Olympus D-380 Review

By Movable Type Admin


Steve's Digicams

Olympus D-380



Posted 3/18/2002



Click to take 360-degree QTVR tour of the Olympus Camedia D-380
Click to take a 360-degree QTVR tour of the D-380



The Olympus D-380, as of Feb 18th, 2002, is the first digital camera to offer high-quality 2 Megapixel images at a street price of only $199. The D-380 is the successor to the popular 1.3 Megapixel Camedia D-370 and features easy-to use controls with a simplified menu system; portrait, panorama, resizing and image merging modes; USB Auto- Connect and the ability to use all types of AA batteries.

The D-380 looks great in your hand and fits comfortably in your pocket. The D-380 is lightweight at 6.7 ounces and compact with dimensions of 4.9 W" x 2.56 H" x 1.6 D". The protective lens barrier slides open with one hand for ease of use, and simultaneously turns on the camera. The camera's lens barrier makes it easy to carry and it protects the lens and viewfinder when closed. The D-380 also uses a new Wide-View 1.5" LCD display for easy viewing.

The D-380 comes with an 8MB SmartMedia card, but 1MB of internal memory is also built into the camera for processing and saving images in case you run out of space on your SmartMedia cards while shooting. The internal memory can also be used to copy images from the cards into the camera. For more photo storage, additional SmartMedia cards from 8MB to 128MB can also be used. Optional SmartMedia cards can be reused thousands of times, as images can be erased and cards reused.

Camedia D-380 Features:

  • 2 Megapixel imager produces up to 1600x1208-pixel images
  • Portrait Mode - sets up the best conditions to take a great portrait.
  • 2 in 1 Image Merge - creates 2 side-by-side photos in one shot. Perfect for before and after comparisons, business cards, realtors, etc.
  • Image Resize - allows the user to resize to lower resolution in-camera, perfect for email or web use. Retains the higher resolution image on the card.
  • Simplified controls and easy-to-use menu
  • Works with all types of AA batteries (alkaline, lithium, NiMH or NiCd).
  • AutoConnect USB (no driver software or docking station needed) for easy connectivity to USB-equipped computers with Windows Me or XP or MacOS 8.6-9.01/OSX operating systems.
  • Super bright optical viewfinder for easy viewing even in low light.
  • 1.5" Wide-view color LCD for easier viewing and reviewing of the images, even in bright light.
  • All-glass Olympus focus free 4.5mm - f4 lens.
  • 1MB internal memory plus removable 8MB SmartMedia card.
  • Built-in 6 mode flash with red eye reduction.
  • QuickTime movie mode, 15fps at 320x240 or 160x120.
The D-380 will be available April 2002 with a suggested retail price of $249 (street retail approx. $199). It includes an Olympus CAMEDIA Master Software 4.0 for photo manipulation and management, 8MB SmartMedia Card, USB cable, strap, 4 AA Alkaline batteries, manual, and warranty card.


Physical Views



Olympus d380

Olympus d380

Olympus d380 Olympus d380

Olympus d380

Olympus d380





Olympus d380

The D-380 compared in size to a CD.




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D-380 Specifications
CCD Imager 2.0 Megapixel Effective
2.1 Megapixel Gross (Full optical CCD resolution)
Size: 1/3.15" (.31") CCD
Lens Olympus glass 4.5mm f/4 (5 elements in 5 groups)
(35mm equivalent in 35mm photography)
Seamless Digital Zoom 2.5x digital, Up to 5.0x in SQ2 recording mode
Aperture Range f4 or f8 (selectable by switch)
Shutter Speeds 1/2000 sec. - 1/2 sec. Automatic
1 sec. in Night Scene Mode
ISO Auto: 100-400 (equivalent)
Recording Mode(s) Still image: EXIF JPEG.   Movie Mode: QuickTime® Motion JPEG
Adjustable Resolutions SHQ: 1600 x 1208 JPEG
HQ: 1600 x 1200 JPEG
SQ1: 1024 x 768 JPEG
SQ2: 640 x 480 JPEG
320 x 240 @15fps QuickTime Motion JPEG (15 sec. Max)
160 x 120 @15fps QuickTime Motion JPEG (60 sec. Max)
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) Print Reserve, All print reservation, Date or time printing
Image Adjustment Modes Portrait Shooting Mode
White Balance: Auto, Sun, Cloudy, Incandescent and Fluorescent.
2 into 1 Image Merge Shooting Mode
Image Edit Effects Sepia Mode
Black and White Mode
Image Rotation Mode
Image resize Mode (downsized copy of original file for web or Email)
Panorama Up to 10 frames switchable with CAMEDIA Master software when using Olympus brand SmartMediaTM
Sequence 1.5 frames per second burst up to 8 frames in HQ mode
Viewfinder Optical real-image viewfinder with autofocus / backlight mark
LCD 1.5" Wide-View color TFT LCD (60,000 pixels) used for viewing, reviewing or editing images
Focusing System Focus Free
Focusing Ranges Macro Mode 10" (0.25m) - Infinity"
Standard 24" - Infinity (0.6m - Infinity)
Exposure Control Program Auto f 4 - 1/2 / 1/2000 sec.
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 Steps EV by 1/2 stop settings.
Metering System Digital ESP Multi-Pattern Meter, Spot
White Balance System iESP Multi-pattern auto TTL
Pre-set manual (Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten and Fluorescent)
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 curtain effect)
Slow Shutter Synchronized Flash (1st curtain effect w/ red-eye reduction)
Flash Off
Flash Working Range Wide: 10" - 8.2' (0..25m - 2.5m) @ ISO 100
Flash Charging Time Approx. 6 seconds (at normal temperature with fresh batteries)
Built-In Memory 1 MB internal for image storage
Removable Media Card 3V (3.3V) SmartMediaTM card (4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 MB)
8-MB card included
Selftimer 12-second delay
Setting Memorization On/Off
Camera remembers selected settings after power off / on
Outer Connectors USB connector (Auto-Connect), DC input 6V (from optional C-7AU AC adapter
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
AC Power: C-7AU AC adapter (optional)
(Manganese batteries cannot be used)
Date/Time Calendar Simultaneous recording into image date
Calendar Automatic up to the year 2099
Size 4.9" (W) x 2.6" (H) x 1.6" (D)/(124mm x 65mm x 44mm)
Weight 6.7 oz. (190 g), without batteries and SmartMedia
Number of Storable Photos
(8MB Card / Internal 1MB memory)		 5 / 1 or more: SHQ: 1600 X 1208
16 / 2 or more: HQ: 1600 X 1200
29 / 3 or more: SQ1: 1,024 X 768
47 / 5 or more: SQ2: 640 X 480
NOTE: These Specifications are as represented by the manufacturer.






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