The new Olympus C60 May be the best compact digicam currently available
Written: Aug 01 '04 (Updated Sep 17 '04)
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Pros: Six megapixels, manual exposure options, excellent images
Cons: No dedicated color saturation adjustment, no manual WB setting, noisy ISO 400 images
The Bottom Line: This tiny 6 megapixel Digital Camera comes very close to having it all
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| Howard_Creech's Full Review: Olympus Camedia C-60 Zoom Digital Camera |
The new Olympus C60 (the replacement for the popular C50) is the smallest six megapixel digital camera and the highest resolution compact digital camera in the world. The camera makes maximum benefit of the size reduction possible with the xD-Picture Card (the smallest memory storage device currently available) memory media format.
The snazzy little C60 was designed to function primarily as a full auto point and shoot camera, but it also features some really nice creative photographic options that will appeal to more demanding photographers. Everything is packed into a stylish compact body that will appeal to weight/size conscious photo enthusiasts, travelers, hikers and backpackers, and extreme sports fans
What’s New
First and foremost, this is Olympus’ first six megapixel digicam. In addition the C60 has some options and features that the C50 didn’t like a 1.8” LCD (the C50’s screen was a bit smaller). There’s also a somewhat new control layout featuring a redesigned zoom control that’s sort of in the way of the shutter release button which makes it awkward to use, unlike the remaining controls which are quite logical.
NUTS & BOLTS
Viewfinder/LCD
The C60 features a standard “tunnel” style (Galilean) optical viewfinder that zooms with the 3X lens. The optical viewfinder is bright and colors are accurate but it doesn’t show the entire image frame. The low eyepoint, VF makes it tough for eyeglass wearers to see the entire frame and to add insult to injury, there’s no diopter correction.
The 1.8" LCD screen is bright, fluid, color-correct, and very sharp. The LCD screen provides a detailed readout that includes aperture, shutter speed, and image quality settings and a real time histogram, but there’s no anti-glare protective coating. I also don’t understand why Olympus didn’t steal Canon’s tilt-swivel LCD feature (everyone else has) it would have been a super addition.
Lens
The C60 retains the all-glass f/2.8-f/4.8/38-114mm (35mm equivalent) 3X zoom from the C50. The C60’s zoom will cover just about anything that comes up outdoors, but the f2.8 maximum aperture is a bit slow for dim interior shots. Many digicam zooms only provide two fixed apertures, but the C60's zoom is a true variable aperture design (users can physically set apertures in 1/3 stop increments) which is nice (but of limited value since digicam lenses come in very short focal lengths that create deep depth of field even at wide apertures). Close focusing distance is 1.6 feet in normal macro mode and 1.6 inches in Super Macro mode. We didn’t test the C60’s macro capabilities.
Barrel distortion is higher than average at the wide-angle end of the zoom’s range, but pincushion distortion at the telephoto end of the range is negligible. Digicam zooms are generally sharp in the center, but tend to soften toward the corners. The C-60's images are unexpectedly sharp, even in the corners at the wide-angle end of the zoom. Images shot at the telephoto end of the zoom are a bit softer in the corners, but still quite good. Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is above average at the wide-angle end of the range. The C60’s zoom is surprisingly good, much better than average, especially for such a compact lens.
Auto Focus
The C60 uses the same super fast iESP hybrid auto focus system as the Olympus C5060 and C8080 prosumer digicams. The C60’s AF system combines the accuracy of an active contrast detection AF system with the superior range finding capabilities of a passive phase detection AF system. This “dual” approach results in amazingly fast, very quiet, and incredibly precise focusing with a useful range of focus control options including normal AF, Spot AF, Selective Spot AF, Full Time AF, and two macro-focusing modes. There’s no AF focus assist beam, but low light AF performance is quite good, exceptional performance for such a small camera.
Manual Focus
The C60 doesn’t provide any manual focus capability
Flash
The C60’s tiny built-in multi mode (Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off, Slow Sync, and Slow Sync with Red-Eye Reduction) flash does a good job for such a tiny unit. The C60’s designers offset the flash (in relation to the lens) so portrait shots exhibit noticeably less red eye than the competition and for users who are really picky about lighting, flash output can be adjusted over +/-2 EV range.
File Storage/Memory Media
The C60 saves images to the xD picture card format (currently available in capacities up to 512MB). The camera ships with a 32MB xD card.
Image File Format(s)
The C60 saves images in JPEG and TIFF file formats.
Connectivity
USB, A/V out, and DC in
Power/Battery Life
The C60 draws its juice from a new proprietary Olympus LI-12B Li-ion battery, an updated version of the LI-10B that powered the C50. This tiny battery does an amazing job, noticeably better than average. My experiences (and those of my friend) were fairly consistent ---the battery is good for between 90minutes and two hours with full time LCD use, moderate flash use, and occasional review. Power is sufficient for a long (half day) shooting session if LCD and flash use is miserly. A back-up battery is a sensible (and necessary) accessory for all but the most casual of photographers.
EXPOSURE
The C60 provides a full range of exposure options including Program, six scene modes (Portrait, Sports, Landscape-Portrait, Landscape-Scene, Night-Scene, and Self-Portrait), Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual and movie modes, plus Panorama (with Olympus branded xD cards), my mode, Sequence mode 1&2, and 2 in 1 modes. Exposure can be adjusted (for difficult lighting) over a +/- 2 EV range in 1/3, EV increments). The Exposure Bracketing (AEB) function will automatically capture three or five images (with one press of the shutter button) each at a slightly different exposure value (over a +/- 2 EV range in 1/3, 2/3, or 1 EV increments) virtually guaranteeing at least one useable image, even in tricky lighting.
Movie Mode
The C60’s movie mode is fairly pedestrian. Users can record video clips (with audio) at 320x240 @ 15 fps. The zoom cannot be used during filming (its locked at the wide-angle position) and clip durations is limited to the capacity of the xD card mounted.
Metering
The C60 provides two metering option, multi segment ESP evaluative or Spot.
In-Camera Image Adjustment
C60 users can adjust sharpening and contrast, but not color saturation.
White Balance
The C60’s TTL white balance system provides users with an acceptable range of color options including TTL Auto, Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten, and Fluorescent settings.
Sensitivity
The C60 provides users with five sensitivity options – Auto and 64, 100, 200, and 400 ISO equivalents.
CONTROLS, DESIGN, ENGINEERING, & ERGONOMICS
The C60’s stylish little all-metal body is comfortable to handle and use, even for extended periods. It offers casual shooters and more demanding advanced amateur photographers a wide range of automatic and manual exposure and creative photography options in a body that’s small enough to drop in a tight pocket or small purse and tough enough to go just about anywhere (except combat and extreme climates).
Technical Specifications
Resolution: 6 Megapixels (2,560 x 1,920)
Viewfinder: Optical (zooming) real-image
LCD: 1.8 inch color TFT LCD
Lens: 3X f2.8-f4.8/38-114 mm (35mm equivalent) 7 elements in 6 groups (with two aspherical elements for sharpness and color fidelity)
Lens Thread: none
Auto Focus: combined active TTL contrast detection and passive phase detection system.
Flash: Built-in multi mode-- Auto (automatic activation in low and backlight), Red-eye Reduction, Fill, and Slow synch
Exposure: Program Auto, Scene (Portrait, Self-portrait, Night Scene, Sports, Landscape and Landscape plus portrait) Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual Modes.
Exposure compensation: Yes +/-2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
Auto bracketing: Yes 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV and 1 EV increments in 3 or 5 image sequences
Metering: Digital ESP (multi-pattern evaluative) and Spot metering
White Balance: Auto TTL and pre-sets for daylight, overcast, tungsten, and fluorescent light
In-camera Image adjustment: Yes-- Sharpness: soft/normal/hard. Contrast: high/normal/low
Sensitivity: Auto or ISO (equivalent) 64, 100, 200, and 400
Storage Media: xD Picture Card (32MB card included)
Image File Formats: JPEG and TIFF
Power: 1 x lithium-ion rechargeable battery LI-12B
MSRP: $499.00
Included
32MB Olympus xD card, LI-12B lithium battery with charger, USB cable, A/V cable, software CD-Rom, wrist strap, remote control, users manual
Optional
MA-2 Adapter, PT 012 Underwater Housing
In the Field/Handling & Operation
I have a very old friend who sells new and used photographic gear and we often get together to play with new cameras. He stopped by recently with the sexy little C60 he’s been carrying around for the past couple of weeks (he bought it to replace his C50). It was an absolutely gorgeous day (low 80's, blue skies, lots of fluffy white clouds) so we drove over to Tyler Park in the Highlands for the Forecastle Festival---a uniquely Louisville event that combines art, music, activism, and politics.
The park was filled with local artists showing their wares, Louisville musicians promoting their sounds, and Reps from the Republican, Democratic, Independent, Libertarian, and Green parties looking for converts for the upcoming Presidential election. The event turned out a large and very eclectic crowd for a day of whimsical art, passionate politics, and enthusiastic music. It was a great place for a photographer and we spent several hours talking politics, listening to local bands, and taking lots of pictures of the diverse crowd. The C60 performed like a champ.
We got another beautiful day for our second outing with the C60 (mid eighties, clear blue skies, puffy white clouds) so we headed for the Kentucky Music Weekend at the Iroquois Amphitheatre in Louisville’s south end.
On the way we stopped at Wagner’s Pharmacy to get a milkshake. Wagner’s has been a Louisville Landmark since 1922; the restaurant of choice for the jockeys, exercisers, farriers, veterinarians, and trainers from Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. The original building at Fourth Street and Central Avenue was torn down when Central Avenue was widened, but Wagner’s moved to a different building right across the street from Churchill Downs. The menu is heavy with soda fountain specialties, Southern comfort food, and traditional home cooking.
When I was in my early teens we lived about three blocks from the track and Wagner’s was one of my favorite places to hang out. I loved sitting at the counter listening to the trainers, horse walkers, and jockeys talk about all the places they’d been and all the great horses they’d known. The place has oodles of old time charm and draws a fascinating mix of south end residents and racetrack characters.
Wagner’s has been sort of rediscovered since Cameron Crowe decided to use the old soda fountain/grill as a location in “Elizabethtown” which has been filming here in Louisville and at other locations around Kentucky. Lots of local fans of Crowe, Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst, and Susan Sarandon are now making pilgrimages to Wagner’s to have their pictures taken in the dimly lit old dining room and that made it easier to use the little C60 to sneak pictures of our fellow diners (so we could see how the camera behaved in dim lighting).
The Kentucky Music Weekend is one of the nation’s oldest music festivals and our regions largest. Country blues, bluegrass, newgrass, folk, mountain, traditional, and Southern gospel music plus instrument workshops, dancing, and plenty of kids’ activities (at the Iroquois Arts and Crafts Festival) provide something for just about everyone. We started out with strong front lighting followed by beautiful golden light in the late afternoon and early evening. We shot environmental portraits of musicians “jamming” with their friends and young musicians waiting for an opportunity to sit in with their musical heroes.
This summer is the 29th year for the KMW (which started as a bicentennial event in 1976) I attended my first KMW in 1978 and saw an absolutely astounding group called Trapezoid and I’ve been a fan ever since. The KMW has always been free so the music is about shared experience between performers and fans, not filthy lucre. In other words the place is a photographer's paradise with hundreds of talented musicians just sitting around waiting to have their pictures taken. Subjects range from weathered old Eastern Kentucky mountain folk in bib overalls, clodhoppers, and straw hats to long haired college kids looking to learn how to claw hammer a Banjo, tune a fiddle or hammer a Dulcimer.
The KMW is like an old time Southern family reunion, except there aint no fried chicken and the music is a whole LOT better. Folks sit around listening to music, or walk around to see and be seen, or play and sing, or tell stories. Everyone is friendly and the music makes a great soundtrack for a warm summer evening under the ancient trees. We stayed until the rapidly falling darkness made an obstacle course of the stacked, leaned, and piled instrument cases laying everywhere. Should you ever find yourself in Louisville on the last weekend in July, take my advice and head for Iroquois Park, you won’t be sorry.
PERFORMANCE
Image Quality
My friend has been carrying his new C60 around for a couple of weeks. He’s shot a couple hundred images and he showed me two 8X10 inch enlargements he printed up (both from full sized JPEG files) on an Epson Stylus Photo 2200 (on Epson photo paper) and they were both very good (even when inspected with a 4X Mamiya Loupe). The C60’s colors are well saturated but with a very slight warm cast. Image Noise is very well managed at lower sensitivity settings, especially ISO 64. Noise levels rise exponentially and dramatically above ISO 100. Noise at ISO 200 is acceptable, but at ISO 400 it is objectionable. Noise is also a problem with images shot in program mode in low light. The tonal range is excellent, and resolution is sharp as a tack; very impressive performance for a camera that you can drop in your shirt pocket.
Timing/Shutter Lag
The C60 is a very quick camera, noticeably faster than the C50. Shutter lag is better than average and shot to shot times are a bit faster (1.5 to 2.0 seconds) than the average for compact digital cameras. Auto Focus speed is exceptional, much improved over the C50 due to the hybrid AF system from the C5060/C8080. The C60’s buffer will hold five (full sized JPEG) shots before it has to flush the data to the memory card and the buffer works when shooting in TIFF mode, which is a very rare capability, especially for a digicam in this price range.
A Few Concerns
There is no dedicated color saturation adjustment (which is idiotic in a camera this capable) and in Program mode the C60 defaults to ISO 400 (and unacceptable image noise levels) if lighting is even a little dim. There's no manual white balance option.
Conclusion
I really enjoyed using the C60 and I understand why my friend liked it enough to buy one. If you’re looking for a high-resolution compact digicam that you can drop in your shirt pocket and take along anywhere you go, a camera with point and shoot ease of use and a nice selection of creative exposure capabilities the C60 may just be the digicam for you.
Links
For definitive advice on How to Choose a Digital Camera please see my review:
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-2E46-17B174E2-39A418E3-prod1
For more information about specific Digital Camera models you may find the Digital Camera reviews below informative:
Canon Digital Cameras
Canon Powershot S60
http://www.epinions.com/content_147368873604
Canon Powershot S500
http://www.epinions.com/content_135678955140
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 499.00
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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Howard_Creech
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Member: Howard Creech
Location: Louisville, KY
Reviews written: 334
Trusted by: 1276 members
About Me:
Photographer/Writer fascinated by Movies, Music, Books, American Diner Food, History, "Popular Culture", and Travel.
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