Olympus Camedia c-8080: a burst of sunlight
Written: Aug 23 '04
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Pros: Lens, body, product, overall
Cons: Shutter lag, lens extension,
The Bottom Line: This rates well with all the digital cameras I have worked with - it is a leader in its class.
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| garryr's Full Review: Olympus Camedia C-8080 Wide Zoom Digital Camera |
I've been in this business of reviewing for some time but the Olympus Camedia c-8080 burst on me like a brilliant ray of sunshine.
I had "dumbed down" - sold my Drebel with three lenses and an assortment of gimcracks and bought the 8080, solely on the basis of increased megapixels. The woman in the shop where I bought the 8080 was stupified...."you're selling a DSLR for this?".
I did - and I am delighted. The quality of the product is startlingly good - solid prints at 10"x8 every time. I use an Epson ink jet printer with Ilford Galerie Pearl photo paper and continue to delight both myself, clients and family/friends.
With no auxiliary lenses to worry about, I shoot quicker (except for the shutter lag which I'll get to); the metering appears to be spot on (that was an unintended pun) and the overall feel of the camera is solid, solid, solid.
As I have always done, I searched for an external flash. And came up with a 32 Z-2 Metz with an Olympus adapter. Cost in Australian dollars - around $200 - and that included postage from the States. The result is a camera with a dedicated ttl flash, adequate for every job I have had to work on since I got the Olympus.
To the naked eye, my pix look better than those from those from the Rebel. And currently I am moving towards trusting my eye than some test or other. Getting older has advantages - one of them is that you trust more naturally.
The shutter lag - it does seem to me that the focus mechanism action in low light does mean a longer lag than I have seen in DSLRs. However, rarely did this seem to be longer than half a second and mostly that doesnt present a problem.
The menu system does present a few problems especially where you organise personal settings. It would pay to write down these settings when you develop them, such that you can access them quickly when required.
The smaller zoom capacity is a minor concern but workable around.
So what do I have? A smaller camera with a superb lens , a sturdy body and and great results. In another forum, I suggested this had some familiarity with the move to Leica cameras in the 30s and 40s. Not that I'm suggesting the 8080 is a Leica - that's comparing apples and cumquats. But I suggest that the downsizing of your camera bag (no matter how sophisticated a photographer you are) might be on the agenda.
With a few small quibbles, the Olympus Camedia C-8080 works for me - superbly.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1066
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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Epinions.com ID:
garryr
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Reviews written: 3
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