Hot! Olympus D-550Z with free Smart Media Reader $250+ Tax (Help Make it Hotter!)

[SCTrojan]

OK, Officemax.com has the Olympus D-550Z 3.1 Megapixel, 2.8X optical zoom camera for $299.99, in a bundle with free Smartmedia Reader (curiously the camera alone costs $350). Use the coupon link for $50 off $250, and it's $250+tax. Now, this can get even hotter, if you find a place that PM's to a lower price (the lowest I could find was Tri-State Camera, but since they add in next day shipping, there really isn't any gain). This is about the cheapest I have seen for a 3 MP camera with 2.8X (about 3) zoom from an actual camera maker (not Kodak).

Update
PM to www.digitalfotoclub.com to $285 so total should be $235 + tax
Also, get free 64mb SM card with rebate from Olympus.

 

[bit]

good deal.

BTW the Item # is BUND4646 for the digicam + reader/writer bundle.

 

[whovous]

I can find the camera for $349, but cannot find the bundle for any price.

 

[dakata24]

the $299 bundle should be the 1st one in the list.. at least it was for me.

 

[omigosh68]

How does this compare to the c-700 (same price at officemax.com after PM to B&M) or the Canon a40 ($50 less)

 

[Arkane]

Originally posted by: omigosh68
How does this compare to the...Canon a40 ($50 less)

i'd like to know as well

 

[SCTrojan]

How does this compare to the c-700 (same price at officemax.com after PM to B&M) or the Canon a40 ($50 less)

Both of those cameras are TWO megapixel cameras. This is a THREE megapixel one. I think the optical zoom is basically the same on both this and the A40 (about 3X) but on the C-700 it is 10X. I would prefer the 3MP over the 10X zoom personally, but it's a judgement call. Basically, there are not many times I NEED 10X, it would be good for like concerts, or for birdwatchign and such, but for normal use, a telephoto lens is over the top. Also, the Olympus cameras use Smartmedia while the A40 uses compact flash, which is a bit cheaper.

 

[omigosh68]

Not much buzz on this deal. Looks pretty Hot to me. Am i missing something? I am thinking aobut the Canon a40 for $200 or this for $250 wiht smart card reader (Both at OfficeMax). Any advice?

 

[Mpowered]

Originally posted by: omigosh68
How does this compare to the C-700 (same price at officemax.com after PM to B&M) or the Canon a40 ($50 less)

I have the Canon A40 (bought it for $200) and I bought the Olympus C-700 early this morning for $250. I absolutely love the Canon A40 and IMO has a better image quality than the Olympus C-700. The A40 cost $50 less and came with a FREE 64mb card, it uses Compact Flash media which is cheaper and exceeds 128mb capacity. And it doen't feel so cheap (plasticky like the C-700).

So, why did I get the C-700? Because of its 10x zoom. I like taking outdoor pictures and this 10x zoom comes in handy.
**NOTE** When using the zoom function, a very steady hand or a tripod helps. This camera doesn't have image stabalization.

My conclusion: I'd get the Canon A40. You won't be disappointed.

 

[omigosh68]

Thanks for Mpowering me with that knowledge MP. Now to just wait for another sweet deal on the A40.

 

[Peekaboo]

to make this hotter, you can get a $75 rebate w/purchase of Epson 925, 825, or 785epx printer...

 

[SCTrojan]

It seems that officemax.com will be in the msn rewards, which could mean 20% off more. The only caveat is that I don't know if that can be combined with coupons. Also MSN never gave me my money last year, so I sure as hell ain't doing it again.

 

[erikatcuse]

You can PM it with Digitalfotoclub.com They have it for $ 264.85 and delivery charge: $ 19.20 so total is $284.05

Its a difference of $15.93 that you get back

So you get the camera for 235 and some change

Oh...also there is now a Mail in rebate for a 64mb flash card that can be downloaded from digitalfotoclub.com

 

[OJ]

Ripped from Freudenthal @ "Chubby Wallet"

Free 64 Meg Smartmedia card with D550Z

Link

This deal just got a little hotter.

 

[SCTrojan]

NOooooooooooooooooooo

Free 64 Meg Smartmedia card with D550Z

I ordered mine on the 22nd. Is there any way to get this thing dated as the 24th or later, IE return to store and rebuy? Is there a restocking fee?

 

[dakata24]

alittle hassle, but why not return and then get another so you can get the free SM card? still a good deal on a 3MP camera..

i just settled for the canon a40 for $200 instead since i could buy additional accessories (nimh batteries, case, more CF media to add to ones i already have).. not like im going to print anything over 8x10's which i hear the a40 does fine with.

 

[SCTrojan]

Ahh, the worst part is they're not delivering it until around the first of december, man that frosts me.

 

[dakata24]

Originally posted by: SCTrojan
Ahh, the worst part is they're not delivering it until around the first of december, man that frosts me.

why not call up customer service and tell them to cancel and re-purchase? 1st of december though? i was deciding over the weekend between the canon a40 and this, and i thought (if my memory serves me) that it was either 1 day or soemthing in stock item?

 

[SCTrojan]

I'm "not in their delivery area" which isn't BS as the nearest OM is about an hour and half drive from my home (VA).

 

[Milkyman]

Anyone thinking about jumping on this deal should consider the limitations of using smartmedia. As far as I know 128mb is the largest capacity they come in and that doesn't look like its gonna be changing. Olympus is behind the introduction of the new xD Picture card format and as they were pretty much the only camera manufacturer to use smartmedia in the first place, smartmedia may be a dead format.

 

[VTrider]

Originally posted by: Milkyman
Anyone thinking about jumping on this deal should consider the limitations of using smartmedia. As far as I know 128mb is the largest capacity they come in and that doesn't look like its gonna be changing. Olympus is behind the introduction of the new xD Picture card format and as they were pretty much the only camera manufacturer to use smartmedia in the first place, smartmedia may be a dead format.

I have a lower end Olympus camera which uses Smartmedia. I picked up a 128mb card for like $40.00 over from Newegg and I can easily store over 200 (1280x960) pictures on it. I don't feel that 128mb limitation is well, a 'limitation' because of several reasons. I can't think of any situation where I would need more space, except if I was like backpacking Europe or something. In which case I wouldn't want all my eggs in one basket as they say, loosing over 200+ pictures on one media would be terrible. I think it would be wise to carry a few 128mb or even 64mb cards instead of one huge 512mb card for any situation.

BTW: Does anybody know if that $50.00 off $250.00 coupon is still active? It seems that I only get a $30.00 off credit at the checkout now?


-VTrider

 

[VaG]

BTW: Does anybody know if that $50.00 off $250.00 coupon is still active? It seems that I only get a $30.00 off credit at the checkout now?


-VTrider

Yes there are still 2 active $50 off $250 coupons. 1 expires 12/31 & the other 1/31.

 

[SCTrojan]

I agree, 128MB is not a real limit. The main reason that Fuji and Olympus want to go to XD over SM, is that new cameras will have much higher resolution (let's say like 10mp for a consumer in like 3 years, just a guess). At that point, YES 128 MB is way too small, but at around what, 1.5 mb per picture (approximaetly) we're talking 90+ pictures per card.

 

[VTrider]

Hmmm? Yeah I didn't consider that with super high megapixel (5 - 10+) pictures, that would indeed fill up any media card pretty quick. I guess it would just make sense to match the megapixel and media as closely as possible.

-VTrider

 

[govikes]

Is this deal dead? I can't find the camera or the bundle on the officemax site!