Grin grin snap snap click click say no more (Olympus Camedia C-960 Zoom)

Member Name: tim_russell

Product:	Olympus Camedia C-960 Zoom
Date:	31/05/01 (277 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to use, Inexpensive, Aesthetically well-designed

Disadvantages: No rechargable batteries, Poor software

Frustrated by the appalling pictures taken by my previous camera (a Minolta APS if you're interested), and having just invested in a home PC, I decided it was time for me to get involved in this newfangled digital photography caper. So, with a few hours to kill in Duty Free before heading off on a 3-week business trip to Johannesburg, & needing to cheer myself up at the prospect, I treated myself to a C690Z, recommended to me by a knowledgeable shop assistant.

Armed with a 32mb memory card (essential for long trips - the 8mb card which comes with the camera is insufficient) I set about learning the ropes. This was initially made difficult by the fairly spartan instruction booklet - full instructions are on an accompanying CD Rom, which is OK if you've got PC access but a bit of a bind if you're on holiday or just can't get to a machine.

Nevertheless, even as a digital virgin I was soon snapping away at all & sundry, & as soon as I was able to download images to a PC I was amazed at the clarity of the results.

The C690Z is very simple to use, with self-explanatory buttons and a helpful LCD screen menu. I've only got a few gripes, those being the lack of a carry case to protect what is an intricate and expensive piece of equipment; the lack of a recharger & batteries (that LCD display eats up batteries); the aformentioned instruction manual; the cheap & nasty Camedia software (don't worry though, there's plenty of decent digital imaging freeware out there); and the position of the LCD screen, which means you have to press your nose up against it when taking a picture which causes smearing.

Otherwise, it's perfect for someone who wants to take good-quality pictures to download onto a PC, without wanting to spend huge amounts of money in doing so and without having to take a degree in photography to get started. Highly recommended.

Summary: