Olympus FE-190 Zoom Review

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By: Steve's Digicams

First look posted 8/23/2006
Conclusion posted 12/5/2006

Click to take a QTVR tour of the FE-190

The FE-190 is one of several additions to Olympus' FE series of entry-level point-n-shoot models. Its 0.7-inch slim design and durable metal body makes this one of the most compact members of the FE family. Perfect for active lifestyles, the FE-190 fits inside a shirt pocket or small handbag. Other features include a large 2.5-inch LCD, 3x optical zoom lens, and Digital Image Stabilization.

These new FE-series cameras feature an enhanced Help Guide that makes digital photography simple for users of all levels. A tutorial "shooting guide" educates users on tips for achieving 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.

They also feature a "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. Shooting, playback, zoom and delete options are at your fingertips. Macro mode, flash mode and a self-timer are located on the 4way controller for quick use while setting up the perfect composition.

The inclusion of 16 shooting modes, including QuickTime® Movie, accessed via a rotating dial and menu button on the back of the cameras makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations, such as Sports, Fireworks, and Night Scene with Portrait. The FE-180, FE-190 and FE-200 models offer QuickTime® Movie mode, which enables users to create short movies of events that can be emailed to family and friends.

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-190 Zoom Features:

6.0 Megapixel CCD imager
3x optical (38-114mm 35mm equiv) zoom, 4x digital zoom
Digital Image Stabilization and Built-in Help Guide
TruePic TURBO Image Processor
2.5" color LCD and 10x playback zoom
16 shooting modes including Quicktime movies
Quicktime movie mode w/sound, 320x240 HQ and 160x120 SQ quality
Exposure compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments
Shutter speeds of 4 seconds to 1/2000 second
Auto ISO range from 64 - 1000
Powered by the included LI-42B Li-ion battery
USB Direct-print with any PictBridge compatible printer
USB connectivity for PC and Mac
22MB internal memory and xD-Picture Card slot

The FE-190 will be available in September 2006 with an MSRP of US$199.99 (UK$229.99.) It ships with: a rechargeable battery (FE-180 - Ni-MH, FE-190/200- Lithium-Ion) and charger, USB cable, Audio/Video cable, wrist strap, Quick Start guide, basic manual, CD-ROM (including OLYMPUS Master software and advanced manual) and warranty.

Physical Views

The FE-190 compared to an average CD disc.

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Features & Controls

FE-190 Zoom Specifications

Imager	6.0 Megapixel (effective), 6.4 Megapixel gross, 1/2.5" (1.2cm) CCD
Lens	6.3 - 18.9mm (38 - 114mm equivalent in 35mm photography), 6 lenses in 5 groups
Zoom	3x Optical + 4x Digital (seamless to 12x)
Aperture Range	f3.1 - f5.9
LCD	2.5" (6.4cm) Color LCD, approx. 110,000 pixels
Focus System	Autofocus (CCD Contrast Detection, iESP)
Focus Range	Normal/Macro Mode:(Wide) 4.0" (0.1m) - infinity (Tele) 23.6" (0.6m) - infinity Super Macro Mode: 2.0" (5cm)
Shutter Speed	Auto (1/2000 sec. - 4 sec.)
ISO	Auto (64 - 1000)
White Balance	Auto (ESP)
Exposure Compensation	±2 EV steps in 1/3 EV steps
Recording Modes	Still Image: DCF Exif 2.21, JPEG, PIM3 Movie Mode: QuickTime® motion JPEG with Audio
Adjustment Resolutions	2,816 x 2,112, SHQ/HQ 2,048 x 1,536, SQ1 640 x 480, SQ2
Shooting Modes	16 Shooting Modes: Program Auto, Scene Presets (Portrait, Landscape, Night & Portrait, Indoor, Candle, Self-Portrait, Sunset, Sport, Fireworks, Cuisine, Documents, Behind Glass, Auction), Digital Image Stabilization Mode, Movie
Panorama Modes	Up to 10 frames automatically stitchable with OLYMPUS Master Software when using Olympus brand xD-Picture Card™
Movie Mode	QuickTime Movie with Audio: 320x240/30fps (HQ), 160x120/15fps (SQ)
Image Processing	TruePic TURBO™ Image Processor
Pixel Mapping	Automatic Pixel Mapping (APM) available via menu setting
Noise Reduction	Set automatically at shutter speeds of 0.5 second or longer
Image Playback	Still Image: Single, Index (4/9/16/25), Enlargement (up to 10x), Slideshow, Rotation Movie: Normal, Reverse, Frame-By-Frame
Playback Edit Effects	Still Image: Resize (640x480, 320x240)
Direct Printing Options	PictBridgeTM, DPOF
Flash	Built-in
Flash Modes	Auto (for low-light and backlit conditions), Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-In, Fill-In & Red-Eye, Off
Flash Working Range	Wide: 0.7 ft. (0.2m) - 8.9 ft. (2.7m) Tele: 2.0 ft. (0.6m) - 4.6 ft. (1.4m)
Selftimer	12 Seconds/Auto
Setting Memorization	On/Off (Hold changes/Reset to default settings)
Date/Time Calendar	Simultaneous recording into image data, Automatic up to 2099
Memory	22MB internal memory
Outer Connectors	USB Connector, Video Output
Auto-connect USB	2.0 Full Speed (USB mass storage)
System Requirements	Auto-Connect USB: Windows® 98SE/ME/2000PRO/XP with USB port, Mac OS® 9.0 - 9.2x/OS X 10.1 - 10.4 with USB port Software: Windows 98SE/ME/2000PRO/XP, Mac® 10.2 and higher
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 (LI-42B)
Size	3.6" W x 2.3" H x 0.7" D (90.5mm x 58.5mm x 18.5mm)
Weight	3.9 oz. (110g) without batteries and media card

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Features & Controls

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