Olympus C-5060 Wide Zoom Review

By Movable Type Admin


Steve's Digicams


Olympus C-5060 Zoom


First Look posted 10/5/03
Full review posted 12/11/03



Click to take a QuickTime VR tour of the Olympus C-5060 Zoom
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.


Olympus C-5060 Zoom

The multi-position LCD for optimized image viewing allows photographers to swivel the LCD in multiple directions: upward from the camera body and swiveling right or left to shoot from the hip or to get the perfect over-the-head shot, or even set up a self- portrait. It also conveniently rotates to hide the LCD and protect it from getting damaged.

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



Olympus C-5060 Zoom

Olympus C-5060 Zoom

Olympus C-5060 Zoom

Olympus C-5060 Zoom

Olympus C-5060 Zoom

Olympus C-5060 Zoom





Olympus C-5060 Zoom

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





Olympus C-5060 Zoom

The C-5060 Wide Zoom and the Pentax Optio 555













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Page Two




C-5060 Zoom Specifications

CCD Imager 5.1 megapixel effective
5.3 megapixel gross
Size 1/1.8 (.55 type) CCD
Lens Olympus aspherical glass 4x zoom lens 5.7 - 22.8mm (27 - 110mm equivalent in 35mm photography)
Seamless Digital Zoom 14x (4x optical and 3.5x digital combined)
Aperture Range f2.8 - f8.0
Shutter Speeds 1/4000 sec. - 16 sec.
ISO Auto, 80/100/200/400 (equivalent)
Recording Mode(s) Still image: EXIF 2.2 TIFF (non-compressed), EXIF 2.2 JPEG, DCF (Design rule for Camera File system), PIM2 (Print Image Matching), Movie mode: QuickTime® motion JPEG
Adjustable Resolutions 2592 x 1944 TIFF, JPEG, RAW (SHQ, HQ)
2592 x 1728 (3:2 format), JPEG (SHQ, HQ)
2288 x 1712 TIFF, JPEG (SQ1)
2048 x 1536 TIFF, JPEG (SQ1)
1600 x 1200 TIFF, JPEG (SQ1)
1280 x 960 TIFF, JPEG (SQ2)
1024 x 768 TIFF, JPEG (SQ2)
640 x 480 TIFF, JPEG (SQ2)
640 x 480 @15fps Quick Time Motion JPEG
320 x 240 @15fps Quick Time Motion JPEG
160 x 120 @ 15fps Quick Time Motion JPEG
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) Print Reserve, All print reserve, Date/time
Optimum Image Enlargement 3264 x 2448 JPEG (SHQ, HQ)
Image Adjustment Modes Sharpness: +/- 5 steps
Contrast: +/- 5 steps
Saturation: +/- 5 steps
Image Effects Resize (portable file size for e-mail or Web)
Rotation
Panorama Up to 10 frames stitchable with CAMEDIA Master software when using Olympus brand xD-Picture Card
Sequence 1.4 fps HQ (max 10 images) Hi-speed 3.0 fps in RAW and all JPEG compressions (max 4 images)
Viewfinder Optical real-image viewfinder with autofocus/back light mark
LCD 1.8" (4.5cm) low-temperature poly-silicon LCD (approx. 134,000 pixels)
Focusing System iESP multi-pattern AF (autofocus) TTL system (contrast detection), Spot AF, Selective Spot AF, Full Time AF, Manual focusing by gauge
Focusing Ranges Normal mode: 31" - infinity (0.8m - infinity)
Macro mode: 8.0" - 31" (0.2m - 0.8m)
Super Macro mode: 1" to 8" (0.03m - 0.2m)
Exposure Control Program auto (f2.8 - f8.0, 16 sec. - 1/4000 sec.), Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual
Metering System Digital ESP Multi-Pattern meter, Spot meter, Multi-point spot
White Balance System iESP2 Auto, 5 Indoor settings, 4 Outdoor settings, 4 Custom Memory settings, One-touch set with white card
Flash Built-in flash, TTL Hot Shoe for optional FL-20 TTL flash, FL-50 TTL flash or sync to studio strobes with optional cables
Flash Modes Auto for low and back light
Red-Eye Reduction
Fill-In (forced on)
Slow Shutter Synchronized (first curtain)
Slow Shutter Synchronized (first curtain with red-eye reduction)
Slow Shutter Synchronized (second curtain)
Off (built-in or external)
Flash Working Range Wide: 32" - 13' (0.8m - 3.7m), Tele: 32" - 8' (0.8m - 2.2m)
Flash Charging Time Approximately 6 seconds at normal temperature with fully charged battery.
Removable Media Card 3v (3.3v) xD-Picture Card (16, 32, 64, 128, 256 or 512MB), Compact Flash Type I or Type II IBM Microdrive 1GB, 32MB xD Picture Card included
Self timer/Remote 12-second delay/2-second delay (RM-2)
Setting Memorization On/Off (Hold changes/ Reset to default settings)
Outer Connectors Mini "B" USB connector (Auto-Connect), Video Out, DC Input for optional AC adapter
Auto-connect USB Compatible with Windows 98 rev2/ME/2000 Pro/XP and Mac OS 8.6 - OS X 10.2
Windows 98 rev 2 driver provided on CD
Mac OS 8.6 requires USB mass storage driver 1.3.5 available at apple.com
Downloading to computer without USB port possible with optional card readers
Image Playback Still image: Index display, Up to 4x enlargement with image scrolling, Slide show, Scene rotation, Protect
Movie: Normal, Reverse, Frame-by-frame
Operating Environment Operation: 32° - 104°F (0° - 40°C), 30 - 90% humidity
Storage: -4° - 140°F (-20° - 60°C), 10 - 90% humidity
Power Supply Li-Ion rechargeable battery (BLM-1) and charger (BCM-1) included
AC Power: 7.8V AC adapter (optional)
Date/Time Calendar Simultaneous recording into image date
Calendar Automatic up to the year 2099
Size 4.6" W x 3.4" H x 2.6" D (116mm x 87mm x 65.5mm)
Weight 15.2 oz. (430g)
Number of Storable Photos
Quality Pixel Resolution 32MB xD-Picture Card (included) 128MB xD-Picture Card
OIE: SHQ, HQ 3200 x 2400* 6, 16 shots 27, 67 shots
3:2 TIFF, SHQ, HQ 2560 x 1696 2, 10, 29 shots 10, 40, 117 shots
TIFF 2560 x 1920 to 640 x 480 2 to 33 shots 8 to 135 shots
RAW 2560 x 1920 6 shots 26 shots
SHQ 2560 x 1920 8 shots 35 shots
HQ 2560 x 1920 26 shots 105 shots
SQ1 (high, normal) 2288 x 1712 to 1600 x 1200 11 to 64 shots 48 to 257 shots
SQ2 (high, normal) 1280 x 960 to 640 x 480 34 to 331 shots 140 to 1330 shots
HQ 320 x 240 15 fps per movie 33 seconds (33 sec. max per movie) 264 seconds (33 sec. max per movie)
SQ 160 x 120 15 fps movie 148 seconds (148 sec. max per movie) 1184 seconds (148 sec. max per movie)
All capacity figures are approximate.
*Optimum Image Enlargement resolutions interpolated from maximum optical resolution of 2560 x 1920.


(Specifications as represented by the manufacturer)






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