Olympus D560 3.2 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

by Olympus

Product Details

Product Manual [5.72mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.6 x 4.2 x 2.2 inches ; 6.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 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: B00008IOEJ
• Item model number: Camedia C-350 ZOOM / D-560 ZOOM / X-200
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,726 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 3, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Dive into the world of digital photography with the easy-to-use Olympus Camedia D-560. Following in the footsteps of the D-550, the new D-560 offers a redesigned body that's more sleek and compact as well as a higher resolution CCD sensor (3.2 megapixels) for print enlargements up to 11 x 14 inches.

Optics and Resolution
Featuring a 3.2-megapixel CCD sensor, the D-560 delivers image detail up to 2048 x 1536 pixels. The Olympus aspherical glass 3x zoom lens (5.8-17.4mm, or 25-105mm equivalency in 35mm photography) also offers a 3.4x digital zoom for a 10x total.

The C-560 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
The included 16 MB XD memory card will store approximately 20 images captured at 2048 x 1536 pixels in HQ mode. 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 C-560 captures continuous video (with no sound) at 15 frames per second in two formats: 320 x 240 (up to 15 seconds) or 160 x 120 pixels (up to 60 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

• 1.8-inch color TFT (transreflective) LCD screen for reviewing and editing images.
• Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, fill in, and slow synch modes.
• Four scene program modes including Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, and Self-Portrait.
• Stitch up to 10 frames to create a panorama effect with Camedia Master software when using Olympus brand XD memory cards.
• Four scene program modes and manual white balance settings (daylight, overcast, tungsten, and fluorescent)

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by two AA batteries (included); rechargeable AA-size NiMH batteries are. It measures 4.4 x 2.4 x 1.6 inches and weighs 5.8 ounces. This package includes the Camedia D-560 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, batteries, USB and A/V cables, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with Camedia Master imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

Manufacturer Product Description

The D-560 proves you don't have to break the bank to get amazing images. Powerful Olympus optics combine with a 3.2-megapixel CCD for sharp, detailed images you can email and print. A 3x optical zoom lets you move in closer and perfectly frame your subject. Make QuickTime movies. Explore various shooting modes. And reap the rewards of hassle-free downloading with Auto-Connect USB and other great features...all from an affordable and compact camera that's easy to use and enjoy.

Powerful, Sophisticated Zoom A high-power, high quality Olympus 3x optical zoom lens with aspherical glass elements gives you pictures filled with sharp detail. And a 3.4x digital zoom gives you the flexibility of a 10x total seamless zoom. Shoot big images perfect for sharp, detailed prints 8" x 10" and larger, or small images ready to e-mail. Enjoy total photographic flexibility.

TruePic, an exclusive Olympus technology that creates every image using every pixel, so even pictures shot at low resolution settings are sharp and clear. Shoot like an expert with four easy-to-use scene programs. Portrait mode for enhanced skin tones. Landscape mode for richer blues and greens.

Multi-mode flash, auto white balance and an intuitive menu navigation system. Panorama, sequence and 2-in-1 picture modes. The D-560 Zoom is packed with the most innovative features for the most beautiful photos.

With the D-560 Zoom, you're always ready to shoot a video that's easy to e-mail or watch on almost any TV. The hula dance never looked so good. Nearly any computer with a USB port will recognize the D-560 Zoom and connect automatically. No software. No hassle.

Enjoy a pleasurable picture-taking experience using the following package contents: D-560 Zoom digital camera; 16MB xD-Picture Card; digital camera Win/Mac USB cable; 2 AA alkaline batteries; video cable; wrist strap; quick start guide; printed instruction manual; warranty card; CD-ROM: Camedia master software, Windows 98 Rev 2 driver, camera reference manual.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

191 of 194 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick lecture: Digital cameras and battery types., August 5, 2003

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olympus D560 3.2 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Maybe it's because I design small electronic devices that I seem to have a better understanding of this issue of the D-560/C-350 and battery life than others. Digital cameras including this one with LCD monitor screens put savage power demands on their batteries. The basic chemistry and construction of alkaline batteries means that they are not able to efficiently deliver power at this very high rate. They just get hot and their voltage drops very quickly, making the camera shut down in a matter of minutes.

Olympus have been amazingly short-sighted in supplying a pair of alkaline batteries with the D-560. It's giving users the very mistaken idea that it's designed to use this battery type, when it *isn't*. The manual on the CD-ROM more or less spells it out that alkaline batteries are only to be used as a last resort. OK?

Rechargeable Ni-MH and non-rechargeable lithium batteries (CR-V3) have a completely different chemistry. They *are* capable of efficiently delivering the kind of power this camera (and other digital ones) demand, to give a very useful operating time.

I've been using 2,000mAH PowerBase Ni-MH batteries in mine, and getting more than 150 photos before one set is discharged. I think that this is perfectly reasonable. The supplied 16MB XD card can only hold about 80 1024x768 pictures after all.

The bottom line is this: if you are going to buy this or a similar digital camera, be prepared to buy some Ni-MH batteries and a charger or pay a lot for CR-V3 lithium batteries for as long as you own it. Olympus should make this fact crystal clear in their owner's manual, but they don't.

Yes, the D-560 obviously does have a design fault. It will often give the Low Battery warning even on batteries which have just been charged. However mine doesn't stop working, and the flashing red symbol disappears after a while. If you can live with this glitch and are prepared to buy Ni-MH batteries and a charger (or CR-V3 batteries), this is one incredibly good digital camera I fully recommend.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best digital camera I've ever used., December 27, 2003

By 

R. Kent Bailey (Tampa, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Olympus D560 3.2 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I've been using this camera to send digital photos to my freinds and relatives since April of 2003. I love it and would not use anything else. In my opinion a good digital camera is all about three things: image quality, ease of use, and size. The Olympus D-560 scores big in all three areas.

The image quality is great. This particular camera seems to do an exceptional job of adjusting to whatever lighting conditions I'm shooting in. I often compare photos I've taken with those taken by freinds or relatives using other digital cameras during vacations or special events and mine come out better.

The camera is insanely easy to use. Just point and shoot, no need to select modes or make any adjustments, it makes most of the adjustments for you. However, if you want more control the camera does allow you to fiddle around with various specialized modes. So far I have found such modes unnecessary.

The physical size of the camera unit itself is just about perfect for me. Slightly larger than the palm of my hand, it's small enough to tuck into a pocket or bag with ease, but it's not so small as to make it awkward to hold and aim.

After using this camera for 8 months I have discovered some drawbacks. First, my camera did NOT operate well on standard AA alkaline batteries. It was constantly locking up, beeping, and generally malfunctioning. I thought I would have to replace the camera. Then, on a tip from a freind, I switched to the higher powered CRV-3 Lithium battery, (available on Amazon) and my camera woes were solved. It's worked like a dream ever since.

Second, turning off the camera is kind of clunky and time consuming. You turn the camera on and off by sliding the front lense cover open or shut. This is nice and simple, but closing the camera takes some time, as you have to start to close the cover, then wait for the lense to retract back into the case before you can finish sliding the cover shut. This adds an extra 5 seconds to the end of any photo session before you can stick it in your pocket and move on. To some this may be annoying, but I've gotten used to it.

And lastly, of course, the 16mb memory card that comes with it is too small to be very useful. (I remember only getting around 17 high quality pictures on a card.) Invest some money into a high capacity memory card (128 or 256 MB) and you can take hundreds of shots without having to download them or switch cards.

So, in summary, great camera. For better results use a CRV-3 Lithium battery instead of alkaline, and get a big memory card.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars There are better choices..But great shots for a cheap price!, April 27, 2003

By 

Roy Chan (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olympus D560 3.2 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Pros: Great software, panaromia mode, nice clear lcd, and quick download of pics to pc.

Cons: Some blurryness if you take pictures in motion, Battery life, and the way the lens expands.

This camera was easy to use. Tested this camera side by side with other cameras in the same price range and this one took better pictures. The included software is really easy to use. The camera has two issues. The first downfall with this camera is the batteries. BE SURE TO CARRY AN EXTRA SET OF BATTERIES AT ALL TIMES. We were changing batteries about every 40 pictures or so....which is very easy to do in a short amount of time with the "rapid fire' mode. The other downfall of this product is the media card. The media card is not compatable with our printer's (HP 2210) smart card reader ports. Even with these little issues it still is a great camera to own.