Olympus FE-130 Zoom Review

Click to take a QTVR tour of the FE-130

The 5.1-megapixel Olympus FE-130 and 6.0-megapixel FE-140 are affordable digital cameras designed for users of any experience level. Both cameras feature a 3x optical zoom lens, Olympus TruePic Turbo image processor and a large color LCD display (2 inches for FE-130, 2.5 inches for FE-140) that makes it easier to frame and compose shots as well as share your photos with friends and family.

The Help Guide on the FE-130 and FE-140 is a built-in manual that explains all of the terminology of specific functions and the pre-programmed scene modes. It's also a tutorial that educates users on how to accomplish specific effects, such as "shooting into backlight" and "adjusting coloration." The shooting guide not only provides detailed descriptions for various photographic scenarios, but also actually sets the camera with the touch of a button, making the transition from learning to doing instantaneous.

The FE-130/140 features an easy-to-use "One Touch" design with individual buttons for shooting, reviewing and deleting images conveniently located on the top of the cameras with icons so that frequently used functions can be accessed easily. The Help Guide, direct print, zoom and delete options are at your fingertips. Macro mode, Flash mode and a selftimer are located on the arrow pad for quick use while setting up the perfect composition.

The inclusion of 22 shooting modes accessed via a rotating dial and menu button on the back of the camera makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations, such as Sunset, Portrait, and Night Scene. QuickTime Movie mode enables users to create short movies of events that can be emailed to family and friends. The Digital Image Stabilization Mode is for capturing crisp, clear pictures - free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects - with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speed.

The TruePic TURBO™ image processor significantly enhances image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBO™ enables the cameras to capture information from every pixel with pixel "micro-smoothing" that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos, even at lower resolutions.

The new FE-Series enables users to add colorful borders and titles on their images, adjust brightness and saturation, crop and resize images, switch from color to black and white or sepia, even red-eye fix - all without using a computer.

With the power of PictBridge technology, photos can be printed directly from the camera to any PictBridge-enabled printer, such as the Olympus P-11 Digital Photo Printer, without using a computer. Printing and sharing images has never been easier, and the P-11's photo lab-quality dye-sublimation printing produces archival- quality prints in rich color.

Connecting any FE Series camera to a computer is easy with the USB Auto Connect feature, which connects the camera directly via USB 2.0 cable and requires no software. The included OLYMPUS Master software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View.

FE-130 Zoom Features:

• 5.1 Megapixel CCD imager for up to 2592 x 1944 pixel images
• 3x optical (38-114mm 35mm equiv) zoom, 4x seamless digital zoom
• Digital Image Stabilization and Built-in Help Guide
• 2.0" color LCD and 10x playback zoom
• 22 shooting modes including Quicktime movies
• Quicktime movie mode w/out sound, 320x240 HQ and 160x120 SQ quality
• Stitch Assist mode for perfect panoramas
• Exposure compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments
• Shutter speeds of 4 seconds to 1/2000 second
• Auto ISO range from 64 to 320, up to ISO 800 in Digital Stabilization mode
• Powered by 2 standard AA type batteries
• USB Direct-print with any PictBridge compatible printer
• USB connectivity for PC and Mac
• 22MB internal memory and xD-Picture Card slot
• Optional CWPC-03 underwater case for up to 3 meters depth

The FE-130 and FE-140 are supplied with two AA alkaline batteries, USB cable, Video cable, Wrist strap, Quick start guide, Basic manual, CD-ROM (includes OLYMPUS Master software and advanced manual), ImageLink tray, and Warranty. The FE-130 and FE-140 estimated street price is $179.99 and $229.99 (U.S.)

Physical Views

The FE-130 compared to an average CD disc.

The Olympus FE-130 and the less expensive FE-115.