Olympus C 3030 Zoom Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: Todd
(Expert)

Review Date
March 22, 2002

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Review 1 of 73

Price Paid: $570.00 from BeachCamera.com

Summary:

This is a really great all around camera, from beginner, even to pro (if you just want to sample what digital can do).

Strengths:

Options, options options. Many different options. Full flexibility in all aspects or go complete auto.

Weaknesses:

I have had this thing for 10 months now and suddenly it starts making a grinding noise when the lens comes out, then in the middle of Mardi Gras, then lens locked up tight and would not retract. The lens cap could be better (or at least have some sort of string attached). You can''t download unless you have THE software from Olympus. Most times pix are too dark. Flash doesn''t always live up to specs. It EATS batteries. The reso goes from 640x480 and then to 1024x768 (what happened to 800x600?)

Similar Products Used:

Sony FD73, Olympus c3000, Olympus 700uz, Olympus c3040.

Customer Service:

So far so good. Very responsive! Thnx Patrice! Initially they goofed, cuz I sent it to them in my c700 box and they told me the warranty was out, but it was all straightened out within a phone call

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Rating
Reviewed by: mike4mus6
(Intermediate)

Review Date
March 10, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
4 votes

Review 2 of 73

Price Paid: $469.00 from buydig

Summary:

This is probably the easiest digital camera that I have used. Simple basic pictures and good quality pictures. Battery life is great if you purchase a NIMH charger and batteries(a must). Had reservations until tried. Image quality IMHO is not as good as sony but very good none the less... an excellent purchase

Strengths:

Easy learning curve with simple aim and shoot picture taking ability. Great image quality with lots of choices. remote control.. WOW

Weaknesses:

Macro not as good as sony macro IMHO

Similar Products Used:

sony dsc s30 sony dsc s75 jamcam 2.0

Customer Service:

not applicable or needed yet

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Rating
Reviewed by: photobug16
(Intermediate)

Review Date
January 2, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
6-10 years

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 3 of 73

Price Paid: $900.00 from local camera store

Summary:

It''s a wonderful camera all the way around. I shot with TIFF which gives me a 9MB file each photo that would allow me to print out easily 8x10 to hand on the wall. I still use my Nikon F4 with films but this certainly has become my everyday carrying-around baby.

Strengths:

small, full features with true manual control. very easy learning curb. shutter lag is much insignificant compared to other digicams I have used.

Weaknesses:

macro mode is not close enough.

Similar Products Used:

nikon 990, camedia 360L.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Robert Kersbergen
(Expert)

Review Date
October 12, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Visitors rate this review
3.25 of 5,
8 votes

Review 4 of 73

Price Paid: $1100.00 from Coenstad, Hoorn

Summary:

I''ve had my C3030z for over a year now and it never ceases to amaze me with its picture quality and colour accuracy. My main reason for selecting the C3030z was its selection of image sizes because I just wasn''t looking forward to downsizing every photo I took. This was after C3030z was on a short list together with the Coolpix 990. I never regretted my choice. The camera can be a bit daunting to handle at first with so many menu options to choose from. But if you just use the camera in automatic mode (P-mode) you won''t be disappointed. And later on when you get to grips more with the controls, you can start to tweak the settings a bit to get that perfect picture. The camera certainly has the power for you to play with. The only thing I have bought for it is the CLA-1 extension tube and a circular polarizing filter. This greatly improved my pictures in (bright) sunlight, I can heartly recommend it. By the way, a linear polarizing filter will work as well but with the circular one you can adjust the strength of it and it was only a few guilders more expensive. The remote control that comes with it is also very handy to take unexpected photos or to use when the camera is on a tripod and you want to take a family picture (or whatever).

Strengths:

Picture quality (amazing resolution), colour accuracy, choice picture resolutions, plenty of manual options, AA batteries and superb metering.

Weaknesses:

Doesn''t look very digital (this can be an advantage as well), loose lens cap (but this can be solved by purchasing a $1 lens cap string). And on several occassions I had (and sometimes still have) problems having the camera recognize a SmartMedia flash card. Taking the card out again and re-inserting often helps but can be annoying sometimes. Tip: don''t delete anything from the card with your card reader (if you have one).

Similar Products Used:

None.

Customer Service:

Never needed it.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Rolf
(Intermediate)

Review Date
July 31, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 Week

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 5 of 73

Summary:

Purchased the 6800 at the same time a friend bought a Olympus 3030. I really liked the looks, size and features on the Fuji. Unforunately, we went and did a side-side comparison of pictures taken of the same objects at different lighting levels, and distances ( macro etc ). I was quite amazed at the difference in picture clarity between the Fuji and the Olympus. The fuji pictures looked very nice - but when compared, the image clarity was not close. Edge definition and sharpness are a whole different level in the Olympus. So sadly, I had to switch ( I really did like the size and style of the Fuji - image quality is more important to me ). On a quality note, the 3030 I received died within 2 hours of its inauguration ( replacement is on its way c/o Amazon.com ). It was easy to get someone in customer service who verified it was dead ( there's no reset on this bad boy ). The pictures I took before its untimly demise were sinmply amazing for a quick set of random subjects ( at different lighting, distance ). The macro of a yellow rose showed incredible clarity, texture, and depth... Cost on Amazon ( using $15 discount from techbargains.com and free shipping ) was $574 delivered ( new not refurb ).

Strengths:

Picture quality/clarity. Ability to use generic batteries. Ability to use different lenses etc.

Weaknesses:

Size

Similar Products Used:

Fuji 6800

Customer Service:

Good - took 15 minutes to get a live person ( I rate that good in the current CS world! ).

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