Olympus Camedia C-730 3MP Digital Camera w/ 10x Optical Zoom

by Olympus

Product Details

Product Manual [10.17mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 1.3 x 3 inches ; 11 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: B00006JLWJ
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,116 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 28, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The C-730 Ultra Zoom is a powerful 10x optical zoom digital camera (30x total zoom when combined with the 3x digital zoom) that captures sharp, crisp images with details you didn't know existed. The C-730 is also one of the first digital cameras to offer compatibility with the new XD memory card--as well as SmartMedia cards.

Optics and Resolution
The 3.2-megapixel Olympus C-730 digital camera can capture images up to 2,048 x 1,360 in SHQ mode, which produces quality prints up to 11 by 14 inches. It boasts an outstanding 10x optical zoom lens with a 38-380mm focal length (compared to the 8x zoom lens of the previously released C-720). When combined with the 3x digital zoom, you get a total zoom of 30x.

The C-730 also features Olympus TruePic technology, which optimizes the image information captured on the CCD before the data is saved by using the brightness and color information of the neighboring pixels when processing the pixel data. This leads to digital pictures that set standards for picture sharpness, contrast, true colors, and gradation.

Storage and Transfer
With the C-730, you can store images on both the new XD memory card format as well as your old SmartMedia memory cards--a 16 MB XD card is included. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB storage-class connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the C-730 captures continuous video and audio at 15 frames per second in two formats: 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels. The QuickTime Motion JPEG format offers a limited resolution, which is great for capturing a short movie that can be e-mailed to friends and family, but is no replacement for a true camcorder.

More Features

• Fast shutter speed of 1/1,000th of a second--great for action photography
• Six scene program modes, including sports, portrait, and landscape
• Super-macro mode for photos as close as 1.2 inches
• Electronic viewfinder (EVF) shows you exactly what the camera will capture on the CCD

Power, Size, and Contents
The C-730 is powered by two CR-V3 lithium batteries (included) or four AA-sized NiMH rechargeable batteries (optional). We recommend getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and a charger.

The camera measures 4.2 by 3.0 by 3.1 inches and weighs 11.1 ounces without batteries. This package includes the C-730 digital camera, 16 MB XD card, two CR-V3 lithium battery packs (model LB-01), AV and USB cables, carrying strap, lens cap and strap, printed instruction manual, and Camedia master software and drivers for Windows and Mac on CD-ROM.

Manufacturer Product Description

The C-730 Ultra Zoom is a powerful 10x optical zoom digital camera that brings sharp, crisp images to you from small and great distances alike. You'll capture details you didn't know existed. Take pictures of subjects you might not have seen with a lesser zoom camera. And do it all from any location you desire thanks to its ultra compact body, powerful lens and stylish, lightweight design. And with our exclusive TruePic technology, along with a 3.2 megapixel CCD, you'll find it's easier than ever to receive the most realistic digital images yet.

It's not just a 10x optical zoom lens, it's a high-quality Olympus all-glass aspherical lens, for sharp, crisp detail from edge to edge. And with an additional 3x digital zoom, you've got the strength of a 30x total seamless zoom. That's versatility equivalent to an incredible 1050mm in 35mm photography. You can get detailed photos of your buddy climbing the mountain, without ever leaving the comfort of your camp chair.

Our exclusive TruePic technology uses every pixel for every image, even at lower resolution settings. Noise Reduction technology gives you clean, continuous color in long, low-light exposures. And Optimum Image Enlargement mode produces an image size equivalent to 7.6 million pixels (3200 x 2400), for extra-large prints.

Choose fully automatic Program mode for point-and-shoot simplicity. Or take advantage of your creative side with Aperture and Shutter Speed Priority modes. And for total exposure flexibility, take control with Manual mode. Freedom is fun.

4 Scene Programs for easy creativity. Choose Portrait mode for enhanced skin tones or Sports mode to freeze the action. Four easily selectable scene programs (plus 4 customizable My Modes), advanced color management and an easy menu navigation system make it easy to shoot like an expert and get exactly the shot you want.

Use sequence mode to capture your daughter's first pitch, then hang the action on the wall. Discover the beauty of a smaller world with macro mode. Or create a mood with black and white and sepia effects. This much power has never been so much fun.

It's the most compact and stylish 10x optical zoom camera ever. Use either SmartMedia or xD-Picture Cards, for unparalleled media versatility. Instead of a postcard, record a video greeting on the beach, then e-mail it. Nearly any computer with a USB port will recognize the C-730 Ultra Zoom and connect automatically. No software. No hassles.

Complementing the manual and automatic controls and other features of the C-730 Ultra Zoom are these included tools: 16MB xD-Picture Card; digital camera Win/Mac USB cable; NTSC audio/video Cable; 2 LB-01 CR-V3 lithium battery packs; carrying strap; lens cap/retainer cord; quick start guide; CD-ROM: Camedia master software, Windows 98 Rev 2 driver, camera reference manual; printed instruction manual; warranty card.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

102 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for advanced users, problematical for beginners., December 8, 2002

By 

"jubalharshaw" (San Francisco, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olympus Camedia C-730 3MP Digital Camera w/ 10x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I bought this camera two months ago (October '02) from Amazon, and I could not be happier with it. I guess I am an experienced camera user, this being my third digital camera, and I have had a succession of 35mm SLR's too. The first two digitals were a Sony Mavica and a Fujifilm 2400. The Olympus 730 leaves them for dead for experienced users.

There are far too many features to review in detail, but the stand outs for me are the 10x zoom, the manual overide on everything, and the superb lens quality. This camera is essentially a digital equivalent of an SLR, but without the $3,000 price tag. Be warned, however, that it will be too complicated for most first timers to use. If you want a digital that allows all of the creative expression of an SLR then go for it, but if you want a point and shoot camera just for taking happy snaps then I suggest something like the Fujifilm 2600.

I use a 64mb memory card, which stores 80 pics at 2048 x 1536 resolution, enough for pin sharp blow ups to 8"x10" or 11"x14".In summary, if you would know what to do with three light metering modes, 5 film speeds, manual overide for depth of field manipulation, etc, then you will love the endless possibilities that this camera can give you. If not, get a point and shoot for less than half the price.

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One really nice camera, November 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Olympus Camedia C-730 3MP Digital Camera w/ 10x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I recently purchased this camera and took it to Hawaii. I used it in place of my 35 mm Ricoh XRP. It basically did everything my 35mm could do but was alot lighter. Basically I carried it on my hip camera bag which was alot easier than toting around the 35 mm with all my lenses including my 400mm lens which the 730 easily replaced. I would highly recommend this camera. I plan on getting the lens extention tube so I can use all my speciality 35mm lenses.

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, December 21, 2002

By 

Allen "fishing obsession" (Dawsonville, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Olympus Camedia C-730 3MP Digital Camera w/ 10x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

This camera's quality of picture is terrific. The zoom is unbelievable. This is the first digital camera that we have owned, but not the first we have used. It's true you need to buy rechargable batteries, and I recommend the 128 Media card. With the 128Mb card, at high quality, you can take 161 pictures, and at standard quality over 900! The quality of picture is fantastic, did I mention that? This camera is well worth the price. One more thing, the camera bag for the Olympus C-series that pops up with this camera is too small for this model.