Olympus Camedia C-60 ZoomOlympus packs a 6.1-megapixel CCD into an ultra-compact body, with a host of advanced features too.<<Executive Overview :(Previous) | (Next): Viewfinder>> Page 3:DesignReview First Posted: 06/10/2004 |
Design
As the smallest member of Olympus' C-series of digital cameras, the C-60 Zoom has a compact body that's clearly meant to travel. A sliding lens cover (with integral power switch) keeps the front panel sufficiently smooth to be pocket friendly. The silver-toned, all-metal body is very sleek and attractive, yet rugged enough to withstand minor knocks. Despite the camera's small size, it fits the hand well, though you'll definitely want to keep the included strap securely around your wrist in precarious situations (such as leaning over a boat rail or walking in a crowd). External control layout has been shifted around some from the previous C-50 model, with the control dial on the top. The C-60 Zoom has a 6.1-megapixel CCD, which delivers a maximum image size of 2,816 x 2,112 pixels. Using Olympus' own TruePic technology to produce sharper details and smoother, more vibrant color, the C-60 produces images suitable for printing as large as 8x10 inches, even after significant cropping. The C-60 Zoom measures 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.6 inches (99.5 x 58.5 x 41.5 millimeters), and weighs only 8.2 ounces (233 grams) with the battery and memory card. The shot inset above right shows the C-60 with one of its xD memory cards, for scale.
The front of the C-60 is mostly flat when the lens cover is closed, with only a minor protrusion from the lens cover itself and the small finger grip on it. With the cover closed, only the mic hole is visible. Opening the lens cover triggers the lens to extend forward about an inch from the camera body. Just above the lens is the optical viewfinder window. To its right (viewed from the back) is the flash, passive autofocus sensor, and self-timer/remote lamp. Lower right of the lens is the Remote control receiver. A slight, vertical ridge on the far side of the lens cover serves as a finger grip, balanced nicely by an indented thumb rest on the back panel for a secure, comfortable hold.
On the right side of the camera, the DC In, USB, and Video Out jacks are protected by a hinged plastic door. Also on this side is the eyelet for the wrist strap.
The opposite side of the camera has only the speaker used for playback of audio notes and sound from videos.
The C-60's top panel has the Shutter button, zoom lever, Mode dial, and power lamp.
Like the rest of the C-series, the C-60's back panel is logically laid out, with all of the control buttons positioned above or to the right of the 1.8-inch LCD monitor. The optical viewfinder eyepiece is located above the left corner of the LCD monitor, with two status LED lamps on the right indicating basic camera status (such as when the autofocus system is set or the flash is ready). A rubber frame surrounds this arrangement. Across the top of the back panel are the Flash / Erase and Macro / Spot / Protect buttons. The four-way Arrow Pad serves multiple functions depending on the camera's operating mode, and is adjacent to the right side of the display. Bottom right of the LCD is the Card access lamp, which lights when the card is being written to or read from.
The bottom of the camera holds the battery / memory card compartment cover and a plastic screw-mount tripod socket. The tripod socket is much too close to the battery compartment to make battery changes easy when mounted on a tripod. (A pet peeve of mine, but I realize that most people don't spend as much time with their digicams locked down to a tripod as I do, especially with ultra-compact models like the C-60.) Inside the battery / memory card compartment, the battery and xD-Picture Card slots line up side-by-side. The hinged, plastic door slides out before opening.
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