The new Camedia C765 is a slightly stripped down version of Olympus’ flagship C770 (the two cameras replace the C740 and C750 respectively). The C765 builds on the success of its predecessors by providing users with useful features, SLR like ergonomics, and somewhat improved performance. The C765’s target audience is serious amateur shutterbugs, demanding family photographers, travelers, hikers/bikers/backpackers, and fans of the great outdoors/nature.

What’s New

Olympus’ camera design folks stuffed everything from the popular C740 (and the C750’s 4 megapixel CCD) into a slightly smaller body (made possible by switching from the AA batteries that powered its predecessor to a smaller proprietary Li-ion battery) then added a larger LCD screen for better composition, and a new faster TruePic-TURBO processor for sharper resolution, brighter colors, better contrast, and faster processing speed.

The C770 is virtually identical to the C765; the only significant differences are a dual-range built-in flash, a hot shoe (for external flash units), an onboard speaker, and the price (about $100.00 more than the C765).

Neat Features

The C765 retains the C740’s nifty My Camera menu which allows users to custom configure a broad range of exposure parameters and camera settings to meet personal shooting preferences.

NUTS & BOLTS

Viewfinder/LCD

The C765 features a relatively high eyepoint Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) that provides (TTL) through-the-lens viewing and image framing (just like an SLR camera). The C765’s EVF is very bright, color accurate, and fairly fluid, but the refresh rate seems to be a bit slower than average. A relatively common problem with EVF’s (and LCD screens) is that they aren’t refreshed often enough to avoid some jerkiness and blur when panning or following rapidly unfolding action, especially with a 10X zoom. The C765’s EVF provides diopter correction for eyeglasses wearers.

The C765's 1.8” LCD screen (the C740’s LCD screen was 1.5”) is very bright, color correct, relatively fluid, and quite sharp. The LCD screen provides users with a detailed information/status readout and permits zooming in (up to 4X) when reviewing images. Select Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority mode and the user selected exposure parameter (shutter speed or aperture) is displayed on the LCD as a constant and the camera’s exposure meter determined value (aperture or shutter speed) updates continuously (as a response to changes in lighting). In Manual mode the LCD display shows both the user selected aperture and shutter speed as constants while a second set of camera recommended exposure parameters updates continuously. For major under or over exposure (more than three EV’s) the camera recommended exposure values turn red----a very useful 21st century variation on “old time” match needle metering.

The C765 also provides a live histogram display that converts image brightness/contrast levels into a graph (allowing exposures to be fine tuned prior to making the exposure), a very useful feature since shooters can immediately spot over or under exposed areas of the frame and tweak settings before exposure. The C765 also permits users to resize or crop images post-exposure; another logical and very useful feature, since images can often be strengthened by cropping away extraneous space that doesn’t contribute to the composition. C765 users can switch back and forth between the EVF and the LCD (via the Display button), both the LCD screen and the EVF show (approximately) 100 per cent of the image frame.

Lens

The heart of the C765 is the f2.8-f3.7/38-380mm (35mm equivalent) all glass 10X zoom. The lens extends from the camera body when the C765 is powered up and retracts into the camera body when the camera is powered down. This broad-range optic allows the C765 to be used for shooting everything from moderate wide-angle (landscapes, group shots, street scenes) compositions to super telephoto (sports, wildlife, concerts, auto racing) shots. The C765’s 10X zoom is a very complex optic so it realistically can’t focus as rapidly as a simpler 3X zoom. AF Speed issues are going to arise most often in low light situations, but in good light the C765’s monster zoom is surprisingly fast. Apertures can be adjusted in 1/3 EV increments.

The C765 also provides a very well thought out close up system with two Macro settings (the normal macro setting focuses from 2.7” to 2 feet and the Super Macro setting allows focusing as close as 1.2”). Users can enable spot metering in macro mode (biasing exposure for the most important element in the composition) virtually guaranteeing correct exposure even in extreme close-ups. The lens barrel provides a threaded mount for 55mm auxiliary lenses and filters, but users will have to buy an optional adapter.

The C765’s monster optic controls barrel distortion at wide angle end of the zoom range very well and there’s no visible pincushion distortion at the telephoto end of the range; astonishing performance for a lens of this complexity, however chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is slightly higher than average.

Auto Focus

The C765 uses Olympus’ proven multi-area iESP TTL (through the lens) contrast detection system as the default AF mode. There is also a full-time AF mode (good for moving subjects) that adjusts focus continuously (as opposed to only when the shutter button is pressed halfway) but this function drains the battery more quickly and (contrary to popular myth) does not shorten shutter lag. In iESP AF mode, the camera bases focus on the entire frame, automatically determining the primary subject (based on closest focus priority).

The C765 also provides two special AF modes -- in the Spot AF mode focus is based on the AF point at the center of the frame. The C765 also permits users to adjust the AF area (through the Record menu) using the arrow keys to move the AF point anywhere in the frame. The C765’s AF speed is a bit faster than the C740’s, but it is still relatively slow in low light. In good light the C765’s iESP AF is quite accurate, but in low light it sometimes “hunts” for focus. Shooters can use the C765’s AE Lock button to lock exposure (and focus) on an off center subject, simply point the camera at the subject, press the AE lock button, and then recompose.

Manual Focus

C765 users can manually adjust focus using the up and down arrow keys and a distance scale superimposed on the LCD screen. In MF mode the central portion of the frame is enlarged 2x (to help with focus accuracy). Like most digicams with a manual focus capability, the C765’s MF mode is neither fast nor convenient-- but it does work.

Flash

The C765’s on-board multi mode (Off, Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill Flash, Night Scene, and Night Scene with Red-Eye Reduction modes) flips up when the flash button (which is located exactly where your right thumb rests when holding the camera) is pushed. The flash doesn’t automatically pop up like most digicam flash units; users must manually enable the flash (If the lighting is too dim for a good exposure without flash, a warning will appear on the EVF/LCD screen suggesting the flash be used). The C765’s built-in flash is very versatile, allowing shooters to mimic first or second curtain flash synch, use the fill flash mode for natural looking portraits, and adjust flash intensity +/-2 EV (in 1/3 stop increments) to balance ambient light and flash coverage. Olympus claims the maximum range of the unit is between 12 feet and 16 feet (depending on sensitivity setting) but 10-12 feet is more accurate. Flash recycle time is between 6 and 7 seconds. Red-eye problems are less prevalent in flash exposures with the C765 (than with most other compact digicams) since the flash is positioned as far from the lens as design constraints allowed.

Image File Storage/Memory Media

The C765 stores images to xD picture cards. XD picture cards are currently available up to 512MB capacity. A 16MB Olympus xD picture card ships with the camera. Like all Olympus digicams, the C765 can only record in the panorama mode with Olympus branded memory media.

Image Format(s)

The C765 saves images in either uncompressed TIFF or JPEG formats.

Connectivity

USB 1.1, A/V out, DC in

Power

The C765 is powered by a proprietary Olympus LI-10B rechargeable battery pack (the C740 & C750 were powered by 4 AA batteries). The LI-10B is smaller and lighter than the 4 AA cells that powered its predecessors and that allowed Olympus’ camera designers to slightly reduce the C765’s size. Unfortunately that more compact profile comes with a price, both the C740 and C750 had noticeably better battery life (and rechargeable AA’s are much cheaper than proprietary rechargeable Li-ion batteries, and they’re available everywhere).

EXPOSURE

The C765 provides a very impressive level of exposure flexibility, including Auto (for point-and-shoot simplicity), Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and full Manual modes –plus six easy-to-use Scene modes. The scene modes make shooting stunning images easy by automatically optimizing exposure settings for specific photographic genres like Portrait, Landscape, Night-Low light, and Sports. The C 750’s advanced exposure system is aimed at more experienced photographers who the maximum level of creative control, but even rank amateurs can shoot great pictures with the C765’s Program mode.

A user adjustable Automatic Exposure Lock (AEL) function locks the exposure reading so shooters won’t have to continuously partially depress the shutter button. This is a nice feature, especially for shooting off center compositions. Just center your subject, pre-focus (press the shutter button down halfway and hold it to lock the focus) then activate the AEL function and reframe the image.

Movie Mode

The C765's Movie mode allows users to record short video clips with audio at 640 x 480, 320 x 240, and 160 x 120 @ 15 fps. Maximum clip length is dependent on the resolution setting and the capacity of the xD Picture Card.

Audio Notation

The C765 allows users to record short (up to 4 seconds) post exposure audio notes to accompany images.

Special Exposure Modes

Panorama Mode

C765 users can shoot panoramas (up to 10 consecutive images) but only with an Olympus branded xD Picture Card. This feature is what the included Olympus 16MB xD picture card is good for --- as in “It’s a 4 megapixel camera, Dude. What good is a measly16MB card?”

Sequence Mode

The C765 has three Sequence modes including AF Sequence mode (other digicam manufacturers call this AF bracketing) which captures a series of 3 images, varying the focus distance slightly in each case (one exposure focused slightly behind the subject, one at the camera selected AF distance, and one slightly in front of the subject. AF Bracketing is a great option when shooting rapidly moving action (like kiddie soccer games) and offers parents the opportunity to virtually guarantee they’ll be able to grab that once in a lifetime 10x shot of Junior driving the ball straight into the net.

My Mode

My Mode allows users to save personalized or frequently used exposure settings and access them easily and quickly with the Mode Dial. What’s really kind of neat about the C765’s “my mode” is that users can actually edit the Shortcut menu list to reflect personal preferences (up to four unique sets of My Mode settings can be saved), very flexible and flexibility is an aid to creativity.

Metering

The C765 provides three light metering modes; the default Digital ESP metering measures light from multiple points in the image frame to determine the best aperture--shutter speed combination based on the brightness and contrast of the scene. Spot metering bases exposure on a small area at the center of the frame, allowing photographers to place that “spot” on the most important element in the composition (like the face or eyes in a head & shoulders portrait). Spot metering is also very useful in tricky lighting (backlit subjects or a subject that’s lighter or darker than the background) and base exposure on that element of the composition. Multi spot metering (manual mode) bases exposure on averaged data from up to eight “spots” selected by the user.

White Balance

White balance options include TTL Auto, Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten, Daylight Fluorescent, Warm White Fluorescent, Cool White Fluorescent, and Custom. Users can also bias white balance +/-5 steps (plus steps shift the color balance toward red. Minus steps cool the exposure toward blue).

The ability to almost infinitely tweak the color produced by each of the pre-set WB settings is a very useful feature and one rarely seen on a consumer digicam.

In-Camera Image Adjustment

The C765 permits users to adjust (+5/-5 steps) color saturation, contrast, and sharpening “in camera” which is easier than trying to do it post exposure. Users can lower contrast to preserve shadow detail when shooting under bright lighting, punch up color saturation to add some “pop” on an overcast day, or boost sharpening to avoid the slightly softer look at the telephoto end of the C765’s long zoom. Users can also record images in black-and-white or sepia tone and capture text /graphics with the Whiteboard/Blackboard modes.

Exposure Compensation and Auto Exposure Bracketing

The C765 provides users with the ability to bias exposure +/-2 EV (in 1/3 EV increments) to compensate for tricky lighting. The Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) mode significantly increases the probability (by capturing several successive images at slightly different exposure settings) of getting at least one keeper when correct exposure is critical.

Noise Reduction

One of the real shortcomings of all digital cameras (and hi-res digicams especially) is that (unlike film cameras) higher sensitivity settings and longer shutter speeds produce exponentially amplified image noise. Noise reduction is automatic on long exposures and the C765’s Noise Reduction mode does noticeably educe image noise.

Sensitivity

The C765 provides a nice range of sensitivity settings (Auto, and 64, 100, 200, and 400 (35mm equivalent ISO equivalent) settings. The new ISO 64 (the C74/C750 didn’t provide a sub ISO 100 setting) setting is a really nice addition.

CONTROLS, DESIGN, ENGINEERING, & ERGONOMICS

The C765 is a stylish compact digital camera that’s noticeably smaller than its predecessors; in fact it is now the smallest 10X zoom digicam in the World. It’s still a bit too large to drop in a shirt pocket but it slips easily into a jacket pocket, a cargo pocket, fanny pack, or small purse. The C765’s control layout is intuitive (virtually identical to the C750’s) all controls are logically placed and easily accessed. The user interface is excellent (it should be, it’s been continuously tweaked through five generations of C700 series digicams) and menus are efficiently organized and easily navigated (once users become familiar with the camera).

Technical Specifications

Resolution: 4 megapixels (2,288 x 1,712) plus an interpolated 3200 x 2400 image size
Viewfinders: EVF (electronic viewfinder) and 1.8” TFT color LCD
Lens: f2.8-f3.7/38-380mm (35mm equivalent) all glass optical zoom (11 elements in 7 groups with 2 aspherical elements for improved color and clarity)
Exposure Modes: Auto, Program, scene modes (Portrait, Sports, Landscape / Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, and Self-Portrait), Shutter priority, Aperture priority, and full Manual modes.
Exposure Compensation: Yes /-2EV in 1/3EV increments
Auto Exposure Bracketing: Yes /-2EV for 3 or 5 images in 1/3 EV increments
In Camera Image Adjustment: Yes—Contrast, Saturation, and Sharpening ( /- 5 steps)
Noise Reduction: Yes—Automatic on shutter speeds of one second or longer
Flash: Built-in Multi Mode--- Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-In Flash, Slow Synch, Off
Image Formats: TIFF and JPEG
Metering: ESP Digital TTL and Spot
Auto Focus: iESP TTL AF, and Multi area spot AF
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1000th of a second to 16 seconds
Sensitivity: Auto, 64, 100, 200, & 400 ISO equivalents
White Balance: TTL iESP multi-pattern auto TTL, One-touch, Pre-set manual (Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten, 3 Fluorescent settings), and Custom
Image Storage: xD Picture Card
Connectivity: USB 1.1 and A/V out
Power: Olympus LI-10B Li-ion rechargeable battery

Street Price Range $399.00---- $449.00

Included

16MB xD-Picture Card, Olympus LI-10B battery pack & charger , USB and A/V cables, software CD-ROM, neck strap, lens cap, Quick-Start Guide, and User’s manual

Optional

Wide-angle, telephoto, and macro auxiliary lenses, Olympus CLA-4 lens thread adaptor, Remote control, Olympus PT-018 Underwater Housing, and Olympus AC adaptor.

In the Field/Handling & Operation

My friend (who sells new and used photographic equipment) picked me up the afternoon of the first Saturday of the Kentucky State Fair. He brought along an Olympus C765 digital camera for us to play with while wandering around the Bluegrass State’s 100th Anniversary end of summer extravaganza. Our first test was a check for color accuracy. Over the past couple of years we’ve developed a simple color test that works very well and allows us to compare results from one digital camera to another. We use a large cardboard box with the front panel cut away and lined with white photographic background paper. We first auto white balance the camera using the white background and then set up and shoot a selection of brightly colored (red, blue, green, and yellow) plastic children’s beach toys with the tripod mounted camera under a very simple lighting set-up. The C765 did a really nice job; color accuracy was excellent, although both of us thought the C765’s reds were just a bit hot.

My friend loves to check out the results of the annual KSF photography contest, so he thought we should start with the indoor exhibits. We’ve been having a lot of rain recently, so I didn’t want to waste the absolutely perfect weather (blue skies and warm but not too humid) inside one of the mammoth exhibition halls when I prefered wandering midway shooting “street” style shots of the huge crowd. We decided to wander around for a while outside so my friend could eat an elephant ear before we went inside.

The lighting in the exhibit halls is mixed, but mostly fluorescent, so we set the C765 white balance to warm fluorescent (fluorescent plus daylight) and discussed where to go first. We decided to start with the annual official Kentucky State Champ ugly lamp contest (sponsored by Lynn’s Paradise Café) and then check out the winners of the KSF photography contest. The Photo Contest is always fun, a very nice amateur photography exhibition filled with images that run from family snapshots to stunning portraits and professional quality landscapes.

After the photos we returned to the mid-way for a while and shot a number of interesting characters in the crowd on the midway until the sun began to set and were able to silhouette the garishly lit-up rides against the sunset sky before calling it a day and heading home.

Sunday morning we took the C765 to Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville’s only arboretum. Blue skies with small wispy white clouds made an excellent backdrop for the rows and rows of white marble and limestone headstones on the hill that serves as a final resting place for the hundreds of Union soldiers killed in Kentucky during the Civil War. The top of the same hillside has a smaller number of less rigidly organized Confederate graves, the only place in the country where Northern and Southern troops killed in the War Between the States lie at rest together. The Civil War section of Cave Hill has long been a favorite shooting site for both my friend and I. Some wonderful patterns take shape as you walk along the narrow road that separates the Rebs and Yanks.

After we finished up at Cave Hill we drove over to Baxter Avenue and shot the huge coffee pot and cup outside Lynn’s Paradise Café (no doubt inspired by Lynn’s sponsorship of the Ugliest Lamp in Kentucky contest the day before) by this time it was late morning and we got some really nice oblique side lighting on Lynn’s “kitschy” and colorful signature sculptures. After we finished up at Lynn’s we headed for Heine Brothers Coffee shop. Heine Brothers shares an old Victorian house on Bardstown Road with Carmichael’s Bookstore. It’s a great place to sit outside (especially when you have a digicam with a 10X zoom) and people watch. The Baxter Avenue Theaters and several upscale restaurants make Bardstown Road in front of the Mid City Mall a great setting for capturing some pretty interesting local characters without attracting their attention.

PERFORMANCE

Image Quality

After looking at the images we’d shot over the weekend with the C765 we were both impressed, images were consistently well exposed, the color was great, and image quality was superb. Excellent 8X10 enlargements are virtually guaranteed and decent 11X14 enlargements are a realistic option. The C765 consistently delivers very good to excellent images under a wide variety of shooting conditions. Image noise is very well managed (although it is still a problem) at higher ISO settings.

Overall, the C765’s auto white balance is accurate, but the look is a tiny bit warm. Manual white balance eliminates the warm look and produces remarkably accurate color. Skin tones are handled very well and portraits look natural. In the final analysis, image quality is the single most important consideration when choosing a camera. The C765’s images are equal to or superior to any currently available four megapixel consumer digital camera. We printed one 8X10 image of a Goth couple waiting for the bus in front of Mid City Mall with an Epson 2200 (on Epson photo paper) and the image was actually pretty good even though it was shot at about 250mm (equivalent) with the camera handheld.

Timing/Shutter Lag

The C765’s boot up cycle is a bit longer than average and Shutter lag is a bit above average (fairly quick if you pre-focus and track the action). Write to card times are about average. The C765’s 10X zoom covers a very long range so it won’t focus as rapidly as a 3X or 4X zoom. AF Speed is decent and the lens is surprisingly fast when the light is good. Users who want to use the C765’s monster zoom to shoot action will have to practice pre-focusing and learn to anticipate the decisive moment by about half a second. Overall, the C765 is a bit slower than average (and noticeably slower than the K-M Dimage Z2).

A Few Concerns

The C765’s 10X zoom lens is actually quite good, however like all complex multi element wide angle to telephoto zooms this one suffers from very minor barrel distortion at the wide-angle end of the zoom range. Pincushion distortion at the telephoto end of the range is barely visible. Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) occasionally rears its ugly head, especially in strongly backlit situations. There is also some noticeable corner softness in the super macro mode and the C765 suffers from above average image noise in low light/long exposure situations. I can’t understand why Olympus didn’t provide an AF focus aid beam. In low light the EVF becomes dim enough that it is almost too dark to be useable---combine this problem with the lack of a focus aid beam and the C765 doesn’t place too highly as a bar/party camera.

Conclusion

The C765 (like it’s predecessors) fills a broad but important marketing niche that includes; amateur photographers who want a camera that can grow with them as their skills develop, family shooters who want the flexibility of a prosumer camera and the simplicity of a point and shoot digicam, and travelers and nature lovers who want a 10x zoom and creative photography options in a compact package. The C765 is an imminently usable digital camera that will perform like a champ in an exceptionally broad range of picture taking situations, however users who opt for a discontinued (and substantially cheaper) C740 or C750 will not be giving up much. Remember, Epinions is always your best source for critical independent reviews of the gadgets and gizmos you yearn for.

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 other 4-5 megapixel Digital Cameras, you may find the reviews below informative:

Canon Digital Cameras

Canon Powershot S60
http://www.epinions.com/content_147368873604

Sony Digital Cameras

Sony DSC V1
http://www.epinions.com/content_107584589444

Olympus Digital Cameras

Olympus Camedia C5060
http://www.epinions.com/content_125810871940

Konica-Minolta Digital Cameras

K-M Dimage Z2
http://www.epinions.com/content_150924725892















Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 399.00
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts