Olympus D560 3.2 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
by Olympus

List Price: $399.99
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details

• 3.0 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• 3x optical zoom plus 3.4x digital zoom (10x total)
• Large 1.8-inch LCD; up to 60 seconds of video
• 16 MB XD memory card included
• Powered by 2 AA batteries (alkalines included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

• Adobe Photoshop CS5 Upgrade [Old Version]
• AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (3.3 Feet/1.0 Meter)
• AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters)
• AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to Mini-B Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
• AmazonBasics SDHC Class 4 32GB Secure Digital Card

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Olympus D560 3.2 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Customer Review: Almost bought this, then saw the new model: Olympus D540
Summary: 4 Stars

This camera is indeed a real battery hog as reported by other users, because last year I was testing my colleague's newly purchased D560 unit (known in Europe/Asia as C-350) when it drained 2 new alkaline batteries empty in less than 40 minutes. On a trip to cold Korea last year, he had also reported on the need to remove and reinsert his 1800 mAH NiMH rechargeable batteries every now and then in order to continue using them with this camera.

Nevertheless, I have seen several hundred photos taken with his Olympus D560 and they were so sharp, colorful and contrasty that I decided to buy this camera as a secondary 'pocketable' unit to my existing Canon Powershot A80, which was too heavy for the purpose. I had also figured on using higher capacity rechargeable NiMH batteries of 2100 mAH to tame this power-hungry beast.

Then the new Olympus D540 model (known in Europe/Asia as Olympus C-310) arrived, together with a multitude of improved features such as:

1) 2 macro modes for close-up shots: 20cm 'Macro Mode' and the new 2cm *'Super Macro Mode'. The latter enables you to take fantastic close-up photos from as near as 0.8 inch (2cm) away & above. In contrast, the D560 only has the 20cm 'Macro Mode' and at a best close-up distance of 8 inches away, is way inferior to competing Canons and Nikons that can go as near as 2 inches (4-5cm);

2) extended shutter speed range of 1 second to 1/2000 seconds, compared to the D560's 2 seconds to 1/1000 seconds;

3) faster lens aperture range of f2.9 to f5.0, compared to f3.1 to f5.2 for the D560;

4) option to save pictures in 2.0 Megapixels aside from 3.2 Megapixels and VGA size; the D560 has the less popular option of 1.0 Megapixels in between 3.2 Megapixels and VGA size;

5) flash located further away from the lens to reduce red-eye effects compared to that on the D560;

6) lighter camera body at 150 grams, compared to 170 grams for the D560, and finally,

7) cheaper than the D560! (although this is actually a price savings, and not a real camera feature)

*'Super Macro Mode' is really a hidden Ace, as it is hidden away in the menu option & was not much advertised by Olympus (if at all). You can check it out under Page 61 of the downloadable user manual for D540 at Amazon.com. As far as I know, no other cameras in this price range (and significantly above) can get you this close: 0.8 inch (2cm).

In case you are wondering, I wish to emphasize that the Olympus D540 (3.2 Megapixels) is actually the NEWER camera, and this D560 model is the older one - Olympus seems to have a confusing habit of naming its newer, budget models with decreasing model numbers instead of progressive model numbers like its own higher range.

To be fair, the new D540 lacks the following when compared to the D560:

1) clam-shell design of the D560; the D540 now uses a sliding power switch (with lock button) at the rear to activate the camera.

2) video-out port (for direct playback to TV); it is unlikely that you will miss this, as the built-in 1.8 inch LCD screen is adequate for playback review. However, if you absolutely require this video-out port, then you must choose the D560 over the D540.

3) spot-metering mode; personally I don't miss this at all, since I don't even use it with my Canon A80. I find the 'digital ESP metering' mode provided good enough for practical use.

With the overall improved features built-in and lower price, I bought the D540 of course, and am glad to say that rechargeable battery life (NiMH, 2100mAH) on my D540 is actually ok - no incidents ever of taking 20-40 pictures only as was previously reported for the D560. Admittedly, the D540 does suffer from a premature low-battery warning indicator - see my Olympus D540 review at Amazon.com dated May 27, 2004 if you are interested.

MY ADVICE: Consider the newer Olympus D540 model first, although either one will definitely help you take excellent pictures.

Description of Olympus D560 3.2 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Optics and Resolution
Featuring a 3.2-megapixel CCD sensor, the D-560 delivers image detail up to 2048 x 1536 pixels. The Olympus aspherical glass 3x zoom lens (5.8-17.4mm, or 25-105mm equivalency in 35mm photography) also offers a 3.4x digital zoom for a 10x total.

The C-560 also features Olympus TruePic technology, which optimizes the image information captured on the CCD before the data is saved by using the brightness and color information of the neighboring pixels when processing the pixel data. This leads to digital pictures that set standards for picture sharpness, contrast, true colors, and gradation.

Storage and Transfer
The included 16 MB XD memory card will store approximately 20 images captured at 2048 x 1536 pixels in HQ mode. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the C-560 captures continuous video (with no sound) at 15 frames per second in two formats: 320 x 240 (up to 15 seconds) or 160 x 120 pixels (up to 60 seconds). The QuickTime Motion JPEG format offers a limited resolution, which is great for capturing a short movie that can be e-mailed to friends and family, but is no replacement for a true camcorder.

More Features

• 1.8-inch color TFT (transreflective) LCD screen for reviewing and editing images.
• Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, fill in, and slow synch modes.
• Four scene program modes including Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, and Self-Portrait.
• Stitch up to 10 frames to create a panorama effect with Camedia Master software when using Olympus brand XD memory cards.
• Four scene program modes and manual white balance settings (daylight, overcast, tungsten, and fluorescent)

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by two AA batteries (included); rechargeable AA-size NiMH batteries are. It measures 4.4 x 2.4 x 1.6 inches and weighs 5.8 ounces. This package includes the Camedia D-560 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, batteries, USB and A/V cables, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with Camedia Master imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

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