Olympus C-220 Zoom Review

Overall Rating

Compact, point and shoot. Good quality shots.

Colour performance drops off in lower light levels

This is a traditional looking film camera which I quite like, less of a lure for theft when travelling I think. The cameras is operated by pulling back the lens cover which also activates the lense. The LCD screen is switched on and off seperately. The switches operating the cameras function are quite well placed, moderately positive in action and not easily operated by accident which is good. The menu functions are easy to use and a quick read through the adequate manual and the camera holds no secrets. The LCD screen is viewable on all but the most brightest of days and is clear and crisp to view. The flash can be a bit over powering indoors on automatic but I have found by using the red eye/night flash options can give good shots. The close function has little effect in my experience but the optical zoom performs well and the digital zoom on full does not pixelate the image to a great degree. The focus is easy to use and effective. A manual focusing option would have been a nice extra but for a point and shot camera which I believe the 220 is designed to be probably out of place. The media card is easierly accessiable the cover flap and incorporated carry cord seem a bit flimsy but they have not broken yet. The battery cover feels a bit fragile but is still okay. The USB/power adpator and video out sockets have a protective rubber cover. The general feel and weight of the camera is comfortable and although all plastic and taking into account the remarks above it still has a feel of quality. The batteries/charger and 16/64Mb media card that came with the luxury kit have seen me good so far. I've not had a 2Mp camera before but I don't find the battery drain that great, I use others at work and they just eat batteries, so by comparison the 220 to me seems quite efficient. I usually don't print out much about A5 which the 220 gives good quality for and with a good well lit shot A4 still looks good. I like the camera, it's features, extras and the price. Overal a pleasing buy if your main criteria is a point and shot camera to replace/supplement your film camera on holiday and generally just capturing those moments in life we wish to immoralise which is what most of us use a camera for.

Members' Comments onsteveP.'s Review

• simon t. on 2nd Jan 2003

  Good review, i am thinking about getting one of these soon. I hope in the last sentence you meant immortalise!

• Jette. on 27th Mar 2003

  I agree!

• Conkers. on 4th May 2003

  Recently recieved a C220 as a present and I agree with the comments made. Other reviewers have mentioned that the camera has heavy battery use, but I recently bought the charger and rechargables and it makes an enormous difference. The flimsy camera body which is easily marked is the only downside.