Overall Design, grip, new on/off toggle independent of mode dial, ability to use SmartMedia and CompactFlash simultaneously, new pivoting LCD, 10-element f1.8 lens, ability to use recharg. AA batteries.

Incomplete & non-user-friendly Product Manual, limited view viewfinder (not an issue if compose through LCD, which I receommend)

I've loved the Olympus C-series throughout, and the C-5050 has added some nice improvements. At current (July 2004) prices this camera has a lot of bang for the buck. Many reviewers gripe about the lack of higher zoom, but that is virtually impossible to do (at least cost-effectively) while maintaining an f1.8 lens. I'd rather keep the f1.8 lens. If you really want zoom capability, go with the C-5060. But then you'll settle for an f2.8 lens. It's the same tradeoff with all cameras. The image quality continues to be near flawless. It's so good I usually am lazy and shoot in Program mode. I don't quite understand the color problems noted by other users; that has never been my experience, and I don't tend to manipulate the default settings except to underexpose by -0.3 or -0.7 stops occasionally. The manual is basically worthless, but Olympus has recently upgraded their web resources and a lot of useful info can be gathered there. There are also a number of online user groups that are helpful. If you like a hard copy reference, "A Short Course in Olympus C-5050 Photography" is an excellent book, available at amazon.com.

Customer Service

In almost 6 years of owning Olympus digitals, I have never required service

Similar Products Used:

Olympus C-4040, Olympus C-3030, Olympus C-2000

Features, different types of memory cards, fast lense

On the big side, lots of buttons, poor image quality in bright light, unimpressive color.

This is a good camera but I don't think it's great. I ended up selling it and getting a Canon A50 and am very glad I did. First, the pictures come out with a lot of Magenta. I messed with the white balance and settings but the majority of the time had a tint no matter what i did. Second, in high contrast situations, there was a lot of noise in the image. The color wasnt that great and the texture of the highlights and shadows was grainy. In these bright light situations, the color was unimpressive. Third, the camera is a bit big and although i enjoyed having a lot of different features, I found it difficult to remember what was where and this diminished my reaction time. Even with the MyModes, you can't name the Modes so it's easy to get them confused.

Customer Service

NA

Similar Products Used:

Canon A30

Very good pictures - sharp, crisp and clear with good colors Has SLR like controls Sturdy body Black color Small and light Fast f/1.8 lens Ease of use Remote control included Olympus's optional external flash is excellent

Shutter lag Short zoom Optional lens blocks viewfinder Poor LCD display when backlit or in low light setting Olympus has only one external flash for this camera Expensive external flash and optional lens Can't upgrade Exif firmware to a newer version yourself Learning to use the camera can be confusing at first Viewfinder in the middle instead of to the left

Shutter lag - This could be a problem if you have someone taking picture of you who doesn't know how to use it, or if you are trying to take the picture in low light setting (you're not sure when the pix exactly taken during lag, and the shutter speed is normally slow). If you move the camera too soon, you'll get blurring image. External flash is recommended in low light. The Olympus' optional B28 lens is a behemoth lens. It obstructs the viewfinder almost entirely. If you use this lens, you'll find yourself stucked using the LCD all the time. Anyway, you'll find this lens very useful in small room or when you're back against the wall, and have no room to move back. This lens produces clear images, but, because of its big size (105mm), it's easily prone to flares which can be an annoying problems when sun gets in the way. No front lens thread for hood and filters. Olympus's external flash is excellent. It's a must for low light. It gives excellent lighting in low light. The body is sturdy. It's easy to drop because it's small and light. I dropped it once (about five feet onto the sidewalk), and the command dial got loose a little bit. But the camera appears to be working fine (at this point). Make sure you wear strap to the camera at all time. Now for Exif firmware which is inside your camera that produces images, you cannot upgrade it yourself if you want newer upgrade for better image quality. You would have to send it to Olympus for the upgrade but then you would be charged. Do not go buy stuff at emporium.olympus.com, they're overly priced. Buy somewhere else that are cheaper. Overall, its a great prosumer digital camera for good images and fun use, and I'm pretty satisfied with it. I intend to keep it until the prices of those overly expensive DSLR cameras come down to an affordable prices.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Elan Nikon F3, F4