Olympus C-2040 2.11MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

by Olympus

Product Details

Product Manual [5.24mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 2.7 x 4.3 x 3 inches ; 10.9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000058TLP
• Item model number: 225250
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,704 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

An upgrade to Olympus' respected (and discontinued) C-2020, the C-2040 incorporates all of its predecessor's features plus a faster lens, easier connection to your computer, and improved image processing. The fast f1.8-2.6 lens is clearly the central feature of the new model. According to Olympus, the lens lets the C-2040 shoot in lower light conditions, which allows you to shoot flash-free in more situations and increases the effective range of the flash. The 2.11 megapixel CCD in the C-2040 captures images at a resolution of 1600 x 1200, in both the JPEG and uncompressed TIFF formats, and an 8 MB internal buffer allows you to shoot at 1.4 frames per second at high resolution and low compression levels. Additionally, the camera can record short QuickTime movies with sound.

The camera can be operated in several modes: in programmed-auto mode, the camera does everything for you; in aperture- and shutter-priority modes, you get to set the aperture or priority, and the camera does the rest; in full manual mode, you have control over all camera functions. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via the included USB cable, or viewed on your television using the included video cable. The camera includes USB storage class connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000 and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software. The C-2040 also ships with two CR-3V long-life disposable lithium batteries (four AA batteries can also be used), an 8 MB SmartMedia card, strap, and software.

From Digital Living Today

If you're looking for a full-featured, high-quality digital camera without an extravagant price tag, look at the new C-2040 from Olympus. Boasting the brand new, Super Bright 1.8-2.6 3x Optical zoom lens (compare to a 40-120mm zoom using 35mm film), this Olympus wonder can utilize its flash to shoot objects both farther away, and more dimly lit than its predecessors. The C-2040's optical images are captured on a new 1/2 inch RGB CCD that can record stunningly detailed, 2.11 mega-pixel images. A direct USB connection allows the images to download easily to either a Mac or Windows computer. For action photography, the Olympus allows you to shoot up to 1.6 frames per second. Three auto-focus settings include iESP, AF and spot AF. If you're more interested in portraiture, the C-2040 even offers a black and white mode.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

97 of 98 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the only show in town !, November 22, 2001

By 

Bob Feeser "MillCrafters.com" (Springfield, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Olympus C-2040 2.11MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I just bought one of these. Finding one was a challenge in itself. When I told Amazon to email when the item was in stock, I received an email from Amazon that I never received before. I was told it would be a long time before they would be available. Why, because nobody beats this camera.
This camera sports the Super Bright 1.8 lense. This Olympus and the top of the line Olympus are the only two in the industry that have it. What it means is a larger opening, which lets in more light. Consequently, the auto shutter speed is faster, less chance to get a blurry shot. Also the background of the shot is brighter and more defined. I was in a camera store, the manager's personal camera was the C-2020, the predecessor to this one. He had shot a picture of a metal guitar, one with the 2040, and the other with the Nikon 950 (which is twice the money) He printed out a large 8"x11" glossy. Seeing them side by side, the definition in the shot was the same, I couldn't tell the difference, but the ivy leaves in the background surrounding the shot, were a lot brighter, instead of being dark and ill defined in the Nikon shot.
Consumer Reports rated the predecessor C-2020 Olympus as being the number one camera in printed picture results, knocking out even the 3 and 4 megapixel cameras quality. Imagine that, 2 megapixels, half the money, yet the best results. Sounds like an avalanche trying to get in the door on that one. Well CR just came out with the November 2001 issue, and guess what, the C-2040 did it again. Making the number one spot, and this time they gave it special mention, because the quality rivaled that of the 3's and 4's. Usually a print out at 5x7" size is what the 2 megapixel cameras are good for. Not this one, the crystal clear shot I saw was an 8 1/2 by 11.
Ok, on to the camera. Some reviews, including CR, state that the menu was a little confusing. I did not find that to be the case. Shooting, zooming, previewing, deleting, downloading, etc is a breeze. When I tackle some of the more challenging tasks of manual settings, instead of the complete autofocus etc., maybe then I will learn what they are talking about.
The picture clarity is unbelievable. I took a few shots of some metal objects, and thought something was strange, their was little dots on the metal. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was the little flecks of dust. They were so clear blown up on a 19" screen, something you would not see, little individual flecks of dust, bright and clear. The detail was phenomenal. The zoomed in upclose shot, looked like it was taken one inch away, and was larger than life. Like a real life microscope.
The panorama feature, which was previously a Canon exclusive is nice. You can take up to 10 pictures, across a landscape, or a room for example, and then the Camedia software which is included pastes them together, which creates a single panorama. If you sent this shot to a friend, they would receive one pic, that they could navigate around, to see the entire room.
One thing that really matters to me, is that this is also the best looking camera. It looks smart. Chrome body, with the larger black hub at one end was the style I was looking for before I learned of the C-2040. Many digital cameras have this metal early 50s look that I do not like. This camera is beautiful in its design.
When I first picked it up with its .6 of a pound weight, and relatively small size, I thought it was a toy camera. Then when I took the lense cap off, and turned the camera on, the zoom lense gently whirred when it came out, and it was an immediate feeling of, this is high tech. Oh by the way, having had a Nikon FE with 80-120 zoom, (I still do) I wanted a zoom that was more than 2x optical. That feature was available once again, on more expensive cameras. The C-2040 has a 3X optical. Zooming in, and filling the frame with your subject, makes for a interesting shot, and the 3x is very nice for that. The Olympus model that is directly above this one, has a 10x zoom, but it doesn't have the 1.8 lense. For those of us who were into the 35MM SLRs, know all to well that the cameras with the 1.5s were more expensive lenses, and the 1.2s made the lense look like it was all glass.
Also the 1.8" LCD on the back is large, and crystal clear. Easy to read menu functions, and nice picture views.
A few final notes, be careful buying one of these for a cheaper price, make sure the camera you buy has the US guarantee. Gray market cameras come without the guarantee. Digital camera repairs are running a couple of hundred dollars these days, so the warranty is nice.
This camera also takes short movies, but they never replace a digital camcorder in that regard.
The optional remote control is way better than a timer, which this also has, if you want to get into the shot. That way, your not stumbing over things to get into the shot, and you can wait until the ideal moment to take it. Also, you can fire away multiple shots once you are there.
You definitely will want to get a larger smart memory card than the 8 meg they supply with the camera. A 64 meg is nice, and the 128 gives you over 300 shots in standard resolution. The panorama feature only works with Olympus cards, so be sure an pick up at least a 32 meg in Olympus and preferably a 64. Then go out and pick up an aftermarket 128 at a bargain, for relatively unlimited regular shooting. More than one card is advisable. Although the smart cards are pretty robust, going on vacation and discovering a defective card would be disasterous. So multiple cards, covers that base.
Additionally the rechargeable batteries are nice. A fast charger with a 2 hour charge time is great. The lesser expensive chargers are overnight chargers. You will want to pick up an extra set of 4 batteries, in addition to the 4 that come with the charger. It is a good idea to keep the lithium batteries that come with the camera in your camera bag, because they will last a couple of years in storage, and always be there in case you get stuck without charged ones.
I bought two bags. One which is smaller, but large enough to hold the camera, batteries, and your smart cards, but not large enough to hold the charger, and your lunch. :-) I like that for local shoots and being small, it doesn't look like you were the hired photographer. The other one which is larger, for getaway weekends, is designed to hold your digital camera, with enough room for all of your gear, and even an SLR. Quantaray makes a nice black leather one for that. You may want to visit your local camera store, to actually see the style that most appeals to you, then come back to Amazon to take advantage of the prices.
Their is an available AC adapter, but I chose to buy a stand alone Smart Card reader, that reads and writes. You park it on your desk, leave it plugged into the computer. Saves you from wearing out the electronics on the camera, and batteries don't become an issue. The one I bought is 10 dollars more but it reads and writes, that way I can download pictures from the computer also into the card, and then show them at my destination using the combined slide show feature, and the included cord to hook it up to any TV. Great for presentations.
I guess I am getting kind of windy. I am just in love with this camera. Having had a 1 megapixel Sound Vision 209 Mini Cam with a fixed telephoto range, and limited capabilities for indoor shots, this camera is a quantum leap. The super bright lense, gives you great low light picture taking ability. Coupling that with an adjustable "ISA" setting of 100, 200, or 400, makes it all the more effective for different conditions. I had heard a professional photographer complaining of having only an equivalent of ASA 100 fixed setting on his Canon Digital elph, he obviously wasn't introduce to the C-2040.
Using the camera with your PC is a breeze. You plug in the USB cable, or use the smart card reader I just mentioned, then just go into my computer, and you will see a new drive called removable drive. You click on it, and instantly see the file names of all of your pics. You can copy and paste the whole bunch into a new folder, they copy real quick, then just edit-select all, hit delete, and they are wiped from the cameras memory. A true Windows intuitive interface.
Store managers personal use camera, Consumer Reports number one pick in the 2 megapixel category, and they are just plain back ordered at most places, shows you that this camera is the one to get.
These features and quality at this price is a winner, considering that you will be picking up 150 to 250 dollars of extras no matter what model you buy. So it makes this one a nice comfortable price point. I know with the money I saved over buying a 4, is enough that I can probably pick one of those up in a year or two for the difference. Although I don't know why I would want one, considering the amazing quality of the C-2040.
I'm in love with the camera, did I already say that? Find one and check it out. You will see what I mean.

73 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely piece of work, March 23, 2001

By 

Rochelle Crew - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olympus C-2040 2.11MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

This camera was a birthday gift. I had asked for a digital point-and-shoot but my husband, a photography instructor, thought better and bought a camera with manual modes. The camera is a joy to use and takes beautiful photos outdoors and in, with the default JPG format of 1200x1600 pixels. This is fine if the biggest you want to go is 5 x 7 (8 x 10 if you're not picky). If you're an amateur, like me, turn the blasted flash off and go with natural light, but remember to adjust the ISO "film" speed up accordingly (the default is 100). All compact flash units are a pain, though this does have an option for a separate flash. Yes, rechargable batteries and an AC adapter are must-haves. Leave the camera plugged into AC while the batteries recharge so you don't lose the date/time settings you've entered.

The parallax distortion in the viewfinder is different from what is described in the instructions -- if doing closeups, use the monitor to center the composition.

The nested menus to control the various functions are confusing, my only real complaint about this camera (other than the "lens cap of doom" that you MUST not leave on). You will live with the manual for a while. Laminate the flimsy paper covers, it gets dogeared fast.

The Camedia Master software is confusing -- you click on the "download pictures" menu and get a message that there's no communications with the camera! Obvious this feature must work with some other Olympus camera. Same message if you click on the little "my camera" icon. The software sees the camera up as a removable drive, and you have to drill down two levels to get to the pictures. Once there, you can just drag and drop the pix like any other file in Windows. For that matter, you can just drag and drop in Explorer, if you don't want to look at the thumbnails. A serious amateur will need to get better editing software, like Photoshop, to manipulate the captured images. Make sure you program the camera with date and time, otherwise all images are given a date of 01/01/00, very confusing, and the default names will overlap (default names include the date it was taken).

All in all, a very nice camera.

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Olympus C-2040 Digital Camera, February 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Olympus C-2040 2.11MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

This is my third digital camera - and I absolutely LOVE it. I'm not going to go into how great it is, because you can read that anywhere... There's just one or two small things that I would like changed about this camera. The first is one I didn't read anywhere - the lens cap. MAKE SURE YOU TAKE IT OFF BEFORE SWITCHING THE CAMERA ON!!! Otherwise the lens will try to extend and not be able to, and it will make a horrible noise that sounds like the camera is being damaged - and for all I know, it might be. Also... it EATS batteries, and they don't tell you what its AC power consumption is so you HAVE to but their ($) AC adapter, instead of using one you probably already have. Also, it's difficult to find a suitable camera bag as it's an unusual size and shape. But despite all this - I still think it's a great camera - the best I've owned so far.