I came to this camera as an experienced Olympus user, owning several OM system bodies and interchangable lenses.
I was looking for a semi-serious camera for two reasons; taking photographs for my Ebay auctions, and a handy compact for 'snapping'. I found to my surprise that it works as a ... Read review
Advantages: Small, compact, 2.0 megapixel, zoom, AA batteries Disadvantages: Menu Driven, short delay setting up, automatic everything
...this camera as an experienced Olympus user, owning several OM system bodies and interchangable lenses.
I was looking for a semi-serious camera for two reasons; taking photographs for my Ebay auctions, and a handy compact for 'snapping'. I found to my surprise that it works as a perfectly respectable workhorse, and whilst two megapixels can't compete with 'proper' analogue cameras, provides sufficiant functionallity to hold it's own ... ...of an outfit including an Olympus 8Mb memory card (giving special functions such as panorama) a 64Mb memory card, four NiMH batteries, charger, camera case, instruction booklet, USB and Analogue Video cables and the Camedia software.
The menuing system gets a little complicated, a different set of functions are available depending on whether the lens window is open or closed. The instruction manual is easy enough to follow. After a ... more
I came to this camera as an experienced Olympus user, owning several OM system bodies and interchangable lenses.
I was looking for a semi-serious camera for two reasons; taking photographs for my Ebay auctions, and a handy compact for 'snapping'. I found to my surprise that it works as a perfectly respectable workhorse, and whilst two megapixels can't compete with 'proper' analogue cameras, provides sufficiant functionallity to hold it's own for general purpose work.
The body is made of plastic, with a silver painted finish on the front, and a matt grey at the back.
In six months it has avoided picking up any especially obvious 'dings' on the surface, that's in spite of being carried about in pockets and day bags etc (the case which was supplied hasn't fared as well, but I suppose I can always buy another someday)
To operate, the slide lens cover is pushed to the right, the lens pops out, and within four of five seconds the camera is ready to take pictures.
On the top of the unit is a retractable flash unit, a 'point and shoot' shutter release, and a zoom control.
To the rear is the customary colour LCD screen, two 'control' buttons, a set of four way menu navagation buttons, and an optical viewfinder.
The camera strap fits onto one side of the camera, at the other side is a retained rubber cover conclealing the power, USB, analogue video out and DC-in sockets and underneath the camera is the battery compartment, accepting two AA cells.
A higed flap on the front allows the insertion of SmartMedia cards.
The camera came as part of an outfit including an Olympus 8Mb memory card (giving special functions such as panorama) a 64Mb memory card, four NiMH batteries, charger, camera case, instruction booklet, USB and Analogue Video cables and the Camedia software.
The menuing system gets a little complicated, a different set of functions are available depending on whether the lens window is open or closed. The instruction manual is easy enough to follow. After a while it all seems to make sense, but a few more 'single function' buttons would make it far easier to handle.
The LCD screen can be used to review/ delete pictures - as well as providing a representation of what will be taken if you press the shutter button.
The camera comes with a wealth of features, including silent video (15 second bursts) sepia tint etc, but I find close-up and digital zoom the most frequently used. Flash can be used in several different modes, however there are few exposure program modes.
Olympus have been responsible for turning out some of the best SLR and compact 35mm cameras of the past 40 years or so, this is a worthy sucsessor to that tradition. Unfortunately technology is progressing too fast for specific models to gain recognition, like OM or Trip-35 did 30 years ago.
I like the simple design touches, such as using standard AA cells, if you are unfortunate enough to get through two sets of batteries, you can buy temporary replacements at a gas station! - what a pitty they don't sell smart media yet!
This isn't going to turn you into a Daivid Bailey overnight - in competent hands it can can turn in fairly respectable results, and for incompetent users, it's reasonably forgiving.
If I had to select a replacement, would I choose it all over again - without question.
Could there be improvements - sure, but for a midpriced digital camera it turns in exceptional results.
***************************************************** Update February 2004 Thought I'd revisit the review nearly a year on, obviously the camera specification didn't change at all, but the price point has - considerably.
When a manufacturer brings out a new model, they 'dump' the remaining stock at a vastly reduced price, and there's never been a better time to buy this camera.
It looks like you can now pick this up for an astonishing £86 - if you can find it - that places it very firmly in the 'budget' category.
Eighteen months after purchase, it still works as well as it ever did, the only grumble I offer is that the silver painted plastic body is rather prone to scratching - I wouldn't suggest you put it in your pocket with a bunch of keys
Beyond that - I still contend two megapixels are plenty for most people - I'm not planning on upgrading until 8megapixel cameras are available sub £200.
Advantages: Fantastic price, good pictures and video Disadvantages: Getting old now, noisy
Just got this camera for my little brother for his birthday. I was essentially after a point and shoot camera for under £100 that took decent pictures and came with video capture and a 3x optical zoom. Well the C-220 fits right into this category and in my view has to be the best digi cam for under £100. I wasn't expecting much for the quality, but the 2megapixel imaging actually came up with some fantastic pictures, even in low light conditions. ... ...on, if a little dark. So I was very happy with the automatic shooting and the flash.
The three times optical zoom is also fantastic on a sub-£100 camera. Optical zooms simply magnify the image coming into the camera, like that on a standard camera zoom or telescope. Because of this there is no loss of image quality, unlike digital zooming which zooms in on the captured picture itself, like using a magnifying glass on a photo - image quality ends ...
piloteer81 26.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Olympus CAMEDIA C 220Zoom
Advantages: Good features, image quality, price, 3 x optical zoom Disadvantages: Disappointing bundle, 8Mb SmartMedia card, manual could be better
...bracket. Hence we ordered the Olympus Camedia C220-Zoom.
I have been surprised at the leap in quality over recent months with sub-£200 digital cameras and the Olympus oozes quality. It is only a little larger than the Olympus APS camera we have but quite a bit heavier.
The camera's basic features include the usual set of features you'd now expect from anything costing more than £150. This includes a colour LCD display with on-screen menu display, ... ...pull back the front lens cover) and 2.5 x digital zoom. However, what makes this camera such good value for money is the 3 x optical zoom, autofocus and a 2.0 mega pixel rating. Most cameras at this price range are fixed focus and digital zoom only. Optical zoom offers improved image quality over digital. I've tried both on this camera and even someone such as myself, with no photographic experience, can tell the difference.
The one thing that did ...
Tickled_Pink 16.09.2002 (25.01.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Olympus CAMEDIA C 220Zoom
Advantages: Extremely easy to use Disadvantages: You have to turn it off to see the pictures
...it. My father has an Olympus digital camera, and the C-220 was the cheapest camera with the highest optical zoom at the time (February 2004). Ordered it online, thrilled when it came and used it lots.
It's good value for money. If you love taking pictures, especially just for the sake of taking pictures that are just going to end up on your computer anyway, it's brilliant. Even the lowest quality setting provides you with a 200-ish kb image file ... ...good quality the pictures are if you get them printed out to proper photos, because I never did that.
If you want a camera that's easy to use, this is it. You just open the lid covering the lens, the lens pops out and you can take pictures. Close the lens "cap" to shut it off. Press the button to see the images you've taken. Plug in the USB cord to transfer the images to your computer, or plug in the cord to the TV to see the pictures there. Easy ...
traxy 04.12.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Olympus CAMEDIA C 220Zoom
Advantages: Small, light, easy to use, good intro camera for general use Disadvantages: Does not take immediate photos, macro quality is very poor and fuzzy
...served with this camera.
Olympus are good manufacturers, and the build quality is brilliant, as are the cables that come with the camera. You get Olympus Camedia software to allow you to get the pictures off of the media card, and some limited editing functions, but as the camera is USB compliant, and 98SE machine and upwards will recognise this and mount the camera as a removable drive. You can get better software packages free on magazine covers ... ...get 66 seconds.
As Olympus say, this is " the ideal solution for price-conscious newcomers to the world of digital photography. Of course, it is also of interest to hobby ph" It is not a professionals camera, but is perfectly adequate for holiday snaps, etc, or as an entry camera for new digital users.
The monitor is nice and clear, but having the display on means that you will eat batteries at a rate of knots! Invest in rechargeable ones...I would ...
AdamGale 06.07.2004 (07.07.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Olympus CAMEDIA C 220Zoom
Advantages: 7.5 x Zoom(3 x optical), easy to use, video option Disadvantages: Kills the battery with digi zoom, weak flash in dark conditions, instruction manual poor
...a zoom. I think the Olympus C-220 Zoom was about the second or third zoom-equipped camera that I saw.
The looks of it appealed to me, a bit of style and very much minimalist in terms of buttons, so as not to crowd the product and cause the least confusion possible. It is sturdy and robust, as I've dropped it on more than one occasion, but it does scar - the plastic casing easily chips and gets dented.
It's 2.0 megapixel resolution is ideal for ... ...show to friends and family. However, this is in bright conditions. In dark places, the flash seems incredibly bright at short range, but anything greater than 2 metres and it is very hard to define objects in photos.
The zoom operates just fine at 3x, and the addition of digital zoom is a great bonus. Problems with digital zoom arise with moving objects - the camera makes a lot of adjustments to the picture before taking it, and if you have to follow ...
vikingpimp 22.08.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Olympus CAMEDIA C 220Zoom
Product Information for "Olympus CAMEDIA C 220Zoom" »
Connections
Connector Type
1 x USB
1 x composite video output
1 x DC power input
Expansion Slot(s)
1 x SmartMedia Card
Manufacturer's product description
With a 3x optical lens, 2-megapixel resolution and a stylish design, the beautifully-shaped CAMEDIA C-220ZOOM makes discovering digital photography a real joy. The extremely compact and easy-to-use camera is available at a highly attractive price and will appeal to beginners as well as ambitious photographers. Olympus is renowned for its high level of opto-digital competence and its expertise is confirmed once again by the impressively realistic pictures this model produces. Olympus CAMEDIA was one of the first brands in the digital camera consumer market and it still holds a leading position today. Offering 1.95 megapixels (effective resolution), a high-performance 3x optical zoom lens 1 as well as incredible value for money, the C-220ZOOM is sure to impress. This model follows its predecessor - the award-winning CAMEDIA C-200ZOOM - as the ideal solution for price-conscious newcomers to the world of digital photography. Of course, it is also of interest to hobby photographers who value cameras that are very user-friendly and ergonomically designed. The results obtained with the new compact zoom are not only convincing on a monitor or LCD screen but also look great on paper. Printed shots can easily be compared with those from analogue compact models in terms of their sharpness and brilliance. With the camera's combination of precise automatic shooting, high-quality zoom and versatile range of flash options, taking great pictures is almost child's play. Directly after installing the batteries and the SmartMedia card in the camera, the user can simply point and shoot. The procedure is virtually the same as with conventional 35 mm cameras but with one significant difference. Instead of having to wait for the film to be developed to see whether the results are okay, there is an integrated LCD monitor that enables checking of shots immediately. In addition, the 3.8-cm LCD display can be used as a viewfinder, which also allows the photographer to check camera settings, memory capacity and battery levels as well as the date and time. There is a multitude of functions built into this compact Olympus camera. For example, to suit the ambient conditions, it is possible to adjust the white balance, make exposure corrections or utilize one of the diverse flash modes. Furthermore, two light metering systems are available: digital ESP and spot metering. The camera's arrow-keys enable users to scroll through easy-to-follow menus displayed on the LCD monitor, allowing effortless adjustment of various settings.
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compact, efficient, powerful 
