Why I Chose the Olympus C7000

For the past year or so, I have been using a Pentax Optio “S” series digital camera. For the most part, I have been quite happy with it, and while 4 megapixel is considered a bit on the low side by modern standards, I really had no intention of upgrading it because I liked it’s small size, and the photos were generally quite good.

That is, until I had the chance to play with an Olympus C7000. While my complaints about the Optio were few, I had always wished that it did a better job of focusing in macro mode. I had tested other cameras for close focus, and had found none that would do a better job than mine, so I just assumed it was a limitation of the electronics, and accepted it. When I tested the C7000, however, I was amazed at how well it pulled focus in macro mode. Indeed, given decent lighting, it could focus nearly right on the glass, and the focus was amazingly fast.

The other thing about the C7000 that had me running to check my ATM balance was just how little shutter lag it had. Having gotten used to a fairly long delay with the Optio, the Olympus had me feeling like I was shooting film again. My arguments with Casey about how my Pentax was “just fine” were quickly falling apart. I loved the Olympus. I wanted it, but I could not swing the $500 bucks, so I just kept on wanting it but shooting with my Pentax.

That is, however, until Casey bought one. He was with me when I tested it, and apparently he was pretty impressed with it as well. He was not impressed enough though, and in short order offered me a great deal on it, so he could turn around and buy an Olympus C8080. I handed him the cash and never looked back.

It is great in most light situations, and I continue to be impressed with the minimal shutter lag and amazing close focus. I’m not really sure that I need all seven megapixels though. I rarely need to do much cropping, but I’m sure I’ll be glad to have them when I do. The only thing I’m wishing for now is a bigger XD card.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, November 10th, 2005 at 4:11 pm and is filed under Data and Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

spiralbound.net » Olympus C7000 Housing

Jul 20th

[...] Not that I needed any more reasons to love my Olympus C7000 but I have to say that I was pretty psyched when I realized that I could get this housing for it that is rated to 200 feet. Normally, when a person goes looking for a camera housing, he goes to backscatter or light and motion, and ends up paying something like $1,000 just for the housing, but this sweet little rig can be had for less than $270! [...]
holly

Nov 18th

Hey Cliff,
If you upgrade your camera to a new one, will you sell me the underwater housing? Ikelite doesn’t make them anymore for the c7000. Thanks!
Cheers,
Holly
cliff

Nov 20th

Sure thing Holly… If I decide to sell it, you are first on the list. Sorry they’re not making it anymore. What a bummer!
cliff

Nov 20th

Holly,

I have removed your e-mail address from the public area to protect you from spammers. I still have it, and will keep it in the database so I can contact you should I decided to sell the housing.

If anyone else has a housing that they would like to sell to Holly, please comment here, and I will relay the message to her.

spiralbound.net