written by Loganberry on 05/09/2009
The Olympus Camedia C-2, also known as the D-230 Brio, is a surprisingly good camera considering that it was launched way back in 2001. Although a little on the chunky side, the design still looks quite good today, and the sliding lens-cover/power switch works very well. There's no optical zoom, but the f/2.8 lens seems well made, giving bright images with attractive colour that are sharp in all but the extreme corners of the picture. For a 2mp camera it's really quite impressive. Others have reported poor battery life, but with high-capacity NiMH rechargeables it's acceptable, if not fantastic.
As well as white-balance and exposure-compensation settings, you can alter sharpness and contrast, and there's even a limited burst mode. There are a few drawbacks to be aware of, though. Firstly, the C-2 uses SmartMedia memory cards, which are increasingly scarce and expensive - a 16MB card will give about 32 pictures on the second-highest (HQ) setting. Also, the camera is fairly noisy in operation, with a very noticeable stuttering sound as the autofocus operates. Finally, as usual for 2001, videos are low-res, low-fps and silent.
The C-2 has aged quite well: unlike some of its contemporaries it is not embarrassing to use in 2009. As a simple snapshot camera, or one to take on outings where you don't want to risk something more expensive, it should do a good job.
written by ImDaMage on 15/03/2008
Olympus C-2 has great image and video quality, video playback, even with 2 megapixels it's better than most 5mp cameras with the anti blur effects and so on. Great for outdoor or indoor shots and great for action shots. Overall a great little camera, better than some of the new ones coming out despite it's lack of megapixels.
written by interpol on 19/10/2004
The Olympus C-2 camera is amazing. For the price you pay, you get quality pictures in a nice small compact camera. This camera will not let you down. The only negative thing about this camera is its batteries. It takes a lot of batteries, so you should get yourself at least 4 rechargable batteries.
written by decoy1983. on 18/10/2002
The Olympus C2 digital camera is excellent value for money. Offering 2.0 megapixel resolution at an affordable price, I found this camera to be very easy to use while offering superb picture quality. The resolution is more than most people will need, while it offers a range of quality modes for the user to choose from. The C2 allows for exposure compensation, white balance under incandescent or fluorescent light, a 5x digital zoom, sequential drive, and short video capability amongst many other things. It does however have a prodigious craving for alkaline batteries, so rechargeable NiMh batteries are a must. Do a deal with your retail salesperson. Try to negotiate to get an extended warranty as well as a 64 or 128MB Flash-SmartMedia card for the best price possible.
written by alex. on 09/08/2002
I am an enthusiastic and quite knowledgeable photographer used to using SLRs but bought the C2 as a way to improve my overall technique. Very recently, friends asked me to shoot their wedding and I took the Olympus along 'just in case'. Unfortunately I jabbed my thumb through the shutter of my SLR when changing film and, petrified, had to shoot all the formal photos with the C2! Whilst the results aren't quite up to the expectations of a good SLR the shots were absolutely superb! Excellent focus, good colour, crisp motion pictures, the overall quality was faultless. I cannot recommend this camera highly enough. Partner it with cheap memory cards from Internetcamerasdirect.co.uk and rechargeable batteries from Eurobatteries.com and you're onto a winner!
written by derek. on 31/05/2002
GOT AN OLYMPUS C2 DIGITAL CAMERA A FEW WEEKS AGO, VERY PLEASED WITH IT..THE MONITOR ON THE BACK IS GOOD AND CLEAR..SINCE THEN I GOT THE C-700UZOOM WHICH IS VERY GOOD AS WELL..BUT I STILL WANT TO HOLD ONTO THE C2..THE CLOSE UP MODE ON THE C2 IS TOP CLASS AS IS THE C-700UZ...I AM FINDING IT VERY HARD TO DECIDE WHICH ONE IS THE BETTER ALL ROUNDER..MAYBE THE C700UZ BECAUSE OF ITS 38MM-380MM ZOOM...ANYWAY THE C2IS GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY AND HAS SOME GREAT FEATURES..YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED...
written by DAVEY WEAPON. on 14/05/2002
RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES A MUST ON THE OLYMPUS C2 DIGITAL CAMERA.
written by Nippy. on 05/05/2002
I took quite a while to check out the digital cameras below £175 and this Olympus C2 was my choice. It's a great camera with loads of features and the photos look good. The batteries are a major pain and so you'll need to get Ni-Mh rechargeables for it at the same time. Other than that, shop around as I bought it at Currys for £150 and it's also on sale at Argos for £250!
written by AC. on 05/05/2002
The Olympus C2 is an excellent compact digital camera!
written by Glen "Fat Boy" Smith. on 15/04/2002
I have had the Olympus C2 digital camera for a week, it is great. Compact great design you do not mind taking it out with you no space is hardly taken up on your person. Get yourself a charger.
written by Roy. on 14/04/2002
I wanted a point and click camera and the Olympus C2 digital camera does that well, although I find the menu system a little difficult to navigate around. On HQ the pictures are fine but find the camera a little sensitive to bright lights or white backgrounds. It is worth investing in a couple of sets of NMIH rechargeable batteries. Normal batteries last no time at all and would cost more than a role of film to run the camera. It is also worth investing in a 64MB smart card as this gives you well over 100 HQ photos. On the whole I am very pleased with the results from this camera, although a little more thought into usability could be made.
written by Jim. on 08/04/2002
I bought this Olympus C2 digital camera for £150 at Dixons although I was unsure whether I really wanted an optical zoom. It is very easy to use and interface to the PC.
2Mpixels is fine for what I want (snaps, to be viewed by PC) but, as expected, using the zoom at eg x2 results in poor pictures. In case you haven't worked it out yet, 2x digital zoom means you are back to 0.5Mpixels.
Jim
written by Shane. on 07/04/2002
The Olympus C2 is a good all round digital camera-although i took the first one back to the shop because i thought it had a power fault. Used 2 sets of new batteries in 30 mins!replacement camera just the same.
written by Dave G. on 24/03/2002
If you use the default resolution (Hi-res) with the Olympus C2 digital camera, you get 35 shots to the 16meg card and that gives you plenty of scope to do cut and paste later on your PC and get a good quality print. If you don't use the screen and stick to the viewfinder the batteries won't be a problem. But if you are like me and play about with the screen then be prepared to do a lot of recharging.
If you go to the next res down you can get 55 good quality prints if you dont have to crop later.
Note. I am not a photo expert but i am not easily pleased.
I think this camera is brilliant for occasional shots but when I go on holliday I think I will still take my film camera for the optical zoom and I won't have any trouble using up the film (besides, I only bought it a couple of months ago and I will get some stick from the Mrs if I never use it again).
Written on: 31/03/2002
This reveiw made my mind up in purchasing the Olympus C-2, and when getting it home it was exactly as you (Dave) had said it was a very good reveiw even down to the battery life.
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<br>Thank you.
Written on: 21/05/2002
A very well thought-out and accurate review, after using my old Sony DSC-F1 it was a shock to discover a normal viewfinder. It really does help the batteries, also the Sanyo batteries supplied are poor, Duracell are much better. I paid £169 at Currys but they threw in an additional 32MB card.
Written on: 07/04/2002
Just bought this camera and was going to submit a clear, concise and accurate report - Dave G beat me to it. Agree with everything he says, a great first-time camera.
written by Tony. on 30/01/2002
What can I say?, Bought this Olympus C2 digital camera today!, taking it back tommorow for a full refund (I HOPE!).
Forget Point and click with this device, as colours seem washed out and faded.
Olympus Should Stick to Analogue Devices, as Korean mass produced plastic lets the company down.
Written on: 11/03/2002
An amazing camera, don't know how they do it for the price..
<br>very pleasing high quality colour pictures. -
Written on: 29/12/2002
I had the Camera for 6 months and it is absolutly brilliant. Picture quality is exceptional for this price...It is unfortunate that your camera isn't producing the results mine did..hope all goes well for you mate..
Written on: 27/06/2002
Not a fair review at all, this camera is staggering value. Obviously when 10 megapixel cameras are 10 Bob it won't be, but that's technology. Rechargeable batteries are your friend.
Written on: 05/06/2002
Only had this camera a few days so I'll leave it up to you how valid my comments are.
<br>I've found the picture quality to be excellent for a £150 camera and the ease of use and features are also excellent. However, I too found that battery life with the TFT monitor switched on is absolute pants. It wasn't immediately obvious (to me at least) that you could take pictures with the TFT monitor switched off and that the camera was still switched on. I've just invested in a pack of 12 Duracells but I think I'll get myself a charger and a couple of sets of rechargables, long term.
Written on: 05/04/2002
I paid £150 for this camera and am more than happy with it, it does exactly what it says on the tin !!
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<br>My mate's £5000 Nikon does a much better job...wonder why !!??
written by Martin Littlewood. on 21/11/2001
My first digital camera, which produces excellent results.
Easy to use and very compact. Additional facilities are a bonus. Unfortunately the software is out of date and very cumbersome to use. In fact I haven't got mine working properly and shall have to rely on another program. Shame for such a good company like Olympus. My ratings are based on the Olympus C2 camera only.
written by Dave. on 09/11/2001
Good service from "internetcamerasdirect" as I ordered my C-2 on the Net on Saturday night & it arrived on Tuesday. The camera is light, compact & easy to use. The 16Mb card gives 32 HQ photos which I found to be crisp & clear. Use of the monitor though zapped the supplied alkaline batteries within minutes so rechargables are a must! Movie mode gives a 20 sec film which is fine but with no sound it limits its use, plus it eats the the battery power so I don't think I'll be hanging up my old Hi8 camcorder yet! On the whole a nice little digital camera, I'm more than happy with it.
written by Neil. on 02/11/2001
The Olympus C2 is easy to use, easy to connect & download images to the computer. Appears as a USB drive totally accessible.
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Andylawed's Response to Loganberry's Review
Written on: 30/09/2009
Thanks for this comment. I love my olympus and I'm planning to buy one for my auntie. Olympus is a great choice for me.