Olympus C-50 ZoomOlympus packs a 5.0-megapixel CCD into an ultra-compact body, with a host of advanced features too.<<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, SoftwareReview First Posted: 11/26/2002 |
Video Out
The
C-50 has a Video Out port for reviewing previously captured images and movies,
or running slide shows from the camera. It also shows all of the LCD menu screens,
as well as the preview display from the LCD viewfinder. (This last means that
you could use a TV monitor as a "remote viewfinder" if you wanted
to.) Combined with the included remote control, this feature turns the C-50
into a useful self-portrait tool. Through the Setup menu, you can set the Video
Out signal to NTSC or PAL.
Power
The
C-50 is powered by a single LI-10B lithium battery pack, or by an optional AC
adapter that can significantly extend battery life if you're doing a lot of
downloads on the computer or working in a studio environment. As usual, I measured
the C-50's power consumption in various operating modes, and translated the
results into estimated minutes of runtime for each. (Based on the single 1090
mAh capacity lithium battery.)
| |
(@4.8 volts on the external power terminal) |
(One 1090 mAh lithium cell) |
| Capture Mode, w/LCD | |
|
| Capture Mode, no LCD | |
|
| Half-pressed shutter w/LCD | |
|
| Half-pressed w/o LCD | |
|
| Memory Write (transient) | |
|
| Flash Recharge (transient) | |
|
| Image Playback | |
|
Battery life is a good bit better than average for a subcompact camera. In its worst-case power consumption mode, it offers more than an hour and a half of run time - Not long in terms of an all day shooting session, but better than average among compact cameras I've tested. The real bonus comes when you turn the LCD monitor off, which drastically reduces power drain, and increases run time to more than 6 hours. (!) In playback mode, a freshly-charged battery offers about 3 hours of operating time.
While these power consumption figures are better than average, I still highly
recommend purchasing a second battery when you buy the camera, to charge up
and hold in reserve as a spare. Murphy's Law applies in spades to digicam
batteries, which always run out of juice at the worst possible moment.
Included Software
The C-50 comes with a nice complement of software on the supplied
CD. Direct camera control and image downloading are provided by Olympus' Camedia
Master software package (Version 4.0) for both Mac and Windows platforms (Macintosh
OS 8.6-9.2/OS X, Windows 98/98SE/Me/2000 Pro/XP). USB drivers for both platforms
and an Apple QuickTime reader are also included.
Camedia Master lets you download and organize images, as well as perform minor
image correction and enhancement functions (such as adjusting contrast, sharpness,
and color balance). For panoramic images, Camedia Master supplies a "stitching"
utility to piece together shots vertically or horizontally. A complete printing
utility works with the DPOF settings and allows you to print images directly
to Olympus or other DPOF-compliant photo printers.
In the Box
The following items are included in the box:
- C-50 Zoom digital camera.
- 32MB xD-Picture Card.
- One LI-10B lithium battery with charger.
- USB cable.
- Video cable.
- Camedia Master 4.0 software CD-ROM.
- Wrist strap.
- Remote control.
- User manuals and registration card.
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