Olympus C-2100 UZ

I was looking at several 3-megapixel cameras, but after talking to Don Bradner about his new Olympus C-2100 camera, I started looking at the specs and reading the reviews of the camera. After a couple of days of investigating, I ordered one for myself just a few days before the VB MVP Summit in Redmond. I've had the camera for a couple of weeks now, and I'm very happy with it. In fact, Randy Birch was so impressed with the camera that he bought on in Seattle before returning to Canada.

Favorite Features:

C-2100 Ultra Zoom Filmless Digital Camera
Type: Digital EVF SLR Camera with 4.5cm/1.8-inch color TFT LCD monitor
Memory: 3V (3.3V) SmartMedia (SSFDC) Card (2MB, 4MB, 8MB, 16MB, 32MB and 64MB); one 8MB card including Panorama function is supplied with camera
Recording system: Still image; JPEG (DCF: Design rule for Camera File system); TIFF (non-compress); DPOF support; QuickTimeTM JPEG Motion (160x120 or 320x240)
Number of storable pictures with 16MB SmartMedia card:
  • (1) TIFF 1600 X 1200
  • (2) TIFF 1280 X 960
  • (3) TIFF 1024 X 768
  • (8) TIFF 640 X 480
  • (5) SHQ JPEG 1600 X 1200 Normal Quality JPEG
  • (16) HQ JPEG 1600 X 1200 Normal Quality JPEG
  • (8) SQ 1280 X 960 High Quality JPEG
  • (31) SQ 1280 X 960 Normal Quality JPEG
  • (13) SQ 1024 X 768 High Quality JPEG
  • (38) SQ 1024 X 768 Normal Quality JPEG
  • (33) SQ 640 X 480 High Quality JPEG
  • (82) SQ 640 X 480 Normal Quality JPEG
  • 35 seconds, 15 frames per second Motion JPEG 320 X 240 (QuickTimeTM mode)
  • 135 seconds, 15 frames per second Motion JPEG 160 X 120 (QuickTimeTM mode)
Image pickup element: 1/2-inch CCD solid-state images pickup, 2.11 million-pixel
White balance: iESP full-auto TTL, Preset Manual (Daylight, Cloudy, Florescent and Tungsten)
Lens: Olympus lens 7-70mm 2.8-3.5, Glass Aspherical Zoom lens (Equivalent to 38-380mm lens on 35mm camera), Image Stabilization
Filter size: 49mm (to attach accessory lens and filters), 49>55mm Step-up needed for thick filters
Photometric system: Digital "ESP" Multi-pattern metering system, center-weighted, spot and multi-spot metering (8 area memorized)
Exposure control: Programmed auto exposure; Aperture priority; Shutter priority; S-Program mode with Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Scene; Custom set-up modes and Manual Exposure. ±2 steps EV by 1/3 steps EV exposure compensation
  • Auto Bracketing: selectable from ±1/3 EV, 2/3 EV and 1 EV; 3 or 5 images
  • Aperture priority: Wide - F2.8-11.0; Tele - 3.8-11.0, 1/3 EV steps
  • Shutter priority: Still image - 1/2-1/750 sec. (used with mechanical shutter); 1/3 EV steps; Program, S-Program, Aperture Priority 4 sec. to 1/750 sec.
  • Manual exposure: shutter speed 16-1/750 seconds
ISO: Auto, user selectable, 100, 200, 400 equivalent ISO
Focusing: iESP TTL or spot system autofocus (contrast detection system) with focusing illuminator aid. Focusing range: 24"/0.6m-infinity; Wide 78"/2m-infinity; Telephoto stepless Macro Focusing 4.3"/0.1m-24"/0.6m Wide/39"/1m-78"/2m Telephoto (iESP AF is off in rapid shooting mode);
Manual focus (manual focus setting by gauge) with focusing range: 4.3"/0.1m-infinity, Wide 39"/1m-infinity, 240 steps
AF Illuminator: Working range: 2'/0.6m - 10'/3m
Viewfinder: EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) SLR viewfinder (Full information/Mode AV, SV/Spot/CW/ESP/+/-/AF/Flash/Buffer); .55" Color LCD EVF
LCD monitor: 4.5cm/1.8-inch wider angle color TFT LCD monitor with 113,500 pixels (made from low-temperature poly-silicon), brightness adjustment is possible
Flash modes: Built-in flash: Auto-flash (low- & back-light), Red-eye reducing flash, Off, Fill-in, Slow Synchro and Slow Synchro with Red-eye reducing flash modes; External terminal: Off, Auto, Forced activation; Slow Synchronization (First-Curtain Synchronization effect, Second-Curtain Synchronization effect); 5-pin TTL connector for FL-40 or PC sync, (Optional Bracket and cable needed)
Flash working range: Wide; approx. 24"/0.6m-18'/5.6m, telephoto; approximately 8"/0.2m-9'/2.8m (ISO 100)
Battery charging time: Less than 6 sec. (at normal temperature with new battery)
Sequence mode: 1.7 frames per second up to 5 SHQ, 16 HQ or 86 VGA SQ frames; 1.2 second shot to shot at all times (unlimited quantity)
Self-timer/remote controller: 12-second delay/2-second after optional remote controller operation
Setting memorization: Possible
Outer Connector: DC input terminal, Data input/output USB interface/RS-232C Serial Video Output terminal (NTSC), external flash terminal for FL-40 (not shoe type) or PC sync with optional cables and bracket
Operating environment:
  • Operation: 32ºF/0ºC - 104ºF/40ºC, 30-90% humidity
  • Storage: -4ºF/-20ºC - 140ºF/60ºC, 10-90% humidity
Power Supply: Main power source: 4xAA Ni-MH batteries/2xLithium battery LB-01 (CR-V3)/4xAA Lithium batteries/Optional 7AU-AC adapter/only high-capacity AA Alkaline battery should be used (Manganese batteries cannot be used)
Date/Time/Calendar: Simultaneous recording onto image data
Automatic calendar system: Up to year 2030
Dimensions: (W) 4.25'/10.8cm x (H) 3.25"/8.25cm x (D) 5.6"/14.23cm (excluding projections)
Weight: 22 oz./632 grams