Olympus C-3040 3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

by Olympus

Product Details

Product Manual [5.68mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 2.7 x 4.3 x 3 inches ; 13.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000059Y4N
• Item model number: 225260
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,418 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

An upgrade to Olympus's respected C-3030, the C-3040 adds a faster f1.8 lens and better USB connectivity to the extensive features it shares with its predecessor. The new f1.8-2.6 lens is clearly the central feature of the new model. According to Olympus, the lens lets the C-3040 shoot in lower light conditions, which allows you to shoot flash-free in more situations and increases the effective range of the flash. The 3.34 megapixel CCD in the C-3040 captures images at a resolution of 2048 x 1536, in both the JPEG and uncompressed TIFF formats, and a 32 MB internal buffer allows you to shoot at 3.3 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-3040 also ships with two CR-3V batteries (four AA batteries can also be used), a 16 MB SmartMedia card, strap, remote control, and software.

Product Description

MD) OLYMPUS C-3040 ZOOM DIGITAL

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

95 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC, February 23, 2001

By 

Pecan Bob (Elfrida, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olympus C-3040 3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I used to be a serious camera buff. Loads of Nikon gear, etc. My first shot at digital was the Olympus D600L, a nice TTL digital. Not really comperable to a film camera, but good enough for small time digital only work - still used a couple of film cameras for 'serious' stuff. Just got the C-3040 after looking at its specs and reviews of the C-3030 here on Amazon. Amazon did not have the 3040 yet, so bought elsewhere (NY camera store). The 3040 meets or exceeds all expectations. It is a REAL camera. Compact, light, easy to use for point & shoot yet with almost all the 'serious' capabilties. No wait between shots, low light capable with f1.8 lens and ISO 400 ability. See the reveiws for the C-3030, kick in the added speed, and you know what I mean! Plus the little things - lens cap tied to the camera, ability to use the LCD for framing, index at the back of the manual, easy to understand manual (but too much to remember because of the many, many functions available). Although you need to go through menus for some stuff, most of the commonly needed functions are either on the dial or telephoto control. Can't say enough good about this puppy - it looks like our film cameras are going into early retirement. May seem pricey, but easily worth every cent.

78 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Top-notch pictures but some key accessories not provided, July 3, 2001

By 

Cliff R. Carpenter "clicar" (Bellevue, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Olympus C-3040 3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I agree wholeheartedly with the many others on this site who have already told you about the excellent image quality this camera can produce. It's truly exceptional! Even on its default image-quality setting of "HQ" (medium), image quality is superb.

I'm not a digital camera expert, although I've been using a Canon A-1 35mm SLR for 22 years. I've spent almost a year researching my digital camera alternatives - I should have switched earlier! The end results I got from the 3040 using its out-of-the-box "point-and-shoot" settings are substantially better than what I've generally been able to previously achieve in my years with a Canon A-1. Compared to several other digital cameras I've tried, I find the TV output from the 3040 is superior - very high quality. Note: some reviews I've seen say this camera supports both PAL as well as NTSC TV outputs. Olympus tech support web site says no: it's one or the other but not both. USA models only support NTSC - European models only support PAL.

I found the camera easy to use and set up for the first time. The documentation is adequate and accurate but could use some help in the readability department. The supplied Camedia software is very ordinary, there are much better software products available at very low cost. USB connectivity to Windows Millenium worked great, dragging and dropping picture files couldn't be easier, although other software packages have a nice "Transfer all pictures from the camera to a specific folder" function that isn't available with the supplied Camedia software. If you connect the 3040 to your computer using USB, read the manual for the Camedia software carefully! The apparently obvious "My camera" icon on the Camedia PC screen is in fact non-functioning when USB-connected. The QuickTime movie function of the 3040 works well and is adequate for casual use but it won't replace your camcorder anytime real soon.

To get the best use out of your camera, expect to purchase several accessories not provided in the box: 1. The provided 16MB SmartMedia is pitifully small - replace it with a 64MB or larger. I use a 128MB Olympus card (the *only* SmartMedia card that currently supports Olympus' panorama feature). 2. Buy an AC adapter to minimize use of the rapidly-consumed batteries - especially when uploading photo's to the PC or displaying photo's on the TV. 3. Buy two sets (that's eight altogether) of rechargeable lithium ion batteries - and a charger, if you don't already have one. Taking a lot of pictures - especially with flash, uploading pictures to your PC or showing photo's on your TV consumes batteries very quickly! The batteries provided in the box are not rechargeable! 4. Buy a protective case to carry your camera, spare batteries, and spare SmartMedia card.

I marked this camera down to four stars solely because of its price. I think Olympus needs to include several, or all of the items I found myself buying as "accessories" above. Having said that, don't be afraid to shell out the money for this camera - you won't be disappointed with the end results. At the end of the day, that's what really matters isn't it? This camera takes really, really great pictures - no if's, and's, or but's. Enjoy!

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A digital camera that finally beats film, June 28, 2001

By 

S. Reilly (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olympus C-3040 3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

After loving my Olympus C-2020 for the past two years I decided to give it to a relative and step up to a 3.34 Mega pixel CCD and faster lens.

I already knew that I liked the camera since the controls and interface are very similar to my old camera - Olympus has been smart enough to make small improvements to a great design. The battery life is as great as ever too (mine lasted for 2 weeks of heavy daily use). I still have the original set of rechargeable batteries that came with my C-2020 and they are still going strong many charges later.

I have been keeping my old SLR around for taking the "serious" shots with but I think those days are over. I did some test shots on a vase with a multi-colored design in varying light conditions (with no flash and uncompressed). I printed the digital shots on my HP-952C and compared them to the 35mm shots when they came back from the lab. I couldn't believe it. In all but the lowest lighting conditions the digital shots were better. I had the best 35mm shot enlarged to 8x11 and printed out the best digital shot on 8x11. I really expected the digital shot to be a little grainy but I couldn't see any distortion. It was easily the equal of my SLR!

Good bye film, digital has finally crossed over the line. I am never going back.

A few tips: Spring for an extra set of batteries so you can swap them out. Buy a 128MB or 64MB Smart Media card and spend a few extra bucks on a name brand so you don't get stuck with a dud. Buy a telephoto lens to give that 3x lens a little help.