Olympus C-3020 Zoom Review

By: Steve's Digicams


Steve's Digicams

Olympus C-3020 Zoom


Posted 2/6/2002




Click to take a 360-degree QTVR tour of the C-3020 Zoom


The C-3020 ZOOM offers consumers an easy-to-use point & shoot camera with the creative controls of an advanced camera.

Although simplicity of operation is clearly a focus, the C-3020 ZOOM is much more than a point & shoot camera. The C-3020 ZOOM combines a large collection of creative control features and high picture quality in a compact easy-to-use design. Based on the popular Olympus C-3000 series which includes features such as: a 3X optical zoom (32-96mm 35mm equivalent) aspherical glass lens with continuous 2.5X digital zoom, 6 mode flash with a slow synchro red-eye reduction mode; and a host of manual exposure adjustments. In addition, DPOF (universal "digital print order format") compatibility in the camera allows for easy setup and printing of the photographs you select.

The C-3020 ZOOM features 5 Scene Program Modes, which make the perfect shot easy, plus the customizable "My Mode" setting; USB Auto-Connect ready for Windows XP and Mac OS X for fast downloads; user-friendly menu system; extended battery life; and Noise Reduction modes.

Images captured with the C-3020 ZOOM's all glass 8-element 3X zoom lens with a f2.8-f11 aperture range, low compression ratios including an uncompressed mode. With the higher resolution and lower compression routines high quality images can be achieved above an 8" x 10" photo size.

New Features:

  • Noise Reduction System - Gives the user clean colors and sharp pictures. For exposures of 1/2 second or longer, the Noise Reduction Mode (when activated) automatically compares the original image with an image taken immediately after the first exposure with no light. This frame contains only the background noise. The C-3020 ZOOM then compares both images and cancels background noise in the original image for clearer, shaper pictures.
  • My Mode - Allows the user to make custom camera settings that can be stored and then accessed by simply turning the mode dial to the "My Mode" position.
  • New Scene Program Modes - Scene Program selects the best settings for portrait, sports, landscape-portrait, night-scene, and QuickTime movie modes.
  • USB Auto-Connect - Connects to most any USB-compatible Windows computer (running Windows Me, 2000, or XP) or Macintosh (running MacOS 8.6 - OSX) in seconds. The camera is configured as an external hard disk for easy downloading of image files to computers without any additional software.
  • Extended Battery Life - New energy-saving circuitry gives longer battery life.
The C-3020 ZOOM is available at a MSRP of $599 (street retail approx. $499,) and it includes a 16MB SmartMedia card, Auto-Connect USB cable, carrying strap, lens cap and retainer cord, 4 AA alkaline batteries, Camedia Master Software 2.5, manual, QuickStart Guide.




Physical Views



Olympus c3020

Olympus c3020

Olympus c3020Olympus c3020

Olympus c3020

Olympus c3020





Olympus c3020

The C-3020 Zoom compared in size to a CD.





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C-3020 Zoom Specifications


CCD Imager 3.2 Megapixel Effective
3.3 Megapixel Gross (Full optical CCD resolution)
Size: 1/1.8" (.55") CCD
Lens Olympus multivariator aspherical glass 3x zoom lens 6.5-19.5mm
(32-96mm equivalent in 35mm photography)
Seamless Digital Zoom 7.5x (3x optical and 2.5x digital combined)
Aperture Range f2.8-f11 ( adjustable in 1/3 steps EV)
Shutter Speeds 1/800 sec. - 4 sec. Automatic
1/800 sec. - 16 sec. Manual
ISO Auto: 100-400 / Manual: 100, 200, 400 (equivalent)
Recording Mode(s) Still image: EXIF TIFF (non-compressed), EXIF JPEG, DCF (design rule for Camera File system), QuickTime® Motion JPEG (Movie Mode)
Adjustable Resolutions 2048 x 1536 TIFF, JPEG
1600 x 1200 TIFF, JPEG(x2)
1280 x 960 TIFF, JPEG(x2)
1024 x 768 TIFF, JPEG(x2)
640 x 480 TIFF, JPEG(x2)
320 x 240 @15fps QuickTime Motion JPEG (38 sec.)
160 x 120 @15fps QuickTime Motion JPEG (168 sec.)
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) Print Reserve, All print reservation, Date/time; Trimming
Optical Image Enlargement N/A
Image Adjustment Modes Noise Reduction: available at shutter speeds of 1/2 second or longer
White Balance +/- 3 steps Red-Blue
Image Effects Sepia Mode
Black and White Mode
Blackboard Mode
Whiteboard Mode
Panorama Up to 10 frames stitchable with CAMEDIA Master software when using Olympus brand SmartMediaTM
Sequence 1.7 frames per second burst up to 5 frames in HQ mode
Viewfinder Optical real-image viewfinder with autofocus /backlight LED
LCD 1.8" (4.5cm) Wide-View color TFT LCD (123,000 pixels)used for viewing, reviewing or editing images
Focusing System iESP Multi-Pattern AF (autofocus) TTL system (contrast detection)Manual focus setting by gauge on LCD
Focusing Ranges Macro Mode 8" - 31" (0.2m-0.8m)
Standard AF 31" - Infinity (0.8m - Infinity)
Manual 8" - infinity (0.2m-Infinity) set by gauge
Exposure Control Program Auto (f 2.8 - 11 / 1/800 sec. - 4 sec.)
Aperture Priority (f 2.8 - 11 / 1/800 sec. - 4 sec.)
Shutter Priority (f 2.8 - 11 / 1/800 sec. - 4 sec.)
Program Scene Modes (f 2.8 - 11 / 1/800 sec. - 4 sec)
Manual (f 2.8 - 11 / 1/800 sec. - 16 sec.)
Exposure Compensation +/- 2EV in +/- 1/3 EV steps
Auto Bracketing: selectable from 0.3 EV, 0.7 EV and 1 EV, 3 or 5 images
AE Lock (exposure lock)
Metering System Digital ESP Multi-Pattern Meter, Spot
White Balance System iESP Multi-pattern auto TTL
Pre-set manual (Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten and Fluorescent)
One-touch manual calibration
Flash Built-in Flash
Flash Modes Auto Flash for low and backlight
"Red-eye" Reduction Flash
Fill-in Flash (forced on flash)
Slow Shutter Synchronized Flash (1st or 2nd curtain effect)
Flash Off
Flash Working Range Wide: 31" - 11.8' (0.8m - 3.6m) @ ISO 100
Tele: 8" - 11.8' (0.2m - 3.6m) @ISO 100
Flash Charging Time Less than 6 seconds (at normal temperature with new CR-3V batteries)
Removable Media Card 3V (3.3V) SmartMediaTM card (4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 MB)
16 MB card included
Selftimer/Remote 12-second delay
Setting Memorization On/Off
Outer Connectors USB connector (Auto-Connect), DC input
Auto-connect USB Compatible with Windows 98 rev2/ME/2000 Pro/XP-MacOS 8.6-9.01/OSX
Image Playback Index display, up to 3X enlargement, Slide-show, Scene rotation
Operating Environment Operation: 32° F - 104°F (0°C - 40°C) 30-90% Humidity
Storage: -4° F - 140°F (-20°C - 60°C) 10-90% Humidity
Power Supply Main Power Source: 4 x AA Alkaline batteries (included)
2 x LB-01 (CR-3V) Lithium batteries
4 x AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries
4 x AA Lithium batteries
4 x AA NiCd rechargeable batteries
(Manganese batteries cannot be used)
AC Power: C-7AU AC adapter (optional)
Date/Time Calendar Simultaneous recording into image date
Calendar Automatic up to the year 2031
Size 4.3" (W) x 3" (H) x 2.75" (D)/(110mm x 76mm x 70mm)
Weight 300 g/
10.6 oz. (without batteries and SmartMediaTM card
Number of Storable Photos 1: TIFF 2048 X 1536
2: TIFF 1,600 X 1,200
4: TIFF 1,280 X 960
6: TIFF 1,024 X 768
16: TIFF 640 X 480
8 or more: SHQ 2048 X 1536
21 or more: HQ 2048 X 1536
12 or more: SQ 1600 X 1200 (HIGH)
32 or more: SQ 1600 X 1200 (NORMAL)
21 or more: SQ 1,280 X 960 (HIGH)
49 or more: SQ 1,280 X 960 (NORMAL)
26 or more: SQ 1,024 X 768 (HIGH)
76 or more: SQ 1,024 X 768 (NORMAL)
66 or more: SQ 640 X 480 (HIGH)
165 or more: SQ 640 x 480 (NORMAL)
NOTE: These Specifications are as represented by the manufacturer.







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