|
Olympus has a great reputation for producing and marketing some of the most
stylish, ultra-compact point and shoot cameras on the planet. It set
the bar for style, size, and features with the introduction in 1990 of the
innovative Olympus Infinity Stylus 35mm rangefinder camera.
In early 2003 Olympus brought to the US market their
first digital versions of the Stylus - the Olympus Stylus 300 Digital (reviewed
here) and the Olympus Stylus 400 Digital.
In May of 2003 I purchased this Olympus digital point and
shoot. The decision to do so, however, was actually somewhat forced
upon me. Earlier in the spring an aspiring, uh, amateur acquired a
slightly used 35mm Canon Sure Shot point and shoot (along with some exposed,
undeveloped Florida beach shots) in a smash and grab from my rental car in a
Tampa, Florida hotel parking lot. As a small point and shoot is vital for
easy capture of life's events a replacement was a must. This event,
therefore, propelled me into acquiring a digital camera.
Timing for purchasing this camera was a great
learning opportunity, however. My son was graduating from high school.
And since graduation is one of those occasions that call for a point and shoot,
I needed a replacement and finally purchased this one (for which I'd been
researching and shopping for several weeks) on the day of the graduation.
Once home I fully charged the battery and then headed off early to the
auditorium with camera and manual in tow to get a good seat. The ensuing
results couldn't have been worse. Sitting in my seat attempting to read
the camera manual and fiddling with the tiny little buttons on the back almost
guaranteed my results would be less than graduate level work. Sure enough
they were horrible; almost every one was poorly exposed and very out of focus.
How this could happen with an auto-focus, auto-exposure camera? Well it's
all about timing. Never again will I show up for a special event with a
new gadget with the expectation all will work without some experience behind the
wheel.
Overview
The Olympus Stylus 300 Digital is a feature-rich camera with
the same clamshell, sliding lens barrier design found on other Stylus models.
This camera can render high quality photos capable of being enlarged up to 8x10
inches. One can compose these photos using either the viewfinder or the
LCD on the back of the camera. At present (Jan 2004) it sells for $270 at
B&H Photo; I paid $360 at my local camera shop in late May 2003.
Features of this camera are -
- 3.2 megapixel .40" CCD (JPEG images up to 2048 x 1536)
- 1.5" diag TFT color LCD (134,400 pixels)
- Olympus xD-Picture Card (one 16MB card included)
- 5.8 - 17.4 mm aspherical glass zoom lens (35-105mm 35mm equivalent)
- Focusing range 20" - infinity (standard) and 8" to 20" (macro)
- 4x digital zoom for a combined 12x zoom capability
- Lens aperture ranges from f/3.1 at its widest angle to f/5.2 at its narrowest
- Shutter speed ranges from 1/2 second to 1/1000 second
- ISO automatic (80 - 320 range equivalent)
- Auto-focus (TTL contrast detection system)
- Auto-exposure
- Built-in flash range up to 8.5 feet, recycles in 6 seconds
- All weather, all metal (aluminum) body
- Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (charger included)
- Dimensions - 3.8" W x 2.2" H x 1.3" D
- Weight - 7 oz (approximately) with battery and memory card
Design
This is a fun camera. It feels good to hold
and use. And the combination of its all-weather design, compact size, and
light weight allow it to be easily taken and used anywhere.
One of the more innovative features of this camera
is its all-weather performance. Olympus accomplished this by constructing
the camera with two chassis; a metal (aluminum) one on the outside and a plastic
one underneath. Additionally, rubber seals are used to keep moisture from
entering the camera body. This design allows it to withstand rain, sleet,
or snow. Olympus cautions, however, no dunking it in the fish tank or
attempting underwater photography. (For those so inclined an underwater
housing is available from Olympus.)
The front of the camera features the distinctive
clamshell, sliding lens cover. Sliding this cover back turns the camera on
(in shooting/record mode) and causes the lens to extend about 5/8" from the
camera body. In addition the optical viewfinder window, built-in flash,
self-timer lamp, and remote control receiver (at the bottom) are revealed.
The remote control is an interesting (albeit gimmicky) feature that allows one
to use a small, key fob sized device to fire the shutter remotely.
On the right side of the camera is a small door
behind which you find the x-D Picture Card slot plus a USB and video out
connector. Once the small door is open you will see an example of an
all-weather rubber seal; one is attached to the inside of the door to prevent
moisture from entering this compartment. The door hinge serves to hold the
included wrist strap.
The opposite (left) side of the camera has only one
item - a DC In connector (adapter not included). However, unless you were
planning on taking most of your photos while standing next to a wall outlet,
would think only those who intend to playback their photos on a TV could make
use of this accessory.
On the top you there is a single control - the
shutter release button.
The bottom of the camera features the sliding,
hinged battery compartment door and a threaded tripod mount.
All the functional controls (except for the shutter
release on top) are found on the back of the camera. Additionally , you
will find here the optical viewfinder with two inset indicator lamps, the
monitor/playback LCD, and a rounded ergonomically designed thumb assist.
Handling
The Olympus Stylus 300 Digital is an easy to use camera.
Learning and mastering its capabilities should not take very long. Typical
of most point and shoot cameras the amount of focus and exposure control
available to the user is quite limited.
The camera has two operational modes - (1)
shooting/record and (2) playback. Shooting/record is the mode used for
taking photos while playback is the mode used to view photos already taken.
You place the camera in shooting/record mode by
sliding the lens cover open; this action extends the lens and turns the camera
on. Closing the lens cover takes the camera out of shooting/record mode,
retracts the lens, and turns the camera off.
The camera can be placed in playback mode with the
lens cover in either position. If the lens cover is closed, you place it
in playback mode (and turn the camera on) by pressing the Monitor/Playback
button once. (The Monitor/Playback is the bottom left button on the back
of the camera marked "Quick View".) Pressing this button a second time
with the lens cover closed will turn the camera off. If the lens cover is
open, you place the camera in playback mode by pressing the Monitor/Playback
button twice quickly. (Oh really! Read about my experience in
Negatives below.)
To take a photo you fully depress the shutter button
on the top of the camera. Halfway depressing (and holding) the shutter
button locks settings for focus and exposure providing an opportunity to
recompose.
Two inset indicator lamps in the optical, real image
viewfinder window alert the user to the status of flash and focus. The top
orange light blinks when the flash is recharging. When focus is set the
bottom green lamp turns on.
The zoom button on the back allows one to adjust the
lens to the desired optical or digital focal length when in shooting/record
mode. In playback mode this button allows one to enlarge in the LCD for
real time viewing those images already captured or one can display a handy (but
small) index of photos on the memory card.
A four button arrow pad on the back provides the
ability to set modes for flash, macro, self timer/remote, and scene
exposure/focus. This pad also provides the ability to navigate other
on-screen menus and scroll through exposed photos in playback mode. In
shooting/record mode the "up" button displays the seven options for scene
exposure/focus (i.e., Program Auto, Portrait, Landscape + Portrait, Landscape,
Night Scene, Self-Portrait, and Movie. The "down" button controls the
self-timer and remote modes. The "right" button allows one to select from
the four flash options (i.e., auto, red-eye reduction, fill, and forced off).
And the "left" button provides the ability to turn the Macro functionality
either on or off.
Pressing the OK/Menu button (i.e., the bottom right
button on the back of the camera marked "OK") causes display of the settings
menu in both shooting/record or playback modes. Additionally, it serves as
the confirmation button for selected menu choices.
The LCD on the back of the camera functions as a
monitor (or viewfinder supplement) when the camera is in shooting/record mode.
In playback mode it displays exposed images. In addition to functioning as
a monitor or playback viewer the LCD displays a wealth of information in either
mode (see bulleted lists below) using icons as well as stated values to denote
the current status or setting for a camera option or feature.
Shooting/Record Mode LCD Icons & Values
- auto focus target mark
- shooting mode (e.g., Portrait, Landscape, etc)
- battery check
- flash readiness
- macro mode (icon displayed if on)
- flash mode (i.e., auto, red eye reduction, fill, or forced off)
- sequential shooting (one shot or continuous)
- self timer or remote control (if enabled)
- record mode
- resolution (e.g., 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, etc)
- exposure compensation (if enabled)
- metering (i.e., ESP or spot)
- white balance (if enabled)
- memory gauge
- pictures remaining (at current resolution)
Playback Mode LCD Icons & Values
- battery check
- print reservation
- movie
- protect
- record mode (i.e., Super High Quality, High Quality, or Standard Quality)
- resolution (e.g., 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, etc)
- exposure compensation (if enabled)
- white balance (if enabled)
- date and time
- file number (for still pics) or playing time (for movies)
Camera Menus
Several less frequently changed options and features
of the camera are set using internal menus. Exposure
related options are set using these menus with the camera in shooting/record mode. Viewing
display options are set with the camera in playback mode. And general
camera options such as LCD brightness or date/time can be set with the camera in
either mode. The OK/Menu button (i.e., marked "OK") on the back of the
camera provides access to these menus. To provide perspective on
the type and abundance of the camera's features the menus and related options
are detailed below.
Shooting/Record Mode Menus
- White Balance - Controls the color balance.
Options are Auto and Preset. The Auto setting automatically assesses the
scene and adjusts the color balance. The Preset option allows to to select Daylight,
Cloudy, Incandescent, or Fluorescent as light sources.
- Exposure Compensations - Increases or decreases the
overall exposure from -2.0 to +2.0 exposure values (EV) in one-third-step
increments.
- Image Size/Quality - Sets the image resolution and
JPEG compression level. Available resolutions are -
|
2,048 x |
1,536 |
|
SHQ (Super High Quality) |
|
2,048 x |
1,536 |
|
HQ (High Quality) |
|
1,600 x |
1,200 |
|
SQ (Standard Quality) |
|
1,280 x |
960 |
|
SQ (Standard Quality) |
|
1,024 x |
768 |
|
SQ (Standard Quality) |
|
640 x |
480 |
|
SQ (Standard Quality) |
- Mode Menu
- Camera
- Metering - Controls the camera's exposure
metering system, selecting either ESP (multi-pattern) or Spot (center of
the frame).
- Drive - Selects One-Shot or Continuous Shooting capture modes.
- Digital Zoom - Turns on or off the digital zoom.
- Panorama - Available only with Olympus brand
cards. This mode captures as many as 10 consecutive shots to be
stitched together on a computer into one panoramic image. Alignment
guidelines appear on the screen to perfectly line up each shot.
- 2 in 1 - This mode lets you capture two
vertically-oriented "half" images which are fused together and saved as
one file (images are placed side-by-side). Thus, you can capture two
individual portraits and have them placed together in the same image,
like a split-screen view.
- Card
- Card Setup - Formats the xD-Picture Card,
erasing all files (even write-protected ones).
- Setup
- All Reset - Resets all of the camera settings to their defaults at startup.
- Language - Sets the menu language to English, Japanese, French, German, or Spanish.
- Beep - Turns the camera's beep sounds on or off.
- Record View - Turns the instant image review on
or off. When activated, instant image review briefly displays the most
recently recorded image after you take a photo.
- Pixel Mapping - Checks the camera's CCD and
image processing functions.
- LCD Brightness - Adjusts the brightness level of
the LCD monitor display.
- Date/Time - Sets the camera's internal clock and
calendar. (Note: The clock resets itself one hour after removing the
battery.)
- Video Out - Sets the camera's Video Out signal
as NTSC or PAL.
Playback Mode Menus
- Slide Show - Automates a slide show of all still
images on the x-D Picture Card. (One press of the Menu/OK button cancels the
playback.) If a movie file is the first displayed, then "Movie Play" appears
instead.
- Info - Briefly displays detailed information about
each captured image.
- Erase - Erases the displayed image.
- Mode Menu
- Play
- Protect - Write-protects (or removes
protection) from the currently displayed image. Write-protection
locks the image file so you can't accidentally erase it or change the file
in any way (except by formatting the card).
- Rotate - Rotates the displayed image clockwise or counterclockwise 90 degrees.
- DPOF - Marks the displayed image (or all images
on the card) for printing on a DPOF (Digital Print Order Format)
compatible printer. Additionally, you can set the quantity of
prints, request the date and time to be printed over the image, or remove
it from your order.
- Edit
- Black & White - Converts the displayed image to
black-and-white and saves it as a new file.
- Sepia - Converts the displayed image to sepia tone, giving it the
appearance of an old-fashioned picture, and saves the converted image as a
new file.
- Resize - Allows you to resize the displayed image to a smaller resolution (320 x 240 or 640 x 480
pixels).
- Card
- Card Setup - Erase all files (except for
write-protected ones) on the x-D Picture Card and, if desired, format it.
- Setup
- All Reset - Resets all of the camera settings to
their defaults at startup.
- Language - Sets the menu language to English,
Japanese, French, German, or Spanish.
- Beep - Turns the camera's beep sounds on or off.
- LCD Brightness - Adjusts the brightness level of
the LCD monitor display.
- Date/Time - Sets the camera's internal clock and
calendar. (Note: The clock resets itself one hour after removing the
battery.)
- Video Out - Sets the camera's Video Out signal
as NTSC or PAL.
- Index Display - Sets the
number of images displayed on the Index Display screen. Choices are
4, 9, or 16 images.
Overall PerformanceAutofocus, Exposure, Metering, Flash, Color, White Balance
Negatives
Positives
-
Results Are What Count. The camera produces outstanding results
for a digital point and shoot.
- Stylish & Compact. This is a sleek, stylish, compact,
light-weight camera. It easily fits in the palm of one's hand, pants
pocket, or purse and is guaranteed to be noticed once you begin shooting.
- It's Energized. Battery life is very good. You can
optimize battery life by keeping the LCD turned off.
- Very Fast Transfer To PC. Auto-Connect USB makes downloading
images to the PC very easy and quick. No software install needed on most
PCs.
Summary
| Design |
 |
A fun, stylish, easy to take and use anywhere
(any weather !) point and shoot camera. But buy a case. |
| Features |
 |
Loaded with lots of thoughtful and useful features.
But the remote & movie feature are gimmicky. |
| Handling |
|
Easy to use. But check your focusing and watch those itsy bitsy buttons. |
| Performance |
 |
Good overall performance for a point and
shoot. But some issue with flash, focusing, and red eye. |
| Value |
|
Considering price, design, and features this
is a good value. Price compares well to 35mm point & shoots. |
|
