Olympus C-5060 Wide Zoom Review

Click to take a QTVR tour of the C-5060 Zoom

The C-5060 Wide Zoom is a high performance 5.1-megapixel digital camera that features a 4x wide-angle zoom lens with 27mm to 110mm equivalent coverage. It builds on the feature set of the popular C-5050 Zoom and adds a fully articulated color LCD and improved processing speed. The C-5060 Wide Zoom is a compact camera with a rugged, black, magnesium alloy body that measures a mere (4.6" long x 3.4" high x 2.6" wide, and weighs just 15.2 ounces (without battery or media.)

The C-5060 Wide Zoom's advanced settings include controls for aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual operation and are ideal for experienced photographers who want to take control. Understanding the exposure range of an image being shot is easier now thanks to four special histograms on the C-5060 Wide Zoom. In the new "Direct" setting, the histogram generates red or blue squares atop the image on the LCD to show the light or dark areas of the subject, respectively.

A mode dial enables quick settings for an assortment of shooting situations with a turn of the dial. In fully Programmed Auto mode, the camera offers basic point-and-shoot simplicity for flawless picture taking. For photographers who want optimum results in a wide variety of settings, the easy-to-use Scene Programs on the mode dial provides fully automatic exposure adjustments for Night Scenes, Portrait, Landscape Portrait, Sports, and Landscape photography. Eight programmable "MyMode" settings enable users to assign frequently used settings for quick and easy access.

The C-5060's hot-shoe allows an external flash to be connected without the need for cables. An optional Olympus FL-20 or FL-50 flash will provide full 'through the lens' metering so photographers can get the best lighting conditions for their creations. The camera takes two types of memory media - the xD-Picture Card or CompactFlash Type I or II including microdrives - and can hold both media cards simultaneously offering flexible storage options.

The 5.1 megapixel CCD and Olympus' TruePic™ technology allows users to retain a realistic look to their photographs at all photo sizes e-mailed or printed. The 5.1 Megapixel imager captures the detail needed for true photo quality printing even on large print sizes over 11" x 14". Other controls include Digital ESP multi-pattern and spot metering; adjustable white balance; multiple flash settings including slow sync flash; and auto bracketing and exposure compensation, Noise Reduction, and Optimum Image Enlargement modes.

C-5060 Wide Zoom features:

• 5.1-Megapixel CCD for images up to 2592 x 1944
• Olympus 4x Wide Angle Zoom lens with 27 - 110mm equivalent coverage
• Stylish and rugged black magnesium alloy body
• JPEG, TIFF and RAW image formats
• Fully adjustable 1.8-inch color LCD tilts 180° and rotates 230°
• 3.0 frames/second burst in RAW or JPEG to 4 frames
• 1.4 frames/second burst in HQ up to 10 frames
• Auto Exposure Bracketing, 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV and 1 EV, 3 or 5 images
• iESP multi-pattern AF with Spot AF, Selective Spot AF, Full time AF and Manual focus (with gauge and LCD enlarged view) modes.
• Macro focus and Super Macro focus down to one inch!
• Digital iESP multi-pattern, Spot and Multi-point Spot metering modes.
• Program AE, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority or full Manual
• Shutter speeds from 16 secs to 1/4000 sec in Manual mode.
• Noise Reduction minimizes background noise so you get high-quality images even in low-light situations
• Sharpness, Contrast and Saturation is adjustable +/- 5 steps
• Sepia mode, black & white mode, blackboard mode or whiteboard mode
• ISO sensitivity: 80, 100, 200, 400 or AUTO
• White balance: 8 presets (4 fluorescent) and one-touch custom
• Built-in flash with Auto, Fill, Red-eye reduction and Slow-sync modes
• 640x480, 320x240 QuickTime movies w/audio at 15 fps
• Multiple media options: xD-Picture Card and CompactFlash Type I or II including IBM Microdrives
• TTL hot shoe for Olympus external flash
• Storage Class USB connectivity insures quick and simple image downloads to Windows XP, Me, 2000 or Mac OS 8.6+ computers
• High-capacity Li-ion battery and charger included
• PictBridge, Exif Print and Epson PRINT Image Matching II compatible

The C-5060 Wide Zoom has an estimated street price of $699 and is available now. It includes an Auto-Connect USB cable, Audio/Video Out cable, carrying strap, lens cap with retainer cord, Li-ion battery and charger, a 32MB xD-Picture Card, Olympus CAMEDIA Master Software 4.0, RM-1 Remote Controller, user manual and Quick Start guide.

Physical Views

The 5-Megapixel duo, the C-5060 Wide Zoom and the palm-size C-5000 Zoom

The C-5060 Wide Zoom and the Pentax Optio 555

C-5060 Zoom Specifications