Olympus Camedia C755 4MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom

by Olympus

Product Details

• Item Weight: 10.7 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: B0008GCYNW
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,104 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 24, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Point and shoot ease and full manual controls, the Olympus Camedia C755 delivers sharp, crisp 4.0-megapixel images for print enlargements beyond 11 x 15 inches. The C755 features a more compact body than its predecessor (the C-730), a new extra-low dispersion (ED) lens, movie mode, a built-in flash, and compatibility with XD memory cards. It also improves on the new C-740 with more megapixels (4.0 versus the 3.2 of the C-740), a 40x total zoom (10x optical and 4x digital zoom), an all metal body, and sound recording with movie mode.

Optics and Resolution
The 4.0-megapixel Olympus C755 digital camera can capture images up to 2288 x 1712 pixels; it can also produce 3200 x 2400 pixel images through interpolation for extra-large prints. It boasts an outstanding Olympus aspherical glass 10x zoom lens with 11 lenses in 7 groups. When combined with the 4x digital zoom, you get a total zoom of 40x. The f2.8-f3.7 lens has a focal range of 6.3-63mm, or 38–380mm equivalent in 35mm photography. The ED coating on the lens helps reduce the purple fringing normally seen on larger zoom cameras.

The C755 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 C755, you can store images on xD memory cards. With the included 16 MB xD card, you can store 16 images at HQ mode (2288 x 1712 pixels). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 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 C755 captures continuous video (with audio) at 15 frames per second in two formats: 320 x 240 (up to 16 seconds) or 160 x 120 pixels (up to 30 seconds). 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

• 1.5-inch low-temperature poly-silicon LCD screen and electronic viewfinder.
• Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, slow synch, and fill in modes.
• Stitch up to 10 frames to create a panorama effect with Camedia Master software when using Olympus brand xD memory cards.
• Six scene program modes; four customizable My Modes let you choose and save preferred settings
• Image adjustment modes include sharpness, contrast, and saturation (adjustable +/- 5 steps).
• Super macro mode gets as close as 1.2 inches away from your subject.

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by four AA-size AA alkaline batteries. The camera measures 4.2 x 2.6 x 2.7 inches and weighs approximately 10.4 ounces. This package includes the Camedia C755 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, USB and AV cables, wrist strap, warranty card, and CD-ROM with Camedia Master imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac. This camera is covered by the manufacturer's one-year limited warranty.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent camera at half the price of the C-760 & 770, September 14, 2005

By 

C. C. Schiebel "Geekwise" (Springfield, MA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Olympus Camedia C755 4MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

OK, there are a few mistakes by one of the earlier reviewers. This camera IS rated all over the internet. It is the same exact camera as the C-750. The only difference is the number marked on the camera body and what the box comes with. Check out dpreview.com and steves-digicams.com and you will see LOTS of good reviewing on this model.

Second error from the earlier reviewer was that he mentioned that there was no viewfinder. This camera does have an EVF as do almost EVERY compact digital on the market. This is just how they are made, so I am not sure what the other reviewer was expecting. Only cheaply made low quality cameras lack an EVF and use an open view port. Also, the EVF requires very little power compared to the LCD unlike he claims it might.

Third error that he made was in stating that M type xD cards do not work. This is totally wrong in that I use type M in mine and it works fine. There IS however an issue with using video record with type M cards on this model, however people using 1 GB have been able to take pictures perfectly fine. People with M type cards can write to Olympus and have two non-type M cards exchanged in place of the type M cards. There is a firmware update available on the Olympus America website. I do not know if this fixes the issue, but if you do not want to use video record, you do not need to worry about this issue.

Error in the listing on Amazon: The product spec page at the bottom lists the RM-1 remote as part of the box. This is in fact FALSE as this is the difference between the two models. The C-750 comes with the RM-1 remote and some NiMH rechargables and a recharger. The 755 as I mentioned above differs. This was Olympus' effort to sell the C-750 more cheaply by removing additional accessories. The RM-1 remote is available seperately right here on Amazon.

Now that being said, this is an AWESOME camera for the price. I have kept my eyes on this one (and the Kodak Z-740) since it came out because of the 10x optical zoom. Optical zoom is the one that counts BTW. Digital zoom will cause your shots to go fuzzy much like enlarging pictures on your PC will. It's the same exact thing. Optical zoom is the lense actually moving in your camera and will result in crisp clear images. Be sure to use a monopod or tri-pod for long range shots as there is no anti-shake in this camera and the higher the zoom, the harder it is to hold the camera still enough for clear shots. Using a pod will help immensely.

There is an adapter (CLA 4) available for this camera which allows you to use high quality 55mm filters which you can ALSO find here right on Amazon for a great price. I recommend getting a polarizer filter because as with most compact digital cameras, this one has some trouble with bright backlighting causing color balance to be thrown off in some rare occasions. A polarizer will help eliminate this issue and prevent glare in the pictures.

Another great reason to pick this over the newer 760 & 770 (which are almost identicle to this one BTW) is that the 760-770 use a special battery pack. This one uses AA NiMH. You'll save a lot on batteries this way. Proprietary batteries cost lots of money.

In the end, if you take the time to learn to use the abilities of this camera, you can't beat it for the price. This is great camera for the enthusiast or the casual snap shooter. There are lots of settings and the ability to manually focus, so it does take a little bit of learning though and therefore may not be the best choice for those that want something dead simple with nothing to learn at all. It is pretty hefty too. Not something you can just toss in a pocket and take off with. It is the most versatile camera in this price bracket though and as a result gets 5 stars from me.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great bang for the buck!, September 15, 2005

By 

Ian Rees "adventurer, techie, reviewer" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Olympus Camedia C755 4MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

First off - this camera is a re-labeled C750 sold without the remote control and AA batteries/charger, for significantly less money (over a hundred dollars difference as I'm writing this.) The manuals in the box are even for a C750, and there is a little piece of paper explaining that "...the C-755 Ultra Zoom and C-750 Ultra Zoom are identical in specifications and functionality. All instruction materials provided are interchangeable between both..." Given that, there is an excellent review of the camera at <a href="http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/c750uz.html">Steve's Digicams</a> that covers all the positive things I've got to say about the camera, plus much more detailed info.

The only negative thing I've got to say after using it extensively for a few weeks is that the video recording feature defaults to no sound. You have to remember to turn sound on before shooting a video clip or you end up with silent films. It's really easy to turn the sound on, just takes some getting used to. Guess there's a chance that there's some setting I'm missing to correct this, but I've got the most current firmware available and still haven't been able to figure one out.

Comments on Amazon description/reviews:
*The camera comes with CR-V3 Batteries, but works with those OR AA batteries (or an external 6.5V DC source.) You don't have to buy the more expensive CR-V3 lithiums, I'd recommend picking up some rechargable AAs and a charger (which, as mentioned, the C750 comes with) if you want to avoid disposable lithiums.

*The product description gives the maximum length of video clips, but the limiting factor is actually the free space on your memory card. The stated limits are probably with the included 16Mb xD card, but any normal user will be using a much larger card allowing them to shoot longer videos.

*The viewfinder is an Electronic View Finder, which in most ways is superior to an optical one. As mentioned by another reviewer, EVFs doesn't take nearly as much power as the larger preview screens, and shows a good representation of the picture that you'll actually end up with. It's analagous to using a SLR film camera in that you see what the camera's 'eye' is seeing, plus you can see all kinds of additional info as well. I like it.

It's a great little camera, especially for the relatively low price!

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Good and the Not-so Good, September 7, 2005

By 

C. L. Telles "currently on safari" (Arlington, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Olympus Camedia C755 4MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I was attracted to this camera for three reasons: the high optical zoom, the fact that it runs on AA batteries, and of course, the PRICE. I was somewhat weary of the product given that it is SO much cheaper than cameras with comperable features, and even compared to other cameras in the Camedia C- series. The fact that there were virtually no reviews of the camera online also worried me (it seems that this model was not previously released in the US, which probably accounts for the low price and lack of English-language reviews).

In the end, however, my curiosity won out and I got the camera last week. Overall, it seems like a pretty decent camera, the pictures have excellent clarity and surprisingly vivid color (compared to my old canon, which i loved).

Some issues that I do have with the camera, which might have changed my decision to buy it are as follows: there is no "optical" viewfinder. When you look into the small eyepiece, you see the same digital display that is in the big window on the back of the camera. Although this is convienent because you can see all of the indicator icons, I feel that it isn't really adding much to the usefulness and probably drains the battery more quickly.

Another draw-back I just discovered is that this camera is not compatible with 1GB and larger xD cards. It is possible for cards of this small physical size (around that of a penny) through a manufacturing process called Multi-level encoding (or some such, abbreviated M-type). The new cameras that olympus (and fujifilm) are making are compatible with this type of card - in fact, even the C760 is compatible. However, this camera must have been released right before this technology came out, and thus IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH M-TYPE xD cards.

Othen than these two issues, this camera seems to pack quite a wallop for the amount of money paid for it. It's also comparable in size and weight to other brand's models with these features (and uses AA batteries!). I'm looking forward to taking tons more pictures with this camera!