Olympus C-2100 Ultra Zoom $399.97 @ CompUSA Online

[DegenerationX]

I've been looking for a nice digital camera and stumbled across this today. Sounds like a pretty good deal but you have to purchase it online to get the $100 rebate.

Olympus C-2100 Ultra Zoom

 

[gopunk]

yea, looks pretty good, but be aware it uses smartmedia.

 

[DegenerationX]

I'm new to digital photography, so I apologize if I'm asking a dumb question, but I thought SmartMedia and CompactFlash were fairly comparable, what's the difference? I wanted to avoid those memory sticks because they're more expensive, and realize that SmartMedia isn't interchangable with CompactFlash or CompactFlash II (so I won't be getting any microdrives), but are there any major drawbacks to SmartMedia?

Thanks,

-DX

 

[unclebud]

also has a 10x stabilized zoom also. me know of no cf camera possessing that in this price range
good post, posted aboout available in store for $399, but it's now avalaible ONLINE--may get lower in the future? *crosses fingers*

 

[unclebud]

in my own limited experience, i've never seen an smedia card over 128mb. but cf cards can go 256 (and higher? i forget, isn't there 512?) i have 256 mb card myself, have not opened it YET, as the 80mb is sufficient for now

 

[Humphh]

I bought this camera over memorial day sale and this is an incredible camera. Smartmedia works fine, don't be fooled. A 128 MB card will hold around 100 pictures at high resolution. Check out www.shopper.com for reviews and you'll find that everyone loves this camera.

 

[usatu]

I agree with Humphh. Since this is a 2 MP digital camera, there is no need to use 256 MB SmartMedia Card on it. Mine uses a 64MB card and I love it.

usatu

 

[ShaqPak]

Who would care about using the CF card? First, CF cards are in general slower (read/write speed) than SM. Second, because of the different quality of the controller chips in the CF, you'd likely to find performance variance between one brand and the next.

 

[ShaqPak]

Oh, BTW, if you have a CompUSA near where you live, the $399 price is also valid in-store. You need to bring with you the print out of this page - http://www.compusa.com/adproducts/html_ad/. You HAVE TO bring the ad in. Some stores don't even know about the $100 price cut. Tomorrow is the last day. Save yourself the $5 - $8.5 shipping charge.

 

[Sneezer]

This is really an awesome camera. I bought mine online when it dropped to 399 the second time. It has the same IS lens as the Canon Pro90 IS. Extremely clear. I think Olympus also tweaked the bejeesus out of the internal software and the CCD, as this camera frequently will hold its own against newer cameras with a higher MP count. If you are looking for a serious digital camera, get this one. For the price nothing can match it. I agree that CF would be a little better if only for future purchases, as SmartMedia is rapidly losing ground to CF. But for a 2.1 MP camera, 128mb is quite fine. Pick up 2 or 3 cards and you are set. The included remote is also a nice option, as is the 1700mah NiMH batteries and charger. Overall, an excellent purchase, IMHO.

 

[Waco10]

I bought this camera back in Nov. after extensive research. I was willing to drop $800-900 on a Minolta Dimage 5 but after reading all the rave reviews I was convinced that this was an excellent prosumer camera and a great value. I have been very very happy with with my choice. I bought this camera so that my son could learn photograhy without the limitation and expense of film development. He experiments with all the manual controls and consistenly amazes me with the photos he takes. When I can pry it from him I set it to automatic and take great snap shots. The 10X stabilized zoom is awesome. If you want to learn photography or take great photos with 10X optical zoom, this is the camera for you.

CompUSA has consistently had the best price on this camera. They have been selling it online and in the store for $399.00 since Nov 2001. If you buy it in the store they will usually throw in a free digital camera class. When I bought it they also threw in a 32MB Smartmedia card and a free bag. It doesn't hurt to ask. Over the memorial weekend they were selling it for $349.

I also had a chance to test Olympus service after my son dropped the camera. It was completely hassle free. They fixed and returned it in 10 days, no charge.

 

[Valvoline6]

If you want a big zoom camera jump ALL OVER this. These cameras WILL sell out at this price. I'm surprised they're not gone already. I have a G2 so I went with the Pro90 when Onecall had a blow out a couple months ago because I could share batteries, cables and media. Let me tell you having the IS 10x zoom is awesome. The Olympus C-2100 uz is only 2 MP but has the same excellent lense as the 2.6MP Pro 90. If i didn't have the Pro90 I would definitely get the "Uzi". Everyone who has one loves it. Check out the Olympus Forum over at DP Review. Don't come back here whining when they sell out.

 

[gopunk]

let me just clarify, when i said be aware, it was because smartmedia has pretty much lost the war to compactflash. in other words, any memory you buy for this camera will probably be just for that... this camera. doubtful you'll ever find another use for it (unless you get an older camera or something...)

 

[unclebud]

yes, but losing ground is one thing, losing usefulness is another
but i see what one is saying
i also use smartmedia in my philips rush mp3 player, as a cheap zip with the smartmedia floppy reader, storing olympus (and canon) pics to take over to my friend's hp photo printer...

 

[aceman817]

does this camera accept 128mb smartmedia cards? on the olympus website it says that it only accepts up to 64mb. also how does this camera compare to the c-700 or c-720 asside from image stabilization and the remote.

thanks,
AL

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

This camera is superior to the C-700 in terms of image stabilization, every other spec holding the same. Pricewise, they're not too different as well. This one comes with the remote, battery, and charger. That to me is worth the cost. If you want 10x optical zoom capability, this is the one. Sure the C-700 has 10x zoom, but I've tried it and its very hard to shoot a stable non-blurred image.

The C-720 is 3Megapixel w/8x optical. Pretty much the same deal as the C-700. If you don't care too much for its zoom features and a 3MP digicam is your thing, then shoot for it. The 720 is about ~$60 more than the 700 I believe.

Not exactly sure about the max smartmedia size it can take. Too bad I'm in Canada, otherwise I'd snatch up this great deal in a second!!

 

[jasonja]

I wish!

The C-720 is $200 more than the C-700 ($399 vs $599), it's a nice camera but for some reason both don't seem as well made as the C-30x0. I'm sure the insides are pretty much the same but the case just seems cheapier.

I really want more zoom, add on lenses just suck and 3x zoom really doesn't do much if you want to take pictures of things more than 15 ft away.

 

[Sesopedalian]

Yes, it can handle 128mb smartmedia cards, regardless of what their website says.

 

[HTNut]

I'll second the 128MB compatibility. Been using one for 6 months in my UZI with no problems. This is one awesome camera folks!

HT Nut

 

[cmv]

Sweet deal! Don't expect the price to drop more - they aren't manufacturing these anymore. I brought mine from CompUSA a couple months ago for $499. It's an awesome camera. Grab a 128mb SmartMedia card over at NewEgg and you're set. If you want to get even closer to your subjects buy one of these Olympus lens: A-200 (~$90, no thread adapter required), C-210 (~$110, 49mm-52mm adapter required, slight vignetting), or a B-300 ($250-$350, some adapter required, no vignetting, no longer being manufactured).

 

[randomlinh]

CF generally slower than SM? Where'd you read that?

 

[aceman817]

well i finally decided to get it. glad i did cause its sold out now. hopefully compusa will ship soon since i'm going away and would like to take it with me. after all i've heard about this camera all over the net and everywhere people praise it.

 

[techtechtech]

Sold Out !!! :-(

 

[FSUpaintball]

Just thought you guys should know, this camera has been DISCONTINUED, as in, CompUSA will no longer carry it. It is listed N01 in the computer, meaning we won't order any more.

BTW, for whoever asked, Compact Flash DOES come in 512MB, as well as 1GB (but it's pricey).

 

[stonecold3169]

There are some misconceptions floating around about the 2100, the c-700, and the c-720...

First of all, the 2100 has image stabilization, which the other two don't. The c-700 has auto white balance which the 2100 does not have, a higher maximum iso level, and a longer possible shutter speed. The c-700 also will not weigh you down nearly as much as the 2100, which is a monstrous camera. Also, the c-700 has a much better color saturation as opposed to th 2100, giving a more accurate picture.

The c-720 is a 3 mp camera, but with only an 8x optical zoom on it. Also, several of the manual features have been raped from it, and from what I've heard from users, at this point eiher the 2100 or c-700 will consitently take BETTER pictures then this. I'm sure Olympus will fix this with firmware updates, but you never know, it might just be a stinker.