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

Other products 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.
• ASIN: B00006JLWJ
• Item model number: 730 Ultra Zoom
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,916 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers 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.

Product Description
The compact, lightweight C-730 Ultra Zoom is the ideal companion for photographing sports events and nature. Thanks to a 10x optical zoom lens and its digital zoom facility, up to 30x magnification is possible, enabling even distant objects to be captured close up. Of course, with its automatic settings and scenes programs it is also suited for everyday use. Photographers looking to experiment with shutter speed, depth of field and white balance, for example, will enjoy its manual control options. This model's three-megapixel resolution and image optimization processes assure the results also impress when printed in large formats. It accepts both the new ultra-compact digital storage standard xD-Picture card as well as SmartMedia.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

101 of 103 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

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

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 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.