you do more often.For next time? I still want the top LCD to be dimly backlit -- which it isn't. I also want the attached lens cap not to cause the camera to hemorrhage internally -- which it does. I still want the camera to come with NiMh batteries and charger -- which it doesn't (any more). And I still wish they would supply either no memory card or one of a decent size -- which they don't. A manual that actually explain the advanced functions also wouldn't hurt. What is pixel mapping? Don't ask the manual, I still don't know.All in all, I believe this is the best compact digital camera you can get. It has plenty of pixel power, lots of manual and semi-manual settings, a great new lens and a quick and intuitive menu system. Unless you need an SLR, with its bulk, complexity and weight, this is the camera to get for best quality results.164 of 170 people found the following review helpful. »» Read more about Olympus Camedia C-4040 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom.

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