Olympus C-3040 3.3 MP digital camera for $549 shipped...or $489 (tons of reviews)

[iamme]

Olympus C-3040 @ Outpost for $549

I know that you might be able to get it for cheaper doing a PM to a grey market dealer, but this is for those who don't have AMEX Blue (plus PMing a grey market dealer isn't allowed here). If you do want to save a few bucks, you can PM it with Officemax.com ($699 on their site).

You can also try BuyDig.com for $489 plus shipping. I thought this was a "grey market" dealer, but they scored a 7.78 at ResellerRatings.com. I'd advise you call them first and make sure you're getting a sealed retail package.

Anyways, I just got this camera, and it's awesome. Great "point and shoot" capabilities and great manual features for me to learn about later. I was also considering the Sony DSC-S75/85 cameras, but I read about some autofocus difficulties on those cameras (check the forums on dpreview.com).

Review (cnet)
Review (dpreview w/ great samples)
Review (steve's digicams)
Review (imaging resource)
Review (zdnet)
Review (epinions...always biased imho)
Review (creativepro)

 

[aeroguy]

How about a Canon s30 for more than $100 cheaper from Dell.com? Got mine for $424 shipped after coupons. It has just as good, if not better reviews.

Review (cnet)

Review (dpreview)

 

[Ekimzulad]

For those that have a Fry's Electronics, they have it for $499 (at least they do in the San Diego store).

 

[DerProfi]

I've got a C-3020 and love it. Sure, it's not as convenient and shirt-pocket-compatible as my fiance's Canon S110, but the F1.8 lens and decent manual controls allow me to produce much more "film-like" shots.

 

[Fritzo]

<< Olympus C-3040 @ Outpost for $549

I know that you might be able to get it for cheaper doing a PM to a grey market dealer, but this is for those who don't have AMEX Blue (plus PMing a grey market dealer isn't allowed here). If you do want to save a few bucks, you can PM it with Officemax.com ($699 on their site).

You can also try BuyDig.com for $489 plus shipping. I thought this was a "grey market" dealer, but they scored a 7.78 at ResellerRatings.com. I'd advise you call them first and make sure you're getting a sealed retail package.

Anyways, I just got this camera, and it's awesome. Great "point and shoot" capabilities and great manual features for me to learn about later. I was also considering the Sony DSC-S75/85 cameras, but I read about some autofocus difficulties on those cameras (check the forums on dpreview.com).

Review (cnet)
Review (dpreview w/ great samples)
Review (steve's digicams)
Review (imaging resource)
Review (zdnet)
Review (epinions...always biased imho)
Review (creativepro) >>



Hmmm...I'm fairly sure that Best Buy had this for $499. Not positive. I have the 3000z myself and it's a great camera. You're not going to find a better quality lens on a camera for this price

 

[kcn2222]

Southern CA Fry's sell the Olympus c-3040 or nikon 995 for $499.99. Be carefull when u buy c-3040 at Fry's. I bought one and it had a dead pixel on the lcd. I exchanged for another one, when they brought out another one I checked it right there at the return counter and it also had a dead pixel on the lcd. Both were in seal boxes. I asked for another one and the guy at the camera dept said that they all have dead pixel on the lcd ( either the guy is lazy or Fry's sell it cheaper because they knew of these problems of the batch they have). so I end up return the camera and bought the c-3020 at circuit city for $440 + tax. CC sell c-3020 for 499.99 but I told them I can order online at Officemax for 440.00 after $60 discount by using Discover Card and the manager agreed to match price. It's similar in features and just as good as the c-3040 except it doesn't have video out, sound record, external flash, and c-3040 has a brighter/faster lens F1.8.

 

[alluu]

I have the 3000 and it is a great camera. The 3000 series have great lenses. s30 doesn't have as good of a lens

 

[greg]

For anyone actually considering this deal; plaease look around. I owned a 3040 last year when they were relatively new. Its a fine camera, but for $550, you can do WAY better. This is essentially a 2 year old camera with a new lens. At $550, you are very close to the next level of cams. EVen at $450 it has to compete with the new generation of cams like the Minolta S404 at $499 retail, $429 online. Granted the fast lens is nice, but there are options out there for more bang for the buck. Another argument against this might be the Oly 4040z at $50 more for an extra megapixel.

 

[greg]

>>The 3000 series have great lenses. s30 doesn't have as good of a lens

Apples and oranges. You can't pocket a 3000 series. Further, the s30 video capability, if you like that, is wonderful; grainless 50 ISO in the s30, better LCD in the s30.

 

[Fritzo]

Welll...you can pocket the 3000z if you're wearing kakhi's I do heheh...

 

[iamme]

<< Apples and oranges. You can't pocket a 3000 series. Further, the s30 video capability, if you like that, is wonderful; grainless 50 ISO in the s30, better LCD in the s30. >>



While I agree that they are two different cameras with different intentions, I'm not sure I agree completely with your other statements.

As far as video capabillities:
The Canon S40 does:
320 x 240, 15 fps, max 30 secs (including audio)
160 x 120, 15 fps, max 120 ses (including audio)

While the Olympus does:
320 x 240 with / without audio @ 12.5 fps, max 75 secs (19 MB)
160 x 120 with / without audio @ 12.5 fps, max 600 secs (20.5 MB)

I think that has to do w/ the Olympus' large 32MB built in buffer, which I like alot and drew me to the camera. I was upgrading from a Kodak DC3400 which would pause after every 3 pics to write them to the card....very slow and annoying.

And the LCD:
The Canon and Olympus both have a 1.8" display. Neither has the anti-glare coating the G2 does.

And I can't comment on the ISO 50 setting, because I'm nowhere near a camera expert yet.

That said, I think both are great cameras and should be equally considered, IMO.